Do you know what it feels like to be ostracized in the Back Residence, also known as the Residence of the Consorts? Or do you know what it's like to train in secret—just because you don't want anyone to find out and punish you—a punishment that's undeserved for an eight-year-old child?
Ling Zhen Jue knew that feeling. But if you think his life was full of suffering that turned him into a gloomy and sorrowful boy, then you are wrong. Zhen Jue was often, even always, bullied. But, who told him he had a mother who was part of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan?
"If you dare to bully my son again, I will drive you mad until you run around Xuanwu naked! Do you understand?" At least that was the phrase Zhen Jue always memorized whenever Ling Na—his mother—caught someone bullying him.
And guess what? All those who bullied him would immediately run away in fear. No one in the Residence dared to bully Ling Na, unless they wanted to become the laughingstock of all Xuanwu for running around without clothes.
Well, most didn't. But of course, there were some who opposed Ling Na's decisions. Some people protected by the Emperor's own power. No need to ask why, because that's just how the world works.
And just like previous days, even in the morning when the sun had just shown its face, chaos erupted once again in the Palace Library. Yes, who else could be the culprit but Zhen Jue himself.
"Hey, stop! You are not allowed to enter the Main Residence Library!" shouted one of the many soldiers who were running—chasing after Zhen Jue, of course.
But the eight-year-old boy could only giggle as he ran around the Library carrying the Ancient Book he hugged tightly. "I'm only forbidden to enter, not forbidden to read the book. Why don't you even understand something like that?"
Yes, just like his mother, that was how this child operated. With his two rather small legs compared to adults, he was even able to run and leave the people behind struggling just to catch up.
"Ah, stop! I'm tired, let's rest and catch our breath for a moment," said one soldier. He stopped, then bent over to ease his fatigue. Sweat drenched his entire body at that moment.
Seeing that, Zhen Jue also stopped and muttered quietly, "Ah, we really should have done this earlier. You guys should at least give this little kid time to add new knowledge to his head. Such selfish and annoying adults," he murmured.
In just a fraction of a second, the boy had already started flipping through the pages of the yellowed paper book. Yes, it was true. Zhen Jue also stopped running. After all, if no one was chasing him, why should he run? Oh come on, that's very troublesome and tiring.
"Light Body Technique?" the boy murmured, rubbing his chin with his index finger and thumb. He looked up and stared at the ceiling of the Library, which was entirely made of shimmering gold. "Interesting."
Then, without warning, the boy suddenly jumped high and now sat atop the twelve-meter-tall bookcase. The soldiers, still catching their breath, opened their eyes wide and exchanged glances with each other.
"Oh my god, what is he doing? Why is he climbing up? If His Majesty the Emperor finds out about this, we're doomed," said one soldier.
"Forget about the Emperor, we'll lose our lives even before meeting him if the Second Queen finds out first," replied another.
"Then what are we waiting for? Catch him!" That remark caused the others to collectively hit the head of the soldier who said it.
"Are you kidding? You want Young Mistress Ling Na to know your 'deepest secret' and have all of Xuanwu's residents witness it?"
Ah, well. That last statement made all six of them swallow their saliva with difficulty. They then looked up at the child sitting up there, swinging his legs casually.
While in that position, one of the people they were talking about entered the Library. The atmosphere suddenly became tense and heated, even Zhen Jue, who saw it, immediately jumped down after freezing for a moment at the sight.
"Your Majesty," greeted several soldiers who were now bowing and nudging each other.
Emperor Qian Shen Lei's gaze then shifted to the boy who had just landed with less than perfect footing. Yes, he lost his balance and fell backward. Luckily, he landed among the soldiers behind him.
"Thank you," said Zhen Jue to the soldiers. Then, he looked at Shen Lei and bowed, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
No answer came, only footsteps echoing through the hundreds of square meters of the room. He stopped just a few steps from Zhen Jue. After a moment, he forcefully took the book from Zhen Jue's hands. The boy tried to resist, but upon seeing Shen Lei's face, he gave up.
"Basic Sword and Qi Art?" Shen Lei's brows knit together as he read the title, "How do you explain this to me, Zhen Jue?"
"Oh?" Zhen Jue looked up, forgetting the respect he had just shown. "I was just trying to study it. Besides, that book has been gathering dust for years in this Library. Isn't it better if someone actually reads it?"
Hearing Zhen Jue's answer, the six soldiers behind could only nudge each other. In their hearts, they thought the same thing: they were going to be dragged into trouble just because of Zhen Jue's recent answer.
"You know the rules I set in the Main Residence, don't you? You and your mother are not allowed to enter the Main Residence. Isn't that why I placed both of you in the separate Back Residence?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. But the illness suffered by the Empress really has nothing to do with me or my mother," replied Zhen Jue, staring boldly at Shen Lei, as if challenging him.
"You came to the court and saw the evidence yourself. You should be grateful because considering my past relationship with your mother, I did not give you a heavy punishment. That's why many people, even other Kingdoms, have started to underestimate me. They dare to even defy the Xuanwu Empire. You know what kind of law must be enforced when someone dares to attempt to assassinate a member of the Empire. That is not a crime with a light punishment."
They exchanged fierce stares. Though unspoken, the tension in the air was palpable. But instead of fear, Zhen Jue stepped two paces closer to Shen Lei, "Evidence can be forged. You didn't even give my mother a chance to speak. Isn't my mother also a member of the Empire? She is your wife, even if her status is only that of a consort."
"Young Master! Don't speak carelessly to His Majesty," one soldier warned, quickly grabbing the boy's hands.
This time, Zhen Jue did not resist. But his gaze never left Shen Lei. "Your Majesty, give me one chance to seek the truth about my mother. If she is proven guilty, I will hand her over to you for punishment. But if not, please return her rights, just like before when this incident had not happened."
However, on the face of the over two-meter-tall man, only a smile curved, "You are just a child. And a child's words are not worthy of being believed, let alone by an Emperor like me."
Shen Lei's gaze then shifted to the soldier holding the boy's hands, "Take him out. Don't let the Second Queen know about this if you don't want to deal with her."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" all six shouted simultaneously while bowing.
After saying that, Shen Lei walked past Zhen Jue, his long robe even brushing the boy's face. But this time, he had no choice but to surrender. Even when his body was dragged out, Zhen Jue did not resist.
Once outside the Library, they simply threw Zhen Jue away. Not hard, but enough to almost make the boy lose his balance.
"Hey, Young Master, we don't want to deal with you or your mother. But your position is truly difficult. I hope you understand that," said one of the soldiers.
Without answering, Zhen Jue turned and descended the stairs one by one. He was not angry at the soldiers' treatment, but he was not accepting of Shen Lei's decision.
Even on the way back to the Residence, the boy in black clothes kept daydreaming and thinking about many things, "Mother would never poison the Empress. The Empress is so kind to me and Mother, how could she be so cruel?"
Just as he was in the courtyard of the hall, from the main gate dozens of mounted soldiers arrived, complete with several litters. Soon after, they stopped in the courtyard and lowered the litters. Not wanting to be seen, Zhen Jue chose to hide behind a large tree there.
"Report! His Majesty King Zhao Ming Ran has arrived!" shouted one of the soldiers who had just entered the courtyard. He even blew a kind of trumpet usually used by soldiers or subordinates when an important person arrives. The trumpet was also commonly used in warfare but smaller in size.
"His Majesty King Ming Ran? Why is he here?" murmured Zhen Jue. He certainly recognized the King who had just dismounted from the litter.
His gaze then caught sight of the King and Queen, as well as several of their important officials. But what else he saw was the expression on the Queen's face, which looked angry and even sad at the same time.
Suddenly, a bad thought crossed Zhen Jue's mind, "Could it be they came here to take Mother? I know Mother must be strong enough to face them. But after all, this is still the Palace domain. Mother still has to follow procedures and comply with the existing rules. What should I do?"
At that very moment, a servant happened to pass by beside him, "Excuse me, servant. But I have no choice."
Zhen Jue immediately ran and blocked the way of the servant whose hair was tied up. Seeing Zhen Jue's sudden arrival, the woman couldn't hide her surprise. But moments later, she immediately bowed, "Greetings, Young Master. You came here and stopped my steps. How can I help you?"
"No. I just want to cooperate with you a little," he replied calmly.
"Cooperate on what?"
Instead of answering, Zhen Jue waved his hand in front of his own eyes until they turned pink at that moment, "Follow King Ming Ran and listen to everything they say. Disguise yourself as one of their servants."
Then, as if by magic, the servant's eyes also turned pink. Her expression went blank, and she nodded stiffly. Then she walked past Zhen Jue.
Watching her back get farther away, Zhen Jue could only take a deep breath, "Hopefully this way, I can protect Mother."
When he turned around, how shocked he was to see a woman folding her arms in front of her chest, with a sharp, piercing gaze, "What exactly did you just do, naughty child?"