Lucian Fox downplayed everything, painting a legendary female warrior as nothing more than a bunch of powerless commoners in a crowded courtyard.
He might belittle himself, but no one else actually believes that.
Back when Princess Ling married into the Northern Wolf Kingdom, tens of thousands of Red Scarf Regiment soldiers lined the streets to see her off.
And when the emperor led an expedition to the Northern Wolf Kingdom to bring Princess Ling home, tens of thousands of Red Scarf Regiment soldiers—active and retired alike—picked up their weapons and welcomed her along the road.
If it weren’t for the Red Scarf Regiment, Princess Ling wouldn’t have returned to Glory Empire so easily.
But it’s exactly because of the Red Scarf Regiment’s powerful unity that the emperor feels so uneasy and threatened.
So as soon as Princess Ling returned, the emperor made his move. During childbirth, she nearly died from massive blood loss—mother and son both barely survived.
But thanks to the strength of the Red Scarf Regiment, someone delivered a secret medicine that saved both Princess Ling and Lucian Fox.
From then on, the emperor became even more wary of the Red Scarf Regiment.
Especially when he saw how united the Red Scarf Regiment was—the shock was beyond words!
When Princess Ling returned, there were tens of thousands of Red Scarf Regiment soldiers!
Even the retired soldiers of the Red Scarf Regiment would show up on their own to welcome her!
In the hearts of those Red Scarf Regiment soldiers, it’s probably only Princess Ling who matters—not the emperor at all!
How could he possibly let someone else sleep soundly beside his throne?
So the emperor targeting his own sister was only natural.
Now, eighteen years have passed. Lucian Fox has grown from a swaddled infant into an unrivaled swordsman.
Princess Ling’s manor and the Red Scarf Regiment have only become even bigger threats to the emperor.
So when Lord Grant volunteered his daughter to go undercover, the emperor agreed without hesitation.
The emperor desperately wanted to destroy the Red Scarf Regiment from within.
After Lucian Fox finished speaking, everyone laughed and said, “Lucian, you’re way too modest! The Red Scarf Regiment is full of elites. Back in the day, they could take on a hundred enemies each! Grandpa Emperor always favored Aunt Princess—when Father ascended the throne, Grandpa Emperor issued three imperial edicts, giving Aunt Princess an army, ten thousand acres of land, and her own territory! Honestly, Aunt Princess is probably the richest person in Glory Empire now!”
For so many years, she’s remained the favorite—not just because she knows how to stay young, but because she gave birth to the remarkable Prince Quentin.
Now, the only one who stands a chance against Prince Adrian is probably Prince Quentin.
Prince Cedric is sickly and constantly on medication. He’s the only prince with a consort, but he’s also the one furthest from the throne.
Prince Julian is still a child, two years younger than Lucian Fox, and his mother’s low status means he’s not in the running either.
Prince Felix lost his claim after a mistake and has been under lifelong house arrest. He’s out of the succession race.
But Princess Chiron isn’t the Emperor’s daughter—she’s Empress Helena’s niece, orphaned young and raised in the palace. The Emperor personally gave her a title.
Everyone in the empire knows Princess Chiron has always had a crush on Lucian Fox.
Whenever Lucian Fox shows up, you can bet Princess Chiron will be there too.
It’s a shame—the goddess is devoted, but the prince is oblivious.
No matter how much Princess Chiron tries, Lucian Fox acts like he’s blind—doesn’t even notice her.
Even so, Princess Chiron is hopelessly smitten with Lucian Fox. Whenever she sees him, her cheeks flush and her heart races.
"Lucian, it’s been so long!" Princess Chiron greets him carefully.
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Lucian Fox just nods politely. "Greetings, Princess."
Prince Julian teases, "Hey, Chiron, you only greet Lucian—what about the rest of us brothers?"
Princess Chiron blushes and finally bows, "Chiron greets Prince Cedric, Prince Adrian, Prince Quentin, and Prince Julian!"
Prince Julian keeps joking, "So Lucian gets to be 'Lucian,' but we’re just 'princes'?"
Princess Chiron immediately turns to Empress Helena, pouting, "Your Majesty, look—Julian’s always teasing me!"
Empress Helena laughs, "Alright, Julian, stop picking on Chiron."
Prince Julian sighs dramatically and bows, "As you wish, Mother."
Just then, Prince Cedric starts coughing violently, his whole body shaking.
Princess Consort Eliza quickly hands him a teacup to help, but it only makes his coughing worse.
Princess Consort Eliza stands, kneels before Emperor Rowan and Empress Helena, and says, "Father, Mother, Prince Cedric isn’t well. He really shouldn’t have come, but he missed you both so much that he insisted. I know he shouldn’t overexert himself, so may we be excused?"
Emperor Rowan never liked Prince Cedric much—his sickly appearance is off-putting. He waves his hand, "Enough. If you’re not well, don’t wander around. Now that you’ve seen us, go rest."
Prince Cedric scrambles to his feet to bow, but Empress Helena adds, "Alright, Cedric, take your consort and go home. You can pay your respects anytime—come back when you’re better."
After his coughing fit, Prince Cedric says weakly, "Thank you, Father, Mother. I’ll take my leave."
Lucian Fox rises too. "Uncle, Aunt, I’m worried about Cedric. Let me escort him home."
Emperor Rowan waves listlessly. "Go ahead."
"Thank you, Uncle." Lucian kneels in gratitude, then leaves gracefully.
Princess Chiron watches Lucian Fox’s back, unwilling to look away.
After leaving the palace with Prince Cedric, Lucian Fox is stopped by a servant: "Lord Lucian, my master says this is far enough. And don’t worry—the Emperor won’t blame you for not escorting Cedric all the way home."
Lucian immediately gets Prince Cedric’s meaning and nods. "Alright, I’ll leave it here. Tell Cedric and Eliza I owe them one."
Everyone knows what’s really going on.
Prince Cedric may be sick, but he’s not about to collapse from a cough—he doesn’t actually need Lucian to escort him.
They just wanted out of that scene, so they made up an excuse to leave.
Emperor Rowan knows too, but he’s not about to call them out.
No need to force awkward company.
After parting ways, Lucian Fox sits on his horse at a crossroads, feeling lost—he’s got no idea where to go.
Back to Princess Ling’s Manor?
That place only makes him feel stifled.
Wander around?
But where could he go?
Just as Lucian Fox hesitates between going home or wandering, he catches a glimpse of a shadow darting across a rooftop.
Without thinking, Lucian tosses a command to his attendants: "Don’t follow me." Then, with a light step, he leaps after the figure.
That silhouette looks familiar.
On the rooftop, Yun Zixiao moves carefully, but soon senses someone behind her.
She doesn’t hesitate—she spins and throws a punch.
But her fist is caught firmly, and a voice calls out above her, "Is that you?"
Yun Zixiao looks up, and in the moonlight, recognizes Lucian Fox. She quickly pulls her hand free and steps back, "Who are you?"
Both only say two words, but the meaning behind each is completely different.
Lucian Fox recognizes Yun Zixiao by her build and scent.
But Yun Zixiao, disguised and in costume, pretends not to know him.