Yet, as always, he quietly played the role of a listener.
Until he escorted Shen Hua back to her room.
With a suppressed look in his eyes, he released the girl's hand, gave some instructions, and went next door. The official business he hadn't dealt with had already been sent to the side chamber by Ji Qing.
Shen Hua watched his figure disappear into the night before she entered to bathe and change her clothes.
An hour later.
Cui Yun heard a rhythmic knocking at the door.
He went to open it.
The girl entered with disheveled hair, her pale little face glowing radiantly. Carrying a soft pillow, she slipped in bending over, surveyed the room—it was not much different from the one next door.
Approaching the desk, she glanced inadvertently and fixed her gaze. As she read each word, waves of shock arose within her.
"The Fourth Prince has raised private troops? Does he intend to conspire and usurp the throne by staging a coup?"
