Chapter 1: 1

September 14, the thirteenth year of Emperor Zhaode. It was well into autumn where nights were long.

Chu Ning kept watch quietly by the bed. She was observing the young man sleeping on the bed vigilantly.

The man was pale. He had a handsome face and a gentle curve to his eyebrows. When he was sleeping, he appeared pure and calm. There was a gentleness about him that made people lower their guards.

However, Chu Ning knew that beneath his handsome and pleasant appearance hid a paranoid and vicious heart.

The man was called Xiao Yu. He was the Crown Prince and her husband of two years.

Everyone said that it was due to the Crown Prince’s tremendous kindness and love that she was able to marry him and become his main wife.

But, was that the truth?

She felt as if her heart was covered by a thick fog, causing her to feel lost and dazed.

Xiao Yu had treated her well in the past two years. However, his good treatment made her feel conflicted.　　

“The Crown Prince has awoken!”

A maid alerted Chu Ning softly and disrupted her thoughts.

The Crown Prince turned his head slightly on the bed and opened his eyes gradually. His eyes were cold. He frowned and shielded his eyes with his hand. The candle light seemed to be too bright for his eyes.

A maid quickly took out a lampshade and covered the candle stand.　　

The candle light turned softer under the lampshade.

Xiao Yu put down his hand and glanced sideways into the night. Outside, people gathered in groups of two and three. They were all attendants of the East Palace, and they were anxious and fearful.

“Any news from Taiji Palace?”

His voice was hoarse from thirst after sleeping for eight hours.

Chu Ning helped him to sit leaning against a soft pillow and handed him a cup of warm tea brought by the maid. She shook her head and said, “Taiji Palace enforced a curfew after your return. Xu Shidu and Wei Shangshu tried to go to the Government Office to mobilize Jin Wuwei’s people, but they were too late. By that time, Jin Wuwei was already detained by Qian Niuwei, the imperial guard. The East Palace was also surrounded four hours ago. Your Highness, we can’t go anywhere.”　　

The East Palace was on the verge of losing the battle for the throne.

Xiao Yu lowered his eyes and sipped the warm tea. He remained expressionless as he listened to her, as though he was unaffected by the turn of events.

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Chu Ning did not console him. She leaned away slightly to create a little space and waited in silence for him to fly into rage. In the room, the maids lowered their head and tried to hide themselves in a corner. No one dared to make a sound.

Xiao Yu finished his tea in complete silence. His thumb traced the pattern on the cup gently as though admiring the intricacies of the pattern.

However, in the next moment, he suddenly raised his hand and threw the cup violently. 　　　　　

The porcelain cup landed on the floor and shattered instantly. A tiny shard flew and grazed her left forefinger.

It left a small cut on her slender finger, and a few drops of blood oozed from the wound.

“I have planned for so long and have almost succeeded. I didn’t think, I really never thought that…” Xiao Yu closed his eyes as he sat on the edge of the bed. His chest rose and fell rapidly in anger, and his pale face turned bright red. “The Empress Dowager is even willing to summon the Prince of Qin here to counter me!”

……

Chu Ning remained silent. Blood dripped from her fingertip onto her gown, seeping along the embroidery thread and dyed the embroidered white magnolia bright red.

She knew that it was too late. They were trapped in the East Palace with no army or power. They were like fishes on a chopping block. The Crown Prince just wanted to vent his frustration.

After all, before today, no one expected this.

…

Since the founding of Great Liang by Emperor Taizu, the kingdom had been through the reign of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong before reaching the reign of Emperor Zhaode, Xiao Lian.

Xiao Lian was not a son of the Empress Dowager. As the Empress Dowager was childless, Emperor Gaozong had chosen Xiao Lian as the Crown Prince on his deathbed.

Xiao Lian was meek and indecisive. He did not have much inclination towards the affairs of the state and was fearful of the Empress Dowager. As such, throughout his twelve years reign, the Empress Dowager was in control of the state affairs.

About a month ago, the Emperor became seriously ill and was bedridden. His illness worsened day by day, and he was now on the verge of death. Everyone in Chang’an, whether the highest nobilities and the ministers or the common people, vagrants and beggars, all speculated that a new Emperor would ascend the throne soon.

For Xiao Yu, the Crown Prince, this was a great opportunity.

The Emperor had very few issues. Apart from two princesses who were already married, the only person who could threaten Xiao Yu’s position was his younger brother, Wu Wanghuan. However, he was killed in the Noble Consort Xue’s conspiracy three years ago.

It seemed that he was destined for the throne.

However, on his tenth day keeping watch at Taiji Palace, just when he thought that the throne would fall into his lap, there was an upheaval.

The mostly forgotten Prince of Qin, who had been defending the Ganzhou district for the past fourteen years, suddenly led his army into Chang’an. As of yesterday, the army had surrounded Taiji Palace, leaving no route of escape. He even forcefully removed Xiao Yu from Amrita Hall, the Emperor’s residence, and forced him to return to the East Palace.

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