chapter 10

When I stepped into the Eastern Palace.

Xiao Zhe was clinging to Xiao Qi’s arm, acting spoiled and foolish.

He had Nanzhao blood in his veins. Though younger than Xiao Qi, he was much taller.

It made him seem more like the elder brother.

Their bond began with a single act of kindness from Xiao Qi.

Because of his amber eyes, Xiao Zhe’s days in the palace had never been easy.

At that time, he had not yet been reunited with Gu Yan, and no one stood up for him.

The other princes mocked him, bullied him, called him a monster.

That day, as he was being tormented as usual, the Crown Prince’s procession happened to pass by.

The princes abandoned their beating and knelt obediently by the roadside to pay their respects.

As docile as could be.

Only Xiao Zhe’s eyes reddened.

He threw caution to the wind and rushed forward.

He forcibly stopped the Crown Prince’s carriage.

“Imperial Brother, save me-”

Xiao Zhe’s head was broken open, blood streaming down his brow.

Like a wolf cub driven to desperation.

The Guards on either side moved to drive him away, but their actions were halted.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted.

Xiao Zhe stared up in a daze, meeting those gentle, compassionate eyes.

Then, the Crown Prince made the gravest mistake of his life.

He reached out his hand to Xiao Zhe.

He did not know that the person before him was a Wolf that could never be tamed.

A Wolf does not repay kindness.

It only seeks to enter the halls, to consume his flesh and blood.

Xiao Zhe has hated many people.

But the one he hated most was the brother who once saved him from disaster.

He hated that Xiao Qi was born in the clouds, showered with honor, high above all.

He hated that he himself could only kneel in the dust, looking up in humble longing.

He hated. I hated too.

I insist that the Moon must hang high above the clouds.

I insist that the maggots can only writhe in the mud.