Chapter 2

Crown Prince Tan Peizhi felt a small warmth against his back. He slightly flinched from the unexpected contact before a bitter sadness filled his heart. This unknown child was leaning her head against him, sobbing into his back to muffle the sound. He had never felt warm towards children outside of his own family. He wasn't someone that could be described as loving or friendly, but her boldness left an imprint inside of him.

The second prince stepped towards his brother; they were only feet apart. Jiang Yi Feng rested his own body against the fake rock. His arms lifting to rest behind his head. Crown Prince Peizhi suspected he already knew about the girl, and he also already knew that at some point, this choice he was making now would cost him. His brother was not someone who would easily allow him to make mistakes.

The young girls' sobs instantly stilled when the second prince came closer, but her slight fingers clung to the Crown Princes back, they trembled against his skin, and though it should bother him, it didn't.

Jiang Yi Feng whistled, and two of his men, Mao Guanglie and Qin Weimin, appeared from the shadows. Crown Prince Tan Peizhi recognized the threat and knew that there would be no going back even if he changed his mind. He wondered if his choice Today would cost him the crown in the future.

"Have all the bodies been counted yet?" Prince Yi Feng asked his subordinates. They had been watching everything happening within the compound. They long ago spotted the girl, but they only followed the Prince, she was as meaningless as air to them.

"Reporting to his Second Highness, there are twelve bodies unaccounted for. Seven of them slaves from the side courts that managed to sneak out from a small passage, two of them have already been captured, their bodies will be returned shortly. Four of the missing bodies are servants that have left to visit families in Wuchun."

Prince Yi Feng quirked his lips, knowing that the last was this young girl, "And the last one?"

"The last missing person is the youngest daughter of the traitor Liang Liquin, Liang Lia Jiao."

The princes were both surprised that the child hidden between this rock was the official's daughter. They both assumed she was a servant smart enough to hide. Crown Prince Peizhi' s adam's apple bobbed up and down, his throat feeling dry. Behind him, the child had stilled herself. He felt the warmth of her body pressed against him, slightly trembling against his muscular back.

"Is that so?" Prince Yi Feng said. "I wonder what happened to the youngest daughter of the house."

Crown Prince Peizhi made his decision, quietly clearing his throat, "I was told she has already been killed. Her body was mangled in such a way that it was hard to identify her."

"Is that how it was," Prince Yi Feng said. He cast a look at his two men, who quickly understood what they were to do. "I never thought my brother would be so sentimental," he said, a rare flicker of interest in his eyes.

The Crown Prince turned his handsome face towards his younger brother. His eyes held strength and cunning but also gentleness. Towards this younger brother, he had never been able to truly hate. Unlike the rest of his siblings, this one was someone he grew up with. He spent many days as a child practicing sword fighting and combat with. He knew the depths of the pain this Prince held inside his heart and knew that he was a tiger waiting to devour everyone in his path. But still, he could not completely abandon this brother.

"Neither did I," he acknowledged.

Prince Li Feng's two servants came back within a matter of minutes. "Reporting to His Highness Second Prince, the youngest daughter of the traitor Liang Liquin has been discovered. She was mutilated beyond recognition, but her name tablet was found on her person."

"That's good then," the Crown Prince said stiffly. He had a feeling of bitterness inside his chest, as though he had made a deal with the devil, but still couldn't force himself to be upset about the young girl behind him.

Behind the Crown Prince, Liang Lai Jiao listened to the men in front of her. She understood they were allowing her to live. She already knew why her family was being massacred. She heard the eunuchs decree before the killing started, but she didn't understand. Her father was a good person. He was the best person she knew. How he could be accused of something like being a traitor, the words just didn't make sense to her.

The night slowly passed. The entire estate was raided, every treasure and item of value was brought out and stacked before the Princes. The details were recorded by a eunuch then transported to a carriage outside of the estate. The night seemed endless, and Liang Lai Jiao grew colder with every passing moment. At last, several hours after the start, the killing, looting, and bloodshed ended. The soldiers began to retreat, and the home became a ghost field.

A young soldier came before the princes and bowed with one knee raised. "Reporting to the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, the orders have been carried out, and your highness's can return to the palace to report."

"Leave us," Crown Prince Tan Peizhi ordered.

"Yes!" The soldier said, rising to follow the other troops.

"Take her out of the city. What happens from there will be up to her," Crown Prince Peizhi said, glancing towards his brother.

"You're not worried about revenge?" Second Prince asked.

"How could I have time to worry about revenge when my own family is made of lions and tigers waiting to feast." With that, he pulled away from the bolder, unclasping his cloak and letting it fall to the floor. Liang Lai Jiao watched the blue, white fur collard, cloak fall to the floor. Her tears and blood had ruined it completely. The Crown Prince already started to walk away, her quiet voice stopped him.

"Because you saved my life. Today, you have my promise that I will never seek revenge on your life, or that I will ever attempt to hurt you. But I will never forgive your father!"

The Crown Prince smirked, turning to glance back at her. He was slightly surprised by how beautiful the young girl was, he hadn't seen her clearly before. Her face was swollen from crying, but her eyes held an unnatural brilliance and depth that left him breathless. He knew that when she was older, she would be a beauty that could topple nations. It was a shame her life would be worthless now.

"Bold words from a little girl," he said, not bothered by her statement. It would have been strange if she didn't hate his father. "It's cold." He said, continuing his steps.

The Second Prince watched the exchange. He was surprised by the young girl's admission. After the Crown Prince left, Prince Yi Feng looked her over. Her crying face made him feel repulsed. She steeled herself and allowed him to stare at her. "How can I be certain that what you said is true? What if tomorrow you show up in my camp to slit my throat? What do I get out of helping you?"

"There is nothing other than my life that I have left to give," she answered quietly and truthfully, much more profound then her age should dictate.

"A worthless life like yours? What would I want with that?"

"Whatever you need me for, I will do it."

He laughed at the young girl. He roamed his eyes over her, she was attractive, his brother had also seemed slightly taken with her. Perhaps in the future, when she was older, she might become something he could use as a tool."Your family, their bodies, and bones, do you know what will happen to them?"

She swallowed thickly, a feeling of undeniable pain caused her to quiver.

"They will be thrown into a mass grave, their bodies ravaged by wild beasts, their clothes stripped, and their bodies shredded." He watched as the girl's lips trembled. Her shaky hand rested on the fake boulder. "You still believe that you won't come back for revenge?"

"What you are saying to me only makes me want to see them given a proper burial, it doesn't make me want to go back on my word. Whether I hate you or not is pointless, but whether they can find a place to rest? That is something that I can not let go of. You must know that; otherwise, why would you bring it up?"

He once again felt that her words belonged to someone much older then she was. He took a moment to think over her words. Though he wasn't sure how he could use this person, it seemed even more now, that she could become a weapon for him in the future. "This Prince is willing to find a place for them to rest." He left the words hanging there. She quickly understood and kneeled.

"This servant has nothing to offer but this life. This servant is willing to follow and serve you until death." Her heart was racing, knowing that she was agreeing to follow this person. It felt as though a black film was covering her insides.

"Then I'll take you at your word. When that time comes, remember what you said. Take her," he said, glancing towards one of his guards. The man assented and picked up the fallen cloak before rapping the girl in it, then disappearing into the night.