Gavin Shea's retinue thundered through the city gates, heading straight for the Imperial City.
Outside the Gate of Virtue, Gavin dismounted and strode forward. Midway through the courtyard, a young eunuch approached at a brisk pace. From seven or eight steps away, he raised his voice to proclaim:
"By His Majesty's command—Prince Heir Gavin is to proceed at once to the Hall of Blessed Fortune for audience."
Gavin halted, bowed low, and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty." Then, without pause, he continued forward.
In the eastern wing of the Hall of Blessed Fortune, the Emperor reclined on a couch beneath the southern window. At the sight of Gavin, he sat upright in alarm.
"You're injured? How badly? Come here—let Me see!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Gavin knelt, bowing deeply before stepping closer. "I was grievously wounded in Riverford City, and have yet to fully recover. During the ambush in North Hollow County, the old wounds reopened. I have troubled Your Majesty with concern."
The Emperor reached out, tugging open the collar of Gavin's robe. Beneath lay layers of white bandages, stained through with a long, dark streak of blood.
He released the fabric with a quiet sigh. "Riverford City—what happened? Was it the Southland forces?"
"Not entirely, Your Majesty," Gavin answered softly, eyes lowered. "I suspect something more complicated. I am investigating."
"There were archers in North Hollow County?" The Emperor's brows furrowed deeply.
"Yes. Not just one—several. Each a marksman of extraordinary skill. This matter must be fully examined, Your Majesty."
The Emperor's expression darkened, his tone grave. "Indeed—it is no small affair. Go now, rest and recover. Submit a secret memorial detailing everything from Riverford City and North Hollow County. It concerns espionage in the Southlands; we must not let word spread."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Gavin rose, bowed once more, and withdrew. As his figure disappeared beyond the doorway, the Emperor's face grew heavier still.
––––––––––
Leaving the palace grounds, Gavin made his way along the main boulevard to the Brightpeace Palace, near the Sunrise Gate—the residence of Crown Prince Gideon Shea.
Climbing the steps, he immediately caught sight of his elder brother seated in a wheelchair.
"You're back," Gideon said with relief, smiling faintly. "You've grown thinner."
"Barely survived," Gavin replied with a grin. "But I'm here. You don't look well, brother."
He strode forward, grasped the handles of the wheelchair, and gently pushed Gideon inside.
"I've barely slept," Gideon admitted. "Didn't know if you'd make it home alive."
"I made it," Gavin said quietly. Then, lowering his voice, "In Riverford City, I was poisoned. My inner strength—completely lost."
Gideon's face changed instantly. "What?" He stared in disbelief.
Gavin nodded. Since childhood, he had cultivated the Wen family's martial discipline—a rare art with one fatal flaw: before mastery, several ingredients were forbidden. Consuming even one would destroy all inner energy, leaving the practitioner powerless for weeks or even months. Few knew of this weakness—only his closest kin.
"When I crossed the river and reached Riverton, the local authorities were hunting the people who'd ferried me over—claiming they were murderous outlaws. Orders were to kill on sight."
Gideon leaned back silently. The governor of Riverton, Martin Shaw, was a protégé of the Marquis of Yongping.
"The day before we reached North Hollow County, our ship docked at the Suijia pier to take on supplies. I went to the deck for some air. That must have been when they spotted me and began to follow. That same night, they struck."
"Then there were eyes on every pier along the river," Gideon muttered. "And you left the ship only once?"
"Yes." Gavin wheeled his brother to the couch, then bent to lift him gently onto it.
"His Majesty has been considering dividing the House of Prince Rui," Gideon said quietly. "He mentioned it to me—and to you, I think?"
"Yes." Gavin's gaze dropped.
"His Majesty has his reasons," Gideon continued. "You bear the weight of both the Wen lineage and Prince Rui's household. Too much power in one man. He fears your temper—fears you might one day act rashly and bring disaster."
"What do you think?" Gavin asked.
"I disagree." Gideon met his brother's eyes steadily. "The plan is to reduce Prince Rui's fief into two hereditary dukedoms—one of which would go to our younger brothers. Which means, in truth, to Madam Shinn's control.
"The second brother is gentle, soft-hearted, deeply tied to Madam Shinn and the Marquis of Yongning—his mother's family. They're ambitious but not wise. If their influence grows too great, it would endanger the realm.
"You, though passionate, are not foolish. A fiery nature can be tempered; stupidity cannot."
"The Wen line is gone," Gavin said after a long pause, sighing.
"As long as you live, it endures. The South has the Wu Army—so the North must have the Wen. One of your sons must inherit its mantle. That was the promise made by the late Emperor himself."
He patted Gavin's arm lightly, then changed the subject.
"Was what happened in Riverford City linked to the Southlands?"
"I don't think so. If the South was involved, they were being used." Gavin hesitated, guilt shadowing his face.
"The day after I arrived, the deputy intelligence officer brought me a city defense map—said it had just been recovered. I was so pleased, I let my guard down. Drank a bowl of tea he offered. By the time I realized something was wrong, it was too late.
"I managed to kill him, but he wounded my abdomen and thigh. When I escaped, the city guards were already hunting me, claiming someone had stolen the defense map.
"The poison—my forbidden medicine—must have come from someone close. Someone within the delegation. I was too weak to defend myself, too afraid to return to the post station or contact the local agents.
"By fortune, I collapsed near Miles Zhao's inn. He found me and hid me. The city was swarming with patrols, so he sought help from the local underworld—a woman who led the Night Fragrance Guild. Her name was Lena Sanders."
He looked up at Gideon. "At first, Miss Li only agreed to escort me to Riverton and hire a ship northward. I thought her aid would go unnoticed…"
He broke off, his throat tightening. "Miles Zhao's brother-in-law betrayed him. Zhao took his own life rather than be captured. The soldiers still traced it back to the Night Fragrance Guild. Everything Miss Li owned in Riverford was destroyed. She can never return there. She only agreed to accompany me to Castleton—for a price—ten thousand taels."
"To bring you back so swiftly, suffering only one more ambush—that woman is remarkable," Gideon said with quiet admiration.
"Remarkable indeed," Gavin agreed. "I cannot see through her.
"During the month we traveled together, she cooked, washed, and spent her leisure reading gazetteers and travel notes—nothing unusual. Yet when the attack came in North Hollow County, she struck with ruthless precision. Her martial skill is that of an assassin.
"Still, she lives with refinement—simple but never crude, versed in music and poetry. Her manners speak of noble birth. I asked about her past; she would not answer. Her three followers worship her like a deity."
"You think she's Southland?" Gideon frowned.
"No." Gavin's reply was firm. "She plans to settle in Castleton. I've asked Shouzhen to keep an eye on her."
"Good. Both as precaution—and protection, in case others try to frame her. How's your strength now?"
"It returned before we reached North Hollow County—otherwise I'd never have survived the ambush. But I took another cut across the back. It'll take time."
He tried to lift his arm; pain flared at once.
"Rest," Gideon said gently. "And remember—don't be reckless. Father used to say: in every matter, step back once so you can advance twice."
Gavin smiled faintly. "I'll remember. You should rest too, brother. You look unwell."
He called an attendant to assist, then bowed deeply before departing the chamber.