Chapter 137: I Am Guilty

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Ma Jichen spurred his horse, galloping past the long line to catch up with Ji’s steed, breathing heavily as he matched his pace. Ji slowed down and glanced at her. “Deputy General, you aren’t overseeing your own troops. What urgent matter makes you catch up like this?”

“There is something, there is!” She hurriedly leaned closer, eyes flicking toward the curious commanders behind her, lowering her voice. “That Zhaoming, the Zhaoming of the Western Palace—where did you leave his body?”

“Is that all you came to ask?” Ji turned his head casually, gazing into the distance. “You rushed here without apologizing for plotting against me or congratulating me on capturing the Western Palace. Instead, it’s about the Western Palace’s enemy general?”

She looked a bit embarrassed. “Those things can be compensated later. But Zhaoming was my sworn brother. I couldn’t bear to leave his corpse exposed in the wilderness.”

Ji didn’t even glance at her, replying coldly, “Showing mercy to the enemy on the battlefield is cruelty to yourself. Didn’t you know that?”

She lowered her head, silent and sullen. No use preaching grand principles if left unsaid.

“Zhaoming’s body wasn’t left exposed. I know you cared for him. After he died, I buried him in a field surrounded by pure white wildflowers, accompanied by the blue sky and white clouds. It’s quite beautiful.” Ji sighed softly, his voice deep and lingering. “I wonder if I’ll have such fortune when I die—whether I can die with dignity…”

Kaiming stared at him blankly. Even the favored courtier beside Dai Yuheng could speak such melancholy words?

Ji caught her stunned expression and smiled slyly. “Deputy General, though you fled the battlefield, you still earned merit. But the Emperor will likely punish you. Best think about how to get through this crisis first.”

She snorted and calmly said, “No need to remind me of that, Chief Inspector.” Seeing his disinterest, she wanted to turn away but suddenly recalled something. Looking back at the troops, she said to Ji, “Chief Inspector, I have one more question. Will you enlighten me?”

Ji smiled faintly. “Deputy General, ask away.”

She avoided his gaze and whispered, “Since the Western Palace has been captured, why haven’t I seen the important prisoners from there brought back to the Central Palace?”

Ji raised an eyebrow, glancing at her. She meant that since the Western Palace fell, the Western Palace’s ruler and royal family should have been imprisoned and escorted back to the capital. Isn’t that how it’s always portrayed in dramas? Why, after a kingdom’s fall, are prisoners never seen being brought back, only their own troops returning?

Ji lowered his voice further. “I can answer that question, but only once, and only to you. Because I made a certain agreement with the Western Palace’s ruler. I won’t harm him if he gives me the national treasure the Emperor desires.”

“You made an agreement with the Western Palace ruler?” She was surprised. Why would Ji reveal such a crucial secret to her? Was he testing her or had other motives?

“If Dai Yuheng asks about the Western Palace, how will you reply?”

“No need to worry about that, Deputy General. Just mind your own affairs.” Ji smiled at her. “But seeing General Kaiming in such good spirits comforts me greatly.”

His words involuntarily reminded her of the night Dayin died in the pouring rain—Ji had wrapped his arm around her shoulder, his firm voice seeming to resonate from his chest straight to her ear pressed against him: “When you don’t want me, there’s still me...”

A blush suddenly rose on her cheeks. Though it was Ji’s vain fantasy, recalling it always made her heart race. She didn’t know what their relationship truly was—enemies on opposing sides, but not entirely foes; friends, but shallower than friends. Ambiguous, yet not lovers.

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She tugged hard on the reins, and her horse immediately slowed. She called out loudly to Ji, “Chief Inspector, the report on the garrison has been completed. I shall return to the troops.”

Ji smiled. “Very well, Deputy General, please go ahead.”

She gave the reins a shake and sped past the curious commanders.

The Central Palace’s campaign was a great victory—not only capturing Western Palace soldiers and supplies, but also seizing the Western Palace itself and successfully obtaining the national treasure. The ruler decreed heavy criminals be pardoned and minor offenders excused, sparking nationwide celebration.

Ji and Kaiming, as the main generals, were richly rewarded—gold and silk piled high in front of the general’s residence, with dozens of servants assigned to attend them. Dayin received a grand burial beneath the Tianjue Emperor’s tomb, fulfilling the wishes of the ill-fated lovers.

That night, the palace held a lavish banquet attended by all civil and military officials, the halls bright with candlelight, cups raised high amid lively revelry.

Everything seemed satisfactory. Dai Yuheng never mentioned her flight at court, as if that shameful episode had never occurred. Yet, her growing intuition sensed a subtle disturbance beneath the surface.

Things were likely far more complicated than they appeared, just as Dai Yuheng himself was no simple figure.

Avoiding the officials taking turns forcing drinks, Kaiming quietly slipped away from the hall, steadied herself against a wall, and cleared her mind. She chose a narrow path and strolled along.

The evening breeze was cool, the deep autumn night bitterly cold. She hugged herself, her still foggy mind gradually clearing.

A rustling sound came from beneath her boots—the soft scrape of leather against grass. She looked around and saw a pavilion. Her gaze fixed on it, momentarily stunned. Though dark, the scene was familiar.

Slowly she recalled—it was the pavilion where the Tianjue Emperor had summoned her that day. The cold wind blew, and she imagined the young emperor seated silently by the dark railing, quietly watching her.

Fear stirred within her, and she involuntarily stepped back. Suddenly, two hands lightly touched her arms, and soft breathing came from behind.

Startled, she shouted, “Mother!” She shook off the hands as if shocked by electricity, nearly leaping as she spun around, eyes wide with terror.

Her gaze caught the gleam of a golden crown, fluttering ribbons, and embroidered robes. A figure stood silently behind her, speechless.

Her fright sobered her instantly; her legs nearly gave way as she cried out, “Ghost of the Tianjue Emperor! Don’t come for me! Don’t come for me!”

The figure let out a soft, amused laugh—a voice like pearls and jade carried on the wind: “What’s wrong, General Kaiming? Why so scared?”

Hearing the familiar voice, she cupped her pale face and stood dumbfounded for a few seconds. Rubbing her eyes, she finally saw that this was no ghost of the Tianjue Emperor, but the current Central Palace ruler—Dai Yuheng.

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She rubbed her eyes again to confirm. It was indeed Dai Yuheng’s exquisite face. Glancing around him, she saw no attendants. Even in his own palace, would he be so careless? What was he doing here?

Kaiming immediately bowed. “Your Majesty!”

Dai Yuheng waved her up with a smile. “Were you frightened by me just now, General Kaiming? Why did you call me a ghost?”

Lowering her head, she answered softly, “Your Majesty, I was drunk and mistook what I saw.”

Dai Yuheng glanced around and casually said, “I wonder why you left the main hall secretly and came alone to this remote spot?”

“To sober up, I took a stroll and didn’t expect to end up here,” Kaiming tried to sound natural. “But I don’t understand why Your Majesty would be here as well?”

“As for me, I’m following you,” Dai Yuheng said openly, revealing his intent. She was surprised, looked up at him, but in the darkness could not read his expression, so she guessed and spoke softly, “Does Your Majesty have something to instruct me? Please, say it freely.”

Dai Yuheng took a few steps beside her, eyes fixed sharply on her. “I heard that on the eve of battle, you left the mansion to roam about. Is that true?”

She smiled bitterly. So he intended to dredge up old grievances. Respectfully she replied, “I received a secret report of unrest in the Eastern Palace. I couldn’t inform General Dayin in time and left the mansion without permission, alarming Your Majesty. I deserve death!”

Dai Yuheng snorted coldly. “You speak well. So you left for the Eastern Palace out of concern for the Central Palace?”

“Exactly.” She shamelessly maintained composure. “I disturbed the Imperial presence and deserve death.”

“But the secret report I received doesn’t match your account,” Dai Yuheng stared coldly. “It says you feared the Western Palace and fled to seek shelter under the Eastern Palace’s Xinbi faction.”

She smiled faintly and lifted her head calmly. “Your Majesty, that is a grave misunderstanding. If the rumors were true, why would I return to the Central Palace and walk into a trap?”

Dai Yuheng frowned and paced around her. “That’s what puzzles me. Has something in the Eastern Palace changed your mind?”

Her heart skipped a beat. She relied on the darkness to conceal her expression and boldly met his gaze. “My explanation may be more reasonable. After receiving the report, I went to the Eastern Palace, only to discover it was a plot to sow discord between us. I realized the truth and raced day and night to the battlefield at the Western Palace. But due to my failure, General Dayin lost his life. I am indeed guilty…”

At that, she knelt on one knee, bowed deeply to Dai Yuheng, her voice choked with emotion. “Your Majesty’s magnanimity is beyond measure. Not only do you not hold me accountable for causing General Dayin’s death, but you also bestowed such generous rewards that I feel unworthy. Your wisdom has thwarted the Eastern Palace’s schemes. I am deeply grateful and wish I could follow Your Majesty through fire and water, even to death without regret!”

Her righteous and impassioned words left Dai Yuheng speechless for a long moment. Kaiming remained half-kneeling, and he silently regarded her in silence. A gust of wind swept through, rustling the surrounding bushes, scattering dry leaves with a soft, persistent sound.