Danger Lurks

The Emperor swung his sword slightly, the tip grazing the skin beneath Renshu's chin, leaving a thin red line.

"All your life, you've lived in my shadow," Zhao Mingze continued. "Protected, spoiled, allowed to do as you please. I wonder—do you truly deserve to be part of the royal family?"

Those words pierced Zhao Renshu's mind like needles. He knew his brother was a strong and decisive ruler, but… was this a test? Or merely punishment for his countless foolish mistakes?

"I don't understand, Brother…"

Zhao Mingze let out a quiet sigh, then, in a swift motion, swung his sword toward Renshu's shoulder.

CLANG!

Bai Xianyu's sword moved even faster, deflecting the strike before it could reach its target and injure Zhao Renshu.

"Your Majesty," Bai Xianyu's voice was cold and alert, "If this is a test or a punishment, at least inform Prince Renshu first."

The Emperor lowered his sword slightly, then turned his gaze to Bai Xianyu with an expression of interest. "You react quickly."

"Because I am his guard," Bai Xianyu replied, her stance still wary.

Zhao Mingze smirked. "And you protect him well."

Zhao Renshu was still trying to process the situation. He wasn't afraid, but his heart pounded in his chest. He glanced at his brother, then at Bai Xianyu, feeling confused.

"So… this was just a test?" Zhao Renshu asked.

Zhao Mingze finally lowered his sword completely. "Not just a test. It was a warning. You must understand that as a member of the royal family, you cannot continue to act recklessly."

Zhao Renshu remained silent. He wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or mad.

Bai Xianyu sheathed her sword, but her mind remained vigilant.

Before the tension could fully settle, suddenly the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the distance.

A eunuch rushed in. his face filled with panic. "Your Majesty! An urgent report!"

Zhao Mingze turned. "What is it?"

"A spy was found infiltrating the palace. We captured him, but before he could be interrogated, he took his own life with poison," the eunuch reported.

Bai Xianyu's eyes narrowed. "A spy? Where did they come from?"

"We don't know yet, but a piece of paper was found on their body," said the eunuch.

The Emperor took the paper from the eunuch's hand and read it with a hardened expression.

Bai Xianyu and Zhao Renshu waited in tense silence.

Then, Zhao Mingze looked at them with a serious expression. "Someone is targeting Renshu's life."

Zhao Renshu swallowed. "Me?"

Zhao Mingze nodded. "This message states that 'the careless prince must be eliminated before he becomes a problem in the future.'"

Bai Xianyu felt something strange behind those words. Why would someone go through the trouble of killing Zhao Renshu, who had always been considered harmless?

Emperor Zhao Mingze stored the message away. "From now on, security will be tightened. Bai Xianyu, make sure my brother doesn't act foolishly again."

Bai Xianyu could only sigh inwardly. This would be a more difficult task than she had expected.

Meanwhile, Zhao Renshu could only think of one thing:

Why was his life becoming more complicated?

The night breeze blew gently, carrying the faint scent of incense inside the palace. Bai Xianyu sat near the window, enjoying the night view outside the palace. Meanwhile, Zhao Renshu kept his sharp eyes on the outside, alert for any suspicious movement.

Since the incident the previous night, Bai Xianyu hadn't been able to rest properly. Tonight felt quieter than usual...too quiet.

Across the room, Zhao Renshu stretched his body on the bed, looking utterly relaxed despite his life nearly being threatened multiple times in a single day.

"Xianyu, you should going to sleep too, you know?" he said while getting up from the bed, lifting his hands, and yawning. "If you keep this up, you'll end up getting sick."

Bai Xianyu turned with an unimpressed expression. "If I don't keep stay awake, who will protect you?"

"I can protect myself," Zhao Renshu said confidently—only to fall back onto the bed as he tried to sit up again.

Bai Xianyu closed her eyes briefly, pressing a hand to her forehead with a long sigh. "Exactly."

Before Zhao Renshu could reply, a faint sound came from outside.

Footsteps.

They were light, almost imperceptible, as if someone was tiptoeing, trying not to be noticed.

Bai Xianyu immediately assumed a defensive stance. She raised a finger, signaling Zhao Renshu to stay silent. This time, the prince understood that something was wrong.

With swift movements, Bai Xianyu grabbed her sword and slowly approached the door as the footsteps grew closer.

CREEEAK.

The door began to shift slightly.

Bai Xianyu yanked it open in an instant, swinging her sword—only to find not an assassin, but a palace servant, looking terrified.

"A-AAH! Your Highness! Lady Bai!" The servant nearly stumbled backward in fear.

Zhao Renshu let out a relieved sigh. "Xianyu, you almost killed an innocent person!"

Bai Xianyu remained on guard. "What are you doing here this late at night?"

The servant swallowed hard. "I… I was ordered to deliver evening tea for the Prince."

Zhao Renshu blinked. "Oh? I didn't order any evening tea."

Bai Xianyu narrowed her eyes. She stepped closer, staring intently at the servant. "Who ordered you?"

"O-one of the senior eunuchs, Lady Bai."

Bai Xianyu took the tea cup from the servant's hands. The liquid inside looked ordinary, without any strange scent. But she wasn't going to take any chances.

With careful movements, Bai Xianyu pulled a silver chopstick from her belt and dipped it into the tea. Instantly, the tip of the chopstick turned pitch black.

Her eyes sharpened. "It's poisoned."

Zhao Renshu immediately jumped back. "WHAT?!"

Bai Xianyu fixed the servant with a deadly glare. "Who sent you with this?"

The servant turned pale, their knees shaking. "I-I don't know! I was just ordered by the senior eunuch—"

BRAAAK!

Before the servant could finish speaking, something crashed against the window.

In the blink of an eye, a dark shadow darted inside—an assassin dressed in all black, a dagger gleaming in his grip!

Bai Xianyu reacted instantly, pulling Zhao Renshu behind her and blocking the attack with her sword.

CLANG!

Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal.

The assassin didn't speak, moving swiftly to attack Zhao Renshu again. Bai Xianyu intercepted every strike with precision, her eyes locked onto her opponent.

"You won't lay a hand on him!" she growled.

Zhao Renshu, usually careless, looked genuinely terrified for once. "Xianyu? Can I run now?"

"DAMN IT, OF COURSE!" Bai Xianyu snapped.

Zhao Renshu bolted out of the room.

The assassin attempted to pursue, but Bai Xianyu slashed her sword, cutting through the air in front of him.

"Your fight is with me now," she said coldly.

The assassin didn't hesitate. He turned and lunged at her with lightning speed. Bai Xianyu deflected one strike, then another. The clash of blades echoed through the room.

But before she could counterattack, the assassin threw a small object onto the floor.

BOOM!

Thick black smoke filled the room. Bai Xianyu coughed, her eyes narrowing as she tried to scan her surroundings.

By the time the smoke cleared, the assassin was already gone.

Bai Xianyu clenched her jaw.

Someone truly wanted Zhao Renshu dead.

The next morning, Bai Xianyu and Zhao Renshu were summoned before Emperor Zhao Mingze.

Inside the grand hall, the Emperor sat on his golden throne, his gaze cold and commanding.

"Tell me," his voice echoed through the chamber, "who dares to attempt my brother's assassination?"

Bai Xianyu knelt calmly. "Your Majesty, a palace servant brought poisoned tea to the Prince. Shortly after, an assassin attacked him directly in his chambers."

Zhao Mingze tapped his fingers against the armrest of his throne. "And is the servant still alive?"

Bai Xianyu glanced at Zhao Renshu, who immediately responded in an innocent tone, "Ah… he fainted from fear."

The Emperor scoffed. "Good. We will interrogate him."

His sharp gaze shifted to Bai Xianyu. "Have you found any clues as to who orchestrated this?"

Bai Xianyu shook her head. "Not yet, Your Majesty. But from the way they attacked, these were no amateurs. It was well-planned."

Emperor Zhao Mingze fell silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing.

"Then," he said slowly, "I want you to keep guarding Renshu. I want you to make sure he stays alive."

Bai Xianyu bowed her head. "Understood, Your Majesty."

Zhao Mingze turned his piercing gaze to his younger brother. "And you, Renshu."

"Eh?" Zhao Renshu blinked. "What, Brother?"

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "From now on, you will learn to fight. And in the throne room, do not call me 'Brother.' Know your place."

Zhao Renshu immediately paled. "W-wait! But I—"

"Come to your senses!!! You've nearly died twice in one week!" Zhao Mingze cut him off, his tone cold and furious. "If you cannot protect yourself, you will only be a burden to the entire kingdom."

Zhao Renshu frowned but did not argue. For the first time, he seemed to realize just how serious his situation was.

Bai Xianyu secretly smiled. Maybe, just maybe… there was hope for this reckless prince to improve—if only a little.

But before she could feel relieved, Emperor Zhao Mingze spoke again.

"And starting tomorrow," he said, "I will personally oversee your training."

Zhao Renshu's face turned as pale as a burial shroud.

Bai Xianyu could barely hold back her laughter. She still remembered how Zhao Renshu had run away from sword training.

The threat against Zhao Renshu was becoming more real… but now, his biggest challenge was surviving training under the Emperor himself.

Would Zhao Renshu try to escape again?