Chapter 1: A Beating at the Start

On the bustling streets of the capital, carriages and crowds moved ceaselessly, yet within a residence not far from the imperial palace, every face was clouded with worry.

This was the mansion of the Third Prince, Zhao Bin. Two months prior, he had been framed by Crown Prince Zhao Chong and Prince Qi, Zhao Tong, accused of disgracing virtuous women. The Crown Prince’s faction pressed their accusations in court, exaggerating the charges until the emperor’s fury was provoked, leading to a public reprimand and twenty strokes of the cane.

Unexpectedly, the chief eunuch assigned to carry out the punishment belonged to the Crown Prince’s faction; his blows were merciless, leaving Zhao Bin half dead and unconscious. Afterwards, the young eunuch, knowing his fate was sealed, hanged himself to avoid implicating the Crown Prince.

At this moment, Wang Wu, captain of the guards, had just escorted the imperial eunuch out of the gates. The decree stated that Zhao Bin was to be named Prince of Yan, with his fief in the northern region of Yan. Now that the Third Prince had come of age, he was to depart for his new domain as soon as he recovered from his injuries.

Initially, the household was elated at their master’s elevation to prince, but when the decree mentioned Yan, their hearts sank. Everyone knew that Yan was a harsh, frigid land. In winter, the winds bit fiercely, and it bordered the northern nomads, with frequent skirmishes erupting. The passes held back the main armies, but small raiding parties often slipped through the mountains, pillaging villages and towns.

Zhao Bin lay on his bed, occasionally letting out fits of laughter and muttering, “I’ve just crossed over, only to be beaten half to death. Unbelievable.”

The maids and guards nearby looked at Zhao Bin with bewildered faces. One guard whispered, “His Highness must be delirious. We should summon the imperial physician.”

Zhao Bin shot him a sidelong glance. “Delirious? Did you not hear the imperial decree? Once I’m healed, I must depart immediately. Why aren’t you packing?”

Wang Wu replied, “Your Highness, there’s not much to pack. You know there’s hardly anything of value in this household.”

“Are pots and pans not things?” Zhao Bin said, frustrated. “Won’t we have to spend money buying them once we arrive?”

The maids and guards exchanged glances. “Yes, Your Highness. We’ll begin packing at once,” they replied, and quietly withdrew, leaving only Wang Wu in the room.

Seeing everyone had left, Wang Wu approached the bed and spoke softly to Zhao Bin, “Your Highness, if I may, please don’t be angry. Leaving for Yan might not be a bad thing. Though the land is harsh, being away from the court brings peace. You won’t have to face all the intrigues and machinations.”

Wang Wu was a soldier by trade, once stationed at the border. He had served under General Ding Hu, Zhao Bin’s maternal grandfather, and was rumored to have saved the general’s life. Yet, the old general had eventually fallen into the enemy’s trap during a battle against the Xiongnu, outnumbered and killed beyond the frontier.

The Ding family had never been large. General Ding had one son and one daughter; the daughter entered the palace, while the son died young on the battlefield, leaving behind two young children who had now grown up. But with the general’s death, their influence faded. Otherwise, Zhao Bin would not have been so harshly reprimanded in court, nor would so few have spoken in his defense.

Two years ago, when Zhao Bin established his own household, Imperial Consort Ding assigned Wang Wu to guard him.

Zhao Bin looked at Wang Wu and asked carefully, “Do you think there are people from the Crown Prince or Prince Qi in our residence?”

Wang Wu replied, “I don’t know. Should I ask around?”

Zhao Bin was at a loss. “Ask whom?”

“Ask the people in the household,” Wang Wu answered matter-of-factly.

Zhao Bin sighed. “How would you ask?”

“Just ask if they’re with the Crown Prince or Prince Qi.”

Zhao Bin shook his head. “I… forget it. Go ask them. Whoever wants to come with us can come; those who don’t can return to the Imperial Household Department. Let them go back to where they came from.”

Wang Wu acknowledged the order and withdrew.