The sky was bright and clear as a royal carriage glided slowly toward the palace gates. Golden flags embroidered with blooming rose were mounted on the carriage, fluttering proudly in the wind—marking the arrival of the eldest princess, Feng Yao.
In the wide courtyard made of jade stone, a handsome man stood waiting quietly. When the carriage stopped, he bowed respectfully.
Feng Yao stepped down with grace. She gently lifted the edge of her long skirt and glanced at the man. Then she spoke to her maid.
"A Li, give him the box."
A Li quickly handed a black wooden box to the man, who accepted it carefully with both hands.
Without saying anything more, Feng Yao walked toward a sedan chair that had been prepared for her. Four eunuchs lifted it and carried her through the long palace hallways, heading to Kunning Palace.
An old eunuch welcomed her with a kind smile.
"Your Highness, the Emperor and Empress are waiting for you," he said, bowing deeply.
Feng Yao nodded and entered the large palace hall. At the far end of the room, the Emperor sat smiling with joy. The Empress sat beside him, calm and elegant, but her smile was cold and distant.
"Come here, my daughter," the Emperor said warmly.
Feng Yao stepped forward and bowed. "Father, I have brought what you were looking for," she said in a steady voice.
A few weeks ago, she had secretly sent a message to the palace. She had found a treasure map—the same one the Emperor had been searching for. The treasure was said to come from an ancient dynasty and could help save the Great Qi from a financial crisis. The imperial advisor had mentioned it before, and since then, the Emperor had become determined to find it.
Earlier, the Emperor had sent the Eldest Prince, Feng Tianwei, to search for it. But after many months, he returned with nothing. Now, Feng Yao had come back with a possible answer.
"Where is the map now?" the Emperor asked, eyes full of hope.
Feng Yao gave a slight smile and nodded to her maid. "Bring him in," she said.
A Li bowed and left the hall.
Moments later, the man entered. He knelt down and greeted the Emperor and Empress respectfully, still holding the wooden box.
"My name is Gao Fei," he said.
The Emperor looked at him with suspicion. He still didn't fully trust Feng Yao.
"How can you be sure this man is really a descendant of the Gao clan?" the Emperor asked.
Feng Yao smiled politely. "Why don't we ask the imperial advisor? He's the one who told us to look for the treasure in the first place."
The Emperor nodded and ordered the advisor to come in.
A round, chubby man with a long beard and fox-like eyes walked into the hall. His robe was covered in strange symbols and charms. He bowed deeply.
Feng Yao frowned the moment she saw him. This man had been chosen by her father as the imperial advisor, but in truth, he was nothing more than a shaman. Her father must had lost his mind for trusting someone like him.
The advisor stepped forward and said with a mysterious tone,
"Real descendants of the Gao clan are said to have a special birthmark on their back. It looks like an ancient seal."
All eyes turned to Gao Fei. He looked slightly nervous but didn't hesitate. Slowly, he opened his robe. Everyone saw it—a clear birthmark on his back, shaped like an old seal.
The Emperor's eyes sharpened. He leaned forward.
"Hand over the box," he ordered.
Gao Fei stepped closer and carefully gave the black wooden box to the Emperor. As he did, he glanced at the Empress.
Their eyes met. Gao Fei gave her a soft, meaningful smile.
Feng Yao noticed the silent exchange between the Empress and Gao Fei. A cold smile appeared on her face, and a dangerous look flashed in her eyes. She had long heard from her spy about the Empress's fondness for young, handsome men. And now, it seemed that was true.
Then, the royal advisor cleared his throat and spoke again. His voice was low and serious.
"Whether he is truly from the Gao clan or not… we will know soon," he said, glancing at the box in the Emperor's hands.
"To enter the treasure's location, a drop of blood from a true Gao descendant is needed. Only then will the path open."
"Are you willing to prove yourself?" the Emperor asked.
Gao Fei's face remained calm, but his fists tightened slightly at his side, bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Majesty. This humble servant is willing to help."
But then, he raised his head slightly, his eyes full of worry. "However… there is something I beg of Your Majesty before we continue."
The Emperor's smile faded a little. "Speak."
Gao Fei took a deep breath. "My family… has been threatened by the Eldest Prince and the Moonblade Sect."
Gao Fei continued, "I ask Your Majesty grant protection to my family."
The Emperor went quiet for a long moment, his face darkening.
Those words revealed something troubling—if what Gao Fei said was true, then Feng Tianwei, had likely already found the treasure's clues. Yet he kept it hidden, probably planning to claim the treasure for himself.
The Emperor's hands clenched.
"Very well," he said at last. "If your words are true, I will see to it myself that your family is protected."
Then he turned his gaze to the small black box that Gao Fei had brought earlier. He reached out, trying to open it himself—but the lid wouldn't move.
The imperial advisor stepped forward, growing impatient. "Then allow me," he said, drawing a ceremonial dagger. "Let's open it and see the truth for ourselves."
He crouched beside the box and carefully slid the dagger under its lid, trying to force it open.
Suddenly, Feng Yao's eyes narrowed. She quietly stepped back.
At that same moment, Gao Fei moved in front of her—protecting her as if they already knew what was coming.
Click.
A hidden mechanism inside the box activated with a snap. A small panel on its side opened—and without warning, several thin needles shot out like arrows.
One needle struck the imperial advisor directly in the eye.
"AARGH!" he screamed, falling backward in pain. Blood poured from his face as he rolled on the floor, clutching his wounded eye.
The Empress remained seated, silent and still. One of the needles had narrowly missed her face. Her fingers dug tightly into the armrest, knuckles white.
The Emperor stood frozen, his eyes fixed on the advisor screaming in pain on the marble floor. Blood streamed down the man's cheek, and his anguished cries echoed through the hall.
Feng Yao calmly stepped forward again, eyes fixed on the black box.
Gao Fei turned slowly to face the Emperor and bowed low. "This box is fitted with a hidden mechanism," he said carefully. "If forced open, it releases concealed weapons."
The Emperor's face darkened.
The injured advisor, still clutching his eye, shouted angrily through his pain. "Then why didn't you say that before?!"
Gao Fei lowered his head further. "This humble servant begs Your Majesty's forgiveness. I have not yet discovered the proper method to open it."
The advisor struggled to sit up, his face twisted in rage. "Then you must take responsibility! If you truly are from the Gao clan, then you must find the way to open it!"
Gao Fei lifted his head, his expression firm.
Two eunuchs rushed forward and helped the injured man out of the hall.
The Emperor turned his gaze back to Gao Fei. "You have three days. If you cannot open it, or if I discover any deception—no one will be able to protect your family. Not even the gods."
Gao Fei bowed once more. "I understand."
Feng Yao let her lips curl into a faint smile—but it never reached her eyes. In truth, she regretted that the needle hadn't struck the Empress. Had it found its mark, the woman might have followed her mother into the afterlife. The thought alone made her smile vanish, and her face turned cold once more.