Chapter 115: The Second War

The wind howled as it forced the door open, slamming it back and forth with a rhythmic creaking. The fine drizzle, sharp as needles, pierced every inch of Dayin’s skin.

She stood frozen like a wooden statue, while flashes of lightning repeatedly illuminated her deathly pale face. The world spun, and the formidable female general suddenly collapsed.

“General! General!”

The shrill, sorrowful cries echoed long and hauntingly through the rainy night.

After a night of torrential rain, she awoke to a world transformed. The sky was clear and blue, bathed in the glow of the morning sun. Kai Ming stood in the royal court, staring blankly at the sovereign upon the high dais, momentarily unable to process the reality before her.

The Sovereign of the Palace was now Dai Yuheng—that beautiful, delicate young man with a smile as bright as a flower. She gasped, turning sharply to survey the civil and military officials. Every face was unfamiliar; something was terribly wrong.

Her gaze collided with Ji’s, who offered a small, unflinching smile.

She whirled back to stare intently at Dai Yuheng on the dais. What was happening? Where had the Emperor of Tianjue, who had confided in her just last night, gone? Could it be... a chill ran through her... a coup?

Such a violent storm was indeed the perfect backdrop for a conspiracy.

The Emperor of Tianjue. Dead? *Pah, pah!* May fortune protect the virtuous! May fortune protect the virtuous!

Dai Yuheng watched her face shift through a spectrum of colors within seconds, finding it quite amusing. He cast a glance toward the eunuch standing to the side. The young eunuch quickly unfurled a scroll, stepped forward onto the dais, and cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.

He read in a dainty, affected voice: “Due to our recent illness and the dwindling of the Tianjue royal line, and having no heirs, we hereby issue this final decree: Should we unfortunately pass away, the throne shall pass to the young master of the Dai manor, Attendant Dai Yuheng. None shall harbor doubts. So it is written!”

Kai Ming listened, stunned. The eunuch’s words meant that if the Emperor of Tianjue died, Dai Yuheng would become the ruler. It was bizarre; the two were sworn enemies. No matter how the succession was calculated, it should never fall to Dai Yuheng. Yet here he was, dressed in the imperial robes, sitting squarely upon the dragon throne. Could the Emperor of Tianjue truly be dead?

She shuddered as the eunuch finished and retreated. Dai Yuheng’s steady voice rang out: “Because Dai Huang plotted treason last night and assassinated His Majesty, the Emperor has already… alas! I have been tasked with the mandate in the interim. All officials shall retain their posts. Due to Dai Huang’s ruthless tactics, several officials were murdered, so I have promoted others to fill those vacancies. Does anyone have any objections?”

The crowd below knew exactly what had happened; who would dare utter a single word of dissent?

Kai Ming stared fixedly at Dai Yuheng. He claimed Dai Huang had assassinated the Emperor, and the Emperor was already... how could that be? The father becomes a traitor, and the son steps over his father’s shoulders to become emperor—is this not a colossal joke? If others dared not challenge him, must I also submit to his tyranny?

“Dai Yuheng!” she thought, the name escaping her lips before she could stop it.

The eunuch at her side snapped, “Insolence! You must address him as His Majesty!”

Kai Ming looked coldly at Dai Yuheng. There was no anger on his face; in fact, he wore a faint smile, watching her quietly. From his very first sentence, he had been looking at her, as if testing her reaction.

“In my eyes, there is only one Sovereign, and that is the Emperor of Tianjue!” she declared, head held high. Her volume, intentionally raised, echoed through the silent hall, leaving everyone momentarily aghast.

“I would like to ask Attendant Dai: you occupy the throne merely because you claim the Emperor of Tianjue has no sons. If I were to tell you that the Emperor does indeed have an heir, what would you do to convince the people?”

Her near-provocative words were like a bomb, instantly throwing the crowd into an uproar. The faces of the officials changed drastically, and even the usually composed Ji looked at Kai Ming in utter shock.

Kai Ming held her head high, watching Dai Yuheng coldly, waiting for his reply.

“If the Emperor of Tianjue had an heir?” Dai Yuheng’s expression shifted, his eyes narrowing like a lion startled from its slumber. He spoke, one word at a time, “I would gladly abdicate, yield to the worthy, and serve that prince with all my heart until he becomes the next Sovereign!”

“Good! You said it yourself!” A glimmer of excitement flashed in Kai Ming’s eyes, eager to reveal the truth. “I will go fetch him right—”

“General Kai Ming!” A cold voice from the palace entrance cut her off sharply. A pale woman swept into the room. She was dressed in full mourning white, her silk robes flowing, her face haggard. The night’s ordeal had aged her years.

She walked past Kai Ming with a cold glare, knelt before the dais, and bowed to Dai Yuheng.

“Dayin…” Kai Ming was dazed, watching her pass. Dayin was signaling her with her eyes—*do not speak! Do not act!*

“General Dayin, how is your recovery?” Dai Yuheng shifted his gaze, his eyes filled with a feigned, lofty benevolence, as if comforting a victim of tragedy.

“Thanks to the grace of Your Majesty, I am well,” Dayin said, her voice calm.

Kai Ming’s eyes widened. Dayin had so easily accepted Dai Yuheng’s status as the new ruler! What was this? Her former lover had just been murdered, and she didn't even know if Dai Yuheng was involved!

Dai Yuheng glanced at Kai Ming with triumph, his heart gladdened by her pale expression.

He smiled at Dayin. “Actually, had you not come to court this morning, I was planning to have the decree sent to your manor.”

Dayin replied impassively, “I would not dare.”

The young eunuch stepped forward to announce the decree: “General Dayin’s removed titles are restored effective immediately. You remain a General and shall enjoy all associated privileges. So it is written!”

“I thank Your Majesty for your grace.” Dayin’s composure baffled Kai Ming. Did she have her own secret plans? To climb one tree after another once the first had fallen?

Dai Yuheng’s voice rose again. “General Dayin, I have restored your position because I have a task for you.”

“I await your command, Your Majesty,” Dayin bowed.

Dai Yuheng smiled with satisfaction. “Beyond announcing my ascension, there is one more matter to discuss: I intend to attack the Western Palace!”

“Attack the Western Palace?!” The crowd was taken aback, filled with horror.

*Dai Yuheng, you are too impatient,* Kai Ming thought. *To wage war immediately upon ascending the throne—is this, too, because of Mingzhu?*

Dai Yuheng waited for the murmurs to subside, then waved his hand. “The Western Palace has long been arrogant and rude. I have wanted to punish them for a long time. Dayin, I appoint you as the vanguard. Lead your troops tomorrow. Furthermore, Lord of the Imperial Guard, you shall serve as the supervisor for this campaign and report the progress to me!”

Ji stepped out from the ranks and cupped his hands. “Yes!”

Dayin, naturally, obeyed.

*So much for consulting others,* Kai Ming thought. *He had clearly decided long ago and intends to act alone.*

“General Kai Ming.” Dai Yuheng suddenly steered the conversation toward her, causing her to jump. “What?”

“In this campaign, you shall serve as Deputy General, under the command of General Dayin.”

Kai Ming stood frozen. How did this keep happening to her? Was she to be sent to her death again?

Dai Yuheng’s eyes danced as he tested her. “About that prince you mentioned earlier…”

Seeing Dayin’s attitude, she dared not reveal a single word. She stammered, “Ah, that... the prince. I will look for him. I will search, and if there is one…”

Dai Yuheng gave a scornful laugh, as if mocking her earlier audacity.

“I grant you one month. If you fail to produce the prince, you shall be severely punished!” His smile was filled with malice.

Kai Ming huffed inwardly. *Does he want me to conjure one out of thin air?* It was clear Dai Yuheng was tormenting her. She dared not show her defiance, bowing respectfully. “I will do my utmost!”

Dai Yuheng turned away and dismissed the court.

After the crowd dispersed, Dayin remained kneeling. Kai Ming couldn't bear it and reached out to help her up, but before her fingers could touch her, Dayin swatted them away with a sharp *crack*.

Dayin’s gaze was like a sharpened arrow, suppressing intense fury. She said in a low, heavy voice, “I advise you, General Kai Ming, do not do anything foolish. You will get many people killed!”

Kai Ming felt as if struck by lightning, stunned in place. “Gen… General, I didn’t mean…”

Dayin stood slowly and walked past her with a rigid gait. She sighed, “Times have changed. Do not act rashly!”

Kai Ming watched Dayin’s retreating back, at a loss for words.

*Do not act rashly. Do not do anything foolish. Otherwise, many will die—Dayin will die, Spoon will die!* Yes, the entire capital was in Dai Yuheng’s grip. If he learned that Spoon was the orphan, would the child survive?

Though Dayin had a fiery temper, she truly cared for Spoon. And she, Kai Ming, had nearly blurted out the truth.

An inexplicable chill washed over her. In this capital filled with crises and traps, she was completely caught in a spider’s web, unable to break free.

The sun continued to rise in the east and set in the west, but where was her way out?

As the carriage jolted, she arrived at her manor. She stared blankly at the plaque above the gate, thinking of the Emperor of Tianjue’s smile and laughter the night before, a wave of bitterness washing over her. Such a vibrant life, gone just like that.

“General? General Kai Ming?” A voice called out several times before pulling her back to reality.

She wiped her brimming eyes and looked over.

A middle-aged man in plain blue robes was looking at her nervously.

“Who are you?”

The moment the man spoke, he commanded her absolute attention.

“Lady Xinbi has a message for General Kai Ming.”