Kayla watched intently as Xianchun entered the room, immediately bowing towards the emperor. The Emperor waved for him to get up.

“Take it easy, Xianchun, we’re all family here,” the Emperor said cheerfully. “Come and have some of these.”

Kayla got to her feet and bowed her head. “Wenyuan greets the Seventh Prince,” she said. The Emperor clicked his tongue and signaled for her to sit down and relax. Xianchun was staring at Kayla with an intense gaze that bordered on a glare. The protagonist of a political intrigue-action-fantasy-romance novel was really on a whole other level in terms of looks. Even though every named character in the novel under the age of 40 had been more or less described to be good-looking to some degree, Xianchun had warranted an entire three pages all to himself. Xianchun was tall, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs, with extremely handsome features and the cool and self-assured air expected from the Main Character.

He would be better looking if he weren’t trying to kill me, Kayla mentally griped.

His face is the only thing good about him, his personality is terrible, Wenyuan was quick to agree.

Xianchun hovered menacingly over Kayla for a moment, blocking out the overhead light with his ridiculously tall figure, before finally sitting down and smiling politely at his father. Kayla smiled and took another piece of candied fruit.

“Here, have some, these are from the Western Provinces,” the Emperor offered.

“Thank you for your kindness, father,” Xianchun replied, taking a piece respectfully. Kayla watched Xianchun discreetly as she drank some tea. In the early parts of the novel, Xianchun received little help from his father, being too stiff and formal to win the Emperor’s affection. Eventually, Xianchun learned how to sweet talk his father, and that became crucial in helping him win over the Third Prince, whose mounting arrogance was losing him the Emperor’s favor. At this very moment, Kayla was probably closer to the Emperor’s heart than Xianchun. It was one of the few advantages she had.

As expected, Xianchun’s polite and formal responses kept the conversation from getting anywhere until Kayla stepped in to prevent the Emperor from losing his patience. Kayla was soon chatting cheerily with the Emperor, while the Emperor’s own flesh-and-blood sat in silence like his presence here was excessive. Kayla decided to try and include Xianchun rather than risk angering the prince and incurring his wrath.

“And what are your thoughts on this, cousin?” Kayla asked.

“I agree with Father’s words, Left Secretariat,” Xianchun replied. Kayla fought to keep her smile from sliding. Calling Wenyuan by his court position forcibly made the situation a lot more formal. Even though the two weren’t close enough to use courtesy names with each other, Xianchun used Wenyuan’s title instead of addressing him as a cousin to remind Wenyuan of his status as an outsider to the Imperial family. The prince’s cousin was an ambivalent relationship, but a court official was subordinate to the Emperor and the Princes. If a prince started acting formally, a subordinate could hardly go on acting casually. Given that the Emperor was the highest-ranking person present, Kayla would have to act even more respectfully towards Wenyuan’s uncle if she was already acting respectfully towards his son.

Look at this asshole reinforcing the hierarchy here when I’m trying to make peace, Kayla seethed silently.

This shitty prince, Wenyuan agreed, seething not so silently.

He wouldn’t be happy unless everyone’s bowing at his feet, huh? The fact that the prince was literally plotting to kill her had swiftly reduced any and all warmth Kayla held for her former second-favorite character.

That’s right, this pompous bastard goes around accusing people of being arrogant while holding his nose higher than the Heavenly Palace!

“As you say, my prince,” Kayla said respectfully, bowing her head slightly as Wenyuan continued cursing Xianchun inside his head. Kayla then bowed her head towards the emperor as well. “His Majesty is truly wise, the people are blessed to have an Emperor who cares for their lives so earnestly.”

Xianchun scoffed, taking some fruit from the plate. “It is as you say, Left Secretariat, but given how busy the Ministry of Justice has been during your sick leave, I must admit my surprise to learn how open-hearted you are to the affairs of the other Ministries,” he said. Xianchun had a smooth, baritone voice that was described as “having the smoothness of silk and the strength of a sword,” but the sound of it was quickly becoming a nuisance to Kayla.

Look at him trying to pick a fight, this piece of shit.

“The Prince’s admonishment is duly noted,” Kayla replied, maintaining her respectful tone.

The Emperor glanced between the two of them impatiently.

“Alright, that’s enough. Xianchun, I’ve been looking forward to seeing your cousin. I’ve been so worried since I heard of his illness. And this is how you talk to him? The rites of the court are for the court, do you think I called him here to speak to him as my vassal?” The Emperor looked increasingly displeased as he spoke.

Xianchun lowered his head, hastily giving his apologies. Kayla watched as the Emperor shook his head in annoyance. At this point in the novel, Xianchun constantly got on his father’s nerves, and their meetings usually ended unhappily.

“Come on now, Uncle, please take it easy,” Kayla said pleasantly. The Emperor let out a short sigh and Xianchun kept his head lowered. Kayla leaned forward to take a fruit and nudge it onto the Emperor’s plate. “Let’s all eat something sweet and relax.”

The Emperor chuckled, temper fading away at Kayla's earnest expression. “No wonder you’re so relaxed then, with how much you ate.”

“Didn’t you say I should eat a lot?” Kayla shot back. The Emperor laughed and waved a hand at Xianchun, who finally raised his head again. The prince watched Kayla with an intense stare again as she lightened the mood.

“In either case, don’t be angry at my cousin, isn’t it good for a man to be focused on his career? They say that a man should be able to establish himself at thirty-both my cousin and I are in a race against time here,” Kayla continued.

“Your words have merit, nephew. But it’s also important for a man to know how to separate his career from his other spheres of life,” the Emperor replied. “Especially for a Prince.”

Wow, coming from him? Didn't he depose like three of his sons because he had a spat with their mothers? Wenyuan agreed with a sardonic chuckle inside her head.

“Of course, it is just as you say, Uncle,” Kayla replied.

“It is just as you say, Father,” Xianchun echoed.

“I have to say, Wenyuan, I’ve been very pleased to see how much you’ve matured over the last few years, but it’s good to see this side of you as well. After my sister passed, you’ve rarely been so lively. I like it very much,” the Emperor said fondly. “From now on, take it easy when we are alone, don’t run yourself down with cold formalities all the time.”

“Understood, Uncle,” Kayla said.

The hang-out session went on a little while longer before the Emperor left for a meeting, having ordered both Wenyuan and Xianchun to be given some of the candied fruits. The two walked out of the palace together in awkward silence, keeping each other at arm’s length.

Kayla observed Xianchun out of the corner of her eye, trying to figure out if there was any wiggle room for her fate with the prince. He suddenly stopped and whirled towards her, fixing her with a stony glare filled with rage and killing intent.

Stay calm, he can’t hurt us here.

Got it, gotta stay calm, oh boy, Kayla slowly drew in a deep breath, her back stiffening even though she knew Xianchun couldn’t just take out a weapon and start swinging.

“Zhao Wenyuan,” Xianchun snarled.

“At your service, my prince,” Kayla replied, barely keeping her voice steady. She was intensely grateful that she had Wenyuan there for support.

“Just what was that disgusting act you showed before my father?”

Kayla blinked. “That was just-”

“Never do that again,” Xianchun warned her in a deep voice dripping with anger.

Never mind, no wiggle room here, he is 100% totally going to kill me!

Done with his warning, Xianchun turned to leave.

“Are you saying this to me as your cousin or as your vassal?” Kayla asked. Xianchun froze mid-step, turning slowly and deliberately towards her.

“What?”

Kayla let out a sigh and clenched her fist to keep from shaking as she spoke. “If you’re requesting me not to act close with your father as my cousin, then that’s a family matter. You can’t bring yourself to see me as family, so you’re ordering me as your vassal. But as a vassal, I serve the Emperor, so you’ll have to forgive me for not complying.”

Xianchun glared at her, looming over Kayla menacingly.

“Zhao Wenyuan, do you know what you’re saying to me?”

Kayla bowed her head slightly and swiftly raised it again. “Prince, does the Emperor not rank above the Imperial Princes? Even if the Imperial Princes are above the court officials, who would dare to disobey the sun in favor of the stars? Please excuse me then,” she said, quickly making her escape with her heart pounding loudly against her ribcage.

As she speed-walked away from the frightening prince, Kayla didn’t notice Xianchun’s gaze fixedly following her.

///////////

Xianchun walked along slowly, thoughts swarming through his mind. He glanced up as he was joined by his friend Yu Bianfu, the female General in command of the Imperial Guards for the Inner Palace and the guard of the Empress Dowager. One of the only female officers in the military, Bianfu was a bold and outspoken girl who was widely known for being beautiful, strong, and quick to anger. Clad in her armor with a red cloak billowing behind her in the wind, Bianfu bowed her head.

“Bianfu greets the Seventh Prince,” she said.

“Knock it off,” Xianchun said tiredly.

“Ran afoul of the Emperor again?” Bianfu asked playfully.

“Yes,” Xianchun replied shortly.

“I heard that bastard Zhao Wenyuan was also there, I’d be surprised if you didn’t get indigestion from his presence,” she said, nudging him with her elbow. Xianchun smiled, eyes narrowing as he thought back to the events earlier.

“Wenyuan was very different from usual today,” Xianchun said darkly.

“What? How so?” Bianfu asked.

Xianchun didn’t reply. Wenyuan had always grated on his nerves, even when they were children and seldom interacted. That a child born to a vassal could be loved by the Emperor and Empress Dowager so easily when Xianchun was often snubbed had long grated on his heart. When they reunited in court, Wenyuan had become a cold, arrogant man with pride that he couldn’t live up to. Without even working for it, Wenyuan had easily obtained the position of Left Secretariat of Justice solely through his bloodline and the Grand Duke’s connections and drowned himself in wine and pleasure without regard for his duties. Everything about Wenyuan was a slap in the face to all of Xianchun’s hardwon accomplishments.

But today, Wenyuan was noticeably different, to the point where Xianchun was doubting his eyes. It was obviously still Wenyuan, but the Zhao scion had been laughing and chatting in earnest with the Emperor and had spoken with Xianchun as though he actually thought they were actually family. He couldn’t figure out for the life of him what that was about.

Wenyuan’s parting words kept echoing in his head. Since when was Wenyuan able to respond so well without the help of his grandfather’s supporters? It left Xianchun’s mind in a jumble.

“I want eyes on his every move,” Xianchun said. “I’ll figure out what he’s playing at.”

/////////

What are you thinking, Kayla?

Kayla sat with her eyes closed in the carriage as it headed back to the Grand Duke’s household.

Wenyuan, do you mind that I acted like that before the Emperor?

Not at all, why?

I was worried it would’ve hurt your pride, she admitted.

If it was for someone else, it would’ve. But the Emperor is my Uncle.

Good, I’m glad. Kayla listlessly shifted her position to be more comfortable, feeling rather exhausted already. Wenyuan waited patiently.

I was thinking earlier, the Emperor’s pretty unreliable. It’s fine for an individual to be capricious, it might even be a loveable trait. But for the leader of a country to be like that is kind of scary. Still, if I play my cards right, his affection for you won’t be so easily swayed.

Kayla ran over the events of the novel in her head. At the moment, Kayla had no way of gaining any ground in either her household or the court, both of which were completely under the control of the Grand Duke. Of the few things she did have, the Emperor's favor was one of the most useful.

Remember how they forced the Grand Duke’s resignation after killing you off? The thing is, they couldn’t have done anything other than assassination-the Emperor would have protected you. So that’s what I’m betting on.

If we survive the initial assassination, the Emperor will take care of the rest, Wenyuan mused. That much is true. Even if the Grand Duke’s entire household was sentenced to death, the Emperor would spare me. The worst that could happen is exile.

Exactly! And exile’s not that bad either, I mean I was a minimum-wage worker with a shit ton of debt, I could take care of us even if you’re not used to it.

Wenyuan let out a soft laugh that sounded more like a sigh. I know, you’re a very capable person.

Kayla scoffed out loud at that. Like hell I am. But thanks anyway. Now, I’m thinking that we should try to avoid plot points as much as we can from now on to throw events off-track and increase our chances of survival. If we can make it past this arc, we’ll pretty much be home-free.

Wenyuan gave a sound of approval, and Kayla sighed in relief. It was good to have the original to talk to, much more than she would have ever thought.

Let’s do our best and make it through this, Wenyuan. She was determined not to die.

---

Cultural Notes

天宫/Heavenly Palace: A place in Chinese mythology which is said to exist in the sky in the realm of the gods, and is where the Jade Emperor, an important Taoist mythological figure, is located.

Eloquence/文采: Eloquence in speech and writing was a highly valued skill in Ancient Chinese society, where the court was split into Civil and Military Officials, with Civil Officials either being appointed or undergoing a test in which they must write essays to show their knowledge and eloquence.

Courtesy Name: An additional name given to a man after reaching adulthood in addition to his given name. Within the same generation, it is considered rude to call an adult man by his given name instead of his courtesy name, so only elders would call an adult man by his given name. Most courtesy names are two characters. Kayla assumed (correctly) that Xianchun would not wish to consider Wenyuan his peer and use his courtesy name, but assumed Xianchun would instead use the title of cousin, using the term for one's younger maternal cousin to follow the emperor's lead.

Genealogy Relationship Terms in China: More so than in English, Chinese terms for different family members tend to be much more specific, differentiating between maternal relatives and paternal relatives, as well as older and younger siblings and cousins. In other words, your older and younger brother would be addressed differently, and your mother's younger sibling and older sibling would be addressed differently, and the same goes for your grandparents' generation. There are also separate terms for different in-laws, including your spouse's siblings, their spouses, as well as your sibling's spouses and their family members. As the Emperor is Wenyuan's maternal uncle, Kayla uses the term for maternal Uncle and older maternal cousin with the Emperor and Xianchun respectively. 

To establish oneself at thirty/三十而立 [sān shí ér lì]: A proverb originating from Confucius' quote describing his stages of life and is used to signify that at thirty, a person should have firmly rooted ambitions and the ability to fully take on their responsibilities.