Chapter 21: Confiding Hearts

Chapter 21: Confiding Hearts

Dai Yao was indeed betting his life, but it was a calculated risk.

First, his reflexes were quick enough that if Zhu Zhuqing did make a sudden move, he could use his Burst Step to escape her reach. Second, even if he failed to react in time, his Chaos Green Lotus would be his trump card—as long as the injury wasn't fatal, he could still survive.

Most importantly, Zhu Zhuqing had returned to explain her motives for attempting to assassinate him, a strong indication that she had abandoned any intent to kill.

Zhu Zhuqing slowly stepped forward until she was standing right in front of him.

Dai Yao's heart pounded in his chest. She was now well within striking distance, a range where he could not possibly react in time.

As she drew closer, he clenched his teeth, closed his eyes, and waited for fate to decide.

But… nothing?

Time seemed to crawl, and instead of pain, he felt a cool, gentle touch.

Opening his eyes, he saw Zhu Zhuqing's icy fingers closing his partially open robe.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow over her profile, her long lashes creating delicate shadows across her face.

Dai Yao couldn't help but smile. He knew then that this girl had chosen him.

He admitted that his methods had been manipulative, cornering her with two options he had already considered thoroughly. In truth, whichever choice Zhu Zhuqing made, he would not have lost anything.

But in choosing him, Zhu Zhuqing had given him her heart.

From this moment on, he knew he would have a partner—a girl who would stay with him through every trial, through highs and lows, always by his side.

Having been bullied in his previous life and left frustrated in the palace, Dai Yao had resolved never to be the "nice guy" again. Achieving his goals by any means necessary was now his way.

If that meant winning a girl's loyalty, so be it.

Taking her hand, Dai Yao led Zhu Zhuqing outside and, with a slight leap, they settled onto the roof.

The sky was clear, a full moon hanging high above. A gentle breeze brought a slight chill, but to soul masters like them, it was nothing.

Dai Yao brushed away the snow from the rooftop and found a clean cloth to sit on, inviting Zhu Zhuqing to sit beside him.

He began to explain, "The Empress never really intended to give you freedom."

"Why?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, surprised.

"Because I'm still the Fourth Prince, and assassinating a royal is a grave offense. The Empress may hate me, but she's too cautious to take direct action against me. You, however, are different. You're my fiancée in name, my royal consort. If you were to kill me, it could be explained as a private dispute, a wife resisting her marriage. That way, the Empress could wash her hands of it." Dai Yao smirked. "And the blame for killing a royal would fall on you alone. Regicide is punishable by death—there would be no escape for you."

Zhu Zhuqing's mouth dropped open in shock, eyes wide with disbelief. Only now did she understand the Empress's real scheme.

After all, she was only six years old. While mature for her age, she was still far too naive to comprehend the depth of the Empress's treachery.

In reality, Dai Yao had woven this explanation together to make the Empress seem more sinister, subtly driving a wedge between Zhu Zhuqing and the Empress, pulling her closer to him.

"So… the Empress was setting me up?"

"Yes." Dai Yao fought to keep a straight face, thrilled that Zhu Zhuqing was starting to believe him. He maintained a serious expression, empathizing with her as he added even more fuel to the fire: "To her, you're nothing more than a tool. Once you had served her purpose, she would have disposed of you without a second thought."

Zhu Zhuqing shivered, feeling a chill down her spine. "Thank you… If it hadn't been for you, I would've been completely deceived." She glanced at Dai Yao, blushing, her head lowered with a tinge of embarrassment. "I'm so sorry for trying to kill you."

Dai Yao stood up, looking righteous as he said, "Don't be silly; it's not your fault. You were in the dark. How could I blame you for that?"

Seeing him standing in the moonlight, putting on such an earnest display, Zhu Zhuqing let out a stifled giggle, quickly covering her mouth with her hand.

Dai Yao chuckled too, saying, "We are, after all, betrothed. Even true couples have their conflicts, let alone two people who have only just met!"

"Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Dai Yao. I'm six years old."

"Zhu Zhuqing, also six."

"Well then, call me 'Brother,'" he said with a grin.

Having a girl call him "brother" sounded rather pleasant. Besides, he was already in his twenties in his past life, so calling a six-year-old girl "sister" felt out of the question.

"But why? We're the same age!" Zhu Zhuqing protested, pouting slightly.

"Because I'm technically older," Dai Yao improvised. "My actual birthday is a few days before what's recorded in the family registry. So I'm still your elder."

"Really?" She looked unconvinced.

"It's settled then! From now on, you call me 'Brother,' and I'll call you 'Little Sister' or 'Zhuqing.'"

"Fine…" Zhu Zhuqing murmured, lips curling up reluctantly.

A soft breeze stirred, scattering snow in the air, filling their lungs with cold, clean air. But neither of them felt the chill.

Dai Yao looked at her with warmth, reaching over to tuck a strand of hair that had blown loose behind her ear.

Reflecting on his past, he said quietly, "I may not be as dashing as Dai Mubai or able to give you a life of luxury. And I can be rather dense sometimes."

Then his voice turned resolute, words striking the air with purpose. "But I'll work hard to be someone you can depend on. If danger comes, I'll be there to protect you. If anyone ever tries to harm you, they'll have to go through me first."

Zhu Zhuqing stared at him in stunned silence, his words stirring something deep within her.

In the original story, Zhu Zhuqing had developed an icy demeanor, not only because of the harsh struggle for the throne but also because Dai Mubai had abandoned her. And even before all of that, her upbringing had shaped her.

The Dai family may have been cold and calculating, but the Zhu family was no better. Zhu Zhuqing had grown up in an environment full of schemes and rivalries. She had never known true family warmth—her smiling but treacherous sisters had tormented her. Her mother's attention was always focused on her elder sister Zhu Zhuyun, who was married to the Crown Prince and favored to become the next Empress.

Surrounded by such betrayal and indifference, Zhu Zhuqing had wrapped herself in an icy exterior, a shield against the world.

But now, looking at Dai Yao in the moonlight, making a solemn promise, Zhu Zhuqing felt her eyes grow wet.

"Are you alright?" Seeing her cry, Dai Yao panicked, fearing he had somehow made a mistake. He awkwardly tried to comfort her.

"It's nothing." Zhu Zhuqing laughed through her tears, a bright and joyful sound that shattered her cold façade.

In her heart, she made her own silent promise: "I won't let you down either."

(End of Chapter)

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