Heaven Origin Hall.
When the eunuch saw Yu Jun arrive, he went inside to announce her.
Yu Jun stood under the eaves, looking up at the sky. Dark blue-gray clouds hung low. It seemed a snowfall was imminent.
She recalled the peculiar look the eunuch had given her when he saw her. A thought stirred in Yu Jun’s mind.
“His Majesty said Your Highness doesn’t need to be announced when arriving.” The close attendant Wu Liu quickly came out and bowed to invite her in: “Your Highness, please come inside quickly. Take care not to be chilled by the wind.”
Yu Jun inclined her body slightly: “I’ve troubled you, Sixth Uncle.”
Wu Liu smiled: “Your Highness honors this old slave too much.” He accompanied Yu Jun inside and whispered a reminder: “His Majesty is meeting with General Li… Your Highness, please take extra care.”
Yu Jun gave him a grateful look.
Entering the main hall, she walked forward and noticed someone kneeling at the vermilion steps ahead. The person wore simple, coarse clothing, bound in shackles and manacles—the appearance of a prisoner.
Yu Jun’s heartbeat couldn’t help but quicken.
Li Yin. The former Grand Liang’s last Top Scholar in both civil and military examinations, and its most outstanding minister.
Even when the Emperor of Great Liang had resolved to abdicate and surrender to the Great Qi dynasty, Li Yin, with a mere five thousand remnant soldiers, had defeated the then-unstoppable, triumphant 80,000 elite troops of Great Qi, causing the arrogant Great Qi Emperor to nearly vomit blood in fury.
Ever since Li Yin surrendered, he had been locked away in the Heavenly Prison.
Every so often, the Emperor would ask if he was still alive. It was unclear whether he hoped Li Yin was dead or wanted him to live.
But in any case, Li Yin had survived.
The Emperor saw Yu Jun and beckoned her over.
Yu Jun performed the formal obeisance and quickly walked to the Emperor’s side.
The Emperor looked at her with eyes full of doting affection: “I heard you almost caused trouble two days ago? Causing a needless fright in the middle of the night?”
Yu Jun said: “Forgive me, Imperial Father. It was just a misunderstanding. At any rate, as long as the Third Highness is unharmed, all is well.”
The Emperor patted her hand lightly: “I know you’re one who neither stirs up trouble nor fears it. In my opinion, the Empress acted unnecessarily. She just couldn’t hold her nerve. Could Consort De actually have eaten you?”
“Imperial Mother was just overly concerned and doted on your child too much,” Yu Jun replied.
In her heart, she thought: Back then, Consort De was in such a state of violent rage—if Zhou Jin hadn’t woken up in time, Consort De really might have bitten a chunk out of her.
The Emperor said: “That is true. The Empress was telling me the other day that next month when the Crown Prince leaves the palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, she wants you to accompany him. This was your idea, surely?”
“Your child truly misses Imperial Grandmother. I boldly made this request to Brother Crown Prince. Most likely, Imperial Mother took pity on my sincere feelings and, fearing Brother Crown Prince would be put in a difficult position, spoke to Imperial Father about it personally.”
The Emperor burst out laughing: “You little girl! So you knew perfectly well in your heart all along.”
Saying this, the Emperor turned his gaze towards Li Yin on the ground. He said to Yu Jun: “Look at that man. Do you recognize him?”
Yu Jun looked for a moment: “He seems somewhat familiar, but… I don’t remember him.”
At this, Li Yin slowly raised his head. He seemed to want to look at her, yet hesitated slightly. Upon hearing Yu Jun’s words, he lifted his head fully.
A haggard, emaciated face. Only his two eyes still resembled a fierce tiger trapped in a cage, casually yet brimming with murderous intent.
The Emperor pointed at Li Yin and told Yu Jun: “He is a person of great origin and great talent. Everyone sings his praises. He has just one flaw—he refuses to be governed… even refuses to submit to me.”
Yu Jun listened silently.
As if casually, the Emperor asked: “Yu’er, tell me—how should I deal with such a person?”
Hidden beneath his eyelashes, a dark, baleful murderous intent flickered in Li Yin’s eyes. He bit his lip slightly.
Yu Jun said: “Under the whole heaven, every spot is the sovereign’s ground. To the borders of the land, every individual is the sovereign’s subject. Even if this man has abilities reaching to the heavens and through the earth, he is still Imperial Father’s subject. Naturally, whatever Imperial Father thinks is appropriate, so it shall be. If Imperial Father finds him useful, then assign him tasks. If Imperial Father finds him unusable…”
“What if he is unusable?”
Yu Jun shook her head: “Imperial Father, this matter is more suitably asked of Brother Crown Prince and the others. Why ask your child? I have no wish to deal with such matters—they are utterly tedious.”
The Emperor was clearly very satisfied with her reaction and answer. He threw his head back and laughed: “Right! My Yu’er is a girl. She shouldn’t have to listen to such talk of fighting and killing. I was momentarily mistaken. Very well, since you want to leave the palace with the Crown Prince, I grant permission. Only on one condition: no causing mischief, no stirring up trouble. Otherwise, in the future, you shall not be permitted again.”
Yu Jun smiled and curtseyed: “Thank you, Imperial Father. I knew you doted on me most!”
“Enough, off with you.” The Emperor tapped the tip of her little nose and instructed Wu Liu to personally escort her out.
Yu Jun stepped back a few paces, then turned and walked outwards.
As she passed by, her gaze dropped, glancing at Li Yin on the ground.
The other man kept his head bowed and his eyes lowered, seemingly completely oblivious.
The hall doors closed. Li Yin on the ground spoke: “So this is Your Majesty’s method? Using a child to threaten me.”
The Emperor turned his head, looking at him with some surprise: “Did I threaten? What is the meaning of this?”
Li Yin sneered: “Putting on this display of fatherly love and filial piety right in front of me, exploiting a child… Your Majesty might be able to fool the world, but don’t fool yourself.”
The Emperor stared at him, as if utterly baffled: “Everyone says Great General Li has the demeanor of an ancient gentleman, but this appears to be a case of a petty man measuring a noble man’s heart. Fine, if you don’t believe it, suit yourself. It’s just a pity… Yu’er doesn’t even remember who you are anymore. What are you still holding on to, hmm? Pining for your overthrown Great Liang? Surely you’re not still thinking of restoring the kingdom even now? Don’t you find it as illusory as flowers in a mirror or the moon reflected in water—utterly laughable?”
Li Yin scoffed derisively: “Your Majesty’s skill at talking to yourself has become more and more advanced.”
The Emperor rolled his eyes at him: “Oh, very well. They say when a father dies, the son does not change his resolve for three years. But you’re quite something—it seems you intend to keep faith with this Great Liang for a lifetime. That’s fine. I have patience. I’ll just lock you up for a lifetime. What a waste, though… Previously, the Empress Dowager even pleaded with me, advising me to pardon you, let you follow her to the Nation-Protecting Temple. Something about keeping out of trouble, growing vegetables and planting flowers… cultivating your moral character. A person like you deserves to be locked up forever!”
That last sentence was not a threat, but rather carried a tone of regret for unfulfilled potential, as if frustrated that good material was being wasted.
Another two days passed. News spread within the palace.
That famous scholar-general of the former Great Liang, Li Yin, had finally agreed to bow his head to the Emperor.
Now, he was assigned to the Imperial Study, responsible for teaching mathematics to the princes and princesses.
Once the news was out, the rear palace buzzed with discussion, providing fresh fodder for gossip.
These past few days, the weather had been cold, and another snowfall had come. The pampered, cosseted princesses were reluctant to venture out. But now there was a novel new professor. Moreover, they heard that although Li Yin was already in his thirties, he possessed a striking handsomeness—truly a rare beauty among men. Naturally, they felt this should be witnessed firsthand.
Li Yin’s lectures were delivered in a standard, unexceptional manner.
Inside the room, among all the golden branches and jade leaves, the scions of the imperial family, aside from Crown Prince Zhou Xi and Second Highness Zhou Xiao, most of the others’ attention was fixed on Li Yin’s face.
Yu Jun remained outwardly composed, but inside, her heart surged with turbulent emotion.
In front of the Qi Emperor, she had lied.
Yu Jun remembered Li Yin. Although she had been very young at the time, she would forever remember—her Imperial Mother, holding her hand and pointing at the heroic young man on horseback: “That is General Li Yin, the White Jade Pillar Holding Up the Great Liang’s Sky, the Violet Gold Beam Spanning the Sea.”
At that time, Yu Jun believed that as long as Li Yin was there, Great Liang’s national fate would be eternally secure.
She never imagined that even the White Jade Pillar Holding Up the Sky could crumble one day.
The lecture finished. Li Yin picked up his books and left without a sideways glance, completely ignoring the princesses’ restless, eager stares.
The Third Prince Zhou Jin seized the opportunity to rise.
Ever since he fell ill, Yu Jun had treated him with only four words: cold as ice.
That day he had accompanied the Crown Prince to pay respects to the Empress, it was precisely to see her. Unexpectedly, she had been summoned by His Majesty.
Now Zhou Jin was just about to seize the moment. He was on the verge of catching up to Yu Jun when someone blocked his path.
The Second Highness, his expression stern, questioned him about his studies. By the time Zhou Jin managed to raise his head, Yu Jun had already disappeared.
Behind him came the Second Highness Zhou Xiao’s voice: “Third Brother, if you want what’s best for Little Five, don’t just cling to her persistently.”
Zhou Jin felt these words were too hurtful but had no way to refute them.
Yu Jun left the Imperial Study, steadying her emotions. She considered returning to the Jade Splendor Palace first.
Before her, palace halls stood in intricate arrangement. Crimson walls against white snow made a splendid scene, refreshing the spirit and clearing the mind.
Yu Jun was absorbed in enjoying the scenery. Across the snowy ground, a figure came staggering towards her.
He fell down right at Yu Jun’s feet.
Startled, she looked closely. Such a fine, clear-featured face. His eyes were cold and clear, like ice, like snow—so pure it made one’s heart quiver.
This was… that legendary little prince from the Cold Palace. He seemed even thinner, weaker, and more pitiful than she had imagined.
Behind her, Ru Ning shouted: “Impudence! What person is this…”
“Silence!” Yu Jun hastily silenced her.
Instinctively, she almost reached out to help him up.
But at that instant, Yu Jun caught sight of Yu Zhi standing beneath the corridor, staring at her with the hunger of a jackal.
Yu Jun immediately remembered that little palace maid who had nearly been beaten to death.
If, right now, she showed Zhou Zhi even half a trace of sympathy or pity, later, when Yu Jun wasn’t looking, Yu Zhi would probably tear Zhou Zhi to pieces beyond recognition.
Yu Jun looked at Zhou Zhi before her. Seizing the moment, she lightly poked his forehead with her finger and said with a laugh: “Where did this little stray dog come running from so desperately? In such a hurry, are you looking for food…”
Under the corridor, Yu Zhi let out a scoffing laugh.
Probably not seeing the spectacle she’d hoped for, she dismissively turned away and left with her people.
Out of the corner of her eye, Yu Jun saw Yu Zhi leave and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Truly, not just anyone could play the villain, especially a villain who bullied the weak.
An inadvertent glance, and she saw Zhou Zhi on the ground staring at her.
Within those black-and-white distinct eyes was shock, joy, anger, resentment… a complex and tangled mix of emotions, unlike anything a youth his age should possess.
Yu Jun’s heart trembled: “Could it be I overacted?”
True enough, those words earlier had truly been too hurtful.
“Get up…” she whispered, secretly wanting to pull him up.
At that very moment, Zhou Zhi suddenly sprang up and threw his arms tightly around Yu Jun.
Although he was young in years, his strength was not small. He slammed straight into Yu Jun, making her fall backwards.
The two of them, embraced together, tumbled into the snow.
And it just so happened that Zhou Xiao and Zhou Jin, one after the other, were just emerging from the Imperial Study. They saw the entire scene with their own eyes.