In chaotic times, the people of Vong Kingdom suffered greatly due to a tyrannical ruler named Mo Niao, who was the third prince of King Shu, Mo He Shu.
He only cared about his luxurious life in the palace, burdening the common people with exorbitant taxes. At this time, Qin Yu, the loyal prime minister of Vong Kingdom, worried about the people and thus wrote a secret letter to the second prince, Mo Ran Ren, who resided on Moon Mountain in the north of Vong Kingdom, also known as Prince Ran.
Prince Ran cared for the people more than anyone else. Originally, the position of Crown Prince had been designated for Prince Ran that year, but before he could be formally appointed, Mo Niao rebelled. Five years prior, Mo Niao had murdered their father, the Emperor, to seize the throne. Prince Ran had allowed him to ascend, believing that since Mo Niao had always presented himself as capable, he would surely be a good ruler.
After Mo Niao ascended the throne, Prince Ran, along with his consort Meng Fei, went to Moon Mountain to live a normal life with the fourth prince, Prince Mo.
Now, upon receiving the secret letter, Prince Ran saw the people's poverty and suffering and felt compassion. After ascending the throne, Mo Niao had reshuffled the court officials, causing chaos in the government, with corrupt high-ranking officials becoming increasingly numerous. Not only that, Mo Niao ignored state affairs, only indulging in pleasure and revelry with three thousand beauties. The national treasury dwindled, and Mo Niao began to increase taxes, giving rise to countless strange and bizarre levies.
Enraged, Prince Ran descended the mountain, gathered enough soldiers, and overthrew Mo Niao. In just one month, Mo Niao was completely defeated. Unable to bear such humiliation, he drank poison and committed suicide.
The nation returned to peace. Emperor Ran, supported by all, ascended the throne, and state affairs were reorganized. Currently, Emperor Ran and the Empress had a son, Mo Zhao Ran, who was three years old.
Meng Fei became pregnant once more, and on the day of her delivery, she gave birth to another prince.
Prince Mo came to visit the palace and casually named his nephew Mo Zhao Wang.
The Emperor's inner palace housed countless beauties, but the only one who bore children for the Emperor was the Empress.
Emperor Ran had always been known as a devoted man, so he only visited the Empress's palace.
Two years later, it was the Empress's delivery day again. Outside, Emperor Ran secretly hoped for a little princess.
But reality was not so; the Emperor received news.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, it's a little prince."
He was also happy that the Empress had a smooth delivery, and joyfully named the third prince Mo Zhao Feng.
Zhao Feng, however, was different from his two elder brothers. He was a handsome young prince, a little quiet, and had a peculiar personality.
Everyone said the Third Prince possessed handsomeness inherited from his mother's beauty and intelligence like his father.
When he was eight years old, Zhao Feng was taken to Moon Mountain for a visit. Upon his return, he told the Emperor and Empress.
"There's a little sister on Moon Mountain, and she's agreed to marry me. When I grow up, I'll go and bring her home."
Both thought Zhao Feng was just a child joking, but Zhao Feng's peculiar nature meant he wouldn't let go of that thought. Every year on his birthday, Zhao Feng would mention that little sister.
"Her name is Tan Ru, and she's very beautiful."
When he turned ten, Zhao Feng was appointed Crown Prince.
Life in the Eastern Palace was so dull that Chiêu Phong yearned to travel outside. Having spent so much time cooped up in the Eastern Palace, he felt stifled and constrained, longing for a trip out.
By the age of nineteen, Chiêu Phong had finally managed to persuade the Emperor to let him travel.
The day before his departure, the Crown Prince's guards had completed all preparations. Yet, by morning, the Crown Prince had vanished.
Chiêu Phong and his personal guard, Mã Bằng, had actually snuck out much earlier.
The two of them strolled leisurely through the market, taking in the bustling vibrancy never seen within the palace walls.
Eventually, they ducked into a large tavern, famously known as An Châu's Wine Tower. While not having left An Châu technically meant they were still within the palace's sphere of influence, Chiêu Phong and Mã Bằng decided to stop for a meal before continuing their journey.
Mã Bằng also ordered a pot of wine, but after just one sip, his face contorted in a grimace.
Chiêu Phong quickly chuckled, replying to Mã Bằng with an air of worldly wisdom.
“The wine here goes to your head quickly. Drink sparingly.”
Mã Bằng replied, his voice incredulous.
“Your Highness, you’ve only just left the palace. How do you know so much about these things? My family’s fabric shop is out here; I know these matters better than you do.”
Chiêu Phong burst out laughing.