Joy of Life: Me, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!

That night in Kyoto, flames soared into the sky, and the chilling sounds of clashing armor echoed through the streets.

Gong Dian personally led two thousand imperial guards, surrounding the Second Prince's residence like an iron barrel. Torches illuminated the perimeter of the residence as bright as day, and all the powerful bows and crossbows were nocked, their menacing arrows gleaming with a bloodthirsty light in the firelight.

Such a thunderous and overwhelming method instantly shook the entire capital city.

Countless eyes hidden in the shadows watched this scene in horror. No one could figure out why the supreme ruler sitting on the dragon throne would suddenly be so ruthless towards the second prince, who had always been favored and pampered.

The atmosphere inside the Prime Minister's residence was equally somber.

The current prime minister, Lin Ruofu, stood alone in the courtyard outside his study, wearing only a single garment.

He didn't light a lamp; he almost blended into the night. Only his old eyes, which had seen many ups and downs in officialdom, were fixed on the direction of the Second Prince's residence, reflecting the towering flames there.

"Prime Minister, it's late and the dew is heavy. Please take care of yourself," the steward Yuan Hongdao quietly approached Lin Ruofu from behind and whispered his advice.

Lin Ruofu did not turn around, but let out a long sigh, a sigh filled with worry and a resolute coldness.

"Hongdao, can you smell it? The air in Kyoto is thick with the stench of blood." Lin Ruofu's voice was hoarse. "His Majesty is truly determined to kill this time. The First Prince was assassinated, and the Second Prince is surrounded. This is no ordinary warning; it's an attempt to unleash a massive purge."

"Does the Prime Minister mean that His Majesty intends to..." Yuan Hongdao was startled.

"I don't know, the Emperor's will is unpredictable." Lin Ruofu shook his head, but a glint of light flashed in his eyes. "Hongdao, go, immediately gather all the forces we have secretly planted in the Six Ministries and the military. Do not act rashly, but they must be on high alert. Tell them to await my orders at any time."

"Yes! I'll take care of it right away!" Yuan Hongdao's expression turned solemn as he accepted the order and disappeared into the darkness.

……

Guangxin Palace.

Princess Li Yunrui leaned against the soft couch, her long, flowing black hair cascading over her shoulders.

She held a glass of deep red Western Region wine in her hand, gently swirling it, the bright red liquid reflecting an eerie luster in the glass.

A trusted palace maid was kneeling on the ground, trembling as she reported to her everything that had happened outside the palace.

When Li Yunrui heard that "Gong Dian led his troops to besiege the Second Prince's residence," she paused, a deep worry flashing in her eyes.

"Is he going to make a move on the second son?" Li Yunrui muttered to himself, his fingers, painted with bright red nail polish, tightening slightly until his knuckles turned white.

"Someone come here!" Li Yunrui suddenly stood up, her long dress trailing on the ground. "Prepare pen and ink for me; I need to send a message to Xinyang!"

……

Meanwhile, in another part of Kyoto, there was the Fan residence.

Fan Xian had just seen off Eunuch Hou, who had delivered the imperial edict, and was sitting quietly alone in his study. On the table was a map of the capital, covered with intricate lines drawn by him in vermilion ink.

"If you lose something, find it yourself. If you can't find it..." Fan Xian chewed on Emperor Qing's edict, feeling a chill run down his spine.

This is a blatant threat and a form of coercion.

Fan Xian's pupils contracted sharply, and his breath caught in his throat for a moment.

He realized who had stolen the black box that day!

The one who stole the black box was one of the Second Prince Li Chengze's own men!

……

The entire city of Kyoto was engulfed in turmoil because of him, and countless people were unable to sleep all night.

Amidst the turbulent undercurrents, the Second Prince's residence, situated at the very heart of the storm, exhibited an eerily calm atmosphere.

Outside the mansion, the torchlight almost set the night sky ablaze, and the footsteps and clatter of armor of the imperial guards filled the air, their menacing presence pressing down on the mansion as if it were a tangible force.

However, in a warm pavilion deep within the mansion, the lights were on and it was as warm as spring.

A faint sandalwood scent filled the air, accompanied by the melodious sound of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments.

Li Chengze remained as nonchalant as ever. He wore only a loose, moon-white robe, his feet bare, and squatted undignifiedly on a cushioned chair.

Before him lay a game of chess, black and white pieces intertwined, fraught with deadly intent.

Opposite him, Si Lili, dressed in a gossamer-thin crimson gauze dress, danced gracefully to the melodious music.

Her figure was as graceful as water, and every turn and every flick of her sleeves exuded a breathtaking allure.

Her graceful curves were faintly visible under the light, and her eyes, though slightly melancholic, possessed a fatal attraction.

The stark contrast between the heavily armored outside and the soft, fragrant interior is striking, even somewhat absurd.

"Your Highness, the troops outside have completely surrounded the mansion." Si Lili stopped dancing, slightly out of breath.

She walked to Li Chengze's side, like a docile kitten, and gently knelt down at his feet, resting her head on his knees.

Li Chengze didn't look at the night outside, nor did he pay attention to Si Lili's worries.

He simply reached out, picked up a peeled grape from the crystal plate beside him, popped it into his mouth, and chewed it slowly.

"Sweet, so sweet." Li Chengze squinted his eyes and revealed a smile of enjoyment.

He reached out a hand and placed it on Si Lili's head, letting it slide slowly down her cascading black hair, one stroke after another, with a heart-stirring rhythm, as if soothing a delicate piece of porcelain.

At the same time, looking at the heavy shadow in the corner of the warm pavilion, he said calmly, "Zhao Gao, let them enter the city in batches through the secret passage."

After giving his instructions, he lowered his head and looked at Si Lili, who was kneeling on his lap with her eyes brimming with affection. A wicked smile crept onto his lips.

He reached out and grasped Si Lili's slender waist, and with a little effort, gently pulled her up.

Si Lili let out a soft cry, her body went limp, and she fell into Li Chengze's broad embrace.

The sheer, scarlet gauze dress slipped up slightly as it was pulled, revealing a section of fair, jade-like skin.

Li Chengze's warm palm naturally covered her thigh, lingering freely on her exquisitely smooth, long, straight legs. His fingertips, through the thin veil, touched her gently with a hint of teasing and nonchalance.

Feeling the burning heat from the hand on her thigh, Si Lili's previously pale cheeks instantly flushed red. She obediently nestled against Li Chengze's chest, her soft, snake-like arms slowly rising to wrap around his neck.

"Your Highness..." she breathed softly, her voice so charming it seemed to drip with water, carrying a murmur that could melt one's bones.

The next moment, she tilted her head slightly, closed her captivating eyes, and pressed her luscious red lips onto Li Chengze's lips without hesitation.

Inside the warm pavilion, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and the feeling of spring was growing stronger.