Yuan Song received unsettling news: his sister had been taken by a group of blackguards in the woods. However, the witness reported that she had not been harmed and had willingly ridden off with them on her white horse.
"Did you see their faces?" Yuan Song's voice was a mix of urgency and intensity.
"I only saw the side profile of their leader from a distance. He has a long scar on his left neck," the witness replied.
Yuan Song's mind raced. He wondered who could be bold enough to take such an interest in his sister. Suddenly, a realization struck him. He was convinced he knew exactly who the witness was describing.
"Let's ride northwest; we need to pass by Juwei Street!" Yuan Song commanded, urging his horse back onto the road.
His personal bodyguard followed closely, while the advance party went ahead to secure the path and search for the princess.
Unlike before, Yuan Song was no longer reliant on Yuwen Yue's intelligence reports and strategies. The weight of responsibility now fell on him.
He often thought of his beloved comrade and older brother Yuwen Yue with a pang of sadness, regretting his inability to help with the limited power he currently wielded. Memories of Xinger, whom he cherished and dreamed about, also lingered in his mind.
Even though Xinger was now a slave, Yuan Song could not propose to her or envision her as the future crown princess of Wei. His aspirations of ruling alongside her as the crown prince of Wei, destined to become the next Emperor, seemed increasingly distant.
A prince can only marry someone of equal status, while slaves are limited to becoming concubines in the palace, not equals to the prince. This harsh reality meant Yuan Song had to suppress his feelings for Xinger, enduring the pain of their impossible union.
He could not bear the thought of Xinger being relegated to a mere concubine—confined to his bedchamber at night and dismissed in the morning. Yuan Song could only hope for a miracle, wishing his father would allow him to propose to Xinger and make her his crown princess. Sadly, Xinger was presumed dead, and no body was found with Yuwen Yue at the frozen lake.
Yuan Song arrived in Huang Chen City, passing through Juwei Street, where it was customary for servants to pay their respects at Carpe Myrtle Square. His bodyguard offered the appropriate respects, while Yuan Song pressed on toward the Red Hills Courtyard.
As he approached, a voice called out, "Greetings to the 13th Prince of Wei, Yuan Song. How may we assist you at this hour?"
The Green Hills Courtyard quickly informed the Yuwen household of the unexpected visit from Prince Yuan Song. Yuwen Gao, slightly anxious about the Prince's nocturnal visit, speculated on the nature of the business.
"I need to see Master Yuwen Gao," Yuan Song requested.
Yuwen Gao was promptly brought to the Red Hills Courtyard in his wheelchair, accompanied by his servants. As Yuan Song waited, Yuwen Gao approached him from behind and greeted him.
"It's our pleasure to serve you, 13th Prince of Wei."
Yuan Song turned to face Yuwen Gao, who, despite his casual appearance, looked noticeably older than the last time Yuan Song had seen him.
"I've come in secret. No one must know I am here, or there will be severe consequences."
Yuwen Gao signaled to his servants, who discreetly withdrew.
"Yuwen Gao, do you know why I'm here?" Yuan Song asked.
"I can only guess at this point, my prince. However, our spies reported that Princess Chun'er was seen heading towards Yuwen Huai's secluded residence in the Red Hills mountains. Since this area is outside my jurisdiction, I can only share what we have gathered."
"You will take me there," Yuan Song insisted.
Yuwen Gao hesitated. It was forbidden to visit Yuwen Huai unless summoned by an imperial decree, as Yuwen Huai's status was currently in limbo.
"If this is the 13th Prince's only wish, I may be executed by morning," the old man remarked.
Yuan Song whispered, "Then cooperate with me. Assign someone to monitor and report on my sister's condition daily, without the palace's knowledge. In return, I will restore your former status and reward you generously."
Yuwen Gao considered the proposal. Understanding the prince's intentions, he agreed and requested a special piece of authority to facilitate their secret service. Yuan Song handed him a jade royal sign, instructing him to provide daily reports.
Yuwen Gao accepted the sign and assigned a servant to oversee the surveillance, acknowledging the prince's determination. "The little prince will become a great king for Wei's future," Yuwen Gao remarked with a newfound respect.
Meanwhile, Chun'er and Yuwen Huai arrived at his residence late into the night. Exhausted, Chun'er fell asleep upon dismounting her horse, not accustomed to the absence of servants. She sat on the wooden steps, too tired to move further.
After securing the horse in the paddock, Yuwen Huai found Chun'er sleeping on the wooden floor. He smirked, his face showing a mix of amusement and tenderness. Gently, he lifted her into his arms as if she were a child, carrying her to her room.
The attendants were already asleep, and Yuwen Huai found himself closer to Princess Chun'er than ever before. He had hosted numerous gatherings at the Red Hills Courtyard, hoping to catch glimpses of her, but she had rarely attended. Most of the time, Chun'er had declined his invitations, leaving him to enjoy the company of his brother Yuan Song, Yan Xun, Wei Shu Ye, Wei Shu You, and his perennially late cousin Yuwen Yue.
Now, with Chun'er in his arms, Yuwen Huai was more intimate with her than he had ever been, and he embraced the closeness despite his worries. His main concern was whether the Emperor would allow him to propose to Chun'er, and if she might reject him repeatedly, preventing them from ever being together. His heart softened with affection, yet he was saddened by how much she had changed. The innocent girl he had first loved had matured into a formidable woman, capable of defending herself with lethal intent.
Yuwen Huai cherished the moment, covering her with a quilt blanket after she had fallen asleep. He remained by her side, overwhelmed with emotion, and stayed awake until dawn, savoring the sweetness of the moment.
The next day, Yuwen Huai slept in his room, exhausted from the previous night. Chun'er awoke early and wandered about. The maidservants, excited to see her, greeted her warmly.
"Where is your master?" Chun'er inquired.
One of the maidservants replied, "Princess, I saw Master Yuwen Huai enter his room, and he hasn't left since."
Chun'er recalled the events of the previous night, remembering only that she had sat on the stairs.
"I see, thank you for letting me know," she said.
Another servant approached and said, "Before Master Yuwen Huai went to his room, he instructed us to prepare a hearty breakfast for you and to escort you to see your little brother."
Chun'er was pleased to hear that Yuwen Huai was fulfilling her request on her first day at his residence.
"Oh, that's wonderful. Let me have breakfast with my little brother Hao'er."
The servants prepared the meal and brought Hao'er, Yuwen Huai's nephew, to her. Yuwen Huai had concealed the fact that Hao'er was alive. He had told Chun'er that his son was dead and sent an empty wooden box with a toy inside, leaving her to believe the child had perished. Laner's servant had testified that he saw Hao'er being placed in the box by Yuwen Huai and locked inside, but no body was ever found.
Yuwen Huai's actions towards his sister were driven by anger and frustration. He felt betrayed when Lan'er, who had forgotten their agreement, insulted him despite the fact that Yuwen Huai had facilitated her path to becoming the emperor's favorite concubine. Yuwen Huai had hoped to use this opportunity to gain Princess Chun'er's attention and build a favorable position with the Emperor, but Lan'er's indifference thwarted his plans. She failed to help him forge a meaningful relationship with Chun'er or her father, the Great Summer Emperor.
Chun'er enjoyed a delightful day playing with her little nephew, Hao'er. When the boy grew tired, she asked the servants to return him to his room. Noticing that Yuwen Huai had remained in his room all day, Chun'er saw the sunset through one of the windows and decided to have dinner alone, indifferent to Yuwen Huai's whereabouts.
Upon returning to her room, Chun'er was surprised to find beautiful dresses in her closet. Though they were not the royal gowns she was accustomed to, the thoughtful gesture touched her. Despite feeling a pang of heartache, knowing that Yuwen Huai harbored feelings for her, she was acutely aware of where her own heart truly lay. Her memories of childhood with Yuwen Huai and her feelings for Yan Xun—who now filled her with anger—added to her emotional turmoil.
"I don't want to end my day with these haunting thoughts," she murmured.
As she selected a nightdress, she stumbled slightly and noticed Yuwen Huai's hoodie beside her wooden couch bed. Realizing that he might have stayed up all night guarding her, she felt a strange and unfamiliar emotion—anxiety mixed with a touch of warmth. Despite her desire to remain detached, she couldn't ignore the growing tenderness she felt.
She decided to hide the hoodie under her bed, pretending not to notice the gesture. Yet, it only deepened her emotional confusion.
Meanwhile, Yuwen Huai, who had remained in his room all day, was struggling to control his emotions. His behavior had noticeably softened, a stark contrast to his usual ruffian nature. His only focus now was to make Chun'er's stay as pleasant as possible, driven by a desire to protect her.
Though their rooms were opposite each other, and they could not see each other, they were acutely aware of the emotional distance separating them. Yuwen Huai tried to listen through the wall, hoping to catch any sound from Chun'er's side, while Chun'er wrestled with her growing awareness of his changing behavior. Despite their physical proximity, their hearts and minds were in different places, each dealing with their own conflicts and unspoken feelings.
Yuwen Huai lay in his room, unable to sleep. The dark, silent space only amplified his restless thoughts.
"I am like a crazy fool," he whispered to himself, frustration evident in his voice.
His happiness was overwhelming, and he found himself unable to eat or drink. He was determined not to scare Chun'er with his exuberance, so he locked himself away, trying to compose himself and maintain a calm exterior. He wanted to present himself as the composed and collected man he hoped to be in her presence.
Despite his typically cunning nature, Yuwen Huai was disarmed when it came to Chun'er. His usual skills—his talent for organizing events, his knack for planning, and his ability to navigate political landscapes with his charismatic diplomacy—seemed to falter in her presence.
Yuwen Huai had always lived under the shadow of his father, Yuwen Xi. This role, imposed upon him, was a constant source of resentment. Each day, he cursed the constraints it placed on him. His frustration with his father's expectations had reached a boiling point, and he often felt isolated and misunderstood.
On one particularly stormy day, his anger erupted uncontrollably. He was so enraged by the oppressive role forced upon him that he wished he could confront Zhu Shun with his bare hands. It was a moment of raw emotion that only his loyal followers and servants witnessed, providing him solace amidst his tumultuous feelings.
He must serve his grandmaster who happens to be his father, had earned him a reputation as the vilest and most ruffian figure in the Yuwen household. His every action was governed by a harsh and unyielding code, where those who crossed him often faced imprisonment in the dungeon or banishment to the Jile Pavilion.
This life of ruthless authority was Yuwen Huai's reality until he found himself on the brink of death. It was during this precarious moment that a significant shift occurred. His near-demise prompted a drastic change, leading him to seek refuge away from the empire and its tangled political intrigues.
His survival and transformation were thanks to Princess Zama of the Batuja family. Her intervention played a crucial role in his recovery and allowed him to carve out a new existence, separate from the oppressive influence of his father's legacy. Her aid provided Yuwen Huai with a chance to redefine himself and escape the harsh constraints of his former life.
Since that pivotal moment, Yuwen Huai harbored no intention of causing harm to anyone, except for Prince Yan Xun, whom he despised with a fervor born from personal and principled grievances. He believed that justice for Princess Chun'er was paramount, and Yan Xun's actions had only deepened his resolve to seek retribution.
During a furlough from his duties as a supreme court justice, Yuwen Huai retreated to his secluded residence. Here, he found solace in caring for his young nephew, who, being Chun'er's half-brother, was a constant reminder of her presence. The boy's resemblance to Chun'er offered Yuwen Huai a connection to the princess, even in her absence.
Unlike Chun'er's brother Yuan Song, who was a dreamer with lofty aspirations, Yuwen Huai was grounded in practical plans and decisive actions. His reputation as a fearsome master and his capacity to uphold justice made him a trusted figure in the emperor's eyes, tasked with managing the affairs of the entire western empire.
In his current, more laid-back state, free from the burdens of political duty, Yuwen Huai's innate goodness occasionally surfaced. Though his cunning abilities were dormant for the time being, his interactions with the ex-princess Chun'er, despite her stripped royal title, remained respectful. He never sought to exploit or diminish her worth.
Yuwen Huai hoped that, in time, Chun'er would come to see him in a different light.