In full view of everyone, Changling Princess leaped into the water. Guards and eunuchs dove in to retrieve her, only managing to recover her garments—the princess herself was nowhere to be found in the upper pool. She must have fallen into the deeper pool below, where the giant serpent dwelled, a fact known to all, and none dared venture there.
Even approaching the pool was perilous, as its vicinity teemed with small, vividly colored snakes, all highly venomous.
Holding torches aloft, they watched from a distance but saw no movement in the dark, abyssal waters.
Just then, Haidongqing circled overhead, its piercing cries drawing everyone’s gaze upward. Simultaneously, someone dragged Changling Princess into the upper pool, supporting her at the bottom where she struggled weakly, tears streaming silently.
From above, she appeared to drift like a leaf upon the water’s surface. Haidongqing’s calls not only captured the attention of the onlookers but also enraged the vengeful giant serpent, which thrust its head from the pool in fury. The smaller snakes along the banks grew increasingly agitated.
Haidongqing continued circling high above, its cries infuriating the serpent. Though the serpent stretched to its fullest height, it could not reach the bird, which taunted it with playful dives and swoops. Arrows fired by fearful guards added to the serpent’s rage, sending it into a frenzy.
With a sweep of its tail, the serpent churned massive waves, flinging venomous snakes toward the guards. Many were bitten before they could retreat, collapsing swiftly, and the remaining guards scattered in terror.
“It’s the Fourth Princess! The Fourth Princess!”
At that moment, Changling Princess tumbled down with the current from above. Provoked, the giant serpent lunged, seizing her in its jaws before the horrified crowd. Blood sprayed as it tossed her limp body onto the water’s surface, as if warning all witnesses.
In a gruesome display, the serpent tore into the princess, devouring her whole. The brutal scene left everyone trembling, their limbs weak with dread.
Just then, Youning Emperor arrived on horseback with his retinue, halted at a safe distance. His face was icy as he demanded, “Where is Changling?”
Silence fell; no one could respond.
The emperor’s anger flared. “Where is Changling?”
The guard captain, jolted to awareness, scurried forward and knelt. “Your Majesty, the princess… she was swallowed by the giant serpent.”
They dared not admit they had failed to find her in the upper pool, leading to her fall—such negligence would mean their execution. Instead, they let the emperor believe they had arrived too late, as the current swept her into the serpent’s maw.
Xiao Huayong had anticipated their reaction, orchestrating events to buy time to administer an antidote to Changling. The final step was to conceal the poison within her.
“Liu Sanzhi, summon Li Jin at once. Command him to lead three thousand troops into the hunting grounds and slay the serpent!” Youning Emperor handed his token to the eunuch.
All the princes except the Crown Prince, who was gravely ill and spitting blood, had accompanied the emperor. The twelfth prince, Xiao Changgeng, stepped forward swiftly. “Your Majesty, I understand your wrath over Fourth Sister’s fate, but a direct assault is unwise.”
Youning Emperor’s sharp gaze pierced through the night, settling on Xiao Changgeng.Xiao Changgeng's heart trembled. For the first time, he felt the emperor's silent fury—as if one more word would cost him his life. Yet remembering that person's instructions, he steeled himself: "Your Majesty, men serving in the military defend our homeland with iron resolve. Shedding blood and sacrificing lives for the peace of our land and stability of the state is loyalty and bravery—a worthy death. They should not perish meaninglessly here."
As Xiao Changgeng spoke, agonized screams erupted one after another. Youning Emperor and the others turned to see the Giant Serpent, provoked, had emerged mostly from the deep pool and begun tearing into the guards. No guard could match its speed or strength. With a single thrash of its body, it sent numerous guards flying through the air. Those who crashed down heavily mostly died vomiting blood.
"Speak your strategy!" Youning Emperor demanded gravely.
Xiao Changgeng's gaze steadied. "Poison."
The princes exchanged glances, but before Youning Emperor could inquire further, someone shouted: "Your Majesty, retreat quickly!"
The Giant Serpent had fully emerged from the deep pool. Seeing this, everyone wasted no time speaking, immediately turning their horses to escort Youning Emperor away.
Xiao Changgeng urged his horse to follow the emperor while shouting: "Your Majesty, the Giant Serpent must not be further provoked! Order the retreat, or it will pursue us relentlessly!"
If such a serpent chased them to the temporary palace, it would mean certain carnage.
This was precisely the outcome Xiao Huayong had foreseen. The Giant Serpent could not be forcefully subdued—it couldn't be killed quickly, and once enraged without being eliminated, everyone would likely die in vain.
"Liu Sanzhi, order a full retreat!" Youning Emperor commanded Liu Sanzhi.
Liu Sanzhi immediately relayed the imperial order. Everyone withdrew rapidly. The Giant Serpent pursued them for some distance, determined to exact revenge. Xiao Huayong watched from a high vantage as they fled in disarray for a while. When they were nearly at the temporary palace, he finally sounded the Bone whistle.
Haidongqing, receiving the order, soared down to intercept the Giant Serpent. Haidongqing was extremely fast, agile, and fierce in its attacks. The Giant Serpent stood no chance against it and was forcibly driven back into the deep pool.
Haidongqing circled above the deep pool a few times before soaring straight into the clouds.
"Your Majesty is destined by heaven, protected by the Divine Bird," Liu Sanzhi said, boosting morale while everyone was still shaken and disheveled.
The crowd all showed reverent awe. Xiao Changgeng lowered his gaze. Now residing in the Eastern Palace, he had been brought to the hunting grounds by the Crown Prince and was thus staying at the Crown Prince's temporary palace.
An hour earlier, Xiao Huayong had appeared before him, the majestic Haidongqing perched on the Crown Prince's outstretched arm.
"I grant you a chance to distinguish yourself. Succeed, and you will surely gain Your Majesty's special regard—a great merit," Xiao Huayong's voice was clear and low, like withered leaves drifting casually in the night wind, yet carrying the chill and severity of late autumn.
Xiao Huayong made no attempt to conceal anything from Xiao Changgeng, even allowing him free access within the Eastern Palace, including Xiao Huayong's personal library. Reading those books and Xiao Huayong's annotations, Xiao Changgeng felt both respect and fear toward him.
This elder brother, the Crown Prince, was someone who grew more intimidating the more one understood him. Xiao Changgeng fully grasped why Sixth Brother had chosen to flee the imperial city far away after learning his true nature. For a moment, he too wanted to escape.In this imperial city, the presence of Xiao Huayong was like an invisible blade suspended above one's head, ready to drop silently at any moment.
If he was in a good mood, he might grant a swift end. But if he was displeased, that blade would cut deep into the marrow, leaving one crippled yet unable to die!
"Seventh Brother, please give your orders." Xiao Changgeng spoke with utmost deference.
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