Chapter Ninety-Four: The Subtle Persuader

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Feeling dejected after another severe scolding from Chang Geng, Kai Ming slumped down, watching her team lazily run laps around the track. What was the point of testing abilities? She might as well go through the motions and take it easy. The more incompetent she appeared, the less likely the Heavenly Emperor would target her. That was fine by her.

She let out a long sigh, stretched her limbs, and collapsed on the steps leading upward. Autumn was settling in; the weather grew colder day by day. The sun had been a rare sight during these recent training sessions.

Squinting, she soon felt a shadow descend. Oddly, it hovered precisely over her face. Half-opening her eyes, she saw vague silhouettes standing above her head. Backlit, she couldn’t make out their features clearly, only discerning the outline of a man and a woman.

“You see her? She’s never made any progress,” the woman’s slightly coquettish voice floated down. The man beside her nodded in agreement.

Kai Ming was startled awake by the voice. If she wasn’t mistaken, these were people who shouldn’t be here! She flipped over and sat up, facing the two uninvited visitors.

Sure enough, it was Xiao Qiao, clad in a silk dress adorned with pearl flowers, lightly powdered, looking both coy and irritated as she gazed at her. The woman’s complexion had grown even more delicate and rosy. Kai Ming laughed heartily, as if seeing an old friend, and threw her arms around Xiao Qiao in a tight embrace.

This time, Xiao Qiao didn’t dodge. She allowed the embrace but frowned slightly. “Kai Ming, your grip is too strong!”

Quickly loosening her hold, Kai Ming examined Xiao Qiao carefully. “You didn’t happen to bump into Miss Zhen anywhere, did you?!”

Xiao Qiao snapped, brushing her hand away. “You’re a commander now, yet still so unruly.”

“What’s there to be proper about with you?” Kai Ming chuckled mischievously, shamelessly saying, “Aren’t we both… you know… that now?”

“That what?!” Xiao Qiao’s face flushed scarlet, and she stomped her foot. “What kind of nonsense are you talking about? I have nothing to do with you! Don’t spread rumors!”

A man’s voice with a hint of amusement came from beside her: “So the rumor about Commander Kai Ming liking women… turns out it’s Miss Zhen!”

Kai Ming successfully flustered Xiao Qiao, then glanced at the man beside her. Upon seeing him, she immediately straightened up in a formal salute. “My lord!”

It was none other than Yu Bing Ji, Xiao Qiao’s fierce rival and their strict superior officer. He still wore his military uniform, his hair braided high and draped over his chest, fluttering slightly in the cool breeze. His narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes held a teasing smile as he looked at her.

Seeing this, Xiao Qiao clapped her hands and laughed heartily. “There’s always a match for everyone. To think someone can actually keep you, Kai Ming, in check!”

Kai Ming shot her an annoyed glare. Bing Ji, hearing this, merely smiled.

“My lord, did you come today specifically to accompany Miss Zhen to see Kai Ming?” she asked respectfully, raising her eyelids slightly.

Bing Ji nodded. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen her. I wanted to see how her training was going.”

Kai Ming lowered her head without replying. Xiao Qiao circled around her, teasing, “Strange. Since when did he become so polite and start calling me Miss Zhen? Is the sun rising from the west?”

“Xiao Qiao!” Kai Ming looked up and glared fiercely. She was never one to hold back her words, especially not letting Xiao Qiao take advantage now.

Bing Ji watched the two like children quarreling and smiled. “Commander Kai Ming and Xiao Qiao are old acquaintances; there’s no need to be so formal.”

Kai Ming sighed inwardly. It’s because of you, my lord, that I feel so uneasy. Do you really not know, or are you just pretending?

Xiao Qiao stopped teasing and tugged Kai Ming’s sleeve, sitting down on the steps beside her with a smile. “I came today because I have something to talk to you about!”

Kai Ming ignored Bing Ji and sat down with her, curious. “Miss Zhen has something to ask me?”

“Cut it out with the Miss Zhen formalities!” Xiao Qiao snapped and lightly tapped Kai Ming’s knee.

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Kai Ming covered her mouth to stifle laughter. Xiao Qiao, dressed like a lady but behaving in no lady-like manner, probably had been in the military too long. There was no trace of delicate femininity in her.

Xiao Qiao got straight to the point: “Kai Ming, are you currently working for Da Yin?”

“Da Yin?” Kai Ming was slightly startled. “No, who told you that?”

Xiao Qiao didn’t answer directly but countered, “Is it not the Palace Emperor? Are you working for him?”

Kai Ming shook her head like a rattle. “I only work for myself.”

Xiao Qiao sighed with relief. “That’s good. Looks like you’re neutral.”

Kai Ming eyed her curiously and teased, “Miss Xiao Qiao, did you come today as a lobbyist for Dai Yuheng?”

Xiao Qiao’s cheeks flushed faintly. She spat out, “I don’t have the skill to be a lobbyist for my cousin. I just wanted to give you some friendly advice.”

Kai Ming chuckled. “You say you’re not a lobbyist, but your whole expression says otherwise!”

“Miss Xiao Qiao, please speak your mind,” Kai Ming said in a refined tone.

Xiao Qiao gave her a side-eye. Used to her mischief, she found it strange to see her act so genteel. “Actually, I came on my own accord to help ease my cousin’s worries.”

Kai Ming smiled. “My apologies for causing both Master Dai Yuheng and Miss Zhen such concern.”

Xiao Qiao’s eyes widened. Kai Ming deliberately leaned back, feigning fear. “Miss, you look like you’ve come to kill, not to lobby.”

“I told you, I’m not!” Xiao Qiao stamped her foot forcefully. Kai Ming watched her antics amusedly. “It’s been a long time since we met. I just wanted to check on you.”

“Thanks for your concern,” Kai Ming rolled her eyes inwardly. That excuse was hardly convincing.

“Enough with the useless talk!” Xiao Qiao dropped her gentle act and stared fiercely at her. “I’ll ask you just one thing: Are you going over to my cousin’s side or not?”

Kai Ming stared at her in surprise. “Miss, if you want me to join Dai Yuheng, do you expect me to be his maid or his concubine? Your words are unclear, forgive my ignorance.”

Xiao Qiao’s face flushed a deep red, and she stammered helplessly, unable to continue.

Kai Ming laughed heartily. Bing Ji, standing on the steps behind them, looked down at their conversation with amusement. Seeing the topic stall here, he thought Xiao Qiao was really not cut out to be a lobbyist—too easily cornered.

Clearing his throat, he spoke: “Miss Xiao Qiao, I have some official matters to discuss with Commander Kai Ming. May I borrow the commander for a moment?”

Xiao Qiao immediately stepped aside and said to him, “You’re the one who should come. You’d better persuade her not to be at odds with my cousin.”

Bing Ji smiled quietly. Miss Xiao Qiao, you are truly straightforward.

He sat down where Xiao Qiao had stepped away. Before he could speak, Kai Ming suddenly clutched her stomach and exclaimed, “Oh, I’m so hungry!”

Bing Ji was taken aback. “Hungry?”

“I’ve been training since morning without eating! After hearing Miss Zhen’s words just now, I’m even hungrier!” She glanced past his shoulder at Xiao Qiao a few steps away and shouted, “I’m so hungry, I’m afraid I won’t be able to listen attentively to Your Excellency’s teachings!”

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Xiao Qiao glared at her fiercely. Bing Ji understood her thoughts and turned to Xiao Qiao with a smile. “Miss Xiao Qiao, could you help Commander Kai Ming buy some breakfast?”

Xiao Qiao’s eyes suddenly widened, clearly thinking, “You’re bold to order me around like this!”

Bing Ji spoke with a double meaning, “For Master Dai’s great cause, Miss Xiao Qiao, please…”

“I know, I know!” Xiao Qiao cut him off with a cold wave and turned abruptly, reluctantly going away.

Bing Ji looked back and saw Kai Ming secretly laughing behind him.

“Why, does teasing Miss Xiao Qiao amuse you so much?”

Kai Ming wiped away her playful smile and pouted. “She’s defending that Dai Yuheng. Just mentioning him makes me angry!”

Bing Ji smiled faintly, watching her. “You still can’t let go?”

Kai Ming shot him a glance. “Let go? I’m just petty…”

“Enough of that. While Miss Xiao Qiao is gone, there are some things I need to tell you, so you’re prepared.”

Bing Ji’s voice lowered as he glanced around cautiously. “Don’t get too close to the Beigong faction.”

Kai Ming was taken aback. How did the topic shift to this? Wasn’t he here as a lobbyist?

Reading her thoughts swiftly, Bing Ji said, “I’m not entirely Dai Yuheng’s man. Things are complicated and hard to explain right now. Just know this: I won’t harm you.”

Kai Ming studied him. His expression was calm, his gaze clear—he didn’t seem the type to lie.

“The Beigong faction—are you talking about Huo?”

He nodded. “After the prince arrived at the Central Palace, the Palace Emperor immediately investigated his background. It turned out he was an unpopular prince in Beigong. Sending an unpopular prince to another country was expected, but his other identity caught the Emperor’s attention.”

Kai Ming immediately guessed, “A gu master?”

Bing Ji looked surprised. “You know?” Then, with a mocking smile, “Of course. You spend so much time with him, even sharing a room. How could you not know his background?”

Kai Ming blushed faintly. “Don’t say such things as if there’s something going on between us. I only rent him the room; there’s nothing else!”

Bing Ji laughed. “That much I believe.”

Kai Ming muttered inwardly, Believe me? Strange, why do I even need to explain myself to you? You sound like my husband.

Suddenly realizing something, she stared at him blankly. “How do you know I have a place in the city?”

Bing Ji chuckled. “You’re just slow. Nothing you do escapes the Palace Emperor’s eyes. The prince doesn’t seem to pose a threat to the Central Palace, and his position is unstable. The Emperor turns a blind eye.”

Kai Ming shivered all over. So she was like Sun Wukong, endlessly tossed around but never escaping the hand of the Buddha? She thought she was clever, able to hide from Da Yin and escape to the ends of the earth, but even the Palace Emperor was secretly watching her.

This thought crushed her utterly. At this rate, not only would she never escape Da Yin’s control, but she might also unknowingly fall into traps set by the enemy. When they come to capture her, that would be the day Kai Ming’s life ended.

(To be continued)