Sixteen-year-old Zong Zhao was the young lord of Yangyuan Marquis Manor and Chu Heng's childhood friend. He rushed in to dissuade him, saying, "Your Highness, calm down. This child cannot be kept. Don't be fooled by Concubine Shu—she did this on purpose, deliberately leveraging her sacrifice to disrupt your plans. She’s exploiting your kindness."
Chu Heng shook his head, his face twisted in agony. "I can’t kill him... I can’t. I’ve wronged Concubine Shu, I’ve wronged this child, I’ve wronged my father and mother..."
His defenses crumbled. No matter what Zong Zhao said, Chu Heng couldn’t hear it. He kept muttering apologies, his mind filled with the image of Luo Shu’s lifeless, unseeing eyes. His pale hands trembled uncontrollably.
Finally, seeing his tornt, Zong Zhao declared firmly, "Your Highness, if you cannot bring yourself to kill him, then leave it to . I will give him a clean life—one lived in obscurity, far from all this."
In that chaotic, blood-soaked night, he handed the child to Zong Zhao.
Now, the Crown Prince’s thoughts returned to the present. The collapse and struggle of a decade ago felt like a lifeti away.
The infant who once slept peacefully in swaddling clothes had grown into a bright ten-year-old boy—well-read, discerning, and quick to learn. A child of remarkable promise.
But Zong Zhao...
Didn’t you promise him a clean life?
For the first eight years, the Crown Prince had upheld this promise impeccably. He pretended not to know the identity of the child Zong Zhao suddenly claid as his own. He never inquired about the boy’s well-being or reputation, keeping his distance so the child could live undisturbed.
But then, Zong Zhao made his move.
After Luo Jingfeng nearly strangled Jin Cheng, the Crown Prince visited the marquis manor to check on the boy and noticed sothing amiss. He ordered an investigation into recent events at Yangyuan Marquis Manor:
A year ago, the marquis’ second son, Zong Yan, was discovered to have a wife and child living in obscurity. Six months later, Zong Zhao, missing for eight years, suddenly announced his intention to marry. The old marquis and his wife inexplicably handed over household authority, supporting an unfamiliar bride in raising the children. The new wife happened to be more skilled at teaching than many renowned tutors. And the capital’s most notorious delinquent suddenly began excelling in the academy...
Piece by piece, the inconsistencies piled up. But knowing Jin Cheng’s true identity made everything fall into place.
The Crown Prince concluded: Zong Zhao was still alive.
That was why he asked Xu Wan if she had seen Zong Zhao—but she denied it.
Despite years without communication, their bond as brothers allowed him to guess Zong Zhao’s intentions. Yes, this was sothing only the two of them knew. The only one who could counterbalance Luo Jingfeng was Jin Cheng.
The court was now in turmoil. The Luo family had slipped entirely beyond imperial control. Without Jin Cheng, their rebellion would an nothing less than the overthrow of the dynasty.
The Crown Prince, weakened by years of illness, had long since given up fighting the Luo family. He had prepared himself for death at any mont. But Zong Zhao’s actions rekindled a spark of hope.
Perhaps he could still help.
If the Luo brothers’ rebellion was inevitable, then let Jin Cheng take the throne—let this child, who carried the nation in his heart, rule instead.
The Crown Prince opened his eyes and looked at the little troublemaker still diligently writing. A swell of pride and contentnt filled him.
The imperial physician had said the poison in his body had seeped into his organs. Today was his last day. He had intended to slip away quietly, yet here he was, granted one final glimpse of the boy.
"What else would Your Highness like to hear?" Zong Jincheng, oblivious, had already finished copying the Book of Rites and was pleased to have been of service.
The Crown Prince smiled faintly. "Then recite the Nine Classics of Governance once more."
"Ah? But this one is very short."
"Yes. This one."
Obediently, Zong Jincheng picked up his brush and began writing, reciting as he went: "There are nine standards by which to govern the world and its states: cultivating virtue, honoring the worthy, cherishing kin, respecting high ministers, understanding the officials, loving the common people, attracting artisans, being kind to distant subjects, and reassuring the feudal lords..."
The Crown Prince’s body grew weaker, but his mind sharpened. mories of his childhood surfaced—his father, newly enthroned, guiding his hand as they wrote these very words together.
"Heng’er, grow quickly, so you may share your father’s burdens. With father and son united, we shall usher in a golden age."
"Yes! Heng’er will rember!"
The vigor of his youth, the boldness of his younger days—all flashed before his eyes, illuminating his frail, failing body. Crown Prince Chu Heng closed his eyes with a faint smile.
Zong Zhao, the road ahead... is yours to walk with Jin Cheng.
I fear... I may not live to see you again.
The sound of hooves echoed.
A carriage from Yangyuan Marquis Manor raced toward the palace.
After learning that the little troublemaker had gone to the Eastern Palace at dawn, Xu Wan grew increasingly uneasy. She hastily ordered Cui Zhi and Cui Liu to prepare the horses—she was going to the palace.
"That brat! Disturbing His Highness’ rest so early—I hope the guards do their duty and bar his entry. How reckless! Since when did he beco so defiant?"
Grumbling, she wondered if this was so premature adolescent rebellion. Cui Zhi stifled a laugh beside her.
The carriage sped along at full tilt, but Xu Wan realized it was nearly ti for court to adjourn. Soon, officials would flood out, and the ensuing chaos could spell trouble.
Her unease mounting, she lifted the curtain and called, "Cui Liu, your lightness skill is best. Take our marquis’ token ahead. We can’t have Jin Cheng causing a scene at the palace gates just to get in."
"Yes, my lady." Cui Liu took the token and dashed off.
Xu Wan exhaled. Once this was over, she’d have to remind Buyan not to indulge the young master’s every whim.
THUD—
"Whoa—!"
The carriage jolted violently. Xu Wan slamd against the window, her forehead striking the fra. Still groggy from waking early, she clutched her head with a hiss.
"Cui Zhi, did we hit soone?"
"No, my lady! Our carriage was hit—and it seems those n did it on purpose!"
Xu Wan pulled back the curtain to see several mounted n leering at them.
"Well, if it isn’t the fabulously wealthy Yangyuan Marquis Manor," one sneered. "No wonder we were blinded from afar—do you people glue jewels to your windows?"
Laughter erupted.
"Hah! rchant families and their gaudy tastes. So much money, they don’t know what to do with it. Even their carriages are dolled up like treasures—nothing like the rough tools we military n use."
"Tch. Acting high and mighty now, but just wait until General Luo returns. They’ll all be crawling on their bellies."
They traded taunts, and one man approached, hand outstretched—a familiar gesture. In the military, underlings often extorted rchants this way, knowing the wealthy would pay to avoid offending the Great General of Pacifying the West.
But Xu Wan was no ordinary rchant’s daughter. Her father was the Minister of Justice, and her father-in-law held a proper noble title. Naturally, she refused to bow to these unruly mobsters—doing so would an the Yangyuan Marquis Manor could never hold its head high in the capital again.
Xu Wan shot a glance at Cui Zhi, signaling a servant to rush back to the manor for reinforcents.
The man demanding silver grew impatient when no coins ca his way. "You damned woman," he snarled, "daring to call for help? Looks like you’d rather have it the hard way. I’ll teach you a lesson with—"
Thwack!
An arrow tore through the air with trendous force, piercing the offending hand mid-swing. The brutal impact of the arrowhead pinned his palm rcilessly to the wall behind him!
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