Mu Changtian offered no explicit promise of aid. In the careful language of politics, some things were better left unsaid. His assurance that Wei Yuan’s journey to Hanguang City would go smoothly, however, was a vow in itself. It meant men would be sent to protect the Beihan Prince, and that the military would be notified. Though Wei Yuan was a novice in such matters, the meaning was clear. “Then I must thank you, Father-in-law,” he said. Mu Changtian’s gaze swept over the servants arranged in the hall. “All of you, leave us,” he commanded. “I have matters to discuss with the Beihan Prince in private.” The servants bowed and filed out of the hall, their soft footsteps receding into silence. Once they were gone, Wei Yuan’s curiosity was piqued. “May I ask what my father-in-law wishes to discuss?” For Mu Changtian to dismiss the entire household staff before speaking suggested a matter of great importance. “Beihan Prince,” Mu Changtian began, his voice low, “I must remind you that even when you reach Hanguang City, you will not be safe.” Wei Yuan’s brow furrowed. “Why is that?” Mu Changtian decided on clarity. “Your mother was the eldest daughter of the Su Family. By blood, they are your faction.” “Though you are leaving Capital City, in the eyes of the other princes, you remain a significant threat.” “The Su Family may still hold expectations for you. I believe they do, which means the other princes believe it as well.” “As long as you live, the Su Family has a reason to support you. But if you were to…” Mu Changtian let the sentence hang, unfinished. To say more would be disrespectful, and he trusted Wei Yuan could grasp the grim implication. Hearing the warning, Wei Yuan understood instantly. The words echoed what Su Wanqing had told him just that morning. He sighed inwardly. His situation was indeed perilous. While he lived, the Su Family—a great power in the Jiangnan whose support any contender would covet—might always harbor hope for his ascension. If he died, the Su Family would be forced to choose a new candidate, shifting their considerable influence to another prince. Therefore, for any rival prince who desired the Su Family’s backing, the simplest first step was to eliminate him—the inconvenient, exiled prince—and remove the Su Family’s primary loyalty. Ever since arriving in this world, his only plan had been to live a life of quiet leisure, far from the struggle for the throne. He never imagined his very bloodline would invite so much trouble. But there was nothing to be done. A man’s birth was a matter of fate, not choice. Now, he faced two paths. The first was to find a way to turn so completely against the Su Family that the world believed all ties were severed. The second was to eliminate every rival who wanted him dead, securing his own safety through absolute power. Choosing the latter meant walking the path to the imperial throne. From a personal standpoint, Wei Yuan could never truly turn his back on the Su Family. His maternal grandfather had always treated him with kindness, and the family had offered him their silent protection for years. Furthermore, Su Wanqing, his first love in this world, was one of them. He simply couldn’t bring himself to cast them aside. Besides, even if he did, would the other princes truly believe it? Or would they see it as a clever ruse, a deception staged for their benefit? Eliminating him would remain the only foolproof strategy. They would still make their move. That left only one option. He had to take the path to the emperor’s throne. Wei Yuan considered this. Before, competing with the other princes would have been a fool’s errand. But things were different now. He possessed the Imperial Lineage Prosperity System. Once he reached Hanguang City, he could take more consorts, father many children, and rapidly cultivate his power. Perhaps that distant throne was not so unattainable after all. Having reached his conclusion, Wei Yuan looked at Mu Changtian and said, “Thank you for the reminder, Father-in-law. I understand.” After they had left the Mu Mansion, Qin Shiyue asked tentatively from her seat in the carriage, “Prince, what did my father say to you?” Wei Yuan offered a faint smile and pulled her into his embrace. “Nothing much,” he murmured. “He simply urged me to take good care of you.” Qin Shiyue felt a pang of conflict. She wondered if she should tell Wei Yuan about the Zhou sisters, but their identities were so sensitive, so dangerous. As she hesitated, Wei Yuan gently stroked her hair. “My consort,” he said softly, “once we arrive in Hanguang City, I hope you will bless me with many children.” Hearing him speak so directly, Qin Shiyue’s face flushed a deep crimson. Though a married woman, she was still new to the intimacies of a husband and wife. Seeing her shy expression, Wei Yuan felt a playful urge to tease her, but he managed to restrain himself. In a pavilion overlooking a serene lotus pond, a middle-aged man in a yellow Python Dragon Robe stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching the fish glide through the water. A figure in black armor materialized behind him as silent as a shadow. “Your Majesty, the Beihan Prince has just left the Mu Mansion. While there, Duke Mu dismissed his servants and spoke with the Beihan Prince alone, behind closed doors.” The Yue Emperor murmured to himself, “It seems Mu Changtian thinks highly of Yuan.” He turned his gaze to the red-robed eunuch standing attentively at his side. “Eunuch Liu, what do you think? After Yuan leaves Capital City, will the Su Family truly give up on him?” The red-robed eunuch bowed his head. “Your Majesty, this servant dares not speculate.” A hint of displeasure entered the emperor’s voice. “Just speak your mind.” The eunuch dropped to his knees at once. “In this servant’s humble opinion, it is highly likely the Su Family will abandon the Beihan Prince and choose to support another.” The Yue Emperor sounded intrigued. “Oh? And who do you think they are most likely to choose?” A tremor of fear ran through Eunuch Liu. Serving at the emperor’s side, he knew secrets others did not. He knew the Yue Emperor despised the Su Family with a cold passion and dreamed of their eradication. To name the prince the Su Family might support next… was that not to place a target on that prince’s back? “Speak boldly,” the emperor said. “You have my assurance you will not be punished.” Eunuch Liu pressed his forehead to the ground. “Your Majesty, this servant believes the Su Family is most likely to support Prince Lu Chengyou.” Prince Lu Chengyou’s mother was also from a Southern family. If the Su Family sought a new ally, their focus would naturally fall upon him. Hearing the name, the Yue Emperor merely smiled, a thin, unreadable expression. “Supporting Chengyou, is it? Then Yuan’s journey will likely not be a peaceful one.” The soldier in black armor behind him spoke. “Your Majesty, shall I assign men to protect the Beihan Prince?” “No need,” the Yue Emperor said with cool indifference. “Someone will protect him. And if he truly finds himself in inescapable trouble, it only means his fate was not strong enough to rule.” Back in their chambers, Wei Yuan wanted to speak properly with his consort, but remembering their intimacies from the night before and again that morning, he thought better of it. Noticing the faint distress in his eyes, Qin Shiyue finally summoned her courage. “Prince,” she began, her voice barely a whisper, “why don’t you… take Qinghe and Qingyan?” Wei Yuan’s eyes brightened. He hadn’t expected his new wife to be so generous. Even so, he feigned surprise. “My consort, how could you bear to push your husband into the arms of other women?” Qin Shiyue’s blush deepened. “Prince, you were watching them all morning.” How could she have failed to notice his lingering glances? “Besides,” she continued, lowering her gaze, “they were both my dowry maids. It is their duty to serve you.” Wei Yuan drew her close. “To have a wife such as you, what more could a man ask for?” At that, Qin Shiyue took a soft breath and called out, “Qinghe, Qingyan, come here.” The candlelight in the room flickered, casting long shadows on the walls.

Chapter 4: A Dangerous Heritage