The crisp mountain wind sweeping across the forecourt of the Royal Nine-Dragon Hot Springs Villa carried the scent of pine needles and warm mineral water.
At the base of the wide marble steps, Second Prince Huang Xuan carefully placed the five glowing Dragon-Nourishing Jade Talismans into a silk-lined royal lockbox. His narrow eyes shone with satisfaction as he snapped the gold latch shut and handed the box to Captain Tie, the Half-Step Martial Emperor commander of his twelve Royal Dragon-Scale Guards.
'With these five talismans and the signed audit scrolls from Aunt Ning and Consort De,' Second Prince Huang Xuan thought to himself, suppressing a triumphant grin, 'Royal Father will see that I handled the eastern inspection far better than my foolish eldest brother ever could. While First Prince Huang Wei rots on the reflection cliff, I will take the credit for stabilizing the central provinces.'
