He was summoned by the emperor and made his way through the snow to the Imperial Study, his footsteps muffled by the thick, cold silence. The wind bit through his cloak.

The moment he stepped over the threshold, a rolled memorial came flying at him. It sliced the air and brushed against his hand before thudding onto the floor.

Wu Yingyue immediately dropped to his knees, head bowed low. "Your son greets you, Father."

The emperor did not reply.

The only sound was the scratch of brushstrokes that remained in study as the emperor continued to mark the scroll before him.

Wu Yingyue remained still, the cold from the stone floor seeping into his bones. The chief eunuch gave him a quick glance, lips parted as if to speak, but the emperor's expression silenced even him. He bowed his head and poured the tea with trembling hands.

Time passed slowly. The candles flickered, casting long shadows against the walls. Wu Yingyue could feel the sweat prickling at the nape of his neck, despite the chill.

Finally, the emperor set his brush down.

"You are... very brave." The words were soft.

Wu Yingyue's heart pounded in his chest. He kept his forehead pressed to the floor. "I do not understand what has displeased Your Majesty."

A short, cold laugh escaped the emperor. He rose and came to stand before him.

"Don't you? You crawl out of bed after faking illness for days, only to sneak into the Water Prison like a rat in the dark—and you expect me not to know?"

Wu Yingyue clenched his hands against the floor, but his voice remained even. "I only feared that if anything happened to the Duke of Zhou, Your Majesty would—"

The emperor kicked the fallen memorials at him. "You feared? What you feared was losing your leverage! Or are you going to say this wasn't a pathetic act of sentiment? Hm?"

His voice was as sharp as ice. "Testing my patience again, Yingyue? You want to die that badly?"

Wu Yingyue said nothing. His breath fogged against the floor.

He could feel his father's stare drilling into the back of his skull.

"Prince, I'm not dead yet, and you're not on the throne. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Wu Yingyue's forehead hit the ground heavily. His whole body was trembling slightly. He gritted his teeth as cold sweat slid down his temples,"This son had no such intention. I beg your forgiveness, Father!"

"No such intention?"

"Are you saying I am slandering you? Who dares to slander our future crown prince in the East Palace?" The emperor sneered. He walked past Wu Yingyue but stopped aside, then turned around and said,

"Or is it that you think I won't kill you just because you're my only son?"

"I wouldn't dare!" Wu Yingyue's voice cracked. This was the second time the Emperor had spoken such words to him but this time, something was different. A chill crawled up his spine. Somehow, deep down, he felt that if he did nothing now, he would end up just like three years ago.

He bowed lower, forehead pressed hard against the cold marble floor. He repeated the phrase like a mantra, voice barely holding together, "I wouldn't dare... I wouldn't dare..."

"Then tell me, why did you do this this time?" The emperor suddenly changed his previous coldness and even said in a gentle tone, "Tell me, Your Highness."

That tone was more dangerous than any shout. The stillness in the room grew heavier, almost unbearable.

Wu Yingyue lay prostrate on the cold marble floor, hair disheveled and damp from melted snow. His voice, hoarse from fear and exhaustion, barely rose above a whisper.

"Zhou Wangshu is the Duke, and he holds the tiger tally. If he dies in prison, the world will be in chaos. The court will erupt. The army will hesitate. He led them to war. If he dies now, without trial... it will disgrace the royal family. It will disgrace Your Majesty."

He paused, gathering his breath, then continued,

"The interrogations have revealed nothing. They won't. He won't break. But if he's moved under my watch, to the East Palace, I may yet find where he's hidden the tally. In time, I can uncover the truth."

The Emperor said nothing.

Wu Yingyue dared to lift his eyes slightly. "This isn't mercy. It's strategy."

The candlelight danced behind the Emperor, casting his shadow long across the floor. He stared down at his son with cold eyes,

Finally, he spoke. Slowly. Each word is like a blade drawn across silk.

"So. After all that... you want me to believe you're doing this.... for my sake?"

Wu Yingyue's head sank lower, pressing to the floor until his bones ached. "Every word is true. I would never—Father, I only wish to serve you."

"You disappoint me."

Wu Yingyue flinched.

"Fine, go outside and kneel until tomorrow morning." He said as he turned towards his seat and started revising the memorials.

Wu Yingyue exhaled, a breath he didn't realize he was holding. At least the Emperor still trusts him. Kneeling in the storm was nothing to him. It was hardly a punishment.

"Your son obeys," Wu yingyue said.

Wu Yingyue turned to leave, but just as he reached them, a faint sound behind him made him pause.

A soft clink of porcelain.

He glanced over his shoulder and froze.

The Emperor, still seated at his desk, lifted a small, delicate box from the side table. He opened it and tipped a tiny white pill into his palm.

Wu Yingyue's pupils shrank.
That box...

He knew it. Recognized it instantly.

But Emperor didn't look at him again. He simply drank the tea beside him, eyes fixed on the memorial in his hand as though nothing had changed.

Wu Yingyue lowered his eyes and turned back.

The snow outside would be nothing compared to what was coming.

By imperial decree, the Duke of Zhou was removed from the Water Prison before dawn. An imperial physician was dispatched, and Zhou Wangshu was quietly relocated to the East Palace.

The transfer was not made public. But in the stillness of night, the East Palace busy all night without its owner.

Outside, frost clung to every tile and branch. Inside, Wu Yingyue was still kneeling. His robes soaked through, skin numb, lips cracked from cold. His breathing was shallow, but he remained kneeling.

In the break of morning, the heavy silence broke with the soft shuffle of feet.

A eunuch approached cautiously, "Your Highness, please... you must prepare. Morning Court begins within the hour. His Majesty will be in attendance."

Wu Yingyue's eyes fluttered open. His lashes were crusted with frost.

Every joint ached, his body protesting as he roses with great effort. He didn't speak, only nodded faintly.

The eunuch reached forward to help, but Wu Yingyue gently pushed his hand away.

"Call Guang Ze."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The eunuch bowed and hurried off. Soon after, Guang Ze arrived, silent and solemn. A sedan was prepared despite Wu Yingyue's initial protest, but his body had reached its limit.

He allowed himself to lean into the cushions, though his spine remained straight the entire ride.

They returned to the East Palace as palace gate opened quietly.

Lingling had already been waiting by the steps, eyes red from sleeplessness.

"Your Highness!" she exclaimed in a whisper, rushing forward, barely holding back tears. "Quick, prepare hot water! Bring the physician!"

"No physician," Wu Yingyue said, voice hoarse, "Just a bath."

When they helped him disrobe, Guang Ze, standing nearby, froze.

Wu yingyue's knees were purple, bruised, and cracked from kneeling for hours in the snow. The skin was broken in places, and blood had long dried into his inner robes.

Guang Ze's hands trembled at his sides, his eyes stinging. But he did not speak.

Wu Yingyue sat in silence as hot water was poured and steam began to rise. He didn't even flinch at the sting when the wounds met the heat.

Lingling lowered her gaze, and whispered, "I'll bring you something warm to eat."

Wu Yingyue didn't respond. He simply leaned back slightly, eyes half-closed.

After the bath, Wu Yingyue sat before the brazier, hair loosely tied, pale hands cradling a bowl of hot porridge. Steam coiled softly into the morning air, mingling with the bitter scent of herbs Lingling had added to ward off the cold.

Guang Ze stood quietly at the side, but Wu Yingyue finally broke the silence.

"...How is he?"

Guang Ze didn't need to ask who. "The imperial physician came an hour ago. He said Duke Zhou's injuries are severe, but not fatal. Several old wounds were reopened. He was unconscious when he arrived, but he woke briefly during the night."

Wu Yingyue's spoon paused mid-air.

"Did he say anything?"

Guang Ze hesitated. "...No. He didn't speak. Just stared at the ceiling for a long time before falling asleep again."

Wu Yingyue looked down at his bowl then said,

"Let the physician check him again today. I want updates at every hour."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Just then, a eunuch appeared at the doorway, bowed deeply, and said, "Your Highness, the bell for Morning Court has sounded."

Wu Yingyue set the bowl down and slowly stood. His legs stiffened but he did not show it.

Guang Ze instinctively moved to assist him, but Wu Yingyue brushed him off with a subtle shake of his head. He adjusted his robes, picked up the official jade tablet, and stepped forward.