“Um… Your Highness, you really don’t hold a grudge against me, right?” Li Xue asked hesitantly as she hurried to catch up with Jin Shu. He had just stepped out of the damp underground interrogation room and showed no signs of slowing down.

“Oh, right. Where’s my seal?” Jin Shu asked flatly, not sparing her a glance.

“Um… Captain Gong has it,” she replied quickly, then fidgeted nervously. “But… you won’t hold a grudge, will you?”

“I will if you keep pestering me,” he stated bluntly, coming to a stop as he leaned against the corridor wall to wait for Shen Gong.

Minutes ticked by, with Shen Gong presumably still handling the interrogator. Despite the silence, Li Xue remained at Jin Shu’s side, growing visibly restless. For fifteen long minutes, she alternated between staring at her boots and sneaking glances at Jin Shu’s stoic face. Finally, unable to contain herself, she blurted out, “You’re really handsome—ah! I mean, Your Highness! Uh… er…” She flushed furiously, stumbling over her words. “W-where are you from? What brings you to the capital?”

“Black Mountain City,” Jin Shu answered curtly. “I’m here to meet my uncle.”

“Oh, that’s right! You’re from the Jin family, yeah?” she asked, trying to maintain the conversation.

“Uh-huh,” Jin Shu nodded without elaborating.

Suddenly, Yin’er’s small voice cut through the awkward exchange. “Big Sister, Daddy’s not interested in you.”

Jin Shu choked on his saliva, coughing loudly in surprise. “Cough! Where did you learn to talk like that?!” he demanded, his voice laced with disbelief.

“From Daddy’s mommy,” Yin’er replied innocently, her tail flicking as if her statement were completely natural.

Jin Shu pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a long sigh. “Ah, that makes sense,” he muttered under his breath.

Jin Shu hadn’t gotten a good look at the girl earlier, so he turned to glance at her. His gaze met hers just as she’d been staring at him. She widened her light brown eyes and quickly looked away, her long black hair—loosened during her brief scuffle with Yin’er—whipping against his nose and leaving behind a sweet scent.

“Do they have strawberry shampoo in this world?” Jin Shu muttered absentmindedly, his thoughts slipping out loud.

Li Xue perked up, catching only the word "strawberries." “Oh! Do you like strawberries? I made this scent myself since I love them! Would you like some?” She spun back toward him, her hair once again smacking him in the face.

Jin Shu groaned and grabbed her helmet. “Stay still!” he hissed, stepping back slightly.

Her small pink lips formed a frown as she looked up at him with watery eyes. “I’m sorry… but, um… would you like some?” She hesitated before holding out a small embroidered pouch, its sweet strawberry scent matching her hair.

Before Jin Shu could respond, Yin’er’s paw darted out, snatching the pouch from her hands. “Yin’er wants it!” the little tiger declared smugly.

“Ah! But that’s my only one!” Li Xue pouted, crossing her arms.

“Blee!” Yin’er stuck out her tongue, her tail swishing with satisfaction.

Li Xue’s eyes narrowed. “Grr… If you weren’t the prince’s pet, I’d slap your naughty bottom!”

“Yin’er is Daddy’s daughter,” the tiger said with an air of superiority.

“Daughter…?” Li Xue blinked, her brows furrowing in confusion.

“She’s…” Jin Shu hesitated, about to say "my pet," but paused when he caught Yin’er’s pleading gaze. He let out a resigned sigh. “Hah… yeah, she’s my daughter.”

Li Xue recoiled slightly, her expression shifting to one of alarm. “Such… strong tastes…” she muttered under her breath.

“Adopted daughter!” Jin Shu quickly clarified, rubbing his temples.

Li Xue gave him a skeptical look but nodded with an exaggerated, overly polite smile. “Riiight… adopted.”

Just as Jin Shu was about to elaborate further, the faint sound of steady footsteps echoed through the corridor. Shen Gong rounded the corner, wiping his hands with a rag that bore faint streaks of red.

“Your Highness, I’ve dealt with that man,” Shen Gong stated curtly.

Jin Shu caught a faint tang of iron in the air. “Is he dead?”

Shen Gong hesitated, faltering in his steps. “...Should I finish him off?”

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“No,” Jin Shu said firmly, shaking his head. “He hadn’t crossed the line just yet.”

Shen Gong exhaled lightly in relief, then watched as Jin Shu extended a hand toward him expectantly.

“My seal,” Jin Shu said simply.

Shen Gong raised an eyebrow, momentarily puzzled, before realization struck. “Oh.” He retrieved the seal from his pocket and handed it over with both hands, his demeanor respectful. “My apologies, Your Highness.”

“It’s fine,” Jin Shu replied, tucking the seal away. He turned to leave but paused after a few steps. “Would you mind accompanying me to the palace? I’d rather avoid a repeat of tonight’s events.”

Shen Gong gave a slight nod. “It shouldn’t happen with the royal guards, but I will accompany you, just in case.”

With that, they left the dim underground compound and stepped into the open night. As they began making their way toward the palace, Jin Shu glanced over his shoulder to see Li Xue trailing behind them.

“You’re following us?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Can’t I?” she replied, a playful grin tugging at her lips.

Jin Shu shrugged, turning back toward the road. “Do what you’d like.”

----------------------------------------

“Halt! No entry! The palace is closed for the night,” a guard clad in the polished golden armor of the royal guards barked, blocking Jin Shu and his companions before the grand palace gates.

Jin Shu paused, his hand halfway to his pocket to retrieve his seal. He hadn’t placed it in his spatial earring, fearing the flash of qi would alarm the guards.

“I am the Golden Prince, and I seek an audience with the Emperor,” Jin Shu announced, producing the seal and holding it aloft for the guard to see.

The guard’s eyes widened as he recognized the seal, the authenticity unmistakable. “Forgive my rudeness, Your Highness, but the palace remains closed after dark. I cannot let you through.”

Jin Shu frowned. “Does this seal not grant me the Emperor’s authority?” His tone was firm as he stepped closer.

“It… does, but only in special circumstances,” the guard replied hesitantly, caught between duty and respect.

“Well, I have urgent business with the Emperor. I’d say this qualifies as a special circumstance,” Jin Shu pressed, his gaze unwavering as he took another step forward, now face to face with the guard.

Clink!

The second guard shifted, leveling a spear against Jin Shu’s chest. Jin Shu glanced down at the weapon’s sharp tip, then back up to the guard’s eyes, his intense gaze brimming with suppressed frustration. The guard hesitated under the pressure of Jin Shu’s stare before lowering his spear.

“Forgive my actions, Your Highness,” the guard said deeply, offering a slight bow. “But no one—not even the Crown Prince—is permitted to enter the palace after dark.”

Jin Shu exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening. He understood the rules of the palace, but the weight of his urgency made him reluctant to retreat.

A gentle tug on his sleeve drew his attention. He glanced back to find Li Xue looking up at him with wide, pleading eyes. “P-Prince, let’s go back for the night. You can see the Emperor in the morning, okay?”

Jin Shu narrowed his eyes at her, his frustration barely concealed. She flinched under his gaze but refused to release his sleeve.

“Hah… fine,” he relented, casting the guards and the looming palace gates one last glance before turning away.

Li Xue and Shen Gong followed a few steps behind. After a brief silence, Li Xue spoke up hesitantly. “Um… d-do you have a place to stay for the night?”

Jin Shu stopped in his tracks, realizing he had been wandering aimlessly. “I… do not,” he admitted after a moment’s thought.

“You can stay with us, then!” Li Xue offered brightly, her smile lighting up her face.

“Us? Ah,” Jin Shu said, glancing between her and Shen Gong. “Are you two father and daughter?” He suddenly realized he knew little about their relationship—or even the girl's name.

“Um… we’re not, no,” Li Xue replied after a pause, fiddling nervously with her helmet straps.

“Huh?” Jin Shu blinked in confusion.

“Ahem,” Shen Gong cleared his throat, stepping in to explain. “She’s the daughter of a late comrade. Since her parents passed, I’ve taken responsibility for her.”

“Ah… I see,” Jin Shu said, nodding slowly. “Well, if you don’t mind the intrusion, I could use a place to rest for the night.”

“It would be our pleasure! Right?” Li Xue spun to face Shen Gong, clasping her hands together and staring up at him with wide, watery eyes that brimmed with exaggerated pleading.

Shen Gong sighed, his tone dry but resigned. “It certainly would.”

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As they approached the general's mansion, Jin Shu slowed, glancing back at the silent, dark streets. A chill ran down his spine—an instinct honed from his past life. Someone was watching.

Li Xue seemed oblivious, chatting cheerfully about how she’d prepared a guest room just in case someone needed it. Shen Gong, however, tightened his grip on the hilt of his blade, his eyes scanning the surrounding shadows.

“Did you feel it too?” Jin Shu murmured, his voice low.

Shen Gong nodded once. “We’re being followed.”

Jin Shu’s gaze hardened. Whoever it was would regret their decision.