Volume One, Chapter Thirteen: The Dusty Torch Eye

“Sister,” Liu Qi greeted Sima Yun proactively.

Sima Yun snapped back to attention, clearing her throat. “Hmm, this looks much better now. Come with me to the Prince Qi’s mansion shortly.”

“Yes,” Liu Qi nodded.

“Xiao Lan, prepare the carriage,” Sima Yun instructed.

“Madam, it’s ready,” Xiao Lan replied.

“Good, follow me.” Sima Yun led Liu Qi out of the residence and into the carriage.

Once seated, Sima Yun leaned against Liu Qi. Compared to his previously ragged and dirty appearance, Liu Qi now looked far more handsome and refined.

Sima Yun had always been fond of male beauty; she had adored Liu Qi even when he was disheveled. Now, dressed neatly, he was even more irresistible.

As they settled into the carriage, Sima Yun pressed close to Liu Qi, rubbing and nuzzling him, causing a flush to rise to his cheeks.

“You smell so good, young master. I didn’t expect you to look this handsome after washing up,” she said, pinching his cheek affectionately, growing more enamored with him by the moment, as if she wanted to devour him and merge him into herself.

Liu Qi felt a rush of heat from her attentions. Sima Yun must have been starved for affection. Though the journey to Prince Qi’s mansion wasn’t far, to the exhausted Liu Qi it felt interminably long.

Upon arrival, Sima Yun alighted from the carriage with a radiant smile, while Liu Qi staggered slightly.

The Prince Qi’s mansion was magnificent, guarded by two soldiers standing rigidly at the gate. Every visitor underwent strict scrutiny.

Following Sima Yun inside, Liu Qi was greeted by artificial hills, gardens, streams—a breathtaking display of exquisite landscaping.

The mansion was bustling with many maids and servants, all dressed in vibrant attire, far surpassing the usual standards of a prince’s household.

Liu Qi remained silent, trailing behind Sima Yun.

Prince Qi, the fourth prince, was clever. He had decorated the mansion lavishly, creating the illusion that he cared only for the beauty of nature, not politics. Yet beneath this facade, he was more scheming than anyone.

If the mansion had been austere, Liu Qi might have felt less uneasy.

But the sheer extravagance was deliberate. Others might miss the prince’s intent, but Liu Qi, a fellow schemer, could see through it.

Eventually, they reached the main hall. Prince Qi sat on a grand chair, adorned in splendid robes, sipping fragrant tea while enjoying the dance of the maids.

Upon their entrance, the prince dismissed the maids.

“Prince Qi,” Sima Yun bowed.

The prince nodded, gently waving a folding fan painted with ink landscapes and inscribed with poetry and calligraphy by masters.

A plainly dressed man brought a plate of fruit and placed it before the prince before standing silently to the side, nodding slightly.

Liu Qi glanced at Prince Qi and then at the man beside him, frowning slightly.

“Why don’t you pay your respects to Prince Qi?” Sima Yun urged.

Liu Qi took a few steps forward, but the prince waved it off. “No need for formalities, haha.”

He rose, approaching Liu Qi with a friendly, approachable demeanor, gently shaking his fan.

“I’ve heard of you from Sima Yun. You’re the slave who served General Yang?” the prince asked.

“That’s correct,” Liu Qi bowed.

“Hm, none of General Yang’s slaves ever survived. Your survival suggests you have exceptional qualities,” the prince acknowledged with a nod.

Liu Qi lowered his head and shrugged, feigning fear, but his eyes discreetly studied the prince and his attendant.

“What kind of person do you think I am?” the prince suddenly asked.

Liu Qi was taken aback, momentarily at a loss.

What could be more terrifying than a prince asking a slave to judge his character?

Without hesitation, Liu Qi knelt, trembling. “I… I am worthy of death, worthy of death.”

“Oh? What do you mean by that?” the prince inquired curiously.

Liu Qi answered, “I am lowly and unworthy to judge Prince Qi.”

“But I want your judgment. Don’t worry, here today, every word you speak is safe,” the prince assured.

Still kneeling, Liu Qi replied, “I dare not.”

“I insist,” the prince pressed.

Liu Qi bowed his head to the floor. “I dare not.”

“Sima Yun, if Liu Qi were useless, why would Prince Qi keep him?” she sighed.

Liu Qi’s heart jolted, uncertain how to respond.

He knew the prince was testing him, but for what purpose? To see if he was worthy to remain in the mansion or to assess whether he was a threat?

He couldn’t tell.

He had thought that after arriving, merely hiding his talents, letting them believe he was a common slave, would keep him alive.

Yet now he realized that hiding his abilities also carried danger.

The prince sought capable people. If Liu Qi had no talent, why keep him? Killing a slave was like crushing an ant.

But if he showed too much skill, the prince might eliminate him out of fear—especially since he was originally from the Da Kang dynasty.

Thus, the question of how much ability to reveal, where to draw the line, was Liu Qi’s greatest challenge and concern.

Revealing too little would not do, revealing too much was even worse.

Cold sweat began to bead on Liu Qi’s forehead.

“Hm? What kind of person do you think I am?” the prince pressed again.

Kneeling, Liu Qi pondered carefully before speaking.

After a moment, he said, “Prince Qi is a refined gentleman, cultured and affable—a great scholar.”

“Heh, just that?” the prince scoffed dismissively.

Liu Qi hesitated, uncertain whether to continue.

“Is that all?” the prince’s tone grew colder.

Swallowing nervously, Liu Qi decided to speak further.

“But the attendant standing beside you is the true hero.”

Silence fell.

All eyes turned to the plainly dressed attendant, who had kept his head bowed.

“What do you mean?” the prince asked angrily.

Liu Qi replied, “I’m not certain, but… he has an extraordinary presence, not like a mere servant. More like a…”

“More like what?” the prince and Sima Yun asked in unison, their emotions stirred.

The attendant finally lifted his head, narrowing his eyes with a meaningful gaze at Liu Qi.

Liu Qi continued, “Like a ruler blessed with great destiny.”

Again, the room was engulfed in silence.

Then—clap! clap! clap!

Clear applause broke the stillness.

The attendant clapped his hands, stepped forward, and slowly took a seat.

“Prince Qi,” immediately removed his crown and fan, stepping aside.

“Well said—a pair of worldly, discerning eyes,” the true prince spoke.