The Main Palace of Tie Shan Gong did not welcome its guests.
It judged them.
Five separate horse carriages stopped at five different palace gates.
Protocol dictated entrances according to rank and positioning. Depending on where one’s carriage halted, one would pass through a designated doorway before navigating the layered courtyards toward the imperial dining hall.
Tonight—
Five princes entered separately.
And none of them had ever stepped inside this palace before.
?
Jin’s Entrance
Crown Prince Jin Zhao stepped down first.
Eunuch Kang bowed slightly. “This way, Your Highness.”
Jin nodded calmly.
Outwardly composed.
Inwardly—
Completely captivated.
The pillars alone were architectural masterpieces. Massive wooden columns lacquered in deep vermilion, carved with subtle dragon motifs so refined they did not scream for attention — they demanded it.
He noticed the bracket systems beneath the roof eaves. Dougong construction. Authentic interlocking wooden joints.
No visible nails.
His mind almost spiraled into admiration.
Control yourself.
He walked behind Eunuch Kang with measured steps, hands folded neatly behind his sleeves. Slightly aloof. Untouchable.
Inside, however—
He was memorizing everything.
The symmetry.
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The stone flooring pattern.
The age of the bronze incense burners.
If this was a dream—
It had impeccable historical accuracy.
His lips almost curved.
Almost.
?
Liang Ze’s Entrance
On the western side, Prince Ze Liang followed Attendant Ke through a side entrance reserved for senior princes.
Liang Ze’s eyes moved constantly.
Counting guards.
Noting exit points.
Estimating distance between corridors.
Architecture reveals hierarchy, he thought.
The main pillars here were slightly narrower than those near the Crown Prince’s wing.
Interesting.
Power radiates spatially.
He kept his expression neutral, almost faintly bored.
Inside—
He was mapping everything.
Every turn.
Every shadow.
If something went wrong tonight, he wanted options.
Attendant Ke slowed slightly. “Your Highness?”
Liang Ze gave a faint, mysterious smile. “Nothing. I was just appreciating the craftsmanship.”
Dark humor flickered in his mind.
If this is a political death trap, at least it’s aesthetically impressive.
?
Xiao Tian’s Entrance
Prince Tian Rui entered from the southern corridor.
Attendant Xixi walked steadily ahead.
Xiao Tian kept his gaze soft, absorbing the surroundings quietly.
Lantern light reflected gently against polished stone floors.
The palace felt vast—
But not cold.
He noticed the incense scent first.
Sandalwood.
Calming.
Grounding.
He whispered softly, “It’s beautiful…”
“Your Highness?” Attendant Xixi asked.
“Nothing,” Xiao Tian smiled gently.
Despite the scale, despite the intimidation—
He felt one comforting thought:
They were here too.
Somewhere in these corridors.
And that made the palace feel less overwhelming.
?
Huang Rui’s Entrance
Prince Rui Huang entered through the western ceremonial gate.
Attendant Ng guided him carefully.
Huang Rui nearly gasped at the ceiling height.
The chandeliers of hanging lanterns.
The symmetry of silk banners.
The polished reflection of marble floors.
This was not a palace.
This was a photoshoot waiting to happen.
He adjusted his sleeves subtly.
Posture perfect.
Chin angle optimal.
He had to fight the urge to spin dramatically.
Stay composed.
But internally—
He was screaming.
If I survive this, I deserve to reincarnate here permanently.
He leaned slightly toward Attendant Ng. “Is my hair accessory centered?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Good.
If he was going to face an emperor—
He would do it flawlessly.
?
Wu Chen’s Entrance
Prince Wu Chen entered from a northern gate.
Attendant Miao walked firmly ahead.
Wu Chen’s eyes were wide.
Very wide.
The palace was enormous.
Endless corridors.
Layered courtyards.
Massive doors that looked heavy enough to crush existential confidence.
He nearly whispered, “If I get lost, just leave me here.”
“My lord?” Attendant Miao asked.
“Nothing!”
He straightened instantly.
Act natural.
Act prince-like.
He walked with exaggerated dignity for five steps—
Then almost tripped on his own robe.
Recovered smoothly.
Nailed it.
Internally, however—
He was overwhelmed.
This wasn’t a drama set.
This was real scale.
Real power.
And somewhere ahead—
An emperor waited.
He swallowed.
For once, he didn’t want to be chaotic.
He wanted to survive.
?
The Endless Walk
From five separate entrances, they moved through corridors that seemed to stretch into eternity.
The Main Palace was so grand that even walking from the gates to the dining hall took what felt like ages.
Stone floors echoed softly beneath measured footsteps.
Guards lined the walls like statues.
No one dared speak loudly.
Behind their attendants, all five members of Xing Yu struggled to conceal their awe.
Thank heaven they walked a step behind.
Because their expressions—
Would have betrayed everything.
None of them had ever seen architecture like this.
None of them had ever stood inside history itself.
Finally—
Golden lanterns flickered.
Massive carved doors stood ahead.
The Dragon’s Dining Hall.
One by one—
The princes approached.
Inside—
Emperor Jin Long waited.
And tonight—
For the first time since arriving in this world—
All five of them would stand in the same room again.
Not as idols.
Not as friends.
But as princes of Jin Kingdom.
And the Dragon would be watching.
