Volume 1, Chapter 31: Because my husband is a hero without peer.

Facing the eyes of Emperor Li Chengye, which seemed capable of piercing through his very soul, Li Xuan remained composed, bowing slightly in salute.

"In reply to my Imperial Father, it was me, and yet, it was not."

This response, ambiguous and profoundly enigmatic, left everyone present stunned.

Li Chengye furrowed his brows slightly. "How are these words to be understood?"

Li Xuan stood straight, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "Some time ago, I chanced upon a cold. During my illness, I dreamt a great dream. In this dream, I seemed to traverse a hundred lifetimes of reincarnation, witnessing countless sages and heroes, drinking wine and discussing the Way with them, speaking of the past and the present. Upon waking, I forgot much, but this poem was carved into my mind, impossible to cast aside. Today, as my Imperial Father set 'The World' as the theme, my heart was struck with sudden inspiration, and I wrote down what I had felt in that dream. Thus, it can be said that I wrote it, but it was also a gift from the sages in my dream."

This explanation of "receiving inspiration in a dream" was seamless.

It not only explained his sudden surge in literary talent but also attributed this world-shaking brilliance to the ethereal realms of "Heaven's Will" and "destiny," making it impossible for anyone to probe further. In an era that revered gods and spirits, this was undoubtedly the perfect excuse.

Indeed, as Li Chengye listened, the look of shock and suspicion on his face slowly faded, replaced by an expression of complex emotion, a mixture of ecstasy and deep contemplation.

Was this truly the mandate of heaven?

His son, who had first displayed profound martial arts and now possessed peerless literary grace—could it be that he was truly the future master of the Great Zhou chosen by the heavens?

"A magnificent 'Life is but a dream'!" Li Chengye ceased his questioning. He raised the poem high in his hand and declared to the entire assembly, "Crown Prince Li Xuan's work possesses an eternal artistic conception and initiates a new style of literature. It is, without dispute, the champion of this night! Reward him! Grant him a grand reward!"

Having said this, he cast a long, deep look at Li Xuan before turning to return to the Dragon Dais, his heart churning with waves that would not easily subside.

As the Second Prince was carried away for treatment and the Emperor had made his final, golden-spoken decree, the dramatic and spectacular Lantern Festival finally drew to a close.

Inside the carriage returning to the Eastern Palace, the atmosphere was unusually quiet.

The carriage was spacious and filled with the faint scent of calming incense. Li Xuan leaned against the cushions, eyes closed, as if the night had exhausted his spirit. Xiao Ning-shuang sat upright beside him, silent, though her cold, phoenix-like eyes would occasionally steal glances at the man beside her.

In her mind, the lines from *Nian Nu Jiao* echoed repeatedly.

"Life is but a dream; let me pour a toast to the moon over the river."

These lines pierced her heart like a needle. She suddenly felt that her previous understanding of the world had been too narrow. What she had seen was the snow of the borderlands and the duty to her country; what he had seen was the rise and fall of a thousand years, a panoramic view of the vastness of the human realm.

It felt as if it was not hatred that separated them, but two entirely different worlds.

"What are you thinking about?"

Li Xuan, eyes still closed, seemed to see through her thoughts and spoke suddenly.

Xiao Ning-shuang’s slender body trembled slightly, as if caught in the act of some wrongdoing, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks. She steadied herself and finally asked the question that had lingered in her heart for so long.

"Who... exactly are you?"

She asked the question softly, yet it carried great weight.

She could not believe that a dissolute crown prince, known only for his indulgence in wine and women, could have changed into a different person in just one month.

He had become so "perfect"!

Li Xuan slowly opened his eyes, the shimmering lights from outside the carriage window reflecting in his deep pupils like a galaxy. He did not answer, but instead asked in return, "Does it matter who I am?"

Xiao Ning-shuang was taken aback.

"The Li Xuan of the past, who bullied you and despised you, is dead," Li Xuan said, his voice calm. "The man before you now has formed an alliance with you, respects you, values you, and perhaps... even admires you. Which one do you think is more real?"

He gazed into her eyes, his look sincere, without a trace of mockery.

"Our alliance began with interests. But tonight, I saw you worried for me, happy for your father's approval, and passionate about the cause of our home and country. At that moment, I felt that our alliance might be more than just a matter of interests."

Xiao Ning-shuang’s heart was thrown into a state of chaos by his words.

She had never heard such a direct and yet sincere confession. Her cheeks felt burning hot, and even her breathing became somewhat shallow.

She bit her lower lip, lowered her gaze, and whispered, "I... I don't know."

"If you don't know, then take your time to think about it." Li Xuan smiled. He did not press her further, instead turning the topic with a light, teasing tone. "But honestly, your poem *Home and Country* tonight was truly excellent. Especially that line, 'With my life in battle, I protect your lifetime of prosperity.' Tsk, tsk, even I, the one being 'protected,' felt a little embarrassed."

"You!" Teased by his unserious words, the complex emotions she had been nursing vanished instantly. She glared at him, both shy and annoyed. "That was forced upon me by you!"

"Oh? How did I force you?" Li Xuan leaned in, looking interested.

"You... you knew I couldn't write poetry, yet you mouthed the words 'Trust me' to me, I..." Halfway through her sentence, Xiao Ning-shuang realized she had let something slip and could not finish the rest.

"So you saw it all." The smile at the corners of Li Xuan's mouth deepened. "It seems our rapport is even better than I imagined."

Xiao Ning-shuang’s face was now as red as a ripe apple. She simply turned her head away, ignoring him.

Watching her beautifully contoured profile and slightly reddened ears, Li Xuan’s smile grew even gentler. He knew that some things had quietly changed, and there was no going back.

Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, everyone was waiting at the entrance. Wang Fugui, the head eunuch, was so flushed with excitement that when he saw Li Xuan step out of the carriage, he immediately knelt, his voice choked with emotion.

"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations! Your Highness's literary and martial virtues are unparalleled throughout history! This old servant... I heard of Your Highness's divine masterpiece and was so excited I almost fainted on the spot! Your Highness is truly the reincarnation of the God of Literature, a living poet immortal!"

The eunuchs and palace maids behind him joined in with a chorus of praise, the scene becoming quite extravagant.

"Enough, enough, all of you rise," Li Xuan said, caught between laughter and tears. "It’s just a poem, is it really all that?"

"It is! It absolutely is!" Wang Fugui climbed up, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes. "Your Highness, you don't know, but the news has spread like wildfire! They are calling you the 'Master of Poetry'! You have pioneered a whole new literary style! The great scholars in the capital are all clamoring to come and pay their respects to discuss academics with you!"

Li Xuan’s head began to ache. He had no desire to discuss rhyme schemes and metrics with a group of old men.

He waved his hand to dismiss them before walking into the bedchamber side-by-side with Xiao Ning-shuang.

The palace maids retreated tactfully, leaving only the two of them in the vast bedchamber.

The atmosphere turned subtle once again.

Xiao Ning-shuang walked to the table, silently poured him a cup of hot tea, and handed it over. The action was natural, as if she had done it a thousand times before.

Li Xuan took the teacup, the warmth traveling from his fingertips to his heart.

He took a sip, looked at the bright full moon outside the window, and said softly, "Tonight, though glorious, has also pushed us to the very forefront of the storm."

Xiao Ning-shuang nodded; she understood what he meant.

The talent Li Xuan displayed tonight was too shocking. It was equivalent to telling everyone that he was no longer the useless prince who could be easily manipulated. His enemies would become more wary and more desperate because of it. The Emperor, too, would be more on guard against him.

The road ahead would only be more difficult and dangerous.

"Are you afraid?" Li Xuan looked at her and asked.

Xiao Ning-shuang met his gaze. In those eyes, once as cold as frost, starlight now seemed to shimmer.

She shook her head and then revealed a smile, more radiant than the lanterns of the festival.

"I am not afraid," she said softly. "Because my husband is a hero without equal."

Having said these words, which she herself felt were incredibly bold, she did not wait for Li Xuan to react, turning and walking quickly into the inner chamber, leaving behind a graceful silhouette.

Li Xuan stood frozen for a moment, then burst into laughter.

He walked to the window and pushed it open, the cool night breeze brushing against his face. He looked at the bright moon in the sky, feeling a sense of ease he had never known before.

The iceberg had completely melted.

And their story had only just begun.

He picked up the cup of tea, still retaining its warmth, and drank it in one gulp.

This world of the Great Zhou was becoming more and more interesting.