Jun Beiyue chased her all the way back to camp and demanded, coldly, “What do you mean by ‘the emotion card’?”

Ziqing sat completely at ease, calmly pouring herself tea to quench her thirst. “Prince Yao, Ziqing doesn’t think you’re a man who likes to beat around the bush. Shall we speak plainly?”

Jun Beiyue genuinely didn’t understand — this was the first time in his life he’d heard the phrase “emotion card.” “Then please explain clearly what you mean by these three words.”

Did he really not understand? Ziqing eyed him with suspicion, then explained, “Prince Yao, you and I are husband and wife in name only, by decree of the Emperor. I haven’t even been properly carried into the Medicine King’s estate in an eight-bearer palanquin, nor have I truly agreed to marry you. You keep Ziqing around because Ziqing is useful. Ziqing is willing to stay now simply because this place suits her well enough. We’re husband and wife in name only, each taking what we need from the other — isn’t that right?”

Ziqing turned the question back on him. She saw Jun Beiyue’s deep, dark eyes grow colder and colder, but he gave no answer. She wasn’t afraid of that either, and continued, “Your Highness, why use your late mother’s keepsake to try to win Ziqing’s heart? Ziqing isn’t some love-struck girl who’s just discovered her first crush — a few sweet words won’t win her devoted, unconditional loyalty.”

Jun Beiyue’s deep eyes narrowed slightly. This woman actually thought this of him — what did she think that dagger meant, and what kind of man did she think he was?

Someone who would bother to trick a woman’s feelings?

In this moment, Jun Beiyue’s handsome face had turned cold as black ice, and the dangerous air radiating from his narrowed eyes felt as if it could freeze a person’s heart on the spot.

Yet Ziqing remained utterly unmoved. If she had truly feared him, she would have stayed obediently in the camp, waiting for him to settle scores, waiting to negotiate terms.

Either don’t speak of it at all, and she could go on playing the docile act as long as needed — or speak plainly and settle it completely, once and for all!

Jun Beiyue said nothing. She continued on — and it was these next words that finally struck a nerve in him!

If, since that chance encounter at the Han Prime Minister’s estate, this woman had never truly angered him — then this, without question, was the first time, and it was severe.

Ziqing said, quite seriously, “Prince Yao, of course, if you weren’t playing the emotion card, if you truly have grown fond of Ziqing, then I’m sorry — Ziqing still won’t accept this dagger, because Ziqing doesn’t like you.” With that, everything she’d meant to say was said. She let Jun Beiyue’s cold gaze scrutinize her, entirely unbothered, and simply lifted her teacup to drink.

At last, Jun Beiyue spoke, his voice ice-cold. “Han Ziqing, you flatter yourself far too much. This prince doesn’t know what it means to like someone. This prince doesn’t know what makes a proper wife. This prince only knows this dagger was meant by his mother for his son’s wife — and you currently occupy the position of Princess Yao, so it is yours.”

With that, without warning — “shhk” — the blade of Liuguang flew and struck the table beside her, landing less than an inch from her hand resting on the tea table.

Ziqing was faintly startled — the man’s aim was frighteningly precise.

“And another thing, Han Ziqing — don’t bother speaking to this prince of liking or not liking. In this prince’s eyes, women exist for one purpose only — to be used.” Jun Beiyue’s lips curled into a contemptuous, cold smile as he said, word by word, “Han Ziqing, you flatter yourself far too much.”

He did like this woman — but it was nothing more than appreciation, certainly not enough to let her think she could act with impunity.

Had any other woman heard those words, she would surely have been furious, humiliated into rage. But Ziqing remained entirely unaffected, as though it were nothing at all, and said flatly, “I was only confirming things. Good that Prince Yao has said so. I don’t do business with those who have feelings involved, and I don’t discuss feelings with those doing business.”

Business. Being hired. A woman who spoke like this sounded far more like a professional assassin.

“Who exactly are you?”

Jun Beiyue finally voiced the greatest doubt in his heart. This woman was absolutely not the Han Ziqing of the Prime Minister’s household — not in temperament, not in ability, not in any way.

“Who I am has nothing to do with you. And I don’t want to know who you really are either. So going forward, whatever happened up on that mountain — please don’t let me know of it again,” Ziqing said coldly.

At this, Jun Beiyue was startled again, watching this woman’s utterly unbothered, matter-of-fact composure. For the first time in his life, he found himself at a complete loss with someone — and it was a woman, no less!

He found himself, unconsciously, missing the days back at the estate — at least then she’d been willing to play along, willing to let herself be cornered until she showed some flustered reaction.

“Very good. This prince likes this kind of person too. Since you’re hired by this prince, let’s discuss your terms first,” Jun Beiyue said, his voice settling.

“I alone am worth three of your great generals. I’ll form an elite unit of about ten people, no less impressive than your Thirteen Riders,” Ziqing laid out her terms flatly.

“And what do you want in return?” Jun Beiyue asked.

“Payment — a fixed salary, with extra rewards for each completed mission. One condition: don’t interfere in my personal affairs,” Ziqing said, concise and to the point.

“Personal affairs? What counts as personal affairs?” Jun Beiyue asked coldly.

Without even thinking, Ziqing answered, “Matters that have nothing to do with you.”

“Good! Very good!” Jun Beiyue laughed loudly. Though this was the first time he’d been made this angry, he had to admit — he admired a woman like this. She was far more “likable” than he’d ever imagined!

“Han Ziqing, that’s the equivalent of this prince supporting you — and your troops as well!”

“If Prince Yao can’t afford it, then you remain Prince Yao and I remain Princess Yao, and we simply don’t cross paths,” Ziqing said flatly.

Jun Beiyue snorted coldly. “There isn’t a single army in this world this prince can’t afford — only ones unworthy of the honor. Han Ziqing, can you manage to come whenever summoned?”

“Within the scope of a mission, yes.”

“Can you manage to follow orders without question?”

“Within the scope of a mission, yes!”

“And if a mission fails?”

“Life and death are my own responsibility. Losses will be compensated at assessed value — monetary compensation only.”

Jun Beiyue nodded thoughtfully, and after a long moment, looked up at Ziqing, his eyes so deep she almost dared not meet them. “And if you can’t afford to compensate?”

“Do with me as you will,” Ziqing answered without hesitation.

“Good!” Jun Beiyue slapped the table at once. “Starting tomorrow — in public, you are Princess Yao. In private, you are this prince’s first female soldier!”

He turned to leave after saying this, but Ziqing called him back, drawing out the dagger and flinging it toward him. “Prince Yao, please keep this.”

Jun Beiyue caught it, his lips curling into a cold smile. He was about to leave when Ziqing spoke again. “Oh, and Prince Yao — the guqin Wuzheng that Young Master Xuanyuan gave me before — please have it sent to me.”

At those words, the curve of Jun Beiyue’s mouth stiffened for a moment. Something indescribable passed through his chest, something he clearly disliked.

“Fine.” He put the dagger away and turned to leave.