Right Minister Qin Gang’s Office, Ningxiang Palace, Central City, Central Plains.

An elderly man with youthful energy was diligently working in his office. His desk was piled high with books and documents awaiting his approval and review.

As the Right Minister, Qin Gang was responsible for the inspection, maintenance, security, and various other matters concerning the southern regions of the Central Plains. He typically only reviewed papers of high importance and sometimes inspected government records on behalf of the emperor. Ultimately, however, the emperor had the final say in all matters.

As he continued his work, a knock echoed through the room. It was quite late, and Qin Gang knew that a servant would not interrupt him unless it was a matter of significant importance. He set his pen down and called out, “Come in.”

A servant entered, carrying a small scroll and bowing deeply. “A personal letter from the Little Phoenix of the Empire and an official contract, Master Right Minister. They arrived just a few minutes ago.”

Qin Gang’s eyes widened slightly. A personal letter from the princess was a rare occurrence. She only wrote to officials in the palace when she had something special in mind. Intrigued, he took the letter and contract from the servant and dismissed him with a nod.

He unrolled the letter and read it carefully. Once he finished, he sighed and glanced at the contract. The letter was a request from Princess Huangshu, asking for approval to acquire a remote sect and village in the Dongu Region. She intended to turn the area into a vacation retreat where she could hold private tea parties and gatherings with Young Mistress Edina of the Blazing Dawn Sect.

Qin Gang smiled wryly. The princess was known for her impulsive nature and her penchant for whimsical projects. He saw no reason to bog down this matter with excessive paperwork, especially since it seemed harmless enough. Without further hesitation, he stamped the contract with his seal of approval.

As he set the contract aside, he couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of the princess and her friend embarking on such an ambitious venture. He hoped it would bring them the joy and excitement they sought. Little did he know, the seemingly simple acquisition would play a significant role in the intricate web of political intrigue and power struggles unfolding in the empire.

Outside the window, the palace grounds were quiet, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. The night was peaceful, a stark contrast to the bustling activity of the day.

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First Dragon Mansion, Ningxiang Palace, Central City, Central Plains

With a gentle knock on the sliding door, it opened to reveal the Second Prince, Zhou Liang. He had a scholarly appearance, with neatly tied hair and an elegant silk robe. As he stepped in, the person who opened the door greeted him, “Come in, brother. You’re a bit late.”

Inside the room stood the First Prince, Zhou Wan. His dark hair reached down to his shoulders, and he wore a simple martial arts uniform. With a casual wave of his hand, he gestured towards the seating area, where flasks of alcohol and some snacks were laid out.

“I had some matters to take care of, elder brother. I apologize for the delay,” Second Prince Liang replied with a polite smile. Both brothers then took their seats, and First Prince Wan, with an audible chuckle, poured some alcohol into a cup for his younger brother. “No worries, brother. It is tough trying to come up with strategies, I understand.”

“Well, my opponent is quite a tough one,” Second Prince Liang said, pouring some alcohol for his elder brother in return. To this, First Prince Wan responded, “My, my, that’s quite the praise you’re giving me.”

The two brothers shared a moment of camaraderie, their conversation flowing as easily as the wine between them. The First Dragon Mansion’s warm, inviting atmosphere provided a rare respite from the political machinations and power struggles that dominated their daily lives.

Zhou Wan leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. “You know, Liang, these gatherings remind me of our childhood. Back when our biggest concern was sneaking out to the market without being caught by the guards.”

Zhou Liang chuckled, nodding in agreement. “Those were simpler times. Now, every move we make needs to be scrutinized for its political significance.”

First Prince Wan sighed, his eyes momentarily distant. “We may be rivals, but we are brothers first.”

Second Prince Liang smiled warmly, appreciating his brother’s sentiment. “I couldn’t agree more. No matter what, family comes first.”

This was a regular gathering between the brothers. Though they had different ideologies on how the realm should be ruled after their father ultimately retired, they refused to be like feral beasts and plot assassinations against their own blood. They preferred to win this contest fair and square.

As such, the two factions established rules of engagement, agreeing not to assassinate or kidnap the opposition leaders. It was a testament to their mutual respect and the bond they shared despite their rivalry.

First Prince Wan said, “I must say, using Huangshu’s desire to meet the young mistress of the Blazing Dawn Sect to make her leave the palace before father’s verdict of declining expansion for Mount Hua was brilliant!” He hiccuped and continued, “I can’t even understand how you found out there was a Mount Hua spy in Huangshu’s palace.”

Second Prince Liang, now totally drunk, replied, “I just guessed there might be, and it seems it worked.”

First Prince Wan laughed, though his eyes showed fatigue. “Worked? It more than worked, brother. Mount Hua has been bombarding me with letters, demanding that I do something about it. I haven’t had a decent night’s rest for days because of you, brat.”

“Good to see you working,” Second Prince Liang replied with a grin.

First Prince Wan poured more alcohol into his brother’s cup. “I will get back at you, brother. Here, drink some more.”

The room was filled with a sense of camaraderie and competition, the air thick with unspoken words and the weight of their shared destiny. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls, mirroring the complex relationship between the two princes.

As the night deepened, their conversation turned to lighter topics, reminiscing about their childhood adventures and the simpler days when they were just two brothers exploring the palace grounds. The alcohol loosened their tongues, and laughter echoed through the mansion.

Despite the political intrigue and the looming contest for the throne, in that moment, they were just brothers. The bond between them, forged in the fires of their shared experiences and strengthened by their mutual respect, was unbreakable.

As the candles burned low and the first hints of dawn began to creep into the sky, the brothers finally stood, ready to face the new day.