Outside, the wind and snow were swaying, and Li Zhaoyuan stood alone within the silent great hall.
Suddenly, he found his thoughts to be a mess, as a sense of powerlessness from failing to find a way out, despite racking his brains, rose again in his heart.
A long-lost feeling.
The words said earlier by Xu Changtian made him recognize once more the gap between himself and his royal brother.
It wasn't a gap in abilities, but a sheer discrepancy in birthright.
The Crown Prince, a towering mountain pressing down on the hearts of all Princes.
No matter how hard you struggle, how ingeniously you plot, it's difficult to surpass.
After standing for a long while, Li Zhaoyuan heaved a sigh and turned to walk toward the desk.
And just at that moment,
"I didn't expect... Zhaoyuan, that you would show such an expression."
A delicate female voice abruptly rose, breaking the silence in the hall, carrying a hint of tease as if she was quite familiar with the Second Prince.
"......."
