1.13: Under the cherry blossom rain

Knock knock- from the door came Xiao Mo's voice.

"Wang ye, it is time. The carriage has been prepared."

Bai Yu stood up from his seat and gently patted his robe. Walking out of the room, he said, "Let's go."

Xiao Mo assented. "Yes." Then secretly admired at his master's attire for the banquet.

Although Long Ji Wei wasn't favoured by the emperor, he was the true son of heaven with pure imperial blood flowing in his veins. No matter how much the imperial household people tried to mistreat him discreetly, they couldn't blatantly provide him with only the leftovers of the other imperial members. The emperor might not care but that didn't mean the imperial clan elders don't.

For the clan elders, only the prestige and reputation of the imperial clan was important. The emperor may ignore the blasphemy towards the royals but the imperial clan will never let someone smear mud upon the prestige of the imperials. They valued hierarchy more than anyone else which also helped Long Ji Wei in some ways and made it possible for him to live peacefully till now. At least, on the surface.

Although few, Long Ji Wei also had some set of exquisitely made luxurious clothings befitting of being worn by an imperial prince but he never had any chance nor desire to wear them for any occasions and his poor health also didn't let him do so.

But now that Bai Yu was here along with the help of Xiao Mo, the true elegance and brilliance of a prince that was dormant all this time was finally brought out with just the change in clothing.

Black robe made of high quality silk with gold and silver linings intertwined on the collar and the sleeves, intricate golden auspicious coulds embroidered at the edges of the robe, accentuated his slender figure. A golden auspicious cloud belt secured the robe with a pure white circular jade with the characters 'Ji Wei' embedded on it hanging from his waist.

A pair of high quality leather boots with simple golden linings matched with his robe and a black fox fur cape was draped over his delicate shoulders. His long jet black hair was half secured with a jade coronet as the gentle breeze swayed his silky locks of hair as it caressed his cheeks. His pale complexion only complimented the outfit and stood out as a contrast. He looked gentle yet sharp like a rose with hidden thorns.

Although the clothes looked simpler in comparison to what most princes used, the quality was better than what he usually wore and was good enough to not let others look down on him because of his outfit.

Xiao Mo nodded his head in appreciation.

'Now this is what we call a true son of heaven! The other princes cannot even hold a shoe in front of wang ye! Hmph.'

Feeling proud of his master and his own hard work, Xiao Mo puffed up his chest and smiled from ear to ear.

Bai Yu, who had been paying attention to his expressions for a while, didn't know whether to laugh or sigh at him. With a helpless look, he lightly knocked at his head and said, "Why are you looking at me like that and not moving? Do you want me to be late?"

"Ah! Oh, right! We are going to be late! That can't happen! It's this servant's fault. Wang ye, please forgive me." Xiao Mo finally got out of his thoughts and became anxious as he apologised repeatedly with a guilty face for being caught daydreaming.

"Okay, stop apologising. We won't be too late if we set off now. Let's go." saying that, Bai Yu strode out of the courtyard and headed towards the main entrance.

"Ah! Wang ye, please wait for me." Xiao Mo quickly followed behind him.

....

In front of the gates of the imperial palace, many luxurious and elegant carriages were parked as the officials and the children from various noble families invited to tonight's banquet entered after showing their invitation cards.

The evening sun had set by now and the sky was covered with the night's curtain. The whole palace was bustling with activities and noises, and the lanterns were hung in every corner of the palace which seemed to light up the whole place as if it was daytime.

A simple looking carriage stopped in front of the gates and a beautiful man in black robe got off from inside with the help of a eunuch. For a moment, the palace guards and the guests about to enter were caught off guard by his presence.

They couldn't recognise the person before them at all, even though he seemed to be an important personage from the looks of his attire and his impeccable mannerism as well as his aura that no one could ignore even if they tried to.

"Was there even someone so beautiful in the capital before? How come no one ever heard about him? Is he a foreigner or a delegate sent from the smaller nations?" was what everyone thought as they marveled at his appearance.

Just when everyone was trying to find out his identity, the palace guard in charge of checking the invitation cards of the guests trembled at the sight of the name written in the invitation card and quickly gave an obeisance to the man before him.

"This humble servant greets his highness, Xiang wang. Y-you may please enter."

"Xiang wang? Is it really that Xiang wang?"

"Oh my, how come we didn't know that his highness was so handsome?"

"Right? I never expected that his highness would actually be so beautiful! It's such a blessing to be able to see it tonight."

"...."

Amidst the curious glances and surprised exclamations, Bai Yu simply gave a light smile at the guard and entered the palace with Xiao Mo. Looking at the tall walls and rows of majestic buildings, Bai Yu had a strange, bitter feeling in his heart.

It was the original Ji Wei's remaining emotions attached to this place. This was the place, no, the prison where he used to live in. Since the day of his birth, his mother empress died and his father emperor abandoned him.

Surrounded by the scheming concubines and traitorous servants, he grew up being bullied and mistreated. He had no one to lean on and could only watch as his loyal servants left by his mother died one by one until only Xiao Mo and the few hidden guards were left. In this place, there were no fond memories nor lingering affection as the place he was born in, since childhood till now, only the past sufferings and humiliation was left engraved in his memories.

For Long Ji Wei, this place was a cage that imprisoned him in the form of his identity and as a prince with the so-called imperial blood flowing in his veins. When he saw this place again after so long, only repulsion and hatred churned in his chest.

But it will be soon time for his revenge on those repulsive people. He will take back what was rightfully his and have his laugh at the end.

A smile that didn't reach his eyes. A storm brewing deep in them. Bai Yu could feel everything that the original Ji Wei felt and also knew what he really wanted to do.

That's right. The main mission of this world was to 'ascend the throne' within three years. It was a very simple task with easily understandable meaning which was to fight and win the rights to sit on the throne.

But this was a rank B world. A world which was only one rank below rank A which means it wasn't as easy as to just completing the main task shown by the system. And the job to find out the hidden task all depended upon himself.

In a world with rank C+ and higher, there would be other side or hidden tasks that was in one way or another, linked to the main task. If the host was to only complete the main task while neglecting the side tasks then the overall completion rate of the task world will be lowered and there is also a chance to failure due to this rule even after the main task is completed.

And Bai Yu was able to figure out the hidden task of this world after looking through the memories and emotions of the original Long Ji Wei and his guess was also confirmed after coming to the imperial palace, where the original Ji Wei suffered his whole life. As if in line with his thought, the system also reacted.

[The host has discovered a hidden task. Do you want to accept it?

Warning: hidden tasks cannot be rejected.

Automatically accepting the hidden task...complete!]

'This always ticks me off. What's the point of asking?' Bai Yu rolled his eyes in his mind and clicked the hidden task panel to show the details.

「Hidden task: The hidden truth

Type: main side task

Description: After the death of his empress mother, Long Ji Wei had to suffer for 18 years in the palace which filled his heart with hatred. But it seems like there is a shocking truth hidden behind the sufferings he had to endure.

: Ascend the throne and avenge Long Ji Wei.

: Find the truth.

Rewards: 50,000 credit points, title:???, skill: Ruler's authority

Failure penalty: -10,000 credit points 」

'Oh? The reward isn't so bad but the one and only clue is too vague to figure it out quickly. Guess there will be more tasks for Little Star to do.'

Bai Yu looked over the task one last time and closed the task interface. They had finally arrived at the banquet hall.

"Announce my arrival."

The eunuch quickly announced in a high and sharp voice.

"His highness, Xiang Wang has arrived~!"