By the time Murong Jin returned to the Fifth Prince's residence, the sun had set, the last light sinking behind the distant mountains.
"Your Highness! You… you're back?" Ning Bi's head shot up. She yelped and threw herself in front of Murong Jin, blocking the way.
Murong Jin studied the maid's strange behavior. "What? Did Xue Liulan order me barred from the residence?" After storming out, it wouldn't be out of character.
Ning Bi shook her head so violently it made Murong Jin dizzy.
"I'm tired." Murong Jin's mind was on Wuchuan's grain and whether Gongzi Suyi would agree to her proposal. She had no energy to investigate Ning Bi's odd behavior.
As she moved past, the maid blocked her again. "Your Highness, please, sit. I'll make you some tea."
"No tea." Murong Jin stopped. "Just tell me. What is it?"
Ning Bi froze, her eyes darting past Murong Jin to He Chengjian in the doorway.
Seeing the princess safely home, He Chengjian finally relaxed. But when he saw Ning Bi's frantic gesturing, he knew it was about their master, who still hadn't returned. He gave a helpless shake of his head. Nothing I can do.
We're done for, Ning Bi thought, her head drooping. And not just her. Their master, too.
Murong Jin glanced back at He Chengjian. "Any trouble after you left me?"
"N-no, Your Highness. All quiet." His back was slick with sweat. A woman like her wasn't going to tolerate this. The residence was about to be turned upside down.
Murong Jin looked from Ning Bi to the empty halls and let out a cold, silent laugh. Just as she was about to speak, Little Dingzi came flying through the gate, skidding to a halt before her.
"This servant greets the Princess Consort." Meeting her simmering rage, Little Dingzi's knees went weak.
"Where is Xue Liulan?" She already knew, but she asked anyway, her voice ice.
"Y-Your Highness, my master sent me to tell you… he won't be returning tonight. Tomorrow, he'll be at the North Gate to see General Guo Ren off. He asks that you be there, so… as not to neglect our household's courtesies." Little Dingzi repeated the words verbatim.
Murong Jin looked down at the kneeling eunuch. She clenched her dress at her sides. After a long moment, she spoke. "I see. When a general departs for war, this Prince will naturally be there."
At her words, not just Little Dingzi, but Ning Bi too, sucked in a sharp breath. She had never referred to herself as the Lord of Yuling, never used the royal 'I'. For her to speak like this now… she was furious. Both servants broke into a cold sweat for their master.
Moonlight frosted the pavilion. Murong Jin leaned against a pillar, a half-empty jug of wine in her hand. Empty stools. Empty heart. The night wind howled through, but inside her, nothing stirred.
On a nearby rooftop, a handsome man sat casually on the glazed tiles, a wine jug dangling from his fingers. He watched her, a slow smile spreading across his lips.
"I thought I might find you here." Die Man's steps were silent as she landed on the roof.
Xue Liulan didn't turn. "It's cold. You should go back."
Die Man didn't move. Her voice was tinged with sarcasm. "Don't tell me you've actually fallen for her."
His hand paused. Then he drank, tipping his head back to hide his expression. When he looked down, his smile was back. "A king must be without feelings."
"So you remember the Crown Prince's final words." Something was off in his tone, but she couldn't be sure. "Starting today, 'Thousand Day Drunk' will begin their work."
Xue Liulan nodded. "I've always trusted your people."
Thousand Day Drunk—a killer sect that appeared and vanished like a ghost. Entrusting a matter to them was a guarantee.
But while the tool may be without feeling, the user was not.
"Die Man, don't follow in Murong Yu's footsteps," Xue Liulan said, setting down his wine and rising. In the moonlight, his eyes were calm and dark.
Her hand, hidden in her sleeve, clenched. "For you?" she said with a radiant smile. "How could I ever bear to?"
His lips curved. "If you can't, then my life is that much safer." He stepped forward, his arm circling her waist. "The night is deep. Let's go back."
"And you?" Her eyes were fixed on his.
"I'm going back, of course." He released her, a strange, unreadable smile on his face.
Against the cold moonlight, two shadows vanished. In the pavilion, the woman drank alone, her dreams for the night already stained with tears.
"What time is it?" Murong Jin woke with a start, finding herself in bed.
"Just past the hour of the tiger. Still early." The lazy voice was right beside her ear.
She shot upright. Xue Liulan was lying on his side, watching her.
"Xue Liulan?" she blurted out, stunned.
He sat up slowly. "Since you came back on your own, I assume you've cooled off."
"I was never angry." She threw back the covers and vaulted over him and off the bed.
He caught her wrist, rising to stand beside her.
"I'm asking Murong Jin." He leaned in, his voice a low murmur. "Right now, it's Xue Liulan asking Murong Jin."
She stared at him, then looked away. "I grew up on the frontier. I'm used to life and death. But I can't stand to see a soldier's devotion be for nothing. It was a moment of anger. Nothing more."
"Why did you let Guo Ren go?" he asked with a smile. "Opportunities like that don't come twice, Murong Jin."
Her lips curved into a helpless smile. "Because Murong Jin is the Fifth Prince's consort." She pulled free, took her sword from its rack, and walked into the courtyard.
Xue Liulan watched the blur of her blade and sighed. Her defenses were impenetrable. A true master of holding the line.
Outside the North Gate, soldiers stood in neat rows. Guo Ren, magnificent in his armor, rode slowly through them on a grand procession across the capital.
"Thank you for waiting, my lords," Guo Ren said, dismounting.
"Not at all, General! We wish you a swift victory!" a chorus of voices answered.
Murong Jin watched, her eyes cold. Nearly every official was present, which made the Prime Minister's absence all the more conspicuous. She had heard he'd caught a chill. More likely, a chill of the heart.
"Eunuch Guo has arrived!" someone called out. The crowd fell silent. A small palanquin stopped before them, and Guo Shangzhong stepped out.
"Father." Guo Ren rushed forward and knelt.
Guo Shangzhong's gaze swept the crowd, stopping on Murong Jin. He hurried to her side and bowed. "This servant greets the Fifth Princess Consort."
Murong Jin smiled. "Please, rise, Eunuch. Your son serves the kingdom with loyalty. It's a credit to your strict upbringing."
"This servant doesn't dare take credit," Guo Shangzhong said with a dry laugh. "Aren't you going to greet Her Highness?"
Before Guo Ren could move, Murong Jin raised a hand. "No need. We met the other day. I hope, General, for frequent news of your victories." As she spoke the last words, her eyes narrowed.
"Of course," Guo Ren mumbled, his head bowed.
Guo Shangzhong glanced around. "Is the Fifth Prince well?"
"You should ask the top courtesan at the Yichun Courtyard," Murong Jin said with a cold snort.
The words stung. Guo Shangzhong understood. Xue Liulan had spent the night out, and Murong Jin had come alone. He was probably still sleeping it off.
"Heh, the Fifth Prince is a romantic soul. Your Highness shouldn't take it to heart," he offered weakly.
Realizing she'd misspoken, Murong Jin looked away, embarrassed. "It's getting late. Shouldn't the General be on his way?"
"Ah? Yes, yes," Guo Ren stammered.
"Then I wish you great success, General. This Prince will take her leave." Murong Jin gave a slight salute, nodded to Guo Shangzhong, and turned to go.
Guo Shangzhong watched her retreat, a deep look of confusion in his eyes.