The air in the reception hall had grown thick, the kind of heavy stillness that precedes a lightning strike. If Minister Wei was a serpent coiled in the shadows, the next predator was a hawk circling in broad daylight.
The ambush came from a direction Ling Xiao hadn't fully anticipated. Her name was Lady Dou Xinyi of the Censorate. The briefings had mentioned her rank, but they had failed to convey the sheer, concentrated venom in her eyes—the look of a woman who had been rejected by Long Wei four years ago and had spent every intervening second sharpening that rejection into a lethal weapon.
She approached as the crowd began to shift toward the dining hall. It was a moment of managed chaos, a tactical window she exploited with practiced ease. She was flanked by two younger court ladies who performed their roles as silent witnesses with the blank, chilling attention of people instructed to watch a social execution.
"Young Master Ling," she began, her voice perfectly calibrated to ensure every courtier within twenty feet would hear. "What an... interesting occasion. We had heard the General's marriage was rather sudden. Even for a man of his—unpredictable—temperament."
"All the best things in life arrive when you least expect them," Ling Xiao said, his voice a steady, pleasant contrast to her sharp tone.
Lady Dou's smile was architectural—structured and cold. "Indeed. Though the court remains curious about the particulars. A minor official's son, with no political alliances or notable family standing, suddenly presented as the General's consort. One does wonder what recommendation placed you in such a high chair."
The surrounding hum of conversation died away. She was attacking his legitimacy, positioning him as an interloper who had climbed into a bed that wasn't meant for him.
Ling Xiao felt the geometry of the moment clearly. If he defended himself, he looked weak. If he stayed silent, he looked guilty.
"I imagine the court is curious about many things," Ling Xiao said, tilting his head with a mild, almost bored expression. "It seems like a very curious place. As for recommendation—I wasn't 'placed' anywhere, Lady Dou. I was chosen. There is a profound difference between being an appointment and being an intent."
"Chosen?" Lady Dou's smile thinned. "By the General? Or by a superstitious prophecy that the Long Clan uses to justify its eccentricities? Surely the court has standards—"
"Lady Dou."
The voice came from the left. Two words, delivered quietly, but with the acoustic authority of a man used to commanding legions over the roar of a gale.
Long Wei had crossed the hall.
He didn't step in front of Ling Xiao to hide him. Instead, he stepped to Ling Xiao's left shoulder—present, solid, and unmistakable. He didn't look at Ling Xiao; he looked directly at Lady Dou with the winter-sea eyes that had seen the end of armies.
"The standards of this court," Long Wei said, his voice vibrating with a low, dangerous frequency, "are well established. Among them: the consort of a first-rank general holds a formal position that is not subject to the personal opinions of the Censorate. Regardless of their tenure... or their prior, failed proposals."
The silence in the hall became absolute. The mention of her rejected proposal was a surgical strike—brutal and final.
Lady Dou's composure held—she was a veteran of this cage—but her eyes went flat. "Of course, General. I meant no—"
"I know exactly what you meant," Long Wei interrupted, his tone devoid of any room for negotiation. "The dinner is being called. You should find your seat."
It wasn't a suggestion; it was a dismissal. As Lady Dou withdrew with her witnesses, the crowd dispersed, the energy of the room vibrating with the news of what they had just witnessed: The God of War had just chosen a side. Publicly.
[System Notification!]
[Quest Completed: 'The Public Shield'. You have successfully provoked a public display of loyalty from a 'Hostile/Neutral' target.]
[System Reward Issued: 'The Orator's Thread' (Passive Trait).]
Description: A subtle enhancement of your vocal frequency. Your words now carry a 5% increase in perceived sincerity and authority.
Ling Xiao looked at the man beside him. Long Wei was still looking at the middle distance, a slight, uncharacteristic flush of color high on his cheekbones.
"You didn't need to do that," Ling Xiao said quietly.
"She was out of line," Long Wei replied shortly.
"I had it handled."
"I know you had it." Long Wei paused, his jaw working as if the words were difficult to form. "I simply... wanted to be there."
[Favorability: +74 → +89]
"Thank you," Ling Xiao whispered.
********"""""""""""""
Author's Note:"Finally! A reward from the System! 🎉
Many of you have asked why the System hasn't given Ling Xiao any rewards or 'cheats' until now. The reason is simple: The System is a cold analyst, not a charity.
Until this moment, Ling Xiao was in 'Observation Mode.' The System needed to see if he could survive using only his own wits and his previous life's experience. Giving a reward too early would have contaminated the 'purity' of the data.
But now, by successfully triggering a public declaration from the General—a feat that has a 0.01% probability based on Long Wei's history—the System has deemed Ling Xiao worthy of an upgrade. Consider this 'The Orator's Thread' as the System's way of acknowledging that Ling Xiao is no longer just a passenger in this story; he is the one driving it.
Question of the day: Do you think the System has more 'Passive Traits' hidden away, or will Ling Xiao have to bleed for the next one? 🧐
Don't forget to Add to Library and support with Power Stones! Chapter 14 is where the real intimacy begins! ✨"