In a side hall adjacent to the main bedchamber, lanterns burned brightly.
The side hall was divided into an outer chamber and an inner chamber.
At this moment, seated in an inconspicuous chair within the inner chamber was a young man whose every gesture radiated nobility.
He was none other than the current Crown Prince of Qingyan Dynasty—
Shang Changze, only twenty years old and recently come of age.
His sister was known as the greatest beauty in Qingyan.
Naturally, Shang Changze’s appearance was equally flawless.
The difference was that Shang Changge’s beauty was dazzling and sharp-edged.
Shang Changze, meanwhile, possessed a handsome elegance tempered with calm refinement.
And that calm refinement was precisely the quality expected of a Crown Prince.
The future ruler of a dynasty.
After all—
what citizen or official wouldn’t like a Crown Prince who looked every bit the wise ruler and had the ability to match?
Creaaak.
The side hall door opened and closed.
The saber-carrying guard standing beside Shang Changze like a human statue immediately swept his hawk-like gaze toward the entrance.
Upon seeing Shang Changge, he withdrew his killing intent and bowed respectfully.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Shang Changge walked past him.
Her beautiful eyes immediately landed on Shang Changze.
Though she had already seen his appearance countless times through the original owner’s memories—
the moment she saw that face in person,
a face identical to her elder brother’s,
she froze.
“Big Sister!”
Shang Changze had already crossed the room in several long strides.
Stopping before her, he lowered his head slightly.
Concern filled his picturesque features.
“Big Sister, I heard that you were nearly poisoned and later attacked by assassins. I was so worried that I secretly returned ahead of schedule—”
Whatever he was saying afterward…
Shang Changge couldn’t hear it.
Couldn’t process it.
Scenes flashed through her mind.
The years she and her brother had depended on each other.
Growing up together.
Facing hardship together.
Then—
the final image.
The moment her brother detonated himself.
The moment he died.
Her vision blurred.
Her throat tightened painfully.
With trembling caution, she spoke a word that had remained buried in her heart for a very, very long time.
“Brother.”
…
…
Silence fell over the inner chamber.
Shang Changze didn’t understand why his elder sister had suddenly reddened her eyes while staring at him.
Nor did he understand why hearing her call him Brother made something inside him tremble.
Why an inexplicable ache suddenly welled up in his chest.
“Big Sister…”
His voice wasn’t loud.
Yet it felt like a bucket of cold water poured over Shang Changge’s head.
Instantly dragging her back to reality.
Shang Changge was, by nature, a rational person.
Once she had her answer, she accepted reality surprisingly quickly.
And gradually calmed down.
Not her brother.
Of course not.
How could all the good things in the world happen to fall into her lap?
She had already received more than enough.
She had died and come back to life.
Her powers had returned.
She had gained a younger brother who looked exactly like her real brother.
Those blessings alone made her luckier than countless others.
To ask for more would be greed.
Pure greed.
“It’s nothing.”
Her voice came out slightly hoarse.
Suppressing the storm of emotions inside her, she forced a smile.
Then she reached up and gently touched Shang Changze’s face.
Feeling sad didn’t stop her from making things up on the spot.
“I was just thinking…”
“It’s only been a short while, yet Changze has changed so much.”
“You look more and more like an elder brother now.”
She sighed dramatically.
“Meanwhile, your sister has become the younger sibling who needs looking after.”
Though only two years separated them, Shang Changze was already an adult.
Standing together, he was a full head taller than her.
Ignoring the strange ache lingering in his chest, he obediently lowered his head even further to make it easier for her to pat his face.
His smile deepened.
He seemed perfectly happy with the idea.
“If Big Sister likes that…”
“Then from now on, when we’re alone, we can switch.”
“You can call me Brother.”
“And I’ll call you Little Sister.”
Then something seemed to occur to him.
His eyes darkened.
For a brief moment, dangerous killing intent flashed across them before disappearing again.
Looking at Shang Changge, his demeanor became steady and mature.
The bearing of a grown man.
The bearing of a future emperor.
As though he had made a solemn decision.
As though he were offering a promise.
“Big Sister.”
“Don’t be afraid.”
“I promise you.”
“Nothing like this will happen again.”
“And whoever harmed you…”
His voice turned cold.
“I’ll make them pay.”
Shang Changge, whose emotions had mostly settled by now, stared at her beautiful younger brother making such solemn vows.
Her mood became rather complicated.
Well…
The truth was…
She wasn’t actually all that scared.
After confirming that her abilities had returned, she felt her confidence shoot through the roof.
If anything—
her backbone had become a lot straighter than before.