The walk from the ancestral grounds to Tai Jian's palace was silent, save for the occasional crunch of gravel underfoot. Tie Hongchen supported him the entire way, though he hardly leaned on her. His body might have been weakened, but his steps carried a steadiness that belied his supposed frailty.
When they arrived, she released him at once. "We are already here," she said coldly, brushing her sleeves as if shaking off his touch. "You can stop acting."
Tai Jian didn't respond. His lips curved faintly, but his eyes remained unreadable.
---
Meanwhile, in the palace of the Crown Prince, a secret meeting was underway.
The eldest sat at the head of the hall, draped in scarlet robes that shimmered beneath the lanterns. His expression was calm, regal, as if he were already the Son of Heaven.
"Elder brother," the sixth prince, Qin Wu, spoke first. His words dripped with delight. "Everything is going as planned. That bastard Tai Jian has already abolished his martial arts. He even consumed that thing. No matter what he does, he cannot recover. Within two years, he will wither away and die."
A ripple of satisfaction moved through the hall. Once, Tai Jian had been the blade in their father's hands, the war god who stood invincible on the battlefield. Now, he was nothing more than a cripple.
The fourth prince leaned back in his seat, his lips curling into a lustful grin. "I hear his new bride, that foreign princess, is not only a peerless beauty but also skilled and accomplished. Why not pay our dear thirteenth brother a visit? It would be… entertaining to see her with our own eyes."
Several eyes narrowed. Everyone knew the fourth prince's habits. He had defiled noble daughters, broken households, even dared to taint palace maids under imperial protection. His words were not simple curiosity—they were desire.
"Indeed," an old voice chimed in, calm yet carrying a weight that stilled the room. "It would be wise to test her disposition. And perhaps, in doing so, gauge Tai Jian's resolve."
The speaker was an unassuming old man seated beside the crown prince. His origins were unknown, his name never spoken. Some whispered he was not of this world at all, but a ghost draped in flesh. None could find records of him, yet none could deny his brilliance. Since his arrival at the crown prince's side, the balance of power had shifted in favor of the eldest.
The crown prince's lips curled into a faint smile. "Then let us go."
---
At that same hour, Tai Jian lay in the courtyard of his residence. His body rested on a reclining chair, eyes shut as though in sleep. Tie Hongchen sat nearby with a book in hand, her posture straight and graceful, though her attention strayed every so often to the prince beside her.
When the sound of footsteps and boisterous laughter reached the gate, Tai Jian opened his eyes for a brief moment, then closed them again.
"Thirteenth!" a voice rang out. "Your brothers have come to pay a visit. Could it be you do not welcome us, even after your marriage?"
The fourth prince strode in first, his gaze falling immediately on Tie Hongchen. She sat quietly, immersed in the book, her beauty illuminated by the soft afternoon light. His eyes burned with desire, lingering far too long.
"If you continue staring at my wife like that," Tai Jian's cold voice cut through the air, "do not blame me for being rude."
The fourth prince stiffened, gulping as his throat went dry. Everyone knew—among all the princes, Tai Jian was the one they dared not provoke. He ignored rules, disregarded rank, and was known to act with brutal decisiveness. Even their father, the emperor, had to rein him in at times.
Moments later, the crown prince entered, his bearing refined, his expression polite. Yet when his gaze landed on Tie Hongchen, his composure wavered. She was indeed breathtaking, a woman who could topple kingdoms. He forced himself to look away, reminding himself of Tai Jian's presence.
"What are you all doing here?" Tai Jian asked without rising, his tone cold as frost.
"Thirteenth, must you treat us with such hostility?" the crown prince replied smoothly. "We came only to congratulate you on your marriage."
Tai Jian's lips curved into a sharp smile. "Then I suppose I should thank you—for gifting me such a beautiful wife."
The words were a blade veiled in courtesy. The princes' smiles faltered, envy flickering in their eyes. They hated to admit it, but had they known Tie Hongchen was such a treasure, they would never have allowed her to fall into Tai Jian's hands.
"Hong'er," Tai Jian said suddenly. "Come greet my brothers."
Tie Hongchen placed her book aside and walked to him. Instead of bowing politely, she sat beside him, her presence serene but aloof.
The princes' faces darkened. Their envy turned into raw hostility. Tai Jian only deepened their anger—his arm slipped around Tie Hongchen's waist, pulling her onto his lap.
She stiffened, about to resist, but his whisper stilled her. "Behave." His hand brushed her hair with deliberate tenderness.
The other princes clenched their fists. They wanted nothing more than to tear him apart, but Tai Jian's aura, even weakened, carried the shadow of the maniac they all feared.
"Thirteenth brother," the fourth prince forced a smile, though venom laced his words. "Such a joyful marriage you enjoy. But you should guard her well. One never knows what dangers might await."
Tai Jian's gaze sharpened. He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping low. "If anyone dares touch her, I will destroy their palace, sever their hands, and…" His eyes flicked downward, lingering at the fourth prince's waist with a smile that sent chills down spines.
The threat was unmistakable.
The princes left soon after, faces twisted in resentment, knowing they had been humiliated.
---
When the courtyard finally quieted, Tai Jian rose. "Let's walk."
Tie Hongchen agreed, curiosity tugging at her despite herself. Together they mounted a horse and rode through the palace grounds until the scenery opened into a field of flowers. The air here was fresh, filled with fragrance, far removed from the suffocating schemes of the court.
Tai Jian dismounted first, his expression softer than she had ever seen. "Do you know why I brought you here?"
She shook her head.
"Because you have been wondering. Why I schemed against you. Why, out of countless opponents I've faced, I chose you."
His smile then was not cold, not mocking, but like a breeze brushing through spring blossoms.
Tie Hongchen blinked, caught off guard. "So you can smile like that?" The words slipped from her lips before she could stop them.
He ignored the jest, his tone steady. "It is because I need you. It was only through this path that I could bring you to my side."
He reached into his sleeve and withdrew a scroll, tossing it lightly to her.
She caught it, unfurled it, and froze.
"Shadow Guild!" she breathed, her eyes widening as the words at the top of the parchment seared into her mind.