Xiao Zhi coulnd't sleep again that night. The night before, she slept like a baby. Smiling happily thinking her nightmare finally going to be over. But her planned shattered.
She lay awake on her bed, staring at the embroidered birds on her ceiling.
"Why didn't he die?" she muttered. "We planned it perfectly. Shen Han's men disguised as bandits… how is he still alive?"
Her fingers twisted the blanket until it burned her palms. That smirk—what did it mean? Why did it feel like he knew something?
Her stomach flipped. I can't trust him. I have to find out what he knows before it's too late.
By dawn, she was exhausted but still couldn't rest. If she didn't act soon, her mother could be in danger again.
She decided to get up and head to the garden. Maybe some fresh air would help her think.
By the time she reached the gazebo, exhaustion hit her like a wave. She sank onto the bench, her body heavy, until sleep finally crept in.
Her eyes fluttered once, twice, almost closing. Then a voice cut through the quiet, startling her awake.
"Princess Lian Zhi."
Her heart stuttered at the familiar voice. Now she was fully awake.
Ruhan.
He wore plain clothes today—simple shoes, his hair tied neatly in a modest bun. But everything about him still radiated presence. Dark hair, perfect posture, sharp and delicate features. An idol in another life.
She bit back the thought. If you weren't so evil, I'd take a photo of you and post it just to make my friends jealous.
Ruhan stopped a few paces away and bowed. "I trust you didn't sleep well?"
Xiao Zhi narrowed her eyes to the fake concern.
"I… slept fine," she lied. "What are you doing here?" Her tone was sharp, with no attempt to hide her annoyance.
"I'm here to inform you that we will leave for Tughril next week," he said smoothly. "The Emperor has requested a week of preparation."
She forced a nod. Travel meant a one-way trip to her doom, to the hands of the barbaric prince who would torture her to death.
It also meant…
Mama could be in danger.
Ruhan's lips curved faintly. "Where is your mother, by the way? I hope she is well. It would be a shame to depart without ensuring her safety."
Xiao Zhi gripped the stone table. Safety? What did he mean by that? Did he know about Mama's tragic fate? He shouldn't know that.
"Yes… she is well," she said carefully.
His smile deepened, too smooth to be genuine. "Good. One must always ensure family is safe before embarking on… delicate matters."
Delicate matters?
Did he mean her? Her mother?
She forced a tight smile. "Of course."
His gaze lingered too long before he finally said, "Very well. I've done what I came here for. I shall leave you be. I would suggest you get some proper sleep, it might improve your complexion, Princess."
And with that, he left as smoothly as water.
Xiao Zhi scoffed at his comment, but her stomach tightened at his words.
Why did he sound so sure?
What does he know that I don't?
"Lian Zhi?" Shen Han's deep voice cut through her thoughts. He'd noticed her tension.
She wasn't even surprised he was there. In this strange story world, coincidences didn't exist.
"I don't like him," she said, arms crossed. "He's too perfect. Too calm. That smile… it's like he knows something. About Mama. I can feel it."
Shen Han frowned. "You worry about your mother? But you said the killing was supposed to be accidental."
"I know," she admitted quietly. "But now… I'm not sure anymore."
Shen Han crossed his arms. "Then we act. Keep her away from the envoy at all costs."
Xiao Zhi sighed. "What if Ruhan's planning something again? I mean, he survived our fake bandit raid."
Shen Han's expression darkened. "I'm sorry about that." He lowered his head. "I heard from my men—the envoy we thought was killed wasn't him. He wasn't even in the carriage."
"What?!" Her jaw clenched. How is that possible? Did he know beforehand?
"Either he planned ahead, or he suspected something," Shen Han said, answering her unspoken thought. "Either way, he's not random. We must be careful."
She ran a hand through her hair. "So he knew. That's why he's calm. He's calculating."
Shen Han placed a steady hand on her shoulder. "We'll think of something. But we must not act blindly. We gather information first, watch his every move." He stepped back and met her eyes. "I'll handle the rest. For now, we protect your mother first."
Xiao Zhi let the words settle like armor. "Thank you, Shen Han."
***
That evening, she scribbled plans again. Another escape routes, another mapped scenarios, another seemingly fruitless plans. Shen Han stood in the doorway, arms folded, watching her frantic.
"I don't know what to do," she admitted. "Every plan has a hole. And him, he's not lucky. He's deliberate."
Shen Han's look turned firm. "Then we change tactics. Let's protect your mother first. Wait for our moment."
"I hate waiting," she said, face in her hands. "Waiting gets people killed."
"Patience is a weapon," he said, smirking. "Use it right."
She peeked up. "You make it sound easy."
"It's not easy. But trust me. I'll handle it," he answered. "How about we move your mother to somewhere safe. Completely hidden. No one will know. For now, her safety comes first."
Xiao Zhi blinked. "Move her away? Completely hidden?"
"Completely," Shen Han said. "We'll find a place far outside the palace. My best men will escort and guard her. You don't have to worry."
She let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. Even so, unease lingered. Ruhan's calm had cut deeper than any blade.
She knew she didn't have another choice for now, but peace wouldn't come easily.
Ruhan was a dangerous threat.
She frowned, whispering under her breath,
"What is this pretty boy up to?"