As Yan Zhen settled inside the carriage, Jinhai followed behind and sat next to him.
Yan Zhen hesitated knowing Jinhai is the Emperor. The Emperor noticed his hesitation and just smiled, placing his hand over Yan Zhen's as a reassuring gesture.
Yan Zhen smiled back, feeling at ease.
He was nervous about going to the palace, knowing he have to face more unfamiliar faces who knows Yan Zhen, but not him.
Yan Zhen watched as the carriage moved towards the main gate of the palace and people bowing in respect, Yan Zhen looked at Jinhai and asked, "you're taking me through main gate?", Zhen Yi read that mostly everyone don't use main gate, only the Emperor gets to use that everytime.
Jinhai nodded and said, "yes, you're important to me, my General should use the main gate too. It's my order"
Yan Zhen nodded and looked away... he's feeling guilty.
"If only he knew I am not the Yan Zhen they know...I don't deserve what he's giving me"
Yan Zhen sighed to himself.
They reached the palace, The carriage slowed long before it stopped, as though even the horses sensed where they were.
Yan Zhen felt the shift first—the air changed. The distant noise of the city faded into silence, replaced by something heavy and solemn, like the world itself had straightened its back.
The main gates of the Xia Imperial Palace stood before them.
Towering vermilion doors rose high into the sky, reinforced with dark iron and studded with rows of bronze nails that gleamed under the sunlight. Carved upon them were ancient dragons twisting through clouds, their expressions fierce yet watchful, guardians of a dynasty that had endured generations. As the carriage approached, the gates began to open slowly, the deep echo of wood and metal rolling outward like thunder.
Yan Zhen's breath hitched.
Beyond the gates stretched a vast ceremonial road paved with pale jade stone, each slab engraved with delicate cloud patterns worn smooth by centuries of imperial footsteps. On both sides, rows of palace guards stood in absolute stillness, armor polished to a mirror sheen, spears grounded in perfect alignment.
Clang.
Clang.
The sound rang in unison as they bowed.
Yan Zhen's fingers tightened unconsciously in Jinhai's grasp.
Above them, towering palace halls unfolded layer by layer, their red pillars thick and majestic, supporting sweeping golden roofs that curved upward like phoenix wings ready to take flight. Sunlight danced across glazed tiles, casting warm reflections that made the entire palace seem alive, breathing with history.
Incense drifted faintly through the air—sandalwood and something older, deeper—carrying the dignity of countless ceremonies and unspoken oaths.
Courtyards opened one after another as the carriage passed. Officials halted mid-step and knelt. Servants lowered their gazes. No one spoke. No one needed to.
This was not merely a residence, it was the heart of an empire.
Yan Zhen swallowed hard.
"I don't belong here", Zhen Yi's thoughts whispered beneath his calm expression.
"This palace... it was built for him. For the real Yan Zhen"
The carriage finally stopped before the grand inner hall, its golden doors towering like a judgment waiting to be passed.
Jinhai rose first and stepped down, then turned back toward Yan Zhen. He didn't command. He didn't rush.
He simply offered his hand.
Yan Zhen hesitated, just for a breath, before placing his hand in Jinhai's.
As he stepped out of the carriage, the palace seemed to watch him.
Not with hostility, but with expectation.
"Welcome home," Jinhai said quietly, his voice meant only for Yan Zhen.
And Yan Zhen felt his guilt grow heavier.
As they walked inside the inner hall, every guards bowed down deeper for the Emperor and General. Ministers stood neatly in two rows and bowed to both of them.
Jinhai gestured them to stand straight as they did.
The ministers came forward and bowed to the Emperor and approached the General.
A Minister who was about 50 approached Yan Zhen smiling softly at him.
"Welcome to the palace again, General Yan Zhen", Minister Fu mei said, his voice calm and filled with relief.
Yan Zhen nodded sharply, trying to act like Yan Zhen. From what Zhen Yi knows, yan Zhen mostly never answer.
One by one, each Ministers expressed their happiness and relief.
Yan Zhen also talked with them, but kept it short and simple.
Then came Bai Renshu, the Commander of all the guards. He's brutally loyal to Yan Zhen.
Bai Renshu was a tall man in his mid 20's. He had sharp eyes that missed nothing, a kind heart that knows what was cruel and what was not. He is good in fighting and wielding swords.
Bai Renshu stood infront of Yan Zhen and smiled softly then bowed to him.
"It's a pleasure to have you after a long time, General. The palace felt empty without your presence.", he stood straight, the smile seemed so genuine, there's no malice, greed...just pure loyalty which made Yan Zhen smiled despite himself.
"How everything went without me in the military?", Yan Zhen asked, he's got comfortable in this body that words and actions comes out naturally.
"Everything was fine, I trained the new guards and there was significant increase in our military strength", Bai Renshu reported.
"That's what I expected, you did a great job", Yan Zhen praised and the Commander bowed to him.
"Brother!", called a soft voice, Jinhai turned around to see xia xingye approaching them.
Xie xingye was a brave, courageous princess and the younger sister of the Emperor. Xianxua Jinhai loves her dearly. She walked towards them, her purple hanfu flowing gracefully as she did.
She bowed to her brother and to the General, she looked at Bai Renshu and smiled softly who smiled back at her and bowed to him.
"I'm happy that you're back, General. I was so worried about your well-being", Xia Xingye said.
"It's my honour to meet you again, Princess", Yan Zhen bowed to her.
The Princess had done words with Yan Zhen. Jinhai watched them and noticed Yan Zhen was tired from all these events. He glanced at Bai Renshu, signalling him to take Yan Zhen to his room. Bai Renshu caught the signal and nodded.
"General?", he interrupted.
Xia Xingye stopped mid-talk and looked at him so did Yan Zhen.
"Apologies for the interruption, General looks tired. He needs to rest in his room", Bai Renshu explained.
The Princess nodded and stepped back smiling softly at the General.
"I'm going to the garden", she said then bowed to everyone and walked away.
Bai Renshu guided Yan Zhen to his room, he opened the door revealing a grand room, decorated in blood red, everything was expensive.
"Is it my room?", Yan Zhen asked in disbelief.
"Ofcourse, this is your room, General. You used to be here. Anything wrong?", Bai Renshu asked.
"No...you can leave", Yan Zhen smiled at Bai Renshu who bowed and left.
As he left, Yan Zhen walked inside, looking around the room.
Zhen Yi felt like an intruder, he knows none of the things belong to him. He sighed and looked at the wardrobe, filled with only silk robes and his various armours.
He saw a box at the corner of the room and opened it, he gasped in surprise.
The same sword he used to train in his modern world.
"This sword?...belongs to him? So...my family was from his legacy?..."
Zhen Yi thought to himself as he lifted the sword and held it close to his chest.
He missed his family very much, it still brought pain to him.
On the other hand, Bai Renshu walked towards the garden.
He saw the Princess standing at the garden, admiring the flowers.
Bai Renshu smiled and walked behind her.
"You are late", Xia Xingye said as she turned to look at him.
"I was on my way, but a guard stopped me to ask about tomorrow's schedule", he reasoned.
"Ren...", she whispered and held his wrist.
"Ye, someone might see, don't stand too close to me", he tried to sound firm but he knew he could never be harsh on her.
"We are hiding like this for almost 2 years, when are we going to stop hiding?"
"When I make sure your brother and the empire is safe", he said and patted her head to comfort her.
"Promise me... you'll marry me once your duty finished", she asked, looking up at him with hope.
"I promise you, I'll marry you, no matter who comes our way", he cupped her cheek.
"Ren...come closer", she said with a smile.
Bai Renshu raised his eyebrows but leaned in.
"Hm? Now what?", he asked but he got shocked when she pecked his lips quickly.
He looked at her with wide eyes, she chuckled at his reaction and walked away from him.
A slow smile played on his lips as he watched her go.
"Princess!", he called out.
"Just a peck?", he asked, grinning like an idiot.
"First, marry me", she said with a shy smile and rushed inside the palace, leaving Bai Renshu standing there with that big smile. He snapped out of his daze and went to go military works.
Now back to Yan Zhen's room, he was sitting on the bed, rethinking everything.
The Emperor's care, the Commander's loyalty, the people's concern and care...he don't deserve any of this.
"How many days do I have to act like Yan Zhen?, God ,why you trapped me in a very unfamiliar place?"
The thought ran through Zhen Yi's mind.
Suddenly...
There was a knock on the door, Zhen Yi's thoughts were interrupted as he looked up at the door.
"Come in", he said as the door opened.
Revealing a old man, dressed in green robe, wearing a furry cloak, he had beard and silver locks flowing down to his waist. He's 59 years old.
The prime minister, Luo Shen.
Yan Zhen got up, he didn't know who this was but knew he was an important figure.
"Welcome back to the palace, General", Luo Shen said, his voice deep and rough.
Yan Zhen nodded one time firmly, right now, he's not following Yan Zhen's charcter, but he genuinely didn't know who this was.
"You survived the poison. You are very strong, both emotionally and physically", Luo Shen praised, with a small smile.
"I care about this Empire. As a General, I will endure anything for my people, and the Emperor", the words flowed out of his mouth instinctively.
"I appreciate your mindset. The grand feast will be ready, come to the main hall. Now I'm taking my leave, General", Luo Shen bowed and left the room.
Yan Zhen wondered who this man was, he seemed too nice. He didn't thought much and let it slide.
He began to get ready for the grand feast.