Having said her piece, she fell silent, merely watching Dai Youheng with those beautiful, shrewd eyes, waiting for his response, waiting for desire and excitement to flare in his eyes, waiting for him to pledge his loyalty without a moment's hesitation.
Yet Dai Youheng's reaction once again defied her expectations.
Rather than immediately declaring himself in excitement, he slowly set down his teacup with a faint clink.
He raised his eyes and calmly met Xu Jiujiu's calculating gaze, his voice steady as he posed a question that struck precisely at the heart of the matter.
"Your Highness's kindness and generous assistance are truly moving. But I am slow-witted, and there is still something I do not understand. If the imperial family supports me so wholeheartedly, helping me secure the dukedom and take control of the Western Legion-then what, exactly, do I stand to gain?"
He tilted his head slightly, as though genuinely puzzled. "After all, even if I take that position, the Western Legion will remain the Star Luo Empire's legion, subject to the empire's orders. As for me, it seems I would merely be serving the empire in a different place. These things Your Highness says will be 'mine'-apart from a seemingly illustrious title and military authority that actually come with immense responsibilities and restrictions at every turn, what would I truly gain?"
His words were so calm they bordered on cold, instantly tearing away the veil of tender affection and patriotic righteousness wrapped around Xu Jiujiu's proposal, exposing the fundamental exchange of interests beneath. You want me to be your puppet. Then what tangible benefits do I get?
The smile on Xu Jiujiu's face stiffened slightly. She had not expected Dai Youheng to demand concrete benefits so directly-so "greedily," even.
This was nothing like the scene she had