CHAPTER 54: NIE ZIYU

The Nie Empire was a land famed for its brilliance, for the vastness of its territories, for its lineage of rulers whose reigns were marked by prosperity and unyielding strength. And yet, within that seemingly untouchable imperial household, tragedy had always lingered like a shadow. Ling Yu remembered it well, even after her regression.

The Nie Empire had a total of five princes: Nie Tian, Nie Feng, Nie Hao, Nie Jinyu, and Nie Ziyu.

Nie Tian was the Crown Prince, a man of iron discipline who would later ascend the throne; Nie Feng, a steadfast general who never once flinched before battle; Nie Hao, a learned scholar whose insights shaped the laws of their kingdom; Nie Jinyu, a silver-tongued diplomat who could disarm an entire court with a single word.

And among them, the youngest prince was none other than Nie Ziyu, the one who, in her past life, had been mourned by all yet never found again.

Since she knew about all the empires and their Royal families in her past life, she naturally knew this little guy’s name.

Though she still didn’t understand why they would send the youngest prince here to die. She saw how much they searched for him in her past life; they probably never stopped searching for him.

It was incomprehensible. A child of such promise, who was so loved by everyone in his family, was cast away under the guise of diplomacy, and later lamented as though the heavens themselves had stolen him away.

After the Emperor of Nie died and the Crown Prince rose to the throne, all the other brothers divided their own positions respectively without fighting, because they all recognized him as someone capable of taking the responsibility of the throne. Such brotherhood is very rare among noble families, much less in a Royal family.

She could still recall the endless search that had spanned years in her past life. Nie Ziyu’s name had been whispered in every corner of the empire. The new Emperor Nie Tian himself had personally led expeditions in secret, searching for his youngest brother. Yet nothing had been uncovered. It was as if Nie Ziyu had vanished from the world, leaving only sorrow and guilt to gnaw away at the family that loved him.

If they truly cherished him so deeply... why send him to die in the first place?

Even after many years of their search, they couldn’t find Nie Ziyu, but they didn’t give up till the last.

If they were that much regretful and desperate, why did they even send him here as a hostage prince in the first place?

Could it be...?

Ling Yu didn’t have the time to verify her doubts because of a loud thud that distracted her. Surprised, she looked up at the human who was stomping towards her as she scanned him from head to toe.

Of course, blood never lies.

The filth and ruin could not conceal the divine beauty that lived beneath even before, and now it was practically shining. It was as though the gods themselves had sculpted his features with care that bordered on reverence.

Even if he was still young, he was already extraordinarily handsome. His jawline was fine yet defined, carrying neither harshness nor weakness, but an elegant balance that exuded quiet nobility. High cheekbones caught the faint light, lending his face a sculptural grace, while his brows arched like painted strokes above eyes that shone with cleverness.

Even now, dulled by exhaustion and veiled with weariness, they shimmered with an otherworldly brilliance. A soft silver glow clung faintly to their depths, like moonlight caught upon still water. They carried a purity, yet at the same time a chilling intensity that seemed capable of piercing through lies and pretenses alike.

’With eyes like that, no wonder Jiang Meng hated him so much, enough to torture him so brutally...’ Ling Yu thought as she observed the silent hatred that blazed deep within his eyes.

His lips, though dry and cracked, curved with natural refinement, carrying the faintest suggestion of a smile, though it never fully bloomed. His hair was black as midnight despite its tangled and wet state, reflecting light like strands of obsidian. Even his gait, uneven and heavy though it was now, bore an undeniable grace, as though each step echoed from a celestial rhythm written into his very bones.

It was almost ethereal and otherworldly, a perfect appearance like that.

Though even his beauty couldn’t compare to ’that’ person.

Now he finally looked like Nie Ziyu, the youngest prince of the Nie Empire, who was hidden behind layers of dust and pain, yet emanating a presence that no ragged clothes or bloodstains could diminish.

He was like a fallen star, dragged through the earth and filth, yet still carrying the shimmer of the heavens upon his skin.

Ling Yu’s heart stilled for a moment. Such a sight, it almost made her pity the heavens for letting such a being fall so low.

But the boy before her did not pity himself. His gaze locked onto hers with startling clarity. There was no despair in those moonlit eyes.

Only restrained fury.

"..." He stopped just short of her, his chest rising and falling.

The silence between them was tense, like a taut string ready to snap. She could feel it, the storm of hatred and revenge that brewed inside his heart. The urge to strike, to avenge, to rip apart those who had humiliated and tormented him until now.

Ling Yu exhaled slowly. Her tone softened, though it carried the weight of command.

"Prince Nie Ziyu." She spoke his name deliberately, reminding him of who he was, not what his captors had tried to reduce him to. "Restrain yourself. The time for your vengeance will come, but not now."

His hands, clenched into fists at his sides, trembled faintly. His jaw tightened, eyes flashing as though he wanted to protest.

"I know." She continued before he could speak, standing up and walking towards him. She stopped right before him, stepping closer so that only he could hear her words. "The humiliation and pain you’ve suffered, it sears you. You want revenge, right?"

"Why? You have also been in the same condition as I, haven’t you? You’re telling me that you don’t want revenge?" Nie Ziyu asked without changing his expression, confirming that he indeed knew very well who she was.

"I won’t ask how you know about me, but I’ll advise you not to do something stupid right now. Just act the same as usual, and wait until we leave the Palace." Ling Yu was calmer than he thought she should be, which made him a bit surprised.

’Why is she reacting like that? Did I miscalculate something?’ Nie Ziyu frowned as he read her expression; it seemed like she truly didn’t have any other thoughts.

"You can get your revenge; I won’t stop you when it’s time. But if you lash out now, it will mean nothing. Revenge taken in haste is revenge wasted. You must wait. Wait until every move crushes them beyond repair. Until every piece falls into place. Endure now, and the day will come when your enemies will kneel before you in despair."

Nie Ziyu’s breath hitched, his gaze wavering just slightly.

"You are talking about me, but... don’t you want your revenge too?"

Ling Yu stared at him for a while before giving off a slight smile, as she said, "It’s not time yet."

Ling Yu’s voice softened further, almost turning into a whisper. "Control yourself, Your Highness. Not for me. Not even for your family. Do it for yourself."

"Because once the chance comes, I will make sure you stand tall again as a hostage, not as a victim, but as the prince of Nie Empire."

The silence stretched between them.

And then, slowly, the tension in his shoulders eased. His fists unclenched, though faint trails of blood marked his palms from where his nails had dug too deeply. His gaze no longer burned with reckless fury, but with a tempered, smoldering resolve.

"...Fine," he murmured, his voice hoarse but steady. "I will wait."

Ling Yu allowed herself the smallest smile. "Good."

She straightened, her robe sweeping gracefully as she turned away. "Then steel yourself. From this day onward, you are under my guardianship. No one touches you without facing me first. But remember, your moment will not come today. Be patient."

With that, she left him standing in the chamber, silent but burning, before making her way to Emperor Jiang’s office.