The incident was small, but words had already spread all over the kingdom. Prince Liang Chen's flogging of the two ministers had not gone unheard.
By morning, rumors of every kind surrounded the mighty Yelan. While some praised the new consort, others cursed and blamed him. And with every whisper, the tension in court rose higher.
Prince Ji Mingyuan had retired to his quarters late into the night. Nothing urgent had kept him awake; rather, he sat and watched his man sleep.
They had returned from the Queen's quarters unharmed, but as night seeped in, Prince Liang Chen changed.
He refused to let Ji Mingyuan go without answering a few questions, and though it angered the prince, he stayed and played along. It was only after the first crow of dawn that he left the other's chambers.
Morning court resumed earlier than expected, on the orders of the Empress. Prince Ji Mingyuan was still midway through freshening up when her messenger arrived.
At the door of the Crown Prince's quarters stood his most trusted servant and guard, Kang-Mi. The young man, in his mid-twenties, was the epitome of handsome and beautiful.
His long hair, which he tied back loosely, always captured the eyes of the ladies, and his long lashes never failed to make any eye turn for a second glance.
"Message from the Empress," the royal messenger announced, and Kang-Mi straightened up.
"The Crown Prince is having his bath," he replied coldly.
"The court is to resume in thirty, and he is expected not to be late," the messenger half-hissed before walking away.
It was no secret that the attendants of the Empress's quarters and those of the Crown Prince did not see eye to eye.
Once the prince was out of the bath, Kang-Mi stood ready to deliver the message.
"Your mother sent a message," he said coldly, his eyes never leaving those of the prince.
Ji Mingyuan sighed tiredly, brushing his wet hair back. "What does she want now?" he hissed.
Kang-Mi's lips curved. "The usual."
Ji Mingyuan didn't need more words to understand what he meant. Indeed, it had to do with the court, and every time the Empress wanted her way, she used it to suppress him.
"Kang-Mi," Ji Mingyuan called softly.
"Yes, my prince," Kang-Mi murmured.
"Can I trust you to take care of him?" Ji Mingyuan asked.
Kang-Mi sighed. "May I?" he asked, and Ji Mingyuan nodded.
"You are the only one permitted to talk to me without bowing—to look me in the eye, share your opinions, and condemn my actions without fear of punishment. So yes... You may."
Kang-Mi drew in a long breath. What he was about to say was on a touchy subject, and he knew it too well.
"You can trust me to pick a suitable guard for him," he said carefully, "but then I'm sorry, my prince... it can't be me."
Ji Mingyuan stared at the poised man before him and smiled. "So who can it be?" he asked.
"Archen-Yu," Kang-Mi replied without a second thought—to Ji Mingyuan's pleasure.
"Why do I have a feeling you've been thinking about it, and you were only waiting for me to ask?"
Kang-Mi's lips curved at the edge. "You're my prince, and I know you better. With your marriage to the crown of Yunzhou, it's only right I seek out the very best to protect him... we need only those we can trust."
Ji Mingyuan nodded. The court was now a wolves' den, and one wrong move would result in many casualties—something they dared not risk.
Once the prince was ready, he stepped out. His attire, as always, was black, and his hair was tied up high. The march to the throne room thundered like war drums; the echoes of whispers surrounded them. Even the servants dared to gossip.
Ji Mingyuan turned the corner into the hallway that led to the throne room, and at the other end was the path leading to Liang Chen's room.
Deep down, he wished he could forgo today's meeting and stay with that annoying creature, but the rising tension across the land felt like a rebellion carefully hatched against him. Ji Mingyuan sighed and headed toward the throne room.
On the other hand, Prince Liang Chen was yet to wake up. The morning glow had risen, with Shuming arranging his attire for the day and picking out his meal. Still, the prince did not move. His temperature was normal, and though he tossed and turned on the bed, what could the poor servant know?
While he helped close the curtains firmly to let the prince rest better, Prince Liang Chen was under torment. His brows furrowed, his breath hitched, but no matter how hard he tried to wake up, he couldn't.
Prince Liang Chen stood before the ruins of Yunzhou—the land after defeat and the heavens' punishment. It was nothing to write home about. Corpses were scattered all over the place, homes were wrecked, and painful cries filled the air. Hot tears streamed down Liang Chen's soft cheeks.
"Why... I'm doing all I can to avoid this... why are you so desperate to let it befall us again?" he lamented.
Before him, Xiayue resurfaced. "I am your guide. Let me help you," she whispered.
"Help me?" Liang Chen laughed, his voice filled with sarcasm. "How are you going to help me? All I wanted was to save my people—to prevent punishment.
I was ready to swallow my pride and negotiate peace with Yelan, but then you wanted me married to a man I hate." Liang Chen raised his head to the sky.
"How can I save them when I am presented with an impossible condition?"
Xiayue sighed. "Use what is given," she muttered. "This is a guide, a cheat system. You know the past, and you know the future... what more do you want?"
Liang Chen opened his mouth, but no words came out. Deep down, he too felt ungrateful. How many had gotten a chance like him?
"What do I do?" he asked softly.
"Let me be your guide," Xiayue replied.
Before he could answer, his eyes shot open, and he gasped for breath.
The room was dark, as if someone had intentionally covered every hole to keep light from entering.
"Shuming?" Liang Chen called, and shortly, the bubbly creature walked in.
"My prince," Shuming bowed.
"Prepare my bath," Liang Chen ordered.
Shuming nodded and went straight to the bathroom.
Before him, Xiayue resurfaced. "Don't worry, he can't see me," she giggled.
Liang Chen rolled his eyes. "So, what's the plan?" he asked.
Xiayue skipped like a hopping bunny. "Why don't we try your acquired skill? Remember—it works on anyone except Ji Mingyuan."
Liang Chen drew in a long breath but nodded. To say he had long forgotten about it would be a lie.
Above him, the system chimed:
[Punishment: Completed]
For the first time, Liang Chen smiled at the news. It was one thing to remember the past, but another to see it happen—to go back in time knowing everything could have been avoided, blaming himself for it all.
"Bath is ready," Shuming announced from the bathroom.
"I'll be here when you need me," Xiayue said—and then she was gone.
Prince Liang Chen had his bath, but as he stepped out of the bathroom, a message awaited him.
"The Empress demands your presence in the throne room," the royal messenger announced coldly.
Liang Chen continued drying his hair. "What for?" he asked, but the messenger's face darkened.
"The Empress's orders are not to be questioned," he snapped.
Liang Chen stared at the old man. Certainly, he was one of her minions. But then, a thought came to mind.
"Okay, after you," he replied.
The quick switch in attitude caught the messenger off guard, but he nodded.
"Shuming, come help me dress... It's showtime," Liang Chen smiled.