Thunder rolled again across the Imperial Capital, shaking heaven and earth.Rain lashed the palace roofs, running down the golden tiles like black serpents in the storm.Inside the Crown Prince's private residence, faint light flickered through jeweled lanterns. The air was heavy—not with incense, but with sandalwood, wine, and perfume.
Silk curtains danced in the wind. Behind them, Yan Xiuyin, the fox princess from a small dying kingdom, sat clothed in crimson robes. Her skin gleamed under the flickering candlelight, her lips painted the color of fresh blood.
She had been feeding off the Crown Prince's wealth for years—gathering gold and silver, sending it across the border to revive her fading homeland. She had given everything: her body, her laughter, her nights. Yet her heart was colder than the blade hidden beneath her pillow.
The Crown Prince stood by the window, his figure outlined by the storm's silver glow.He looked young, handsome—but his eyes, those eyes, were carved from iron spears: calm, unreadable, dangerous.
Yan Xiuyin rose, walking barefoot across the jade floor. She stopped behind him, her arms sliding around his waist like coiled silk."Your Highness," she whispered, her breath brushing his ear, "you must abandon the throne—publicly."
He froze."…What did you say?"
The Crown Prince paced before her in anger."Are you telling me to hide? To abandon the throne that is mine by right?"
Yan Xiuyin sat up slowly, her robe sliding down her shoulder, revealing a faint scar shaped like a crescent moon.Her voice was soft, almost tender."Your Highness, I'm telling you to survive."
He turned sharply, his qi flaring. The lantern flame wavered."You dare—"
She leaned closer, her voice dripping like honeyed poison."The palace is blind. The spies are gone, the informants missing, your assassin corps—vanished. Even the shadow guards don't answer. It's a web cut from every side."
He said nothing. Only his hand, resting on the chair, tightened slowly. His veins bulged."Oh? Then what do you propose?"
Her lips curved into a smile that could melt jade and poison kings.
Yan Xiuyin smiled faintly and pressed closer."If you declare before the court that you no longer desire the throne, you'll live. The others will devour each other, thinking you've surrendered. But in truth—you'll be watching above. Combine forces with the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Princes. Pretend unity, let them trust you."
His voice was low, cold. "And when they are weak?"
Her fingers traced along his arm, her tone turning colder with each word. Her lips brushed his neck."Then you return… as a savior. As the prince who never sought power, but was forced to restore order."Her fingers trailed down his chest, tracing invisible patterns through his robe."The world will call you pure. The ministers will kneel at your presence. The people will weep and support you. And those who doubted you will die—branded as traitors."
The Crown Prince turned to face her. The candlelight caught his eyes—they were sharp, reflecting both desire and calculation.He caught her chin between his fingers."You're dangerous, Xiuyin."
She smiled, slow and sultry. "And yet you keep me by your side."
He smirked faintly. "Because I know what kind of woman you are. I don't trust you—but I can use you. And when your worth ends…"He brushed his thumb across her lips, smearing a trace of red."…I'll throw you back to the streets where I found you."
For a heartbeat, her eyes flickered with anger. Then she laughed softly, a sound like wind chimes over a grave."Then I must make myself… useful a little longer."
She slid down gracefully, her head resting against his chest, her voice turning velvet again."Call a meeting, my prince. Gather the ministers, the princesses, and the exiled ones. Let them think you've given up the fight. Once they relax their guard, the Third Prince will move first. That fool definitely will."
He frowned slightly. "You've been watching him too?"
She chuckled. "He's reckless. Without his watchdogs, he doesn't even dare step outside his quarters. But now, all of a sudden, he's bold—someone's behind him. Let him expose himself."
The Crown Prince turned away, thoughtful."I will summon them at dawn."
As she wrapped her arms around him again, her smile turned faintly triumphant—but she didn't see his eyes.
Behind that calm gaze, he was already plotting his next step.He had no intention of trusting anyone—not even her.While she was whispering poison into his ear, he was already sending orders in secret—dispatching his own investigators to shadow every prince, every minister, every sect contact.
Once someone disappears, he thought, I'll know exactly who's behind it.
Thunder cracked overhead.Yan Xiuyin flinched slightly, but he didn't move.
He whispered, "The Third Prince… that coward thinks I don't see him. But every move he makes, every word he breathes—I already know."
Outside, lightning illuminated the imperial skyline—palaces, towers, temples—each one hiding daggers behind warm smiles.
And far away, in the blood-drenched wilderness, Li Qiong opened his eyes beneath the moon, the scent of blood still clinging to the rain.
The empire was beginning to stir.