Ruohan, clad in a crimson gauze dress, jolted, a look of sheer horror washing over her face. Turning, she saw a man approaching, draped in a silver-white brocade robe embroidered with a three-clawed golden dragon. Trailing behind him were four figures entirely shrouded in shadow, clearly formidable experts.

“Imperial Brother, you… how did you get here?” Upon seeing the man appear, Ruohan gasped aloud.

“Heh, you are my only sister. How could I not come when you run off alone from the Imperial Palace to this desolate frontier?” This man was named Xuanyuan Ruoxing, a son of the late Emperor, the current young Emperor’s Imperial Uncle.

Ruohan, naturally, was the Grand Princess of the Tianyuan Empire, Xuanyuan Ruohan. Three years prior, at the tender age of sixteen, she had ventured out for pleasure and encountered the young Huangfu Buyue, instantly falling in love. However, due to their vastly different statuses, their union was fraught with difficulty. Fortunately, neither was a commoner, and they had maintained their secret correspondence, their connection never breaking even as the Western Chu Empire rose in strength.

This, too, spoke volumes of Xuanyuan Ruohan being an extraordinary woman. In this male-dominated world, she dared to defy her family’s position and bravely pursue the man she loved.

Yet, when Xuanyuan Ruohan heard Xuanyuan Ruoxing’s words, her expression shifted again.

“You… you followed me?” A trace of disdain flickered in her eyes.

“Heh, how can you call it following? A brother merely wishes to secretly protect you, lest you be deceived by outsiders. But now, all is well. No one will deceive you anymore, my dear sister. Come home with me!” Xuanyuan Ruoxing chuckled softly, his smile amiable and natural, but in Ruohan’s sight, it appeared utterly chilling.

“You… you plan to deal with Buyue?” Xuanyuan Ruohan’s face changed once more.

“No. Initially, I indeed intended to deal with him. But my dear sister actually exposed Ye Jingyu’s whereabouts as well. In that case, your elder brother wouldn’t mind eliminating these two greatest enemies of our Tianyuan Empire in passing. Sister, tell me, if I slay Ye Jingyu—the one who defeated Imperial Grandfather—will my prestige surpass that of my ten-year-old nephew?” Xuanyuan Ruoxing smiled with great delight and triumph.

He had long been aware of his sister’s involvement with Huangfu Buyue of the Western Chu Empire, but he had never brought it to light. In fact, he had greatly aided Ruohan’s departure this time, his ultimate goal being the assassination of Huangfu Buyue.

But now, that fellow Ye Jingyu was also in Miao City—a delightful surprise for him. Especially considering that both Huangfu Buyue and Ye Jingyu would be severely weakened after their battle. His ambushed forces would surely finish them off then.

At that moment, he would become the hero of the Tianyuan Empire, his merits eclipsing those of the renowned God of War, Xuanyuan Xiaozhan. By then, usurping his little nephew to become the Emperor of Tianyuan would be effortless.

The moment this thought crystallized, the smile on Xuanyuan Ruoxing’s face grew even more smug.

“You’re insane! You are truly insane!” Upon hearing that Xuanyuan Ruoxing not only intended to ambush Huangfu Buyue and Ye Jingyu but also coveted the throne, a surge of fury coursed through Xuanyuan Ruohan.

It was she who revealed Ye Jingyu’s location to Huangfu Buyue. She only wanted to help him fulfill his lifelong ambition, but now her scheme had been manipulated by her own Imperial Brother. This meant Buyue was in grave peril!

Moreover, what would Buyue think of her? Wouldn't he suspect she had conspired with her Imperial Brother against him?

“Hahahaha! Insane? Am I not doing all this for the Tianyuan Empire, for the sake of my Xuanyuan family? Do you truly believe my ability to govern the realm is inferior to that of a mere child? Truthfully, sister, we are siblings of the same father and mother. In this world, I am your closest kin; how could I harm you? Just stay here quietly. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, you four remain to protect the Princess…” Looking at the bewildered Xuanyuan Ruohan, a look of heartache crossed Xuanyuan Ruoxing’s face as he solemnly gave orders to the four figures behind him.

“Yes, Your Highness!” The four figures in black responded in unison. Hearing their voices, they sounded distinctly female. They understood that while they were ordered to protect the Princess, their true role was to monitor her.

Xuanyuan Ruoxing said no more, turning and exiting the courtyard. A man in a long robe, yet sporting very short hair, stood waiting just outside, his gaze fixed greedily upon Xuanyuan Ruohan within the courtyard.

“How is it? Brother Fang, does my sister catch your eye?” Upon seeing the man in the long robe, Xuanyuan Ruoxing immediately approached him with an ingratiating smile. For a dignified Prince to display such fawning deference was, in itself, a profound irony.

“Not bad, not bad. You are truly a loyal brother. Let’s go, come with me to kill that man first…” The man referred to as Brother Fang repeatedly nodded, throwing an arm over Xuanyuan Ruoxing’s shoulder as they walked out.

(I’ve been truly unlucky recently; first my phone broke, then my car was smashed in an accident. Just when I desperately needed money, my royalties were delayed due to bank issues. I used up my backlog of drafts yesterday, and today there’s a power outage, making everyone wait so long. I am sincerely sorry, sigh!)