Outside the palace, whispers spread like wildfire.Inside the grand throne room, tension simmered. Emperor Jinlong sat high on his golden dais, flanked by fan-wielding eunuchs and motionless guards.His face weary but proud.
Ministers bowed, their robes sweeping the jade-tiled floor, but no one dared raise their voice above a whisper.
Finally, the Emperor spoke. "This Yue Ying is no mere thief. He undermines our authority and emboldens rebellion. I want him unmasked."
He turned to his firstborn. "Crown prince Li Yuyan, I entrust this task to you. Your skills are unmatched. Find Yue Ying and bring him to justice.You, among all, possess both discipline and discernment. The thief may be a shadow, but no shadow escapes sunlight."
Li Yuyan bowed deeply. Tall, imposing, his bronze half-mask gleamed under the sunbeams filtering through the lattice.
"It shall be done, Your Majesty."
Behind him, Prince Mingzhao smirked faintly, folding his arms. "A street thief assigned to a Crown Prince? We truly have no greater threats?"
But Yuyan said nothing. His gaze was already distant, calculating