ATLAS TRANSLATES

In the Great Hall of Taicu, faced with Prince Zhao’s hysterical struggles and accusations, Prince Chen Liu Chu only asked one question: “Why did you break into the Grand Marshal’s residence at night?”

Liu Huai: “…”

His face turned ashen as he stood there frozen—he couldn’t give a reason. If he wasn’t trying to rescue Prince Hengyang, how could he admit to others that he wanted to kill those Northern spies? The case wasn’t even under his jurisdiction, so why was he in such a hurry to silence them?

In the court hall, Lu Xian, the second young master, stood among the officials, watching the confrontation between Prince Zhao and Prince Chen with everyone else. After a busy night helping Prince Hengyang escape, Lu Xian should have been exhausted and fearful during the morning court. But as he watched the confrontation between the two brothers, his mind wandered to what he had dreamed last night—

In his dream, following the original timeline, Prince Zhao was the first to reach the Emperor’s side that night.

The old Emperor similarly fell gravely ill from the shock. In reality, Prince Chen took over court affairs, but in the dream, it was Prince Zhao who had rushed to save the Emperor first. The old Emperor still harbored suspicions, though it had little impact on the bigger picture. In the dream, Prince Hengyang died at the border, and without his interference, all the Northern spies were eliminated by Prince Zhao.

Prince Zhao then framed Prince Chen, who was responsible for the Grand Marshal’s residence’s security, leading to his imprisonment. This was what had enraged his third brother, Lu Yun.

Every rebellion has its cause.

In reality, Lu Yun seemed to have… already cut off this cause.

Regarding this dream that foretold the future, some people tried to adapt and avoid crises by using the dream, while others took bolder action, completely overturning everything according to their own plans. The second young master Lu glanced at the elegant and dignified third young master Lu who stood among the officials. His face was like snow and jade, his eyes as dark and deep as obsidian, standing there unmoved.

Prince Zhao, nearly breaking down, spoke without thinking: “You framed me! Yes, you and the third young master Lu… you were the ones who let him escape! Otherwise, why would the Capital Prefecture’s people…”

Liu Chu slowly said: “Everyone in court knows that the Little Royal Uncle and I have been at odds for a long time.”

Prince Liu Huai: “…!”

He watched as various officials nodded in agreement, feeling even more desperate. Yes, everyone in Jianye knew that Prince Chen and Prince Hengyang had conflicting personalities and different political views. Last year when Prince Hengyang was assassinated, he had even suspected Prince Chen was behind it, leading to prolonged antagonism between them. Liu Chu and Liu Mu had absolutely no private friendship, and even showed some hostility. The third young master Lu was on Liu Chu’s side, so naturally he had no private dealings with Prince Hengyang either. In the Lu family, only the second young master Lu could speak a few words with Prince Hengyang, but even that relationship wasn’t deep.

Prince Zhao’s claim that Liu Chu deliberately let Prince Hengyang escape was simply unbelievable.

Prince Zhao turned to face the confused old Emperor on his high seat, urgently pleading his innocence: “Father Emperor, I’ve truly been wronged!”

The old Emperor’s expression flickered, his suspicious gaze wandering between his two sons. On the left was the flustered Prince Zhao, on the right was his steady and reserved fifth son, Prince Chen. Rationally, the old Emperor trusted Liu Chu more, as he had never disappointed him. But since Liu Chu’s previous collusion with the Lu family to forge an imperial edict, the old Emperor had become disappointed in his son. However, looking at Prince Zhao again…

As the old Emperor hesitated, he heard Prince Chen say: “Since we cannot convict him, this matter will be discussed later. Currently, there is another matter—the Northern Princess has testified that Prince Zhao colluded with Northern spies…”

Prince Zhao erupted in anger, interrupting harshly: “You’re talking nonsense! Complete nonsense—”

The old Emperor suddenly stood up: “That worthless woman isn’t dead?!”

Prince Zhao slightly nodded, gesturing behind him for people to bring in the Northern Princess. His eyes were deep and dark as he quietly watched the palace doors open. A haggard and exhausted woman, who had long lost her royal dignity, limped forward. When the Northern Princess’s gaze met his, fear filled her eyes and her body trembled slightly.

This man! This Prince Chen!

Such a contradiction between appearance and reality… his features were so refined, and when Lu Yun first threw her into this young lord’s hands, how could she have known his heart was so cold and cruel, showing not an ounce of sympathy for a beautiful, weak woman… The people of Jianye, the Southern Kingdom, the whole world, were all deceived by this man’s harmless appearance.

The Northern Princess fell to her knees, not daring to look at Prince Chen. Death would be a release—she didn’t want to return to endure the cruel torture under Prince Chen’s command. The Northern Princess spoke hoarsely: “I’ll speak, I’ll tell everything. I don’t know much, but this Prince Zhao…”

Prince Zhao lunged forward, trying to strangle her: “Shut up, you worthless woman—”

Prince Chen: “Stop him.”

The old Emperor: “Let her speak! Let her speak!”

The scene descended into chaos. Prince Zhao roared as he tried to strangle the Northern Princess, while she trembled and spoke incoherently, occasionally casting terrified glances at Prince Chen. The old Emperor’s eyes were bloodshot, his cloudy eyes bulging. During the Northern Princess’s testimony, he alternated between fury at Prince Zhao’s outrageous behavior and anger at this woman’s vicious ambitions. The old Emperor trembled with rage, then suddenly coughed up phlegm mixed with blood before falling backward. The old Emperor’s sudden collapse caused another wave of anxiety among the officials, who called out “Your Majesty, Your Majesty” while summoning the imperial physicians to the hall.

In the chaos, they diagnosed the old Emperor with a “stroke.”

Prince Zhao knelt on the ground, watching the busy crowd, then looked at Prince Chen Liu Chu’s calm profile among the people. Prince Chen quietly instructed people to take the old Emperor away, his manner unhurried and methodical, winning the trust of the officials. The originally chaotic court now seemed to have become Prince Chen’s “one-man show,” with only this young lord’s low and measured commands being heard.

Prince Zhao suddenly felt a chill run up his spine as he stared at Prince Chen’s cultured and refined face, feeling terrified—

Why did Father Emperor suddenly have a stroke? Was it deliberately provoked by Prince Chen?

Father Emperor’s health had been poor since that night, and his suspicious nature made him want to kill Prince Hengyang, after which he would want to deal with Prince Chen as well. But before Father Emperor could make his decision, Prince Hengyang suddenly disappeared, leaving Father Emperor restless and extremely anxious. Then Prince Chen suddenly brought out the Northern Princess to confront him. Father Emperor’s health was already poor, and this shock directly caused his collapse…

A stroke!

With the old Emperor unable to handle affairs, given the current court situation and with the backing of the Lu family, wouldn’t the court simply follow whatever Prince Chen said? How could the old Emperor pursue the matter of Prince Hengyang’s escape now? The old Emperor wanted to kill Prince Chen, but how could he do so while bedridden from a stroke?

Prince Zhao’s face turned pale—this fifth brother’s schemes were so deep and heavy, his planning so detailed, moving step by step.

So previously, Prince Chen truly didn’t care about competing with them… when this person actually put his mind to it, he was truly terrifying.

Prince Chen Liu Chu didn’t care about Prince Zhao’s personal feelings; when killing someone, he never left endless troubles behind. After sending the old Emperor back to the inner palace to rest, the old Emperor grabbed his hand and tried to speak, his voice unclear as he struggled to form the words “Prince Hengyang,” Liu Chu said softly: “Father Emperor should focus on recovering, don’t worry about other matters.”

Meanwhile, Prince Zhao struggled desperately, throwing himself onto the dragon bed, grabbing his father’s hand and crying loudly. The other princes nearby were startled by Liu Huai’s grief, having never seen Prince Zhao show such filial piety before. Prince Zhao continued to struggle, repeatedly insisting on staying by the dragon bed to care for His Majesty. He was using the old Emperor as a shield, trying hard to resist Prince Chen…

Liu Chu glanced at him, maintaining the appearance of a “filial son,” naturally not forcing Prince Zhao away, nor wanting to kill Prince Zhao based solely on the Northern Princess’s testimony.

The princes slightly relaxed: the Fifth Prince had a gentle and steady temperament, and having the court follow his lead now didn’t seem wrong?

But Prince Zhao trembled, trying desperately to hint to the other princes: You fools! You’ve all been deceived by him! Save me, quickly save me! He will definitely kill me!

Liu Chu’s refined and scholarly appearance, his steady and proper temperament, gave people the wrong impression. He never showed anger, never let emotions affect his decisions, and the harmless image he had cultivated in Jianye over many years now numbed everyone. Everyone knew the old Emperor had fallen ill from anger, but no one thought this had anything to do with Prince Chen.

No one knew that Prince Chen was killing his father step by step.

He was different from Liu Mu.

Prince Hengyang knew his royal brother wanted to kill him, and he resisted violently, easily angered, unable to believe it, always holding onto illusions about their relationship. Until those illusions were finally shattered by the old Emperor. Liu Chu was different—Liu Chu had never received any fatherly love, everything he wanted to obtain had always relied on his own calculations. Having reached an unspoken understanding with the third young master Lu, once on this path, Liu Chu would not hesitate.

After leaving the palace, Liu Chu met Lu Yun, the third young master Lu who was waiting for him. Lu Yun raised his eyebrows, his eyes questioning. Liu Chu nodded, indicating everything was going according to plan.

Lu Yun sighed: “I knew that once you made up your mind, I wouldn’t need to trouble myself with these matters.”

Liu Chu didn’t say much. The two young lords didn’t take their carriages, but slowly walked around the palace walls. Liu Chu brought up another matter: “You really want to protect Yue Zihan? He’s not one of our people, aren’t you afraid he’ll have different loyalties?”

Lu Yun said lightly: “Just giving Huan a playmate, that’s all. Little Huan is very upset right now, but doesn’t dare tell me or her sister… Children, you know, should be indulged when possible. If she’s happy, won’t a certain someone be happy too? If Yue Zihan truly doesn’t behave, I have ten thousand ways to make him disappear.”

He had always had such methods, so Liu Chu didn’t worry too much about him. Liu Chu only asked: “Are you sure the little Miss Luo can get Yue Zihan to speak and identify Prince Zhao?”

Lu Yun’s lips curved in a half-smile: “Let’s try it. We can also see his character from this, whether he can be kept or not. Do you think A-Man would be upset with me for taking him away?”

Liu Chu glared at his playful manner and shook his head. Liu Chu said softly: “How could I be upset with you… Third Brother, Xuezhen, I will never be upset with you. I have no other friends, I’m only close to you… In the future, no matter when, our friendship will never betray each other.”

Lu Yun said quietly: “That’s not necessarily true. Once you sit in that position, many things will change. If there really comes a day when you and I become enemies…”

Liu Chu: “With you, I will retreat three steps.”

Lu Yun: “…!”

A warm wind blew from behind, and he suddenly stopped, turning his head with contracted pupils to look at the elegant youth beside him.

They had already left the palace and walked to the street alleys. Standing on a stone bridge, the lake water below sparkled with golden light on the emerald waves, the water’s reflection dancing before them. The summer wind was dry and cold, ruffling their clothes, their sleeves brushing against each other. Liu Chu slowly looked toward Lu Yun, their gazes met, and Liu Chu revealed a smile.

The attendants had blocked off the crowd, leaving only the two of them on the bridge. Liu Chu reached out to hold the third young master Lu’s hand, saying softly: “If I become emperor, you will be my minister.”

“You will be my only minister.”

“If there really comes a day when you and I face each other with weapons… I will follow the ancient courtesy and retreat three steps for you.”

“Third Brother, I won’t betray you… don’t you betray me either.”

Under the azure sky like water, with golden sun on green stone, Lu Yun looked at him for a long time before a smile appeared. He said softly “Alright,” then raised his hand to clap three times with Prince Chen Liu Chu, establishing their alliance.

The two men smiled at each other.

…

That evening, while the old Emperor was tormented by illness in the palace, a long-roofed carriage stopped outside the Grand Marshal’s residence, and the young lady Luo Yunhuan, wearing a red hood, walked into the government office.

Because Prince Chen had arranged it in advance, Luo Yunhuan proceeded without hindrance. The Grand Marshal’s residence was stern and imposing, and the small lady was slender and frail, walking in the dark night, seeming as if she might be swallowed by the government office at any moment. Luo Yunhuan frowned, clenching her fists to encourage herself, thinking of what her brother-in-law had said—

“Yue Zihan is your old acquaintance? Then go say goodbye to him.”

Luo Yunhuan hadn’t begged the third young master Lu, and Luo Lingyu knew she was acquainted with Yue Zihan. Luo Yunhuan also knew that Yue Zihan was an important figure. To actually kidnap the emperor… for such a great crime, how could she trouble her brother-in-law? Moreover, the Grand Marshal’s residence had just lost Prince Hengyang, and the old Emperor was gravely ill… Standing outside the prison door, looking at the young man sitting cross-legged inside, the girl could only hold back tears, choking with emotion.

His clothes were in tatters, his body covered in wounds, his eyes closed, his complexion pale. Yet she thought of that day when she and the fourth young master Lu were surrounded by refugees, how Yue Zihan had descended from the sky.

Luo Yunhuan sobbed: “Brother Zihan.”

The young man in the prison suddenly opened his eyes, a bright light flashing in them, sharp and clear, looking at the crying young woman outside the prison. Luo Yunhuan’s eyes were blurry with tears as she said softly: “I can’t save you, you’re an enemy…”

Yue Zihan’s throat tightened as he said quietly: “…I know.”

Luo Yunhuan: “So I brought you some good food… Brother Zihan, don’t blame me… this is all I can do…”

The young man and woman looked at each other across the bars, falling into silence.

Luo Yunhuan didn’t blame Yue Zihan for concealing his identity; at this point, there was no need to say more. But her attitude was also very firm—she could plead for him, but she wouldn’t do that. Her sister Luo Lingyu’s teachings had always guided her to become a person of noble character. Kind, but absolutely not troubling others when faced with major rights and wrongs. Though she had good feelings for Yue Zihan in her heart and had the opportunity to see him, to bring food and drink, she could only silently shed tears, unwilling to say another word.

Yue Zihan’s heart ached sharply.

The little girl was crying before his eyes, her face pale. He suddenly thought of the first time he saw her, how pure and innocent she was, how beautifully she had smiled at him…

What did he have that was so necessary to keep silent about, to resist for?

Yue Zihan’s body trembled as he closed his eyes.

Thinking the young man closed his eyes out of disgust for her, Luo Yunhuan’s eyes dimmed, but she forced a smile.

…

That night after Luo Yunhuan left, the third young master Lu and Prince Chen sat playing chess in the Grand Marshal’s residence.

They received news: “Yue Zihan is willing to speak, to reveal the Northern Kingdom’s plans and schemes, and at the same time identify Prince Zhao.”

After the death of their superior, Yue Zihan held the highest position among this batch of Northern spies. The inside information he knew was far more than what a Northern princess knew. If he was willing to speak, Prince Zhao would definitely have no chance of turning the tables.

Prince Chen sighed: “You turned out to be right.”

Lu Yun scattered the black chess pieces in his hand, leaning back as he said playfully: “Of course. Since ancient times, heroes have always fallen for beautiful women. He already had weak loyalty to the Northern Kingdom, so with the right motivation, naturally…”

Heroes falling for beautiful women.

Liu Chu’s mind wandered for a moment.

Lu Yun: “What are you thinking about?”

Liu Chu’s eyelashes trembled slightly as he suddenly asked: “The scholar Zhou Tan… is he almost at Jianye?”

Lu Yun raised an eyebrow.

He immediately knew what Liu Chu was really asking about—

The lady he loved in his heart, Zhou Yangling, was she about to arrive?

Would that lady be willing to honor the marriage agreement that Zhou Tan had arranged between her and Prince Chen?

…

As it happened, Zhou Yangling was traveling to Jianye with her father, only two days’ journey away from Jianye city.