Dudun felt the pain of betrayal. His companions and generals all lowered their heads, pretending they hadn't heard. Li Man, the only one whose name had been called, wore an awkward expression and stood so uneasily he might as well have been standing on hot coals.
"Guards." Dudun's voice remained calm. "Take Little Yanzhi back to her tent. She is not to set foot outside."
The guards at the entrance exchanged glances, but no one moved. Only when the prince's gaze turned stern and furious did four of them step before Little Yanzhi and bow respectfully.
Little Yanzhi offered no resistance. As she passed Dudun, she shook her head and smiled at him. "Silly child." Then she said to Li Man, "You're the only one who can save His Highness."
Li Man looked even more awkward. He lowered his head farther than anyone else and didn't dare say a word.
Little Yanzhi was escorted away. Dudun let out a hollow laugh. "Women. Foolish women. They never know where they belong. This is war. What do women know about it?"
"Yes, Your Highness has no need of her at all," one companion said, summoning his courage. The moment the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake and quietly backed away.
Dudun studied their faces, then suddenly frowned and barked, "You two! What are you sneaking around for?"
The two guards at the entrance dropped to their knees. One stammered, "Little Yanzhi... one of Little Yanzhi's maids... has been gone a long time and still hasn't returned."
"Which maid?"
"The... older one."
Dudun lifted his head and searched his memory. He had some vague impression of her. "A maid..." he murmured. His first thought wasn't that she might leak secrets, but of Moonlight Hall. "Pass down the order: no women are