Xiao Chi remained silent for a long time.
"Your Highness..." His lips trembled slightly, his expression pained. "Might this old man have a night to consider?"
Prince Ping rose slowly.
"This prince acts only for the general's own good," he said, setting down his wine cup with a faint smile. "Merits that overshadow the sovereign invite the emperor's ruthlessness. The first warning was your little grandson, Wuyou. Who knows what else awaits you... This prince understands the general's feelings all too well."
"The night grows late. I shall not disturb the general's rest further." With a flick of his sleeve, Prince Ping exited the tent.
Xiao Chi's expression darkened.
On his desk lay the straw stalk he had retrieved from the fodder pile.
After a long moment of contemplation, he could no longer suppress his fury. With one slam of his palm, the stalk crumbled to dust beneath his clenched fingers.
That boy is truly vicious!
No wonder Wen Ye was so wary.
Had Wen Ye not arrived in time last time, Wuyou would now be a ghost beneath hooves—and he, oblivious, would still be serving his enemy!
Xiao Chi's chest heaved with anger when suddenly, a voice piped up behind him.
"What are you considering?" the voice asked.
Xiao Chi's eyes widened as he turned to see a head peeking out from behind his chair.
"...How did you sneak in here?" He stared as if seeing a ghost.
To hide right behind him without detection—this person's skill was extraordinary!
Jiu Yue waved a hand, vaulting over the chair with ease. "While you were all outside watching the commotion earlier... What exactly did Prince Ping say to you? What are you considering?"
She didn’t forget her main task, pulling the jade pendant from her neck and handing it to him.
But Xiao Chi shook his head.
"I already understand Wen Ye's meaning. Return this pendant to him," he said, sighing as he sat back down. "It holds great importance to him. Please keep it safe."
Jiu Yue: "...?"
Huh? How did he already understand? What exactly is Sima Qing’s intention?
Suspicious, Jiu Yue scrutinized the pendant, turning it over and over until her eyes nearly burned holes in it—yet she found no hidden message.
Xiao Chi chuckled at her expression. "Stop looking. There are no words on it."
Reluctantly, Jiu Yue tucked the pendant away. Xiao Chi then added, "This old man will give Wen Ye a satisfactory answer."
And so, Jiu Yue left without learning anything more from him.
Worried Prince Ping might drop by her tent unannounced, she didn’t linger. Sure enough, she ran into him outside her quarters on her way back.
"Ah Yue?" Prince Ping turned, surprised to see her approaching from behind. But his expression shifted when he noticed her discomfort, and he quickly stepped forward to steady her.
"What’s wrong, Ah Yue? Stomach pain?" His gaze dropped to where she clutched her abdomen.
Jiu Yue pressed her lips together and nodded slightly. "Probably ate too much tonight... Thought I needed the privy, but it doesn’t feel like that."
Prince Ping recalled how she’d nibbled nonstop during his earlier drinks with Xiao Chi.
With a resigned sigh, he reached to massage her belly. "Military rations are coarse fare. You devoured quite a few flatbreads—no wonder you’re bloated."
Jiu Yue hastily caught his hand, feigning embarrassment.
"Your Highness... people are watching," she demurred, dodging his touch and rubbing her stomach herself. "First time here—got carried away eating. Won’t happen again."
Prince Ping escorted her inside, then fetched a jug of water. "Drink a little, but not too much. It’ll worsen the bloating."
Jiu Yue nodded obediently, and only then did he leave.
She exhaled in relief, ready to applaud her own quick thinking—until she remembered this camp was full of Oscar-worthy actors. Her pride deflated.
She still had much to learn!
Shaking her head, Jiu Yue flopped onto her bed, her thoughts circling back to Sima Qing’s latest scheme.
During their last visit to Xiao Chi, when they’d saved Wuyou, she’d even wondered if that deranged horse had been Sima Qing’s doing...
But then came those brazen assassins, openly pinning the blame—sent by Prince Ping himself.
At the time, she’d assumed it was just another round in Sima Qing and Prince Ping’s bitter rivalry.
Now, though, it seemed far more complicated.
Sima Qing had secretly taken Wuyou away. The camp believed the boy had died in a fall, while Prince Ping had helpfully "uncovered" the culprit—
A royal artifact, no less.
Yet Prince Ping was here on the emperor’s orders, to persuade Xiao Chi to return to the capital and surrender his military authority.
Working for the emperor while exposing the royal family’s crimes? That made no sense.
Jiu Yue tugged at her hair, rolling onto her side as another memory surfaced: Prince Ping’s triumphant laughter when he’d returned to his estate with Sima Qing, half-dead...
If Sima Qing died, Prince Ping would lose his greatest obstacle.
And if he succeeded in convincing Xiao Chi to return to the capital... yet he’d already led Xiao Chi to blame the royal family for Wuyou’s "death."
Would Xiao Chi truly hand over his troops and retire to farm in peace?
Frowning, Jiu Yue was interrupted by another commotion outside.
Stepping out, she saw another careless soldier had kicked over a brazier.
The squad leader scolded the man, then apologized to her.
"Our apologies for disturbing your rest, miss."
Jiu Yue waved it off. "Night patrols are tough work."
As the soldiers righted the brazier and marched off, a realization struck her like lightning: Troops!
Of course—Xiao Chi would bring his men back to the capital!
The northwestern camp housed two forces: the permanent border garrison, forbidden from leaving, and the troops Xiao Chi had led here during the war against Yan.
Those soldiers would return with him—along with his personal guard.
Jiu Yue’s eyes sharpened with understanding.
Prince Ping and Sima Qing’s feud stemmed from one thing: Prince Ping’s ambition.
Sima Qing had long prepared for Prince Ping’s rebellion.
And Xiao Chi was playing along.
...
Xiao Chi agreed.
But mustering the troops and transferring command to the border generals would take time, so his departure was delayed.
Prince Ping and Jiu Yue set off first to report to the capital.
Originally a five-day trip, their journey was extended by a rare downpour. By the time they left, Jiu Yue had spent nearly ten days in the northwest.
On the road back, Prince Ping’s elation was palpable.
Jiu Yue’s mood was complicated.
Given the circumstances, Sima Qing had clearly anticipated this. Xiao Chi’s cooperation, the emperor’s alignment with Sima Qing against Prince Ping—it was all part of the plan.
She glanced up at the sky.
The storm clouds had long dispersed beneath the sun.
The heavens would not change.
Upon returning to the capital, the first news Jiu Yue heard was this: Sima Qing had cheated death once more.
The second piece of news was that Sima Qing had gone mad.
Jiu Yue: "?"
Jiu Yue was utterly baffled. "What do you mean, 'gone mad'? Stop stuffing your face and explain properly!"
