At this moment, he was filled with doubt. Wasn’t it his task to expose the Crown Prince? Who was this person? He didn’t look like someone from the Celestial Maiden Sect.
Sophie Qiu, a woman of the martial world, was currently seeking a cure from the Healer's Sanctuary and was not present. Had she been here, she would have immediately realized Logan Qian was not from the Celestial Maiden Sect!
Prince Ethan was also speculating about Logan Qian’s identity. If he was placed by Crown Prince Adrian, why would he act so recklessly? Although puzzled, he still ordered his men to apprehend him.
Unexpectedly, Logan Qian chuckled and suddenly said, “I’m in a hurry—no time to play with you all. Until next time!” With that, the ropes around him loosened, his toes tapped the ground, and his body soared upward, vanishing at lightning speed.
Before anyone could react, he was already gone. Prince Ethan’s face darkened; now that Logan had escaped, capturing him again would be nearly impossible. That face was surely disguised!
Such masterful lightness skill was rare. Glancing at Liam Duanmu, who frowned and shook his head, it was clear that this technique was among the best in the martial world, yet even he had never seen such a style before!
After all the commotion, dawn was approaching and it was nearly time for morning court. But Emperor Alexander was still lying in bed, making it impossible for him to attend. The ministers all returned to their own residences, nerves taut—no one could truly rest at such a time.
Prince Ethan quietly instructed, “Do not let anyone from the Healer's Sanctuary interfere!”
Healer's Sanctuary was one of the three major orthodox sects, famed for its medical expertise. Unlike the other two—the Grandmaster's Estate and Jade Dragon Manor—its members rarely roamed the martial world. Rumor had it their skills could bring the dead back to life and heal bones; though exaggerated, their abilities were undeniably remarkable!
Although neither Prince Ethan nor Sophie Qiu wished for Emperor Alexander to recover, they still had to guard against the possibility. He would never allow all their previous efforts to go to waste!
After saying this, Damien Gray turned to Morgan Shangguan and said, “Consort, since Father is unwell, why don’t we stay in the palace for a while? It’s only right to show some filial piety.”
Morgan Shangguan smiled; he was clearly forcing Prince Ethan’s hand to act quickly.
Just as she expected, Prince Ethan realized the threat of Damien Gray staying in the palace and decided to stay as well. From then on, every move Damien made was closely watched.
Ethan Gu was about to instruct someone to keep an eye on the Healer's Sanctuary when Maxwell Jing suddenly grabbed his arm and said, “Let me handle this!”
Ethan Gu gave him a long look and asked, “Are you feeling alright?” It was rare to see him so proactive!
Maxwell Jing rolled his eyes. “Just leave this to me!” With that, he turned and left.
Ethan Gu watched his departing figure, frowning. Why did he sense such resentment? But toward whom was it directed?
Though Damien Gray and Morgan Shangguan were living in the palace, their lives were no different from those at the manor—always together, loving and affectionate, showing no concern for Emperor Alexander’s fate. Damien’s so-called filial piety was nothing but a farce!
Emperor Alexander remained bedridden, Crown Prince Adrian was thrown into the death cell, and Damien Gray showed no interest in state affairs. For days, Prince Ethan handled everything alone.
A nation cannot go a day without its ruler. As Emperor Alexander showed no signs of recovery, some ministers grew restless and wanted to appoint a new king. Yet half opposed this, since the emperor was still alive. Some of the Crown Prince’s faction hadn’t given up hope and sought a chance to clear Adrian’s name.
What puzzled Prince Ethan was that all those who supported appointing a new king were actually behind him—yet not a single one backed Damien Gray. He kept Damien under constant surveillance but found nothing unusual, except that he spent all his time with Morgan Shangguan. But this very normalcy felt abnormal, making Prince Ethan uneasy as he wondered what Damien was really planning.
Whatever Damien Gray had in mind, only he—and perhaps Morgan Shangguan—knew for certain.
Morgan shoved his head off her chest, eyes still closed, muttering, “Is the prince just too idle?”
Damien Gray laughed, “It’s been quiet these past few days.” Though everyone was tense, nothing had happened recently—it was unusually calm.
With that, he began kissing her delicate collarbone, his lips and tongue trailing downward, leaving a string of suggestive marks. Morgan let out a soft hum, whispering, “The calm before the storm.”
She suddenly opened her eyes, pushed Damien aside, and rolled on top of him, smiling tenderly. “Prince, you really don’t want me to rest, do you?”
He gently stroked her back, his smile a little innocent. “How am I keeping you from resting? Haven’t you been lying down all this time?”
Morgan snorted, then bit his neck, her hands roaming over his body. Damien’s eyes half closed, lips curling in enjoyment at her initiative.
Knock, knock...
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. Damien’s eyes flashed; he swept down the bed curtains and called out, “Come in!”
Ethan Gu entered and said gravely, “Prince, Crown Prince Adrian is dead!”
Morgan laughed softly at the news. “The storm is here, Prince. Time for you to act.”
Damien Gray smiled, kissing her shoulder with a hint of mischief. “I act every day, don’t I? Isn’t Consort the one who knows best?”
Ethan Gu tactfully withdrew, leaving the couple to their affection for a while before they finally got up to check on the situation.
It was said that Crown Prince Adrian was killed by one of the assassins at the banquet. After murdering Adrian, the assassin tried to escape but was shot dead by the guards. When they examined the body, it turned out to be the man who had disguised himself as a eunuch.
With this, the Crown Prince’s faction lost all hope and began to worry about their future. Prince Ethan’s followers, however, were delighted, and the calls for a new king grew louder. Yet Prince Ethan made no comment at all.