The Queen did not like losing control.
She sat before her vanity, fingers tapping slowly against the table as a maid brushed her hair. Each tap echoed her thoughts—cold, sharp, impatient.
"The Crown Prince has been smiling again," she said calmly.
The maid stiffened. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty."
The Queen's reflection smiled back at her. "That means he thinks he's winning."
Across the palace, Zhen Luo sneezed.
Feng Huai glanced at him. "Someone's talking about you."
Zhen Luo smirked faintly. "They never stop."
What did stop, however, was his freedom.
By imperial order, his schedule was suddenly full—lessons, ceremonies, inspections, etiquette practice, meetings with noble elders. Every moment accounted for. Every step watched.
And Li Shuran was always there.
She walked beside him with gentle smiles and obedient gestures, playing the role of the perfect future Crown Princess. To the palace, she was grace itself.
To Zhen Luo, she was a cage with silk ribbons.
"You look tired, Your Highness," she said softly as they walked through the corridor. "Perhaps you should rest more."
Zhen Luo nodded. "Perhaps."
Behind a pillar, Han Jian watched with narrowed eyes.
Xu Ren crossed his arms. "She's sticking closer."
Han Jian smiled lazily. "Good. That means she's nervous."
That night, trouble arrived quietly.
Han Yue had been summoned to the inner palace under the excuse of embroidery lessons—a harmless invitation on the surface.
Han Jian felt it immediately.
The air shifted. Wrong.
He stood abruptly, eyes dark. "Xu Ren."
"I know," Xu Ren said. "I'll go."
"No," Han Jian replied, already moving. "I will."
By the time Han Jian arrived, Han Yue was standing awkwardly in a richly decorated room, surrounded by noble ladies—including Li Shuran.
"Oh?" Li Shuran said pleasantly when she saw him. "You came quickly."
Han Jian bowed politely. "My sister is inexperienced. I worried she might trouble the ladies."
Li Shuran smiled. "On the contrary. She's very… honest."
Han Yue clenched her sleeves. "Brother—"
Han Jian placed himself subtly in front of her. "If Lady Li has finished teaching, I'll escort her back."
Li Shuran stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You protect her fiercely."
Han Jian smiled. "I protect what's mine."
Her gaze sharpened. "Careful. The palace dislikes possessiveness."
Han Jian leaned in slightly, eyes glinting. "Then it's lucky the palace doesn't get to decide what I keep."
The atmosphere turned icy.
Li Shuran laughed softly, stepping back. "Of course. You may go."
As they left, Han Yue whispered, shaken, "She asked strange questions… about the Crown Prince."
Han Jian's smile vanished. "Did you answer?"
"No."
"Good."
Elsewhere, the Queen received her report.
"So," she said coolly, "the boy interfered again."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Queen's eyes darkened. "Then it's time we remind him of his place."
The next morning, Zhen Luo was summoned to the ancestral hall.
He knelt as required, head lowered, incense smoke curling thickly around him.
"You have been distracted," the King said coldly. "Your duties neglected."
Zhen Luo remained silent.
The Queen's voice cut in sharply. "Starting today, you will move to the eastern palace."
Zhen Luo's eyes lifted slightly. "The eastern palace?"
"Far from unnecessary influences," she continued smoothly. "And you will no longer associate with Han Jian."
The words struck like a blade.
Zhen Luo bowed deeply. "Yes, Mother."
But when he rose, his eyes were calm—too calm.
That night, as guards escorted him to his new residence, a shadow appeared silently on the roof.
Han Jian crouched there, watching.
Xu Ren whispered beside him, "They're separating you."
Han Jian's lips curved, slow and dangerous. "They can try."
Because distance had never stopped a monster.
And cages?
Cages were meant to be broken.