Zhengde Street!

The gazes of shopkeepers, peddlers, and passersby along the street fixed on two carriages at the road’s heart.

One gleamed with grandeur, the other bore a subtle, timeless restraint. On Zhengde Street, seasoned eyes knew these belonged to major figures.

“That one on the left—it’s the Third Prince’s personal ride!”

From a winehouse window, someone identified the Third Prince’s carriage.

“Who could make the Third Prince stop a carriage mid-street for a chat?”

A puzzled voice questioned.

“If I’m not mistaken, that’s a Li family carriage!”

“Li family?”

“The General Li who’s been shining in the defense map case—rumor has it he’s about to rise, vaulting into the court’s elite!”

A grave voice spoke, while others’ eyes glinted, signaling underlings to relay the news.

Zhengde Street buzzed with undercurrents.

At the center of all eyes—

Li Wenzhong’s face darkened. He’d been played—whatever the outcome, Emperor Wen and the Crown Prince might harbor doubts, trust shaken.

Not even in office, and already off to a rocky start!

“Your Highness, your brother-in-law’s got family matters too—no concubines birthing or matchmaking dates here, mind you. I’m steadfast to your sister, rest assured. Let’s catch up another day!”

Xia Chen’s tongue ran loose, grinning as he clasped his fists, then dropped the curtain.

The carriage rolled off, leaving the Third Prince’s ride alone in Zhengde Street’s center.

…

“Li Wenzhong and Xia Chen—such insolence, showing no regard for His Highness!”

In the spacious carriage’s depths, a striking woman fumed.

“One’s Emperor Wen’s man, the other’s the Marquis of Zhendong’s legitimate son—by rank, my brother-in-law. I’m no Crown Prince—why would they heed me?”

Inside, the Third Prince’s face stayed blank, joy or anger unreadable.

“But they’re too rude—spouting nonsense! That Xia Chen even dares take advantage of Your Highness!”

A yellow-robed maid bristled—she was no common servant, but the Third Prince’s close confidante.

“I knew they’d dodge my invite. Today’s stop was just to irk them. Li Wenzhong’s never joining me—fine, I’ll tweak my Crown Prince brother and Father a bit.

“As for Xia Chen, I do want him. Capital gossip never swayed me before, but seeing him in action at White Moon Tower—he’s a fierce talent. Now even my Father aims to favor him. Intriguing.

“He’s three years my junior—calling him brother-in-law stings, sure, but that tie’s a handy bridge.

“From the Marquis of Zhendong’s line—if he could sway their support, with military power in hand, Crown Prince or not wouldn’t matter much.”

The Third Prince reclined in the maid’s lap, smiling, words flowing freely as she listened quietly.

She cradled his head—sometimes feigning ignorance, though she understood plenty. Her seeming naivety belied the cunning that earned his trust—not mere beauty.

She knew the Third Prince was lonely, craving a listener to lighten his load.

Now, he seemed to bare his soul, words spilling unchecked.

“My Father chased immortality early on—Daoism, Buddhism—fifty-plus years on the throne, only birthing my eldest brother twenty-odd years back, then my second sister and me.

“He’s obsessed with eternal life yet clings to power. I’m just a pawn to him, balancing the Crown Prince.

“I know he’s never meant that seat for me—no matter how I shine, I’m a tool, nothing more!”

The Third Prince shut his eyes, voice soft and flat, as if speaking of another, hiding the sorrow in his gaze.

The yellow-robed maid gazed at his handsome face in her lap, brushing his forehead gently, her eyes tender with pity.

“If he’d use me as a tool, so be it. A whetstone for the Crown Prince? I’ll sharpen him.

“Hahaha—he thinks he controls all, a god among men.

“Laughable!

“Does he really deem himself divine?

“Master of everything—I’ll see if he’s truly this world’s god!”

His tone grew colder, an endless frost seeping through!

…

“Word travels fast with this Third Prince—we’d barely left the palace, and he’s on our tail!”

Xia Chen toyed with a dagger, grinning with relish.

“He looks aimed at me, but you’re the prize!”

Li Wenzhong glanced at Xia Chen.

“Just eyeing the Marquis of Zhendong behind me—too bad his abacus misclicked. I’m but a neglected legitimate son in the marquisate!”

Xia Chen drawled, unclear if he aimed at the Third Prince or Li Wenzhong.

“Marquis of Andong may overlook you, but your uncle Xia Qián, the current Xia clan head, doesn’t slight you, does he?”

Li Wenzhong kept his gaze down, voice drifting to Xia Chen’s ears.

Xia Chen chuckled, sidestepping further chatter on that.

…

Li Wenzhong dropped Xia Chen at Wendao Street—the Marquis of Zhendong’s estate loomed at its heart.

“I report to the Lamplighters tomorrow—what of my Imperial Guard post?”

“No special word from His Majesty—likely you’ll hold both for now!”

Li Wenzhong mused a moment, then spoke.

Xia Chen nodded, leaping from the carriage with flair, waving as he strode into the estate.

He didn’t head to his quarters, instead making straight for Uncle Xia Qián’s courtyard.

Emperor Wen had slotted him into the Lamplighters—surface talk of rooting out spies, but Xia Chen sensed deeper intent.

Even with a rift between him and his father at the Xia clan, his veins still ran with their blood. The Xia clan’s might soared, gripping military power.

Could it be Emperor Wen isn’t wary of the Xia clan infiltrating the Lamplighters, taking control of Dawu’s covert intelligence force?

Xia Chen laid it all out for Xia Qián.

“I’ve got it. Head back—any news, I’ll send word!”

Xia Qián’s face grew stern—even he couldn’t pierce the riddle just yet.

Xia Chen nodded, returning to his quarters.

Night fell, a dark beast swallowing the capital whole.

The nightlife of the elite truly began!

Brothel Row!

Nobles, rich heirs, even officials thronged here.

A rumor rippled through the cliques.

“Heard? Today His Majesty met Xia Chen, the Marquis of Zhendong’s legitimate son, in person!”

“No way—even the Vice Ministers of the Six Ministries rarely get summoned by His Majesty, do they?”

“It’s true! Guess what His Majesty said to Xia Chen?”

“Brother Li, spill it—don’t tease, I’m dying here!”

“His Majesty said: if Xia Chen had taken the scholar’s path to Hanlin Academy, thirty years hence he’d surely be Chief Grand Secretary!”

“Wait, Brother Li, I heard twenty years to Chief Grand Secretary!”

“Nonsense—His Majesty clearly said this lad’s got world-shaping talent, meant to replace Chief Grand Secretary Lin Hanpu in ten years as Dawu’s pillar!”

…

Brothels and winehouses buzzed with talk of Xia Chen’s palace summons—versions flew wild.

By the end, tales spun of Xia Chen’s heaven-and-earth genius—a youth outstripping Chief Grand Secretary Lin Hanpu in learning and wit!