Wen Zheng splashed cold water on his face, forcing himself awake, then followed the eunuch to Yangxin Hall.
As soon as he entered, a rich fragrance assaulted his senses—so strong it was almost sickening. The emperor was already seated, waiting for him.
Though it was already summer and no longer cold, the emperor still wore a thick outer robe. Perhaps years of indulgence in wine and women had already taken a deep toll on his body.
The moment he saw Wen Zheng enter, the emperor strode forward and pulled him into a hug.
“Zheng’er, how have you been these days? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
Wen Zheng stared straight ahead and replied coldly, “Your son is fine. Thank you, Royal Father, for your concern.”
The emperor patted him heavily on the shoulder and sighed. “As long as you’re fine. You’re the only blood left to me by your mother. If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t know how to face her.”
Wen Zheng gave a cold laugh in his heart. “Royal Father, whether I’m truly my royal mother’s only bloodline—you know that very well, don’t you? That person, haven’t you already met him and even appointed him top scholar yourself?”
At those words, the emperor’s face instantly changed.
Then he chuckled again, expression unreadable. “Zheng’er, what nonsense are you saying? Your royal mother only ever had you. That person merely happens to look somewhat like you. Don’t take it to heart.”
Wen Zheng looked at the emperor and, for a moment, even felt a hint of admiration.
He could say such self-deceiving words out loud without a trace of shame.
Since his father chose to play dumb, there was no need for him to keep pressing.
“Yes, I understand.”
Seeing this, the emperor chuckled and sat back down, sipping his hot tea.
“Zheng’er, while you were away, did you hear that General Zhenbei recently won a great victory?”
Wen Zheng nodded. “Yes, I’ve heard of it.”
Some days ago, when Ah Heng fell into the water in the palace, it was the general’s daughter who saved her. In that sense, they owed the family a debt of gratitude.
The emperor laughed heartily, full of praise. “As expected of my son. Even while amnesiac and wandering among the commoners, you’re still aware of the court’s affairs. You have the makings of a true crown prince.”
Then his tone shifted. “But do you know how the people are talking about this victory?”
One second he was still smiling, and the next, he flew into a rage, smashing his teacup violently to the floor.
The cup shattered instantly, and a shard landed right in front of Wen Zheng.
“Those lowly commoners! They’re all singing the praises of General Zhenbei, saying that if not for him, the border would’ve fallen long ago and our Jin Dynasty wouldn’t be so peaceful now! Zheng’er, tell me—is that right?!”
Wen Zheng was silent for a long time before replying, “A good general is a blessing to Your Majesty.”
Unexpectedly, the emperor reacted as if deeply insulted, flipping the table before him with a thunderous crash. The entire hall descended into chaos.
“Zheng’er, even you think that way? You are the Crown Prince! And now a mere general’s fame is surpassing the royal family—that is an unbearable disgrace!”
In the past, Wen Zheng had no heart. Whatever his father said, he would agree without thought.
But now, he had grown a heart, developed human feelings, and formed his own judgments—he could no longer blindly agree.
Seeing him stay silent, the emperor grew even more enraged. “No matter what, I want you to bring me General Zhenbei’s head within three days. That is an order!”
At this, Wen Zheng’s heart pounded. “Royal Father, this is unwise! The Yu family has produced generations of loyal and heroic generals, sacrificing themselves on the battlefield. Killing him would not only dishearten the Yu Army, but all loyal ministers of the court!”
Mentioning the Yu Army only deepened the emperor’s suspicion and instead fanned the flames of his fury.
“Oh? The Yu Army has always pledged loyalty only to General Zhenbei’s house—have they ever truly acknowledged me as emperor? If they dare rebel over one man’s death, let them come! I’ll crush them myself!”
He turned, his eyes full of suspicion and paranoia, locking on Wen Zheng.
“Zheng’er, you’ve only been away from the palace a few months—how have you changed so much? Did someone from Marquis Yongning’s household fill your head with nonsense?”
Alarm bells blared in Wen Zheng’s heart. Before he could respond, the emperor gave his decree.
“In any case, if you fail to bring me the general’s head in three days, I will have the entire Yongning Marquis household thrown in prison. Do what you must.”
At those words, Wen Zheng looked up in shock, blood running cold.
Just because he had disobeyed once, his father would vent his rage by condemning an entire household to death?
He couldn’t imagine how devastated Ah Heng would be if this came to pass.
She had never known the love of parents for most of her life. Now that she’d finally reunited with her birth family, just as things were getting better, she’d lose it all to a political purge? How could he allow that?!
But knowing his father, if he said it, he meant it.
A man this cold and heartless—how was he fit to rule the world?
In that moment, Wen Zheng’s heart was full of shock and hatred.
Seeing the resistance on his face, the emperor sneered. “Zheng’er, you were right earlier—you do have a younger brother, also your mother’s blood. But your mother and I only need one child. The position of Crown Prince can only belong to one person. If you won’t behave, I don’t mind replacing you.”
At that, Wen Zheng’s fury peaked—his eyes even turned bloodshot.
From the moment he regained his memories, he had known: the imperial family had no heart.
For twenty years, his father had never seen him as a child—only as a useful blade.
Now that the blade had dulled, he wanted to grind it sharper—and the Yongning Marquis household and Shen Zhengyu were his whetstones.
But Wen Zheng also knew: as Crown Prince, he still had a bit of power, still had the ability to resist.
If he lost this title, he’d be the fish on the chopping board.
And as for Shen Zhengyu—Wen Zheng had only met him once, but already saw the raging ambition in his eyes.
If he handed over the crown to him, he’d surely fight him for Ah Heng in even crueler ways.
He would never let that happen.
At this point, he could only agree for now and plan later.
Forcing down his anger, Wen Zheng knelt on one knee and made his pledge. “Royal Father, your son understands. I was momentarily confused and said something inappropriate. Three days from now, I will return with General Zhenbei’s head.”
Having said this, Wen Zheng rose and strode out of the hall.
The emperor narrowed his eyes at his retreating figure and sneered, “Did you see? He still holds resentment in his heart.”
The eunuch beside him quickly tried to soothe him. “Your Majesty, His Highness is still young. Perhaps he spoke rashly. Please don’t take it to heart—it could affect your health.”
The emperor stroked the jade ring on his thumb and said coldly, “Heh. He’s been outside too long—his mind has turned wild. But no matter. If I could mold the old him, I can straighten out this one too.”
“Pass down the order: tomorrow, organize a royal hunt. All officials of fifth rank and above in the capital must attend.”
“Yes, sir.”
***
Early the next morning, Quan Heng had just gotten out of bed when, for some reason, a vague unease welled up in her heart. She didn’t even have breakfast.
Ziyun, noticing this, grew anxious. “Miss, please eat at least a little. Your health has never been very good—what if you harm yourself from hunger?”
Quan Heng shook her head and paced back and forth in the courtyard, unable to calm down.
Off to the side, Quan Rui was growing dizzy from watching her.
“Sister Heng, what’s wrong with you?”
Quan Heng let out a deep sigh. “I don’t know either. I just have a feeling that something bad is about to happen. But when I think about it carefully, I can’t figure out why I would feel this way.”
She grabbed Zijing’s arm and asked anxiously, “You went out shopping this morning, right? Did you hear anything out there?”
Zijing looked confused. “No, nothing…”
After thinking for a moment, she added, “Nothing really happened in the capital today. If anything, it’s that there’s going to be a royal hunt in the palace. All officials of fifth rank and above have to attend.”
Quan Heng’s heart dropped. “Fifth rank and above? Then Father and Big Brother have to go too?”
Seeing Zijing nod blankly, Quan Heng’s heart sank further. “Then they’ve probably already left? Quick, let’s go to the gate—maybe we can still stop them!”
She turned and ran toward the front gate, leaving everyone in the courtyard exchanging bewildered looks. Though no one knew what was happening, they all followed her.
Unfortunately, they were still a step too late.
By the time Quan Heng reached the gate, her father and older brother were already on horseback and had left. By now, they might already be at the palace.
Quan Rui, who arrived last and was panting heavily, asked, “Sister Heng, what’s going on? The royal hunt is a regular thing. Father and Brother go every year. Nothing’s ever happened.”
Quan Heng didn’t know why either—only that her heart kept pounding violently.
At this moment, she clutched her chest and frowned as she looked toward the palace.
Lately, every time she entered the palace, nothing good ever happened.
To think positively, perhaps the recent accidents had left some lingering shadow in her heart, making her prone to expect the worst.
There shouldn’t… maybe… be any trouble this time, right?
Now that they had already entered the palace, there was no way to stop them. Quan Heng and the others had no choice but to return to the courtyard and wait nervously.
By noon, Zijing had gone out to gather news, and suddenly came running back in a panic.
“Eldest Miss, Second Miss—bad news! Young Master Quan Ye bumped into the Second Prince at the palace and knocked him off his horse. The Second Prince was badly hurt, and now Young Master has been detained! He might not be able to come back anytime soon!”
Hearing this, the teacup in Quan Heng’s hand slipped and shattered on the ground.
Scalding tea splashed onto the back of her hand, but she didn’t even notice.
“How could this happen?!”
