CHAPTER 37: The Capital’s Smiling Snakes
1058 Words
The imperial capital of Tianze appeared beneath heavy snowfall the following evening.
Magnificent.
Cold.
Dangerous.
Tall crimson walls stretched endlessly beneath grey winter skies while golden rooftops glimmered faintly beyond the massive gates of the imperial city.
At first glance—
the capital looked prosperous and untouchable.
But Shen Yue knew better already.
This city devoured people quietly.
Not with swords.
With smiles.
The imperial convoy entered slowly beneath the sound of ceremonial drums while countless citizens knelt along the roads despite the snow.
“Long live His Majesty!”
“Long live the Crown Prince!”
Voices echoed endlessly through the capital streets.
Yet beneath the cheers—
another rumor spread faster than wildfire.
The Lord of Valin survived another assassination attempt.
Again.
And the mysterious Fourth Miss of the Shen family somehow stood at the center of it all.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Inside her carriage, Shen Yue lifted the curtain slightly and observed the city carefully.
The capital looked unchanged.
Yet somehow—
everything felt different now.
Before leaving for the imperial hunt, she was merely the forgotten Fourth Miss.
Bullied.
Ignored.
Powerless.
Now?
Ministers whispered her name.
The Emperor noticed her existence.
The Crown Prince openly protected her.
And Chu Wenzhe…
Shen Yue slowly lowered the curtain again.
That man was becoming increasingly dangerous to her peace of mind.
Outside—
the convoy split into separate formations once they entered the capital.
Royal guards escorted the Emperor directly toward the imperial palace while noble families gradually departed toward their estates.
Xu Yan rode beside Shen Yue’s carriage briefly before the separation point.
Snowflakes landed softly against his dark robes while his expression remained calm as always.
Yet Shen Yue noticed the exhaustion hidden beneath his eyes now.
The hunting trip changed him too.
Interesting.
The Crown Prince slowed his horse slightly beside her carriage window.
“Be careful after returning home.”
Direct warning.
Not polite conversation.
Shen Yue answered honestly.
“I plan to.”
Xu Yan studied her quietly for a moment.
Then softly—
“My father moves fastest when he feels threatened.”
A pause.
“And lately…”
His gaze darkened faintly.
“He feels threatened by many things.”
The implication behind his words was obvious.
The Emperor would act soon.
Perhaps very soon.
Before Shen Yue could answer—
another horse approached from behind.
Black armor.
Cold presence.
Chu Wenzhe.
Of course.
Xu Yan’s expression cooled almost invisibly.
Meanwhile Chu Wenzhe stopped beside the carriage calmly.
Snow drifted between both men again.
Sharp.
Silent.
Dangerous.
Chu Wenzhe looked toward Shen Yue briefly.
“The Shen residence already has unfamiliar watchers nearby.”
Shen Yue’s eyes narrowed instantly.
Interesting.
Very interesting indeed.
Someone monitored her house already?
That was fast.
Xu Yan’s gaze darkened too.
“The palace?”
Chu Wenzhe answered flatly:
“Likely.”
Silence settled heavily.
Because everyone understood what that meant.
The Emperor moved already.
Shen Yue internally sighed.
Wonderful.
Absolutely wonderful.
She hadn’t even reached home yet before imperial eyes surrounded her residence.
Xu Yan suddenly spoke quietly:
“I’ll send hidden guards.”
Instantly—
Chu Wenzhe’s gaze shifted toward him sharply.
The atmosphere tightened again.
Xu Yan smiled faintly.
“Surely Lord Valin doesn’t believe he alone can protect people.”
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Chu Wenzhe’s expression remained unreadable.
But his voice turned colder slightly.
“The Crown Prince should prioritize palace matters.”
Xu Yan’s eyes darkened.
“And Lord Valin should remember his place too.”
Silence crashed heavily between them.
Even nearby guards instinctively retreated further.
Because the tension between these two men no longer hid beneath politeness completely.
Meanwhile unfortunate Shen Yue sat directly between this invisible war once again.
Wonderful.
Truly wonderful.
Then suddenly—
Chu Wenzhe looked toward her again.
“Don’t leave the Shen residence alone for several days.”
Not suggestion.
Instruction.
Xu Yan immediately added calmly:
“If anything unusual happens…”
His eyes rested steadily on her.
“Send word immediately.”
Shen Yue almost wanted to laugh from exhaustion.
Two of the empire’s most powerful men were now openly arranging her protection like she was some rare political treasure.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
The convoy finally separated afterward.
Xu Yan returned toward the palace with royal guards while Chu Wenzhe rode silently toward the western military district.
But before disappearing into the snowfall—
he looked back once.
Toward Shen Yue’s carriage.
Only briefly.
Yet somehow—
that single glance lingered strangely.
Meanwhile—
inside the imperial palace—
the Emperor had already begun moving pieces across the political board.
Warm incense burned heavily inside the imperial study while several trusted ministers knelt before him.
The old ruler’s expression looked colder than winter itself.
“The capital’s rumors spread too quickly.”
One minister lowered his head deeply.
“Your Majesty… soldiers witnessed Lord Valin surviving impossible circumstances directly.”
The Emperor’s fingers tapped slowly against the table.
“And the Fourth Miss?”
The minister hesitated carefully.
“She has become the center of considerable discussion.”
Another minister added nervously:
“Some noble families already seek marriage alliances with the Shen family.”
Interesting.
Very interesting indeed.
The Emperor’s eyes darkened faintly.
Exactly what he feared.
If Shen Yue became politically connected through marriage—
her influence might deepen further around Xu Yan and Chu Wenzhe alike.
Unacceptable.
The Emperor slowly stood from his seat.
Then quietly—
“Arrange an imperial banquet.”
The ministers immediately understood.
Public gatherings inside the palace always carried hidden purposes.
One minister carefully asked:
“Your Majesty intends to…”
The Emperor smiled faintly.
A cold smile.
“We should observe Fourth Miss Shen more carefully.”
A pause.
“And perhaps…”
His gaze turned distant.
“Find her a husband before certain people grow too attached.”
Meanwhile—
far away from palace schemes—
the Shen residence stood illuminated beneath snowfall as Shen Yue’s carriage finally arrived home.
Servants hurried anxiously through the courtyard while members of the Shen family rushed outside to greet the returning procession.
And among them—
several familiar faces stared at Shen Yue with complete disbelief.
Because the once-forgotten Fourth Miss had returned from the imperial hunt transformed completely.
Not by beauty.
Not by status.
But by attention.
The most dangerous currency in the empire.
- Writer
