Chapter 80: The Strange Master and Servant
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Deep, sapphire blue eyes set against fair skin, as dazzling as the sudden gleam of morning light. The man’s complexion was so pale it bordered on unnatural, and his eyes were an unbelievable shade of blue.
Why, is he a foreigner? Kaiming wondered. The North Palace’s hostage prince possessed distinctly European features—did the people of the North Palace differ so much from those of the other four Palaces? But that couldn’t be; after all, the servant beside him wasn’t Caucasian.
Perhaps he’s of mixed blood?
Her curiosity was ignited, and she stared at him unblinking, entirely oblivious to any breach of etiquette.
“What’s the matter, Captain? Never seen anyone who looks like me before?” The prince’s lips curved in a smile, his deep blue eyes narrowing, a flash of lightning before a storm flickering in their depths.
“It is truly remarkable!” she blurted out.
“Remarkable?” The cold smile at the prince’s lips widened. “Why not frightened?”
“Frightened of what?” She was taken aback. A mixed-blood man, handsome as this, why should anyone be afraid?
“My unusual appearance marks me as an omen of misfortune. To approach someone ill-omened is to invite calamity upon oneself.” He spoke with chill detachment, raising an eyebrow as he studied her.
So that was it—ostracized in the North Palace because of his looks? Kaiming smiled and leaned closer, scrutinizing his face with greater care. “I’ve examined you—you’re very handsome.”
The prince stared at her for several moments. Even the usually noisy young servant was left standing in place, momentarily stunned by their exchange.
The prince regarded her deeply, his sapphire eyes shifting with a thousand hues, each more astonishing than the last—like whirlpools set to ensnare and devour, a trap laid on the ocean floor, able to swallow a soul in an instant.
Kaiming had never seen such expressive eyes, nor witnessed irises that could shimmer with so many exquisite colors. She stared back, marveling, as though her very spirit was being drawn away.
Suddenly, the prince closed his eyes, breaking the spell. She felt like a marionette whose strings had been cut, left dazed and hollow.
“You are different from the others,” the prince said, reopening his eyes. Though his expression remained stiff, his tone had softened. “A word of advice—don’t look into my eyes again.”
She agreed, but could not comply. Who could resist the allure of such mesmerizing eyes?
With a sigh, the prince reached up and slowly removed his cloak. As the hood slipped away, a cascade of brilliant golden hair tumbled out, so radiant that Kaiming’s eyes stung at the sight.
She rubbed her eyes, her attention captured by the unexpected gold. Astonished and delighted, she realized the North Palace prince possessed a mane of golden hair!
It was as though a shaft of dawn had pierced the gloom, enlivening the entire dim room with vibrant brilliance. Flowing, untamed, like molten gold under the sun, it was impossible not to want to reach out and touch it.
He truly is a foreigner! she thought again, unable to resist reaching for that dreamlike beauty. What a marvelous color—like beholding a table piled with gold, it inspired an uncontrollable urge to claim it.
Her fingers nearly brushed the golden strands when they slipped away, and the man’s teasing voice came: “Are you awake now, or even more entranced?”
She hesitated, uncertain of his meaning, but at least he was speaking again. Just moments before, when she’d looked into his eyes, she’d felt as if hypnotized—surely, if he’d commanded her to die, she’d have obeyed.
Hypnosis? A chill ran through her, unease welling in her heart. Those beguiling eyes and that calm demeanor—the North Palace prince would make a perfect hypnotist.
He let down his hair, perhaps to draw her gaze from his eyes—a kindness, or a calculated display?
The prince’s lips curled with mockery. “You’re the first to dare approach me so closely, and even praise my looks.”
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“Is there something wrong with that?” she asked in confusion. Wasn’t he a handsome man? What could be wrong with giving a compliment?
“That’s only because you don’t know who I am.” He smiled coldly. “Once you do, you’ll never say such things again.”
Kaiming gave a curious sound.
“Yingshi,” the prince called, turning his focus to the pouches before him, his tone even. “What are you standing there for? A distinguished guest has arrived—go pour some water.”
The servant did not protest this time, but obediently moved to the table, shaking the kettle, before bursting out in anger: “Those wretches, all of them with dog’s eyes for the high and mighty—couldn’t even bother to pour tea! Shameless snobs!” Grumbling, he stormed out.
While the servant dashed out as though to brawl, the prince had already untied one of the bundles, carefully cradling a pitch-black vessel.
Kaiming regarded his actions with curiosity. “What is that?” she blurted out.
The prince’s lips quirked in amusement, his blue eyes slanting toward her. “Captain, are you interested?”
She offered an awkward smile.
“Come here. Sneak a look,” he beckoned mysteriously.
She felt as though pulled by invisible strings, actually leaning in as commanded, wondering if this was magic—why else would she obey so readily?
The prince watched her and carefully lifted a corner of the vessel’s lid, whispering, “Don’t make a sound—you’ll startle them.”
“What is it?” she asked, eyes wide, peering into the darkness, seeing only something writhing inside—no clear shape.
“My treasures,” the prince replied mischievously, and with a sudden flourish, removed the lid entirely. The black mass within, startled by the light, scattered and writhed with renewed vigor.
She shrieked, every hair standing on end, stumbling back uncontrollably. Inside were dozens of centipedes, each the size of a thumb—pale brown, dark red—moving their bristly legs, layered atop one another in a nightmarish tangle. It was the most horrifying sight she had ever witnessed.
“Captain, afraid of insects?” The prince, having achieved his goal of teasing her, closed the lid with a grin. “A grown man shouldn’t be so timid!”
“Insects? Those are centipedes—centipedes!” She shuddered with revulsion, rubbing at the goosebumps on her arms. “These are your treasures? Your pets?”
“Captain, you make too much of it. These are just a few of my smallest treasures.” The prince shook his head, mocking her naivety. “I had hoped to share my collection with you, but alas!”
“You keep them for your own enjoyment!” she retorted, still shaken. No wonder he was so disliked in the North Palace—such eccentric pets must have terrified more than a few. It was little wonder those officials had run off to the general’s mansion in tears.
Just thinking about it made her skin crawl—this was not a place to linger. She quickly bid farewell: “I have urgent business to attend to. I must take my leave.”
The prince replied calmly, “You’ve just arrived. Won’t you stay a while?”
“No need, no need. Thank you for your hospitality, but I suddenly remembered something pressing...”
“Are you afraid, Captain?” the prince asked bluntly, his gaze sweeping over her, fixing on her face.
She was caught off guard by his directness, at a loss for words.
Fortunately, just then, the servant Yingshi returned, carrying a steaming pot of tea, still muttering angrily: “Blind fools, sniveling flatterers.”
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The prince glanced at the teapot in Yingshi’s hands and said calmly, “Have a cup of tea before you go, lest anyone say the North Palace lacks courtesy.”
“No need, really!” she demurred, thinking furiously for a way to make her escape.
Yingshi poured her a cup, loudly declaring, “My master never entertains outsiders. You’re an exception—yet you don’t even appreciate the honor.”
Such a master, such a servant—his tactless words brought a flush to her cheeks and cold sweat to her brow. The prince reproved, “Yingshi, mind your manners. How can you speak to the Central Palace’s Captain that way?”
Yingshi set the tea down with a clatter, turning his head away in defiance.
An idea struck her. She called out, “Hey, boy.”
“Who are you calling ‘boy’?” Yingshi rolled his eyes at her from across the room, looking displeased.
“Come here, I have something good for you!” She hurriedly fished out a few broken pieces of gold from her bosom, clattering them onto the table.
As expected, the boy’s eyes widened, his pupils gleaming with the reflected gold.
“Take it—it’s for you both.” She grinned at him. Good, it was working.
Yingshi mumbled, “How can I accept this? You’re too generous.” But his hands had already swept up the gold.
The prince observed this with a slight frown, looking at her in confusion.
Kaiming, now confident, straightened and addressed the prince. “I came in haste and brought no proper gift. Please forgive me for offering such a vulgar token as my greeting.”
“A greeting gift?” The prince’s expression shifted minutely. He was used to others seeking things from him—this was the first time anyone had given him something instead.
Yingshi, delighted by her words, beamed. “We’re short on such vulgar tokens—bring as many as you like, the more the better!”
The prince coughed, and Yingshi immediately fell silent.
Kaiming rose with relief, bowing to the prince. “It has been an honor to meet you today, but I have urgent matters to attend to. I must take my leave.”
This time, the prince did not try to stop her, waving a hand. “Safe travels, Captain. Yingshi, see her out.”
“Yes, yes!” Yingshi, clutching the gold, sped to open the door, his face a mask of obsequious smiles.
Kaiming feigned calm as she exited, but once past the threshold, she fled faster than a startled rabbit.
Watching her retreat, Yingshi closed the door and burst into muffled laughter. “If only more people came bringing gifts of gold!”
“Don’t be greedy,” the prince said mildly as he inspected his treasures. “Haven’t you hoarded enough gold and silver? Always playing the pauper before outsiders.”
Yingshi shrugged indifferently. “If someone offers it, why refuse?” Remembering what had just happened, he laughed again. “Master, she said you’re handsome!”