Snowflake after snowflake drifted onto the frozen surface of the lake, dissolving into the water almost soundlessly, failing to stir even the slightest ripple.
Ye Zhao stared at the reflection in the water for a long time. That face was not the least bit unfamiliar; every inch of it was a likeness he knew by heart.
It was himself.
The fact that he could lose himself in his own reflection made him seem utterly narcissistic.
In the lakeside pavilion, Jiang Ziqi sat to one side, sipping warm wine. A wave of warmth spread through his body. From time to time, he glanced at the man sitting by the railing, eyes downcast and motionless. His heart was full of confusion. He couldn't fathom what was so interesting to look at—hadn't he been staring for a full fifteen minutes?
"Haven't you admired yourself enough yet? I know you are handsome and talented, Eldest Young Master Ye, but surely you've seen enough by now?" Jiang Ziqi finally spoke up, interrupting Ye Zhao’s self-absorption.
Ye Zhao turned his head. His expression was very calm, though tinged with a hint of bewilderment. "Jiang Ziqi, I feel like something is strange..."
Jiang Ziqi burst out laughing. To him, everything about Ye Zhao seemed strange right now. He suppressed his amusement and followed the lead. "Oh? What’s strange? Where do you feel strange?"
Ye Zhao dazed for a moment. "...I can't say. It’s just... a feeling..." He trailed off for a long while before closing his mouth again, his brow furrowed tight.
The sensation was difficult for Ye Zhao to describe. If he had to put it into words, it felt as if his brain were gummed up by something, unable to turn.
It was also like a vast blankness. He didn't even know what he had been thinking about while sitting there for so long; he couldn't recall a single thing. His mind had retained nothing.
Jiang Ziqi shook his head. Seeing Ye Zhao’s dazed and slow-witted state, he joked, "I think you've gone soft in the head..."
Ye Zhao’s heart remained tranquil. Hearing this, he felt no surge of emotion and had no desire to argue. He merely turned his head back with a dull expression and resumed staring blankly at the lake.
Jiang Ziqi watched him and shook his head inwardly. Had Ye Zhao really lost his mind?
The reason Ye Zhao had become like this started fifteen minutes ago.
Today was the funeral of the Eldest Princess. Her memorial tablet was being moved into Changming Hall, and civil and military officials from every manor were required to enter the palace to offer sacrifices and observe mourning.
Changming Hall was bustling with people today. Batch after batch of mourners entered to offer incense, kneeling and weeping without incident. However, when it was Ye Zhao’s turn, a near-accident occurred.
According to etiquette, after paying respects to the Eldest Princess, one should also offer a stick of incense to the other departed spirits housed there. That was where things went wrong.
When Ye Zhao bowed before the portrait of Lord Tianshu, he actually froze while looking at the image. It would have been fine if he had looked out of momentary curiosity, but he didn't just look—he stared intently, lost in thought, utterly oblivious to his surroundings. While the others in his group had finished their bows and stood up, he remained standing there like a statue, conspicuous and glaringly out of place.
By the time Jiang Ziqi realized what was happening and yanked him down to finish the rites, Ye Zhao had already slipped into this "off" state that persisted until now.
Jiang Ziqi sighed, thinking that the Emperor was practically letting Ye Zhao off the hook by not punishing him for his disrespect. Yet, the man himself didn't seem to realize how grave a mistake he had made.
After a brief silence, Jiang Ziqi couldn't stand it anymore. Bored, he said, "Stop looking. No matter how much you look, it’s still just a face. Is a flower going to sprout out of it?"
Ye Zhao looked up at the distant surface of the lake, his thoughts unreadable. Then, he said softly, "Jiang Ziqi, I feel like that person is very familiar."
He truly felt that way.
Hearing this, Jiang Ziqi thought for a moment. "The two of you are eighty percent identical. Looking at him is like looking at yourself; how could you not find him familiar?"
*Unless you don't even know what you look like,* Jiang Ziqi grumbled silently to himself. Instead, he recalled something else. "Speaking of which, didn't you just play his part a few days ago? It’s only natural to be familiar with him."
He had specifically looked into it; apparently, Ye Zhao had played the part quite convincingly. Not only did he avoid exposing himself in front of the Eldest Princess, but he had also drawn a crowd of pursuers when he stepped outside. By now, who in the Capital hadn't heard the rumor that Lord Tianshu had appeared on such-and-such a street?
Because of that, Jiang Ziqi's father had been busy dealing with the fallout.
At this point, Jiang Ziqi couldn't help but be curious. He asked, "How did you act the part back then?"
Ye Zhao tilted his head and answered honestly, "I modeled my performance after Young Master Yunting. It was a close call, but I didn't get caught."
Upon hearing that name, Jiang Ziqi thought it over and nodded. "He is indeed the person in this world who most resembles Lord Tianshu. A wise choice! Plus, you already have a face that looks exactly like Lord Tianshu’s. Looking at it that way, as long as you were serious, it would indeed be easy to pull off."
*Was it easy?* Ye Zhao silently placed a question mark in his mind. But considering the result was indeed successful, perhaps it could be described that way.
Ye Zhao thought quietly for two seconds, then sat back from the railing and rubbed his ice-cold palms together. "Pour me a cup too."
Jiang Ziqi snorted. "And here I thought you couldn't feel the cold."
As he spoke, he lifted the pot from the small red stove and poured a cup of wine for Ye Zhao.
Ye Zhao replied, "Not at all. It’s just that earlier, I didn't know what I was thinking, and I didn't want to move while sitting there. Now that I've seen enough, I’ve finally realized how cold it is."
To hear a person admit to their own foolishness so candidly made one want to laugh but feel unable to. Jiang Ziqi was momentarily at a loss for words. He muttered, "Ye Zhao, it’s rare for you to come to the palace. Why don't we have an Imperial Physician take a look at you?"
Ye Zhao was startled. "Look at what? I’m perfectly fine."
Jiang Ziqi looked at him with a hint of pity in his eyes. "Look at your head."
"Get lost." Ye Zhao tossed the words at him with a straight face. Although he sometimes couldn't understand the strange thoughts that popped into his head, he felt his mind was perfectly fine and healthy.
"Heh... I’m not wrong, though," Jiang Ziqi said leisurely, sniffing the aroma of the wine without a hint of anger. "Look at you. For so many years, countless people have looked at that portrait of Lord Tianshu without issue, yet something goes wrong the moment it’s your turn."
He lowered his voice and leaned in, joking with a mysterious air, "Hey, do you think there’s something strange about that portrait? Like it snatched your soul away?"
Ye Zhao suspected this guy had been reading too many supernatural tales about painted demons lately. *Snatched my soul? You think Lord Tianshu’s ghost is hiding in that painting to suck out people's essence?*
Feeling utterly speechless, he reached out and pinched Jiang Ziqi’s ear. "Jiang Ziqi, let’s go. We’re going to see an Imperial Physician right now."
"Ow, ow, ow! It hurts... let go, let go!" Jiang Ziqi cried out. Since Ye Zhao wouldn't release him, he could only hunch his back and lower his head, his expression twisted in pain.
"Don't worry, I’ll definitely go with you. Just let go first, let go..."
Ye Zhao released him and threw an arm around his shoulder, saying with a cold, fake smile, "No, no, no. *I* am accompanying *you*! Your brain should have been treated by an Imperial Physician long ago. There’s no time like the present; let’s go now!"
???
Jiang Ziqi was stunned for a moment before immediately reacting. *Wait, he’s got it backwards!*
Thus, the two friends spent a good while arguing over who was most in need of a physician, as neither wanted to be the one with a "sick brain."
However...
The Yulin Guards, standing in the freezing snow without any source of warmth, watched the two men in the pavilion thirty yards away as they resumed their familiar bickering. They all looked on with dead eyes.
To put it bluntly, this group had been monitoring Ye Zhao in secret for a long time. They had made zero progress on the initial investigation, as if the masterminds behind the scenes had forgotten about Ye Zhao entirely. But after the previous attempt on his life, they had remained steadfast, guarding him for nearly half a year without withdrawal. Their greatest gain so far was that even if they were too far away to hear what was being said, they could tell by the familiar expressions and gestures that the usual "elementary schooler spat" had begun again.
If anyone was "sick," in their opinion, both of them should go see an Imperial Physician!!!
"I’m going to report the situation of the past few days to the Commander. You all keep watching," the leader said. Since they were already in the palace, he decided to take the opportunity to update Wei Feng on Ye Zhao’s activities.
"Yes, sir."
Unexpectedly, shortly after he left, something happened on Ye Zhao’s end.
In the middle of their bickering, Ye Zhao suddenly spotted someone by the rockery on the opposite side of the lake.
A man and a woman. He didn't recognize the woman, but the man...
Ye Zhao squinted, aiming his gaze carefully for a moment before saying to Jiang Ziqi, "Hey, look over there. Doesn't that guy look a bit familiar?"
Jiang Ziqi turned and focused his gaze. After a few seconds of deliberation, he immediately pulled the corresponding name from his memory. "Isn't that Zhang Zuyao!"
He watched for a bit longer, looking slightly puzzled. "The one next to him... seems to be the Fourth Miss of the Minister of War’s household?"
Hearing Jiang Ziqi’s words, Ye Zhao finally remembered who Zhang Zuyao was. Wasn't he the primary "suspect" who had caused him to be expelled back then!
But, the Fourth Miss of the Minister of War? Was there a Fourth Miss? Which one???
...Forgive his lack of social knowledge; no matter how Ye Zhao looked, he didn't recognize her. However, "Jiang Ziqi, how do you know her?"
He truly felt his friend’s social network was incredibly powerful; it seemed there wasn't a single person he didn't know!
"Who? Zhang Zuyao? Didn't you meet him before too?" Jiang Ziqi was a bit confused.
"No. I mean that Fourth Miss." A well-bred young lady wouldn't often associate with men. For Jiang Ziqi to recognize her from such a distance—if Ye Zhao didn't know his friend had a crush on Miss Li, he might have suspected he had some ulterior motives.
Jiang Ziqi thought for a moment and casually shared what he knew. "Oh, I ran into Zhang Zuyao once at a gathering with friends. This lady happened to be by his side at the time. I was curious and asked around, and that’s how I found out."
"I heard that although this Fourth Miss is a daughter of a concubine in Minister Yin’s house, she is quite favored. It’s because her mother was an old acquaintance of the Yin family and used to be a maidservant to Noble Consort Yin. That’s why she’s held a bit more affection after marrying Minister Yin."
Ye Zhao finally deduced something. "Uh, Minister Yin and Noble Consort Yin are... one family?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Ziqi whipped his head around, staring at him in shock. "No way?! You didn't even know that?!!!"
Ye Zhao turned his head away guiltily. He had heard of Noble Consort Yin’s title, but as for the rest... heh...
Jiang Ziqi sighed helplessly. "Minister Yin is Noble Consort Yin’s brother and the Second Prince’s uncle."
After saying that, he added a bit of general knowledge for Ye Zhao’s benefit. "Minister Yin’s father was even granted the title of Imperial Father-in-law a few years ago. Don't forget it again."
"Understood." Ye Zhao nodded obediently, humbly accepting the teaching from the master.
After responding, he realized something was off. "Imperial Father-in-law? Isn't that a title reserved for the family of the Empress?"
Jiang Ziqi had already despaired over his friend’s lack of information. He sighed and explained, "That’s why everyone says Noble Consort Yin is favored. She was even given the honors reserved for the Empress’s family. The only thing she’s missing is the title of Empress itself."
*Oh...* Ye Zhao understood, gaining a clear realization of just how favored Noble Consort Yin was.
After Jiang Ziqi finished speaking and his internal frustration passed, he watched the two figures across the lake getting closer and closer, his confusion returning. "Why would Zhang Zuyao be with the Fourth Miss of the Yin family?"
Ye Zhao watched the opposite side with him for a moment and said, "A date?"
Hmm?
!!!
Jiang Ziqi was stunned at first, not catching Ye Zhao’s meaning. Then he realized and was shocked, looking at the man who had just made such a startling statement. "How do you know?!"
Ye Zhao remained calm and tilted his chin. "See for yourself. Aren't they embracing now?"
Jiang Ziqi whipped his head around to look.
Good heavens! They really were embracing!
But how had he seen that coming? After his initial shock, a new thought filled Jiang Ziqi’s mind.
He shook his head, clicking his tongue. "Zhang Zuyao is truly bold beyond belief. Doesn't he see where he is or what day it is? Sigh..."
Today was the day of the Eldest Princess’s funeral, and this was the Imperial Palace! To choose this time for a private tryst and act all lovey-dovey—if they were caught, wouldn't they be dancing on the nerves of the entire Imperial family?
Even someone seeking death wouldn't be this proactive!
Compared to Jiang Ziqi’s schadenfreude, Ye Zhao’s reaction was noticeably flatter, even somewhat cold.
Seeing the two people in the distance behaving even more boldly—they were actually kissing now—Ye Zhao frowned. He felt a sense of dislike, and a rare trace of displeasure rose within him.
Ye Zhao picked up the wine pot from the stone table and threw it forcefully into the lake. It hit the water with a loud *splash*.
"What are you doing???" Jiang Ziqi was baffled by Ye Zhao’s action. Seeing Ye Zhao suddenly turn to leave, he asked in confusion, "Hey! Where are you going?"
"I’ve seen enough. It’s time to go back," Ye Zhao replied calmly. Jiang Ziqi was stunned. He turned to look at the opposite shore; the two people were looking around in a panic, clearly startled by the noise and feeling guilty for their actions.
His mind turned, and he understood why Ye Zhao had done what he did. He quickly caught up to Ye Zhao’s pace. "Wait for me..."
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 长明殿 | Changming Hall | Hall of Eternal Light; a hall in the palace for memorial tablets. |
| 云庭公子 | Young Master Yunting | A character Ye Zhao modeled his impersonation of Lord Tianshu after. |
| 张祖耀 | Zhang Zuyao | A character who previously caused Ye Zhao to be expelled. |
| 殷贵妃 | Noble Consort Yin | A highly favored imperial consort. |
| 兵部尚书 | Minister of War | Head of the Ministry of War; Noble Consort Yin's brother. |
| 殷尚书 | Minister Yin | Refers to the Minister of War. |
| 国丈 | Imperial Father-in-law | Literally "State Elder/Father"; usually the father of the Empress. |
| 庶出女 | Daughter of a concubine | A daughter born to a secondary wife/concubine rather than the primary wife. |
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