Chapter 13: Courting Danger

Zhihao strode into the grand hall, his robes flowing behind him with the perfect blend of elegance and authority. The banquet had been in the works for weeks, an elaborate event meant to gather the kingdom's most influential nobles under one roof. On the surface, it was meant to be a celebration—a chance for the court to "bond" and discuss the looming military threat. But beneath the surface, it was nothing short of a battlefield.

The nobles had their eyes on him, each one hiding their true intentions behind carefully practiced smiles. Zhihao felt their gazes tracking his every move. Some were openly hostile, others cautiously curious, but they all had one thing in common: none of them trusted him.

He couldn't blame them. After all, he wasn't really their king.

Zhihao smiled to himself, letting his gaze sweep over the room. He could feel the tension hanging in the air like a thick cloud. Minister Feng stood near the center of the hall, holding court with a group of influential nobles, his eyes flicking toward Zhihao with barely concealed contempt. Feng had been consolidating power for years, slowly positioning himself as the most powerful figure in court. His ambition was well-known, and it was no secret that he saw Zhihao as nothing more than an obstacle to his own rise.

But Zhihao had other plans.

"Your Majesty," a voice interrupted his thoughts, soft yet commanding. General Tian Yi approached with a respectful bow, his posture as rigid and disciplined as ever. The general's broad shoulders were framed by his ceremonial armor, polished to perfection, and his sharp eyes held an intensity that made even the most seasoned courtiers wary.

"General," Zhihao greeted him, his smile widening as he met Tian Yi's gaze. "I'm glad to see you here. I trust you've been keeping things in order?"

"Of course, Your Majesty," Tian Yi replied, his voice steady, but Zhihao could sense a hint of something more in his tone. There was a quiet protectiveness there, a loyalty that Zhihao had been carefully cultivating.

"Good," Zhihao said, his voice lowering as he stepped closer, just enough to make the conversation appear intimate. He tilted his head slightly, letting his gaze linger on Tian Yi for a beat longer than necessary. "I feel much safer knowing I have someone like you watching over the kingdom."

A flicker of something passed through Tian Yi's eyes—surprise, perhaps, or something more—but he quickly composed himself. "It is my duty, Your Majesty."

Zhihao's smile deepened, but before he could respond, he felt a presence at his side.

"Your Majesty," Minister Feng's voice cut through the air, smooth and practiced, a sharp contrast to the underlying tension in his words. "I was hoping to have a word with you about the Xu Kingdom's movements. It seems their forces are mobilizing faster than anticipated. We may need to reconsider our current strategy."

Zhihao turned to Feng, keeping his expression pleasant. "Of course, Minister. But I do hope we can discuss such matters after we've enjoyed tonight's festivities. The court deserves a moment of peace, don't you think?"

Feng's smile tightened, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Of course, Your Majesty. But some matters are too urgent to be delayed."

Zhihao let out a soft chuckle, glancing around the room. "And yet here we are, with all our most powerful nobles enjoying themselves. Perhaps you're worrying too much, Minister."

The nobles around them shifted, their attention now fully focused on the exchange. Zhihao could feel the tension rising. Feng had brought up the Xu Kingdom deliberately, hoping to paint Zhihao as indecisive in front of the court. But Zhihao wasn't going to give him that satisfaction.

"If the Xu Kingdom is truly a threat," Zhihao continued, his tone light, "then I have full confidence in our generals. After all, we've been preparing for this for weeks. Isn't that right, General Tian?"

Tian Yi, who had been observing the exchange in silence, nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. Our forces are ready. If the Xu Kingdom moves against us, we will be prepared to defend the kingdom."

Feng's expression darkened, but he quickly masked it with a polite smile. "I'm glad to hear it. But as always, Your Majesty, it's best to remain vigilant."

Zhihao met Feng's gaze, his smile never faltering. "Of course, Minister. Vigilance is key. But tonight, let us enjoy the company of our esteemed guests, shall we?"

With that, Zhihao turned away, leaving Feng standing there, his expression unreadable. The other nobles watched the interaction with barely concealed interest, but none of them dared to speak up.

Zhihao moved toward the center of the hall, where the banquet tables were laden with food and drink. The music from the court musicians filled the air, a soft melody that seemed to smooth over the underlying tension in the room. But Zhihao knew better. This banquet was nothing more than a performance—a carefully orchestrated play where every glance, every word, and every gesture held meaning.

And Zhihao was the star of the show.

As Zhihao navigated the banquet, his mind drifted to the web of spies he had carefully woven throughout the palace. His network was growing stronger by the day, thanks in large part to the loyalty of the palace staff—servants, guards, and even a few lower-ranking nobles who had come to see the advantages of aligning with the young king.

His most trusted informant, Yun, had provided him with invaluable information over the past few weeks. It was through her that Zhihao had learned of Feng's growing influence over the northern noble families, as well as the quiet dissent brewing among some of the generals. Feng thought his alliances were secret, but Zhihao's spies had been watching every move, every whispered conversation.

Yun had reported just the day before that Feng had met with Lord Jian, a powerful noble whose support was crucial to controlling the northern provinces. Lord Jian had been wavering in his loyalty, but Feng had promised him greater control over the region in exchange for his support in ousting Zhihao. It was a dangerous move, but Zhihao wasn't worried. Lord Jian, like most nobles, was motivated by self-interest, and Zhihao knew exactly how to turn that to his advantage.

As he passed by a group of nobles, Zhihao caught sight of Lady Ming, another of his informants. She was a well-connected noblewoman who had grown disillusioned with Feng's heavy-handed tactics. Zhihao had offered her subtle protection in exchange for information, and she had proven herself loyal. Tonight, she was seated near Lord Qian, a staunch ally of Feng's, quietly feeding Zhihao information about the conversations happening at the far end of the hall.

Zhihao's attention was drawn back to General Tian Yi, who had taken a seat near the banquet's main table, his expression as stoic as ever. Zhihao moved toward him, letting the conversation drift as he approached. As the king, it was expected that he would mingle with the court, but Zhihao had another reason for approaching Tian Yi tonight.

He needed to keep the general close.

"General," Zhihao greeted him warmly, taking the seat next to him. "I trust you're enjoying the banquet?"

Tian Yi looked up, his expression softening ever so slightly. "It's a fine event, Your Majesty. Though I must admit, I prefer the battlefield to the banquet hall."

Zhihao chuckled, leaning in slightly as he lowered his voice. "And yet you handle both with such skill. It's no wonder the court holds you in such high regard."

Tian Yi's brow furrowed, but Zhihao saw the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I'm honored by your praise, Your Majesty. But my loyalty is to the kingdom, not the court."

Zhihao let his gaze linger on Tian Yi for a moment longer than necessary, letting the subtle tension between them build. It wasn't just about charm—it was about control. He needed Tian Yi to remain loyal to him, and if a little flirtation kept the general off-balance, Zhihao was more than happy to play that role.

"Your loyalty is what I value most," Zhihao said softly, his voice just low enough to be private. "And I hope you know that I trust you... more than anyone."

Tian Yi's eyes flickered with something—confusion? Uncertainty? Zhihao wasn't sure, but it was clear that the general was unsettled. Good. Keeping Tian Yi guessing was the key to ensuring his loyalty. If the general believed that Zhihao needed him—not just as a soldier, but as a confidante—he would be less likely to listen to Feng's whispers.

The room had grown quieter, and Zhihao noticed that several nobles were watching their exchange, their expressions ranging from curiosity to confusion. Let them watch. Let the court speculate. As long as they were focused on the potential gossip surrounding him and Tian Yi, they wouldn't be paying attention to Zhihao's real plans.

As the night wore on, Zhihao continued to move through the banquet, subtly undermining Feng's influence at every turn. He spoke briefly with Lord Jian, casually reminding him of the benefits his family had received under the current administration. He exchanged pleasantries with Lady Ming, ensuring that her loyalty remained intact. And all the while, he kept an eye on Feng, watching as the minister's frustration grew.

Feng was a skilled manipulator, but he wasn't used to being outmaneuvered. Zhihao could see the cracks forming in his carefully constructed alliances. The nobles who had once flocked to Feng's side were beginning to waver, uncertain of whether aligning themselves with him was the safest bet. Zhihao had been careful to plant the seeds of doubt, suggesting in quiet conversations that perhaps Feng was becoming too ambitious, too reckless.

It was working.

As the banquet drew to a close, Zhihao stood at the head of the hall, offering a final toast to the court. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the mix of expressions—some admiring, some wary, and some openly hostile. But beneath it all, Zhihao knew that he had made progress tonight. The court was beginning to fracture, just as he had planned.

Feng's grip on power was slipping, and Zhihao was more than ready to take advantage of that.