Chapter Twenty-Two: The Storm Rises Again

Crown Prince Li Hanwen raised an eyebrow and spoke coldly, “You have the audacity to cry.”

Fourth Prince Li Deren immediately stopped sobbing, climbed down from the soft couch, knelt on the floor, and hiccupped quietly, tears streaming down his face, though he dared not wipe them away.

Li Hanwen leaned back on the couch, his gaze icy as he watched Li Deren. After a long silence, he sighed.

Seeing that Li Deren had gradually calmed, Li Hanwen picked up a handkerchief and wiped the tears from the boy’s face.

He lifted Li Deren into his arms, tidied his clothes, and spoke with a gentler tone, “After this winter, you’ll be fourteen.”

“Soon you’ll be going to the Six Ministries, and yet you could commit such a mistake. Haven’t the palace tutors sent all sorts of women to you?”

“The beauties they offer to me, I’ve let the tutors send to your side. Why make such an error?”

Li Deren replied, sniffling, “That woman had a certain scent. When I smelled it, I lost control.”

“It happened that day in the Imperial Garden. While I was admiring the flowers, she passed by, and I felt weak all over.”

“My mind was unclear, and for some reason, I became obsessed with her. She asked me to go with her, and I followed without a hint of suspicion.”

Li Hanwen narrowed his eyes at Li Deren. “Does anyone else know?”

Li Deren shook his head, still kneeling. “The palace attendants who followed me that day—I’ve taken care of them all.”

Li Hanwen sighed and said, “Come—let me see what kind of woman could so confuse you.”

Li Deren stood, trailing behind Li Hanwen as they slowly entered the Cold Palace.

The Cold Palace was gloomy, filled with mad women, some cradling pillows and humming songs.

It was the hell of palace women, so many had died there that few dared approach, especially those of noble birth.

It was also the perfect place to handle affairs, for its remoteness meant a burial ground lay not far behind.

Li Deren followed Li Hanwen through the Cold Palace, his body trembling.

Seeing his shivering brother, Li Hanwen took off his own cloak and threw it over Li Deren’s shoulders.

The large cloak enveloped Li Deren, and he immediately felt warm, even his heart comforted. Hand in hand, just as they had done in childhood, he walked steadily alongside the Crown Prince.

Li Hanwen wore only a thin garment with wooden clogs on his feet, appearing frail in the wind as the three of them entered the Cold Palace.

Qian Shan, Li Hanwen’s trusted eunuch, silently opened the palace doors for his master. In