The Next Morning, at Dawn.
The third young master of the Marquis Residence, Zhou Wenshan, rose early and began dressing for the day.
The maids selected a deep blue martial robe for him, paired with a silver hairpin.
A jade pendant hung from his waist, and his arms were wrapped with iron bracers.
Once everything was in place, Zhou Wenshan stood before a tall bronze mirror, gazing at his own reflection.
Quite handsome.
Today, he had an appointment
Ever since he returned to the Marquis Residence and reclaimed his status, he had made many new friends among the wealthy and noble young men of Chang’an.
They had invited him to play polo today.
Zhou Wenshan had never had so many friends before.
Eager to fit in, he was determined to join their world, even if it meant leaving home while his father lay gravely ill.
As he left the residence, he passed by his elder brother’s quarters oh, his elder brother, meaning Zhou Yuanting.
Zhou Wenshan let out a low scoff.
A man he had already defeated.
The title of Marquis, the wealth and glory
All of it now belonged to him!
Zhou Yuanting would never take it back!
Once their father was dead, Zhou Wenshan would be the sole master of the household.
As he passed Shangyue Garden, he sneered again.
What a foolish woman.
That Lady Qin believed everything he said.
She actually thought he would take care of her in her old age!
Once he officially inherited the title
The thought filled Zhou Wenshan with glee, making his steps even lighter.
With his head held high, bursting with dreams of the future, he proudly strode out of the Marquis Residence, ready to meet his new friends.
But he had no idea what awaited him.
This young man, utterly ignorant of the complexities of Chang’an’s noble circles, thought he could simply step in and claim his share of riches.
He believed that, just like in the Marquis Residence, treasures would flow into his lap effortlessly.
After all, Concubine Fang had told him
This was all meant to be his.
His father loved him.
And these people should respect his father’s face and treat him well.
He was, after all, the future Marquis!
His new friends welcomed him warmly.
They took him to play polo, to race horses, to hunt in the fields.
He threw himself into it all, having the time of his life.
Until disaster struck.
During a hunting expedition, his horse suddenly went wild, galloping uncontrollably.
Before he could react, he was thrown violently to the ground.
Pain exploded across his body.
It felt as though his blood had frozen in his veins, leaving only agony spreading through him.
Through his blurred vision, he saw his friends approaching on horseback.
He tried to call out for help
But no words came out.
The riders drew closer, looming over him from their saddles.
They assumed he was unconscious and didn’t bother to lower their voices.
“Is he dead?”
“He shouldn’t be, but he’s close enough.”
“He’s crippled for sure.”
“No doubt. Look at his legs they’re broken.”
“That’s good enough.
A cripple can’t inherit the title.
He won’t be able to steal Yuanting’s place.”
The group burst into laughter.
“An illegitimate son really thought he could rise above his station?”
“Lady Qin might have been fooled by the Marquis, but Yuanting wasn’t going to just sit back and let it happen.”
“Exactly.
He was never meant to have this.
Even if he got his hands on it, he wouldn’t be able to hold onto it.”
Lying in the dirt, Zhou Wenshan struggled to open his eyes, to scream, to declare
“I am the future Marquis!”
But he could do nothing.
He could only lie there, helpless.
The group of noble sons loitered around, watching him with disinterest.
It wasn’t until his personal servant came rushing over that they finally backed away.
The servant, realizing something was terribly wrong, hurried to find help and arranged for Zhou Wenshan to be taken back to the Marquis Residence.
By the time they carried him home, he had already lost consciousness
Completely unaware of the uproar his injury would cause.
It was early afternoon when the grim procession returned.
Concubine Fang, upon hearing the news, was so panicked that she forgot all about Zhou Ziheng and ran to the gate.
The moment she saw her son covered in blood, she nearly fainted from grief.
Zhou Ziheng, who had been recovering slightly over the past few days, forced himself to get up when he heard what had happened.
His beloved son he could not let anything happen to him!
He and Fang Qingqing only had this one precious child!
The household physician did his best to save Zhou Wenshan’s life.
He managed to keep him from dying
But he couldn’t prevent the boy from becoming crippled.
His spine had been crushed beneath a horse’s hoof.
The bones were shattered beyond repair.
At such a young age he would never stand again.
Concubine Fang let out a wailing sob and nearly threw herself at a pillar in despair.
Zhou Ziheng frowned deeply, questioning the guards who had accompanied his son.
All of them claimed that it had been an unfortunate hunting accident.
The news spread quickly through the Marquis Residence.
But most people didn’t care.
Liu Yandai shut her eyes tighter, determined to ignore everything
She even blocked out her ears.
She had finally understood.
There was not a single good person in this household.
It was best to stay out of it.
Bai Yuning and Zhou Chiye, meanwhile, were completely immersed in their own world.
They had long since crossed the line in their secret meetings at the ancestral hall.
They had no time to concern themselves with the outside world.
If Zhou Yuanting barged in right now, he’d probably find love tokens strewn all over the place.
The only person truly delighted by this news was Zhou Yuanting.
The heir apparent sat in his chamber, dressed in flowing white robes.
He leaned weakly against the window, occasionally coughing, his delicate features exuding a fragile beauty.
On the surface, he seemed calm.
But when no one was looking, a flicker of smug satisfaction glinted in his phoenix-like eyes.
Zhou Yuanting had inherited his father’s cunning and ruthlessness.
And he would do whatever it took to secure what was his.
When the news reached Shangyue Garden, Qin Chanyue was leaning against the window, reviewing the household accounts.
The room was quiet.
A vase of peonies on the low table near the window swayed gently in the breeze.
The afternoon sunlight bathed the delicate petals, making them appear even more vibrant.
A large ceramic ice container cooled the room, and the occasional sounds of an abacus clicking and pages turning could be heard.
Birdsong drifted in from outside.
It was a peaceful afternoon perfect for receiving good news.
The Marquis Residence was about to descend into chaos
And she intended to enjoy every moment of it.
Qin Chanyue was halfway through balancing the accounts when she heard hurried footsteps approaching.
A servant burst in without waiting for permission, shouting at the top of her lungs.
“Bad news! Madam, terrible news!”
The maids in the outer chamber immediately scolded her.
“Why are you causing such a commotion?
How dare you behave so improperly in the Madam’s presence?
Where are your manners?”
But Qin Chanyue was in a good mood.
She didn’t mind the lack of decorum.
“Let her in,” she said.
“Tell me what happened.”
The old maid rushed in, her face glistening with sweat.
The moment she saw Qin Chanyue, she dropped to her knees with a loud thud, her expression stricken.
“Madam, something terrible has happened!”
Qin Chanyue raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.
Was it really that serious?
The illegitimate son met with some misfortune was that really worth crying over?
“What is it?” she asked.
The maid lowered her head, choking on her words.
“The Prince… The Prince was ambushed at the border!
He is gravely injured.
An urgent dispatch was sent to the capital overnight.
He has just arrived at the Prince of Zhen Nan’s estate!”
Qin Chanyue’s hands trembled.
The account book slipped from her fingers, landing on the floor with a thud.
All the carefully laid plans in her mind shattered in an instant.
For the first time, the elegant and composed Madam lost her composure.
She stood there in shock for a moment.
Then, in her haste to move, she stumbled.
Her steps faltered, and she nearly collapsed.
The rich silk of her gown pooled onto the floor, fluttering slightly with her unsteady movement
Like a flower in full bloom, trembling in the wind.
The maid scrambled forward to steady her.
Qin Chanyue’s face was pale as she gasped out
“Quick!
Take me to him!”
Her brother why was he injured?!
She had already sent word to him!
What had gone wrong?!
Qin Chanyue had no time to concern herself with Fang Qingqing or Zhou Wenshan’s predicament.
She didn’t even send a message to Qiufeng Hall.
Without hesitation, she rushed to her carriage and set off for the Prince of Zhen Nan’s estate.
At that time, it was late afternoon.
The Prince of Zhen Nan’s estate was located in Qingtian Fang, just a short distance from the imperial palace.
The name of the district, Qingtian meaning clear sky symbolized the ambition of its residents.
The noble families who lived there believed in “using the wind to rise to the heavens.”
It was an area reserved exclusively for those with titles
Where marquises were found every three steps, and heir apparents every five.
For years, the estate had remained mostly unoccupied.
The Prince of Zhen Nan had spent over a decade guarding the southern borders, leaving only a few dozen personal guards and an old steward behind.
But today
The gates were thrown open.
Armored soldiers stood at attention.
The rhythmic pounding of iron-clad boots echoed through the streets, sending a low tremor through the district.
Curious onlookers peered out of their homes
Just in time to see a four-horse carriage pass through the estate’s grand entrance.
A prince was entitled to six horses.
A noble lord, four.
A four-horse carriage meant only one thing
The Prince of Zhen Nan had returned.
The entire capital was abuzz.
Everyone knew that the Prince of Zhen Nan had spent years securing the southern borders.
For over a decade, he had been the strongest shield between the Empire and the Southern Gu Tribes.
And now, he had suddenly returned.
Did this mean the southern war had taken a turn for the worse?
The mere thought sent ripples of unease through the court.
And it wasn’t just the officials who were on edge.
Word reached the palace almost immediately.
And the first person to react
Was none other than the Crown Prince, Chen Feng.
At just over twenty years old, Chen Feng was at the peak of his ambition.
The moment he heard the news, he left the imperial palace and headed straight for the Prince of Zhen Nan’s estate.
The estate was just as grand as the Marquis Residence
But even more imposing.
After ascending seventeen and a half stone steps, he stepped through the gates.
The layout of the estate was pristine, military-like in its organization.
Unlike other noble residences, there were no elaborate flower gardens here.
No lush greenery.
Only rows of towering trees, their shadows long and unyielding.
Beneath them, a row of silent soldiers stood guard.
Each held a sharpened blade, the cold steel gleaming in the fading light.
This was not just a home
It was a fortress.
The Crown Prince’s expression grew heavier as he walked past them.
The Prince of Zhen Nan was the Empire’s greatest military commander
And his strongest supporter.
As long as the Prince stood by his side, he had the strength to contend with the Second Prince.
For the Prince of Zhen Nan to return so suddenly
Something must have gone terribly wrong.
But what?
His pace quickened as he neared the corridor leading to the main hall.
The moment he stepped inside, the stench of blood hit him.
The Crown Prince’s heart sank.
The guards at the door saluted him.
Without hesitation, he entered the chamber
Only to find the Prince of Zhen Nan lying unconscious on the bed.
His upper body was bare, wrapped in layers of gauze.
He had yet to awaken.
His injuries were so severe that even the military physician at his bedside was at a loss.
None of the usual herbs could be used on him.
The Qin Army had a secret.
To protect themselves against Gu poison, they consumed toxic substances regularly.
Over time, their bodies became resistant to poisons
But in turn, many medicines became ineffective on them.
They could fend off Gu magic.
But when wounded
They could only rely on their own endurance.
This was why the casualty rate among Qin warriors was so high.
The Crown Prince clenched his fists.
Turning to the vice general, he demanded
“What happened?!”
The vice general lowered his head.
“There was a traitor in our ranks.
He attempted to assassinate the Prince.”
The Crown Prince’s eyes darkened.
“Who?”
The vice general stepped closer and whispered two names.
The Crown Prince’s brow furrowed.
“These men…
They were born and raised in the Empire.
They were not from the Southern Gu Tribes.”
His voice dropped.
“Are you telling me someone from our own court ordered this?”
The question was dangerous.
It touched upon the hidden factions within the imperial court.
The vice general pressed his lips into a thin line.
Politics…
Sometimes, politics was crueler than war.
Just then, a flurry of footsteps echoed from outside.
Someone burst in without waiting for an announcement.
The Crown Prince turned his head
And saw a stunning woman storm into the room.
She was strikingly beautiful, her figure full and alluring.
Gold and jade hairpins adorned her jet-black hair.
Despite her elegance, she moved with frantic desperation.
Her gaze barely registered anyone else in the chamber.
Her only thought
Was for her injured brother.
Qin Chanyue didn’t even see the Crown Prince standing there.
She rushed forward, collapsed beside the bed
And let out a choked sob.