Chapter 1.8 Shen Qi
Shen Qi drifted once more into dreamland, and when her eyes opened within that hazy dream, she found herself lying on her bed. Beside her sat the same man, again.
His hand traced gently along her cheek, his touch tender yet heavy with sorrow. His eyes, shadowed with melancholy, lingered on her as though he were memorizing every detail of her face.
Her chest tightened at the sight. Without thinking, Shen Qi reached up, her fingers curling around his hand. The gesture was instinctive, natural—too natural. Before she realized it, she lifted his hand to her lips and pressed a soft kiss against it, as if to comfort him.
The moment felt achingly familiar.
Had she done this before? In another time... another life?
With that sudden thought, Shen Qi jolted awake, shooting upright like a bolt of thunder.
Her eyes darted around the room—empty. The man was gone.
Loneliness gripped her heart once again, seeping in like a cold draft. She hadn't expected to wake up alone... not again.
She shook her head and lay back down, but a flash of realization struck her, and she bolted upright once more.
"Sht! Where is that dmn b*stard?!"
Shen Qi's voice cracked with fury as her fists clenched and unclenched, her whole body trembling with indignation.
She muttered under her breath, listing all the terrible things she would do to him if he dared show his face again.
"Leaving me without even saying goodbye? Hmph! Just wait, I'll make you cough up blood next time!"
Her cheeks puffed in frustration as she sulked, pacing in circles like a caged tigress. No matter how she tried to calm herself, her thoughts kept circling back to that infuriating, impossible man—Mu Xuan.
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On the other side, a certain someone was sneezing, convinced he had caught a chill.
"Did you catch a cold? This prince never imagined someone of your caliber could fall to something so trivial! Truly, you've opened this prince's eyes today," the Second Prince declared in an exaggerated tone, circling Mu Xuan like a hawk savoring its prey.
"Only idiots don't catch colds," Mu Xuan replied flatly, his words carrying a weight that hinted at something more than mere banter.
"Third Brother, you're so cruel!" The Second Prince clutched at his chest dramatically, his expression twisted in mock agony. "Why must you always be so mean to your Second Brother?"
Mu Xuan's lips curved ever so slightly.
"I never said you were an idiot."
The Second Prince froze mid‑gesture, stupefied. For once, he had no retort
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"Why is he still not visiting? It's been two days already, what's taking him so long?!"
Shen Qi muttered impatiently, her aura growing darker by the second. It was as if ominous clouds had gathered above her house, chilling the air with her rising temper.
She waited for him to come, but NO!
She searched for him, but still NO!
He is nowhere in sight!!
The servants in her courtyard, seeing their princess grow worse by the day, could not help but keep their distance. Each of them was afraid of being punished should they be caught in the storm of her bad mood.
Even Little Yu hesitated to approach her mistress. Though she was visibly nervous, she had been entrusted with an important task by the Emperor himself, to bring the princess on time to dine with His Majesty.
"P-Princess...." Little Yu stuttered.
"What is it?"
Shen Qi's tone was carrying a hint of impatience. She hadn't meant to sound rude, but her foul mood—thanks to Mu Xuan—was difficult to hide.
"Princess, the Emperor has invited you to dine with him in the Qinghai Pavilion this evening. This servant only wished to remind you,the sun is nearly setting, and you have but an hour to prepare."
"Hmmm... will Mu Xuan also be there?" Shen Qi's voice held a trace of annoyance.
Little Yu hesitated, knowing all too well how much her princess disliked the Third Prince.
"All the princes will be present," she finally answered, bracing herself for rejection. Yet to her surprise, the princess did not refuse.
"Alright then, Little Yu, prepare my bath. Use the White Lily perfume, understood? And also, bring out that old box from under my chest. I'll wear those clothes tonight." Shen Qi ordered swiftly, a devious smile tugging at her lips.
Little Yu was puzzled.
Why would her princess suddenly want to wear the clothes from that old box? She had always assumed her mistress disliked them, after all, not once had she seen the princess wear them since receiving them from who‑knows‑who. Not even once.
While Little Yu was busy pondering the meaning of life, Shen Qi's thoughts were far darker—she was plotting the end of someone else's.
Let's see how you cough up blood. You dared to ignore me even when I looked for you? Hmph! Let's see if you can keep up that act after tonight.
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"Third Brother, wait!!" The Second Prince once again ran after Mu Xuan.
"What are you here for again? Stop following me!"
Mu Xuan snapped, irritation clear in his voice. Could this idiotic brother of his not read the mood?!
"Third Brother, just tell me! What happened between the two of you this time? I tried to help you fix things, but why did you end up ruining it again?!"
The Second Prince's patience was wearing thin. No matter how much he tried to help, Mu Xuan always managed to mess things up.
"What do you know? You know nothing! So it's best you shut your mouth before this prince makes you!"
Mu Xuan's glare cut like a blade.
Unlike his usual half-hearted stares, this one carried a chilling weight that froze the Second Prince in place, leaving him speechless.
Without another word, Mu Xuan turned and strode away. He had far too many matters to deal with, and wasting time on his Second Brother was the last thing he intended to do.
When Mu Xuan was finally out of sight, the Second Prince snapped out of it and shivered in fear for real.
"So scary, Mu Xuan is so scary!" The Second Prince couldn't stop shivering, his whole body trembling. "But... what really happened between the two of them? Oh well. Whistles~"
In the blink of an eye, the fear‑stricken prince transformed, his demeanor shifting a full 180°. The trembling, pitiful figure vanished, replaced by a playful and mischievous smile.
It seemed the Second Prince was not as simple as he appeared. Beneath his carefree mask lurked a devious and cunning mind, one that should never be underestimated.
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"Mu Xuan greets the Emperor!" Mu Xuan clasped his hands together and bowed.
"Hoho... Mu Xuan, how many times have I told you? When it's just us brothers, you can call me First Brother. Forget the formalities—let's talk like we used to."
The Emperor waved his hand, clearly displeased at being addressed so formally.
"First Brother, you never change,"
Mu Xuan replied with a wry smile.
"But calling you Emperor, even if you are our brother, is already tradition—and the law."
"Who cares about tradition and law? When it comes to family, no such thing can bind me!"
The Emperor scoffed, puffing out his chest and raising his chin like a proud peacock. Yet instead of the dignified ruler he appeared to be in court, at this moment, he looked more like a fool.
His brothers could only shake their heads at this ridiculous side of him. How did this dumb brother of theirs even become Emperor? The answer was simple—he was the firstborn.
And why didn't the others fight for the throne, like in those novels and dramas where royal siblings scheme against each other?
Easy.
None of them wanted it!
Who in their right mind would tie themselves to the throne, burdened with endless worries and headaches just to keep a kingdom balanced?
Of course, none of them were willing. In the end, the First Prince—who least wanted the position—could only shed tears of blood as his brothers pushed him forward.
"By the way, where is Shen'er?"
The Emperor finally noticed that their little princess had yet to arrive, and time was already running short.
At that moment, the dumb brothers also realized the same thing, their cute little sister was, in fact, still nowhere to be seen.
"First brother, Shen Qi is sorry for being late."
ʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞʚɞ
✨ Fun Fact About the Coronation Day!!
First Prince: Brothers, I don't want to be the Emperor!
Brothers: Brother, you are the firstborn son. You must take responsibility and inherit the throne. Don't worry—we'll be rooting for you!!
—All the brothers dash away in unison—
First Prince: TT.TT Wait! Don't leave me behind, ah!
Official: Your Majesty, it's time for the coronation.
First Prince: No, I don't want to!
Official: Is that so? glances at the other officials
First Prince: NOOOOO! gets dragged away by the officials
Brothers: Brother, be safe! waves white handkerchiefs dramatically
First Prince: Bastards!!