Xiao Chi was already sobbing uncontrollably.
"Your Highness... please forgive this old general for losing composure." Xiao Chi wiped the tears from his face and gestured, "This way, please."
Prince Ping sighed regretfully, supporting the elderly general as they entered the tent together.
Behind them, Jiu Yue subtly observed the expressions of the other deputy generals.
One of them, whose face she recognized—someone named Meng Wei, if she recalled correctly—was often mentioned by Wuyou.
At this moment, that man had stopped crying, but his eyes remained red-rimmed, as if he might burst into tears again at any second.
"What is the young lady looking at?" Another man approached her, his tone polite yet distant.
Jiu Yue glanced at him and smiled casually. "Nothing in particular, just a bit of curiosity..."
The man was clearly wary, though his expression gave nothing away. "It's late now. If you're interested, I can personally accompany you tomorrow... But for now, His Highness is likely waiting for you."
Understanding the hint, Jiu Yue obediently entered the tent.
Inside, Prince Ping didn’t immediately state his purpose. Instead, he focused on inquiring about Xiao Chi’s health and urging him to take care in his grief.
Overcome with sorrow, Xiao Chi seemed to have finally found someone to confide in. His voice trembled as he lamented, "The last remaining heir of my family... Who could be so heartless?!"
"General..." Prince Ping sighed sympathetically, gently pressing down the wine cup in Xiao Chi’s hand. He shook his head slightly. "The departed are gone, but you must live on... Though I must ask, how could such a tragedy befall young Wuyou? A fall from a horse, of all things?"
Xiao Chi slammed his fist on the table, causing the wine cup to spin from the impact.
"I can’t understand it either! That colt was personally chosen by me for Wuyou—gentle-tempered and fond of the boy. Wuyou had been riding since he was three, and never once had such an accident occurred before..."
Prince Ping mused casually, "Perhaps the horse ingested something poisonous."
"There are only a few types of wild grass here—none of them toxic..." Xiao Chi trailed off mid-sentence, suddenly struck by a thought.
Prince Ping feigned surprise. "Then, General, have you inspected the military provisions?"
Xiao Chi’s expression darkened as the implication sank in.
As the two conversed, Jiu Yue, cheeks stuffed with a bite of flatbread, watched the shifting emotions play out on Xiao Chi’s face.
By the time she swallowed, Xiao Chi had stormed out of the tent with a grim expression, Prince Ping following closely behind.
Jiu Yue, still nibbling on her bread, hurried after them.
"We did suspect it, but other horses ate the same fodder without issue," Xiao Chi explained, leading them to the remnants of the feed—barely half a trough’s worth.
Prince Ping crouched, holding a torch close as he meticulously examined the hay.
Jiu Yue glanced at his movements before sidling up beside Xiao Chi.
When she turned her head, she met the general’s piercing gaze—cold and intimidating.
A hint of malice lurked beneath.
Jiu Yue: "..."
Unfazed, she took another bite of bread, then casually scratched her neck, letting the jade pendant slip into view.
Xiao Chi, torch in hand, had been keeping an eye on Prince Ping while remaining wary of the woman accompanying him—ready to intercept any treachery.
But as the firelight illuminated the pendant, he recognized it instantly—the very one Sima Qing had carried during his years in the army.
Xiao Chi shot Jiu Yue an incredulous look, realizing she was an ally, not a foe.
If he had been prepared to stake his life before, the sight of her now renewed his confidence.
Wen Ye’s influence ran deep—even Prince Ping’s most trusted subordinate could be turned!
This time, they would surely bring down that scheming prince!
Seeing Xiao Chi’s expression shift from hostility to silent acknowledgment, Jiu Yue knew he understood. She was about to discreetly pass him the pendant when Xiao Chi schooled his features back into a frown and stepped toward Prince Ping.
"Your Highness, have you found anything?" Xiao Chi asked gravely.
Prince Ping turned, raising his torch to illuminate a withered strand of grass pinched between his fingers—blending seamlessly with the fodder.
His expression darkened as he stood and handed it to Xiao Chi.
"General... this is the culprit. To my knowledge, this is a substance used in royal stables to train horses. But the dosage must be carefully measured—too much, and it drives them mad."
As he spoke, he plucked several more strands from the trough.
Xiao Chi’s pupils constricted in shock. He leaned in, sifting through the hay himself—and sure enough, every handful yielded more of the same.
"This substance must be stored properly. Left exposed like this, its potency fades quickly..." Prince Ping added.
Which explained why the other horses remained unharmed.
Xiao Chi covered his face, the brittle grass crumbling to dust in his clenched fist.
"So this is what killed my Wuyou... My poor Wuyou..." His voice broke as he swayed, knees nearly buckling under the weight of grief.
Prince Ping steadied him, concern lacing his words. "General, you must stay strong. For safety’s sake, I advise a thorough inspection of all military provisions."
Xiao Chi wearily waved a hand, and a deputy hurried off to carry out the order.
"Your Highness has my gratitude." Xiao Chi wiped his tears and clasped Prince Ping’s shoulder firmly. "Let us return to the tent."
Prince Ping nodded. After a few steps, he glanced back at Jiu Yue and gestured dismissively. "The general and I have matters to discuss. You’ve traveled far today—retire early."
Jiu Yue halted mid-step, then obediently turned toward her own tent.
...
Night deepened, silence blanketing the camp save for the murmur of voices in Xiao Chi’s tent.
Would Jiu Yue obediently sleep? How could she, when Wuyou was safe in Sima Qing’s home while Xiao Chi performed this charade—without so much as a warning?
Her instincts told her Prince Ping’s words—"Once Xiao Chi returns to the capital, this ends"—were about to make sense.
Inside the camp, the shadowy guards accompanying them had melted further into the darkness. Unless Prince Ping’s life was threatened, they wouldn’t reveal themselves.
Patrols circled the tents, but Jiu Yue slipped past them with ease—until a drowsy soldier accidentally kicked over a brazier, sending embers scattering and stirring chaos.
Even Xiao Chi and Prince Ping emerged to assess the commotion.
"Forgive me, General..." The soldier knelt in panic.
Exchanging a glance with Prince Ping, Xiao Chi dismissed it with a curt, "Be more careful."
As the soldiers dispersed, the two men returned to the tent.
The interruption left Prince Ping at a loss for words. Cutting to the chase, he asked quietly,
"General, have you made your decision?"
