Xu Xin
Duo approached the double doors to Prince Yu's study with steady, deliberate
steps. The flickering torchlight along the corridor cast long shadows,
illuminating the intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes that adorned the
polished wood. A servant stood at attention outside the doors, his posture
rigid, his gaze fixed forward. His uniform, though simple, was pristine, a
reflection of the discipline Prince Yu demanded from his household.
The
servant's sharp eyes flicked toward her as she drew closer, but he did not move
until she came to a stop directly in front of him. He bowed deeply, his
movements precise, but his expression betrayed the faintest hint of unease.
"Lady
Xu," he said, his voice respectful but cautious. "His Highness is currently
occupied. Shall I announce you?"
Xu Xin
Duo met his gaze evenly, her calm demeanor unwavering. "No," she replied, her
tone firm but measured. "This matter cannot wait. I will speak with him now."
The
servant hesitated, his brows furrowing slightly. "His Highness has instructed
that he not be disturbed during council, my lady."
She
regarded him coolly, allowing the weight of her presence to settle between
them. "Inform him that I bring news from Minister Xu," she said, her voice
carrying the quiet authority of someone who expected to be obeyed. "I assure
you he will want to hear what my father has to say."
The
servant's hesitation lingered for only a moment before he nodded sharply. "Very
well, my lady. Please wait here."
He
turned and entered the study, closing the door softly behind him. Xu Xin Duo
clasped her hands loosely in front of her, her expression composed as she
waited. Though the moments stretched into silence, her mind remained sharp,
considering her approach. Prince Yu was not a man who trusted easily, and any
misstep could prove costly.
The
door reopened, and the servant reemerged, his expression more guarded than
before. "His Highness will see you now," he said, stepping aside and holding
the door open for her.
Xu Xin
Duo inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment before stepping forward, her
movements smooth and deliberate. She entered the study with the same calm grace
she carried through the corridors, her gaze immediately finding Prince Yu
seated behind his desk.
Xu Xin
Duo entered Prince Yu's study with her usual composed grace, the soft rustle of
her robes the only sound in the otherwise silent room. The firelight
illuminated the rich furnishings: shelves filled with scrolls and books, silk
tapestries depicting scenes of valor, and the gleaming lacquered desk at which
Prince Yu sat.
The
prince did not rise as she entered. Instead, his sharp, angular features
settled into an expression of cold indifference, his dark eyes narrowing as
they met hers. Dressed in a robe of deep black silk embroidered with silver
threads, he radiated authority and disdain in equal measure.
"Lady
Xu," he said, his voice low and cutting, as though her very presence was an
affront. "What urgent matter brings you here? Another scheme, perhaps?"
Xu Xin
Duo inclined her head slightly, her expression unreadable as she approached the
desk. "I bring news from my father, Your Highness," she said evenly, ignoring
the pointed insult. "It concerns the Imperial Guards."
Prince
Yu leaned back in his chair, a faint sneer curling at the corner of his lips.
"How considerate of you," he drawled. "Yet I find myself reluctant to hear what
you—or your father—might deem important."
Xu Xin
Duo remained unfazed, her calm demeanor betraying none of the irritation that
might have risen in someone less disciplined. Instead, she stepped closer, her
movements deliberate, and retrieved a letter from within her robe.
"This
warning is not a matter of consideration," she said simply, holding the sealed
parchment out to him. "It is a matter of survival."
Prince
Yu did not reach for the letter immediately. Instead, he regarded her with open
contempt, his sharp gaze sweeping over her with the precision of a blade. "You
speak as though you are privy to matters of consequence," he said coolly. "But
your actions have already shown your character, Lady Xu. Forgive me if I am not
inclined to trust your words—or your father's."
Xu Xin
Duo met his gaze without flinching, her expression calm and unreadable. She
knew the source of his disdain, though she found it tiresome. The original Xu
Xin Duo's stepmother and niece had orchestrated the infamous night that now
tarnished her reputation, but explaining the truth felt like an unnecessary
chore.
"The
Guards are coming, Your Highness," she said evenly, her voice devoid of
emotion. "Their orders are to arrest you and everyone within this estate. My
father's warning is clear, and ignoring it will be your undoing."
For a
moment, the room was silent, the fire crackling softly in the hearth. Prince
Yu's gaze hardened, his fingers drumming idly against the armrest of his chair.
Finally, with a sharp movement, he reached for the letter, breaking the wax
seal with little care.
As his
eyes scanned the contents, his expression remained cold, though his jaw
tightened imperceptibly. When he finished, he folded the letter neatly and
placed it on the desk, his gaze returning to her.
"How
convenient," he said, his voice sharp with derision. "Your father's sudden
concern for my welfare. Tell me, Lady Xu, do you expect gratitude? Or is there
another scheme hidden in your act of loyalty?"
Xu Xin
Duo's lips twitched slightly, though her expression remained otherwise
impassive. "I expect nothing, Your Highness," she replied calmly. "What I
expect is irrelevant. What matters is the Emperor's will and the Guards already
have their orders. If you hesitate, you will lose not only your position but everything
you've worked for."
Prince
Yu's eyes narrowed, and for a brief moment, a flicker of something—anger,
perhaps, or disbelief—passed across his features. "You speak boldly for someone
whose position here is tenuous at best," he said coldly. "What exactly do you
hope to achieve with this warning? Perhaps the chance to save yourself?"
Xu Xin
Duo met his cutting words with the same steady calm she had carried since
entering the room. "Survival," she answered simply. "Yours, mine, and that of
everyone loyal to you. Whether you trust me or not is irrelevant. The threat is
real, and time is running out."
For a
long moment, Prince Yu said nothing, his sharp gaze fixed on her as though
trying to discern her true intentions. Finally, he leaned back in his chair,
his posture still radiating disdain.
"Very
well," he said at last, though his tone remained cold. "If the Imperial Guards
are coming, we will act. But know this, Lady Xu: this changes precious little
between us."
Xu Xin
Duo inclined her head, her expression betraying no reaction to the veiled
threat. "It doesn't matter" she said evenly.
Xu Xin
Duo watched Prince Yu carefully as he leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze
lingering on her. The air between them crackled with tension, though she
refused to let it affect her calm demeanor. His distrust was palpable, his
words edged with contempt, yet she knew better than to respond with emotion.
"I
find your sudden concern curious," Prince Yu said, his voice cold and
deliberate. "Why should I believe your father's warning when the Emperor,
despite his displeasure with me, has never sought to go beyond exile or
disgrace? Do you think I'm so easily swayed by theatrics, Lady Xu?"
Xu Xin
Duo regarded him evenly, her voice steady as she replied. "This is not a matter
of theatrics, Your Highness. It is a shift in strategy. The Emperor seeks to
neutralize perceived threats to his rule. Stripping you of power and title
might suffice for the court, but it does not eliminate your influence. Exile
would leave loose ends. The Guards are a message—to you and to anyone who dares
to align with you."
Prince
Yu's lips thinned as he absorbed her words. Though his expression remained
impassive, the slight narrowing of his eyes revealed his mind was working
quickly. He was a man who had fought wars, both on the battlefield and in the
treacherous arena of court politics. She knew he would weigh every possibility,
every consequence, before committing to action.
"Neutralizing
a threat is not the same as eliminating it entirely," he said finally, his tone
measured. "The Emperor is no fool. He would not risk the court's favor by
shedding the blood of his own son."
Xu Xin
Duo inclined her head slightly, acknowledging the logic of his statement. "The
Emperor is calculating, but so are the men who serve him. What matters now is
not his intent, but the intent of those carrying out his orders. They may not
come to kill you, Your Highness, but their arrival will destabilize your
position and scatter your allies. Once that happens, recovery will be extremely
difficult."
Prince
Yu studied her with an expression that bordered on disdain, though his sharp
eyes betrayed the weight of her words. "You are remarkably adept at speaking in
riddles, Lady Xu," he said coolly. "But your vagueness does little to inspire
trust."
"I
have no need to inspire trust," she replied calmly. "The truth is simple: the
Guards will arrive soon, and their presence will change the course of your
future. You can choose to dismiss this warning, or you can act. Either way, I
have done my duty."
The
faintest flicker of irritation crossed Prince Yu's face at her directness,
though he quickly masked it. Rising from his chair, he walked to the window,
his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed out at the estate grounds. The
flickering torchlight from the outer walls cast long shadows, a reminder of the
vigilance that surrounded him at all times.
Xu Xin
Duo stood, her movements deliberate as she approached the desk. She remained
composed, her voice steady as she replied. "It is likely that false evidence as
already been hidden here. You'd do well to find it… quickly"
Prince
Yu turned slightly, his gaze flickering toward her with renewed curiosity. He
also understood that he should of heard about this before Minister Xu, that
fact that he hadn't was cause for extreme concern. It appeared he needed to
clean house. "You speak as though you have knowledge of matters beyond what a
lady of the court should concern herself with."
She
allowed a faint, unreadable smile to touch her lips. "I speak only of basic
facts, Your Highness. My knowledge is irrelevant. What matters now is whether
you are willing to act."
For a
long moment, silence filled the room. Prince Yu's expression remained guarded,
though the tension in his posture lessened slightly. At last, he nodded, a
reluctant acknowledgment of her point.
"I
will take care of things here." He said simply, not bothering to explain further.
"There is still precious little trust between us."
Xu Xin
Duo inclined her head, her voice calm as she replied. "Trust is not necessary,
Your Highness. Only results."
Xu Xin
Duo inclined her head slightly, signaling the end of her exchange with Prince
Yu. She understood his stance well; he was a man shaped by war and court
intrigue, cautious to the point of paranoia. Explaining herself further would
only fuel his mistrust, and she had no patience for needless justifications.
Her purpose here was clear, and she had done her part.
Prince
Yu's attention shifted back to the letter on his desk. He reached for it, his
fingers brushing the folded parchment as though weighing its significance. His
expression remained cold, but his sharp eyes betrayed a flicker of
thoughtfulness as he considered her warning.
"You
are dismissed," he said curtly, his tone returning to the clipped command of
someone accustomed to authority. "I will see to this matter personally."
Xu Xin
Duo inclined her head once more, her composure unshaken by his dismissal.
Without another word, she turned and left the study, her steps measured and
purposeful. The servant stationed outside the doors straightened as she exited,
casting her a curious glance before resuming his rigid stance. She walked past
him without acknowledgment, her mind already shifting to the next step in her
plans.
The
corridors of the estate were quiet, the faint flicker of torchlight casting
shifting shadows along the stone walls. Xu Xin Duo moved through them like a
shadow herself, her sharp gaze sweeping the surroundings. The air felt heavy
with tension, as though the estate itself sensed the coming storm. The Imperial
Guards would arrive soon, and while she had delivered her warning, she knew the
true test lay ahead.
Reaching
her chambers, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. The warmth of the
fire greeted her, a small comfort against the chill of the night. Ying'er stood
by the hearth, her hands clasped nervously in front of her, but she
straightened the moment Xu Xin Duo entered.
"Miss,"
Ying'er said, her voice tentative. "Did the prince—"
"He
will act," Xu Xin Duo interrupted calmly, moving toward the small table near
the window. She retrieved the jade pendant from where she had left it earlier,
its smooth surface cool against her fingers. "For now, we prepare."
Ying'er
nodded quickly, her expression a mixture of relief and lingering anxiety. "What
should I do, Miss?" she asked, her tone more resolute now.
"Ensure
the servants remain discreet," Xu Xin Duo replied, her tone firm but measured.
"If there are those who are loyal to the prince, they will need to be ready.
The rest should stay out of sight when the Guards arrive." She turned to face
Ying'er, her sharp gaze pinning the maid in place. "And you will stay by my
side. Do not wander."
"Yes,
Miss," Ying'er said, bowing her head.
Xu Xin
Duo moved to the window, her hands clasped behind her back as she stared out
into the darkness. The faint outline of the estate walls loomed in the
distance, a reminder of the barriers both physical and metaphorical that now
enclosed her. This was no longer about mere survival; this was a battle of
strategy, and every move mattered.
The
jade pendant rested against her palm, its weight grounding her as her thoughts
turned to the steps ahead. The prince had his suspicions, and she had no
illusions about the fragile alliance between them. But she knew this much:
trust was irrelevant. Only results mattered.