Night fell, lantern light illuminating the corridors. Yan Xuan peered from his chamber door. His personal eunuch, Hong Zu, still stood vigilant before the room.
Soon, Head Eunuch Lao Wang's voice echoed from the corridor's end. "Hong Zu, come help a moment. We need hot water for Prince Lie Yan."
"What if Prince Yan Xuan needs me?" Hong Zu replied, concerned.
"His body's weary, he's surely sleeping soundly," Lao Wang pressed.
Hong Zu relented and left, leaving Yan Xuan's door unguarded. Seizing the moment, Yan Xuan slipped out, each step silent and measured.
He wore the gray robes of a palace eunuch, unfamiliar fabric against his skin. Lower collar, no jade belt sash, all for his disguise to reach the secret garden gate at the rear.
"Why must I dress like this?" he muttered, adjusting the slipping sleeve folds.
Footsteps of patrolling guards echoed from the corridor's end. Yan Xuan shuffled along bowed, breath held. Two guards passed without noticing the third prince.
Yan Xuan exhaled deeply, then quickened, half-running toward the rear garden gate where Jin Feng promised to wait.
Beneath a blooming osmanthus tree, Jin Feng stood casually. Arms crossed, faint smile on his face. No hiding, no haste, as if on an evening stroll.
"You!" Yan Xuan approached, still breathless. "Why must I sneak like a thief while you stroll openly?"
Jin Feng chuckled, voice low and nearly inaudible. "Patience, your efforts will be rewarded."
He eyed Yan Xuan head to toe. "How's the outfit? Fits well, though you look uncomfortable."
Yan Xuan snorted. "Don't joke, this is eunuch garb."
"Fine, let's go." Jin Feng turned toward the neglected garden edge, where moss-covered stone walls met wild thickets. He paused before a nearly vine-choked dragon relief, pressing one scale.
[Click]
Part of the wall slid aside, revealing a narrow gap, enough for one person.
Yan Xuan froze. "What is this?"
"You don't know? An evacuation passage," Jin Feng replied lightly, stepping through first. "If the palace is attacked, the imperial family escapes this way. Or..." his voice echoed from the dark tunnel, "...if a prince wants to slip out unnoticed, hahaha."
Yan Xuan followed; the wall sealed behind with a heavy thud. Total darkness swallowed them, save for Jin Feng's small lantern lighting the way.
The tunnel air was cold, smelling of damp earth and ancient stone. Their footsteps echoed, creating a strange rhythm that buzzed in Yan Xuan's ears.
"How do you know this place?" Yan Xuan asked, voice slightly trembling, not from fear, but discomfort. The passage felt narrow, distant from the world above.
"I've lived in this palace longer than you," Jin Feng answered without turning. "While you studied with dull tutors, I... explored. The palace holds many secrets, Xuan. You just need to know where to look."
"Does Father know?" Yan Xuan asked.
"Father?" Jin Feng paused; lantern light cast odd shadows on stone walls. "Of course, but he thinks no one's foolish or bold enough to use it without permission."
Yan Xuan fell silent. Those words felt like a challenge. They walked endlessly, or so it seemed, Yan Xuan lost count.
Finally, a dead-end wall with stairs awaited. Jin Feng climbed and pushed the cover.
They emerged in a well-kept but uninhabited house, the designated safehouse for the secret evacuation route on the city's edge.
"We're... outside the palace?" Yan Xuan peeked through wooden walls, half-disbelieving. For eighteen years, the palace had been his world.
Outside only for official ceremonies, escorted by dozens of guards, commoners kneeling along the path. But this was different, no one knew him, no one cared.
"Welcome to the real world," Jin Feng said, handing Yan Xuan fresh clothes.
"Change, then follow. And remember, don't talk too much. Don't stare. Most importantly..." He turned with a serious gaze. "...never reveal who you are."
"Why?"
"Because if they learn you're the emperor's son, this will be your last pleasant night."
Yan Xuan swallowed hard.
They navigated quiet alleys between darkened homes. Most shops shuttered, windows black, doors locked.
But at the street's end, a two-story building glowed brilliantly. Red lanterns hung before the entrance, light dancing shadows across the road.
Faint laughter drifted out, mingling with soft music. Above the door, a gold-lettered wooden sign read, "Peach Blossom Pavilion."
"This..." Yan Xuan halted. His heart raced. "...a brothel?"
Jin Feng smiled. "Don't get too excited, stay cautious." Before Yan Xuan could respond, Jin Feng pushed him inside.
The door opened; the world transformed. First came sweet incense mixed with rice wine aroma. Then came warmth, far cozier than outside, drawing thin sweat to his skin.
Qin music flowed gently from upstairs, notes rising and falling like waves. Women's laughter, crisp, teasing, sounded from side rooms.
A middle-aged woman approached in green silk, heavy makeup, smile overly broad. "Welcome, young masters. It's been too long."
"Regular room," Jin Feng said, tossing her a silver pouch.
She weighed it briefly; her smile warmed genuine. "Of course, this way."
Wooden stairs creaked softly underfoot. Yan Xuan followed, sweaty palms unsure where to rest.
His eyes swept the space: carved wooden panels, landscape paintings, corner vase brimming fresh peach blossoms.
Jin Feng opened a private room door. Inside: low table set with dried fruit and nuts on small plates, two empty cups, rice wine bottle sealed with red wax.
"Sit," Jin Feng commanded, already slipping off shoes and settling cross-legged on silk cushions.
Yan Xuan mimicked awkwardly, unaccustomed to floor-sitting. His legs folded uncomfortably.
Jin Feng poured wine into cups. The clear liquid smelled sharp, sweet yet biting. "Drink."
"I don't..."
"Just drink!"
Yan Xuan lifted the cup; cool liquid touched his lips. He sipped and coughed violently. His throat burned, eyes watering.
Jin Feng laughed. "Slowly. Think it's tea?"
Before Yan Xuan could protest, the door opened. Three women entered. Two carried trays of snacks and more wine, in sheer pink and sky-blue silk with flowing wide sleeves.
Hair piled high, adorned with tiny peach blossoms. Heavy makeup: red lips, rouged cheeks, kohl-lined eyes. Beautiful, but calculated beauty.
The third, in green, bore a qin, long wooden board strung with fine wires glinting in lantern light. Younger than the others, her face naturally pretty without excess powder. Eyes downcast as she sat in the corner, qin across her lap.
"Good evening, gentlemen," the pink-clad woman purred, voice soft and husky. "We're here to keep you company tonight."
Yan Xuan froze, unblinking, mind blank. She sat beside him, so close he caught her scent, jasmine mingled with something richer, sweeter.
Her hand was soft, slender fingers refilling his cup. "You seem tense," she whispered, lifting it to his lips. "Relax. Tonight, forget the world outside."
Yan Xuan's heart thundered in his ears, blood rushing hot to his face, ears ringing. He glanced at Jin Feng, his cousin lounged easily, blue-clad woman beside him, giggling at some whisper.
"Relax," Jin Feng said without looking. "Enjoy."
The qin began. First notes soft, young fingers plucking strings gently, melody flowing like water. Then her voice joined, wordless song, notes rising falling, hypnotic.
Yan Xuan didn't know what to do, hands stiff in his lap. Breath shallow, but his eyes... couldn't stop staring.
The woman beside him smiled, a knowing smile. And for the first time in his life, Yan Xuan felt something ignite. Something dangerous. Something craving more.
***