Outside the magnificent great hall, every gilded pillar was carved from nanmu wood with the auspicious phrase “Longevity Without End.” Along the corridors were flattering verses written in neat calligraphy by court officials. Inside, enormous golden inscriptions by emperors of past generations decorated the walls alongside birthday tapestries, carved zitan screens, display shelves, famous paintings, incense tables, cabinets filled with rare treasures, and fragrant bonsai.
On the dragon couch facing north reclined a striking man of majestic bearing. Music and dancing filled the hall, while a wicked smile curved his lips and an unmistakable imperial aura radiated from his brow. Each time the dancers caught sight of his smile, their cheeks flushed and their movements grew even more alluring.
This man was Hao Lin, sovereign of Lubei, the only realm able to stand on equal footing with Yunxi. A prodigy from youth, he had taken power at fifteen and had now ruled for more than a decade. Beside him stood Lubei’s Chancellor, Shangchuan Hong. On a slightly lower couch to the left sat Lubei’s empress, Hun Ruo, renowned as the greatest beauty beneath heaven.
Hun Ruo possessed a face so captivating that few could bear to look directly at her. Beneath her gauzy veil, pale skin showed faintly, smooth as silk, and her smile only made her more enchanting. Even in an age when male companionship was fashionable, a woman like Hun Ruo could still leave countless heroes helpless before her beauty.
Today was Hun Ruo’s birthday. Though it was already late at night, the hall remained lively with music and dancing. Hao Lin had long since grown impatient, yet he still wore an indolent, pleased expression. He was patient and skilled at maintaining his image as a ruler. Among the people of Lubei, no one doubted that their ruler was the most enlightened and considerate sovereign in history.
Hun Ruo had already read the mood in Hao Lin’s eyes. She lifted one delicate hand and spoke in a gentle voice.
“My King, let us stop here for tonight. I am growing tired. Your Majesty should rest early as well.”
After bowing to Hao Lin, Hun Ruo walked lightly out of the hall. The moment she passed through the doors, Shangchuan Hong ordered the gathering dismissed. The nobles and ministers bowed and departed one after another until only Shangchuan Hong and Hao Lin remained.
Hao Lin shifted position and turned toward Shangchuan Hong, amusement at the corners of his eyes as though silently prompting him to speak.
Shangchuan Hong had only just reached adulthood, yet he was already exceptionally handsome. Compared with Hao Lin, he possessed more refined beauty but less imperial force, making the two of them look almost like a pair fashioned by heaven. In truth, however, Shangchuan Hong was only Hao Lin’s trusted confidant. Hao Lin valued his abilities and had never crossed any improper boundary with him.
Seeing the apparently gentle yet piercing smile on Hao Lin’s face, Shangchuan Hong understood and reported, “The spies we sent to Yunxi some time ago have returned. Yunxi is in the middle of the Eight Homage Festival and is heavily guarded everywhere. More than half the troops from our last incursion across the Yunxi border were lost. Originally only the Sixth Prince had been sent to defend it, but for some reason the Third Prince has been appearing there frequently. Several times we had already broken into the enemy position when their strategy suddenly changed. Our forces were caught unprepared and had no choice but to retreat…”
Hao Lin’s thick brows drew together. He was still smiling, but something complicated had entered his expression.
Shangchuan Hong suddenly asked, “Does the ruler of Yunxi know that the Third Prince is not of imperial blood?”
Hao Lin chuckled. “Not yet.”
Shangchuan Hong deliberately pressed the point. “Then if we announce the truth to the world, wouldn’t the Third Prince lose any chance of ascending the throne? If any prince besides him succeeds, our court would no longer need to worry about Yunxi.”
Hao Lin glanced at Shangchuan Hong and gestured for him to lean closer. Shangchuan Hong lowered his head. Hao Lin raised his brows and said beside his ear in an imperious tone, “No. The Third Prince succeeding to the throne might not be a bad thing…”
Shangchuan Hong had expected that answer. He smiled as well and straightened. “The Third Prince has been busy with Grand Tutor Mu’s case lately and has had no time to interfere in court affairs. Yunxi is peaceful for the moment. Why don’t we take this opportunity to visit Yunxi ourselves and see how the Third Prince intends to avenge his father…”
Hao Lin nodded approvingly. Then he noticed the silver coin Shangchuan Hong had been idly turning in his hand throughout their conversation. Now that it lay open on the chancellor’s palm, Hao Lin’s curiosity was aroused.
“What is that?”
Only then did Shangchuan Hong look down at the coin. “It was picked up some time ago during our attack on Yunxi’s border. A soldier found it while checking the wounded and the dead. He thought its shape unusual and suspected it might be a concealed weapon, so he turned it over to his commander, and eventually it came to me. I examined it for several days. It looks like a silver coin, but it is not actually made of silver, and its workmanship resembles no style from any dynasty I know. I suspected it might be a treasure bestowed by heaven, so I have kept it with me as a talisman for Your Majesty.”
Hao Lin took the coin and turned it over several times. Its surface was smooth and fine, without a single character or image. Around its edge ran a ring of irregular markings, some thick and some thin, without any discernible pattern.
Hao Lin was secretly astonished. He had seen countless rare treasures since childhood, yet this simple coin seemed to possess some strange power that made it difficult to look away. And because it had been found on Yunxi soil, he regarded it even more seriously.