The Gloomy Shou's Second Life on Danmei AI Translations

Chapter 1

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 1#

Illness#

The twenty-fifth year of the Jiànzhāo reign. Winter.

The Emperor was dead. Qin Wu, the Fifth Prince, who had been confined to the Cold Palace, seized his moment and launched a coup. He ascended the throne without difficulty.

Everyone in the palace said it: that little eunuch who had served the Fifth Prince in the Cold Palace for five long years — the one called Fu Rong — had finally come into his own.

Chapter 2

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 2#

Armor#

Fu Rong originally only wanted to take a short nap, but unexpectedly, he ended up sleeping for the entire day.

At noon, several young eunuchs from the Hall of Mental Cultivation came over to call him up for lunch, but he didn’t hear them at all.

The young eunuchs felt something was wrong. After thinking it over, they finally sent someone to deliver a message to His Majesty.

Chapter 3

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 3#

The Young Master#

The consequence of not taking the Ginseng Life-Preserving Pill in the evening was that Fu Rong woke up frozen in the middle of the night.

That’s right, frozen awake.

Fu Rong, in a palace with floor heating and covered with a quilt, was frozen awake.

His hands and feet were terribly cold, and he began to tremble unconsciously.

Just like that day a year ago, when he had just climbed out of the lake.

Chapter 4

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 4#

The Funeral#

Qin Wu was discussing matters with his ministers in the main hall.

Fu Rong sat on the steps in front of the main hall, holding a wooden tray.

Just like when they were in the Cold Palace, while Qin Wu discussed matters secretly with his subordinates, Fu Rong would sit on the steps at the entrance, hugging a basket of beans, shelling them while keeping a lookout.

Chapter 5

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 5#

Rebellion#

Fengqian Hall.

The ministers came and went. Qin Wu held Fu Rong with one hand and introduced every one of them to him.

Unknowingly, night fell, and the palace gates were locked. No more ministers came.

Qin Wu held Fu Rong and whispered, “There’s no one here now. Have you made your choice? Which family will you go to?”

Fu Rong didn’t hear what he said at all. He was dazed and just shook his head subconsciously.

Chapter 6

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 6#

Warfare#

The Western Hills Camp guarded the stronghold to the west of the Imperial City.

Qin Wu took Fu Rong, followed by death warriors and close officials, riding fast on light cavalry, and arrived before noon.

Other officials followed behind. It was already dark when they finally arrived at the camp, a group of people collapsing on the ground from exhaustion.

The soldiers, not blushing or panting, lifted them up from the ground.

Chapter 7

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 7#

Coma#

In the commander-in-chief’s tent, the candles were bright.

Fu Rong held the cherries, standing by the tent door, looking timidly at Qin Wu.

Qin Wu had his back to the candlelight, so Fu Rong couldn’t see his expression clearly, and thus couldn’t judge whether what he said was the truth or a joke.

His Highness liked to call him stupid while scaring him.

And he seemed really so stupid that he couldn’t even tell the truth from the lies.

Chapter 8

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 8#

Ritual#

— Or I’ll send you back to the Cold Palace.

This was the sentence Fu Rong feared most.

Every time Qin Wu said this to him on the bed, he would tremble with fear and then immediately obey.

The fear of this sentence was deeply rooted in Fu Rong’s heart.

Even when he was sick, he was still afraid, afraid that Qin Wu would be unhappy.

At this moment in Fu Rong’s dream, he was immersed in the lake water. He thought he was surrounded by water, so if he cried secretly, no one would notice.

Chapter 9

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 9#

Return Journey#

Qin Wu pressed on Fu Rong’s head, forcing him to look up at him, anger surging in his eyes.

“What did you say just now? Say it again.”

Seeing that the situation was not right, the soldiers in the tent quickly withdrew to do their own duties.

The curtain was lowered, leaving only Qin Wu and Fu Rong in the tent.

Fu Rong looked at Qin Wu seriously: “Replying to Your Majesty, I said… I am indeed stupid as hell.”

Chapter 10

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 10#

Being an Official (Revised)#

His Majesty suppressed the rebels and returned to the capital with the civil and military officials.

The messenger spurred his horse and returned to the capital early to report the news.

The Imperial Guard opened the palace gates, carrying long halberds, clearing the idlers on the official road at the city gate, standing solemnly, waiting for His Majesty to return to the palace.

Such a big battle naturally attracted many people to watch.

Chapter 11

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 11#

Rewards#

Hall of Supreme Harmony.

In the front hall, all officials had an audience with the Emperor, but in the rear hall, only Fu Rong was there.

Fu Rong sat on the floor behind the palace door, pushed the door open a small crack, and quietly looked out.

In the front hall, the officials bowed and shouted in unison: “Long live Your Majesty, may your reign last forever!”

Chapter 12

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 12#

Turning Against#

Before fainting, Fu Rong deliberately reached out and knocked over the thin gauze cicada clothes and jeweled chains held by the palace servants.

He had told Qin Wu long ago that he didn’t like these things at all.

But Qin Wu didn’t take his words to heart at all, and still gave these things as a “reward” to him.

When Fu Rong saw these things, he could no longer hold back the sorrow in his heart.

Chapter 13

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 13#

Booklets#

The hall was dim.

Fu Rong stood barefoot on the cold floor.

Lin Yixiu stood in front of him, afraid to look up at him.

He was the one who told Fu Rong he could be an official.

Now he was also the one telling Fu Rong that being an official wasn’t that good.

He compromised for the sake of his family and official position.

Yesterday, when leaving the palace, Lin Yixiu was held up by several colleagues and lectured.

Chapter 14

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 14#

The Funeral Procession#

The curtains fell. Fu Rong’s face was cupped by Qin Wu, forced to look up following his movements.

Fu Rong said softly, “I like Your Highness.”

Outside the curtains, the candlelight was faint, reflecting in Fu Rong’s eyes, adding a few points of brightness to them.

Qin Wu looked into his eyes, suddenly a bit distracted, and responded from his throat, “En, say it again.”

Chapter 15

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 15#

The Cold Palace#

The morning before Qin Wu’s enthronement ceremony.

Fu Rong nestled in Qin Wu’s arms, not sleeping peacefully, his brows tightly furrowed as if trapped in a nightmare.

He suddenly opened his eyes, staring at the curtains in shock, turned his head, and faced a hanging Emperor’s ceremonial robe, and a bright red civil official’s robe.

Fu Rong was startled, cried out, and yanked the quilt, shrinking into the innermost part of the bed.

Chapter 16

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 16#

Grand Ceremony#

In the corridor of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the serving palace staff were trembling on the ground.

The doors to the side hall were tightly shut. From inside came the occasional sound of things being overturned and His Majesty’s angry voice, but now it had suddenly gone quiet again.

They dared not ask, nor dared they leave; they could only kneel here, forced to bear the Emperor’s wrath.

Chapter 17

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 17#

Death#

In the winter five years ago, sixteen-year-old Fu Rong was brought to the entrance of the Cold Palace by the managing eunuch to serve as a study companion for the Fifth Prince, Qin Wu.

Qin Wu didn’t want him, so Fu Rong hugged his small bundle and sat obediently in the corner.

Night fell, and Fu Rong was so hungry he was about to fall asleep. Qin Wu shared half a cake with him and let him sleep on the bed with him.

Chapter 18

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 18#

Rebirth (Revised)#

He was sensitive to cold above all else — even buried under quilts, he would shiver. He always felt as though something heavy were pressing down on his chest, a weight that made it hard to breathe.

But ever since he moved into the Cold Palace, he had felt curiously lighter. The pressure on his chest was gone.

He knew. It was almost time.

So he set about making his preparations. He arranged his own funeral.

Chapter 19

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 19#

The Crown Prince#

*

Snow fell in sheets.

On the palace road, Fu Rong gripped his broom with both hands, head down, sweeping steadily.

Whether it was his imagination or not, he couldn’t tell — but he kept feeling as though someone behind him was watching.

The gaze of a snake on its prey. A tiger on something it has already decided to take. It made the back of his neck go cold.

Chapter 20

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 20#

Resolution#

*

The Crown Prince’s authority filled the courtyard. His gaze swept across Húpò and the others.

They pressed their foreheads to the ground and said nothing.

Fu Rong, kneeling to the side, watched them and couldn’t quite stop himself from smiling.

He had expected to wrangle with this lot for a while longer. He hadn’t anticipated the Crown Prince.

He knew that the Crown Prince and the Sixth Prince were full brothers — unusually close. The Crown Prince, as the elder, had always indulged and protected Qín Xuān. Whatever the Sixth Prince wanted to do, his brother let him.

Chapter 21

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 21#

Meeting#

The Princes’ Quarters, Zhaoyang Hall.

With a cry of “Someone come,” a stream of palace servants entered to clear away the used meal.

Crown Prince Qin Zhao and the Sixth Prince Qin Xuan sat opposite each other on a small couch and washed their hands.

The Sixth Prince asked, “Has Fu Rong not arrived yet?”

The servant holding the warm water replied, “Replying to Your Highness, Young Master Chen and Young Master Wu have already gone to pick him up. They should be back soon.”

Chapter 22

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 22#

Going to School#

The snow fell heavily.

Qin Wu stood right behind him. Fu Rong’s hands and feet were stiff, and he didn’t know how to react.

Fu Rong hadn’t expected that Eunuch Xi, after taking his money, would actually tell Qin Wu about his affairs.

And Qin Wu actually suddenly cared about the study companion matter.

In his previous life, he didn’t care about such things at all. Living alone was living; two people living together meant wasting his food. Why would he suddenly want a companion?

Chapter 23

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 23#

Mother#

How could His Royal Highness the Crown Prince be here? Did he hear everything?

On the palace path, Fu Rong stood frozen in place, his face pale.

His mind was blank, save for one thought.

It was over. He was going to be kicked out of the palace. He was going to be exiled.

While he was in the palace, he was only separated from his mother in the Education Workshop by a palace gate. But if he were exiled, he would be separated from her by thousands of mountains and rivers.

Chapter 24

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 24#

Longing#

*

In the Cold Palace, Qin Wu sent the pigeon away, tore the note to pieces, and threw them out the window.

They drifted down with the snow and disappeared.

He had been the one to send Fu Rong those books.

He had been the one to deal with Fú Yù.

He had been the one to save Fu Rong’s mother.

And Fu Rong hadn’t spared him a single thought — his mind was entirely full of the Crown Prince and the Sixth Prince.

Chapter 25

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 25#

Origins#

*

Late night. The Crown Prince’s residence.

Wind howled under the eaves. Inside, the brazier burned warmly.

The princes had been gathered around the game board, but the Sixth Prince had long since fallen asleep against Fu Rong’s shoulder. Fu Rong sat on his little stool at the edge of the bed, playing on his behalf.

He was growing drowsy himself, but kept it firmly suppressed. He didn’t dare show it.

Chapter 26

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 26#

Warding Off Disaster#

It was night, Zhaoyang Palace.

The Sixth Prince lay flat on the bed, his head resting on his arm, staring at the canopy above.

Fu Rong lay on his side next to him, keeping watch, his eyes cast down.

He was thinking, so Qin Wu’s eyes really were dark green. He had summoned the courage to ask Qin Wu before, and Qin Wu had said he was dizzy and saw it wrong.

Chapter 27

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 27#

Pitch-Pot#

*

Cold wind howled. Qin Wu stood outside the Zhāoyáng Hall.

The sky was darkening. He stood without moving, his black cloak merging with the night until he was almost invisible.

He was like a wolf crouched in a shadowed corner — those deeply green eyes, full of something feral, glowing faintly in the dark.

One wall away, the Zhāoyáng Hall was warm and lively. The princes were playing pitch-pot, and had fallen into a dispute.

Chapter 28 - 1

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 28 - 1#

The Prize#

Fu Rong stood in front of Qin Wu, tightly hugging the copper pot in his arms, his fingers pressing hard on it.

Qin Wu stared at him, his gaze almost tangible.

Fu Rong quietly looked up and glanced around.

The Hall of Literary Profundity was close at hand, the Sixth Prince was calling him not far away, and the laughter of other princes and their companions could be heard from time to time in the hall.

Chapter 28 - 2

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 28 - 2#

The Crown Prince was gentle and observant of etiquette, always amiable, so he wouldn’t give people such a strong sense of oppression.

Qin Wu was like a bandit, his aura like a mountain collapsing and the sea tilting, pressing people until they couldn’t breathe.

Fu Rong also didn’t understand why he always pestered him.

Perhaps… it was because Qin Wu sought revenge for the smallest grievance, and since he refused to be his study companion, he wanted to retaliate against him.

Chapter 29 - 1

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 29 - 1#

Calculation#

Jiuhua Hall.

“Master, the gold ingot and snacks… were not delivered.”

Qin Wu’s subordinate presented the gold ingot and snacks to Qin Wu. Out of fear, he even forgot to call him “Fifth Highness” and directly called him “Master.”

He lowered his head, not daring to look up, just waiting for Qin Wu’s orders.

Suddenly, a dark shadow loomed over, and Qin Wu’s hem swept past his eyes.

Chapter 29 - 2

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 29 - 2#

The scripture he had just recited was one he often recited in his previous life, for Fu Rong.

The alchemist who led the kneeling was one he had bribed.

Qin Wu burned incense and prayed. The Old Emperor, while stroking his beard, had already found an excuse for him: “Well, your mother was from the grasslands. I have heard that the sorcery of those grassland tribes is also useful. You have foreign blood, and in the Cold Palace, you actually became self-taught.”

Chapter 30 - 1

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 30 - 1#

Falling Through#

A large plate of gold ingots lay on the table, gleaming with luxurious golden light.

Lady Lan held her pipa, looking at the pile of gold, feeling very troubled. The servant boy peeking outside the door rubbed his eyes in astonishment.

Fu Rong looked at these things and only felt fear.

The Crown Prince was incorruptible, and the Sixth Prince still lived in the palace. They wouldn’t have so much gold, nor would they easily give it to his mother. Even if they did, they would definitely tell him beforehand.

Chapter 30 - 2

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 30 - 2#

Fu Rong lowered his eyes slightly and asked softly: “Fifth Highness, is there anything else?”

Qin Wu simply repeated what he had just said, emphasizing to him: “It was me, I was the one who saved your mother.”

Fu Rong nodded: “This slave already knows. On behalf of my mother, thank you, Fifth Highness.”

Qin Wu didn’t get the answer he wanted, unwilling to give up, staring into his eyes: “I said, I was the one who saved your mother.”

Chapter 31 - 1

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 31 - 1#

New Year’s Eve#

Qin Wu stood alone in the private room, turned around and walked inside.

No need to pay attention. Even if Fu Rong fell, naturally his Crown Prince, his Young Master Lin would help him up.

Suddenly, Qin Wu thought of something again, paused, and turned back.

He stood behind the door, pushed the door open a crack, stood in the dark, and looked outside.

Chapter 31 - 2

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 31 - 2#

In the end, he didn’t accomplish a single thing.

Instead, he made Fu Rong even more afraid of him.

Qin Wu had been thinking about it all afternoon, but he didn’t know where he went wrong.

Fu Rong’s affairs were far more complicated than power struggles.

When he was first reborn, he thought everything was the same as in his previous life.

When he found out that Fu Rong was not his study companion, he thought he just needed to coax Fu Rong a little.

Chapter 32 - 1

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 32 - 1#

Lanterns#

On New Year’s Eve, the palace was lit up with bright lanterns as if it were daytime.

Qin Wu and Fu Rong stood on the palace path, with bright palace lanterns overhead, and the laughter of palace servants occasionally came from outside the wall.

Fu Rong put all the rewards he had received recently into a small cloth bag and handed it to Qin Wu: “This is the money the Fifth Highness spent for my mother in the Entertainment Bureau. I have now gathered it all and am returning it to the Fifth Highness.”

Chapter 32 - 2

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 32 - 2#

The Sixth Prince pursed his lips, took the arrows, and greeted his brothers: “Come play, come play.”

The princes played pitch-pot, while Fu Rong served on the side, arranging snacks and tea.

Suddenly, Qin Zhao waved to him: “Fu Rong.”

“Coming.” Fu Rong trotted forward.

Qin Zhao handed him his hand warmer: “Hold this, it’s inconvenient.”

“Yes.” Fu Rong took the hand warmer and stood aside, obediently watching the Crown Prince play pitch-pot.

Chapter 33 - 1

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 33 - 1#

Fire [Bonus for 7k Nutrient Solution]#

On New Year’s Eve, the vigil ended, and the palace staff returned to their respective quarters.

In Zhaoyang Hall, the Sixth Prince lay on the couch wrapped in a quilt.

Fu Rong blew out the candles. Just as he was about to blow out the small candle the Crown Prince had given him, he thought for a moment and straightened up instead.

Chapter 33 - 2

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 33 - 2#

In Xingqing Hall, Qin Wu was kept by the old Emperor, facing the incense burner, burning incense and chanting scriptures, cultivating for a whole day.

For the whole day, the old Emperor did not even order a meal.

It wasn’t until evening that the old Emperor waved his hand and let Qin Wu leave.

He pretended to be gentle: “Your brothers have all gone out to play. You go too, join them.”

Chapter 34 - 1

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 34 - 1#

Fire Scene#

The firelight soared into the sky, and everything was in chaos.

When Qin Wu rushed out of the Entertainment Bureau, this was the scene he saw.

His subordinates chased after him: “Master, it’s Jida’s people.”

The dark green eyes that Qin Wu had managed to suppress surged with emotion again. He stared intently at the crowd fleeing in front of him and made up his mind: “Everyone, go put out the fire.”

Chapter 34 - 2

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 34 - 2#

Fu Rong still didn’t answer, just kept his head down, as if he was scared by him, but also as if he wasn’t.

Qin Wu looked at his pale face, pursed his lips, and suddenly regretted it; he shouldn’t have teased him.

Suddenly, the voices of several attendants came from outside.

“Fu Rong? Fu Rong?”

It was the attendants beside the Sixth Prince; they naturally followed along when the Sixth Prince went out of the palace.

Chapter 35 - 1

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:16:30 +0000

Chapter 35 - 1#

Confiding#

Having just experienced a fire, a cold wind blew past, and a faint smell of smoke permeated the long street.

The atmosphere was stagnant. The Crown Prince was busy dealing with the aftermath of the fire and had no time to attend to this side. The Sixth Prince stood in front of the Music Office, waiting for the carriage to arrive.

Qin Wu stood beside Fu Rong, looking at his face.

Chapter 35 - 2

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:16:30 +0000

Chapter 35 - 2#

Qin Zhao paused and added, “If something happened to you, I really wouldn’t know how to explain it to your mother.”

The smile on Fu Rong’s face disappeared, and he shook his head hurriedly. “Your Highness is too serious.”

He paused, collecting himself. “Your Highness’s great kindness and virtue, choosing this slave as the Sixth Highness’s companion reader and even putting in a word with the Music Office, this slave has no way to repay. Even if something happened last night, Your Highness wouldn’t need to explain anything to my mother.”

Chapter 36 - 1

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:16:30 +0000

Chapter 36 - 1#

Planning#

Fu Rong went to the Crown Prince’s residence to serve the Crown Prince?

Eating? Washing up?

The Crown Prince only injured his right hand; it wasn’t as if only his right hand could move in his entire body.

Besides, with so many attendants in the Crown Prince’s residence, why let Fu Rong stay? Qin Wu didn’t believe the Crown Prince had no ulterior motives.

Qin Wu gripped the corner of the table tightly, scenes of Fu Rong being with him in the past flashing before his eyes.

Chapter 36 - 2

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:16:30 +0000

Chapter 36 - 2#

“Mn.” Fu Rong nodded. “Then I will serve Your Highness until the wound is healed before going back.”

“Good.” Having received the answer he wanted, Qin Zhao smiled and stood up. “I’m going out for a bit. You stay in the residence, have fun and look around as you please. You can also go out to see your mother, just remember to bring guards.”

“Yes.”

Fu Rong stood up following him, took down the large cloak hanging nearby, and draped it over Qin Zhao, being careful not to touch his wound.

Chapter 37 - 1

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:27:55 +0000

Chapter 37 - 1#

Spring Hunt#

In front of Xingqing Hall.

Qin Wu walked along the palace path. He knew he shouldn’t look back; looking back would mean seeing the overly intimate actions between Fu Rong and Qin Zhao.

But he looked back anyway.

Actually, there was no inappropriate behavior between Fu Rong and Qin Zhao. Fu Rong was merely fulfilling his duty as an attendant, helping Qin Zhao, who had an injured right hand, adjust the ties of his cloak.

Chapter 37 - 2

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:27:55 +0000

Chapter 37 - 2#

Besides that, the two had nothing else to say.

Although there was silence all the way, the atmosphere was harmonious and comfortable.

It was quite different from the silence when Fu Rong was with Qin Wu.

Suddenly, Qin Zhao cleared his throat unconsciously. Fu Rong subconsciously quickened his steps, supported Qin Zhao’s right arm, and quietly gave it a pinch.

Both of them paused at the same time. Fu Rong raised his head, Qin Zhao lowered his, and their gazes met.

Chapter 38 - 1

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:27:55 +0000

Chapter 38 - 1#

Horse Riding#

In Jiuhua Hall, the doors and windows were shut tight, letting not a single ray of light through.

Qin Wu was practicing Taoism with the old Emperor. Sandalwood incense burned in the censer, scriptures were laid out on the table, and spirit banners hung on the walls.

It didn’t look like a prince’s residence; it looked more like a Taoist temple.

Qin Wu stood before the copper basin, washed his hands with cold water, turned back to the couch, folded the small blue cloth Fu Rong had given him, stuffed it back under the pillow, and prepared to sleep.

Chapter 38 - 2

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:27:55 +0000

Chapter 38 - 2#

“It’s nothing,” Qin Zhao instructed them. “There are many things happening in the hunting grounds. You two shouldn’t run around recklessly. If no one is with you, just wander around the camp.”

Lin Yixiu rode up on horseback. “Alright, I’m here. I’ll look after the two of them. You go up quickly.”

Qin Zhao gave them a few more instructions, then walked to the very front, bowed, and respectfully saw off the Emperor’s procession.

Chapter 39 - 1

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:08:11 +0000

Chapter 39 - 1#

Assassin#

In the clearing in front of the camp tents.

The Sixth Prince and Lin Yixiu rolled up their sleeves, sitting in the shade, fanning themselves.

Fu Rong held tightly onto the pony’s neck. The pony took small steps, running back and forth in front of them.

Fu Rong smiled brilliantly: “I know how!”

The Sixth Prince and Lin Yixiu looked at each other.

Lin Yixiu asked: “Is he this silly in front of your older brother too? How did your older brother choose him to be your companion?”

Chapter 39 - 2

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:08:11 +0000

Chapter 39 - 2#

The man roared: “Don’t move, it’s me!”

Qin Wu sat on a tall horse, much higher than Fu Rong’s little foal.

He reached out and lifted Fu Rong onto the horse’s back. His arms were like copper and iron, protecting him firmly in his embrace.

Qin Wu pulled the reins with his palm, quickly turned the horse’s head, and faced the pursuing assassins head-on.

A group of five or six assassins, all tall grassland men.

Chapter 40

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:08:11 +0000

Chapter 40#

Unmasked#

Rain hammered down in sheets.

Inside the ruined temple, Qín Wù’s men went about their work in silence — tethering horses, gathering wood, building a fire, heating water. Not a sound from any of them.

Even after Fúróng slapped Qín Wù across the face, they showed no reaction whatsoever. Each man kept his eyes on his own task.

Outside, thunder and rain crashed together in one unbroken roar. Inside, it was entirely quiet. Fúróng and Qín Wù stood facing each other before the idol, close enough to hear each other breathe.

Chapter 41

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:08:11 +0000

Chapter 41#

Rival#

I will never love the Fifth Prince again! I hate the Fifth Prince with everything I have!

If Qín Wù had not been reborn, he would have assumed Fúróng meant the Sixth Prince or the Crown Prince. The thought that Fúróng was talking about him would never have crossed his mind. He would have chalked it up to fever-babbling.

But Qín Wù had been reborn. So he heard exactly what those words meant — and reacted as though they had struck him.

Chapter 42 - 1

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:08:11 +0000

Chapter 42 - 1#

Token#

The hall was pitch black, not a single ray of moonlight could penetrate.

Qin Wu stood in front of the couch, looking down at Fu Rong. His hands were already extended in mid-air, but he didn’t dare to touch him.

He was afraid that Fu Rong would realize it was him. Not only would he refuse to talk to him, but he would also say that sentence to him.

Chapter 42 - 2

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:08:11 +0000

Chapter 42 - 2#

He would definitely not go look for some token.

The Sixth Prince stood aside, seeing Fu Rong looking dazed, and was a little worried: “Fu Rong?”

Fu Rong blinked, slowly came back to his senses, turned his head, and spoke softly, his voice a little hoarse: “Your Highness…”

The Sixth Prince breathed a sigh of relief: “I thought you had burned silly. It’s good that you are fine.”

Chapter 43 - 1

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:08:11 +0000

Chapter 43 - 1#

Reward#

The room was completely silent.

Fu Rong had taken the calming medicine, and now that he was called up, he was completely dazed.

He lowered his head, holding the small token, his fingers gently rubbing the character “Zhao” on it, looking serious, with only the token in his eyes, pondering how to see His Highness the Crown Prince.

Qin Wu sat in front of him and whispered: “No, Fu Rong, I won’t let you die, I will protect you.”

Chapter 43 - 2

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:08:11 +0000

Chapter 43 - 2#

Fu Rong said: “It’s what this slave should do.”

Qin Zhao sighed and lowered his voice: “This is not what you should do. You are too young, and you still have a mother outside the palace. You lured the assassins away like this. This time you were lucky, in case next time…”

He paused and said seriously: “You are not allowed to do this again next time.”