Chapter 7: Have I Been Exposed?
The Emperor of Great Zhou wore a face as cold as ice. Simply by looking at his expression, it was impossible to guess what thoughts lay beneath. He gazed calmly at Cheng Guang, his eyes lingering for a long moment, until Cheng Guang’s scalp tingled from the scrutiny. Only then did the Emperor slowly shift his gaze to the stone table.
“What are you playing here?”
Hearing the Emperor’s question, Cheng Guang cursed inwardly. At that moment, he wished only to hide; the pressure emanating from this Emperor was even greater than that of Empress Dowager Li.
Yet it was clear the Emperor had no intention of letting him go so easily. Instead, he drew Cheng Guang into conversation.
Cheng Guang knew nothing about the Emperor of Great Zhou—Qingluan had not prepared any information for him in advance. Now, he had no idea what attitude or words would be appropriate in speaking to the Emperor.
If his demeanor differed too much from that of the true heir, exposure would be the least of his worries; he would have to consider what manner of death might be quickest, and where the best burial site would be.
He pondered briefly and, with a furtive glance, looked to Wu Ling for help, hoping she might answer in his stead.
But Wu Ling was not even glancing at the Emperor, let alone speaking. Where she once appeared as a pitiable, innocent rabbit, now she was stubbornly defiant, refusing to meet the Emperor’s eyes, twisting away and gazing at her feet as if something fascinating lay beneath them.
Cheng Guang had no choice but to steel himself and reply.
“Uncle, this is Five Stones.”
“Oh? Five Stones?” the Emperor murmured, “The name does match your play style—five pieces in a row to win. Though it differs from Go, it has its own charm.”
After speaking, the Emperor glanced at Cheng Guang once more. “I’ve never seen this game before. Did you invent it?”
Cheng Guang nodded. “Just tinkered with it out of boredom.”
To his surprise, the Emperor, who moments ago was stern and unsmiling, suddenly showed a hint of amusement upon hearing Cheng Guang’s answer.
“You are rather clever.”
“I see you and my daughter enjoyed yourselves—come play a round with me. If you win, I’ll reward you. If you lose, you bear the consequences.”
With that, the Emperor took Cheng Guang’s seat at the table.
The sudden shift left Cheng Guang stunned, and even Wu Ling looked as though she had seen a ghost, unable to keep from staring at the Emperor.
She had not expected the Emperor to sit down and invite the heir to play this game.
Cheng Guang felt a surge of unease at the Emperor’s unpredictable mood; the urge to flee grew stronger by the moment.
But he suppressed it with determination. He wasn’t exposed yet, and leaving abruptly would be courting death. Even if he were exposed, where could he run?
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Cheng Guang sat opposite the Emperor. He cleared the board and asked, “Uncle, who takes the first move?”
“You go first. I won't bully you.”
Cheng Guang nodded, kept silent, and placed a black stone in the center.
The Emperor followed quickly, having observed Cheng Guang and Wu Ling play and already grasped the rules of Five Stones.
He played with calculated speed and aggression, setting subtle traps for Cheng Guang.
Five Stones was a simple yet complex game, and to master it so swiftly was rare.
Wu Ling was skilled, but compared to the Emperor’s mature and experienced play, she was not his equal.
Cheng Guang pondered each move carefully, not daring to make a mistake.
The Emperor had said victory would bring a reward, defeat would mean bearing the consequences.
Cheng Guang cared little for any reward; what troubled him was the Emperor’s profound gaze as he uttered “bear the consequences.”
Was the Emperor aware of his true identity?
This thought struck Cheng Guang as he played, causing his hand to tremble.
The Emperor, noticing Cheng Guang’s shaking hand, spoke softly, “Focus on the game—stop letting your mind wander.”
His words only deepened Cheng Guang’s anxiety, confirming the Emperor’s suspicions.
Sweat beaded on Cheng Guang’s forehead, but he forced himself to concentrate on the board.
Thinking now was pointless. Even if the Emperor had discovered he was an impostor, so long as he had not been denounced or killed, there was still room to maneuver.
First, win the game.
Cheng Guang pushed aside his fears and focused entirely.
Tap, tap, tap...
In the quiet pavilion, only the soft rustle of wind through grass and the sound of stones falling on the board could be heard.
As the board filled, the contest grew more intense. Both were fully absorbed, minds immersed in the struggle.
Meanwhile, a group of princes and princesses, having finished their games outside, returned early as the family banquet approached.
Before entering the main hall, they saw their father and Cheng Guang seated at a stone table by the lake, engrossed in their match.
“Father’s playing chess with the heir?”
“Who knows? It’s strange—he’s never played chess with us.”
“Should we go over?”
“Better not; hasn’t Father scolded us enough? Let’s stay back.”
They lingered at a distance, not daring to approach, but watching quietly. Even from afar, their cultivation allowed them to see the chessboard clearly.
“What kind of game is that?”
“I’ve never seen it…”
“The board’s almost full—who do you think will win?”
“I can’t tell, but probably Father.”
They whispered among themselves.
Inside the pavilion, the match reached its climax. Both sides moved faster and faster.
When the final stone filled the last space, the Emperor laughed lightly and tossed his stone aside.
“A draw, it seems—you’ve got some skill.”
Cheng Guang smiled at the Emperor, betraying no surprise. He was about to speak when the Emperor waved him off.
“That’s enough, no need for words. A draw counts as your victory—my promise stands.”
With that, the Emperor rose and walked toward the main hall. As he left, he paused, muttering, “How could it be so alike?”
He departed, lost in thought, his figure soon vanishing from Cheng Guang’s sight.
Wu Ling exhaled in relief, patting her chest and making a face at the Emperor’s retreating back.
Her feelings toward the Emperor were complex—a mixture of dependence, resentment, and other tangled emotions. In the cold palace, apart from this nominal father, there was hardly anyone else she could vent her temper upon.
With the Emperor gone, Wu Ling withdrew into herself, ready to become invisible once more.
She glanced up at Cheng Guang, as if wanting to speak, but noticed sweat pouring from his brow, trickling down his face.
“You—does playing chess tire you so much?” Wu Ling exclaimed, pulling out a handkerchief to gently wipe his face.
Though they had only spent a quarter of an hour together, Wu Ling felt close to Cheng Guang, either wishing to win his favor or simply growing fond of him after their brief time together.
Cheng Guang thanked her, took the handkerchief, and wiped his forehead.
He was not tired, but terrified.
The Emperor’s words, others might not understand, but Cheng Guang knew well—when the Emperor said “how could it be so alike,” he meant not just resemblance, but the very real similarity to the true heir, who was currently away.
The Emperor had discovered he was a fake.
When had he realized? From the start? Or after their conversation?
Cheng Guang had no answers.
What perplexed him even more was the Emperor’s response—having recognized him as an impostor, the Emperor did nothing to punish or expose him.
Cheng Guang could not believe the Emperor would let him off over a game; the wager was merely a pretext.
He could not fathom the Emperor’s thoughts. Previously, he had fooled the Princess Wu Shi Yue Mei, Empress Dowager Li, and Queen Wang. He had assumed he might also deceive the Emperor.
But he had underestimated the cultivators of this world.
Even ordinary cultivators could sense something amiss if they paid close attention; how much more so the Emperor, a man who had reached the pinnacle of human cultivation.
Perhaps he had seen through Cheng Guang at a glance.
Cheng Guang pondered, but was grateful. Whatever the Emperor thought, the outcome was favorable.
He had suffered no punishment. As long as the Emperor kept silent, and he continued to play his role as before, the risk of exposure remained low—enough to see him through until he could leave.
When the true heir returned, his work as a stand-in would end, and he could slip away.
“Heir, why are you dazed…” Wu Ling waved her hand in front of Cheng Guang.
After their brief exchange, Wu Ling had dropped her guard; in a sense, Cheng Guang had become her first friend in the palace.
Friendship was simple—happiness in each other’s company was enough.
Wu Ling instinctively drew closer to Cheng Guang.
He snapped out of his reverie and smiled. “I’m fine, just thinking how to beat Uncle.”
“Beating him will be hard—you’ll have to work very hard,” Wu Ling replied earnestly.
Cheng Guang nodded, then chatted idly with Wu Ling for a while.
Soon, a eunuch emerged from the hall to summon Cheng Guang and the princes and princesses inside.
Upon entering, he saw the family banquet was about to begin.
The Emperor, Empress Dowager Li, Princess Yue Mei, Queen Wang, and several noble consorts were already seated.
The Emperor and Empress Dowager Li sat at the head, followed by others in order of rank and relation.
Beside Empress Dowager Li, Princess Yue Mei rose and beckoned to Cheng Guang.
“Guang’er, come, sit beside your mother.”
…