When the early sky was adorned with yellow warm rays of sun, one could tell the day wasn't going to be an ordinary one. Indeed! Today is an auspicious day for Shuo Jin because it's the death anniversary of his mother.
The incident from twenty years ago is still fresh and vivid in his soul, that still gives him nightmare. Though also, he wants this day to be the best for his mother's resting soul.
With the rise of sun, Shuo Jin set off for the Chang Yuan Palace.
As the first prince of the palace, he cannot expect the Emperor to honor his mother's death anniversary. Except for Shuo Jin, no person in the palace dares to visit his mother's graveyard, let alone celebrate.
The Emperor was said to dearly dote Shuo Jin's mother ipso-facto her being a maid. Lian Xi was her name. She was the only woman the Emperor had ever loved. Those rumors, however, turned out to be nothing more than a bunch of lies and trickery.
Fortunately, nobody spotted him and he was able to enter the palace safely. As soon as he reached his chamber, Shuo Jin dressed himself in white cotton attire, taking a break from his black dress.
Right after changing the attire, Shuo Jin visited his mother's tomb which was located in the forbidden area of the palace.
Upon reaching there, Shuo Jin slowly opened the latch of the gate, not willing to disturb his sleeping mother. The graveyard's edge was surrounded by tall trees. A jungle of creepers, climbers, and fallen twigs worshipped the graveyard at its feet.
Her motherly figure was the most striking, and her face menacing and still alive in Shuo Jin's memory.
Most of the graves held a bouquet placed on top of them. However, knowing there was nothing but withering flowers blooming in the graveyard, it devastated Shuo Jin's heart.
He knelt down on the damp grass and stretched his hands out to trace the engraved letters written on the surface of the tomb. Shuo Jin bent his head at the foot of his mother's tomb, trying to feel his mother's embrace as he recalled those inciting events.
Back then, when the two nations were at war over a boundary dispute, the Emperor himself led the troops and fought the battle. Unfortunately, he couldn't escape from the clutches of the opposition and nearly faced death. On his absence, Empress Mawangdui looked after the state administration as a sovereign, after the Emperor.
Shuo Jin was later found to have stolen the Imperial Edict of War, resulting in the deaths of 100,000 of the elite soldiers at the hands of the enemy, which was the ultimate cause of their defeat. Despite being severely injured in the war, Gua Huang managed to escape death.
Shuo Jin was apprehended and imprisoned without any proper investigations and inquiries as soon as the evidence pointed to him as the perpetrator. He was labeled a traitor to the country for allegedly committing treason against the Emperor.
It wasn't enough, and the empire was thrown into chaos once more when his mother died. He was accused yet again of poisoning his mother, killing both the mother and her fetus.
Seriously? How could a eleven years old child commit such horrific offenses? It was beyond unbelievable!
As the Emperor was knocking death's door, Empress Mawangdui gave her verdict to immediately throw Shuo Jin in the dark dungeons, far away from the human residence. He was exiled from the empire as the great laws of Gua didn't allow any royal members for death penalty or harsher punishments regardless of the offense.
First born to the Emperor, Shuo Jin was declared the Crown Prince of Gua Empire. But, this incident resulted in the seizure of his title as well. It wasn't a big loss for him compared to his mother's death and the irrelevant allegations piling up against him. Moreover, he was not provided with even a single chance to contemplate his innocence. Poor Shuo Jin! He had to deal with numerous injustices in that age.
When Shuo Jin returned to present, he felt his throat tightening up as a numbing emotion lingered in his heart. His dark eyes welled up with tears. He couldn't help but let those tears stream down his face.
Even if he was a cold-blooded beast with no compassion or empathy for others. Shuo Jin was a child in the eyes of his late mother, yearning for affection and warmth. He enjoyed seeing other people cry and moan in misery, but he only showed his vulnerable side to his mother's tomb.
Meanwhile, someone appeared to be approaching Shuo Jin's vulnerability from behind, but from a safe distance. That person slowly tiptoed towards Shuo Jin and upon sensing someone inching towards him, Shuo Jin's hand didn't escape from clutching his dagger, kept around his waistband. He tightened his grip and attacked, implanting the dagger near the person's neck, ready to slash his throat.
"Have some calmness, First Brother." the person immediately retorted.
Shuo Jin's flaming intense eyes were calmed down when he saw a familiar person in front of him. "May I inquire as to what drew the Crown Prince here?" Shuo Jin maintained a solemn face while carefully drew away the dagger from Hui Jing's neck. After that only Hui Jing sighed a breath of relief.
"First and foremost, greetings First brother." Hui Jing politely bowed and Shuo Jin nodded in response to his greetings.
"I happen to remember Mother Lian Xi's death anniversary so, thought of paying my respects to her departed soul." Hui Jing calmly responded with a smile.
"Oh! How thoughtful of you, Crown Prince." Shuo Jin instantly mocked Hui Jing. His corner of lips evilly curled up.
Shuo Jin is aware that Hui Jing doesn't harbor any evil intentions against him and his deceased mother, though also he doesn't want to have any unnecessary attachments with the Crown Prince.
On the other hand, Hui Jing noticed how Shuo Jin controlled his emotions, where the then anguish of dejection and grief didn't surface his face.
Nobody could tell he was the same person wailing in tears just moments earlier!