Chenhui Palace.

Inside the hall, the flickering candlelight intertwined with the darkening sky outside the window, creating a hazy and mysterious interplay of light and shadow.

Yun Zhang stood before the couch, a loose nightgown casually draped over his shoulders, its front half-open, revealing mottled shadows on his chest, as if the night had painted patterns on him beforehand.

His hair was unbound, with a few strands of black hair falling unruly over his shoulders, adding to his wild and unrestrained air.

"Your Highness, this is all that I have heard and seen," a man in black reported, kneeling before Yun Zhang.

"Shen Hanshan and the Emperor of Da Xuan actually thought that the dragon seed in His Majesty's belly was mine? Haha, how interesting. Interesting, very interesting!" Yun Zhang laughed loudly.

His laughter echoed in the quiet hall, tinged with amusement and mockery.

"Your Highness, that damned emperor is setting off back to Da Xuan tomorrow. To save time, they will definitely travel by water. And by water, they will have to go through the Yunxuan Grand Canal. Should we—" The man in black made a throat-slitting gesture.

"Good idea!" Yun Zhang's face instantly darkened, and his eyes appeared even more unfathomable in the dim candlelight.

He pulled his oversized nightgown tighter around himself, stepped barefoot off the couch, looked down at the man in black, and asked coldly, "Who gave you this idea?"

Yun Zhang's voice was like water quenched in a cold pool; every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying an undeniable chill.

His fingers gently caressed the edge of his nightgown. The man in black heard the sound of the fabric rubbing together and knew it was a common sign that the prince was about to lose his temper. His heart pounded wildly.

"It was...it was my own idea..." the man in black replied tremblingly. He tried to explain, "Your Highness, I—" the rest of the words caught in his throat.

Yun Zhang kicked him hard, sending him flying a long way.

The kick was so powerful that it almost sent him tumbling into the corner of the hall. Pain and shock mingled on his face, and the rest of his words got stuck in his throat, turning into a low groan.

"Who gave you the audacity to do this?!" He approached the man in black, angrily asking, "You killed the emperor of Da Xuan? You're tired of living, but I'm not! The people of Yun Dynasty aren't tired of living either!"

"Your Highness, I was just—" The man in black struggled to his feet, clutching his chest, his face pale.

"But what?!" Yun Zhang's voice was like a winter wind, piercing and cold. "Do you know how much turmoil it would cause if the Emperor of Da Xuan were to be harmed within our borders? Can you bear the responsibility of a war between our two countries?"

The man in black knelt on the ground, trembling even more violently. He knew that this time, he had truly angered the capricious prince.

He lowered his head, not daring to say another word.

Yun Zhang turned around and looked out the window. The night was as dark as ink, and stars dotted the sky. He took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

"Remember this: I, Yunzhang, have always acted with integrity and never resorted to underhanded tactics. Even when dealing with enemies, I do so in a righteous manner, leaving no room for criticism."

Yun Zhang spoke slowly, his tone revealing an unquestionable authority.

"Yes, Your Highness," the man in black replied in a low voice, his back already soaked with cold sweat.

"Send word to strengthen the defenses of the Yunxuan Grand Canal and ensure the safe passage of the Emperor of Daxuan and his entourage. Also, send men to protect them secretly, and report any unusual activity immediately," Yun Zhang instructed.

"Yes, Your Highness." The man in black acknowledged the order and quickly withdrew.

Yun Zhang stood alone in Chenhui Palace, gazing at the night outside the window, pondering to himself.

What exactly was the matter that Shen Hanshan promised the Emperor of Da Xuan?