The Dragon Palace of Longyan was as grandiose as the Jade Palace within the heavens. The city walls were surrounded by high walls of polished white stone. The surfaces of said walls were carved with intricate patterns of swirling clouds and coiling dragons, matching its names.

  The entrance was flanked by two towering pillars, each engraved with calligraphy that spoke of prosperity and longevity. The gates to the Imperial Palace were wrought from black iron, with golden accents that gleamed in the sunlight. The cobblestone paths within the palace wound through the many, if not hundreds, of pavilions. The cherry blossoms that shed within those gardens were also home to koi ponds that were blessed with petals like pink snow.

  All the grandiosity that filled the Dragon Palace was what Prince Tian Jin was used to. Whenever he looked out from the one pavilion from within his manor, he would sigh, looking at the dark wood walls and the rustic jade-green tiles that filled the floor.

  , he thought,

  The manor he inhabited was miles off the City of Faizou, a distance that allowed the prince to see its very walls. The walls were damaged in some parts, highlights of long-won and lost battles for the city.

  It was a reminder to him of his rich ancestry. He was a descendant of Tian the First.

  The first emperor of Huaxia.

  He traced his fingertips across the edge of the page from a book he’d forgotten the name of. His mind was far from the words that sat before him. The treatise on governance might as well have been written in a foreign language for all the sense it made to him. His thoughts were a whirlwind—of his father, mother, brothers, and auntie-mothers.

  The wind caressed the air, carrying the faint scent of sandalwood and lotus blossoms. The tiles of the garden were made of polished cedar. The surfaces were so smooth they reflected a soft glow from paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The few silk tapestries that adorned the walls were vibrant in varying colors, depicting scenes of mythical beasts and celestial maidens.

  The sunlight streamed through, illuminating the dust motes that floated in the air, giving the pavilion a dreamlike quality.

  In the garden, Shi Xiu was sweating in front of the wooden dummy he’d designed for practice. He attacked it, striking it multiple times. The dummy was built in a crude fashion and now it was battered and scarred from countless blows.

  The rhythmic thud of wood against wood filled the room, a counterpoint to the silence that hung between them. Jin turned to his left, watching him practice. It was a good distraction.

  The dingshe was a warrior, one with skill he’d never seen. Watching him train filled Jin with an intensity. A focus that seemed unbreakable. It was a reminder of the discipline and resilience that had brought them this far. Yet, even as he admired Shi Xiu’s dedication, Jin couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him. They were safe for now, but safety was a fragile thing in a world where trust was a luxury.

  Footsteps broke the stillness, A servant wearing grey robes appeared at the doorway, his hands clasped in front of him. “Young Master,” the servant Fong said, bowing reverently, “Prince Liang has summoned you.”

  Jin’s heart quickened, but he kept his expression neutral. He exchanged a glance with Shi Xiu, who stopped striking the wooden dummy. After what they had been through, there was no need for words between them.

  “Thank you, Master Fong,” Jin said, rising to his feet. “I will make my way to the city.”

  The rolling hills cast shadows over terraced fields; small villages seemed fearful to Prince Jin. He didn’t like that, but he understood why they were fearful. This was a chaotic time; the Empire was dead and banditry was on the rise.

  Despite that, he was given a manor with guards to protect him. , he thought sourly,

  The farmers tended to the crops under the eye of the sun that were his to manage, but he was six years old; what did he know about managing fields? People even said, but he was willing to learn.

  He tried to understand why his cousin sent him here, to this barren land a few miles off the City of Faizou… shouldn’t he be in the Bone Palace as well?

  The months that had been here, he’d tried his best to understand his cousin’s mind, but the only thing that truly registered was how peaceful it was…and that in itself was a distraction in his eyes.

  he thought,

  But how…he relied on someone, Prince Liang. What he had was given…which meant it could easily be taken away.

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  As the carriage rolled from the manor, the air carried the scent of earth and blooming wildflowers. But as they neared the city, the landscape shifted from trees, fields, and overgrown grass to crowded streets and markets. The quiet replaced the clamor of merchants hawking their wares and the clatter of carts on cobblestones.

  Faizou was a city of contradictions. Its outer districts were a labyrinth of narrow alleys and ramshackle buildings, where the scent of roasting meat mingled with the stench of sewage. But as they approached the heart of the city, the streets widened, lined with grand buildings of stone and timber.

  The Bone Palace loomed in the distance, its iron-and-stone structure a stark reminder of the power it represented. Shi Xiu walked a step behind Prince Jin, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd for any signs of danger.

  The dingshe’s presence was a silent reassurance, a reminder that Jin was not alone in this unfamiliar territory. Once they reached the Bone Palace and Jin stared at the towering walls, noticing the intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes, showing their grandeur as a seat of power in the north of Huaxia.

  The gates of the Bone Palace were guarded by a dozen soldiers, their spears glinting in the sunlight. One of them stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “State your business,” the guard demanded the moment they approached.

  “Good day, my name is Song Yun,” Jin answered, pushing his cart curtain aside. “This man is my bodyguard, Chen Hao; Prince Liang has summoned us.”

  “Lord Yun,” the guard said, “my apologies. I didn’t know you were so…young.”

  “That’s fine, can we proceed in?”

  “Of course, this way.”

  The gates opened, and the interior of the Bone Palace filled the prince's sight. The carriage rolled in, and the prince departed, followed by Shi Xiu.

  They entered the main entrance, and the marble floors sparkled with each step. The tapestries that lay across the walls depicted scenes of Huaxia’s history.

  Tian standing over the defeated the Demon Emperor, Endubis.

  The rise of the three kingdoms of Chu, Qian, and Hou. The foundation of the Huaxian empire itself. These kingdoms were the first to outline what governance meant in Huaxia; they may not have lived long compared to the Huaxian Empire, but they are a testament to the time of civilisation.

  “Young Master,” a servant said, leading Jin and Shi Xiu into a spacious chamber.

  “Ah… Young Master Yun, welcome,” Prince Liang said, “I didn’t think you would arrive so fast… please take a seat.”

  Prince Liang was sitting at a low table on his throne. His features seemed sharper compared to the last time Prince Jin saw him. His ever-piercing eyes burrowed into the prince, making him wary.

  The crimson robes he wore had embroidered golden dragons stitched into his hanfu, swirling on the sleeves. He was as regal as Prince Jin’s father, the former emperor.

  He looked down at Jin, a faint smile playing on his lips. “How are you? It has been a full month. I hope all is well with you.”

  Jin bowed slightly before taking his seat. Shi Xiu remained standing near the door, his presence a silent reminder of his role as protector. “How could I not be good? I am your guest, after all.”

  “Good, good…I trust your journey was uneventful,” Liang began, his tone polite but distant.

  “It has been, and as always, I want to thank you for your hospitality.”

  “Bah,” Liang said, waving him off. “This is nothing; would you like some refreshments?”

  “I am at your mercy, Prince Liang.”

  “Indeed.”

  A loud, bellowing clap echoed through the chamber, making the tapestries flap. A servant appeared out of nowhere, carrying a tray and resting it before Prince Jin.

  The servants arrived, placing the tray with tea on Prince Jin’s table while another servant arrived, doing the same for Prince Liang.

  The spiced aroma of the black tea fluttered in the air and flowed into Prince Jin’s nose. He wrinkled his nose at the strange scent and turned left slightly.

  Shi Xiu appeared next to Jin in a flash, a flare of Qi exploded from within the room. Prince Jin’s heart quivered in fright. He looked around, trying to decipher where it came from, remembering that Shi Xiu had trained him to recognise oppressive Qi. “Stop!” Prince Liang barked.

  The sudden outburst of Qi dissipated instantly, but Shi Xiu flared his own Qi in response. It was far more oppressive than that of Prince Liang’s men.

  Shi Xiu turned to his left and finger-flicked a stone he had in his hand toward the wall close to the southern entrance of the chambers. A loud boom exploded from the wall, and someone flailed to the ground, spitting blood.

  “Leave,” Prince Liang snapped. “You fool!”

  Shi Xiu watched as the guard limped his way toward the door behind Prince Liang and scooped up the prince’s cup. He rocked his head back, downing the tea in an instant, then poured another glass. He downed that one even faster and stood there for five seconds. “It isn’t poisoned, my prince.”

  “Thank You.”

  Shi Xiu disappeared to the door, and Prince Jin poured his own cup of tea and took a sip. He smacked his lips and painted a smile across his face. “It’s has a spicy aroma.”

  “Indeed. The black tea that is grown in Hunan absorbs the spices traveling on the wind and incorporates them into its leaves.”

  “I see…I appreciate the gesture. I’m sure servant Fong has been reporting my likes to you, along with what I read.”

  “He has… after you are the…”

  “Cousin…let’s cut to the chase. Why have you summoned me?”

  Liang leaned back, stupefied. He smiled bitterly, then nodded as if he approved of Prince Jin not wanting to get into a verbal spar, something he prided himself on. “The empire is at a crossroads, Lord Yun. The Council of Ministers has decided to select the next emperor.”

  “The same council that killed the previous emperor?”

  “Lord Yun, that is blasphemy. You cannot speak ill of our counselors.” He said smugly.

  “Oh… are the councilors the emperor? As far as I know, once you don’t curse at the emperor, it isn’t blasphemy.”

  “HA! You’re right!”

  Jin’s heart quickened, but he kept his expression neutral. He wasn’t privy to these verbal spats, but he knew that this was what Prince Liang enjoyed. He was a cautious man, but he was even more shrewd.

  “Only because of your guidance,” Prince Jin quipped.

  Prince Harrumphed and scooped up his cup and took another sip of tea. He stirred it in his hand, then slammed it down as if disgusted. “I’ve been selected as one of the princes’ candidates to take the Dragon Throne.”

  “Congratulations, Prince Liang,” Prince Jin said, cupping his hands in respect. “May you win this selection.”

  “BA!,” he said, waving his hand, “this is all show, as you know. The one who ordered your family's assassination is most likely one of the princes who have been chosen as candidates.”