A fire breaking out on a snowy day—no one would believe it wasn’t man-made. As for who set it, that’s not something small fry like them could control. Their only job was to monitor Prince Nolan’s movements and ensure his safety.
The guards sent by the Emperor were officially there to protect Prince Nolan, but in reality, their true purpose was surveillance. When they saw Prince Nolan charge into the flames, they rushed forward, sticking close to him, shielding him tightly from the fire lest he be injured—and also to prevent him from using the chaos to escape.
If Prince Nolan suffered even the slightest injury in this fire, none of the guards would survive. Terrified, they protected him with trembling hands; when the flames leapt toward them, they ignored the pain and shielded him with their own bodies.
But Prince Nolan walked as if oblivious to everything, his brocade robes gliding through the inferno. He moved with calm, regal composure, utterly lacking any hint of panic. Whether it was the guards’ imagination or something else, they felt that wherever Prince Nolan went, the flames seemed to part, opening a path for him. Outside, people could only watch in stunned silence as he walked out from the sea of fire, unable to react for a long moment.
What they didn’t know was that after they left, several shadowy figures slipped into the prison and sealed off the secret passage connecting that cell to the outside. The fire wiped away all traces, leaving even the Emperor unable to discover how Prince Nolan had walked out of the Imperial Clan Prison…
A fire at the Imperial Clan Prison, with Prince Nolan nearly perishing in the blaze—such a major incident couldn’t be covered up even if the Emperor wanted to, and Prince Nolan wouldn’t allow it either. If it were hushed up, wouldn’t he have suffered for nothing? The smoke from that fire was choking enough already.
Early the next morning at court, several ministers jointly submitted a memorial, accusing the Imperial Clan Prison’s management of dereliction. The prison had been set ablaze, with nearly eighty percent destroyed—especially the area where Prince Nolan was held, which was almost completely ruined.
This arson was clearly targeted at Prince Nolan. Fortunately, his great fortune and resilience let him escape disaster. The ministers petitioned the Emperor to thoroughly investigate the case and find out who wanted Prince Nolan dead.
The Emperor’s face turned dark. He immediately ordered the Ministry of Justice to solve the arson case within half a month, dismissed all officials of the Imperial Clan Court, and replaced them with his own people.
The ministers who signed the memorial spoke up again, stressing that the arson was aimed at Prince Nolan and the culprit was still at large. Prince Nolan’s safety was at risk—the prison was simply too dangerous.
Your Majesty, for the late emperor’s sake, and for the sake of Ninth Royal Uncle being your only surviving brother, we sincerely ask you to let Ninth Royal Uncle return to Ninth Prince Manor. Before his charges are settled, even if he is a prisoner, he is still a prince—his life should not be endangered. The best course is to release his household so they can protect him.
At this moment, the Emperor could no longer maintain his composure. Though no one said it outright, every word carried the same meaning: the sudden fire at the Imperial Clan Prison must be connected to the Emperor, and now he was about to murder the last brother he had left.
The Emperor was so furious he nearly hurled the memorial at the minister’s face. He felt utterly wronged—sure, it looked like he had the most to gain, but in truth, he hadn’t done a thing.
How stupid would he have to be to use such an obvious killing move? Yet these bastards didn’t say a single word of blame—just acted like they all knew the truth, leaving him with nowhere to defend himself.
Boiling with anger, the Emperor headed straight for the palace where Ninth Royal Uncle was staying as soon as morning court ended.
Yes, after yesterday’s great fire, Ninth Royal Uncle walked out of the Imperial Clan Prison and strode right into the Imperial Palace, half-smiling as he told the Emperor, “Royal Brother, I’m afraid only the palace in Eastlyn is safe enough for me to sleep.”
That one sentence nearly made the Emperor explode. Staring at Nolan’s deadpan face, he ordered the Chief Eunuch to ready Nolan’s old palace residence for him to move in.
Letting Ninth Royal Uncle live in the palace was still safer than letting him return to Ninth Prince Manor.
“Has my ninth brother turned into a monster?” the Emperor muttered to the Chief Eunuch after Nolan left.
This fire came at exactly the right time. Even if it hadn’t happened tonight, the Imperial Clan Prison would have burned in a few days anyway. Too bad Ninth Royal Uncle seized the initiative—such an obvious frame-up, and he still pulled it off.