Chapter 129: Duchess Zhu Man's Conspiracy, Countering a SchemeThat night, the lights in Duchess Zhu Man's room were dim, and the atmosphere was oppressive. She dismissed all the maidservants, facing Dai Yueheng alone, who looked dispirited and still carried the humiliation of his defeat earlier that day."Yueheng, even now, can't you see the situation clearly?" Zhu Man's voice carried a cold despair and ruthlessness. "That Dai Youheng's wings have grown, his strength has increased terrifyingly, and he has gained the favor of the Princess. His prestige in court is growing! If this continues, not to mention your position as the legitimate eldest son, even the entire White Tiger Dukes Mansion will bear the Xu Family name in the future! That Dai Youheng is practically already a member of the Xu Family!"Dai Yueheng suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot, his lips moving, but he couldn't utter a word of rebuttal.His mother's words pierced his heart like knives, and the crushing defeat of the day kept replaying before his eyes.Zhu Man stepped closer, lowering her voice, and revealed her long-brewing venomous scheme. "I've thought of a countermeasure. I will write another letter to your father, no need to mention the tyrant tiger soul refining saber again, only saying that Dai Youheng is arrogant and unruly, openly defying his father's orders, and needs strict discipline. Let your father, in the name of clan rules and family rules, order him to immediately go to the Ming Dou Great Camp to explain. As long as he leaves Star Luo City—"A sinister glint flashed in her eyes. "While he's away, we'll find a way to 'invite' Bai Wanning and Dai Luoli back to our Zhu Family's territory as guests! At that time, not only will he have to obediently hand over the tyrant tiger soul refining saber, but he himself will also be at our mercy from then on!"Dai Yueheng was greatly alarmed by these words, exclaiming in a lost voice, "Mother! This—this isn't kidnapping and coercion? We are the direct descendants of the White Tiger Dukes Mansion, how can we do such a despicable thing?"As Dai Hao's eldest son, the education of pride and honor he received since childhood made him instinctively resist such methods."Despicable?" Zhu Man suddenly raised her voice, then forcefully suppressed it again, glaring at her son with a look of disappointment. "The victor is king, the loser is bandit! Where is there so much 'righteousness'? Look at his current reputation! Everyone says he can fight with a blade and govern with a pen, a true master of both civil and military arts! Those sycophants in Star Luo City, who still remembers that you, Dai Yueheng, are the legitimate Young Master? If we don't use extraordinary means, our mother and two sons, and the Zhu Family, will all be trampled into the mud by him, never to rise again!"Her words were like venomous snakes, slowly eroding Dai Yueheng's bottom line. "Think about your future! Think about Hua Bin!Are you willing to be suppressed by an illegitimate son for the rest of your life, unable to raise your head? In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken! All of this is to reclaim everything that belongs to us!"Dai Yueheng's Face turned pale, his heart experiencing a fierce internal struggle. His mother's words, the fear of the future, and his growing jealousy and resentment towards Dai Youheng finally overwhelmed the remaining pride and principles in his heart. He closed his eyes in pain, and when he opened them again, only a cold ruthlessness remained in their depths."Good. I'll follow Mother's plan." He practically squeezed the words through his clenched teeth.Unbeknownst to them, in the shadows of the beams in their conspiring room, a figure almost merged with the darkness was holding a small spirit tool for recording images, meticulously capturing every word and expression of the mother and son.A few days later, Zhu Man indeed sought out Dai Youheng again. This time, her Face bore a look of feigned worry and unquestionable authority, as she presented another handwritten order from Dai Hao."Youheng, your father is extremely enraged by your previous defiance of his orders and injuring your elder brother!" she said righteously. "He commands you to immediately set off for the Western Army Group's main camp and explain yourself in person! Clan orders are like mountains, there must be no delay!"Dai Youheng took the letter, which clearly bore traces of Zhu Man's tone, and glanced at it. Far from showing fear, a faint, unreadable smile appeared on his Face."Oh? He wants me to go to the army to explain?" His tone was relaxed, even playful. "Alright, I understand."He neither argued nor resisted, his attitude so compliant that it made Zhu Man feel a little uneasy. But at this point, she could only force herself to remain calm and urge him to depart quickly.After Zhu Man left, Dai Youheng immediately turned and entered the imperial palace, found Xu Jiujiu, and frankly informed her about the clan order.Upon hearing this, Xu Jiujiu's willow-like brows immediately shot up, and her Phoenix eyes filled with anger. "How preposterous! Dai Hao is muddled! That tyrant tiger soul refining saber was purchased by you, it's your private property, how can he forcibly give it to Dai Yueheng? His handling of this matter clearly shows favoritism towards the direct line, with no justice whatsoever!"The more she spoke, the angrier she became, her protective instincts rising. "You don't have to go! I'll immediately send someone to write a letter to Dai Hao in the name of the imperial family. You are not at fault in this matter; let him retract his order. I want to see if he dares to deny my Face!"However, Dai Youheng smiled and shook his head, stopping her."Jiu Jiu, I understand your intentions." He looked at her, his eyes gentle yet firm. "But I want to resolve this matter myself. I can't always rely on you to stand up for me; wouldn't that make me a freeloader hiding under a princess's skirt? I, Dai Youheng, still want to stand proudly by your side."These words both flattered Xu Jiujiu and displayed his own integrity. Xu Jiujiu felt both pleased and a little pained, finding him so sensible that it made her feel affectionate. She ultimately couldn't dissuade him and could only repeatedly admonish him to be careful and to send a message back immediately if anyone in the army gave him trouble.In fact, Dai Youheng had no intention of actually going to the Western Army Group!He had openly defied Dai Hao's order to hand over the blade, so how could he obediently go to the army to explain? In his heart, Dai Hao, this so-called father, held no authority whatsoever.He had a long-planned matter to attend to, and this excuse was perfect for temporarily leaving Star Luo City.As for Dai Hao's clan order? Let him wait in the Mingdou Mountain Range! Even if he waited until the end of time, it had nothing to do with Dai Youheng, who didn't care about Dai Hao's opinion of him at all.A cold, sharp curve appeared at the corner of Dai Youheng's mouth. This departure, taking advantage of the situation, was actually giving Zhu Man and her son an opportunity to 'invite' Bai Wanning and Dai Luoli away.He quietly instructed Ling Ya, "Proceed as planned. Protect Mother and Luo Li, ensure their kidnapping is exciting but safe, and leave sufficient evidence.""Yes, Young Lord!" Ling Ya's figure merged with the shadows, departing silently.Dai Youheng then packed his bags, publicly announcing that he was going to the Western Army Group on his father's orders. In reality, he quietly left Star Luo City, heading in the opposite direction, northwards.His true destination was the Sun Moon Empire. Of course, he didn't plan to go through the Mingdou Mountain Range. Instead, he intended to take a long detour, passing through the border between the Heaven Soul and Sun Moon Empires to enter the Sun Moon Empire's territory, to avoid being tracked by the Star Luo Empire's soldiers.
