IDWBE -Chapter 347 The Princess’s White Hair

Has the Sixth Prince, who once treated himself like a child—hitting when he wanted, scolding when he wanted—now finally got to listen to me?

If I tell him to go east, he cannot go west!

If I tell him to catch chickens, he cannot chase dogs!

“Thank you, Regent Prince,” Prince Dai took a sheet of paper from his sleeve and held it up with both hands. “I am unworthy. Over the years, I have taken in some unfortunate people who only know running errands and doing hard labor. My ability is limited; I beg the Regent Prince to look kindly upon them and grant them a meal.”

Xiao Xizi took it first and unfolded it under the lantern’s light. Lin Yi glanced at it and laughed. “‘Partridge Whistle’? Sixth Brother, you really have talent, giving such an elegant name. As for Miss Dan Ruyi, I remember her beauty—it could topple kingdoms. Sixth Brother, you certainly have good fortune in love.”

That the Sixth Prince would hand over his spies so readily was entirely unexpected.

Was he really leaving no cards up his sleeve? Trusting me so completely? Or did he simply have too many chips, so giving up a few wasn’t a loss? Lin Yi was momentarily puzzled.

Prince Dai seemed to sense his doubt and bowed with a smile. “Regent Prince, I still remember what you once said: to find someone who can calm your heart, so you no longer rush about with sword and bow drawn.”

“Hmm?”

Lin Yi’s eyes went wide.

That was the line he had used to woo a girl in the Land of Fireworks!

Using it on a brother seems… somewhat inappropriate.

Prince Dai chuckled awkwardly, realizing his words were slightly off—they did come from romantic contexts after all.

He forced a smile. “Regent Prince, the world has changed. As far as I know, even the disciples of Xingchenhai, who haven’t appeared in a hundred years, have begun roaming the martial world.”

“Let the demons and monsters come; in the face of absolute power, they are all powerless,”

Lin Yi had only heard Panduo mention it once, and hadn’t given it much thought, so he replied casually, “Besides, Xingchenhai is far in the Western Wastes—what concern is it of our Daliang Kingdom?”

“Regent Prince must not take it lightly,” Prince Dai said seriously, “When Xingchenhai appears, the stars and northern pole will revolve together, and the tributary routes from all directions will be connected. It is said Xingchenhai will pacify all the tribes in the Western Wastes and unify them. By then, our Liangzhou will be in peril!”

“Xingchenhai is that formidable?”

Lin Yi still didn’t fully understand.

Prince Dai smiled. “Why not ask the Princess? She has not only learned the Jizhao-an techniques from Empress Dowager Shengmu, but if my assumptions are correct, she has also studied the Xingchenhai techniques.”

“Can it really involve the Princess?”

Had it not been for the Sixth Prince mentioning it, Lin Yi would have nearly forgotten about the Princess, who had been secluding herself in the Prince Mansion.

How had she managed to learn the Xingchenhai techniques?

“After Father ascended the throne, he exiled He Jixiang, Xie Zan, and others, then killed the entire family of Tang Xun, the Imperial Son-in-law. The Princess grew white-haired overnight.”

“Wait—”

Lin Yi interrupted. “The Princess has white hair?”

“Ah.”

Prince Dai forced a bitter smile. His Ninth Brother’s focus was always unusual. “Yes, the Princess’s hair has always been white.”

“That can’t be true,” Lin Yi still found it hard to believe. “Anyone could see that—she has long black hair. Sixth Brother, even if you were colorblind, you wouldn’t mistake black for white, right?”

“Dyeing the hair and beard was known even among commoners,” Prince Dai still underestimated Lin Yi’s ignorance. He slightly regretted arriving so early in Ankang City.

At least in Daizhou, he wouldn’t have to face such fools every day.

Because real fools, he would have killed long ago.

“So it was a dye,” Lin Yi suddenly understood. “You actually know quite a lot.”

He realized that both the Crown Prince and Prince Dai knew more than he did!

From start to finish, he had truly kept himself ignorant of worldly affairs.

“Regent Prince, this is hardly a secret,” Prince Dai’s voice grew weary. “Even if He Jin died, asking He Lian after summoning him would have revealed it.”

“That’s true.”

Lin Yi felt some regret.

He Jin had died without interrogation, and even He Lian, nearby, had not been asked more.

“When the Princess was thirty-three, she directly attained Grandmaster level. In our Daliang Kingdom, she was the youngest ever to do so,” Prince Dai continued. “Regent Prince, have you ever wondered how she rose so quickly?”

“Even He Lian knew this?”

Lin Yi asked.

“…”

Prince Dai sighed, clearly tired of the topic but unwilling to get angry. “Apart from Wen Zhaoyi and Liu Chaoyuan in the palace, few would know the Princess reached Grandmaster. I only learned this year.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” Lin Yi was more puzzled. “Liu Chaoyuan is Father’s aide—he couldn’t hide it from Father, could he?”

He recalled Liu Chaoyuan’s unwavering loyalty to his father.

Prince Dai could never keep up with Lin Yi’s topic shifts. After a deep breath, he said, “Below Grandmaster level, all are ants. A man like him, though not as skilled as Wuxiang or Jingyi, might not respect Father. What his true intentions are, I do not know. Why he insists on staying by Father’s side, I cannot say.”

Lin Yi frowned. “Continue.”

“Father is too calm.”

Prince Dai’s sudden remark hit Lin Yi like a revelation!

He had always sensed something off about his father, but could never pinpoint it.

Now he saw—the problem was too much calmness!

Unnaturally calm!

This was not Father’s normal reaction!

“Regent Prince, you are too compliant.”

Prince Dai’s words struck even harder.

“Damn it,” Lin Yi slapped his forehead. “What tricks could he possibly have left?”

He was just too compliant!

Would he follow in the Crown Prince’s footsteps?

Yet, after thinking, it seemed impossible.

No matter how you look at it, his father had no chance to overturn things now.

“This I do not know,” Prince Dai shook his head with a smile. “We should not underestimate Father. Moreover, his seeking the Princess may not be for Jizhao-an’s treasury—there may be other reasons.”

“I’ll remember that,” Lin Yi said to Prince Dai. “You’ve traveled far, so I won’t keep you. Guards, see Prince Dai back to rest.”

“I take my leave.”

Prince Dai departed.

The Twelfth Prince stayed behind, looking hesitant.

Lin Yi impatiently said, “Spit it out. How many times have I told you? A true man does not dawdle.”

“Yes,” The Twelfth Prince forced himself. “Sixth Brother’s reminder brings to mind that Father has made no real progress over the years, yet has devoted himself entirely to the quest for immortality. As a result, state affairs have been neglected, giving He Jin full power, stirring the people’s resentment.”