Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Pearl of National Policy

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Just like a new recruit at roll call, she stood up instinctively. “Lord Commander.”

“There’s no need to be so formal, Commander Kaiming,” Ji said with a smile. “Please, have a seat.”

She obeyed quietly.

Chang Geng stared at her in bewilderment, unable to understand why she was so restrained in Ji’s presence.

In truth, she was berating herself as well—why did she feel such inexplicable panic whenever she saw this instructor, like a child caught red-handed stealing?

Was she really destined to fear him forever, just because he had taught her for a few days?

Chang Geng eyed Ji, then glanced at the guard following close behind. “Is Lord Commander here for a drink too?”

Ji pulled out a chair without ceremony and sat down—right beside Kaiming. She was startled and quietly shifted her seat away.

“I was out shopping for some daily necessities,” Ji said, “and happened to pass by. What a coincidence to run into you all.”

“Trivial errands like that could be delegated. Why trouble yourself, Lord Commander?” Chang Geng’s words were frosty; he clearly didn’t care for Ji.

Ji paid no heed to his coldness and called out to the attendant, “Another set of tableware, please.”

Chang Geng’s eyes widened, and even the guard protested, “My lord—”

“Go see to the rest,” Ji told him with a wave. The guard had no choice but to obey and left.

“This fellow!” Chang Geng pounded the table. “I didn’t invite you!”

“This round is on me,” Ji poured himself a drink and smiled. “Are you really going to refuse my hospitality, Commander Chang Geng?”

Chang Geng glared, at a loss for words, then reluctantly raised his cup and downed it. Kaiming watched with a sigh—going up against someone as sly as Ji, Chang Geng was still too green.

“Commander Kaiming, congratulations on your promotion!” Ji raised his cup to her.

She hurriedly returned the gesture. “No, please, thank you,” she stammered, then drank.

Ji’s gaze fell on Gouzi across the table. “And you are?”

“Just a lowly soldier, my lord, not worthy of your attention,” Gouzi replied obsequiously.

“We’re sharing the same table, rank doesn’t matter. There’s no need for such deference.” Ji drank generously.

Flustered yet flattered, Gouzi quickly finished his cup, then went around refilling everyone’s glasses.

Chang Geng scowled. “Never seen you work so hard!”

Gouzi bowed and grinned. “With so many important people present, it’s only right!”

Chang Geng snorted, Ji smiled faintly and turned to him. “Commander Chang Geng, you seem quite at ease today.”

Chang Geng seized the chance to retort loudly, “So it’s fine for you to stroll the markets, but I can’t have a drink?”

“That’s not what I meant,” Ji said, amused by his prickliness. “Haven’t you heard the Central Palace is about to go to war with the Northern Palace?”

“What?” Chang Geng sobered instantly, staring tensely at Ji. “Is that true? When was this decided?”

Ji’s smile was deliberate. “Probably in two or three days, everything will be settled.”

Chang Geng’s brows knit, his gaze sharp. “And this time, what’s the reason?”

“The same as last time—the fabled State Policy Pearl.” Ji looked away and sipped his wine.

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Chang Geng’s brows furrowed deeper, and he began cursing under his breath. “All this fighting over some damned ‘state policy,’ exhausting everyone. Who knows what the Emperors are plotting! It’s thankless work, draining the people and the coffers!”

Ji ignored him, quietly drinking.

Kaiming asked curiously, “What is this ‘State Policy Pearl’?”

“It’s a legend of the Five Palaces,” Ji explained earnestly this time. “When the stars first fell to this land, the Five Palaces were one. The first Emperor concealed five luminous pearls, each storing wise policies for good governance. They’re said to be divine gifts, and whoever possesses the Pearls, rules the world…”

Kaiming vaguely recalled hearing similar lines in old martial dramas—it seemed these five Pearls were no trivial matter.

“Later, the Five Palaces split, each forming their own domains—Central, East, South, West, and North—and each Emperor obtained one Pearl. Wars among the Palaces are always about territory and these Pearls…”

“You said the policies are hidden within the Pearls? Can’t the Emperors just peek inside?” Kaiming asked.

“Impossible,” Ji sneered. “These are divine relics, not for mortals to pry. According to legend, the five Pearls must be gathered and destroyed at a sacred moment for the policies to be revealed. Whoever obtains the policies will rule the world.”

“Astonishing,” she replied, her eyes wide. “What kind of person would invent such a rumor? Does the policy truly exist, and could it really grant dominion?”

“Don’t overthink it,” Ji murmured, lowering his voice. Under the table, his hand suddenly closed over hers.

She was so startled by this sneak attack that she nearly jumped. Ji gripped her fingers tightly, casting her a warning glance.

Kaiming struggled to suppress a yelp, her face flushing and paling with embarrassment.

Thankfully, Chang Geng and Gouzi were deep in thought, distracted by Ji’s earlier words and oblivious to the scene under the table; otherwise, she would have died of mortification.

“Has the Emperor given the order? To attack the Northern Palace?” Chang Geng’s eyes were steely as he looked at Ji. “Why haven’t I heard anything?”

“The decision was made,” Ji replied calmly. “The Northern Palace is the weakest of the five, and its Emperor the most incompetent. So, they offered tribute and ceded territory, hoping for peace.”

Chang Geng’s eyebrow arched. “So there’ll be no war with the Central Palace, for now?”

“For the time being.” Ji’s smile was deep. “But you know as well as I do, war among the Five Palaces is inevitable.”

Chang Geng gave a cold laugh and fell silent.

Beneath the table, Kaiming tugged hard at her hand, but Ji’s grip only tightened. Frustrated and inwardly cursing his shamelessness, her face darkened further.

Instead of letting go, Ji held on even tighter. She could only sigh and stop resisting.

Chang Geng and Gouzi had no idea what was happening beneath the table. Ji, a master of such games, showed no sign of anything amiss.

“I heard the Northern Palace sent not only tribute, but also a hostage prince,” someone said.

“A hostage?” Chang Geng was even more surprised. “The Northern Palace is truly sincere.”

“A hostage?” Kaiming repeated through gritted teeth.

“To show their good faith, the Palaces exchange princes as hostages,” Ji said, looking at her with a hint of mockery, as if to highlight her helplessness.

Oh, she understood now—it was like the Spring and Autumn era in China, when the prince of Qin was sent as a hostage to another state.

“Of course, if war breaks out, the first to suffer is always the hostage,” Ji added. Noting her surrender, he loosened his grip slightly.

“I think we’ve talked enough,” Kaiming abruptly cut in, glancing at Ji sideways. “You said you’d pay for this meal.”

Ji smiled coolly, tightening his hold once more. “Pay for what?”

Suppressing the pain he caused, she grumbled, “Didn’t you say this table was on you? Or does your word mean nothing, Lord?”

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“Such a trivial matter. Waiter!” he called, his eyes never leaving Kaiming. “The bill!”

He still wouldn’t let go! She glared at him furiously.

The attendant hurried over, calculated the total, and stood by with a smile. “Who will be settling the bill?”

At last, Ji responded. He finally released her hand, pulled a silver ingot from his robe, and tossed it onto the table without looking. “Keep the change.”

The attendant beamed, pocketed the silver, and slipped away.

Kaiming, finally freed from her ordeal, rubbed her sore wrist under the table, silently bemoaning her fate. Seeing him flaunt his wealth so easily irritated her further. If this were the old days, such theatrics might have impressed her, but now that she’d accumulated a small fortune herself, who was she to fear?

With the bill paid, the group’s drinking mood faded, and they began to disperse.

At the door, Ji stopped her. “Commander Kaiming, may I have a word?”

Still unsettled by his earlier ambush, she wanted to avoid him. She turned to Chang Geng with a look of sudden remembrance. “Oh, Chang Geng! Didn’t you say you’d go fabric shopping with me after this?”

Caught off guard, Chang Geng blinked.

She tugged at his sleeve and winked—“Didn’t you mention there’s a new fabric shop at the corner, with lots of beautiful material, and you’d help me pick some out?”

Finally grasping her meaning, Chang Geng played along. “Ah, my memory! Two cups of wine and I forget everything.” He turned to Ji with a forced smile. “Sorry, Lord Commander, it’s a rare outing for us and we’re pressed for time. Whatever you need can wait until next time.”

The two slipped out, exchanging victorious grins behind Ji’s back. Gouzi watched their antics with amusement.

“Kaiming!” Ji called before they’d gone two steps.

With a sigh, she stopped. “Is there something else, my lord?”

Ji scanned the street, then gave a cold snort. “This matter is urgent. Whether you want to hear it or not, I must tell you.”

Alarmed, she wondered what Ji could possibly have to say.

“Has Xuan left?” He came straight to the point, deepening her confusion.

She answered honestly.

Ji’s gaze turned cold. “Are the two children at the General’s Manor?”

Why mention the children?

“Be on your guard with General Dayin,” Ji stepped closer, lowering his voice and darting a glance around. “And protect the two children—don’t let them fall into Dayin’s hands.”

“What do you mean?” His words made her tense; she, too, looked about warily and spoke in a low voice. “You think Dayin might harm them?”

Ji sneered, “If she were truly dutiful, that girl wouldn’t have been hurt. Don’t you find it odd?”

She froze. Was there something strange about Xiaowan’s injury? It had never crossed her mind to suspect Dayin—after all, that was her own child!

“I’ve said all I can. Be careful,” Ji finished brusquely and strode away.

“Kaiming,” Chang Geng said thoughtfully as he watched Ji’s retreating figure, “The Lord Commander actually… cares about you, you know.”

Her gaze was a little vacant, her mind muddled. “Perhaps,” she murmured. (To be continued.)