Chapter 6: Anger

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Chao Ge was also momentarily stunned when he heard this and immediately turned to Chao Lun with a reproachful look in his eyes.

What nonsense! He was brought here, dressed like this! God knows that after returning that day, he had secretly investigated and found out the guy was placed in the Bureau of Medical Affairs, a relatively safe place. But who knew that Chao Lun would go and provoke him again! He really couldn’t feel at ease if he wasn’t watching over him every single day.

Chao Lun gave a soft cough and weakly muttered, "It has nothing to do with him. I was the one who insisted on dragging him here."

Yan Guan was utterly speechless. Not only had he been forcefully dragged into this mess by the Second Prince, but he had also been molested by a few impertinent drunkards. If it weren’t for Chao Lun's suspicions leading him to enter the room first, he wouldn't be in such a relatively good state now… [lmao, not 2nd prince protecting his future brother-in-law hehe]

Yan Guan lay flat on the ground, his short upper garment revealing half of his waist, the sheer veil doing little to conceal his appearance.

Chao Ge merely glanced at him, then silently averted his gaze, holding back his anger as he said stiffly, "You may leave."

Yan Guan, in disbelief, raised his head. Was his lord really letting him off just like that?

Chao Lun quickly shot Yan Guan a glance, urging him to leave quickly, while the attendants below also stepped forward to escort Yan Guan out.

After taking a few steps, Yan Guan couldn't help but ask, "Am I really okay now?"

"The lord is generous and lenient. Since he has let you go, it means you're in the clear.”

“However, the people inside are of high status. Even if they accidentally offended Chao Lun, they wouldn’t be in danger of losing their lives. But if they remember teasing you while you were dressed as a woman, there’s no guarantee you won’t be bullied.”

Yan Guan looked troubled. One of the attendants chuckled, saying, "What are you worried about, little brother? You’re the Second Prince’s man."

"I…" Yan Guan didn’t know how to explain that Chao Lun really had just pulled him along without much thought.

But looking at the current scenario, it seemed this was really the only way forward.

Chao Ge didn’t waste more time with these few individuals. He just had them beaten with dozens of lashes and sent them home for solitary confinement. [I think the author is trying to say house arrest, here]

Chao Lun, however, was quite dissatisfied, "Big brother, these people don’t deserve to live!"

"Punishments are carried out according to the law. Why are you still so reckless?"

Chao Lun pouted and turned to leave.

Chao Ge hesitated but eventually called after him, "What's the story with the person you brought along? I haven’t seen him by your side before."

"I picked him up halfway, just a brief encounter at the Bureau of Medical Affairs."

Chao Ge secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that if he didn’t have someone’s protection after this incident, he would face retaliation from those scums.

Chao Lun noticed his brother staying silent and seemed to realise something. His expression changed, and he teased, "Big brother, don’t tell me… you aren't attracted to him, are you? He’s not officially mine yet. If you want him, you’ll have to notify the Bureau of Medical Affairs."

"Nonsense!" Chao Ge’s anger flared, and he coldly snorted, "I didn’t realise you had such peculiar tastes." [xiao didi hit a nerve there, lmao]

Chao Lun’s face turned red. "It was just a moment of impulse, a moment of impulse."

"Don’t let there be a next time. Even if it’s a servant, you shouldn’t humiliate people like that. And also..." for some reason, Chao Ge hesitated.

Chao Lun looked up at his brother, waiting for him to continue.

"Bring him into Yongning Hall." From the moment Chao Ge recognized Yan Guan, he had wanted to gouge out the eyes of those people. He had thought about immediately bringing him to Huien Hall, but after the anger subsided, he realised that wouldn’t be wise. If he was promoted too quickly, it might invite unsavoury rumours, which would not be good for him.

Chao Lun was embarrassed. He had been under his elder brother’s discipline since childhood and, though he was rebellious, Chao Ge’s words still had an effect on him.

"I understand."

"Alright, go back."

Once they returned to the hall, they saw Yan Guan, who had already changed back into his official robe, standing by the side.

"Your Highness, the dance gown has been put away."

Chao Lun gave a light hum in acknowledgment. Remembering Chao Ge’s instructions, he turned and said, "I keep my word. From now on, you’ll work here."

Yan Guan finally felt relieved. He had been terrified that tonight’s events might upset Chao Lun, and that he’d end up ruined along with him.

Now that Chao Lun was his master, if those people wanted revenge, they’d have to think twice.

Yan Guan didn’t have much, so after gathering a few things, he moved to Yongning Hall.

His roommate, Maji, saw this and asked a few questions, expressing some surprise, and remarked that perhaps this misfortune had turned into a blessing in disguise.

Yan Guan gave a bitter smile. He thought to himself that with Chao Lun being a prince, under the watchful eyes of so many, he would have to be even more careful in the future.

The first thing he needed to do was get rid of the tattooed character on his forehead. Wouldn’t walking around with a black tattoo draw more unwanted attention?

This was an easy matter to handle. He asked the Bureau of Medical Affairs for some solution to corrode the skin, removing the mark, and then applied ointment to heal the scar. The process was painful, but Yan Guan didn’t care.

As fate would have it, Yan Guan hadn’t stayed in Yongning Hall for long before he fell ill.

Previously, when he was disguised as a woman in that thin dancing gown, he had been out in the freezing cold for a long time. New to the place and afraid of being criticised, he had stubbornly pushed through even as he started to feel unwell, which only worsened his condition.

"That little southern barbarian sure has good fortune. I wonder what tricks he used to get into Yongning Hall. Even though he’s sick now, it seems like his luck hasn’t run out," a few servants whispered among themselves.

"I heard he caught the lord’s attention. But then again, things don’t look so good for him now."

"What do you mean, is he dying? It can’t be that bad, can it? Is he really that weak?"

"Hard to say. I went to take a look last time, and he was babbling nonsense from the fever. It took two people to hold him down just to get the medicine into him."

"Sounds pretty pitiful."

"Who knows… He’s just a little slave from the Liang Kingdom. His life is pretty worthless anyway..." In the palace, most people tailor their behaviour based on the status of others, and Yan Guan’s entry into Yongning Hall had stirred up a lot of jealousy.

As the group continued chatting and walked away, they failed to notice the hem of a patterned robe behind the rock. Chao Ge gritted his teeth instantly. "How could he be sick again? It’s only been a few days!"

Daxi, standing by, watched his lord’s shifting expression and thought, This is bad. Looks like he's really fallen for him. "Doctor Wuritu is treating him, so it shouldn't be too serious," he said. 

Although Chao Ge had instructed them to keep an eye on the little southern barbarian, Daxi hadn't anticipated his lord's current emotions. He had initially thought Chao Ge’s intentions were to monitor the boy out of suspicion, since no one would normally jump to other conclusions. Thus, Daxi hadn’t mentioned the illness.

Chao Ge didn’t make things difficult for Daxi, but he instructed people to take better care of Yan Guan. Meanwhile, Chao Lun, for some reason, found his academic duties suddenly increasing.

"Kid, can you get up?" Doctor Wuritu from the Bureau of Medical Affairs handed Yan Guan a bowl of thick broth.

"I can get up, I can get up!" Yan Guan hurriedly pulled off the blanket and tried to rise.

Wuritu laughed heartily and pushed him back down with ease. "Alright, alright, you just rest." Wuritu was a kind, small, elderly man.

Yan Guan’s throat felt a little dry.

The little old man patted his nonexistent hair twice and cheerfully pinched Yan Guan’s face. "Eat more or, if this happens again, you’ll really be done for."

Yan Guan bit his lower lip, holding back his tears, and slurped down the soup noisily.

His illness dragged on for over half a month, but the tattooed character on his face faded during the recovery, leaving only a darker scar behind.

After Yan Guan returned, because he was capable and sensible, when some servants in Yongning Hall suffered from minor ailments like headaches or fevers and were unwilling to spend money on doctors, Yan Guan helped them with the treatments. This earned him a lot of goodwill from the servants, and they began treating him much more kindly, making his movements around the hall much easier.

For the past several days, Chao Ge had been trying different ways to keep Chao Lun confined to the palace. Even the tutors had gotten a lot stricter. Every day, they could hear the Second Prince complaining loudly in the study room.

Yan Guan, holding his head, sat on the steps in front of the study and sighed.

"Xiao Guan, go grab some snacks and take them to His Highness. I’ll stand guard here," a maid pinched Yan Guan’s cheek affectionately.

From inside, the Second Prince’s demonic screeches were still going strong. From the sound of it, the teacher had assigned some writing homework again, and Chao Lun couldn’t manage it.

Yan Guan sprang up, bowed to the older sister in gratitude, finally able to escape the torment of Chao Lun’s voice.

He carefully placed a tray of chestnut cakes and some dried apples on Chao Lun’s desk. Just as he was about to leave, Chao Lun grabbed his sleeve, pulling him closer to the desk. Yan Guan took a look—it was writing in Liangchao script. [Official script of Liang Kingdom, Yan Guan’s home country]

Chao Lun waved the draft paper in his hand, "Our dynasty promotes the culture of Huaxia. First, to foster trade with the Liang Kingdom, and second, to educate our own people. As a prince, I have no choice but to study." [Huaxia is ancient China]

Learning the Han characters of the Central Plains was notoriously difficult for foreigners, and Yan Guan couldn’t help but admire this effort. He offered a compliment, "Your Highness is truly diligent."

Chao Lun, feeling slightly embarrassed, coughed lightly. "There aren’t many people around me who can read, let alone write. Since you’re a southerner, surely you recognize some characters?"

Yan Guan nodded cautiously.

"Then... could you help me copy some of this?" Chao Lun looked at Yan Guan with hope. "Copying is no big deal, it’s not like composing poetry or writing essays—it doesn’t require much thought, just wastes my time."

"But, Your Highness, my handwriting is different from yours. The tutor will notice."

"Ah, can’t you just imitate mine?" 

Seeing Yan Guan hesitate and stay silent for a long time, Chao Lun realised that he didn’t want to do it. Reflecting on the risk, Chao Lun recalled how his hand still ached from being beaten last time.

"Never mind, never mind. Just go. Let me suffer and die here."

Yan Guan was startled. "Your Highness, don’t talk about death like that."

"My head hurts, and my hand hurts too, look." 

Chao Lun hadn’t seen anyone his own age for a long time, so when he finally caught someone, he naturally didn’t miss the chance to joke around and relax.

Yan Guan considered for a moment before speaking, "Shall I give Your Highness a massage?"

"Hmm? You know how?"

"A little, my father taught me."

"Then give it a try." Chao Lun lay down on the couch as instructed.

Yan Guan had inherited his family’s medical skills, so his technique was quite good. After a round of massage, Chao Lun instantly felt refreshed and rejuvenated.

"You really know what you’re doing," Chao Lun said, accepting the hot towel Yan Guan handed him and placing it on his face. He let out a long sigh, the exhaustion from days of academic pressure finally swept away.

"Your Highness should sleep earlier in the future. Staying up every night will take a toll on your body."

Even though he offered this advice, Yan Guan knew it wasn’t likely. So, he added, "Shall I brew some herbal tea for Your Highness to nourish your liver energy?"

Chao Lun readily agreed.

After drinking the herbal tea a few times, Chao Lun increasingly felt that Yan Guan had some real skill and began to rely on him more for his health.

As the days passed, the year finally came to an end, and everyone became busy preparing for the new year.

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Chapter 5: Exposed

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Chao Ge sat at the head of the table, listlessly watching the wine cups pass between the guests below. He didn’t like such formal affairs, but Cai Dan, this old man, loved these kinds of events.

“Your Majesty, is the food not to your liking?” Cai Dan, the elder from Wugan, asked from the lower seat.

“It’s done very well,” Chao Ge smiled at him and raised his wine glass in the air.

It was Cai Dan who had insisted on bringing him back from his fief to inherit the throne. Although Chao Ge was not particularly happy about it, he still had to show some courtesy.

Chao Ge kept his smile, chatting for a few moments, and mentioned what he had seen last month in Yangzhou.

Cai Dan was not happy about his ruler’s sudden decision to visit Yangzhou. Although he understood that Chao Ge had gone there to open a sea route for transporting grain, he still thought it was a difficult undertaking that shouldn’t be planned at this time.

“Your Majesty, forgive me  for speaking frankly, but as the king of the people, you should now constrain yourself, and not act as you did before. Moreover, the Second Prince still needs guidance.”

“Mm, Chao Lun is in his own study catching up on his lessons,” Chao Ge didn’t respond to the first part of Cai Dan’s words, and Cai Dan furrowed his brow, still wanting to speak further.

Chao Ge waved his hand, stopping him. “Elder, no need to say more. I didn’t indulge in wine and women in Yangzhou. Since I’ve sworn before the gods, I will surely abide by my oath.”

Chao Ge knew what some people thought of him. They feared that if he left a child behind, it might one day pose a threat to Chao Lun and the throne.

Looking at Cai Dan's aged face, Chao Ge found it hard to imagine what kind of mindset this long-serving minister, who had served through three reigns, must have had that he was willing to go against ancestral traditions to bring him back to the throne. It must have been an agonising decision.

Chao Ge felt an unexpected pang of guilt and ordered his attendants to bring more dishes to Cai Dan.

Actually, Cai Dan’s concerns were understandable. When the old king passed, Chao Lun was only ten years old, and his maternal family’s influence was too strong. If Chao Lun ascended to the throne, it was unclear who would truly hold power in Liangzhou.

Helpless, Cai Dan and the other old ministers could only bring Chao Ge back and wait for Chao Lun to grow stronger before planning his succession.

As it turned out, Cai Dan’s judgement was correct. Five years after Chao Ge took the throne, he governed diligently, focusing on reform and the welfare of the people. His private conduct had never faltered, and he paid great attention to Chao Lun’s education.

But what the future held was uncertain, and Cai Dan did not dare to draw conclusions. He was unsure whether someone who held great power would still be willing to return the throne.

At least for now, Liangzhou still needed Chao Ge. He was placed in this position with no room for personal desires.

Chao Ge drank his wine silently, and the court officials began to announce the musical program. Soon, a troupe of musicians and dancers entered in procession.

Chao Ge was uninterested, idly stirring the dishes in front of him. They were all beef and lamb, and he had no appetite.

……

"Hey, keep an eye out. When those people finish dancing and come out, we’ll sneak in."

Chao Lun whispered to Yan Guan, crouching behind the wall. The inner palace was heavily guarded, and entering through the main gate was impossible. Chao Lun had to find another way in.

“Your Highness, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but with your status, no one would dare stop you from entering directly…” Yan Guan's voice grew softer and softer.

“What do you know? I’m doing this because I want to.” 

Alright, then. The young master wanted to have some fun, so how could he not go along with it? Yan Guan, embarrassed, lifted his skirt and followed Chao Lun.

“Come on, come on, this way.” 

Chao Lun pulled Yan Guan along, stumbling as they climbed into the side chamber of the inner palace—Gongfang.

Chao Lun acted as if he hadn’t noticed anything and dragged Yan Guan into the garden. “Now that no one’s around, we’ll just circle around to the side hall, and it’ll be easier.”

Yan Guan said nothing. Even if he did speak, it wouldn’t matter…

In the brief moment when he was being pulled along, Yan Guan’s thoughts wandered for a while. He felt that the decision by Wugan and the court to bring Chao Lun’s cousin back to become the king was very wise.

Chao Ge grew tired of the music and dance after just a couple of glances. He instructed the court officials to make proper arrangements and then found an excuse of being drunk and unwell to slip away.

“Your Majesty, will you return to the palace to rest?” his attendant, Daxi, asked.

Chao Ge shook his head. “No, I came back in a hurry and haven’t had a chance to see Chao Bao properly.” Chao Bao was Chao Lun’s sister, now eight years old.

“The young princess has been calling for you every day these past two months.”

Chao Ge smiled. An eight-year-old child’s thoughts are fleeting—anything tasty or fun could distract her, so how could she always be thinking of him? Still, hearing this made his heart feel somewhat warm.

Standing outside Ximing Palace, Chao Ge instructed someone to send a message. Ximing Palace was where the Empress Dowager resided, Chao Lun and Chao Bao's mother, Consort Bayun.

The Bayun family had great power in the previous dynasty, and due to the competition for the throne, the Empress Dowager naturally didn’t favour Chao Ge.

“Your Majesty, please return. The young princess has already gone to sleep.”

Chao Ge looked at the woman before him, saying no more.

"The inner palace is hosting a banquet. Please bring some snacks for Chao Bao."

Daxi quickly handed over the food box to the attendants at Ximing Palace.

“Your Majesty is very thoughtful,” Consort Bayun said in a cold, indifferent tone.

"The Empress Dowager has retired early," Chao Ge was used to her attitude. She could behave this way simply by relying on her powerful family from the previous dynasty. Even during the reign of the late king, she was given special consideration.

Chao Ge walked down the corridor, his gaze fixed on the blurred shadow before him, lost in thought.

During his years in his fief, Liangxia had been at war, which affected the borders of Liangzhou. While he was able to quell the unrest and ensure the people’s safety, the political infighting in the court drained him emotionally.

Especially Bayun… Cai Dan had once mentioned that he had a bit of feminine kindness, and that was not wrong.

Chao Ge blinked slowly and drew his thoughts back in.

The Empress Dowager’s younger brother, Bulagan, was not much older than Chao Ge. From the age of fifteen, the two had been close friends until Chao Ge left for his fief. No one could have predicted that five years later, they would become political rivals in the court.

Chao Ge pinched the bridge of his nose. Bulagan had been causing him trouble for years. When family interests were at stake, even their friendship had become insignificant.

Chao Ge had barely rested since returning from Yangzhou, and thought he had finally found a moment of peace. 

However, as soon as he stepped into his sleeping quarters, servants rushed in in a panic. “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Second Prince has caused a scene in the inner palace!”  

Upon hearing that it was Chao Lun, Chao Ge immediately felt dizzy. He knew that this troublemaker would cause trouble.

“What happened?” Chao Ge turned around and headed toward the inner palace.

After Chao Lun grew older, Chao Ge had intentionally reduced his meetings with his maternal family. He was worried that, due to his age and lack of resolve, people could manipulate him. That was also why he didn’t let Chao Lun attend the banquet today.

“The Second Prince sneaked into the orchestra, and several young lords didn’t recognize him, which angered the Prince. They just got into a fight!”  

Chao Ge furrowed his brows and entered the inner palace’s side hall.

Inside was a bustling area where the musicians and attendants were getting ready. It was chaotic.

As soon as Chao Lun saw someone enter, he immediately straightened his back. “Big Brother, these lowlifes dared to hit me!”

On the floor, a group of people knelt, all with swollen faces and bruises, while Chao Lun appeared unscathed.

Chao Ge casually pointed at one of the kneeling men. Naturally, he didn’t believe Chao Lun’s side of the story. “Get up and explain what happened.”

The man, a member of the royal family, was known for his indulgent lifestyle, and infamous for his reckless behaviour. He certainly didn’t dare to speak of the real reason for the commotion, and knelt on the floor, drenched in cold sweat.

Chao Lun snorted coldly and yelled, “Hah! If you don’t want this two ounces of flesh, I’ll cut it off for you so it doesn’t harm anyone!”

Chao Ge was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood what was happening. He certainly hadn’t expected things to develop in this way.

While Chao Lun continued to curse loudly, Chao Ge’s head throbbed in frustration. He waved his hand to summon a palace attendant nearby. “Take these people down, they’re embarrassing themselves…”

It was quiet, finally, but Chao Lun was still upset.

“It was all men! Was it really that bad just being touched a few times?” Chao Ge handed Chao Lun a cup of tea.

“Of course it was! It wasn’t just a few touches! That thing was right against my waist!” 

Chao Ge fell silent.

Chao Lun gritted his teeth and continued, “Those guys were like randy beasts! If I weren’t so agile, hmph!”

Chao Ge gave his younger brother a glance, feeling somewhat at a loss for words. “Maybe they just mistook you…” Chao Lun was much more solidly built than others his age, so it was hard to imagine that anyone would… 

“Exactly! Oh, where’s the servant who came with me?” 

“Who?”

“The one who came with me. The few of them intended to bully him, but I got to this room first. They’re blind, and as soon as the door opened, they shoved me right inside!”

“Let’s go and take a look,” Chao Ge  said, feeling somewhat helpless.

This situation was awkward. The few royal family members involved were clearly in the wrong, so they didn’t dare to act recklessly. It could be dealt with easily, but Chao Ge feared that Chao Lun might lose his temper and directly have someone beaten to death.

The five people present were all taken to a lower room. The side hall had too many people and too many eyes, so it wasn’t a suitable place for questioning.

Among the four ruffians, there was also a dancer. Chao Ge was puzzled—when did his younger brother start associating with such people?

Chao Lun had a high status, and the maidservants serving him were all carefully selected by the Empress Dowager, so they were supposed to be trustworthy. Chao Ge couldn't help but feel suspicious.

“Come here.”

Yan Guan was in a daze, praying to his ancestors, hoping that if he could make it through today safely, he would go to the temple to light incense and make a vow of thanks.

Yan Guan stood up and walked toward Chao Ge, not daring to raise his head, and quickly knelt down with a thud.

“I know I was wrong, please, Your Majesty, show mercy.”

As soon as Yan Guan spoke, everyone in the room froze in shock.

Du De and his friends exchanged glances. What? It’s a man?!

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Chapter 4: The Dancing Skirt

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Chao Ge rode his horse directly into the king’s tent. It wasn't until they entered the royal grounds that Yan Guan, who was riding with him, realised something was wrong and tried to dismount.

“Sir, sir, please don’t go any further. This is the king’s palace!” Yan Guan warned, twisting his body to get off the horse.

Chao Ge glanced down at him and thought to himself, given Yan Guan's current status, if someone with malicious intent were to witness this, it could bring trouble upon him. With that, Chao Ge pulled on the reins to stop.

Yan Guan dismounted quickly, trembling, and stammering in thanks. “Thank you, sir. I am just a lowly servant. If you ever need anything from me in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“There’s no need for that. You can leave now,” Chao Ge responded casually, knowing that it was his horse that startled the young man in the first place.

Chao Ge was aware of how many people perish on the road to exile, whether from illness or from being beaten and tortured. He guessed that less than half of them made it to Liangzhou alive, and he hadn’t expected to ever see this boy again.

Recognizing Yan Guan, Chao Ge found it hard to believe. 

He lowered his head to glance at Yan Guan, who was shivering in the cold, and frowned. “Haven’t this year’s thick robes been issued yet?”

“Ah, no, it’s not that. I left mine in the house,” Yan Guan lied, terrified that if he admitted the robes weren’t distributed, Chao Ge might take out his anger on the person in charge, which would only result in Yan Guan suffering in the end.

Chao Ge tugged at the corner of his mouth. How could he not understand what Yan Guan was worried about? This man really was... oh well, being a bit cautious is good.

Listening to the sound of the horses' hooves gradually fading away, Yan Guan hurried back to his room to change clothes. His body was dry, and after drinking some hot water, he slowly regained his strength.

It was pouring rain today, so there was no need to go to the Medical Bureau for duty. Yan Guan brewed some ginger tea to ward off the dampness and, by the faint candlelight, started reading a book in his room.

The next few days passed uneventfully. The rain continued to pour for several days, leaving people feeling sluggish due to the constant gloomy weather. The only thing that stirred a bit of excitement was hearing that King Wugan had returned to the city.

Maji was a colleague who worked shifts with Yan Guan, and he always got excited when talking about court gossip. From him, Yan Guan learned almost everything there was to know about the Wugan royal family.

"You think King Wugan governs his people well? Do you think he might kill people at will?" Compared to gossip, Yan Guan was more concerned about his own safety.

"The lord has been on the throne for five years and treats his subordinates quite generously," hearing this from Maji, Yan Guan was relieved.

Ten days later, Yan Guan returned to the Medical Bureau for duty. Two days earlier, the  Office of Internal Affairs had delivered winter clothes, so now Yan Guan felt warm and in good spirits as he went about his work.

Sorting through the damp medicinal herbs in the storage room, and drying and washing them took all day. By night, dragging his sore arms, Yan Guan returned to his room to sleep.

The nights in Liangzhou were different from those in Yangzhou. The moon was so high, it lit the road brightly. Yan Guan didn’t bother lighting a lamp and walked leisurely down the corridor. Looking up, he saw the sky no wider than three fingers—the palace walls were too tall.

Yan Guan gazed at it for a while, feeling inexplicably stifled. Dragging himself to Liangzhou half-alive, when would these dark days ever end?

Just a turn ahead and he would arrive. Yan Guan collected his thoughts and quickened his pace.

As soon as his foot stepped past the corner, a shadow darted out from behind and suddenly covered Yan Guan's mouth and nose.

Yan Guan was shocked. He grabbed the person’s hand and bit down hard. Caught off guard, the assailant let out a low gasp of pain. The pressure on his face loosened a bit. Yan Guan elbowed backward, not knowing where he hit, and took off running.

Chao Lun was furious to the point of exploding!

His older brother's constant oversight after returning was already annoying, and just as he was about to sneak out of the palace under the cover of a servant, someone had attacked him!

In a fit of anger, he shouted on the spot, “If you dare leave, I’ll kill you right now!”

Yan Guan’s legs gave out, but he took a deep breath and ran forward like mad.

Chao Lun had been wild since he was a child—how could Yan Guan outrun him? After just a few steps, Chao Lun grabbed him by the back of the neck.

“Trying to run again? I’m not even a bad guy,” Chao Lun said, sounding somewhat aggrieved.

Yan Guan fell backward and, under the moonlight, recognized the person. It was the  Second Prince, the same one who had told him to go to the hunting grounds but never showed up himself.

“Y-your Highness, why are you looking for me so late at night?” Yan Guan got up and saluted.

“Oh? You recognize me?”

Well, well, well, how forgetful the nobility can be. The Second Prince had completely forgotten him. Yan Guan forced a smile.

Chao Lun stood with his hands on his hips, acting important, and commanded, “I want to leave the palace. You take me.”

“Huh?” Yan Guan shook his head like a rattle-drum. “I’m just a servant. How could I possibly take someone out of the palace?”

“You find me some clothes, and then just tell the guards I’m an official off duty. Simple.”

Yan Guan glanced at Chao Lun with a look of difficulty.

"Hey, are you up for this or not? If my brother hadn’t been keeping me locked up, I would’ve already downed three jugs of wine by now..."

"Your Highness, maybe you should find someone else. I’m a convict slave, I don’t even have a waist badge," Yan Guan pointed to the branded character on his forehead.

When Chao Lun saw this, his heart sank halfway. He realised that the person he had grabbed was useless. Tonight, it seemed he was destined to stay in the palace.

With a sigh, he glanced at Yan Guan a few more times, unwilling to give up. Then it suddenly struck him, "Wait, haven’t I seen you somewhere before?"

Yan Guan forced a smile, "Yes, Your Highness had asked me to serve at the hunting grounds before."

"Oh~" Chao Lun remembered. He lingered on Yan Guan’s face for a few seconds, and a mischievous thought crept up. He thought, well, since tonight was bound to be boring, stuck in the palace...

"Hey, last time I had something come up and couldn’t make it. Since we can’t leave tonight, let’s do something else. Come with me!"

Yan Guan stood still, but Chao Lun yanked him along toward the palace hall.

Stumbling to catch up, Yan Guan heard him say, "It’s nothing bad, just looking for someone to hang out with."

Yan Guan thought to himself, you’d better not be up to anything shady.

They ended up behind the wall of the royal sleeping chambers. Yan Guan hesitated, but Chao Lun urged him, "Stop staring, hurry up."

Saying that, Chao Lun leaped up and grabbed Yan Guan to pull him up with him.

"Tonight there’s a banquet in the inner palace, and Chao Ge actually locked me in the palace to catch up on my studies! Isn’t that infuriating?"

So the Second Prince had sneaked out by climbing over the wall. Yan Guan was still feeling a bit dazed when he climbed down after him.

The two of them then climbed through a window into the room. Yan Guan stood stiffly in the centre of the chamber. Although Chao Lun’s sleeping quarters weren’t large, there were all sorts of things scattered everywhere—strange and curious little trinkets. It was clear that the Second Prince’s playful nature hadn’t faded.

Chao Lun rummaged through a few large chests and pulled out a piece of cloth. "Here, put this on."

Yan Guan took it and shook it open, freezing in place. It was a dancer’s skirt.

Chao Lun, however, was quite pleased with himself. "I’ve seen plenty of people, but their figures were all too broad, tsk," he said with disdain, "You can definitely wear this!"

Yan Guan didn’t know what to say. Was he supposed to express his gratitude for this “great favour”?

"Your Highness, this… this really isn’t proper…"

Chao Lun twisted his arm in annoyance and said, "It’s just a dancer’s skirt! What’s all this fuss about rules?"

"Alright, alright, just put it on. We’ll disguise ourselves as musicians and sneak into the banquet for some good food! What a lavish feast! It’s so fancy even I’m not allowed to eat!"

Yan Guan was left speechless.

Judging from the tone of his voice, it was clear that the Second Prince had a good relationship with the ruler. If he truly wanted to attend, all it would take is a simple request. But from the looks of it, he must have been caught doing something wrong and now couldn’t bring himself to ask for permission.

Yan Guan squeezed the fabric in his hands, thinking to himself that, if they were discovered, the Second Prince wouldn’t face much trouble, but as for him—a mere slave—he could end up accused of corrupting a royal prince, and that would be the end of him.

Seeing Yan Guan’s hesitation, Chao Lun’s expression darkened. After all, he was the Second Prince, raised with indulgence and privilege from a young age.

"Do you dare disobey me?" His tone carried an obvious threat.

Yan Guan sighed, thinking to himself that today was truly unlucky. If only he hadn’t gone out, he wouldn’t have run into someone so difficult to deal with. He could only try to placate him.

"Your Highness, as a convict slave, I’ve never entered the inner palace before. If I offend anyone, I hope Your Highness will guide me."

Chao Lun nodded with satisfaction. "Alright, since you’ve agreed, I won’t leave you behind. If you handle this well, you can come work by my side from now on."

What else could Yan Guan do? He could only nod submissively, murmuring his agreement as he turned to go behind the curtain and change.

So be it, he thought helplessly. He had no idea what kind of strange pleasure the Second Prince got from this. There were so many ways to sneak in, yet he insisted on making Yan Guan dress up as a dancer, clearly just to mess with him.

After changing into his outfit, Yan Guan came out to find that Chao Lun had also changed into the attire of a musician.

The moment Chao Lun saw Yan Guan, he uncharacteristically fell silent for a moment.

The dancer’s skirt was a raven black, a colour rarely worn by the women of Wugan, who were typically tall and voluptuous, favouring bright colours like red to accentuate their figures. Hardly anyone wore this shade.

But Yan Guan’s frame was slender, and his skin pale. His features were cool and delicate, and surprisingly, he pulled off the look. With the headscarf and veil on, it would be impossible to tell in a crowd that he was a man.

Feeling uncomfortable, Yan Guan tugged at his sleeves, silently cursing the outfit for being too short. If he stood up straight, his waist would be exposed!

Chao Lun circled around him, "How old are you this year? Why are you so short?"

"...I'll be seventeen after the New Year."

Chao Lun blinked in surprise, not expecting Yan Guan to be older than him. "Tsk, does your family not feed you?"

Yan Guan took a deep breath. "Your Highness, can we go and return quickly?"

Chao Lun dropped the topic, now excited, and led Yan Guan towards the inner palace.

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