Chapter 81

Chapter 81

The weather was fine today, and the consorts in the harem had all come out to enjoy the scenery in the imperial garden.

The Noble Consort was followed by a grand entourage, making her particularly conspicuous.

Lower-ranking concubines, catching only a distant glimpse of her palanquin's shadow, dared not approach and quickly stepped aside.

When the Noble Consort and her party reached the lakeside in the imperial garden, they noticed that someone was already in the pavilion on the rockery.

“Go, go ahead and see which palace’s mistress that is.”

The Noble Consort’s head maid casually signaled a young maid to go forward and investigate.

The head maid supported the Noble Consort, attending to her as she rested in the shade of a tree. “Who knows which palace she’s from? She has no sense of discretion.”

“Who in the harem doesn’t know this is the pavilion our Noble Consort often visits, built specifically for her by His Majesty? How dare someone presume to trespass!”

The head maid was indignant, feeling indignation on her mistress’s behalf.

The Noble Consort, however, was gentle and gracious. “It’s just a pavilion. If the sisters like it, let them stay. But mind you don’t let what you just said reach His Majesty’s ears, or he might think I’m being domineering.”

“Ah! Yes! This maid remembers your instruction, Your Highness.” The head maid responded with a smile.

The person in the pavilion was You Nan, accompanied by the head maid of the Eastern Palace (Crown Prince's residence).

Along with them were two young eunuchs, and in front of them was a small cradle bed where the imperial grandson, His Majesty’s favorite, lay sleeping.

You Nan leaned against the pavilion pillar, his gaze distant, taking in the clear sky, the brilliant sunlight, and the cloudless skies.

A few small black shadows flew across the horizon, leaving behind joyful calls.

The head maid had long wanted to bring the imperial grandson out, but You Nan had never agreed until now, so she had refrained.

Unexpectedly, the Crown Princess had suggested it himself today. Delighted, she had immediately prepared everything and brought people along to accompany the Crown Princess and the little master for some relaxation.

“Would the Crown Princess like something to eat? This servant can have someone fetch some pastries from the imperial kitchens.”

The head maid stood beside the Crown Princess, dividing her attention.

While attending to You Nan, she also kept an eye on the imperial grandson lying in the cradle.

She closely watched the attendant rocking the cradle, ensuring they served properly to avoid any mishaps.

You Nan shook his head. “I’m not hungry yet.”

You Nan was not particularly familiar with the consorts of the harem. Quite a few had visited during his pregnancy, but they didn’t come often, merely making appearances in front of His Majesty.

He was the Crown Princess, a man. Although His Majesty and the Crown Prince didn’t mind, You Nan still had to maintain certain precautions around the other consorts of the harem.

You Nan didn’t know the routines of these consorts when they came out to the imperial garden, so he could only take the initiative himself, waiting here for them to come by.

He just hoped to encounter two high-ranking consorts today.

You Nan wasn’t afraid they would know he was out and not approach.

His son was His Majesty's favorite, the only imperial grandson in the entire royal family. His status was exceedingly high. Any activity from those around him would be reported to His Majesty.

With many consorts in the palace, there would always be those who sought this path to curry His Majesty's favor. There would also be consorts with questionable intentions who would want to come talk to him and see the child.

Seeing You Nan staring intently at the scenery outside the imperial city, the head maid began to wonder.

Could it be that the Crown Princess wanted to go out of the palace to see?

After all, hearts are human.

The head maid’s care for You Nan had deepened over time through their long interactions.

Initially, she had stayed by the Crown Princess’s side only on the Crown Prince’s orders.

But as time passed, her heart had shifted.

The head maid saw that the Crown Princess was a good person, possessing a rare kindness in the palace. He treated the eunuchs and maids below him well, often distributing the money the Crown Prince gave him as rewards.

He was exceedingly generous to his own people.

Even if the servants made mistakes, as long as it wasn’t life-threatening, the Crown Princess would not blame them.

The Crown Princess led by virtue; how could any subordinate not like him?

The Crown Prince spent little time in the Eastern Palace, so the long-term servants there had all become the Crown Princess’s people.

The head maid observed You Nan’s every move closely. His care for the child, his constant yearning for the Crown Prince—all of it moved her deeply.

The Crown Princess had suffered greatly during his pregnancy. He hadn't even wanted to venture outside for fear of the wind, worried it might affect the child he carried and lead to some mishap.

The head maid felt compassion for the Crown Princess.

Now that he could finally come out for relaxation, she wanted him to be happy.

“Crown Princess, do you wish to go out of the palace to see?” the head maid whispered, ensuring no other attending maids or eunuchs could hear.

You Nan was lost in thought, his gaze vacant. Startled by the head maid’s words, he returned to awareness.

“I came into the palace from the outside world and haven’t left for over a year, nor seen the outside world.”

You Nan took a deep breath, inhaling the fragrant scents of the imperial garden, his tone melancholy. “I’m afraid I may never leave the palace again in this lifetime.”

You Nan pretended not to know that the head maid was Fu Lingtan’s spy beside him.

The words he spoke to her were sincere.

Even if Fu Lingtan himself came, he would say the same to the man.

The head maid was startled by the Crown Princess’s frank words but also pleased by his trust in her.

“Crown Princess, mind your words,” the head maid said, lowering her head. “If you truly wish to leave the palace, perhaps you could ask the Crown Prince.”

“The Crown Prince cares for you deeply. If you speak gently and earnestly with him, he might really take you out of the palace for a look.”

The head maid’s words were meant only for her and You Nan to hear.

You Nan remained silent.

What the head maid didn’t know was that Fu Lingtan would never let him leave.

As the master and servant were speaking by the pavilion, they heard footsteps approaching from the stone steps.

An unfamiliar young maid climbed up from the stone steps; it was unclear which palace she was from.

She didn't recognize You Nan or the chief maid, and neither You Nan nor the chief maid knew her either.

The young palace maid only glanced at You Nan from a distance. When her gaze fell upon the child lying in the nearby cradle, her mind quickly turned.

She immediately knelt down in panic, "This servant pays respect to the Crown Princess."

Before You Nan could speak, the chief maid sternly demanded, "Which palace do you serve in, young maid?"

"Reporting to the Crown Princess, this servant serves in Noble Consort’s palace. Noble Consort wanted to come up and sit for a while, but seeing someone already here, she sent me to inquire which palace’s lady is present."

The young maid was quick-witted and articulate, appearing unafraid.

The chief maid did not want anyone else to approach.

She only wished for You Nan to relax and did not want any tactless people disturbing the Crown Princess.

"Tell the lady from your palace to return," the chief maid decisively instructed.

However, You Nan intervened to stop her.

"It’s alright. I haven’t seen Noble Consort in a long time either. Since she is already nearby, why not invite her up to chat together?"

The chief maid could not refuse You Nan’s words and reluctantly agreed.

Those in the Eastern Palace had little contact with the inner palace, as everyone avoided suspicion.

As a result, some news from the inner palace sometimes didn't reach the Eastern Palace.

Including the origin of this pavilion, neither the chief maid nor You Nan were aware of it.

The young maid, having received the order, quickly went down to report to her mistress.

"Why have you only returned now? Did you run off to play somewhere?"

The senior maid serving Noble Consort stepped forward, sternly questioning her, and reached out to pull the young maid’s ear.

The young maid dared not evade. She endured the pain, tears welling in her eyes. With a hint of a sob in her voice, she recounted everything she had seen and heard in the pavilion.

"So it’s the Crown Princess and the royal grandson, no wonder they dare to occupy the pavilion His Majesty bestowed upon me."

Noble Consort raised an eyebrow, her eyes filled with disdain.

She couldn’t even stand the Crown Prince.

"Noble Consort speaks as if this pavilion is a unique treasure. If that’s the case, why not simply move it back to your own palace? Why leave His Majesty’s token of affection for you here, exposed to wind, sun, and rain?"

As soon as Noble Consort finished speaking,

a melodious voice was heard nearby.

Noble Consort lifted her eyelids to see the approaching woman and curled her lip. "Oh, who do we have here? It’s Consort Duan."

Her words were immediately laced with sarcasm. "Consort Duan, your Second Prince isn't so young anymore, is he? The Crown Prince is already married with a child, and the child has even been granted a title. Who knows, perhaps he’ll be granted a fiefdom soon. Consort Duan, your Second Prince hasn’t even begun considering marriage. When will he finally step up and surpass the Crown Prince?"

Consort Duan’s lips curved into a smile, but her eyes were icy cold.

The two people she detested most were Noble Consort and the Crown Prince.

However, the Crown Prince’s birth mother had long passed away by the time she married the Emperor, so she couldn’t bring herself to resent the late consort.

"Noble Consort, our Second Prince is currently serving under His Majesty and has already established his own residence outside the palace. At the very least, I can rely on my son for support in my old age."

"Your Sixth Prince is still young. Who knows if, once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, your son—with neither wealth nor influence—will even be able to establish a residence in the capital?"

Whenever Consort Duan and Noble Consort met, they would bicker, deliberately targeting each other’s sore spots.

The attendants accompanying them stood like statues, pretending to be blind and deaf, not daring to listen or watch.

But this time, someone interrupted their dispute.

You Nan came down from above, politely inviting both consorts to come up and sit. "You Nan pays respects to Consort Duan and Noble Consort."

"Since both consorts are here, why don’t we go up and sit together?"

With the Crown Princess personally coming out to greet them, the expressions on both Noble Consort and Consort Duan’s faces shifted, becoming exceedingly warm.

"Of course, that would be lovely."

"After you, Crown Princess."

The three of them sat together in the pavilion.

As soon as Consort Duan entered, she noticed the little child in the cradle.

The woman’s eyes curved into smiles, her face beaming. "This child is truly beautiful—fair skin and such large eyes."

Noble Consort remained silent, but her gaze was also fixed on the child, unable to look away.

It wasn’t a sudden fondness; rather, she seemed to be scrutinizing something.

Meanwhile, You Nan was discreetly observing them.

Noticing the expressions in the consorts’ eyes, he had already drawn his conclusions.

"Consort Duan, you flatter him too much."

Seeing his son being praised, You Nan’s delight needed no acting.

Noble Consort stood up and moved closer to the child. "This child is truly adorable and well-behaved. Crown Princess, may I hold him?"

Noble Consort was strikingly beautiful, and her smile could dazzle others.

You Nan indeed wanted them to notice the peculiarities about the child. Hearing Noble Consort’s request, he nodded. "Of course."

"For the child to earn the affection of Noble Consort and Consort Duan is already an honor."

The two consorts chuckled softly, appreciative of You Nan’s flattery.

Noble Consort’s eyes scanned the child’s face. She noticed that the child bore some resemblance to You Nan but could see no similarity to the Crown Prince.

Her son, the Sixth Prince, was the Crown Prince’s half-brother. Half-siblings often share some resemblance.

In any case, the Fu family did not have eye shape like the little royal grandson’s.

Noble Consort subtly glanced at the silent Consort Duan. The two women, often locked in fierce rivalry in the palace, exchanged a look and immediately sensed something amiss.

"Crown Princess, this child… he doesn't seem to resemble the Crown Prince much, does he?" Consort Duan spoke up.

"His nose and mouth are different from the Crown Prince’s, and they’re not like yours either, Crown Princess."

You Nan remained composed and nonchalantly responded, "Consort Duan, Your Highness must be joking."

"However, children are constantly growing, so changes in their appearance are not unusual. I actually think Maomao takes after the Crown Prince quite a bit."

Noble Consort and Consort Duan merely acknowledged this and did not continue the topic further.

But preoccupied with thoughts, they did not stay much longer and soon bid farewell to You Nan.

"The hour is growing late, Crown Princess. I should return to my palace for my meal."

"Indeed, the sun is harsh today. A child's skin is delicate and cannot withstand such exposure."

"You Nan will keep that in mind, Your Highnesses. Farewell, Noble Consort, Consort Duan."

You Nan and her attendants watched as the two consorts departed.

The head maid beside You Nan seemed lost in thought, stealing occasional glances at her mistress's face.

You Nan noticed her gaze out of the corner of her eye and knew she had taken Noble Consort and Consort Duan's words to heart.

But she pretended not to notice.

"It's getting late. Let us depart as well."

"Yes."

The head maid immediately averted her eyes from the child and hurriedly arranged for their belongings to be packed, following the Crown Princess back to the palace.

You Nan noticed that ever since their encounter with Noble Consort and Consort Duan in the imperial garden, the head maid was paying more attention to Maomao than ever before.

She seemed to be comparing something, her eyes often flashing with disbelief.

The head maid had always been unquestioningly obedient to Crown Prince Fu Lingtan's orders.

Since Crown Prince Fu Lingtan declared that You Nan's child was his own, the head maid had accepted it without doubt.

But once doubt took root, it quickly grew into a towering tree.

You Nan was not afraid of people discovering the truth about her child—she was afraid they wouldn't discover it.

Meanwhile, Noble Consort returned to her palace.

She ordered the palace gates shut immediately. "No one is allowed entry. If His Majesty arrives, inform me at once."

"Yes!"

Noble Consort settled into her daybed and tightly grasped the hand of her head maid. "Did you get a clear look at the Crown Princess's child?"

The head maid understood her mistress's meaning and leaned in, lowering her voice. "The child does not resemble our Sixth Prince at all."

She spoke cautiously, her heart pounding.

A suspicion arose simultaneously in the minds of both mistress and maid.

Noble Consort gritted her teeth. "Do you think the Crown Princess... could this child really be the Crown Prince's?"

"The Crown Princess came from the South Lane—a chaotic place, filled with all sorts of unsavory characters. Before entering the palace, she even spent time in pleasure quarters. Perhaps this child isn't the Crown Prince's but someone else's..."

Noble Consort's voice trailed off.

Though she did not finish her sentence, the head maid had already understood the Noble Consort's unspoken implication.

"Your speculation may be correct, my lady."

The head maid said, "Shall I send someone to investigate and uncover the truth?"

Noble Consort nodded, patting the head maid's hand. "You must get results as quickly as possible, and ensure no one else learns of this."

"That shameless Consort Duan must have also noticed today. She will surely compete with us to seize evidence against the Crown Prince, using it to push her own son forward."

The Crown Prince is the heir, and the Second Prince is the next in line in seniority after him.

If the Crown Prince does not fall, the Second Prince will never have his chance to rise, never win the Emperor's favor.

And he will never inherit the throne.

Noble Consort knew that Consort Duan had long coveted the position of Empress.

Anxious, her heart racing, Noble Consort added carefully, "If you encounter Consort Duan's people during your investigation, show no mercy—eliminate them all."

The one to expose the Crown Prince and Crown Princess for deceiving the Emperor must be her and her Sixth Prince!

The head maid quickly agreed and left to arrange the personnel.

Meanwhile, Consort Duan was doing the same.

Soon, every whisper of activity within the palace reached Chen Mingzhou's ears.

Among those agents sent out by Noble Consort and Consort Duan, there were his own people.

What Noble Consort and Consort Duan could discover depended entirely on what he allowed them to know.

Chen Mingzhou saw You Nan's determination to burn her bridges.

But he could not bear to see You Nan sacrifice herself.

Chen Mingzhou wanted to protect You Nan as much as possible, to take her and their son out of the palace together.

As for the chaos in the palace, the more turmoil, the better.

He also did not want You Nan's efforts to be in vain.

Thanks to Chen Mingzhou's cooperation, in less than two days, Consort Duan and Noble Consort each already had a detailed dossier on the Crown Princess's "background."

To obtain this information, they had lost more than half of the personnel they had sent out.

Both consorts smashed many porcelain vases in their anger.

Consort Duan cursed Noble Consort in her palace, "She has to meddle in everything—her reach is far too long."

"The Sixth Prince is barely in his teens, far too young to attend court. Why is she in such a hurry? Can't she wait a year or two?"

The Second Prince also looked displeased. The people his mother had sent were to be the foundation of his future power—every loss weakened his future position.

He, too, mourned the loss of these capable individuals.

To obtain solid evidence, they had lost over thirty skilled agents.

The Second Prince tried to reassure his mother. "Do not worry, Mother. As long as I am here, the Sixth Prince will not cause any trouble. Moreover, he'll answer for his mother's schemes!"

On Consort Gui's side, there was also no peace.

Consort Gui hugged her son and wept bitterly, "Second Prince and Consort Duan are utterly detestable, bullying just the two of us, mother and son. My son, you must remember, in the future, make them pay dearly!"

The Sixth Prince, though young, already had a dark expression and nodded.

"Mother, don't worry. In a few days, Father will hold the autumn hunt. Second Brother is good in his studies but weak in martial arts. When the time comes, I will definitely teach Second Brother a lesson."

"Breaking his leg or something should be easy and effortless."

Hearing her son's bold declaration, Consort Gui immediately stopped crying and smiled.

She hugged her son, praising him over and over, "Good child, from now on, Mother will rely on you."

.

These palace intrigues did not affect You Nan's life.

For the past two days, Fu Lingtan had not returned to the Eastern Palace, which allowed You Nan to heave a sigh of relief.

He stayed close to his son at all times, not allowing anyone to take his son out of his sight.

Though You Nan paid no attention to palace affairs, the chief maid noticed the unusual atmosphere in the palace.

Two days earlier, a memorial was submitted reporting a severe drought in a northern city, where the people were in dire straits. The Emperor ordered someone to go north to provide disaster relief, but no one in the court dared to step forward.

A group of ministers and princes argued incessantly in the court.

They couldn't reach any decision.

The Emperor was furious.

Then the Third Prince suddenly came forward and suggested that the Crown Prince, who had experience in disaster relief, should be sent again.

Moreover, the Crown Prince had prestige among the people, and with him there, the crisis might be resolved more quickly.

With heaven's protection, the Crown Prince’s presence would surely bring swift calm to the disaster area.

The Third Prince’s words sparked an uproar in the court.

Before the Emperor could express any dissatisfaction, he saw his other sons and some ministers supporting the Crown Prince, praising him incessantly.

Their intentions were perfectly obvious.

The Emperor was furious yet amused.

As long as they didn’t have to go themselves, they would agree to sending anyone.

Some even hoped the Crown Prince would fail or die on the way.

The Emperor was reluctant to let his favorite son leave his sight.

He cherished his son deeply.

This journey north was full of unknown dangers and hardships. Those who wanted his son dead remained hidden.

For the Emperor, failing to protect his child was a deep disgrace.

The princes in the court stood closer to the Emperor than the other ministers.

They could all discern their father’s thoughts from his expression.

The Third Prince and the Second Prince gritted their teeth to avoid showing any signs of frustration.

Their father was extremely biased.

Since childhood, their father had always favored the Crown Prince, ignoring their contributions to the Song State.

The Song State was a kingdom built through the efforts of their entire family, not by the Crown Prince alone.

Yet their father saw only the Crown Prince.

Unless the Crown Prince died, they would never take the throne.

So the Crown Prince must die!

The words of the ministers and his other sons left the Emperor in a dilemma.

The Crown Prince himself paid no attention to these people.

In his eyes, only his father could command him; everyone else in the court was unworthy.

Since these people bickered and hesitated to go north for disaster relief, he might as well go himself.

So the Crown Prince stepped forward and accepted the task, "Since that's the case, I will go."

"I will do everything in my power to share Your Majesty's worries."

"Good!" The Emperor was reluctant but did not want to disappoint his son. He built up support for the Crown Prince, effusively praising him from the throne while openly dismissing the others, "This is the Crown Prince, the fortune of our Song State!"

"If any of you had the courage of the Crown Prince, I would not be so troubled!"

The Emperor was well aware of his sons' intentions, but he had never considered anyone other than Fu Lingtan.

The Emperor severely reprimanded the other princes in the court and personally escorted the Crown Prince off at the city gates as he left the capital.

This special treatment filled the other princes and princesses with jealousy, making them furious.

The Crown Prince left the capital.

The palace was bracing for turmoil.

Sure enough, two days later, a memorial was presented to the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, I wish to report." A minister secretly supporting the Second Prince stepped forward. "Someone in South Lane has accused the Crown Princess of improper conduct."

"How dare you slander the Crown Princess! How dare you!"

As soon as the minister finished speaking, an inkstone was hurled hard at his forehead, making his head spin and blood flow down.

The Emperor was enraged, "I just sent the Crown Prince off to provide disaster relief, and you immediately turn your attention to the Crown Princess. Are my Crown Prince and Crown Princess blocking someone's path that you must get rid of them?"

"Is this your nature? Truly unable to tolerate them!"

"Your Majesty, this is wrong!" The minister who had been struck by the inkstone insisted, refusing to back down. "This matter concerns the imperial bloodline. Your Majesty must not be swayed by emotions!"

The minister’s words were so explicit that the Emperor finally understood their meaning.

The Crown Princess was from South Lane and could have children.

The Emperor didn't care about the Crown Princess’s past, but the child’s bloodline cannot be tarnished.

"Though he thought so, the Emperor's tone remained harsh. 'Do you have any evidence? If you're talking nonsense here, forget the Crown Prince—I myself will not spare you!'"

The minister quickly knelt, exclaiming that he wouldn't dare.

"Whether the imperial grandson is truly the imperial grandson, I beg Your Majesty to summon the Crown Princess and the little imperial grandson for a blood test to verify paternity."

The Emperor remained motionless for a long time, narrowing his eyes as he pondered the face of the child he had so dearly cherished.

At the time, he hadn't thought much of it, but now, as he sifted through his memories and compared the Crown Prince's appearance as a child to that of the little imperial grandson, he finally discerned discrepancies.

He had previously seen that the child resembled the Crown Princess and had no cause for suspicion, as his own son had also looked like his mother when he was young.

But now, upon careful comparison, he realized the child shared no likeness with his son whatsoever.

Neither like him nor like his beloved consort.

Had he been deceived all along, failing to notice?

The Emperor's face darkened.

"This matter will be discussed later. This court is dismissed."

"Your Majesty, will the autumn hunt and banquet in a few days proceed as scheduled?"

The Minister of Revenue cautiously spoke up at this critical moment, trembling apprehensively that the Emperor's wrath might fall upon him.

With the Crown Prince absent, it was uncertain whether the Emperor would postpone the events to wait for him.

The Emperor had no mind for it. He waved his hand dismissively. "Carry on with the preparations. Court is adjourned."

The ministers understood—this meant there would be no postponement.

The Emperor left the court.

He did not notice the inscrutable and shifting countenances on the faces of the ministers and his other sons behind him.

.

An unfamiliar young eunuch entered the Eastern Palace but was stopped after only a few steps. "Halt! Which palace are you from?"

The young eunuch remained calm and unhurried, showing no sign of panic. "This humble servant is from the Noble Consort's palace."

"The Noble Consort adores the imperial grandson and wishes to invite the Crown Princess and the imperial grandson to her palace for a gathering."

The attendants checked the young eunuch's credentials and quickly reported the matter to the head maid.

The head maid glanced toward the Crown Princess, who was playing joyfully with her son not far away.

"Are you sure he's from the Noble Consort's palace?"

"This maid has not seen him before, but the token he carries is indeed from the Noble Consort's palace."

The head maid saw little cause for suspicion.

She remembered how, some time ago, the Noble Consort had met the Crown Princess in the Imperial Garden and and had shown great affection for the imperial grandson.

At that time, no one in the Eastern Palace had seen the maidservant accompanying the Noble Consort either.

"In that case, I shall accompany the Crown Princess."

The head maid gave the orders.

After dismissing the reporting maid, she entered the inner chambers and informed You Nan.

You Nan lowered his head to look at the child, his eyes flickering imperceptibly, unnoticed by the head maid.

The Noble Consort was initiating her scheme.

You Nan gripped the child's cradle, steadying his trembling hands to avoid drawing attention.

"Very well, go prepare."

The head maid acknowledged the order.

Just then, the young eunuch sent by the Noble Consort approached. The head maid beckoned him over, instructing him to guard the door and wait there.

"Madam, please go ahead. This lowly one will await you here," the young eunuch said with a smile.

You Nan caught the exchange outside but paid it no mind until the noise subsided and unidentified footsteps approached slowly. He immediately looked up and saw an unfamiliar young eunuch.

"This humble servant pays respect to the Crown Princess. May the Crown Princess be well," the young eunuch said cheerfully, though he showed no trace of a eunuch's demeanor. "Crown Princess, my master requests your audience."

You Nan was taken aback. "Isn't your master the Noble Consort?"

The young eunuch did not answer but instead moved aside.

Only then did You Nan notice another person standing at the entrance of the side chamber.

His heart leaped in his chest, and he immediately tightened his hold on the child in the crib. "Don't come any closer! Don't come closer! Guards!—"

Before he could finish shouting, the man at the door had already appeared before him.

His face was as exquisite as a woman's, with dignified brows and eyes, delicate features, yet without any effeminate quality. His demeanor was as gentle and refined as jade.

You Nan caught only a glimpse of his face, but in that instant, he felt his mind thrown into disarray, his heart pounding like a drum.

An unaccountable palpitation surged from within him, and a sense of inexplicable familiarity threatened to overwhelm him.