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Wen Shia smiled slyly and said, "I want to make a deal with you. Only then will I share something important. If you find my words useful, you must agree to one condition of mine. You'll have to do exactly as I say."
The king frowned, unsure of whether to trust this stranger. But when Wen mentioned having knowledge of a secret weapon, curiosity sparked in his eyes. After a moment of silence, he relented. "If what you say proves to be useful, I will agree to your condition. Speak."
Wen smirked, as if knowing the king's response before he spoke it. "Then grant me permission to stay here in the palace."
The king raised an eyebrow but quickly agreed. It seemed like a small price to pay for the promise of a weapon that could tip the balance of power in his favor. Moreover, keeping this man close might help uncover his true intentions. "Very well," the king said. "You may stay. Now that you will be living here, tell me your name."
"Zhao Jia," Wen said smoothly.
The king gestured to a servant. "Prepare a room for him. From today onward, Zhao Jia will be our secret advisor. Make sure he has everything he needs." Turning back to Zhao, he added, "You may live here comfortably, but remember, I will expect results."
The servant led Zhao to his room, a spacious and luxurious chamber. It had a large, soft bed draped with silk sheets, a small table set with fine tea, and elegant furnishings. Zhao looked around, clearly impressed. "This is far more than I expected," he murmured, running his hand over the polished wood of the table.
After settling in, Zhao left his room to explore. As he walked down the grand hallway, his eyes fell on a room just across from his own. It was Xiang's. His lips curved into a mischievous smile as he noticed her inside. Moving stealthily, he approached her door, slipped inside, and cornered her before she could react.
"What are you doing here?" Xiang demanded, her tone sharp with irritation.
Zhao leaned in, his voice a low whisper. "I have something to tell you. But remember, if you breathe a word of this to anyone, I'll reveal all your secrets."
Xiang's eyes blazed with anger. "Why do you always resort to blackmail? Don't you feel any shame, harassing a girl like this? I should report you to the king! If he finds out, you'll be severely punished!"
Zhao only chuckled, his confidence unwavering. "Oh, but I am now one of the king's most trusted advisors. He won't dare touch me. Besides," he added with a glint of mischief, "don't you recognize me at all?"
Xiang froze, confused by his words. "What are you talking about?"
His expression grew serious. "Are you pretending, or do you truly not remember me? If there's something you're hiding, tell me. I can help you. You promised me once that you would never forget me."
"What promise?" Xiang's voice wavered as she tried to piece together his cryptic words.
"You begged me to become your master," Zhao said, his voice softening. "You used to follow me everywhere, doing everything I asked. Even when I pushed you away, you kept coming back to me. How can you forget all that? How can you forget me?"
Xiang stared at him, her heart racing. Tears welled up in Zhao's eyes as he continued. "You loved me so much… How can you forget my love? Is this some cruel joke, or is it the truth? Please… If you're lying, tell me now."
For a moment, Xiang couldn't speak. His words stirred something deep within her, an echo of a memory she couldn't fully grasp. When she saw the tears streaming down his face, her own eyes filled with tears.
"I… I don't remember," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Were you really my lover? Did I truly love you that much?"
Zhao nodded, his voice breaking. "I was your master, and you were everything to me. If you don't believe me, look into my eyes. You'll see your reflection there. You'll see the truth."
Xiang hesitated but met his gaze. In his eyes, she saw not just her reflection but a depth of emotion that left her breathless. A forgotten bond, veiled by time and circumstance, began to resurface, leaving her both shaken and unsure.
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