As A-Xuan said he didn’t go to court for the next few days. He would sleep in late, get ready with the help of his maids and after work, he would go out roaming the streets.

He did everything in his power to avoid the emperor and would send a eunuch to deliver his work.

His father sent multiple envoys to see him but A-Xuan sent him a letter telling him that he couldn’t because of his whiplashes after exhausting himself at court that day.

Quickly all the ministers heard of what happened and understood his absence. A-Xuan used that excuse with everyone but only Yizhen knew that he would go out in secret every day.

After finding out the day after court that he went out he sent him a secret guard. He would receive reports of what he would do and see all day. Yizhen can’t understand A-Xuan, everything about him is contradictory.

He still does his work as the minister of officials but it seems like he prefers to go out to explore and eat delicious cuisine. He is sensitive and shy but in court, he is strong and determined.

He can’t understand who he truly is so his surveillance of him went from a report at the end of the day to one every few hours. A-Xuan knew he was being followed and who was behind it.

His husband always wants to know where he is and what he’s doing. Unfortunately, there are no cameras in this era so he had to send someone to keep tabs on him.

After work he went out to his father’s house, he hasn’t seen him in two weeks, he knows they have a new plan and he has an important part to play.

When he arrived at his house the eunuch led him to his study. A-Xuan entered and sat.

"Father."

Zhao Xu looked at his son and felt the need to strangle him. This is his last chance if he doesn’t come to their side then he’ll do what he has to do.

He smiled and said:

"Xuan’er how are you?"

A-Xuan smiled.

"Much better thank you."

Zhao Xu asked:

"Why didn’t you come home to rest?"

A-Xuan looked down and said uncomfortably:

"After the incident in sister’s palace, I decided to look for a house."

Zhao Xu’s hand tightened into a fist.

"Then why would you stay in the imperial palace?"

He knows for sure that he didn’t say anything to the emperor because he doesn’t know anything but still it’s dangerous for him to be there.

A-Xuan looked up.

"The emperor ordered me, I couldn’t say no."

"Why would he just order you?"

A-Xuan explained:

"After morning court, he called on me and asked what happened at sister’s palace. She sent him an envoy who said I didn’t want to stay in her palace or the familial home anymore and she wanted to know if I could stay in the imperial palace until he finds me a new home. You know how the Emperor dotes on her so he immediately agreed. I couldn’t tell him that sister lied, I only stay there to protect her."

Zhao Xu looked at him furiously.

"Why would your sister do that it doesn’t make any sense."

A-Xuan said innocently:

"She’s been worried about the Emperor getting a new consort. She thought that if I was there I would be able to spy for her."

Zhao Xu’s nostril started to flair up and he violently banged his fist on the desk. A-Xuan leaned back startled. He asked:

"She told you that?"

A-Xuan handed him a note:

"This is what the envoy gave to the Emperor."

Zhao Xu took the note and his face sank.

It was his daughter’s handwriting and signature. He knows it by heart because this is how they always communicate unless it’s urgent.

All this time he thought she genuinely loved Ding Liren and that they were working together for one common purpose.

When the Emperor asked him to have his daughter as a noble consort he knew she was in a relationship with Ding Liren.

The three of them discussed and decided she would accept so she can help them from the inside.

That useless daughter of mine ended up falling in love with him. Like a fool, he believed her when she said she would make him minister of officials.

If Ding Liren finds out he won’t comply with his demands. He’ll keep it a secret for now and try to rally A-Xuan and if that doesn’t work he’ll do what he has to do tonight during the banquet.

Zhao Xu asked:

"Son, do you think the Emperor is the son of heaven?"

A-Xuan answered with certainty:

"I do."

A-Xuan looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"Do you not believe that?"

"I do."

A-Xuan smiled inwardly.

"You shouldn’t question that in front of sister."

Zhao Xu frowned:

"Why?"

"One of her maids was heard questioning the Emperor and when sister found out she was beaten several times. If I hadn’t been there she would’ve died." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

It’s true that one of her maids was beaten but not for that, she had broken a necklace given to Zhao Wei by Ding Liren and the original stopped her from having her killed.

A-Xuan looked at Zhao Xu’s red face satisfied and decided to leave.

"Father I have to leave I’ll see you tonight. I’ll go see sister before going to the imperial palace do you want me to pass her message?"

What would I say to that slut? Both his children are utterly useless. He thought he would be able to turn A-Xuan but not only did that failed he found out that his daughter is now in love with the emperor.

"No need."

A-Xuan left for his sister’s palace. He doesn’t want to stop what is supposed to happen tonight because he needs to kill someone.

When he arrived at his sister’s palace he dismissed all the servants in the room and sat in front of her.

She looked at him with disdain and asked:

"What do you want?"

She is still angry at A-Xuan for ruining their plan, if he hadn’t he would be dead and she would’ve already dealt with the emperor and become the empress.

"Look into my eyes."

Zhao Wei looked at her brother annoyed, A-Xuan asked:

"What do you see?"

"Stars."

"Good, you’re madly in love with Emperor Ding Yizhen."

Zhao Wei nodded and A-Xuan left. She called excitedly multiple maids to help her prepare for tonight’s banquet. I have to look incredible for the Emperor, he must only have eyes for me.

A-Xuan went out again and ate at a restaurant. He had a lot of food in front of him and a book in his hand. A man came and took a seat in front of him.

A-Xuan looked up at him shyly.

"What can I do for you, sir?"

The man looked at all the food he ordered and asked:

"Are you waiting for someone?"

"Not today."

What does he mean not today? He has never eaten with someone before. Unless his secret guards aren’t as efficient as he thought.

A-Xuan looked at the man and proposed his cheeks flushed:

"You can eat with me if you want."

He looked down after a few seconds and focused on the food. Does he invite every stranger who seats with him to eat?

Yizhen took the chopsticks and started to fill his plate. A-Xuan is a creature of habit, he eats the same food every day. When he realized he knew all his favorite foods he felt complicated.

He doesn’t even know why he disguised himself and came to this place knowing he would be there. Those past two weeks he felt like he’s been losing his grasp on reality.

The only thing on his mind is A-Xuan and no matter how hard he tried it won’t change. He knows he’s the opposite of who he is and what he represents but he wants him.

He can’t lie to himself, but to have him he needs to take down his family and his brother.

The only way he’ll be able to be with him safely is if he deals with Zhao Xu and Ding Liren who are trying to kill them. He knows what they have planned tonight and he’s ready.

Even if he is ready he feels nervous now that his feelings for A-Xuan have changed. He has to deal with Zhao Xu and Zhao Wei but what if A-Xuan hates him for that?

Even if they’re terrible to him he still sees them and seems close. Before having lunch he went to see both of them.

He honestly doesn’t understand how Zhao Xu could have a son like A-Xuan. Zhao Wei makes sense but A-Xuan deserves so much better. When he thinks about his initial plan he can’t help but feel guilty.

A-Xuan has always had his back but who had A-Xuan’s? From now on he will. He won’t let anything happen to him again.