That night, everyone went down the mountain in groups, leaving the academy unusually dark and silent, an unprecedented quietness.

Shen Mengzhi sat upright in the Firefly Study, facing a blank sheet of draft paper, not writing a single word for a long time.

After a long moment, he sighed, put down his brush, draped an outer robe over his shoulders, and went out.

Outside, the night was deep with a few lingering stars overhead. The dark indigo mountains surrounded him on all sides. Holding a candle, Shen Mengzhi wandered aimlessly through the academy. When he reached Duji Hall, he was surprised to see a light still on inside.

He walked over quietly and saw a familiar figure.

"Teacher?" Shen Mengzhi looked at the scrolls scattered all over the floor, leaving no room to step, his eyes filled with astonishment. "What are you..."

Hearing this, Fang Hechao, who was deep amidst the scrolls with his back to him, stopped what he was doing and slowly turned around. His expression was stern, the gloominess yet to disperse from his brow. When his gaze landed on Shen Mengzhi, he sighed, half in relief and half in worry.

"Jiang Zhen, you've come." He couldn't hide his weariness as he cleared a space amidst the clutter on the floor. "Sit."

Not understanding the situation, Shen Mengzhi did as he was told and sat down.

"Teacher, you seem so worried. Did something happen down the mountain?"

Fang Hechao gave him a deep look and suddenly asked, "What do you think of the Heir?"

Shen Mengzhi was stunned. Seeing that Fang Hechao's expression was normal, as if it were just a casual question, he concealed the emotion in his eyes and said, "I have met him twice. His words are frivolous and his actions are flippant. I know nothing else."

"That's a truly unforgiving assessment." Fang Hechao chuckled. "This Heir... I had previously heard of his reputation. They say he's a libertine who doesn't concern himself with politics, unlike his ambitious brothers. It's also said that the King of Old Qin sent him to Yanling because he was instigated by others, essentially exiling him here. In this way, the position of Heir has become a defunct title, existing in name only."

With just a few understated words, he sketched out a bloody struggle for royal power. The mere thought of it was enough to make one's heart tremble with fear.

But Shen Mengzhi's expression didn't change. "That is only one side of the story. All the rumors in the world are not as clear as what one sees with their own eyes."

Fang Hechao laughed loudly. "You are right."

"He came to see me last night, and I could tell he is absolutely not as the rumors say—without desire for the supreme throne, oblivious and unaware." He seemed to sigh. "He came to me and said he wanted to bring an attendant."

Shen Mengzhi asked, "Did you agree, Teacher?"

"The Prince restricts the Heir's movements but not his expenses. As the heir of a foreign state, it's normal for him to have an attendant," Fang Hechao said. "However, the academy has its own rules. Therefore, I only granted him one month."

"Your considerations are thorough, Teacher."

Fang Hechao waved his hand, his expression suddenly growing serious. "Since we are on the subject, tell me, why would Old Qin send their Heir as an envoy to Yanling?"

Shen Mengzhi was taken aback.

"Diplomacy through envoys should be a common affair. Yanling and Old Qin have often exchanged envoys in the past. Sending the Heir this time shows that the monarch of Old Qin places great importance on this visit." He answered after some deliberation.

Unexpectedly, Fang Hechao let out a laugh and shook his head.

"I had my doubts before. How could the Heir of Old Qin and our dynasty's Prince of Han be sent as envoys at the same time? Members of the royal clan cannot be dispatched so lightly." His brow was heavy, and though his tone was normal, it sent an inexplicable chill down one's spine. "This time when I went down the mountain, I saw refugees fleeing everywhere in Tingsong City. Upon asking, I learned that they are conscripting soldiers and buying warhorses on a large scale over there. These people fled here to escape conscription."

Shen Mengzhi frowned. "Tingsong, isn't that located on the border of Yanling..."

His voice came to an abrupt halt.

Tingsong City. To its west are the Twelve Peaks of Yanling, and to its east... is the State of Dai.

"It's not just Tingsong City. Old Qin's Shuping and Shangyuan are also forcefully conscripting soldiers. Furthermore, the imperial guards in Xiangjing have suddenly lost fifty thousand elite troops... Where did these men go?"

As he listed them, every word was alarming.

Fang Hechao sneered and said in a cold voice, "This is no diplomatic visit. It's merely a pretense to deceive the State of Dai! Whether it's Chu Jin or Xiao Huan, they have only one identity, and that is—Hostage Prince."

As if to confirm his words, the candle on the desk sputtered loudly, sending sparks flying.

"So..." Shen Mengzhi said with difficulty, "the two states are forming an alliance by exchanging hostage princes, with the aim of jointly attacking the State of Dai."

Fang Hechao closed his eyes.

"The atrocities committed by the State of Dai have caused public outrage. It is inevitable that our two states will launch a punitive expedition." He calmed down. "What I'm worried about is something else."

Shen Mengzhi met his eyes and, in that instant, seemed to understand his thoughts. His heart plunged as if into an ice cellar.

He rose abruptly and turned to leave. "I'm going to write a letter to my father."

But Fang Hechao shouted sternly, "Come back!"

Shen Mengzhi froze on the spot.

"What is your identity right now? Whose name are you using?" Fang Hechao's words were merciless, yet each one carried immense weight, thoroughly knocking sense back into his muddled head. "Your surname is Jiang, a mere commoner, and you have no connection whatsoever with the Shen Family of Yanling!"

These few words landed with resounding force, followed by an extreme silence.

In this silence where a pin drop could be heard, Shen Mengzhi slowly unclenched his fists, as if all the strength had been drained from his body in an instant.

After a long while, he spoke, his voice trembling with unprecedented bewilderment, "Teacher, what should I do..."

Fang Hechao sighed, but his tone was indisputable. "Do not involve yourself in this matter any further. I will contact Grand Marshal Shen."

"This matter is not yet set in stone." Seeing Shen Mengzhi remain silent, he softened his tone. "Although the Prince has been suspicious of the Grand Marshal these past years, a campaign against the State of Dai is no child's play. When it comes to selecting troops and appointing generals, if there is anything improper, the entire court, both civil and military officials, will not let it slide."

"...This student understands."

Fang Hechao's expression was resolute, and Shen Mengzhi felt slightly relieved. But then he heard him say, "That's good. You may go back now."

Shen Mengzhi acknowledged and was about to leave when Fang Hechao called out to him again.

"Jiang Zhen, treat the events of tonight as a dream and forget them. When Shen Ke sent you here all those years ago, it was so you would not be disturbed, not be fettered, not enter the mortal world, and not be burdened by it. Remember this well."

Not be disturbed, not be fettered, not enter the mortal world, and not be burdened by it.

Shen Mengzhi closed his eyes and said softly, "...I will remember it well."

The night was already deep, a time when all should be quiet, yet a burst of whispers came from the foot of Heshan. It was the group returning from the Red Sleeve Pavilion.

Qi Yu was already drunk to the point of unconsciousness, supported by two people as he staggered along like a snake. He still had the energy to shout to the heavens, "Brother Chu! ...Hic, this Gardenia Brew, you tell me! Hic, is it good or not!"

Chu Jin, walking behind him, played along. "It is indeed a good wine. You can't find this flavor in Old Qin."

Qi Yu then wildly slapped the shoulder of the person to his right. "Brother Sifan! Hic... Recite a poem!"

Song Sifan was nearly made to vomit by the slap. He endured it for a moment with a grim expression, finally managing not to throw up all over Censor Qi's precious son's face. He said irritably, "My stomach is full of wine, where would I find any ink? Can't you just behave?"

Someone else chuckled, "Didn't the ancients say wine inspires poetry? How come it's the opposite for Brother Sifan?"

Song Sifan said, "You shut up! Your face is as red as rouge."

A burst of roaring laughter immediately drowned out his voice. "Xue Qin threw up!"

"Hahahahahahaha..."

By the moonlight, the group fumbled their way to the front of the academy's long stone staircase.

Thirty-three stone steps led deep into the forest, where it was pitch-black. Everyone suppressed their laughter and looked up together. The mountain was steep and towering, its top out of sight.

"This is too high. Climbing it would be exhausting," someone whispered.

Song Sifan said, "The steps are dark and steep. I'm afraid of falling."

Chu Jin asked, "Can't we light a lamp?"

Everyone shook their heads in unison.

"The rules state that those returning late cannot use lamps." Song Sifan looked at the passed-out Qi Yu with disdain. "And we still have to drag this guy up with us."

"What if we make an exception, just this once?" After saying this, Chu Jin recalled Shen Mengzhi's casual remark about "scrubbing the chamber pots," and his scalp still tingled at the thought.

They exchanged glances. "Well... we don't know. We've never tried. Besides, none of us have a candle on us right now."

Song Sifan was still slapping Qi Yu's face. After trying for a while to no avail, he gave up and said, "This guy isn't waking up."

"There are enough of us to carry him up, but it's too dark. If any of us miss a step, it will be very dangerous."

The few of them looked at each other, at a loss for what to do.

Amidst their vexation, Chu Jin suddenly said, "I'll go up first and bring a lamp down from my room."

The few who were still sober hurriedly said, "No, no, how can we let you break the rules because of us?"

"That's right. If you get punished for this, Brother Chu, we would feel terrible."

"This matter started with me. After all, I was the one who hosted the banquet and invited all of you." Chu Jin was exceptionally calm. "Do you have a better solution?"

No one spoke. They had to admit, this was indeed the only way.

Seeing their continued hesitation, Chu Jin smiled. "It's fine. It's so late, there won't be anyone guarding the gate. No one will notice me."

Song Sifan gritted his teeth and said solemnly, "Brother Chu, we will wait for you here."

Chu Jin nodded, then turned and started up the stone steps, his figure gradually swallowed by the darkness.

He had only climbed this long staircase once before, when he first enrolled, and that had been during the day. At first, he could vaguely make out the path by the moonlight, but gradually, the light was blocked by tree branches, plunging him into a darkness so complete he couldn't see his own hand in front of his face.

He slipped and fell once along the way. Fortunately, his quick reflexes allowed him to grab onto a rough tree trunk, and a sharp pain immediately shot through his palm. Chu Jin had no time to spare for it and continued his slow climb with a frown.

Thinking about it now, this rule against using lamps was probably established by the academy to punish latecomers. Learn from your mistakes; after a fall, you remember the lesson.

Although the method was peculiar, it was remarkably effective for dealing with a group of arrogant and spoiled young nobles.

Chu Jin suppressed his complaints and focused all his attention on discerning the path ahead.

He lost count of how many stone steps he had stumbled up; it felt as though a long time had passed. Only when he saw a faint flicker of light in the distance did he realize he had reached the top.

Chu Jin breathed a sigh of relief. That small point of light was like a savior, finally allowing him to see the outline of the steps. Without a second thought, he bounded up the rest of the way.

Before he could even catch his breath at the top, he came face-to-face with Shen Mengzhi.

Chu Jin: "..."

'Great,' he thought. 'Caught red-handed.'