However, he remained, as always, a quiet listener.
Until he escorted Shen Hua back to her room.
With suppressed emotions in his eyes, he let go of the girl's hand, reminded her carefully of something, and then went next door. The official duties he had not dealt with were already sent to the side chamber by Ji Qing.
Shen Hua watched his figure disappear into the night before she went inside to bathe and change.
An hour later.
Cui Yun heard a rhythmic knocking at the door.
He went to open it.
The girl was draped in loose hair, her fair face aglow with a pale radiance. Clutching a soft pillow in her arms, she bowed and slipped in, scanning the room—a setup not much different from the next one.
Approaching the desk, she glanced inadvertently and fixed her gaze. Reading each word, she was engulfed by an overwhelming shock.
"The Fourth Prince has raised his own private army? Does he intend to covet the throne and force a palace coup?"
