Chapter Eighty-One: Dai Yuheng and Zhen Xiaoqiao

“You’re absolutely right!” the prince replied with a faint smile, picking up a struggling centipede and watching it crawl with interest. “I heard it often enough as a child.”

“But now that you’re grown, have you ever heard anyone say such things?” Ying Shi’s grin was wicked, his amusement unmistakable. “Who would dare?”

The prince shot him a glance. “Some things are better left unsaid in front of outsiders.”

“Understood, understood!” Ying Shi waved his hand nonchalantly and came over to sit beside him, eyeing the clutter on the floor with disapproval. “Master, surely you don’t intend to tinker with these treasures in this wretched little hut?”

“I’m troubled by it myself,” the prince replied, putting the centipede back into its container and frowning. “This post station is under the watchful eyes of the Central Palace soldiers. It’s hardly the place for such work.”

Ying Shi’s eyes rolled in contemplation, brows arching in a mischievous smile. “Why not ask that commander from earlier for help? He seems eager and holds you in such regard…”

“His regard, perhaps, is questionable,” the prince replied coolly, inhaling sharply as two small centipedes bit his finger when he returned them to the vessel. “Still, it may be worth seeking his assistance.”

He withdrew his finger, blood welling in crimson drops. The scent riled the centipedes to greater frenzy. His sapphire eyes fixed coldly on the writhing creatures, and suddenly he did something unexpected.

He extended a scarlet tongue and gently licked the bleeding wound. In that moment, the blue of his eyes faded, replaced by an eerie flush of red, like a mist rising, lending his pale face a strange, seductive allure.

The moon waned, stars scattered, and thick clouds veiled its crescent above the treetops, as a secret conversation unfolded within the Dai residence.

In a lavishly appointed chamber, the elegant furnishings and priceless incense burners on the latticed shelves spoke of the owner’s high rank.

Dai Huang, with his chiseled features and clad in a dark indigo house robe, sat astride a grand chair. His thick brows knotted like twisted rope. “What does Da Yin mean by this? Proclaiming to all that Tian Lang is in her hands—does she expect us to seize him?”

He looked up at his companion: a refined, handsome youth sat across from him, while a man in black night-clothes knelt on the floor.

Young Master Dai was dressed as usual in understated hues—his favored style. The face that was typically relaxed now wore a studied severity, lending him a rare air of distinction.

Dai Huang’s eyes swept the man in black, who hurried to report, “There’s been little movement at the General’s manor these past days. Since the last assassin incident, patrols have doubled at night. It’s nearly impossible to approach the General’s quarters.”

“Speaking of assassins,” Dai Huang turned a stern gaze to the unflappable Dai Yuheng. “Be honest—did you send them?”

Dai Yuheng replied unhurriedly, “Father, you know the General’s daughter is part of your plan. Why would I act so rashly? Besides, there’s no need to take her life.”

Dai Huang nodded, stroking his short beard. “True enough. If it wasn’t our people, then whose hand was it? Someone intent on disrupting matters?”

Dai Yuheng glanced at him sidelong. “Since Da Yin is already alerted, you can hardly make another move against the general’s daughter. What are your intentions now?”

Dai Huang waved his sleeve dismissively; the man in black took his cue and vanished.

Leaning heavily against the chair, his expression cold, Dai Huang asked, “What would you have me do, Heng’er?”

“I dare not presume to guess at Father’s strategy,” came the respectful reply. “I honestly do not know.”

A barely perceptible smile tugged at Dai Huang’s lips. “You are a dragon among men, Heng’er, yet I have offered you little more than a shallow pond—trapping a dragon, keeping it from soaring. All my efforts, all my schemes, they are for you and your siblings, so that you might have splendid futures.”

Dai Yuheng answered calmly, “If Father toils, it is a failing of us sons. I am not the dragon you say, Father flatters me too much.”

Dai Huang grew impatient with this measured back-and-forth and waved a hand. “Enough of this—think of a proper solution.”

Dai Yuheng nodded, tilted his head thoughtfully, and said, “You meant to act against Xiao Wan, but the assassin disrupted everything. Now the scandal of the emperor’s illegitimate son is the talk of the capital, and Da Yin is deliberately bringing Tian Lang’s secret into the open. Whatever her true purpose, why not turn her own strategy against her, fulfill her wish?”

Dai Huang’s eyes brightened. “How do you mean?”

“If she means to sacrifice Tian Lang, we could claim to support the prince and demand Tian Lang ourselves. What say you?”

Dai Huang rose, hands clasped behind his back, pacing. “I’ve considered it—such a move would not only blunt Da Yin’s momentum, but put the emperor’s own flesh and blood in our hands. Two birds with one stone. Yet, from her actions, it seems she wants us to take Tian Lang. That makes me suspicious; she must have another plan.”

Dai Yuheng smiled faintly. “Father’s insight is keen.”

Dai Huang stopped and turned. “What’s your opinion, then?”

“Until she makes her next move, I truly cannot guess her intent.”

“If even you cannot predict her, she’s truly formidable…” Dai Huang’s gaze lingered on his son, his expression darkening for some reason. “Heng’er.”

“Whatever you may think of me, I have always believed: Father acts as lord, son as minister. This bond will never change, no matter the circumstance.”

Dai Huang was moved by these words, silently studying him for a while before his face softened. Dai Yuheng calmly met his gaze.

A soft sound outside broke the tension. The door was knocked, and a young woman’s gentle voice came through: “Father, Father, is Seventh Brother in there with you?”

Dai Huang’s gaze shifted. “Why all this fuss? Heng’er is here.”

The girl seemed relieved. “Seventh Brother, Qiao has come to see you…”

Dai Yuheng made a sound of surprise, but Dai Huang’s rebuke came first. “It’s late—what’s a young lady doing wandering about? Where are your manners?”

“Father, Qiao is Seventh Brother’s cousin! Besides, I train all day and rarely get the chance to come out,” the girl replied, her tone soft yet persistent.

Dai Huang seemed to sigh and waved his hand. “Go on, then.”

Dai Yuheng bowed and withdrew.

At the door stood a young woman of delicate beauty, her hair coiled with hairpins, clad in a green blouse and gauzy skirt—a true picture of grace. Seeing Dai Yuheng emerge, she grinned and tugged at his sleeve. “Come along, don’t keep Qiao waiting.”

“Second Sister, what are you playing at?” he asked, exasperated. “Didn’t you see I was in the middle of something with Father?”

She only smiled more broadly. “You’ve been talking for hours—surely even the weightiest matters are settled by now. Qiao has been waiting for you long enough.”

“What does she want now?”

She poked his shoulder, chiding, “What sort of attitude is that? She rushed here just to see you, and you give her that face!”

He managed a strained smile. “All right, all right, don’t be angry, Second Sister. I can’t let Cousin Qiao’s trip be in vain, can I? I’ll go see her, all right?”

Second Sister’s smile returned, and she urged him forward.

Though the night was deep, the moonlight and scattered lanterns illuminated the sprawling Dai estate: grand pavilions, winding corridors, high walls and bright tiles—rivaling even the imperial palace in scale.

Dai Yuheng followed Second Sister through the verandas, stopping before a hexagonal pavilion in the rear garden. In the pale moonlight stood a girl in brown, gazing into the distance. Her hair was simply gathered at the nape, her face lightly made up; even without elaborate adornment, her natural beauty shone through.

Second Sister nudged him forward with a knowing smile.

He sighed and stepped into the pavilion. Only when he entered did Second Sister hide her amusement and quietly slip away.

The girl, alert to his approach, turned. In the darkness, a youth in simple robes stepped into view—his brows arched like distant mountains, eyes clear as mist, his bearing refined and elegant. At the sight of him, her heart beat wildly.

“How long have you been waiting, Cousin Qiao? Sorry to keep you.”

“It’s nothing—your matters are more important,” she said, twisting her sleeve nervously, trying to compose herself.

Dai Yuheng approached, smiling. “Did you come to the Dai estate so late for something urgent?”

“Yes, yes!” she stammered. “There’s something important I wanted to tell you in person.”

“What is it?”

She stared at him intently. “Did you know that my former roommate, the soldier Kaiming, has returned from the battlefield?”

He found the news hardly worth reporting, but concealed his impatience.

“For some reason, the Emperor dismissed Da Yin and instead promoted Kaiming—she was made a commander! Do you know about this, Cousin?”

He nodded, glancing into the distance. “Yes, I know.”

“And you’re just going to watch her get promoted, do nothing?” she asked in disbelief.

Dai Yuheng smiled faintly. “What do you want me to do?”

“Kaiming is Da Yin’s person!” Qiao pressed, “With Da Yin dismissed, the Emperor has lost his most important pawn. Promoting Kaiming now—doesn’t that mean he wants to elevate her officially?”

Dai Yuheng was amused and chuckled. “Elevate her? To what? Kaiming isn’t a palace consort.”

Qiao stomped her foot, exasperated. “Do you really not understand what I mean, Cousin?!”

He laughed. “Little one, some matters are not for you to worry about. Just stay in the training camp—when the time comes, I’ll make arrangements. Understand?”

(To be continued…)