Dudun listened quietly to the beat of his own heart. When Little Yanzhi came in, he raised his head and drew a sharp breath, as if someone who had feigned death had suddenly come back to life.
"You went to see the Dragon King?"
"Mm."
"If you'd come to see me first, I would have asked you not to go."
"I know. But I had to try."
Little Yanzhi sat across from Dudun, smoothed her skirt, and gazed at him. Her heart was filled with sorrow and pride. "Are you ready?"
Dudun didn't answer. He looked lost in thought. "Do you remember what the Old Khan King said back then?"
"What?" Little Yanzhi was bewildered. The two of them often shared an unspoken understanding, knowing what the other was truly thinking, but this time she couldn't guess what was on his mind.
"That was... more than ten years ago, I think. I must have been fourteen or fifteen. The Old Khan King executed the Kuayue King of the time. Do you remember?"
"I do. The Kuayue King was the last of the old Khan King's contemporaries among the princes. He was the Old Khan King's younger brother." Little Yanzhi thought Dudun was overcome by the memory and spoke gently. "It's a tradition in the Khan King's Lineage. Whenever a new Khan King is chosen..."
She couldn't finish.
Dudun looked baffled, then smiled. "You misunderstood. I meant the road to the execution ground. I remember the sky was blue. You were riding a horse, wearing a blue robe, darting back and forth. The head of the guards was furious. He whispered to the Old Khan King that you were overstepping your station. The Old Khan King burst out laughing. What did he say? I've been racking my brains, but I can't