The power of jealousy can be formidable.
Whenever Lord Qin thought of Zong Zhao, mories of his own days of relentless studying would resurface—long-forgotten recollections flooding his mind, making his hand move even faster as he transcribed the autumn provincial exam questions.
Qin Shi and Qin Ye watched in stunned silence.
Was their father… still holding a grudge against General Zong?
Qin Ye didn’t understand why, but the image of Zong Jincheng popped into his head. At this mont, his father seed possessed by that reckless boy’s spirit—utterly unbelievable.
Lord Qin continued writing without pause. "Qin Shi, send soone to reply to the Zong family. Forget just the autumn provincial exam—I can recite the questions for the tropolitan and palace exams too!"
Qin Ye: "…" This was too embarrassing to watch.
Qin Shi chuckled. "Understood. I’ll go right away."
That sa night, Xu Wan received the autumn provincial exam questions from the Qin family. Though still incomplete, most of them were there. She handed the papers over to the tutors for organization, manually compiling what could be called the "Three Years of Exams, Five Years of Drills."
By mid-April, the imperial family announced plans for a royal hunt in early May. Luo Jingfeng sent over a bow crafted from rare purple yew wood, a tribute from Dengzhou. The small bow was exquisitely made, elegant and refined, with patterns that were simple yet dignified.
Even though the top-class young troublemakers weren’t trained in martial arts, they couldn’t help but drool over such a beautiful weapon.
"It’s gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. It makes want to take up archery," Shen Yibai gushed, practically salivating over the purple yew bow.
The little troublemaker, Zong Jincheng, rolled his eyes. "We don’t have ti for martial arts now. We’ll talk after the palace exams."
Shen Yibai scoffed. "I’m just going to be cannon fodder anyway—no way I’ll make it to the palace exams. Heh. Co on, Jincheng, try it out! Luo Jingfeng sent this bow—it must be amazing. He’s the strongest general in Great Chu, after all."
Zong Jincheng scowled and corrected him. "The strongest general is my father."
"Oh, right, right! Uncle Zong is incredible too! Both of them, both of them!"
Zong Jincheng eyed the bow. It was indeed beautiful, but the mont he rembered it was a gift from Luo Jingfeng, he lost all interest.
"Take it. I don’t want it." With that, he walked away.
Shen Yibai: "?! Seriously, Jincheng? You’re really giving it to ??"
The little troublemaker’s figure quickly vanished, leaving behind a gleeful Shen Yibai who couldn’t believe his luck.
"Alright, then! I’ll put it to good use. Jincheng, don’t regret this—I’ll be the most dashing guy at the hunt!"
He Zheng chose that mont to deliver a cutting remark. "And then get pulverized by Luo Jingfeng?"
Shen Yibai: "…"
The joy on the young boy’s face instantly deflated.
Right. This bow was Luo Jingfeng’s gift to Jincheng. If he used it in front of Luo Jingfeng, wouldn’t that be a slap in the face?
Jincheng could yell at Luo Jingfeng all he wanted, but Shen Yibai didn’t dare. Rumors said Luo Jingfeng had a terrible temper—he might just send him straight to et his ancestors in a fit of rage.
Shen Yibai quickly stroked the bow a few more tis, muttering, "If I can’t use it, at least I can admire it. He Zheng, Xinglu, Wenxiu, co feel how smooth this is…"
In the courtyard, Zong Jincheng kicked a stool in frustration. His gaze landed on the birdcages hanging under the eaves. Since he’d stopped his mischievous ways, he hadn’t terrorized the birds with cats in a long ti—they’d grown plump and lazy in their peace.
After a while of venting, he lay down under the eaves, hands behind his head, staring up at the cages. Luo Jingfeng’s words echoed in his mind.
Luo Jingfeng hadn’t bothered him in a while, but he kept sending rare and valuable gifts—clearly treating him like a nephew. anwhile, his father was always busy with investigations, never interfering in his relationship with Luo Jingfeng, as if silently approving.
Could it be true? Was he really the little prince who should have been killed?
That night, Luo Shu had been caught by His Highness, sparing the little prince’s life. If that child, a threat to the throne, was really him… why had he been allowed to live? Not only that, but the Crown Prince had personally raised and taught him for nearly two years. Wasn’t that like nurturing a future enemy?
What… was His Highness thinking?
The little troublemaker sat up abruptly and called out, "Buyan! Still no news from the Eastern Palace?"
Buyan entered and replied, "No, Young Master. His Highness remains unconscious."
"I miss him. I want to see him," the boy said, his voice tinged with sorrow.
Buyan shook his head. "The Eastern Palace has given orders—no visitors. Young Master, let His Highness rest."
Zong Jincheng slumped back, defeated. His fingers curled against the cold floor, rembering the Crown Prince’s perpetually icy hands. His grip tightened.
"Who… is harming His Highness?"
At the Eastern Palace, though the order was to admit no visitors, the Crown Princess quickly welcod Zong Zhao and Xu Wan when they arrived.
Zong Zhao went in to administer acupuncture to the Crown Prince.
With His Highness unconscious, only the Crown Princess remained in the palace. Xu Wan guessed that Zong Zhao didn’t want to visit the Crown Princess alone too often, so he’d brought her along. Now, she waited outside with the Crown Princess, asking about His Highness’s condition.
The Crown Princess smiled. "His Highness is recovering day by day. The imperial physicians say the toxins in his body have accumulated too much—it’ll take ti for him to wake. But I trust Zong Zhao. I believe he’ll find a way to speed up His Highness’s recovery."
Xu Wan glanced inside and nodded. "Zong Zhao will do everything he can to save His Highness. Their bond seems very close."
When the Crown Prince had fallen critically ill, Zong Zhao had rushed back from the border without rest—his devotion was undeniable.
At this, the Crown Princess chuckled. "They grew up together, studying literature and martial arts side by side. Their trust in each other is like that of brothers. I don’t know how rumors started ten years ago about them quarreling and cutting ties—it’s all nonsense."
Xu Wan nodded earnestly. "I think so too."
The two won laughed, lightening the somber atmosphere of the Eastern Palace.
Inside, the Crown Prince lay peacefully in bed, his complexion still pale but with a healthier flush—his condition had clearly improved.
After finishing the acupuncture and feeding him a dicinal pill, Zong Zhao sat by the bed for a long ti, listening to the Crown Prince’s steady breathing.
When they left the palace, Xu Wan didn’t pry about the Crown Prince. Instead, she asked, "Old General Qi’s grandson’s full-month banquet is tomorrow. Will you co with ?"
The capital was always bustling with banquets. Before, she hadn’t received many invitations, but now that Zong Zhao had returned with military honors, the invitations had multiplied.
For events like ladies’ flower-viewing parties, she could go alone. But Old General Qi was a revered figure among the older generation of military officials—his standing in court was unique.
She thought it best to ntion it to Zong Zhao.
Zong Zhao nodded. "I’ll go with you tomorrow."
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