After the Fall of Chenzhu
Now that Bowen was dead, Prince Yun was unsteady—physically and emotionally. He had achieved his revenge, but with every step leading to it, he had made terrible choices.
His thoughts blurred together, his balance faltering, until a voice pulled him back.
> "Let's leave. The palace is going to collapse."
Ruo Yan's tone was almost casual, but he pouted theatrically at Yun's cold dismissal.
Still, he let go without protest, following Yun more silently than before—his grin widening with every step.
Yun wasn't just fleeing the burning palace. His mind was racing, trying to piece together what entertained Ruo Yan so much.
> "No…" he whispered.
Reality clicked into place.
Ruo Yan laughed and, without warning, wrapped his arm around Yun's waist and jumped out the window.
They landed roughly atop the city wall. Yun pushed himself up with a groan.
> "I'm sure," he muttered, "there was a better way to exit."
Ruo Yan pointed to the crumbling structure behind them.
> "You seemed distracted by the ceiling falling on your head," he said with a smirk.
Yun dusted off his cloak and gave a courteous bow.
> "Then I appreciate your assistance."
The two of them stood side by side, watching as the once-proud castle was devoured by flame and smoke, revealing the soft glow of a sunset behind it.
Ruo Yan let out a wild cheer, his joy unnerving.
> "Half a day! Just as you said, Prince Yun!"
Yun sat down on the wall, staring at the horizon.
> "When I stayed in Chenzhu, I'd watch the sunset from Bowen's room."
Ruo Yan turned to him, equal parts annoyed and curious.
> "Do you regret killing him?"
Yun shook his head and gave the faintest smile.
> "The air outside his room is less suffocating."
Ruo Yan smiled too—but not in sympathy. His was the smile of *anticipation*.
---
At the City Gates
Just after Yun gave the order to his agents—
> "Put the cannons away."
—Ruo Yan approached, his steps slow and deliberate, like he'd waited all day for this moment.
> "I'm afraid I can't let you leave with such treasures, Prince Yun."
Yun had expected this. He turned slowly, raising the sleek weapon and aiming it directly at Ruo Yan's heart.
The soldiers of Li tensed but didn't intervene. They didn't recognize what Yun was holding.
Ruo Yan chuckled.
> "Go on."
Yun had pulled that trigger four times before without hesitation. But now, his finger hovered—motionless.
He lowered the gun instead.
> "What if," he asked calmly, "I had not been so careless as to let you touch me?"
He had noticed it earlier—he'd been poisoned. Yunyan poison, Ruo Yan's specialty. Slow-acting. Undetectable until it was too late.
And Ruo Yan had touched him twice.
Ruo Yan smiled almost tenderly.
> "I would have used smoke to poison you instead."
Yun smiled back—purely business.
> "Then… you may have the cannons, King of Li."
A peaceful agreement—on the surface. Yun was trying to manage the damage.
Ruo Yan, as always, was trying to escalate it.
---
Departure from Li
Inside his carriage, Prince Yun removed his cloak.
Beneath it, he wore a funeral gown, intricately embroidered in black and silver—an outfit of mourning, hidden beneath his princely attire.
A message had arrived just before departure, sealed with the insignia of Li.
> "You hadn't been poisoned. I was wearing gloves.
> Furthermore, I thank you for the amazing show and, as promised, will not mention Suntze's—or your— involvement in Chenzhu's destruction."
Yun chuckled as he unlocked the small box beside him.
> "What a silly man," he murmured. "The rumors were true—he does take what doesn't belong to him."
Inside the box lay one crucial detail Ruo Yan had overlooked:
Gunpowder.
Yun closed the lid with a click.
> "But how does he expect to operate the cannons… with no powder?"