The mysterious woman said in a calm but unquestionable voice: "Sit down, my prince, we have a lot to talk about." Then she sat cross-legged in an open space. Gao Changgong hesitated for a second and decided to do as he was told. He untied the dagger from his belt and placed it within reach as he sat cross-legged. The two of them were at arm's length, and in the quiet night, their whispered conversation was clearly audible. There was nothing within fifty steps of the open space where they were, and only the deep night covered their bodies, but this also ensured that no third party could eavesdrop on their conversation.
The mysterious man sat opposite him, and the light cast a looming shadow on her face, adding to her mystery. She didn't seem to intend to speak directly, but observed Gao Changgong first, as if to confirm whether he was ready to accept this important secret.
"You know what your identity is, right?" She finally spoke, her voice soft but with a hint of danger.
Gao Changgong was silent for a moment and nodded: "I am the son of Gao Cheng, the royal family of Northern Qi, Prince of Lanling."
She smiled gently, as if she had expected his answer: "Yes, you are the son of Gao Cheng, the god of war of Northern Qi, the Prince of Lanling admired by thousands of people. Your reputation is far-reaching, and your beauty stops the enemy. However, your true identity is far more complicated than you know."
Gao Changgong frowned and asked calmly, "What do you mean?"
The mysterious man looked straight at him, slowly walked a few steps closer, and lowered his voice: "You and Gao Wei are not cousins. You are brothers, connected by real blood.
This sentence was like a sharp sword piercing Gao Changgong's heart. He was shocked and his eyes flashed with disbelief. He knew that he was born in the royal family, but no one had ever mentioned this. If it was true, it meant that his whole life was built on lies.
"Brother?" Gao Changgong lowered his voice and seemed extremely unbelievable, "This is impossible... My father is Gao Cheng, and my mother is also a noble lady of the Qi family. How could he be Gao Wei's brother?"
"Do you think all the secrets in the palace can be made public?" The mysterious man sneered, his voice even deeper. "When you were born, the situation was turbulent. There were too many fratricide for the throne in this era. In order to ensure a smooth transition of imperial power and to allow you to grow up safely, the royal family decided to keep your life secret. Your mother was originally Gao Zhan's concubine. After giving birth to you, she was arranged to be Gao Cheng's adopted son. Of course, to the outside world, you are his biological son. And Gao Wei, your real brother who is connected by blood, has been growing up in a different story."
Gao Changgong frowned, with unresolved questions in his heart. "If all this is true... why tell me now? And, does Gao Wei know this?"
"He didn't know it originally," the mysterious man said coldly, "but not long ago, this secret has been known to him. Since then, he has been planning how to eliminate all traces. It is precisely because he knows your true identity that he is more and more afraid of you. Gao Wei has been bound by the throne since he was a child. He regards every existence that may threaten him as an enemy, especially you. You have the loyalty of the Northern Qi army, and your prestige far exceeds his. If the truth is revealed, who is the real heir of Northern Qi? He will never allow this to happen. "
A chill gradually surged in Gao Changgong's heart, and all the clues seemed to be connected in an instant. He remembered the rumors in the court, the hints and sarcasm of the emperor's advisers, and the recent series of subtle suppression against him. If all this is true, then Gao Wei does have enough reason to want to kill him.
He looked up at the mysterious man, his eyes full of doubt and inquiry: "Why are you telling me this? Who are you and why do you know these things?"
The mysterious man smiled gently and slowly took off his hood. Her face gradually became clear under the light. It was a cold and beautiful face with deep eyes, revealing a wisdom that saw through the world. There was a touch of complex emotions in her eyes, as if the pain and secrets of the past were deeply buried in her heart.
"I," she whispered, her voice seemed to be a little sad, "I am someone who is close to your biological mother. I witnessed your birth with my own eyes, and was entrusted by your mother to accompany you to Gao Cheng's mansion. For so many years, I have been secretly watching you and protecting you, until today, I must tell you the truth. Because you are in the center of danger and can no longer escape."
Gao Changgong listened to her words, and his heart was turbulent. Countless questions, anger and confusion were intertwined, and the mysterious woman in front of him seemed to be the only bridge between him and all the truth.
"What's your name?" he finally asked.
She smiled slightly, with a hint of tenderness and compassion in her eyes: "You can call me Bai Lian. The meaning of my existence is to protect you, and now, it is also to unveil the veil of fate for you."