Boyong glanced up as a shadow flitted over the wall in the corner of his eye. He calmly strolled over to the window and pulled it open.
“You’re here,” Boyong greeted him. In any other part of the city, an Imperial investigator somersaulting over a wall in full uniform wouldn't have gone unnoticed, which was also why the investigators tended to move through the trees instead. Boyong didn't have that problem, with his residence being located in one of the quieter, more rundown areas. It actually was still in the center of the capital, but it was right next to the household of the Xiang family, which had been exterminated after General Xiang's failed rebellion. The place was still treated like cursed ground on account of how many people had been killed there.
Boyong hardly minded. It made for cheap rent, and also made it easy for him to act discretely. An Haoyang bowed slightly as he took off his mask.
“Sir, did everything go alright?” Haoyang asked urgently. Boyong nodded.
“I got hired, but I have to say that this young master is far more cautious than most of his peers,” Boyong said.
“Did he trouble you?” Haoyang asked, an edge in his voice. Boyong shook his head.
“I knew he was insecure and suspicious of the guards, so I had planned to approach him as a materialistic person aiming to move upwards in life. He seems the type to trust someone he can depend on to be opportunistic rather than a loyal person who might surprise him later on,” Boyong said. “I just didn’t expect that he wouldn’t buy it.”
“He’s craftier than he looks,” Haoyang admitted. “Even the men we arrested were shocked when hearing it was his doing, even though they've known him for years. Will you really be alright working for someone who can lie low for this long? Not to mention he’s already suspicious of you.”
“I quelled his suspicions for now. I told him an abbreviated version of the truth that he seemed to buy, but he said that he might fire me at any time. In either case, he’s not unpleasant to serve, but it’s difficult to tell what he’s thinking. We’ve had to lie low and move in the shadows, so we know how much it takes to do it,” Boyong said thoughtfully. “If this guy can rein himself in and live like a puppet for twenty-five years, then there must be a reason for his sudden surge to action. I don’t know what he knows yet, but I’m determined to find out.”
“It could be a chance, but it can also be a crisis,” Haoyang warned him. “Please prioritize your safety, everyone is relying on you. Especially the young lady, what would she do if anything happens to you?”
Boyong shook his head. “I’ll be fine, believe me. You just carry on with what you’re doing, and I’ll give you the signal once things are ready.”
Haoyang bowed his head slightly. “I understand. The Third Prince will return in three days, and the power dynamics in court are likely to change again. I’m sure that an opportunity will arise very soon.”
“I hope so. Go in peace, Haoyang. I’ll keep you posted,” Boyong urged. Haoyang nodded and quickly disappeared again, a shadow flitting over the wall as the Investigator lightly sprang over the rooftop.
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Kayla stood next to Lord Liang outside the city gates, edging away from Zhang Dingyong who was veritably buzzing with excitement. Since he was already known to be one of the Third Prince's men, the Right Secretariat wasn't even bothering to control his reaction to the Third Prince's return. She glanced at where Xianchun and Yunqi stood on either side of the Emperor, who was seated in a stately chair with dragon carvings beneath a silk canopy. Xianchun and Yunqi both had polite smiles of anticipation on their faces, but underneath the surface, things were a lot more complicated.
Kayla averted her eyes again, thinking of Kuang’s return to the capital in the novel. Wenyuan had been dead by then, but the Grand Duke wasn’t yet completely out of the playing field, and the old man had stood a short distance away from the Emperor and his accompanying guard, including Yu Bianfu, who hadn't been transferred yet. It was a sadistic twist on the author’s behalf to have the Grand Duke so close to the person who had killed his heir and not even realize it, but now Kayla seriously doubted that the Grand Duke had been too sad over losing his grandson. If anything, he was probably furious at having the Zhao name humiliated instead. The Grand Duke still stood in the same spot, but Yu Bianfu wasn't among the guards at the Emperor's side.
Kuang’s return signaled the true beginning of the successor battle, and in the novel, Yunqi had waited in anticipation for his older brother’s return to absolve the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of the Emperor and the court. In contrast to Yunqi’s genuine relief and joy, Xianchun had been filled with complicated emotions, both joyful at his brother’s return and anxious about what it meant from now on. Looking at them now, Kayla had no idea what each was thinking. Were their mindsets still the same now that the plot was different? The only thing that was clear was that the Emperor was very happy.
“It seems the Third Prince will be a while yet,” Lord Liang said softly to Kayla. She dipped her head slightly in acknowledgment.
“Perhaps he’ll be here soon,” Kayla replied. She was both excited and nervous, not knowing whether Kuang’s return would help her or make her situation worse. Xianchun seemed to have developed a better impression of Wenyuan over the course of the previous events, but Kayla could recognize that it was fragile enough to fall apart at any moment. The fact that she hadn’t even seen Kuang in person before didn’t help. It felt like the edge of a knife was pushing against her skin but not making a cut.
I want to hurry up and see the guy already.
He’s good-looking, like the other Princes, Wenyuan offered. And to be honest, he’s the most charismatic one out of my cousins.
There was a small commotion and Kayla looked in its direction, Lord Liang and Zhang Dingyong following suit. A eunuch scurried past them to the Emperor, leaning forward to say something.
“Excellent!”
Kayla craned her neck slightly at the Emperor’s voice.
“I guess the Third Prince will be here soon,” Kayla murmured.
“Announcing the arrival of the Third Prince!”
Yup, there it is. Kayla squinted slightly as a small procession came into sight. In line with the Third Prince’s sharp political instincts, he strictly followed the etiquette for returning to the capital and had the majority of the troops wait a certain distance away. Despite his success and his father's exuberance, the Third Prince had managed not to get carried away. The man in the front of the procession came into clearer view as he got closer. Kayla’s heart nearly stopped in surprise.
The Third Prince was still in armor, but his well-proportioned frame was sturdy enough that the armor seemed almost weightless. He wore a jubilant smile on his face and his eyes were practically sparkling. Just like Xianchun and Yunqi, Kuang was extraordinarily handsome, but he had a spark that set him apart from his younger brothers.
Kuang radiated with self-assurance, and Kayla could barely take her eyes off of him as the Third Prince dismounted from his horse and approached the Emperor, passing by her with a confident stride. He knelt before the Emperor, bowing his head.
“Father, Kuang has returned!”
“Kuang’er, it’s so good to have you back! Get up,” the Emperor grabbed Kuang’s arms and pulled the prince to his feet. Kuang beamed at his father, matching the happiness on the Emperor’s face.
Holy shit, he’s like the amalgamation of every ideal prince in a period drama, how the hell was he not the main character?! Kayla exclaimed silently, still stunned at her first glance of the Third Prince.
If not for grandmother, Xianchun would never be considered a potential rival.
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I can see why. Who would look at him and not think he’s the heir?
In terms of aura and bearing, he really fits, Wenyuan agreed. I still don’t understand how he lost in the novel.
Lack of plot armor and a burning desire for revenge?
Not necessarily. Is it even a given that Xianchun will win? You warned both of them ahead of time, and now the court’s situation is completely different from how it was when the Third Prince returned in the original timeline, Wenyuan said thoughtfully. Kayla felt a sharp twinge of fear in her chest.
I don’t know, she admitted. I’m not sure I want to know. What would that even mean for us?
We have no idea when Xianchun will learn about grandfather’s crimes, or what he will do to us then. On the other hand, the Third Prince probably wouldn’t kill us so long as we’re useful.
He didn’t hesitate to abandon Liu Hongyu. Kayla watched as the Third Prince bowed, accepting the wine from the Emperor. Kuang raised the cup above his brow with solemn respect before downing it in one go, giving the Emperor a bright smile as he passed the cup to a eunuch. Kayla had to admit that she’d faltered for a moment at the thought. It wasn't as though she had never considered the Third Prince's faction. Between Kuang’s unfaltering confidence and Yunqi’s unshakeable calmness, they almost felt somewhat reliable.
But that’s bullshit. Before the temptation of the throne, anyone and anything is just a pawn for them, and it's the same for Xianchun as well. The less I'm involved, the less trouble I'll face.
Kayla quickly followed suit with the other officials as they bowed to congratulate the Third Prince, keeping her eyes averted even as she straightened. A strange feeling of unease thrummed in her chest. She briefly glanced at Xianchun and Yunqi, both of them still restraining their reactions, and found she wasn’t the only one watching. The aura of jubilance in the air couldn’t fully mask the subtle glances between the officials as they watched the Imperial family with sharp eyes, some with hunger, some with fear. The anticipation was over, and there was only the mounting pressure left before the first move was made. Not only the capital, but the fate of the country in the coming decades was now hanging in the balance.
The storm in the capital had finally begun.
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Kayla nodded politely as a serving girl refilled her cup, her gaze sliding back to the front of the hall where the Emperor and the three princes were sitting together. The banquet held in honor of the Third Prince’s return was going strong. Most of the high-ranking officials were present, and Cao Shuyi and the Empress Dowager were also there, though Kuang’s young son hadn’t made an appearance. After all, it wasn’t as though a toddler could drink. Given the lack of an Empress, none of the Imperial Consorts were present save for Kuang’s mother, the Noble Consort.
Given that it was a formal occasion and not a holiday get-together, Kayla was seated with the officials rather than with the Emperor’s family. It was mildly awkward sitting next to Lord Liang, as their robes were the same color despite Wenyuan being his subordinate.
Kayla shifted her eyes away from the Imperial family and instead caught the disdainful look in her direction from the Grand Duke. She quickly avoided his gaze and turned her attention to the dancers instead, strategically taking a sip of wine to hide her flustered reaction. The Imperial Palace entertainers were among the best in the country, with dancers from throughout the country, as well as Southeast Asia and the nomadic tribes. Each of the dancers was strikingly beautiful and tended to enter rather decent marriages after leaving the palace despite their lower social status as entertainers.
Kayla couldn't help but glance over at the Grand Duke again, watching as he smiled and respectfully toasted the Emperor. After Lord Liang’s promotion, the mood inside the Grand Duke’s household had become more venomous with an “I-told-you-so” atmosphere, though the Grand Duke was still restraining himself and not skinning Kayla alive. She was putting in an incredible effort to avoid him as well, hoping that it would be enough to get her through this safely.
“What does the Left Secretariat think?”
Kayla blinked and set down her cup, turning to Zhang Dingyong in confusion.
“Pardon?” Did he ask something just now?
Zhang Dingyong smiled. “I was saying that the dancers are highly skilled. What does the Left Secretariat think?”
Kayla nodded. “I agree, they’re very good at their craft.”
“I heard that the dancers from Liu Hongyu’s household were rather good as well, though unlike the Left Secretariat, I’ve never had a chance to see them in person,” Dingyong said lightly. Kayla hesitated and took another sip of wine rather than replying.
He’s trying to fish for something here. If I say you’ve never seen them, he’ll know you were drinking alone with Liu Hongyu.
Is he trying to get information for the Third Prince?
He sure acts fast, the second his master returns he immediately takes action. Kayla bit down a flash of annoyance.
“The dancers in the capital are the cream of the crop,” Kayla replied.
“They are indeed,” Dingyong said. “I have to say though, Liu Hongyu must be one of the few men in the capital who employed so many Hu maidens and Jiangnan dancers. After the Liu household was subject to search and confiscation, many of their dancers also came back onto the market. I happened to chance upon a lovely dancer who’s worked in the Liu household for many years and hired her. Would the Left Secretariat care to join me for a performance and a drink sometime? Perhaps you may even recognize her.”
Kayla set her cup down. “Perhaps sometime in the future, though I doubt I would remember her even if I saw her. I’m not good at remembering faces when I’ve had something to drink.”
“Oh, of course. But surely she would recognize you, Left Secretariat.”
He is fishing. He is blatantly fishing. What the hell does he want? If he already hired one, then he should know we drank alone by now.
Kayla gave a polite smile in response and kept silent.
“Though I am a little worried that it might be a bit awkward, she is a professional. I’m sure she wouldn’t let her emotions affect her performance,” Dingyong continued.
Was Liu Hongyu his patron? What is he playing at here? What a large circle to go in, Wenyuan snapped impatiently.
“Perhaps it’s best for us not to meet then,” Kayla said.
“You’re right, at least for the time being. After all, her old master only passed away last night, she was rather upset over that,” Dingyong said. Kayla stiffened, hurriedly taking another sip to hide her shock.
Liu Hongyu died? Was it a silencing or a revenge killing? Suicide? She hadn't so much as heard a whisper about it, likely due to the Third Prince's return overshadowing any of the other news.
“My condolences. I hadn’t heard. Did he fall ill?” Kayla asked, keeping her voice as even as she could. Lowering his voice even further, Dingyong leaned in closer to speak into Kayla’s ear.
“Rumor has it that he wasn’t ill,” Dingyong said softly. “They say he starved to death.”
Kayla kept her expression blank with great effort even as her heart skipped a beat in surprise. “Starved? His household may have faced confiscation, but he wasn’t exactly left destitute,” she said quietly.
“They say that the Emperor decreed that no one should make contact with him without an Imperial decree, so even his wife and concubines didn’t dare to bring him food. He ended up starving to death in his own quarters,” Dingyong explained.
Holy shit. Kayla’s hands clenched into her robes as she fought to contain her reaction. The Empress Dowager’s words flashed into her head.
'Without an Imperial Decree, no one should be permitted to make any contact with him, not even his wife or concubines, much less anyone else.'
Kayla gulped, her throat suddenly feeling extremely dry. That was meant to be a death sentence! I didn’t fucking realize!
“I see,” Kayla said. If she chose to express sympathy now, it was the same as criticizing the Emperor’s decree, and she didn’t trust Dingyong not to make use of that. If she didn’t show sympathy, it would make her appear heartless and cruel. Given how much Wenyuan's reputation in the court had deteriorated, from the heir of an esteemed family to an unfilial and crass young man actively working against his family’s interests, Kayla also didn’t trust Dingyong not to make use of this either.
But Wenyuan’s only real support was the Emperor and Empress Dowager. The bottom line was not pissing them off, or the consequences would be far worse than whatever the court could do to her. She turned and faced Dingyong. Their eyes met, and Dingyong gave a small smirk of recognition at the calculating look reflected in both of their eyes.
“I see,” Dingyong echoed back, smiling as he straightened.
Kayla swallowed, her throat still feeling dry. She nodded at the serving girl, who refilled her cup. Kayla emptied it, being careful not to down it too quickly, wary of the watchful eyes of the officials around her. She turned her gaze back to the dancers, trying to quell the flurry of emotions in her chest.
Liu Hongyu’s dead. That hadn’t happened in the novel until three years later and under very different circumstances. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as the Princes clinked their cups with smiles on their faces. I really hadn't expected that, I seriously thought she let him off the hook. Did the Emperor also realize? He must have!
Xianchun leaned forward to say something to Kuang, who tilted his head back and laughed. Kayla could barely keep her hands from trembling as she tried to process the information. The plot’s really changed beyond just speeding things up. But what happens now?
What will happen to us if the timeline’s changed this much?
Kayla didn’t have an answer.