NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8:
Chapter 8: A Shadow of the Prince:
Imperial Cavalry Commander’s Residence.
Long Zhan had spent the night drinking, carefully creating an airtight alibi, patiently awaiting good news from his Fifth Senior Sister, Liu Ruyan.
But now the sun had risen, his drunkenness had long faded, and Liu Ruyan had yet to return.
There was no movement from the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence either, let alone any major news like Zhao Wujian’s death.
Could something have happened to Fifth Senior Sister?
Long Zhan was puzzled.
But then again, that seemed unlikely. Zhao Wujian wasn’t capable of such a thing.
Just as he was thinking, someone knocked on the door.
“Commander, Commander! Chief Eunuch Chen is here with an imperial decree!”
…
At the same time.
In the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence.
“An imperial decree?”
Zhao Wujian was puzzled.
The Old Housekeeper respectfully nodded. “Yes, Your Highness. His Majesty asks that you enter the palace as soon as possible.”
That old emperor… what’s he scheming now?
I’ve already been lying low like a turtle—why suddenly summon me to the palace?
Zhao Wujian waved a hand, motioning for the Old Housekeeper to leave.
He had trained all night and finally entered the first level of the True Yang Heart Technique.
He wasn’t sure whether this was fast or slow progress, and had just been planning to interrogate Liu Ruyan again—when the imperial summons arrived.
You can’t defy the Emperor’s decree.
“Forget it. Let’s play it by ear. Keep a low profile.”
He quickly tidied himself up and headed for the palace.
Two hours later.
Outside the royal study.
When Long Zhan saw Zhao Wujian, his heart skipped a beat.
So Fifth Senior Sister really had failed to kill him!
Where the hell did she go?
Zhao Wujian noticed him as well, but had no desire to engage with a walking plot armor like Long Zhan.
Can’t beat him? Then just avoid him.
When Zhao Wujian changed direction to avoid him, Long Zhan sneered inwardly.
Afraid of me?
Makes sense. Without the Northern Guardian Prince backing him, if the Seventh Princess hadn’t protected him yesterday, I’d have killed him already.
But now… it’s not too late.
“Young Master Zhao,” Long Zhan stepped forward to block Zhao Wujian’s path.
Zhao Wujian groaned inwardly and was just about to pretend he hadn’t heard when two people approached.
One he recognized—it was Li Chenxu, Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies.
The other was a stunning woman, beauty etched in every angle.
Her long black hair fell like a waterfall. Beneath her cold eyes was a sharp nose and soft red lips. Her neck was pale and slender, and she wore a flowing white robe.
An icy beauty.
“This is Chiba Rizhao, cultural envoy of the Hansang Kingdom,” Li Chenxu introduced her, then asked, “Young Master Zhao, Commander Long… what’s going on here?”
Zhao Wujian remembered the plot from the original novel.
The Northern Guardian Prince had been stationed at the northern frontier to guard against the Hansang Kingdom.
Now they had come to the Great Xia Empire to propose a peace treaty between the two nations.
The prince’s death gave them the courage to negotiate.
In the original plot, Long Zhan had a moment to show off here.
Eventually, this ice-cold beauty, Chiba Rizhao, would even be taken into Long Zhan’s harem.
“Zhao Wujian, come in quickly.”
A familiar voice—Li Yunrui’s—sounded from within the royal study.
Li Zaiyuan added, a bit helplessly, “Commander Long, and the envoy from Hansang, come in as well.”
Everyone entered together.
Li Yunrui’s gaze remained fixed on Zhao Wujian the entire time.
Long Zhan was extremely displeased.
Zhao Wujian, on the other hand, was silently annoyed.
[Why does this original female lead keep staring at me?]
[Look at your Long Zhan! What’s so interesting about me…?]
Completely reversing the script!
Li Yunrui, hearing his thoughts, became giddy with delight.
She loved this newfound power of understanding him better than anyone else.
In the future, he wouldn’t be able to hide anything from her—she’d be the woman who knew him best.
“I greet the Emperor of the Great Xia.”
Chiba Rizhao offered a greeting, though her tone lacked genuine respect. “The Great Xia and Hansang have been at war for several months, with neither side gaining the upper hand.
Our Heavenly Emperor wishes for peace. However, Hansang has suffered greatly due to this war.
If the Great Xia is willing to compensate us with one million taels of silver, one hundred thousand taels of gold, and ten thousand warhorses,
and let me take them back to Hansang, we will guarantee ten years of ceasefire.”
They had clearly come to exploit the moment—taking advantage of the Northern Guardian Prince’s death, the unstable northern command, and the army’s lack of leadership.
If Zhao Tingxiao were still alive, Hansang, a mere island nation, wouldn’t dare send anyone to the Great Xia at all.
Li Zaiyuan tapped the table rhythmically, his expression dark and brooding. “Commander Long, what are your thoughts on the Hansang envoy’s peace proposal?”
“Your Majesty!”
Long Zhan stepped forward, cupping his fists with energy. His voice was strong and firm.
“Peace can be considered, but the terms of the treaty must be renegotiated!
We, the Great Xia, cannot suffer even the slightest injustice in any agreement!”
Chiba Rizhao’s eyes turned cold as she glanced at Long Zhan.
Though his words had challenged her, she still found his firm stance and strong figure somewhat appealing.
Unlike that Zhao Wujian next to him… who was staring at his own fingers like an idiot.
Li Zaiyuan nodded. He admired Long Zhan’s spirit and confident response.
Neither arrogant nor submissive—he had courage and composure.
“Minister Zhao, what about you?”
Li Zaiyuan asked with a kindly smile, appearing like a gentle and amiable monarch.
But in truth, he believed Zhao Wujian lacked the backbone Long Zhan had.
Once he answered, his precious daughter would finally realize that Zhao Wujian couldn’t compare to Long Zhan.
Zhao Wujian put on an honest face. “Your Majesty, this subject has no opinion. As your humble servant, whatever Your Majesty deems best is what I believe as well.”
Tch…
Long Zhan couldn’t help but sneer inwardly at Zhao Wujian’s spineless and flattering response.
What a useless heir.
Chiba Rizhao also scoffed inwardly.
She had initially been wary, knowing Zhao Wujian was the Northern Guardian Prince’s son—wondering if he might carry on his father’s legacy and retaliate against Hansang.
But now, it was clear—the Northern Guardian Prince had been a legendary figure, while his son was utterly worthless.
Yet only Li Zaiyuan reacted differently to Zhao Wujian’s words.
“As a minister, Your Majesty’s opinion is my opinion…”
He had heard those words before.
The late Northern Guardian Prince had been born in humble circumstances, but had always followed Li Zaiyuan’s lead when they were sworn brothers.
Loyal to the end. Tireless in service.
Now, in Zhao Wujian, he saw a shadow of his old brother.
A reflection… a faint echo of the prince.
Moreover, though he knew his father had died in the war against Hansang, Zhao Wujian had not shown anger or disrespect toward the envoy—for the sake of the Great Xia’s dignity.
Compared to Long Zhan’s obvious posturing…
Zhao Wujian’s restraint actually won more of the Emperor’s favor.
At least, in the Emperor’s heart.
Zhao Wujian, of course, had no idea what the Emperor was thinking.
[Was that vague and indecisive enough?]
[If I keep playing the part of the fool, no one will notice me. I can lie low and quietly grow stronger.]
Li Yunrui, hearing his thoughts, held back a smile, her eyes full of affection.
She understood her father well—and could tell that his gaze toward Zhao Wujian had grown much softer… much more approving.