DIZION

Oblivious to how he should react, Yu Xiao only beamed at him as he sipped his cup. The two beside him gazed at him like he should say something; he looked at them and blurted, "What?"

Yu Zhi moved closer to him and whispered, "Where's the offering to the emperor?"

Yu Xiao was startled, "What do you mean?"

Queen Bao called Ji Yuan from the outside. The latter came in carrying a chest. The former gestured him to give the chest to the emperor, and he did. Yu Xiao had a question mark on his forehead, ignorant to what he should do. He was put in a position he had no idea about, so he sat there watching them exchange their best wishes. Seeing his brother barely say anything as well, he leaned closer to him and quietly asked, "What's the name of the emperor?"

The queen and emperor halted their conversation. Yu Xiao exchanged glances with Yu Zhi and asked again, "Did I say that aloud?"

Yu Zhi nodded in incredulity. Yu Xiao gulped down his saliva and beamed at the emperor again while slapping his brow. "Ah, Your Majesty, forgive me. I really forgot!!"

The emperor nonchalantly answered, "Hao Xi."

Upon hearing the name, he thought it was familiar but didn't comment on it and instead, asked a direct question. "Where's the commemoration?"

Hao Xi only frowned. Yu Zhi whispered to him again, "Stupid, it's still tomorrow!"

Queen Bao apologized on his son's behalf. After a few talks, she and Yu Zhi eventually went outside while Yu Xiao remained on the palace as he unconsciously gazed at the ceiling. Hao Xi noticed his strange behavior and the fact that he had no sword on his waist. He remarked, "Going around without your blade ah! This is some real confidence."

Just then, he realized that his mother and brother had already left. His thoughts were floating on the s.p.a.ce as of the moment, so he unwittingly let out a "huh?" Then he rose to his feet.

"Do you even know who you are?" Hao Xi suspectingly questioned him.

EXPOSED!!!

He stepped

Then he continued his darting towards the outside like robbing a body was utterly normal. However, the emperor called out, not his name nor his t.i.tle. "Master?!"

Yu Xiao looked back, awkwardly smiled and confusedly asked, "Who? Me?"

The emperor turned his back on him, "Not you! "

"Alright." He dashed to the gates where Queen Bao and Yu Zhi waited for him. The latter was disgusted at him. His brother sneered, "How dare you shame our kingdom?"

Queen Bao positioned between them to avoid another quarrel to ignite, "Alright, stop this. Save your words for later."

The three stayed at an inn on the Golden Capital near the Royal Palace. He remained silent all throughout, so much that it's almost like he's asleep. When they were eating, his mother and brother conversed about affairs to settle the following days; meanwhile he, on the other hand, did and said absolutely nothing. He unconsciously gazed at a cup the whole time without moving, mouth shut as if his tongue was cut. As they slept, he laid there like dead but never closed his eyes and faced the ceiling as if watching another world on it. Queen Bao didn't dare to bother with him thinking he must truly be sick, but Yu Zhi had shaken him multiple times to pull him back to the realm they're currently in.

The next morning, his thoughts were still flying aimlessly into the void. He bathed himself without taking his clothes off, b.u.mped into the wall several times and almost tumbled out of nowhere. Yu Zhi began to worry that his brother might've undergone Qi Deviation that he lost his mind. They went outside and were met by a crowd of people there to join the imperial celebration.

ZhongTian commemoration was a yearly occasion done to celebrate the unification of the north, east and south kingdoms into one empire- the ZhongTian Empire. It also pays tribute to all the soldiers who have died during the great invasion and to remember the thousands of innocent civilians killed. The commemoration parade starts in late morning until who-knows-when. Even so, they had to come early to greet n.o.blemen and high-ranking officials from other nations who were going to attend as well. The actual ceremony starts before evening, followed by lantern lighting, not for personal wishes but for the spirits of dead people lit by their loved ones.

When they strolled along the busy streets, it wasn't like mourning for the dead, but more of a festival. Delicious foods were everywhere, colorful decorations on houses and establishments, children running around here and there, women dressed nicely, and men hanging around one another. Yu Xiao couldn't help but admire the glamour of this festive event, as if every residence unite to have fun and all. Because of this, he got interested in roaming around, but with his status as a crown prince, it could only mean being swarmed by civilians. The three pa.s.sed by a store that sold masks; there were those drawn like scary monsters, some ridiculously painted by bright colors and also animal masks. Out of all the ones hanging on the red curtain, a white tiger mask stood out in his eyes. It was unnerving yet cute, dark yet bright, so he bought it. He initially had no intention of taking Yu Zhi now, for he'd be such a pain to deal with, but his brother also bought a mask for himself, wanting to tag along. Of course, he wouldn't let that happen. As his brother got distracted from talking with Queen Bao, he unnoticeably mended into the crowd and fled away.