Chapter 22
Edward Quan ·
Looking at her, I suddenly let my eyes redden.
“Cousin…”
My voice caught.
“I’ve felt so uneasy lately.”
“I keep thinking… His Highness won’t let me go so easily.”
Triumph flickered in her eyes.
Her face retained its familiar gentle concern.
“Don’t overthink it.”
“He isn’t petty or vindictive.”
“Perhaps he was only angry for a moment.”
“Really?”
I gave a strained little smile.
“But I feel… he’s secretly planning something large.”
“A few days ago, when I went to pay my respects, I happened to see letters in his study…”
I stopped.
Alarm and regret showed on my face, as though I had let slip a terrible secret.
Her eyes lit up.
“What letters?”
“Nothing.”
I shook my head quickly.
“I must have misread it. Don’t ask.”
The more elusive I was, the more curious she became.
“What can’t you tell me?”
“Tell me. I can help you think it over.”
I stayed silent a long time, apparently struggling. Then I lowered my voice, as if reaching a difficult decision.
“Three letters.”
“Correspondence between His Highness and the northern commander.”
“I didn’t dare read the contents.”
“But I feel… they aren’t anything good.”
“I’m afraid he’s taking the wrong path.”
My voice choked, tears nearly falling.
Qin Wanrou’s breathing quickened.
She stared, her voice hoarse with excitement.
“Where are they now?”
“I panicked… and secretly took them out.”
I drew a brocade pouch from my sleeve, let her glimpse it, then immediately put it back.
“I dare neither destroy nor submit them.”
“I can only hide them on me.”
“Cousin… please, please don’t tell anyone.”
“I’m frightened…”
She heard none of the rest.
Her eyes fixed on the pouch, greedy and burning, like a hungry wolf finding prey.
She knew exactly what it held.
A weapon to control Zhao Yi completely, force his obedience, demand he make her crown princess.
And a means to grind me into mud and win supreme power.
“Don’t worry.”
She took my hand, gentler than ever.
“I’ll tell no one.”
“But keeping them on you is too dangerous.”
“Give them to me. I’ll keep them safe.”
I hesitated visibly.
“Cousin… I…”
“Don’t you trust me?”
She interrupted impatiently.
“It’s for your sake. And His Highness’s.”
Her hypocritical face left me cold.
“Let me think.”
“Tomorrow… I’ll answer tomorrow.”
I gently withdrew my hand and hurried away.
I knew she wouldn’t wait.
Tonight, she would act.
Back in my courtyard, I casually put the pouch of “evidence” in the dressing-table drawer.
Unlocked.
A corner deliberately showing.
I dismissed every servant and lay down fully dressed, quietly waiting for the fish to bite.
Just after midnight, a dark figure slipped into my room like a ghost.
Light, practiced movements. Clearly an expert.
He surveyed the room and went straight to the dressing table.
The drawer opened.
The pouch disappeared.
Then the figure withdrew silently, as though never there.
I hadn’t moved.
Only when everything was quiet did I slowly open my eyes in the dark, a cold smile curving my lips.
Qin Wanrou.
You had the letters.
Now I would see how you played this act.
I truly looked forward to it.
To the day you drove your beloved into a dead end yourself.
17
Three days before my wedding, the palace held a banquet.
Supposedly to see me off into marriage.
In truth, the factions’ final testing and struggle.
Tonight was her best chance.
My moment to draw in the net.
I wore the court attire Zhao Heng had prepared.
Splendid without ostentation.
Like a snow lotus blooming quietly in a winter night.
Cool.