Ling Jiu had a dream.

  It was a very long dream, sting from the moment that ‘he’ was born to the very day ‘he’ died.

  . . .

  32nd Year of Jiaxi.

  16th Day of the 7th Month.

  “Jiu ge!” Xiao Mingrui hurried after her older brother, stumbling over her own feet. “Jiu ge, wait for me!” (哥 ge - older brother)

  Xiao Jiureng stopped, his foot impatiently tapping against the stone pathway, “Little seven, you’re too slow. We need to hurry. Imperial Cousin is waiting for us!”

  “It’s Jiu ge who’s fast.” Xiao Mingrui frowned, her tone aggrieved. “I’m already very quick for a child of my age. Father said so.”

  “Slow poke.” Xiao Jiureng scoffed. “Father was just saying that to make you happy.” He looked around them, suddenly remembering something important. “Where’s little ten? Didn’t he come with us?”

  “No, he’s with mother. He’s too young so mother didn’t want him to stray too far. She had him stay with her.” Xiao Mingrui finally caught up to him. She tugged on his sleeve. “Slow down, Jiu ge, you know I can’t walk as fast as you.”

  “I should’ve just gone by myself…” Xiao Jiureng grumbled unhappily, his lip jutting out in a pout. Despite his words, he resumed walking at a slower pace.

  “Jiu ge, how much longer do we have to walk?” Xiao Mingrui trailed after him.

  “It’s just a little more. Are you tired already?” He waved at one of the servants following them. Naturally, as members of the imperial cn, especially young ones, there was never a moment where they were without servants. “Have Nanny Liu carry you then.”

  “No, Imperial Cousin will make fun of me if he sees.” Xiao Mingrui stubbornly shook her head. Xiao Jiureng just looked away, “Suit yourself, stupid little six.”

  Because of their blood retion to the current emperor, the two siblings were often summoned into the pace alongside an adult from the Prince Jin residence.

  On paper, Xiao Jiureng was officially a pymate to the Sixth Young Master of the Eastern Pace, the second legitimate born son of the Crown Prince. They would often meet to py together and could be considered particurly close. Xiao Mingrui, on the other hand, was established as the pymate of the Third Young Miss of the Eastern Pace, but because the Third Young Miss was often ill, there were not many opportunities for the two to actually py.

  So, more often than not, Xiao Mingrui would end up following Xiao Jiureng to see the Sixth Young Master. It was a matter that was implicitly approved by all the adults above. After all, what use was it forcing a good child to attend to the sickly princess?

  The sibling duo soon reached the Gusu Terrace and then—

  . . .

  4th Year of Zhaoming.

  12th Day of the 3rd Month.

  “By the will of heaven and the emperor’s order, heed this decree! Xiao Jiureng, the eldest legitimate son of the Jinyong Prince’s household is virtuous and genuine, deserving to inherit the mantle of the Jinyong Prince. From henceforth, we enfeoff him as the Jinyong Duke, giving him all the rights and privileges afforded to his rank. That is all.” The eunuch read the decree out loud, snapping it shut once it was done.

  The entirety of the Jinyong Prince’s —no, it was now the Jinyong Duke’s— household was prostrated before the eunuch in orderly fashion.

  Xiao Jiureng rose as the eunuch finished, giving a deep bow in the direction of the Imperial Pace. “This humble one thanks His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor. I have received his decree.” He took the decree from the eunuch and the whole household rose from their pces on the floor.

  The eunuch broke out into a fawning smile, “Congratutions to Duke Jinyong.”

  The Former Princess Consort Jinyong returned the smile with one of her own, politely gesturing towards the inner estate. “The eunuch has worked hard. Please come in for a cup of tea.”

  The eunuch shook his head, a look of mock-reluctance on his face. “Apologies to the Old Duchess, but I must quickly return to the Imperial Pace to deliver the news to His Majesty.”

  “A shame then,” Xiao Jiureng remarked impassively. He ceremoniously took out a bag of silver taels from his sleeve, passing it on to the eunuch. “This is just my appreciation for your hard work. Please don’t reject it.”

  The eunuch’s smile grew wider: “Since the duke insists, this lowly one has no choice, but to accept your goodwill.”

  . . .

  7th Year of Zhaoming.

  2nd Day of the 9th Month.

  “The duke has fallen aboard! Quick, someone go help him!” Chaos erupted among the small ship, panic taking full grip of its residents. Several servants dived into the sea, trying to rescue the drowning duke.

  With the combined great effort of three servants, they managed to pull Xiao Jiureng out of the water, bringing him back onto the boat. The servants nervously exchanged gnces at the duke’s stillness. If he died, then they could only be buried with him.

  In a matter of a few minutes, a physician was brought over. He hurriedly checked Xiao Jiureng’s condition, immediately attempting to push the water out of him. Once Xiao Jiureng spat out a mouthful of water, the physician ordered the servants to continue while he attended to other matters.

  A series of herbs was quickly prescribed and the duke was brought back to his estate. Out of concern, the emperor sent an experienced imperial physician to check on Xiao Jiureng.

  By the end of the day, everyone in the capital knew that the Jinyong Duke had nearly drowned on his afternoon boating trip with the Young Marquis Ding’an and the Young Duke Wei.