**Chapter**
Liang sat on the garden balcony, his fingers slowly peeling a yuan orange as if skinning a victim. Its sour juice splattered onto the blue silk carpet—the one Lin Fan had loved most.
*"Ah... how quiet the morning is!"* he whispered, tossing the peel into the fountain. His golden eyes glittered under the sun like two coins.
The maid, Mihou, approached cautiously, her cotton shoes soundless. In her hands was an ivory ashtray—the last gift from the absent Master.
*"Young Master, won't you visit the family shrine today?"* she asked obediently, though her fluttering lashes betrayed unease.
Liang laughed sharply, like the shattering of a ceramic vase:
*"And why would I? Do you want me to weep for those who abandoned us?"*
His gaze drifted to the training sword hanging on the wall—the sword that no longer belonged to anyone.
*"Finally... my combat lessons will be mine alone. No more hearing, *'Look how your brother does it!'*"* He mocked his father's voice with venom.
Mihou bent to gather the scattered peel, her hunched back like a crumbling bridge:
*"But Master Lin Fan always left you the best sweets..."*
*"Of course!"* he cut her off harshly. *"Sweets for the little child, while he took the throne! But now..."*—his smile widened like an open wound—*"Both nuisances vanished in a single week."*
Liang knelt before his mother, forehead touching the floor in morning reverence. The mother, eyes never lifting from her prayer book, asked:
*"Where is your brother? I heard he's angry with us all."*
He raised his head slowly, a fabricated tear gleaming:
*"My dear brother... struck Uncle Lin Kai yesterday! Then fled like a thief in the night."*
The mother snapped the book shut. A fleeting shadow crossed her pallid face.
*"Struck his uncle? Impossible."*
*"I saw it myself!"* Liang exploded. *"He said he wanted Father's throne! Greed blinded him for the clan's leadership!"*
A silence. Her fingers pressed the leather cover until her knuckles whitened.
*"How could he...? Tell me you're joking."*
*"I'm not!"* Liang whispered, leaning closer. *"I saw Uncle trying to calm him while he attacked like a beast!"*
He rose abruptly, his silk robes rustling like autumn leaves.
*"Regardless, I must go, Mother... Uncle Lin Kai awaits."*
---
**Lin Fan's Interlude**
Lin Fan entered the wooden teahouse, footsteps light as wind. The scent of roasted tea and rare herbs mingled in the stagnant air. The owner glanced at him, then hurried over with an exaggerated bow.
*"Young Master! How may I serve you today?"*
*"Shenlongzi wine."* His voice was flat.
The owner trembled. *"But its price... two and a half 'Purity Jade' stones..."*
Without a word, Lin Fan tossed the stones onto the table as if paying for cheap tea. The man scurried to the back shelf, retrieving a dust-caked bottle. Its wax seal, barely visible, bore a dragon.
*"This... this vintage is exceedingly rare, Young Master—"*
Lin Fan: *"I'll return weekly for a new bottle. Keep it stocked."*
*"Of course, Young Master! But this drink is—"*
Lin Fan grabbed the bottle, ignoring him. *"Thanks."* He left, leaving the owner clutching the jade with shaking hands.
*"This is what I needed... nourishment for the dragon."* He headed to his quarters.
---
**Dawn Encounter: Northern Wing**
(The dark corridors of the palace lay in silence. Uncle Lin Kai treaded cautiously, a small lamp in hand. Shadows of pillars danced on the walls. Suddenly, Liang emerged from a darkened corner, eyes narrowed with cunning.)
**Uncle Lin Kai (startled, gruff):**
*"Liang? Why aren't you abed?"*
**Liang (smirking, stepping forward):**
*"Does a stabbed man sleep?"*
**Uncle Lin Kai (scoffing):**
*"Did your brother Lin Fan haunt your dreams too?"*
**Liang (voice thick with hate):**
*"My 'brother'? A curse upon this palace. All see him a hero... while I'm a fading shadow."*
(The Uncle watched silently, a faint smile curling as he noted the jealousy burning in Liang's gaze.)
**Uncle Lin Kai (dryly):**
*"And you think yourself cleverer?"*
**Liang (leaning in):**
*"Perhaps not stronger... but certainly smarter."*
**Uncle Lin Kai (feigning disinterest):**
*"What's your 'brilliant' plan?"*
**Liang (malicious grin):**
*"Mihou."*
**Uncle Lin Kai (frowning):**
*"The maid?"*
**Liang (coolly):**
*"Lin Fan's kindness is his weakness. We'll send Mihou to him—willing or not. Once she lures him in, her tears will accuse him of assault."*
**Uncle Lin Kai (pretending hesitation):**
*"And if she refuses?"*
**Liang (softly lethal):**
*"Her family still lives in the village. Poor... fragile... A mere hint of their fate would suffice."*
(The Uncle paused, but Liang's cunning smile ignited his thirst for vengeance.)
**Uncle Lin Kai (hoarse):**
*"His name destroyed... his threat erased."*
**Liang (satisfied):**
*"And you'll be hailed, Uncle—the savior who purged the clan's shame."*
**Uncle Lin Kai (gripping Liang's shoulder):**
*"And you? What do you gain? Do you seek the title—?"*
**Liang (whispering):**
*"Clan leader? Do I look like one who craves responsibility? No... I only want Lin Fan gone."*
**Lin Kai's inner thoughts:**
*Damn this family. A fourteen-year-old schemer... No matter. He serves my purpose.*
**Lin Kai aloud:**
*"Can you claim he attacked you?"*
**Liang:**
*"Why?"*
**Lin Kai:**
*"Tell your mother your brother 'snapped'—that he assaulted me while I tried to calm him."*
**Liang (grinning):**
*"And the benefit?"*
**Lin Kai:**
*"Think. First, he strikes the clan leader. Then 'rapes' a maid. Who'd dare defend him after that?"*
**Liang (laughing darkly):**
*"Clever... Very well. Let it be known: Lin Fan attacked the elder, then defiled a servant. His name will rot."*