Chapter 18
Edward Quan ·
My voice was hoarse.
“Why would he do that?”
Zhao Heng’s eyes were terrifyingly still.
“He needed a trophy.”
“A gift to prove his allegiance.”
“A calling card for the crown prince.”
“I was at my best then. In scholarship and martial ability, I was beginning to surpass him.”
He spoke as though describing someone else.
“To the crown prince, I was a thorn in his side.”
His lips curved slightly.
“My third brother crippled me and offered me to him.”
“Removed a rival. Earned trust.”
“Two birds with one stone. A perfect plan, wasn’t it?”
I went cold all over.
This was truly murder without bloodshed.
Beside Zhao Kai’s schemes, Zhao Yi’s were child’s play.
“Why approach me now?”
I couldn’t understand.
Zhao Heng gave a faint laugh.
“He’s realized the crown prince is a wolf that can never be tamed.”
“He helped remove me. The crown prince never truly trusted him.”
“All these years, he’s suppressed him and treated him as a useless bookworm.”
“His ambition has been held down too long.”
His eyes met mine.
“Now you’ve appeared.”
“You pushed the crown prince and empress into the storm.”
“He sees a new chance.”
“He wants you—both of us—to deal with the crown prince for him.”
“Then sit back and reap the reward.”
At last, I understood.
Someone more frightening than the crown prince or empress.
Hidden in darkness like a venomous snake beneath dead leaves, waiting to strike.
“What do we do? Refuse him?”
“No.”
He shook his head, calm and sharp-eyed.
“Why refuse?”
“He wants to play. Let him.”
“Another player makes the capital’s game more interesting.”
Excitement flashed—the excitement of a strong opponent meeting a worthy rival.
I still couldn’t relax.
“He’s too dangerous. Making a deal with him is like bargaining with a tiger. One wrong move, and he’ll turn on us.”
“Don’t worry.”
He smiled confidently.
“A predator never fears another hungry wolf.”
“He wants to use us. Why can’t we use him?”
“He wants to be the fisherman?”
“Then first, we drag him into the water too.”
“Let him and the crown prince tear at each other.”
“We will be the final winners.”
His words gradually settled my anxiety.
An unfamiliar exhilaration replaced it.
Yes. What did I fear?
Not even death.
Why fear one more Zhao Kai?
“I understand.”
I nodded slightly.
“How should I reply?”
“Do nothing.”
He spoke calmly.
“Wait.”
“He’ll come to you.”
He was right.
The next afternoon, the Third Prince’s residence sent an invitation.
Tomorrow, in the late afternoon, at Tingyu Pavilion in the south of the city, for a conversation.
Carefully written on it was a line:
[Is it not a pleasure to have friends come from afar?]
I looked at it, my heart cold as water.
Zhao Kai.
We were never friends.
At this treacherous feast, I would see what you were hiding.
14
Tingyu Pavilion was the capital’s best-known teahouse.
For elegance and tranquility, rather than luxury.
Its patrons were mostly scholars and lovers of refined pleasures.
Zhao Kai was already there.
In a private room on the second floor beside a window.
Beyond it, the moat’s blue-green water rippled in sunlight.
He wore a sky-blue robe and jade crown. Handsome, gentle in manner, he read a book intently.
At my footsteps, he looked up.
Meeting my eyes, he smiled, warm as a spring breeze, inviting goodwill before one knew it.
“You’re here, Sister-in-law.”
He stood and poured my tea himself.
“I know you like quiet, so I chose this place. I hope it doesn’t trouble you.”
Every gesture courteous and perfect.
Without Zhao Heng’s revelation, I might truly have believed him harmless.
“You’re too kind, Your Highness.”