Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 20: Zhu Zhuqing

"Who is it?"

Dai Yao pondered as he heard the late-night knock on his door.

Since the duel, a few people had come to see him, claiming to support him. However, as Third Uncle Dai Hengyu had noted, these people were all opportunists who would likely exploit his title as Fourth Prince for their own benefit, bringing disgrace to his name.

So he had turned them away without hesitation.

Stepping into the courtyard, he looked up. The moon shone amid scattered stars, and patches of snow lingered on the ground.

When he opened the door, he was greeted by a breathtaking sight.

The girl standing before him raised her head slightly, revealing a delicate, beautiful face. She was a bit shorter than Dai Yao, but her slender figure was already evident. Her skin had a rosy glow, her nose was elegantly shaped, and her red lips parted slightly, though her crystal-clear eyes held a chilling coldness.

The moonlight poured over her long, flowing hair, casting a faint halo. She looked ethereal.

"Zhu Zhuqing?" Dai Yao asked in surprise.

Not long ago, they had sealed their engagement, and tonight was the night she would formally join him.

A palace maid beside her curtsied and introduced them. "Lady Zhu Zhuqing, this is His Highness, Fourth Prince." She looked at Dai Yao, then slowly retreated, adding, "If Your Highness has no other instructions, I'll take my leave."

"You're dismissed," Dai Yao said, coughing lightly, seeing that Zhu Zhuqing wasn't inclined to speak.

He walked ahead, and Zhu Zhuqing followed behind him in silence. The only sounds in the Cold Palace were their footsteps on the snow.

Once inside, the silence persisted, enveloping them both in a slightly awkward atmosphere, like two strangers meeting on a blind date, unsure of what to say.

Zhu Zhuqing was naturally quiet, while Dai Yao had no idea where to begin.

In his previous life, he had been an ordinary guy who had never even held a girl's hand, and now he was face-to-face with a woman of extraordinary beauty. The fact that his hands weren't shaking was a miracle.

He prepared tea but still struggled for words, and as Zhu Zhuqing also remained silent, the air grew increasingly heavy with awkwardness.

Dai Yao's heart pounded with nerves; somehow, talking to a girl felt more intimidating than his duel with Dai Mubai.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and stammered, "So, your name is Zhu Zhuqing. Can I... just call you Zhuqing?"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded, her bright eyes fixed on him.

Dai Yao took a breath and plunged ahead, finding his words coming more smoothly. "My name is Dai Yao, and I'm six years old. My mother died the day I was born, so I never had the kind of powerful family backing that Dai Mubai does. I can't promise you a life of luxury."

He continued, "Fifth Elder told me that being betrothed to a Zhu family daughter is every prince's destiny."

"But I don't know... are you okay with that?"

Zhu Zhuqing's face remained impassive, her expression unreadable.

Seeing her silence, Dai Yao could guess her answer. It was like a couple on a date who felt no connection at all.

He sighed inwardly and turned to leave. "I'll go make arrangements to prepare a room for you to rest in tonight."

Just as he turned away, he felt a sharp killing intent directed at his neck.

Alarms blared in his mind, and he reacted instinctively, using his Burst Step technique to drop and roll forward.

Clang!

The lethal strike missed its mark.

Dai Yao spun around to see Zhu Zhuqing, her martial soul now awakened. She was crouched like a shadowy feline, weapon in hand, poised to attack.

He stared at her in disbelief. "You… want to kill me?"

Had he reacted any slower, he'd have been decapitated!

Rage flared in his chest as he stared at her, his expression twisting with fury, his voice dropping to a deadly tone. "You... really tried to kill me!"

Growing up under the shadow of the Empress, Dai Yao had lived in constant fear. Now, as a prince with twin martial souls, he had just won a duel, secured a marriage contract with Zhu Zhuqing, and dared to dream of a future. He had envisioned facing that future side-by-side with Zhu Zhuqing, supporting each other.

But Zhu Zhuqing's first response had been to kill him.

"I offered you my trust, but you threw it away," he thought, feeling a sudden surge of anger.

Instantly, he activated his martial soul, stepping forward with his Burst Step, his hand outstretched to seize her.

Zhu Zhuqing, who hadn't obtained her first soul ring yet, was no match for him. Her soul power faltered under his oppressive aura, and in the cramped space, she was at an even greater disadvantage.

In a few moves, Dai Yao broke through her defenses and grabbed her by the neck.

"Explain," he demanded icily, "why did you try to kill me?"

Dai Yao held Zhu Zhuqing in the air with one hand, her neck caught painfully in his grip, unable to respond.

"What, you're still not talking?" he growled.

Zhu Zhuqing clutched his wrist, but instead of speaking, she simply looked into his eyes, crystalline tears tracing down her cheeks.

Dai Yao sighed and set her down. "Leave. I'll speak to the elders to void the engagement."

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't expected him to let her go so easily.

She turned and took a few steps toward the door, but as she reached it, she hesitated. Finally, after a moment's pause, she turned and re-entered the room.

Dai Yao had been inwardly berating himself. After all, this was Zhu Zhuqing—if he'd been a bit more ruthless, he could have forced her to stay. But her inexplicable attempt on his life had left him disillusioned.

Hearing footsteps behind him, he looked up in surprise. "Why did you come back?"

Zhu Zhuqing looked away, her gaze flickering.

"I'm sorry, Dai Yao. Yesterday, the Empress came to me and promised me freedom if I killed you."

"Freedom? What kind of freedom?"

"She offered to annul my marriage contract so that I wouldn't have to marry a prince or participate in the cruel fight for the throne."

Dai Yao scoffed. How naive she had been to think that killing a prince would grant her freedom. Anyone who assassinated a royal would be executed.

But an idea struck him—a risky but tempting opportunity.

He unbuttoned the top of his robe, baring his chest, and pointed to his heart on the left side.

"All you have to do is strike here. Just plunge your blade in an inch, and your freedom is yours. Go ahead—do it."

His voice was calm, cold, as if he were discussing something trivial. But deep down, he was tense. He was betting his life.

Zhu Zhuqing gasped, stumbling back, her expression a mix of fear and disbelief.

"I'm giving you two choices," he said evenly. "You can kill me now and claim your freedom, or honor the marriage contract, and we'll face the future together, side by side."

(End of Chapter)

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