That night, Shen Rong was covered in blood. His family, the Shen household, was a noble family that worked for the emperor and the emperor only.

Everything was originally alright — his father was a respected general, his mother was a soft noble lady, and his younger brother was a cute and chatty toddler. That year, he was merely 12 years old.

Shen Rong would’ve never imagined, and never believe anyone when they said that his father had committed treason. His father, a general who fought for the country, commit treason? Shen Rong couldn’t even imagine it!

Yet, treason was a heavy crime. One that could kill someone, including their whole family, and their next 9 generations!

As his father died, he asked him — ”Did you really do it?” All he received was a shaky hand on his shoulder, and his father’s last words. ”Stay loyal, Rong-er.”

He should’ve died that day, too. He would’ve, if the prince back then hadn’t saved him. He never knew why the prince saved him; he himself had wanted to die with his family.

The prince, one that would soon become the crown prince. Chi Mingxi, a boy that shone light into his dark world.

Chi Mingxi ordered him to become an assassin under his wing, to become the most fierce and loyal servant. Shen Rong obliged, never knowing why the prince — crown prince now, saved him.

He didn’t know, why would the crown prince ever tell him? Such sweet words pouring out of his poisonous mouth — ”A-Rong, I can only trust you now. I like you so much!”

How stupid he was to think the crown prince really liked him. He even foolishly said he liked him, too. Four years together, and it ended that day.

”What? You really like me? Don’t you know I’m not a cutsleeve?”

”But… your highness, I thought —“

”What you think, is merely what you think. Don’t speak of this again.”

Shen Rong was humiliated and heartbroken. He was utterly disgraceful and he was disgusting for ever thinking he had a chance — no, who would want a chance with that bastard?

Really, Shen Rong was planning to leave. He had never even thought of harming the crown prince, until another showed up.

“Does Shen-gongzi want to know something?” A man — the disciple of the best doctor in the palace — spoke to him.

“Won’t you join me in my treason against them all?”

…

Shen Rong had wanted to listen to his father’s last words to “stay loyal”. However, after hearing why Chi Mingxi saved him… he really wanted to kill him.

Chi Mingxi had a first love: a girl, unknown, who supposedly had the same eyes as Shen Rong! They even have an identical mole under their left eye! Shen Rong doesn’t know where that girl is now, and he doesn’t care; he was but a replacement for Chi Mingxi.

He’s been played — and now, he wants him dead.

Treason was no small joke, he would know that best. Thankfully, there was still someone willing to aid him.

That disciple.

Doctor Song is the doctor that treats even the emperor and empress! His medical knowledge was wide and unmatched. However, he was known to only have 3 disciples — the second one, being… this guy.

Shen Rong originally was cautious and suspicious of them. How did they know the truth, why tell him, and why help him?

… however, the two have been talking for a week, and Shen Rong… Shen Rong thinks this guy is just crazy.

“If the crown prince consumes these two common herbs together daily, he won’t be able to get it up anymore.”

Shen Rong: “……” Is that the point!?

Many things considered, if Shen Rong were to commit treason (which he will), no one could do it easier than him. He’s been with the crown prince for years to, and he’s very trusted!

“Can I not just stab him unexpectedly?”

“Don’t you want to see him begging for your forgiveness? There is a way… an interesting and fun way.”

This ‘interesting and fun way’, was for him to act as Shen Rong’s friend, igniting a sense of jealousy from Chi Mingxi.

Shen Rong: “……”

“This one pays respects to your highness the crown prince!”

“…Ah-Rong, since when did you have friends?”

“Your highness…”

“Ah, perhaps me and Ah-Rong are more than friends!”