Wei Xun—called Zuo by those close to him—sat by the window in his pale-yellow brocade robes, staring at nothing in particular.
The hidden door behind the bookshelf slid open with a soft scrape.
Prince Shenji stepped out first, brushing cobwebs from his dark red sleeves. A thin strand of silk clung to his crown. He scowled, picking at it.
Behind him, Prince Zen emerged in light blue brocade, his ponytail still immaculate. He glanced at Shenji and laughed—a quiet, genuine sound.
"You look like you crawled through a tomb."
"Shut up." Shenji flicked a clump of spiderweb toward Zen's face.
Zen dodged, the web landing on the armrest instead. He grinned. "Terrible aim, as always."
Shenji opened his mouth to retort—
A throat cleared.
Both brothers froze.
Wei Xun had turned from the window. His expression was mild, but his eyes carried the weight of someone who had been waiting.
Shenji straightened immediately. He walked forward, stopped at the proper distance, and bowed deeply.
"Ninth Prince Shenji greets Crown Prince Brother."
Wei Xun nodded. "Rise."
Shenji rose. Then, reluctantly, he turned to Zen. His jaw tightened. His eyes flicked to Wei Xun, who gave no reprieve.
With a visible pout, Shenji bowed again—shorter this time, less formal.
"...Second Brother."
Zen's lips twitched. He opened his mouth—
Wei Xun cleared his throat again.
Zen closed his mouth. He bowed to Shenji with exaggerated politeness. "Ninth Brother."
Then he turned to Wei Xun and bowed properly. "Second Prince Zen greets Crown Prince Brother."
Wei Xun sighed—not with irritation, but with the weariness of a man herding cats. "Sit."
Both brothers settled across from him. The crown prince's personal attendant, Gui Yan, stepped forward and poured tea for each of them. When the pot was set down and the cups were full, Gui Yan bowed and withdrew, closing the door behind him.
The room settled into candlelit quiet.
Wei Xun stared at his cup for a moment. Then he spoke.
"Brother Crown Prince," Shenji said, interrupting the silence. "Is anything bothering you?"
Wei Xun jolted from his daydream, his brother's voice bringing him back.
"It's nothing." He smiled—tender, distracted. "I just saw a figure the other day at Fragrance Tea House."
He paused, his gaze drifting to the window.
"His eyes were the same blue as the northern sky in winter."
Zen and Shenji exchanged a glance.
*Azure eyes*, Zen thought. *Like the old stories of Dalishu.*
But he said nothing.
Wei Xun shook his head and turned back to them. "It felt familiar. That's all."
Zen sighed. He knew his brother well enough to know when he didn't want to talk. He turned to Shenji, and both shared a look of mutual helplessness.
Wei Xun watched them for a moment, then poured himself another cup.
"I'm sure everyone is aware," he said, his voice dropping slightly, "that Father called General Shen to the palace today."
The lightness vanished. Both brothers straightened.
"Was any information gotten by the guild?" Shenji asked.
Wei Xun shook his head. "No. We lost about five. The security in the imperial study was too tight."
Shenji sighed and glanced down. Then, as if remembering something, he looked back up.
"What about the Pei family?"
Wei Xun smiled—not warmly, but with a knowing edge.
"It's useless."
Shenji's face soured. "Brother, how can you let him act like that toward you?"
Wei Xun's smile grew wider, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"You're wrong, brother." He swirled his tea, watching the liquid move. "People like the Pei and Shen heirs are reliable."
He took a sip.
Then set the cup down.
"It's too bad they don't live long. Because of the very thing they uphold."
Zen's teacup stopped halfway to his lips. He held it there for a breath—then set it down without drinking. His expression gave nothing away, but the pause told its own story.
Shenji noticed. He said nothing.
After a long moment, Wei Xun smiled again. This time, it was softer.
"The next time, we should go to the tea shop together. The tea there is nice. And the snacks could be good for Imperial First and Second Sisters."
The heaviness lifted. Zen and Shenji both sighed—relieved that their brother had returned to himself.
The candle flickered.
"Brother," Shenji said, "the passages are not ours alone. The sixth prince's people have been seen in the eastern tunnels."
Wei Xun nodded. "I know."
He rose. His brothers followed.
One by one, they disappeared into the hidden passage behind the bookshelf. Gui Yan would seal it behind them.
Wei Xun was the last to leave. He paused at the threshold and glanced back at the window.
Outside, a single lantern swayed beyond the residence walls. Somewhere in the dark, a figure stood still.
Watching.
Then the lantern moved. The figure was gone.
Wei Xun stepped into the passage. The door closed.
The room was empty.
Outside, the capital lay quiet beneath the moon. Beautiful. Peaceful.
And full of secrets.