Capital City, Imperial Palace — Imperial Garden
Draped in a golden dragon robe, Emperor Xia sat within a pavilion in the heart of the imperial garden, the aroma of freshly brewed tea curling from the porcelain cup in his hand.
Without warning, the air behind him stirred. A soldier in gleaming armor stepped forth and knelt.
"Your Majesty, we have confirmed that the rumor about the Eighth Prince hiring assassins to kill the Ninth Prince was deliberately spread by the First Prince."
Crack—
The delicate teacup shattered between Emperor Xia's fingers, shards slipping to the floor as a cold snort escaped his lips.
"My sons have grown far too bold," he muttered, his gaze sharpening. "Are they that eager for my death? So impatient to seize the position of crown prince?"
Across from him, seated calmly in the shade, the Imperial Preceptor Situ Ce raised his head and spoke softly, "Your Majesty, please restrain your anger. With the throne still lacking a designated heir, such power struggles are inevitable. If Your Majesty were to make a formal appointment, it may temper their ambitions."
Emperor Xia let out a dry chuckle, setting the broken cup aside. "Only you would dare say that to my face. If anyone else had spoken of naming a crown prince before I was ready, I'd have him dragged away to fight in a hundred battles."
He stood from the stone bench, clasping his hands behind his back as he strolled toward the lotus pond, his robe trailing softly against the tiles.
"To be frank, the petty power plays in the capital don't concern me as much as how Xiao Chen managed to survive."
His thoughts mirrored those of Lu Shuyun. Even if the Chu family had secretly dispatched a powerful protector to guard Lu Chen, the assassins from the Blood Moon Tower should have succeeded.
According to intelligence from the Shadow Guard, the Blood Moon Tower had sent a half-step Grandmaster along with five ninth-grade experts to Beijun. On top of that, Lu Shuyun had embedded pawns in Beijun long ago. With all these forces aligned, even with a master present, the odds of the Northern King surviving were near impossible.
Yet, Lu Chen lived.
The Emperor's suspicion only deepened. Could it be that the so-called master guarding the Northern King was far beyond what they imagined?
Situ Ce folded his hands. "Perhaps the Ninth Prince simply escaped death through fortune or fate. Luck, Your Majesty."
"Luck?" Emperor Xia's tone was unreadable. "No matter. This farce has gone on long enough. Since the Chu family has not sent anyone to Beijun lately to contact Xiao Chen, let him do as he pleases. I will no longer involve myself in his affairs."
He had recently ordered a discreet investigation into the Chu family. Apart from sending Chu Yuqin and the mysterious protector to Beijun, the Chu clan had taken no further actions. Not a single message or emissary had been sent to Lu Chen. It was as if they had truly severed all ties.
Rumors even claimed that discontent was brewing within the clan over Chu Xiong's leadership. There was talk of replacing him as the family head.
Emperor Xia could only sneer. Chu Xiong himself was struggling to maintain his authority—how could he spare the effort to care about Lu Chen, now isolated in the distant north?
Turning slightly, Emperor Xia addressed the crimson-robed eunuch beside him. "Convey my decree. The First Prince has smeared his brother and damaged the dignity of the royal house. He shall be placed under house arrest for three months."
"And the Eighth Prince…"
He paused, then added coldly, "Eunuch Liu, go and deliver a message. Tell the Eighth Prince… to stop."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Eunuch Liu replied swiftly, bowing before retreating from the garden, bound for the residences of the First and Eighth Princes to convey the Emperor's orders.
---
Jiangnan Region — Sufeng City, Chu Family Estate
Within a quiet courtyard, an elderly man with silvered hair sat in silent contemplation, his eyes fixed on a letter he had reread countless times.
Chu Xiong, patriarch of the Chu family, was deep in thought.
Just then, a man in green brocade robes stepped briskly into the courtyard.
"Father, didn't you say we wouldn't interfere with the Northern Prince's Mansion for now? Then why didn't you summon Qin'er back? And… you even sent a master to protect the Northern Prince in secret?"
This man was Chu Hongfei—Chu Xiong's son, and Lu Chen's uncle by blood.
He was clearly displeased. The rumors of a mysterious expert protecting the Northern Palace had unsettled him. Although Lu Chen was technically his nephew, the two shared little rapport, much less affection.
To make matters worse, the woman he had long desired was now standing by Lu Chen's side.
That woman… was Chu Yuqin.
Chu Xiong glanced up, his voice calm but heavy. "Hongfei, do you truly believe the Grandmaster in Beijun was sent by me?"
Chu Hongfei hesitated, startled by the question. Then he replied, "If not you, who else would bother protecting a crippled prince?"
He assumed that his father had acted out of familial duty. Despite everything, Lu Chen was still his grandson. Perhaps Chu Xiong, fearing for the boy's life, had sent a master in secret.
Chu Xiong exhaled slowly. "I did consider it. But with the undercurrents in the capital growing more dangerous by the day, I ultimately decided against it."
"That master… was not sent by me."
"As for Yuqin, she chose to follow the Northern King of her own accord. She no longer takes orders from the Chu family."
Chu Hongfei's brow furrowed, suspicion evident in his gaze. "Are you lying to me, Father? If it wasn't your order, why would Qin'er follow a talentless, useless prince? I don't believe it."
Anger flashed in Chu Xiong's eyes. "Emperor Xia has made his intentions clear. The commander of the Imperial Guards has been replaced multiple times. Zhou Wangtian's entire family was purged. Mu Changtian has been imprisoned. The noble clans are his next target."
"How could I possibly risk associating with the Northern King now? Do you really think I've grown senile and blind to the Emperor's blade?"
He narrowed his eyes. "And as for Yuqin—give up on her. She married into the Wang family. Even though her husband died on their wedding day, she is still considered a widow of that house."
Chu Hongfei's face turned stormy, but he managed to speak through gritted teeth. "Father… if the Grandmaster wasn't yours, then who would protect someone like the Northern King?"
Chu Xiong stroked his beard thoughtfully. "That puzzled me too. But just now, news arrived from the capital. This might be linked to the First Prince."
He handed the letter to his son.
Chu Hongfei read it, his expression shifting rapidly from doubt to realization.
"You think… the First Prince sent the Grandmaster? That he's trying to win our favor through the Northern King?"
Chu Xiong's voice dropped. "Not the Chu family—me."
The letter had come from a spy placed within the capital, someone who had been watching the movements of the royal heirs closely. That agent had noted something strange: the First Prince had deliberately leaked information favorable to the Northern King on multiple occasions.
Even the rumor that the Eighth Prince tried to assassinate Lu Chen—yes, that too was spread by the First Prince.
To the outside world, it seemed the First Prince was shielding the Northern King.
But Chu Xiong wasn't so easily deceived. He knew this wasn't done out of sentiment—it was all for show, for him to see.
As for the true identity of the Grandmaster in Beijun, it remained uncertain.
The First Prince undoubtedly had powerful retainers, but a Grandmaster? Those were not easily spared. If he sent one away to protect the Northern King, then who was left to guard him in the treacherous court of the capital?
Unless… he had more than one.
Chu Hongfei placed the letter on the stone table and scoffed. "Whatever. I don't care who that master is. I just want Qin'er back. What is she doing in that godforsaken north with a good-for-nothing prince? Beijun's conditions are terrible—she's only suffering there."
Chu Xiong slammed his hand on the table. "All you think about is that girl! You spend your days chasing women while the Chu family teeters on the edge of destruction!"
Unfazed, Chu Hongfei muttered, "What does that have to do with me? If it really comes to that, I'll just take Qin'er and flee to the DaWu Dynasty."
Chu Xiong choked on his breath.
"Out! Get out of my sight!" he roared.
With a shrug, Chu Hongfei left the courtyard.
Alone once more, Chu Xiong looked up at the grey sky above and murmured to himself, voice heavy with sorrow.
"Yue'er… forgive me. I failed to protect you back then. And now, I don't even have the courage to send someone to watch over your child."
.....
Fun fact:
DaXia () is a term that originates from ancient Chinese. It can be translated to "Great Xia" or "Grand Xia."
So now don't be confused if I say Xia dynasty or DaXia sometimes they are used in different situations. Also the DaWu is same "Great Wu" or "Grand Wu"...
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