Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Storm Gathers Over the Tower

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After returning to the unit, Chunhua, who had been terribly wronged, wasted no time. She immediately ordered the trio to do handstands against the wall—no letting down until their hands and feet were numb.

This time, the three truly tasted hardship. Their faces turned dark purple, enduring the scornful glances and jeers from passing soldiers. Though no one knew what they had done, seeing the three iron pillars punished was entertaining, especially for the squad who had dealings with Chunhua.

Whistles and jeers filled the air, making Chunhua and the duo seethe with rage. They wished they could tear the commander apart.

She herself sat steadily on a bench, occasionally poking them with a stick, like prodding three fat pigs hung upside down, awaiting slaughter.

“Hold steady, you’re about to fall!”

“Didn’t you hear? You deserve a beating!”

A stick struck Chunhua, who grit her teeth and muttered, “I just can’t understand it. She came out of the commander’s quarters without so much as a red mark on her face—perfectly fine. Why torment us like this?”

“That’s right!” the two agreed. Xia Cao rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Boss, do you remember how pale she was when she came out of the commander’s room? She looked like a ghost—she must’ve been scolded!”

“Scolded by Commander Chang Geng, no wonder she’s here messing with us!” Qiu Ju’s thin voice emerged from her upside-down position. Their faces flushed and voices hushed.

Chunhua’s mood brightened instantly. “Hmph, finally got scolded by Commander Chang Geng. My suffering here isn’t in vain!”

“Keep steady!” Another strike, and Chunhua’s eyes widened to the size of eggs.

The commander tapped the three troublemakers casually, inwardly frustrated. It was all their fault for getting him into Chang Geng’s quarters. After this fiasco, maintaining a good friendship with him would be impossible—or at best, awkward.

Meanwhile, no matter how Chunhua and the trio were punished here, Xiao Qiao at the Dai residence had already reported everything truthfully to her beloved cousin.

Chattering non-stop about the morning’s events, Xiao Qiao still felt indignant. “Isn’t it infuriating? She actually ordered me to buy breakfast for her. The commander really has no sense! And Ji is all for her. Cousin, why don’t you keep your subordinates in check?”

Dai Yuheng smiled gently as she rattled off her report. Today, he wore a fresh pink robe embroidered with exquisite white flowers, the color complementing his fair complexion like a pearl. His clear, serene eyes sparkled with endless beauty.

Unconsciously, Xiao Qiao fell silent, staring blankly at his smile as if entranced.

“Finished?” he asked.

“Yes, yes, done,” she nodded vigorously, cheeks flushed.

“Who told you to go find the commander on your own?” His words were mild but firm, leaving Xiao Qiao stunned.

“I…”

“I never allowed you to see her because you’re not good with words,” he sighed lightly. “Commander Chang Geng is a fierce rural woman, a scoundrel, who navigates deftly between Dayin and the Emperor. You, still sheltered, inexperienced in dealings, how could you gain any advantage before her?”

“Cousin…” Xiao Qiao hurried to explain.

Dai Yuheng raised his hand to stop her. “Also, don’t call Ji out without reason. The military supervisor is no idle post—he has many imperial affairs to handle and no time to accompany you aimlessly.”

Pouting, Xiao Qiao protested, “You favor that woman so much, how can you trust him?”

“Enough nonsense!” he snapped. “These words aren’t for casual use. Say them only to me and never spread them around, understand?”

His tone sharpened, stern. Xiao Qiao looked pitiful and nodded reluctantly.

Seeing this, Dai Yuheng softened. “I’m not blaming you. You only did this out of concern. But matters involving the court must never be acted on rashly. Next time, get my permission first, understood?”

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His voice softened as if coaxing a kitten, and a smile appeared on Xiao Qiao’s face as she nodded.

Dai Yuheng smiled as well. “Cousin, you didn’t go in vain this time. At least I know Ji still cares about that fierce woman.”

Xiao Qiao couldn’t help but ask, “Cousin, are you really so confident in Ji? I always feel something’s off about him.”

“Yes,” his eyes flickered. “No one is ever completely trustworthy. Ji is clever—he’ll side with whoever holds the advantage. Besides, isn’t everyone using each other?”

Xiao Qiao didn’t quite understand and looked at him curiously.

Dai Yuheng quietly toyed with his folding fan, eyes glancing through it toward the doorway. When would be the right time to meet with the commander again? There had to be some explanation.

“Master! Master!” Suddenly someone rushed in, bowing deeply.

Dai Yuheng snapped shut his fan and asked sharply, “What’s the matter? Why the rush?”

“Master…” The man glanced at Xiao Qiao hesitantly before speaking, “There’s news from Dayin!”

“Speak!” Dai Yuheng frowned.

“She was seen getting into a carriage at the mansion gate with a man and heading down the official road.”

“The official road? What kind of man?”

“A young man dressed like a noble…” The man shrank beneath Dai Yuheng’s piercing gaze but quickly added, “She called him Tian Lang…”

“Tian Lang? At this hour, where is Dayin taking Tian Lang? What scheme is she plotting?” Dai Yuheng waved his fan fiercely. “Track their movements closely!”

The man nodded and hurried away.

Just as he left, another figure in black entered the room.

“Master!”

Dai Yuheng’s expression shifted. This dark-clad man was the secret guard watching the general’s residence. What was he doing here now?

“Speak!” Dai Yuheng demanded briskly.

“Yes!” The guard knelt and reported, “I saw Dayin leave the mansion with a man…”

“I already know that!” Dai Yuheng interrupted impatiently. “Get to the point!”

“After them, a small black sedan chair quietly left through a side gate, taking a shortcut.”

Dai Yuheng’s expression grew complex. “Do you know where the sedan went?”

“Yes, toward the palace.”

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“The palace?!”

“Yes!” The guard disappeared silently.

Xiao Qiao held her breath, watching her cousin handle these mysterious affairs with swift decisiveness. Her admiration deepened. How graceful his movements were; usually his eyes were gentle as water, but now they gleamed with steadfast resolve.

Dai Yuheng ignored her and pondered the newly acquired intelligence, his fan tapping unconsciously in his palm. Suddenly inspired, he called out, “Someone!”

Two servants appeared immediately and stood ready.

“Send ten or so guards from the West Courtyard here. I have orders!”

“Yes!”

At that moment, a thunderous roar erupted in the general’s inner courtyard, shaking even the birds and beasts into flight.

“What did you say?!”

A maid paled in fright, trembling as she looked at her. “The general means…”

“Where is the general?” asked Kai Ming, dressed in gray tunic and black trousers, bursting from the general’s chamber and shouting loudly in the courtyard, “Dayin! Dayin, come out quickly!”

The maid hurried out. “Commander, please don’t make a scene. The general isn’t in the mansion—she’s gone to the palace.”

“The palace?” Kai Ming froze. Why would Dayin dare meet her old lover in broad daylight? Wasn’t that scandalous?

From a corner of the courtyard, a small figure rushed out.

“Spoon?!” she exclaimed joyfully, scooping the boy into her arms. “You’re still here at the general’s residence?”

“What nonsense is that?” Spoon rolled his eyes. “Mother hasn’t come to see me in days—is it because she doesn’t want me anymore?”

“That’s not true!” She stroked his head. “I’m here to take you now.”

“Commander…” The maid hesitantly spoke, “The general said the young master cannot leave the mansion.”

Kai Ming arched an eyebrow. “I’m here to pick up my son—does she have to control even this family matter?”

“Yes!” The maid was resolute. “The general ordered it strictly: the commander is not allowed to take the young master out!”

Kai Ming’s gaze turned cold. “So, you let Xiao Wan disappear without a word, but I can’t even take Spoon away?”

“The miss is well!” The maid hurried to clarify, “She is with the general…” Realizing what she was about to say, she quickly covered her mouth.

Xiao Wan is with Dayin? Dayin took Xiao Wan to the palace? To see her father?! Questions swirled wildly in Kai Ming’s mind. Was this the moment to claim kinship?

Beneath the gloomy sky, the sun cast lazy rays, tracing slanted black shadows across the magnificent, multicolored palace. Outside the long, sprawling palace walls, a narrow alleyway was traversed swiftly by a small black sedan chair with soft curtains. Apart from two bearers, only two soldiers accompanied it—clad not in armor but in light gray clothes and soft-soled cloth shoes.

Looking ahead, the soldiers relaxed slightly upon spotting palace guards at a side gate.

Suddenly, the sound of rushing wind filled the air as numerous black-clad figures descended from the palace walls like locusts swarming crops, blocking their path.