The General's Manor.
Since returning, Zong Jincheng had been silent and withdrawn. Xu Wan had Pan Hongzhi sleep in another courtyard while she stayed by the little one’s side. The household remained unaware of what had happened, still buzzing with excitement for the imperial palace examination the next day.
Xu Wan had the servants prepare all of Jincheng’s favorite dishes, but he barely touched them. Normally a hearty eater, he now took only a few bites before pushing the food away.
Xu Wan knew—he was still grieving An Ying’s death.
Luo Jingfeng had promised to take care of An Ying’s family, but the truth was, An Ying had no family. He had only himself, and now that he was gone, there was nothing left.
Zong Jincheng didn’t cry anymore. He just curled up on the bed, hugging his knees, unwilling to speak a word.
Xu Wan racked her brain, trying to think of a way to comfort him, but she couldn’t find the right words about An Ying. So instead, she began telling him a story.
Jincheng listened quietly, though it was unclear if he was truly paying attention. Suddenly, he looked up and asked, "Mother, who really wanted to kill me?"
His eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Xu Wan wasn’t entirely sure herself. But knowing many things, she could make an educated guess.
Gently, she replied, "I’m not certain if it’s him, but your father and uncle have already gone to avenge you. I believe we’ll have answers soon."
Jincheng clenched his fists, holding back tears. "There’s only one person they’d need to join forces against, isn’t there? He thinks I deserve to die too."
His biological father.
The current Emperor.
The ruler of Great Chu.
Before, when he hadn’t understood life and death, he could casually discuss whether Luo Shusheng’s little prince deserved to die. But now, after experiencing An Ying’s death, after realizing that he himself was the one the powerful wanted dead—he finally saw himself in that little prince’s place.
He didn’t want to die.
He just wanted to live.
Xu Wan hadn’t expected the Crown Prince’s teachings to lead Jincheng to suspect the Emperor. But his conclusion wasn’t entirely accurate. She corrected him, "It’s not that he thinks you deserve to die. He isn’t infallible—he’s made many mistakes. Your father and uncle have long been fed up with him."
The little demon, eyes brimming with tears, asked, "What mistakes has he made?"
Xu Wan told him, "The poison in His Highness’s body—that was his doing too."
When Zong Zhao had first told her this, she had been stunned. But later, she realized—royalty knows no affection. Killing one’s own children or parents was all too common in the imperial family.
But Zong Jincheng had no such preparation.
His eyes widened in horror. "How? That can’t be! His Highness said… His Highness said the Emperor treated him well. The imperial strategies he taught me were all things the Emperor once taught him! Mother, no—from the way His Highness spoke, I could tell he trusted the Emperor!"
Xu Wan sat beside him, stroking his hair. "Perhaps that’s exactly why. His Highness trusted him so much that even when he was nearly poisoned to death, he never suspected the Emperor."
Jincheng shook his head. "No… no, that can’t be. Even a beast wouldn’t harm its own child. His Highness is the Emperor’s own son…"
Xu Wan explained, "Huaishui was sent to His Highness’s side when he was very young—by the Emperor. No one but the Emperor could have made Huaishui betray him. Not even your uncle could."
Zong Jincheng’s world crumbled.
His already chaotic thoughts spiraled further into confusion.
Xu Wan tried to guide him with logic, as if teaching a lesson. "Jincheng, you’re too caught up in this. The Emperor isn’t just your father or His Highness’s father—he’s the ruler of the entire realm. Haven’t we studied countless historical accounts of royal fathers and sons turning on each other? Do you remember?"
Jincheng hadn’t forgotten.
He was just… trapped in it.
He never imagined the history he’d learned would merge with reality, that these blood-soaked truths were unfolding around him every moment.
Royalty knows no love.
Father and son share no bond.
How terrifying.
Zong Jincheng looked up, his voice fragile. "Mother, I’m scared."
It was the first time the word "fear" had ever appeared in his vocabulary.
The fearless little demon had finally met something that frightened him, and the choked sob that followed was heartbreaking.
Xu Wan pulled him into her arms, one hand soothingly rubbing his back. "Don’t be afraid. I’m here. There are many people protecting you inside and outside the manor—your uncle, your father. No one will ever hurt you again."
That night, with Xu Wan by his side, even when nightmares jolted him awake, the feel of his mother’s hand holding his lulled him back to sleep.
Morning arrived, and the courtyards buzzed with excitement.
He Zheng’s loud voice echoed outside the room: "Big Brother! Are you up yet? We’re going to the palace examination! The palace exam—today, we’re all going to rank in the top tier!"
"Woo-hoo! Palace exam day!!" Shen Yibai and the others cheered.
They rushed to rouse the little demon, but Shunzi stopped them at the door.
The boys frowned. "Why won’t you let us in? We’re here to get Jincheng!"
Shunzi replied, "Young Master Jincheng and Madam are inside picking out his robes. He’ll be out soon!"
"Oh! Alright, we’ll wait. Hey, check out my outfit—don’t I look like the most dashing scholar in the capital?"
"My vote’s still on Big Brother’s new robes. Hahaha…"
By morning, Zong Jincheng’s spirits had lifted somewhat.
His mother helped him wash up, dress, and reviewed the examination rules with him. Finally, she teased, "Our Jincheng is so handsome—even if he doesn’t win the top honors, he could still charm his way into the third rank."
Jincheng scoffed. "I don’t want third rank."
His goal was the top tier—the highest honor.
But given the Emperor’s attitude toward him, he’d be lucky to scrape the bottom of the third tier.
He didn’t say this aloud, not wanting to worry his mother. "Let’s go, Mother. I’ll do my best."
Xu Wan patted his head. "That’s all I ask." She took his hand and led him out.
Originally, she had considered keeping him from the exam, fearing the Emperor might harm him in the palace.
But at dawn, Zong Zhao had sent word that everything was prepared. Only after verifying his handwriting did Xu Wan agree to let Jincheng go.
Still, her heart remained uneasy the entire journey.
At the palace gates, the candidates descended from their carriages, meeting fellow scholars from across the capital. The air thrummed with youthful energy as they greeted one another eagerly.
Xu Wan watched the nine boys step forward. "Don’t be nervous. I’ll wait for you outside."
"Got it!"
Inside the palace, Zong Jincheng and his group drew many stares—their youth made them stand out.
Until someone gasped, pointing at them in astonishment. "You—you’re those Childhood Scholars who passed the provincial exams, aren’t you?!"
"Zong Jincheng, that’s Zong Jincheng, right? He’s already famous in our academy. It was him and Qin Ye who exposed Wei Shaoling’s malicious schemes—otherwise, so many of us wouldn’t have passed the imperial exams this year."
"Brother Zong, you’re truly righteous! Can we be friends? We’re all candidates from the same year. Once we enter officialdom, we can work together for the good of the people."
"That’s right, count me in too! Zong Jincheng, I’d love to be your friend as well."
"And me! I’m one of the students you helped. Zong Jincheng, look at me!"
