Chapter 3: The King's Challenge
1185 Words
The night had grown darker as the Lan family continued toward the Crown King's residence.
Lan Qingshan and Lan Yichen walked ahead with the others.
Mei Lian stayed close to Lan Yuze.
A short distance behind them, Shen Lie rode alone on a black horse.
The moonlight was faint, and the road was quiet.
Only the sound of horses' hooves could be heard.
Shen Lie had been in the forest for several days.
He had gone there for hunting, intending to return to the Crown King's residence later.
But then he had seen him.
Lan Yuze.
After saving the Lan family, Shen Lie no longer felt like returning to the forest.
Something about that quiet young man had made him want to go home.
The Crown King's residence was already filled with guests.
The Shen family had been staying there for several days, as they had been invited earlier.
When the Lan family finally arrived, the Crown King personally came forward to welcome them.
His face brightened when he saw Lan Qingshan.
"Master Lan!"
Lan Qingshan bowed.
"Your Majesty."
The Crown King smiled warmly.
"I am very pleased that you accepted my invitation. I have heard much about you and your sons."
He looked toward Lan Yichen and Lan Yuze.
"I have heard that both of your sons are very capable."
Lan Qingshan respectfully replied,
"Your Majesty is too kind."
The Crown King laughed.
"I have arranged a martial competition during the celebration. The princes and young martial artists will compete in swordsmanship, archery, and other skills."
His eyes moved toward the two Lan brothers.
"I hope your sons will participate as well."
Lan Qingshan bowed again.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. It would be our honor."
The Crown King smiled.
"Good."
He turned toward the servants.
"Show the Lan family to their rooms. They will be our guests for the next few days."
The servants immediately bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Lan family followed them inside.
They had traveled a long way, and everyone was tired.
As they walked through the residence, several young maidservants secretly looked toward Lan Yichen.
They had heard that the eldest son of the Lan family was handsome.
Seeing him in person, they couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
But Lan Yuze attracted even more attention.
His quiet expression, pale clothes, long black hair, and delicate features made people look twice.
Some of the guards also glanced toward him.
Even several young princes noticed him.
Shen Lie noticed too.
But what caught his attention was not Yuze himself.
It was everyone else's attention toward Yuze.
His expression slowly changed.
Why was everyone looking at him?
Shen Lie's hand tightened slightly around the reins.
He didn't like it.
Not at all.
One of the young princes whispered,
"That must be Lan Qingshan's youngest son."
Another replied,
"He's even more handsome than I heard."
Shen Lie heard them.
His eyes became colder.
He looked away.
But only for a moment.
Then he looked back at Yuze.
---
That evening, the competition was the main topic of conversation.
Everyone was saying the same thing.
"Prince Shen Lie will surely win."
"No one can match his swordsmanship."
"His archery is excellent as well."
"Who else could possibly defeat him?"
Shen Lie sat quietly among the other princes.
He didn't seem interested in their praise.
His attention was elsewhere.
The feast began.
Food and wine were served.
Everyone gathered around the large tables.
The Lan family sat together.
Yuze quietly ate his food.
He didn't speak much.
Several princes sitting nearby noticed his silence.
One of them smiled.
"Lan Yuze, why are you so quiet?"
Yuze looked up.
"I'm simply listening."
The prince laughed.
"Come on. Tonight is a celebration."
He pushed a cup of wine toward Yuze.
"Drink with us."
Before Yuze could answer, Lan Yichen spoke.
"He doesn't drink."
The prince raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"He doesn't like it."
Another prince laughed.
"One cup won't hurt."
He tried to push the cup closer.
Then a hand suddenly reached across the table.
Shen Lie took the cup.
Everyone became quiet.
Shen Lie looked at the prince.
"Didn't you hear him?"
The prince swallowed.
"I was only joking."
Shen Lie calmly drank the wine himself.
Then he placed the empty cup down.
"If you want someone to drink, drink with me."
No one spoke.
The atmosphere became strangely quiet.
Even the princes who had been laughing moments earlier became more careful.
Lan Yuze looked at Shen Lie.
Their eyes met.
Yuze didn't know what to say.
Shen Lie simply looked at him for a moment.
Then he leaned back in his chair.
The feast continued.
But after that, no one asked Yuze to drink again.
---
Later that night, everyone slowly left the dining hall.
Some of the older princes remained behind, drinking and talking among themselves.
The Lan family returned to their rooms.
Before leaving, Yuze quietly said,
"I'll go now."
One of the princes laughed.
"What? Already?"
Another smiled.
"Stay a little longer."
Yuze shook his head.
"I'm tired."
Lan Yichen nodded.
"Let him go. He doesn't like noisy gatherings."
Yuze bowed slightly and left.
Shen Lie watched him disappear.
He said nothing.
---
The palace became quiet as midnight approached.
Moonlight covered the gardens.
Lan Yuze stood beside the window of his room.
He had changed into a simple white robe.
His long black hair was completely loose, falling smoothly over his shoulders and down his back.
He looked toward the moon.
The night was peaceful.
For a while, he forgot everything that had happened earlier.
Outside, Shen Lie was walking through the corridor.
He had been drinking with the others earlier, but only lightly.
As he passed the garden, he suddenly stopped.
His eyes lifted.
And there he was.
Lan Yuze.
Standing beside the window beneath the moonlight.
White robes.
Long black hair.
A quiet face illuminated by the silver glow of the moon.
Shen Lie stared.
A faint smile slowly appeared on his lips.
He didn't move.
He simply stood there and watched.
After a while, his mother approached from behind.
"Lie'er."
Shen Lie didn't turn immediately.
"Yes, Mother?"
"Why aren't you asleep yet?"
He finally looked toward her.
A small smile remained on his face.
"Just looking at something beautiful."
His mother followed his gaze.
Then she understood.
She smiled slightly.
"The moon?"
Shen Lie looked back toward Yuze.
"The moon is beautiful too."
His mother looked at him knowingly.
"Come on. It's late."
Shen Lie nodded.
"Alright."
He looked toward the window one last time.
"I'm going to sleep."
His mother walked away.
At that moment, Yuze happened to glance downward.
His eyes met Shen Lie's.
Yuze froze.
For a few seconds, neither moved.
Then Yuze quickly lowered his gaze.
He stepped back from the window and disappeared into his room.
Shen Lie watched the window close.
A quiet smile appeared on his face.
"Good night, Lan Yuze."
He turned and walked away.
Soon, both men returned to their rooms.
Neither knew that the next day would bring them even closer.
The King's challenge was about to begin.
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