Chapter 25: Third Uncle
As the dust gradually settled, a figure appeared at the center of the conflict. One hand firmly gripped Dai Yao's fist, while the other blocked Zhu Zhuyue's sharp claws.
Zhu Zhuyue quickly withdrew her hands, retreating with haste.
"Third Uncle!" Dai Yao exclaimed, relief flooding his voice.
It was his third uncle, Dai Hengyu, the Deputy Headmaster of Xingluo Royal Academy. Upon hearing that Dai Yao had been taken to the Second Prince's residence, he had rushed over without delay, thankfully arriving just in time.
"I'll be taking Dai Yao with me. I assume the Second Prince has no objections?" Dai Hengyu released Dai Yao's fist, then turned, facing Dai Yaming with a calm yet intense gaze.
Although Dai Hengyu was willing to assist Dai Yao, this was still a matter between two royal heirs competing for the throne, which the family rules permitted. Disrupting these rules, even for a Xingluo prince like him, could lead to harsh penalties.
"Isn't a prince meddling in the rules of the royal succession somewhat inappropriate, Prince Dai Hengyu?" Dai Yaming questioned, unwilling to let Dai Yao go.
Dai Hengyu, however, smiled, unfazed by Dai Yaming's remarks. "Dai Yao just entered the academy and has many formalities to complete. As his uncle, it's only natural for me to lend a hand."
Dai Yaming's argument about succession rules was met with Dai Hengyu's counter as a concerned relative. For now, Dai Yaming had no grounds to object to Dai Hengyu's intervention.
"Fine, you may leave," Dai Yaming conceded with a wave, allowing Dai Yao to depart. He understood that with Dai Hengyu so adamant in protecting Dai Yao, there was no chance to act against him now.
Beside him, Zhu Zhuyue leaned closer to whisper in Dai Yaming's ear. "Yaming, are you really going to let them go just like that? I haven't even had my fill of playing with little sister Zhuqing yet."
"Don't worry," Dai Yaming replied softly. "Dai Hengyu can't be by his side all the time. Our chance will come."
As Dai Hengyu led them away, Dai Yao finally felt a weight lift from his heart. Without his uncle's intervention, he wasn't sure he and Zhu Zhuqing would have made it out of the Second Prince's estate safely.
Dai Yao was calmer now, yet the events had underscored the gap between his strength and that of his rivals. With insufficient power, he'd nearly been humiliated by Dai Weisi's men and was now openly oppressed by the Second Prince.
Clenching his fists tightly, Dai Yao looked back at Dai Yaming and Zhu Zhuyue, his eyes cold. "I've already warned you. Don't come to regret what you did today."
Zhu Zhuyue smirked, dismissing Dai Yao's words as mere bravado, while Dai Yaming narrowed his eyes, filing away Dai Yao's words for future reflection.
"The enmity between us is now unmistakable. Although he's not a threat to me yet, I can't allow him to grow unchecked," Dai Yaming mused. He understood too well the resentment of being oppressed. Someday, if he ever surpassed Dai Weisi, he intended to repay every hardship twice over.
No doubt Dai Yao harbored a similar intent.
"I won't let him train freely without obstacles," Dai Yaming resolved.
On the way back, Dai Hengyu walked ahead while Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing followed.
Dai Yao quickened his pace to walk beside Dai Hengyu and looked up at him, his voice sincere. "Thank you, Third Uncle. If you hadn't come, I might not have made it out of Dai Yaming's estate unscathed."
"It's partly my fault," Dai Hengyu replied, a hint of regret in his eyes. Dai Yao's mother had entrusted Dai Yao to him, and he had failed to adequately protect him during his confinement in the Cold Palace. And now, even here at the Royal Academy—his own territory—Dai Yao had almost come to harm.
"If the Cold Palace was the Empress's domain and I couldn't reach you there, that was one thing. But here at the Royal Academy…" He sighed.
"Yao'er, even though I'm Deputy Headmaster, I don't hold absolute authority. The First and Second Princes have influential backers, and I have my limits."
"What's more, both princes are acting within the succession rules. I worried your victory over Dai Mubai might make you overconfident. Today should have shown you the gap between yourself and them."
"When you lack strength, you must be patient. Don't put yourself in unnecessary danger over trivial disputes. Avoid them whenever you can, and focus on cultivating your power," Dai Hengyu advised, his hand resting on Dai Yao's head as he offered a clear analysis of the current situation and the path forward.
Deeply moved by his uncle's heartfelt words, Dai Yao nodded resolutely. "Thank you, Third Uncle. I'll remember your advice."
With a sly smile, Dai Hengyu's tone suddenly turned teasing. "Now enough of that. Go on and comfort your little girlfriend, won't you?"
Dai Yao's face flushed red. He stammered, trying to think of a retort, but glancing at Zhu Zhuqing's profile in the setting sun filled him with a sudden surge of courage. "She's not my girlfriend… she's my fiancée!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's typically frosty expression softened into a brief smile before vanishing again. She lowered her head, her face flushed, whether from the setting sun or something else entirely.
For a moment, Dai Hengyu was taken aback, then burst into hearty laughter, his voice echoing through the forest and startling a flock of birds from the trees.
"That's the spirit! Now, that's the pride of a true member of the Dai family!"
As the Fourth Prince of Xingluo, and with Dai Hengyu's assistance, Dai Yao's initial enrollment formalities were swiftly completed without any obstacles. After measuring his height and weight, he received a new academy uniform.
Handing him a purple-gold card, Dai Hengyu explained, "This is my canteen access card. You can get food whenever you're hungry, and it's all free."
"They prepare all my meals here daily, so this card is unused. It might as well be yours now."
"Thank you, Third Uncle."
"Now, there's one last matter: choosing your simulated training environment. A well-suited environment can significantly aid your cultivation, so choose wisely," Dai Hengyu advised.
With those final words, he departed. As Deputy Headmaster, his responsibilities were extensive, and he couldn't stay with Dai Yao indefinitely.
After Dai Hengyu left, he assigned a senior student to help Dai Yao select his simulated training environment.
"Has Your Highness decided on an environment that interests you?"
The student, who looked around fourteen or fifteen and was much taller than Dai Yao, bent forward with a respectful nod.
Dai Yao had given serious thought to his training environment long before coming to Xingluo Royal Academy. Today's two near-helpless encounters had only reinforced his initial decision.
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