“Your Majesty, I hear the new emperor of Shengguo is ruthless and cruel beyond measure. I humbly request you stay at the guesthouse tonight and not attend the banquet at the palace.”
“Thud—”
A tea cup slammed onto the table, its dull thud abruptly piercing the Eternal Ling Marquis’s ears. His face twitched as he quietly lifted his drooping eyelids to glance at the youth emperor seated above him.
Anger flickered beneath the youth’s beautiful features.
The Eternal Ling Marquis hastily prostrated himself: “Your Majesty…”
Yu Zhi cut him off: “This journey is mine alone.”
The youth’s expression hardened.
“I will not be accompanied by anyone else.”
The
Anger flickered in the youth’s handsome features.
The Marquis of Changlin immediately prostrated himself, kowtowing: “Your Majesty…”
Yu Zhi cut him off: “This journey was intended to gauge Luo Tingshi’s true intentions. You suggest I hide in the guest quarters and avoid the palace?”
The Marquis of Changlin felt his heart sink even deeper.
He had watched the young emperor grow up. The boy had always been determined, unwavering once he made a decision. When the new emperor of Shengguo ascended the throne, the young emperor insisted on disguising himself as a member of the envoy and coming along. There was simply no stopping him.
But the new emperor of Shengguo was no pushover.
The Marquis of Changlin wiped the cold sweat from his brow with his sleeve and lowered his voice. “Your Majesty, during our days in Shengguo, you must have heard many rumors about Luo Tingshi. He seized the throne through a military coup while the old emperor lay dying. Upon ascending, he immediately purged the court—opposing ministers were beheaded, and princes who challenged his claim to the throne met violent deaths.”
“This man is ruthless and ambitious. Should he discover Your Majesty’s presence in Shengguo, it is feared…”
The Marquis of Changlin couldn’t help but sigh.
Yu Zhi lifted his eyelids, glancing at the gloom-stricken Marquis of Changlin with a faint smile. “Then I shall meet him all the more.”
The Marquis of Changlin opened his mouth to speak further, but Yu Zhi waved him off. “The hour is late. Your Lordship, go change your clothes. Do not delay me any longer.”
“…Yes.” The Marquis of Changlin exited the room with a mournful expression.
–
Half an hour later, the carriages of envoys from various nations began arriving at the imperial palace.
Upon reaching the palace gates, guards verified the envoys’ identities before palace attendants escorted them to the Linde Hall. Once inside, the envoys took their seats in order.
With the Nine Provinces divided between Yu and Sheng, smaller states could only align with one of the two powers. Naturally, the envoy from Yu took the foremost position. The Marquis of Changlin sat to the left below the imperial throne. He glanced at the figure beside him.
The man was surveying the surroundings with keen interest.
The man’s features were unremarkable—the sort easily lost in a crowd—yet his entire demeanor…
…did not resemble that of an ordinary courtier.
The Marquis of Changlin quietly tugged at the man’s sleeve, whispering in a voice only they could hear: “You ought to be more cautious. Tone down your presence.”
Just then, a sharp, high-pitched voice pierced the air: “His Majesty arrives!”
Yu Zhi’s eyes sharpened as he rose with the envoys and officials to pay homage to the new emperor.
The grand hall fell into solemn silence. Heads bowed, all held their breath in anticipation. After what felt like an incense stick’s worth of time, the sound of heavy boots striking the floor echoed from the left side of the hall. The rhythmic “tap, tap” of footsteps grew louder as they approached, pounding in the hearts of everyone present.
Yu Zhi thought silently.
Luo Ting was a formidable opponent, not someone to be trifled with.
In that instant, a chill shot down Yu Zhi’s spine. It felt as though a fierce beast had locked onto him with its gaze. Instinctively sensing danger, Yu Zhi held his breath for several heartbeats.
The measured footsteps turned toward the imperial throne, echoing through the vast hall. Yu Zhi drew a quiet breath, closed his eyes, steadied his mind, and relaxed his slightly tense body, pretending to notice nothing.
Suddenly, a low chuckle echoed from above.
Yu Zhi sensed a faint, lingering gaze fixed upon his side, causing him to frown imperceptibly.
A languid voice sounded: “Rise, everyone.”
The officials knelt in gratitude to the new emperor. Yu Zhi lifted the hem of his official robe and sat upright before the table, hands folded, eyes lowered.
Out of Yu Zhi’s sight, Luo Tingshi leaned back in the imperial throne, his right hand propping up his chin as his gaze swept around Yu Zhi.
His gaze lingered momentarily upon the slender waist outlined by the jade sash.
“Your Majesty, with your brilliant wisdom and grand vision, you have now ascended the throne…”
An envoy from a minor kingdom stepped forward to offer congratulations and tribute. Luo Tingshi gave him a casual glance before his eyes returned to Yu Zhi.
Yu Zhi felt a surge of irritation.
As emperor, he was accustomed to others’ attention, yet this particular gaze made him distinctly uncomfortable.
It was cold, distant, and dangerous.
And it carried an indescribable, ambiguous undertone.
It didn’t seem like recognition of his status. Rather, it felt like…
Yu Zhi faltered.
No one had ever dared look at him like this. He couldn’t fathom its meaning, and his irritation only deepened.
What exactly was Luo Tingshi up to?
–
Envoys from several nations took turns presenting their tributes. Soon, it was Yu Kingdom’s turn.
Yu Zhi exchanged a glance with the Marquis of Changlin before rising to stand before the imperial throne. He bowed slightly to Luo Tingshi.
The Marquis of Changlin declared, “We congratulate Your Majesty on receiving Heaven’s mandate and ruling the realm. By our sovereign’s command, we present these congratulatory gifts, praying that the ironclad alliance between Yu and Sheng shall endure forever.”
Luo Tingshi sat up straight and smiled, replying, “The bond between this Emperor and the Yu Emperor runs deep. In our youth, we even made a pact: when he ascended the throne, I would attend his coronation. Alas, four years ago when the Yu Emperor took the throne, I was unable to journey to Yu. It remains a profound regret.”
Deep friendship? What utter nonsense!
Yu Zhi snorted coldly within.
It was merely a few days of childhood play with Luo Tingshi. Had Luo Tingshi not mentioned it, he would have nearly forgotten the matter.
Luo Tingshi shifted his tone, his smiling gaze turning to Yu Zhi. “Great Yu truly nurtures exceptional talents. Even its envoys possess such refined grace and noble bearing. May I inquire about this distinguished gentleman’s name?”
Yu Zhi: “…”
He lowered his eyes and replied respectfully, “Lu Jing.”
Luo Tingshi clapped his hands in laughter: “A lofty mountain to look up to, a noble path to follow—what a splendid name.”
A cold gleam hardened in Yu Zhi’s eyes beneath his long lashes.
Why would he recite that verse? Could Luo Tingshi have recognized him?
No, impossible.
Yu Zhi instantly dismissed the thought. He and Luo Tingshi had met when they were merely five years old. His temperament and appearance had changed drastically since then. Moreover, he had deliberately used magic today to conceal his true features. To others, he appeared as nothing more than an ordinary, unremarkable man.
What on earth is Luo Tingshi doing?
Yuzhi muttered inwardly while bowing respectfully: “Your Majesty flatters me.”
The Marquis of Changlin, observing their exchange, felt uneasy. He lifted his eyelids to steal a glance at the Emperor of Shengguo, only to see the man unabashedly sizing up his sovereign.
His expression was one of keen interest.
A chill ran down the Marquis of Changlin’s spine as a sudden sense of foreboding washed over him.
He immediately burst into laughter, raising his voice to capture Luo Tingshi’s attention: “Our Yu Kingdom boasts countless talented youths. If His Majesty the Emperor of Sheng is interested, why not join us for the spring hunt next year? Witness the gallant spirit of our Yu warriors.”
Luo Tingshi smiled: “Then it would be discourteous of me to decline.”
Yu Zhi stood with hands clasped at his sides, listening to their banter while his mind worked silently.
In his hazy childhood memories, the young Luo Tingshi hadn’t been this inscrutable. He must have endured much over the years.
Yu Zhi’s father had only one child—himself. Born the Crown Prince, he never had to vie for the throne.
Sheng Kingdom was different. The old emperor had numerous sons. Luo Tingshi had fought his way through a sea of blood to seize this position. Such men often harbored immense ambition. Even in their brief exchange today, Yu Zhi sensed the intense desire radiating from Luo Tingshi—
He was unwilling to share the world with Yu Kingdom.
Yu Zhi pressed his lips together, a faint unease stirring within him.
–
After the envoys from various states presented their tributes, musicians and dancers filed in. As the music began, women in the hall moved with graceful, light steps, their figures elegant and slender.
Yu Zhi lifted his wine cup, took a small sip, and glanced toward the man seated on the imperial throne.
Unexpectedly, the man also looked over at that moment. Their gazes met in midair, causing Yu Zhi’s heart to skip a beat.
Luo Tingshi possessed wolf-like eyes—narrow, deep-set pupils that held an undeniable wildness as they fixed upon him.
Yu Zhi gasped softly, feigning alarm as he hastily averted his gaze. His right hand, clutching the wine cup, trembled slightly, spilling a few drops that dampened his sleeve.
“What’s wrong?” The Marquis of Changlin, hearing the commotion, immediately turned to ask.
Yu Zhi shook his head. “Nothing, Your Lordship needn’t worry.”
The Marquis of Changlin instinctively looked up at Luo Tingshi. Luo Tingshi curved his lips, raised his wine cup to the Marquis, and drained it in one gulp.
Seeing this, the Marquis of Changlin drank a cup with Luo Tingshi.
Yu Zhi lowered his gaze, staring at the clear liquid in his cup, silently wondering if his earlier behavior had shown any cracks. He just didn’t know if Luo Tingshi believed him.
Yu Zhi let his thoughts wander aimlessly as he slowly rolled up his sleeve a bit.
He deliberately spilled wine—not only for Luo Tingshi’s benefit, but also because he felt hot.
His mouth was parched, his body burning.
Yu Zhi touched his exposed wrist. The skin beneath his fingers was scorching, as if it had been dipped in a furnace.
He startled at the sensation.
A wave of feverish heat surged through Yu Zhi’s chest, suffocating him. Moments later, the intensity grew. He turned to the Marquis of Changlin and said, “I’ll step outside for some air.”
The Marquis of Changlin glanced at Yu Zhi’s flushed cheeks and murmured, “I’ll send someone to accompany you.”
“No need. I’ll just rest in the pavilion nearby.” Yu Zhi waved his hand and rose to leave the hall.
Luo Ting, who had been observing this side, lifted his gaze to watch Yu Zhi’s slender silhouette, narrowing his eyes.
–
The night was murky, devoid of stars or moonlight.
Yu Zhi strolled along the corridor toward the pavilion by the water. A cool breeze carrying the delicate scent of jasmine brushed past him. For some reason, he felt no chill at all. Instead, his body grew increasingly hot, and his mind felt a bit hazy.
Strange. He hadn’t drunk much today. Why was this happening?
Yu Zhi rubbed his temples and quickened his pace. Before long, the corner of the pavilion came into view.
The wind swept through, causing the palace lanterns beneath the eaves to sway and flicker, their light flickering on and off. The pavilion was surrounded by water on three sides, with rows of verdant bamboo lining the path, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere.
Yu Zhi stepped through the swaying shadows of the bamboo, his strides uneven as he hurried toward the pavilion.
Not far from the pavilion lay the Linde Hall. Ethereal strings of music drifted across the rippling water, reaching Yu Zhi’s ears. Seated on the pavilion bench, his back against the vermilion railings, he raised his hand and pulled his collar slightly open.
It was unbearably hot.
In just this brief moment, the stifling heat had already spread throughout his entire body. Wave after wave of scorching heat washed over his meridians, making Yu Zhi feel as if he were about to melt.
“Huff…” Yu Zhi exhaled a stream of hot air.
Something wasn’t right. This didn’t feel like drunkenness.
Suddenly, Yu Zhi’s lower abdomen clenched violently. A wave of staggering intensity surged through his body, racing straight to the top of his skull. Sensing the change in his body, he raised his hand to cover his burning cheeks, his eyes wide with horror.
…He was… in heat?
Yu Zhi sucked in a sharp breath and sprang to his feet.
The force of the heat surge was too fierce, shattering his minor illusion spell. He had now reverted to his true appearance.
He had to find a deserted place to hide. He couldn’t be seen by others!
Yu Zhi stumbled down the stone steps. The heat surged violently within him, clouding his mind. Countless specks of light flickered before his eyes, distorting the world around him into a hazy blur. Unable to see his path, he staggered blindly forward.
Emerging from the pavilion, he suddenly collided with fragments of muffled conversation.
“What do you think? What kind of woman would His Majesty choose as his empress?”
“Are you out of your mind? Daring to speculate about this? Watch your head.”
“I know, I know…”
Startled, Yu Zhi darted into the bamboo grove, shrinking into the darkness. Clutching a bamboo stalk, he peered out cautiously.
Several palace maids in formal attire passed by the path, walking toward the distance.
Once their figures vanished, Yu Zhi slowly emerged from the bamboo grove. Just as he lifted his foot to step back into the darkness, an unprecedented wave of emotion swept over him with lightning speed, turning his world upside down. His legs buckled, and he stumbled forward.
“Ah!”
Yu Zhi cried out in shock, crashing into the hard ground. A stinging pain shot through his forehead, and his vision blurred.
Hmm, something’s wrong…
Why is the ground hot? And moving?
Yu Zhi opened his dazed eyes.
In the dark night, a pair of cold, eerie eyes stared straight at him.
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