Wen Yan acted with absolute swiftness and decisiveness. In just three days, the internal ranks of the church underwent a bloody and tempestuous purge. Once found to be involved in an unclean relationship, the clergy member would be excommunicated without exception, regardless of their rank.
At the same time, the decree prohibiting civilian Omegas from going out during their heat was officially implemented.
Sitting at the other end of the long table, Bai Jiashu finally could not help but speak up, “Is this sword dance not to your liking, or do the dishes not suit your appetite?”
This banquet was a welcome feast he had specially arranged for Bai Heting. The table was filled with Bai Heting’s favorite dishes, and considering that he disliked socializing, not a single outsider had been invited. Yet ever since Bai Heting took his seat, his face had been a picture of utter disinterest, barely touching the table of delicacies.
Although Bai Jiashu did not care for political affairs, he had heard a little about the chaos that occurred at the imperial council meeting a few days ago. He comforted him, saying, “That new bill only targets commoners; you won’t be subjected to any restrictions.”
Bai Heting was too lazy to explain and did not respond.
Although Bai Yi had never said it bluntly, he knew very well in his heart that since last autumn, Bai Yi had always wanted to use him to curb the expanding power of the church. But this clash, which resulted in losses for both sides, made him realize that religious power could already manipulate the royal power with cold, hard cash. In recent years, Bai Yi had already been spending money like water, and maintaining a troop of well-equipped cavalry was highly expensive. The six-month-long small-scale warfare had long left the national treasury severely depleted.
He put down his wine glass and asked Bai Jiashu, “Where is that little follower of yours? Still not back yet?”
“He should be arriving in the capital today.” Bai Jiashu naturally knew who he was talking about, but without explicitly naming him, he merely said, “I know you don’t like him, so I didn’t ask him to come over.”
Shao Yixiao could be considered Bai Jiashu’s closest personal friend. That he would yield to such an extent reminded Bai Heting once again of that argument last autumn, and consequently, of the real purpose of his trip here.
He turned his head and gave an order to the person behind him, “Take the item over to His Highness.”
“Yes.” Luo Congye replied in a low voice.
He stepped forward a few paces, presented the silk pouch in his hand to the crown prince, and walked back.
After that argument occurred, Bai Heting had pondered over it repeatedly for a long time. He had known Bai Jiashu for more than a decade; though Bai Jiashu was fond of pleasure and play, he truly did not seem like someone capable of doing something as vile as drugging someone.
This item was Bai Heting’s apology gift to him.
Bai Jiashu took the item out of the pouch. “This is…” He was so shocked that it took him a while to speak, “…for me?”
It was a short dagger, its metal embossed handle inlaid with a vividly colored pigeon-blood ruby.
“Yes,” Bai Heting said. “I had a local craftsman make it.”
Bai Jiashu did not care for brandishing swords or playing with knives, but in the past, he would only receive gifts from Bai Heting on his birthday. A look of joy instantly flooded his face. “Thank you.” Cradling the item in his hands and seeming unable to set it down, he turned it over several times, examining it from every angle before saying to Bai Heting, “I like it very much.”
Bai Heting used his dinner knife to cut into a slice of apple pie and replied in an even tone, “As long as you like it.”
Before he could even put the piece of pie into his mouth, both he and Luo Congye turned their heads at the same time.
Bai Jiashu naturally smelled that unrestrained scent of tobacco as well and looked toward the entrance of the banquet hall along with them.
“What are you doing here?” His smile froze on his face.
Shao Yixiao walked in with striding steps, sat down on the long bench to Bai Jiashu’s right, and also pulled out a silk pouch before tossing it onto the table. “As soon as I got back, I heard you had arranged a welcome feast.” He turned his face, looked toward Bai Heting sitting at the other end of the long table, and let out a cold snort. “And here I thought it was to welcome me back.”
Bai Jiashu had not expected him to be headstrong enough to come over uninvited and felt a headache coming on at this moment. The attendants present were all well aware of Shao Yixiao’s explosive temper; fearing that he might lose his temper, they hurriedly brought over tableware and wine glasses for him.
Shao Yixiao rinsed his hands in the small basin of water held out by an attendant. As he did so, he felt that the person standing behind Bai Heting looked somewhat familiar and couldn’t help casting a few extra glances in his direction.
“When did the General change his temperament and start bringing a bodyguard along?” He asked in a bizarre, mocking tone.
Bai Heting remained indifferent to his cynicism, merely eating the pie on his plate at an unhurried pace.
Exhausted from his travels, Shao Yixiao also had no intention of nagging further. He tapped his knuckles against the pouch on the table, reminding Bai Jiashu, “For you. Open it and take a look.”
Only then did Bai Jiashu untie the pouch and discover the second gift he had received that day—a cloak pin used to fasten a mantle. Several brilliant gemstones were set among intricately crafted gold branches and leaves, making the piece exceptionally exquisite.
Shao Yixiao frequently gave him things, so he didn’t pay much attention to his reaction. Instead, his attention was completely drawn to the dagger on the table. “Since when do you play around with this kind of thing? If I had known, I would have brought you back an Urdan scimitar.”
With that, he reached out to take it.
Bai Jiashu snatched the dagger up first.
“How did General Shao let you come back?” He shifted the topic without leaving a trace.
At the mention of this, Shao Yixiao had a stomach full of grievances he wanted to vent.
“Don’t even mention it. Staying there is a complete waste of energy. That group of bandits is incredibly shrewd, playing hide-and-seek with us every single day.” He leaned back against his seat, downed a glass of wine in one gulp, and wiped his mouth. “I truly don’t want to spend another day in that wretched place. Do you know how cold it was last winter? It was so freezing that my hands and feet broke out in sores.”
Having not seen him for half a year, his appearance had indeed grown much steadier, and his skin had become much rougher, weathered by the winds and sands of the northern winter. Bai Jiashu said, “You have rendered meritorious service in suppressing the unrest this time; Royal Father will surely grant you rewards and honors.”
“I beg His Majesty to spare me,” Shao Yixiao let out a laugh and sighed. “Doesn’t that place exactly what he rewarded me with?”
These words were not false; the rebellion in Urdan had indeed begun precisely after he received his title. Bai Jiashu could not fathom Bai Yi’s thoughts, but he did not blame Shao Yixiao for his slightly offensive tone either while smiling along with him.
Shao Yixiao tossed a cherry into his mouth, leaned close to Bai Jiashu’s ear, and lowered his voice mysteriously, “Speaking of which, I heard a rumor over there.”
Bai Jiashu carefully put the dagger back into its pouch and asked half-heartedly, “What rumor?”
Shao Yixiao spat out the cherry pit, carved off a piece of chicken with his dinner knife, gestured with it twice on the tip of the knife, and spoke four words while looking at the piece of meat, “That bastard is alive.”
The motion of Bai Heting chewing his food paused briefly for a few seconds.
“Which bastard?” Bai Jiashu, however, did not understand.
“Which other one could it be?” Shao Yixiao swallowed the mouthful of chicken and mouthed the word “Pei” to him.
Bai Jiashu did not take it seriously, shaking his head and scoffing, “How is that possible? Before the execution back then, their identities were verified. The horrific sight of that entire family’s death was witnessed by the whole city.”
Shao Yixiao clicked his tongue. “I’m talking about the illegitimate son who escaped the ordeal. Did you forget? That little mongrel’s body was never found back then.”
“Oh.” This time, Bai Jiashu remembered.
He thought for a moment, then added, “A joke was made out of it back then, wasn’t it? Come to think of it now, that mother and son were quite unfortunate—”
“A joke?” Bai Heting, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up.
Bai Jiashu had not expected him to participate in this kind of topic. He put down his dinner knife and patiently explained to Bai Heting, “You weren’t in the capital at the time, so you don’t know how furious Royal Father was.”
Shao Yixiao looked toward Bai Heting’s direction with a peculiar expression.
“Back then, there were rumors that Pei Ming’s mistress in Urdan was a princess of Ximo. Later, upon investigation, it turned out to be a complete mistake—that Omega was just a commoner.” Bai Jiashu shrugged. “It was a wasted effort.”
Bai Heting picked up his wine glass and took a sip of wine imperceptibly.
The two countries of Damasen and Ximo shared a border at the northernmost part of Urdan; to be precise, Damasen had broken away from Ximo. In his youth, he had been completely uninterested in these political affairs, knowing only that Pei Ming had colluded with Ximo back then and was convicted of treason after the matter was exposed, but he had never cared about the specific details.
Not sensing anything unusual, Bai Jiashu continued, “Otherwise, how could that kid have been let off so easily? If he truly possessed Ximo royal blood, they would have dug three feet into the ground to find him.” He thought about it, then looked at Shao Yixiao while asking curiously, “But what does it matter whether an illegitimate son is dead or alive?”
Shao Yixiao’s gaze remained fixed on Bai Heting’s side as he answered absentmindedly, “How could you and I ever understand the thoughts of common rabble.”
He pondered for a moment and finally remembered where he had seen this face before.
During the autumn hunt, he had seen this person in Bai Heting’s guard entourage.
His gaze fixed intently on the young man standing behind Bai Heting as he asked, “Are you an Alpha?”
Only then did Bai Heting belatedly sense the fluctuations of Alpha pheromones.
Following their gazes, he turned his head and saw Luo Congye’s expressionless face and blood-red eyes.
Candlelight flickered as the hall filled with the chaotic, aggressive scent of tequila pheromones. Bai Heting rose to his feet, kicked Luo Congye in the shin, and said sharply, “Presumptuous.”
He used a great deal of force with this kick, causing Luo Congye to nearly stumble, though it also brought him back to his senses.
He raised his hand to press down firmly on the suppressor patch on the back of his neck while keeping his head lowered without saying a word.
“What do you think you’re doing by acting wildly in front of His Highness?” Bai Heting looked down at him while scolding coldly, “Get the hell out.”
