"Alright, it seems the prince is a quiet person. From now on, please remain silent and leave everything to me, alright?"

James Foster nodded again.

At dawn, the carriage smoothly entered the palace. James Foster had no memory of this place and was dazedly settled into a room.

Not long after, a eunuch hurried in, drenched in sweat—most likely one of the knights following William Turner. "Duke Jing and his party have been stopped at the East Qing Gate."

William Turner stomped excitedly on the floor. "I knew it! Who stopped them?"

"Strangely enough, it was a group of students from the Imperial Academy, shouting something about violating proper rites."

"What's so strange about that? The real mastermind wouldn't show up so soon. Hmm... Go back to the East Qing Gate at once and announce that Prince Ruzi has already entered the palace. Maybe that will help Duke Jing out of trouble."

The eunuch who delivered the message was stunned, but didn't ask further and immediately left to carry out the order.

William Turner turned to James Foster. "Don't be afraid. Remember, everything you are about to receive is what I have fought for on your behalf."

James Foster nodded. His mother had told him not to trust anyone, but now he was completely in the dark. Other than this old eunuch, he had no one to rely on.

William Turner stared at the prince for a while, then turned on his heel and strode out.

There was no one else in the room. James Foster sat quietly on the chair, wondering if he was still dreaming. Maybe soon he would hear his mother urging him to get up. But the sunlight outside grew brighter and brighter, proving that everything that had happened so far was real.

He didn't know how much time had passed when the sound of two people arguing came from outside.

"It was you who informed the ministers, setting up an ambush at the East Qing Gate, and then pretending to be the good guy!" This voice was extremely angry.

"Duke Jing, don't mistake foresight for betrayal. We're all in the same boat—someone has to spot danger ahead. You should be glad I'm a smart man." This was William Turner's voice.

"Don't play tricks with me. Let's go see the Empress Dowager. You can't fool everyone!"

James Foster still sat quietly, vaguely realizing that everything happening here was related to him, yet at the same time had nothing to do with him.

The door creaked open, and a boy about the same age as James Foster walked in, dressed in a brocade robe embroidered with patterns. When he saw James Foster, the boy paused. "Are you here to fight for the throne too? Looks like we're brothers. Someone said I should make you a king in the future, but I think killing you would be a much simpler solution."

James Foster followed William Turner's advice and said nothing.

Chapter Two: Brothers

Thus, the two half-brothers met—no outsiders, no introductions, and certainly no affection. They sized each other up—the newcomer did most of the scrutinizing, while James Foster quickly lowered his head.

The boy was none other than the other prince, David Williams. Although he too had been "driven" out of the palace three years ago, he seemed very familiar with the place, as comfortable as if he were at home. He walked over to another chair, flopped onto it, and gently swung his feet above the ground.

"I thought I'd meet a formidable opponent, but you disappoint me." David Williams's voice carried an unnatural maturity and coldness. He didn't look at his brother beside him, instead focusing on his own boots. "But when I become emperor, I'll still have to kill you—or at least lock you up so you'll never see the light of day. 'Bian He was blameless, but suffered for his jade'—you must understand, as long as you're the emperor's son, you're a threat to me."

James Foster didn't want to follow William Turner's advice anymore and whispered, "The current emperor didn't kill either of us."

"Ha, the current one? He's already dead, passed away. He was the Empress Dowager's only son, already old, and the legitimate eldest son. Neither of us could compete with him, so he had no need to wipe us out. But you and I are different. By birth, I'm much nobler than you; by age, you're a bit older than me—maybe just by a few days. Now that the Empress Dowager's legitimate son is dead, I should inherit the throne. But there are always a few stubborn fools who talk about 'seniority,' stirring up confusion and forcing me to deal with you."

James Foster grunted in agreement, thinking David Williams made some sense.

"But—" David Williams looked James Foster over again. "You seem alright, pretty honest. Maybe I could spare your life—lock you up in some quiet corner of the palace for a few years. Once my position is secure, maybe I could make you a... No, I can't make you a king. You'll just stay in the palace where I can keep an eye on you. Better yet, you can become a eunuch."

James Foster shook his head. He had no bad impression of eunuchs, but he knew it was a lowly profession.

David Williams jumped off the chair, hands on his hips, standing in front of James Foster. "From now on, you'd better learn to please me, or I'll still have to kill you."

James Foster didn't look up. After a while, he said softly, "I want to go home."

"Haha..." David Williams laughed until tears came to his eyes. "Are you an idiot? Winner takes all—I'm the king, you're the loser. What home do you have? You'd better think about how to please me."

James Foster was silent for a long time, then quickly glanced up at David Williams. "It was the Palace Attendant William Turner who brought me into the palace."