The name Ying Zhi echoed like the toll of a death knell among the officials. A tall man with a shiny beard and sparse eyebrows, his face revealing an air of genius and cunning. Unlike the other officials, whose faces were stern and serious, his thin, continuous smile was more than anything a fox's grin, one that held its prey tightly in its grasp. Ying Zhi took a step forward, his eyes shining. With a tone laced with biting sarcasm, he said:
"Master Ming! Oh, what a surprise! You are here as well!"
Ming Yuan immediately gave a respectful bow. He knew Ying Zhi well; more than he would have liked. He understood how this man had wormed his way Into the court and the heart of His Majesty. Beneath his smiles, treachery lurked. Yet, amidst these exchanged words, Jue Yan remained unnoticed, as if he were not even present.
Finally, Ying Zhi's gaze settled on Su Jiong. His smile widened slightly, but there was nothing in It but a bitter taunt.
"Master Su, did I hear correctly? You intend to take Prince Xiaoyan with you? He came here today, by the command of our Lord, King Luoxian, to face justice. There is no way he Is going anywhere."
Su Jiong didn't even spare him a glance. His gaze, sharp as a blade, was fixed solely on Su Yao. With a voice filled with restrained anger, he replied:
"His Majesty's command?! Is his word absolute law that you speak so easily of it?"
These words, like an arrow shattering the silence, struck the hall with an overwhelming force. A murmur rose among the crowd, whispers swelling:
"Wait, what did he say? Did he challenge King Luoxian?"
"How dare he differentiate between the king's decree and the law?"
"This man's gone mad!"
Ying Zhi took another step forward, his tall shadow casting half of his face into darkness under the light. He raised his hands in a feigned gesture of respect, as though paying homage, but his tone was soft and cautionary:
"Master Su, be careful. There are words you should not utter."
He then fixed his gaze on Su Jiong, his expression one of pretended concern, and flashed a faint smile. His words were laced with a warning, but his tone... his tone reminded Su Jiong of a snake preparing its venom in silence for a fatal strike.
Su Jiong knew well that Ying Zhi would be the first to turn the king's wrath into a sharpened blade of the law against him. That was an undeniable truth. But would this knowledge make him retreat? Never. He averted his eyes from the officials with disdain, ignoring the heavy shadow of threat, and took steps toward Prince Su Yao.
The prince had been immersed in a mysterious silence since the beginning of this silent conflict. No trace of anger, fear, or surprise could be seen on his calm and humble face. His head was lowered, like a statue, untouched by anything that could disturb his composure. But the moment the distance between him and Su Jiong became less than ten paces, he suddenly raised his head. His eyes shone like lightning in the dark, and his voice, sharp and merciless, echoed through the hall:
"Stay where you are!"
This voice was a blow that immediately stopped Su Jiong. For a moment, he didn't even blink. He merely stared into Su Yao's eyes, the cold gaze that, like a dagger, silently and steadily left a deep wound in his heart.
Su Jiong had rarely seen the prince so upset. Now, he had no doubt that Su Yao was deeply enraged; an anger that gnawed at his soul from within, like a worm.
But soon, a bitter truth was revealed to Su Jiong — these glances, this silent fury, these hidden reproaches… they were all directed at him.
A cold pulse ran through his veins. He blinked, again and again, as if trying to escape the weight of that gaze. But It was impossible.
Su Yao, still standing motionless, raised his voice quietly, but with a tremor:
"What are you doing here?!"
Su Jiong immediately replied:
"I came to take you with me."
A brief silence... and then, the prince's harsh and cutting voice:
"Take me?! Take me where?!"
Su Jiong bit his tongue.
He knew the answer to this question would unleash a fierce storm. Just one name was enough to kindle the flames of protest. But in his heart, he did not hesitate for a moment. He fixed his gaze firmly into Su Yao's eyes and said:
"To Jin Guosu."
A deadly silence... and then, uncontrolled fury. A storm of murmurs arose — voices of protest and cries of disbelief:
"What?!"
"What does that mean?!"
"How dare you?!"
The voices overlapped, a savage murmur that fell upon Su Jiong like a heavy hammer. He frowned, exhaled sharply through his nose, and growled:
"Did I say something strange?!"
Ying Zhi, who had already given him a warning look, spoke with a threatening tone:
"Master Su, you are under the protection of His Majesty. You are not allowed to go to Jin Guosu!"
Blood boiled in Su Jiong's veins. His face turned red with fury, and a scream erupted from his throat:
"No one asked for your opinion! I know exactly what I'm doing!"
Suddenly, Su Yao rose from his seat; a movement so swift it was as though a powerful wind had swept aside the curtains of night. His long hair danced In the air. With a firm tone, his words struck like a hammer, saying:
"Su Jiong, lower your voice! Have some manners! What kind of way is that to speak?!"
Su Jiong, taken aback by the prince's sudden shout, fixed his eyes on him. But what held his gaze more than anything were the two slender men standing beside Su Yao; eunuchs with polished, spotless faces, dressed in black robes, holding long staffs — instruments of punishment reserved for rebellious princes.
Yet, even amid this tense scene, Su Yao still appeared reserved and dignified. His movements radiated grace, and his gaze, unwavering, swept across the crowd. But Su Jiong, angered by this display, boldly shouted, his voice thundering through the air:
"I'll keep my manners for someone who actually has some! Which of these people here has the slightest ounce of respect that I should treat them like a decent human being?!"
His words fell like a sword strike upon the oppressive atmosphere of the hall.
Before anyone could speak, Su Yao once again called his name, his voice sending a shiver down the spines of the onlookers:
"Su Jiong!"
But before he could finish his sentence, one of the officials stepped forward; a man with a round face and a stocky frame, wearing a luxurious robe. His face, twisted with fury, shouted:
"You pathetic wretch! Do we lack manners, or is it you? How dare you demand anything from us?!"
Su Jiong's jaw clenched tightly, and the sound of his grinding teeth echoed in the eerie silence of the hall. The veins on his temples stood out, proof of the fire burning in his chest. His gaze, brief but deadly, fell upon the man like a blade of ice; a look that could shatter stone and crush pride.
Ying Zhi, who had been observing the scene, calmly waved his hand, pushing the man back.
Su Jiong, with a tone that carried both coldness and venom, muttered:
"A dog has more honor than you!"
Then, without removing his gaze from the frozen face of the man, he gave a brief gesture to Jue Yan:
"Accompany the prince."
Jue Yan, standing hesitant and silent, paused for a moment, then lowered his head in respect and immediately moved toward the punishment platform.
He ascended the stairs slowly, as though a gust of fate was hidden in his steps. Then, he stood before the prince and, bowing deeply, said:
"My lord, please proceed."
His hand extended toward the stairs, but Su Yao remained motionless. His figure, like a mountain, stood firm against the tide of pleading and orders. He said:
"His Majesty has ordered my punishment for the crime I committed. If I leave with you now, it would be disobeying my father's command and an act of treason. Su Jiong, please go. This is not the right course of action."
Su Jiong immediately spoke:
"The imperial command has been violated countless times by these officials, yet none of them have been punished. So, there Is no need to worry."
Suddenly, the silence of the courtyard was shattered.
The atmosphere swelled, as though a battlefield had been suddenly engulfed in flames. Whispers turned into angry shouts, and accusing glares, like venomous arrows, were aimed at Su Jiong.
Ming Yuan, sitting quietly in the corner of the assembly, felt Su Jiong's words like fiery lashes, tearing through the pride and honor of everyone present. His heart, trapped in a heavy sorrow, began to pound. "Damn it! There were a thousand other ways to prove loyalty to the prince... I'd proven myself to him countless times. Why did I make such a fool of myself?"
His thoughts spun like a whirlwind, but there was no turning back now.
Su Jiong narrowed his eyes, ran his tongue over his dry lips, and took a deep breath. He expected opposition, but he never imagined his cousin would not even consider accepting his proposal. For a moment, anger and despair flared within him, but he was not a man to surrender easily.
Su Jiong knew full well that if anything happened, the Guosu tribe would support him. Even if King Louxian ordered his punishment, all that awaited him would be a few lashes—just the same punishment that had been set for Su Yao.
What did it matter if he took the lash in place of the prince? If the sentence were carried out today, Su Jiong would immediately accept the punishment in his cousin's stead. For him, this punishment would not be a mark of shame, but rather an opportunity to solidify his position in the hearts of the people—an opportunity some of the officials did not want to see fulfilled.
His friends saw him as loyal, and his enemies, no matter how much they hated him, would have to respect him. No one could call Su Jiong a coward or selfish. Everyone saw that he was willing to sacrifice his life for his closest friend.
Su Jiong's decision was firm: if Su Yao didn't come, he would have to resort to force. This arrival could not be in vain. Su Jiong knew that if he turned back now, he would never be able to face the accusing gazes of others.
He clenched his fists and walked toward Su Yao. His face resembled a wounded wolf that had survived the hunt—angry, desperate, and ready to strike. Without hesitation, he grabbed the prince's arm and pulled him toward himself.
Su Yao stood motionless. Both of them were frowning, but Su Jiong's frown seemed deeper and more furious. His cousin could never wear a face as full of rage and bitterness as his. It wasn't in his nature, it wasn't In his being.
Su Jiong moistened his lips and said,
"Ayao… I didn't come all this way for no reason. You don't need to worry about the future. You need to come with me."
His grip on Su Yao's arm tightened, but the prince didn't even blink. The pressure from Su Jiong's fist was painful, but Su Yao didn't react. He didn't pull his hand away or make any attempt to break free.
In a calm but warning tone, he said,
"Ajiong, this is madness! You're the heir to Guosu, you're meant to become the tribe leader. If you continue with this behavior, you're only giving your enemies a chance to exploit this position!"
His tone was like a cold and silent breeze, as though it feared to blow. In that heavy silence, only the presence of Jue Yan, standing nearby, could be felt.
Su Jiong smirked and said,
"Leadership of the tribe means nothing to me! Brother, you know this better than anyone. Just as the King doesn't want you to be his successor, he won't allow me to become the tribe leader either. So, whether I do this or not, in the end, he will stop me. At least, I can help you, even If you don't want me to."
These words echoed in Su Yao's mind, and in that repetition, a hidden truth came to him.
Su Jiong was right.
Su Yao's heart pounded fiercely, but not out of fear—out of anger, out of humiliation. He saw himself as prey, trapped in the enemy's snares. His pride, like bait in the hands of fire, was gradually being reduced to ashes.
His eyes gleamed. Still, he said,
"Ajiong! You shouldn't sacrifice yourself for me! Do you really think that if you shield me… I can stand against my father?!"
He turned his gaze toward the officials. They watched him and Su Jiong with hidden grins, like hungry hyenas.
Su Yao continued, his voice bitter,
"Look at them! They've gathered here to watch my downfall. They want to enjoy my failure, to celebrate breaking my pride. Do you think it's just the two of us who can stand against all these vipers?!"
Su Jiong raised his chin and said,
"We're not alone!"
Time, like a moment suspended in air, came to a halt for Su Yao. His breath was caught in his chest, and his heart, once empty of faith in these words, began to beat with confusion and hope. These words, despite all the doubts he harbored, warmed his heart. "What do you mean?!"
Su Jiong opened his mouth to respond, but suddenly, a ringing sound cut through his words.
Ying Zhi's voice, like a dagger slicing through a knot of rope, was heard: "Young Master Su, Prince Tamo. By the Governor's order, the disciplinary ceremony should have been held at nine. Delays are not allowed. Please don't Interfere."
Su Jiong briefly turned his head towards him. His eyes narrowed, and with a gaze filled with nothing but violence and ruthlessness, he locked eyes with Ying Zhi. Then, he turned to Su Yao and said, "Do you want to fall to your knees in front of these disgusting rats, crying out in pain?!"
Su Yao firmly replied, "No!"
"Do you want your wounds after the lashes to be used as an excuse to strip you of your inheritance rights?"
Su Yao's eyes, which had been filled with despair until that moment, suddenly shone. He clenched his fists tightly and replied with strength, "No!"
"Then come with me!"
Su Jiong knew exactly how to provoke Su Yao's pride. He knew that beneath the calm and respectful exterior of this prince, there was a fierce fire of self-esteem and honor. He had targeted that very point.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Su Yao's hand and quickly descended the stairs. But suddenly, officials blocked their path.
"You have no right to take the prince!"
"Stop this!"
"Then where are the guards?!"
Tension in the air was rising, like a thunderclap.
Su Jiong shouted, "Enough! If you don't want anyone to get hurt, open the way now! Hurry!"
At that moment, Ming Yuan rushed to Ying Zhi, seeking his help to restore calm. Flustered, he said, "Uncle, please calm everyone down. You know better than anyone that nothing can stop Su Jiong. If he wants to harm you or anyone else, I can't stop him."
Ying Zhi sighed deeply and placed his hand on Ming Yuan's shoulder. "Ming Yuan, I didn't expect you to get caught up in this chaotic situation! Your father, Lord Ming Zhou, is a great man. You should have at least thought about his reputation. I don't want anything to fall upon his shoulders."
Ming Yuan, whose heart ached from the weight of these words, said, "Uncle Ying, to be honest, I didn't want to come either. It was my father who encouraged me."
Ying Zhi, surprised, asked, "Lord Ming encouraged you?!"
Ming Yuan nodded in affirmation. Ying Zhi murmured, "I don't understand… So your father himself trapped you in this snare? But why?!"
Ming Yuan, still not fully grasping the meaning of "snare," was about to ask a question when suddenly the sound of heavy footsteps and the sharp clatter of heels against the ground interrupted his thoughts.
All eyes turned to the door.
Su Jiong and Su Yao, simultaneously, stared intently at the door. At that very moment, dozens of armored guards poured into the hall.
They wore dark gray armor and entirely black attire, their swords gleaming in their hands. Their faces were terrifying and merciless, so much so that any gaze or shadow from them could unsettle anyone's heart.
Su Yao, seeing this scene, hesitated for a moment. "The Black Guard?!"
The very name brought with it fear and dread—a group responsible for protecting the life of the king. Su Jiong, his mind filled with conflicting thoughts, said anxiously, "The Black Guard! What are they doing here?!"
Su Yao, with growing anxiety, said, "Could my father be here?!"
Su Jiong had no answer. His face was filled with astonishment and worry.
The Black Guard swiftly surrounded the area. The weight of their presence hung in the air like a dark curtain, pressing upon the hearts of those present.
The guards who had previously argued with Su Jiong, Ming Yuan, and Jue Yan now cowered in the corner, heads lowered before these terrifying figures.
Some, like Su Yao and Ming Yuan, were filled with worry and anxiety, while others, relieved that the conflict had ended, felt a sense of calm. But Su Jiong, whose heart had begun to race upon hearing Su Yao's question, "Could my father be here?!", felt a deep pain form in his chest. A pain he couldn't tell if it stemmed from fear of his uncle or the hatred he harbored for him.
Su Jiong: The True Heir of Guosu, or a Puppet in the Hands of Politicians?
Su Jiong had no memory of his father. He had lost his father, Lord Su Shen, during his childhood, and the only thing that remained of him in his mind was a name that would occasionally surface in his mother's words. From a young age, Su Jiong was known as the "heir of Guosu," yet this question always lingered in his mind: Why, really?
What was it about him that made him recognized as the heir to such great power? At a time when he was still a child, completely unaware of the dark fate his father had met.
During his pre-adolescent years, Su Jiong had unexpectedly and strangely risen to the status of a respected young lord. Everyone who was close to him, especially his friends and sycophants, treated him with deference. They praised him and constantly whispered in his ear, "You are the heir of Guosu, you are the heir of Guosu."
But the question that had always troubled Su Jiong was, why should a young boy hold such a title? Why should he be an heir when he was still too young to take control of such an immense responsibility? If he were truly his father's successor, then why didn't he go to Jin Guosu and sit upon the tribe's leadership seat?
The answer to these questions was clear. When Lord Su Shen, Su Jiong's father, had been killed, Su Jiong was just a small child. Therefore, he could never have assumed leadership of a tribe like Guosu, a tribe that was an unquestionable power in the military, economy, and security of Beichi. Such a responsibility was not only illogical, but also incomprehensible.
Thus, the elders of Guosu and the ruler of Beichi, who at the time was Su Jiong's grandfather, gathered to appoint someone from among the tribe's trusted figures as the interim leader. They decided that until Su Jiong reached the age where he could shoulder the responsibilities of the tribe, an interim leader would manage the tribe's affairs. The age they had in mind for the heir to come into power was roughly the age at which Su Jiong would marry.
However, Su Jiong had no interest in politics or power. If it had been up to him, he wouldn't even have wanted to be known as an officer in the inspection department. He longed to enter the world of trade or perhaps even become a landowner and spend his life tilling the land. But his fate had already been set, and Su Jiong could not escape it.
In his heart, he often cursed those who had elevated his father to the leadership of the tribe, those who used power solely for their own political gain. If it had not been for their decision, not only would Su Jiong not have found himself in such a position, but his father would not have been killed either.
What guarantee was there that Su Jiong's fate wouldn't end up like his father's?
There was no guarantee. Especially now, as he found himself trapped within the world of politics and power.
Was he still a puppet in the hands of politicians? Could Su Jiong escape his predetermined fate, or was he still under the control of hidden political games?
Time might be the only thing that could answer these questions. The fate of each figure in this complicated world ultimately amounted to a grand game of chess. Victory or death were two sides of the same coin. But was this game a "win-win"? Or a "win-lose," or perhaps even a "lose-lose"? Only time could provide the answer.
The Tumultuous Life of Su Yao.
From early childhood, Su Yao's life was filled with hardship and neglect. His father never showed him any affection, and at a young age, he tasted the bitter sting of despair. After the death of his mother, Lady Subin, his position in the palace became even more unstable. His father's new wife, Lady Yueming—now his stepmother—treated him with cold indifference, though she never openly mistreated him.
The second prince, who stood in rivalry with Su Yao, did not display overt hostility toward him in public. Even so, Lady Yueming preferred to keep her bridges intact, maintaining a balanced relationship with Su Yao, for the future was uncertain, and no one could predict what lay ahead.
Every morning, Su Yao paid his respects to the Grand Lady, but in return, he received nothing more than a hollow, lifeless smile. The only person with whom he shared a somewhat close relationship was his younger brother, Su Haiming. Their bond was built on mutual respect, but it was not warm enough to attract unwanted attention or scrutiny. Nevertheless, despite their differences in demeanor and character, they had one thing in common—a shared enmity toward the third prince.
The roots of this enmity ran deep, a tale to be told in due time. But to truly understand Su Yao's life, one must return to the very beginning, to the moment his fate was sealed with his first breath.
Su Yao was born on the same day he lost his mother. This tragedy led many, from palace servants to court officials, to view him as an omen of misfortune. Every glance cast his way was laced with unspoken judgment. In their eyes, each breath he took was a debt repaid with his mother's life. Though time gradually eroded such beliefs, his father's resentment toward him never faded.
Su Yao could clearly see the kindness his father showed to Prince Su Haiming, yet whenever he faced Su Yao, his expression darkened, and his demeanor grew harsh. These cold and demeaning behaviors repeatedly drove him to his aunt, Lady Hebin, where he would ask in frustration, "Why does my father treat me this way? Why does he make others mock and humiliate me?"
Amid all his suffering, Lady Hebin was the only person who offered him refuge, her gaze untainted by judgment. She never blamed him for her sister's death. Instead, she sheltered him, encouraging him to endure the difficult path ahead.
In this arduous and winding journey, Su Yao found an unwavering companion—his cousin, Su Jiong. After Lady Hebin, Su Jiong was the only one who stood by him without hesitation, offering his unconditional support. Yet, even this friendship did not sit well with the king.
In the king's eyes, Su Yao was allowed only to breathe, eat, walk, and sleep—merely to avoid death. Beyond that, every move he made was scrutinized and condemned. The oppression grew so severe that even his right to speak was stripped away.
The ruler of Beichi Issued a decree barring Su Yao from attending court sessions and forbidding him from any contact with government officials, including clerks, magistrates, and royal secretaries. This unreasonable and cruel act sparked astonishment even among the nobility and aristocracy, for such blatant harshness and lack of prudence seemed uncharacteristic of a king renowned for his cunning and political acumen.
Yet, this was the fate of a prince who had grown up in the shadow of misfortune and hardship since the moment of his birth. It seemed as though his dark path had no end.
At times, crushed beneath the weight of his suffering, he wished for his father's death. But upon deeper reflection, he realized that it might be he who would die first—just another means for the king to rid himself of an unwanted burden.
Fate had bound Su Yao in the shackles of injustice, and now, even Su Jiong had been ensnared in these troubles. Though the future still stretched ahead, it, too, would soon be consumed by a life steeped In darkness, anger, and hatred.
Is Going to Jin Guosu a Wise Decision or a Foolish One?
Jin Guosu, the main branch and beating heart of the Guosu Tribe, was a place where power and influence reached their peak. The current chief of the tribe lived there, and all critical decisions were made from that very location. For many, this land symbolized the authority and long-standing heritage of Guosu. However, for Su Jiong, Jin Guosu felt more like a golden cage that robbed him of his life and freedom.
It was decided that after Su Jiong's marriage, the tribe's chiefs would introduce him as the new chief of the tribe. According to this tradition, such a choice meant leaving the capital and residing In Jin Guosu. However, Su Jiong, who had spent his entire life alongside his family in the bustling capital, had no desire for such a change. More than anything, the thought of being away from his mother tormented him, and this forced separation put him in a severe emotional bind.
When Su Jiong announced to the court that he intended to bring Prince Su Yao to Jin Guosu, the statement felt more like a bitter sarcasm than a definitive decision. No one could say with certainty what was going on in Su Jiong's mind, but the court housed individuals like Ying Zhi, who always considered all possibilities. Upon hearing the name Jin Guosu, Ying Zhi immediately concluded that perhaps Su Jiong intended to relinquish his right as the Guosu tribe's heir and instead present Prince Su Yao as the new leader.
In Ying Zhi's, the Kings, and many of the officials' eyes, this decision was a disaster. Such an action could upset the balance of power and cause deep rifts within the governmental structure. But there was another possibility: perhaps Su Jiong's goal was simply to preserve his cousin's life, an attempt to keep him out of reach of enemies, those who lurked in every corner of the court.
The tribal elders had always supported Su Jiong. Therefore, if he wished for the prince to go to Jin Guosu, it was likely his request would be granted. But this possibility was also terrifying! What if, upon arriving at Jin Guosu, the prince still saw himself as the rightful heir to the throne, and at the right moment, in alliance with Su Jiong, conspired to seize the crown? What would happen then? Was this journey merely a way to save the prince, or was it a prelude to a much larger plot?
In any case, Su Jiong's words posed an imminent threat to the throne. Therefore, the hidden plans of the court might be set into motion sooner than anyone expected...
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