The journey back to the Bai estate was tense, the forest eerily quiet except for the rustling of leaves beneath their hurried steps. Bai Yue's thoughts raced, the envoy's last words echoing in her mind.
A weapon… hidden within the estate… something that could destroy everything.
Beside her, Weishan moved with his usual fluid grace, his gaze scanning their surroundings with unwavering focus. The envoy had been safely stashed in a hidden herbalist's hut at the forest's edge, but Bai Yue knew time was against them. If the second mistress truly had such a dangerous secret within the estate, they needed to act before it was too late.
"We need to find out what she's hiding," Bai Yue whispered as they approached the outer walls of the estate, staying within the cover of shadows.
Weishan nodded, his expression unreadable. "We will. But you're not going to take any unnecessary risks this time."
Bai Yue shot him a glance. "You're starting to sound like you don't trust me."
He smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I don't trust you not to get yourself killed.
Ignoring him, Bai Yue crouched low near a concealed entrance used by the servants. She peered through the small gap in the wooden gate, ensuring the guards were still patrolling the main courtyard. "This way," she whispered, slipping inside without waiting for his approval.
Weishan followed silently, his presence a comforting weight behind her.
Navigating through the familiar corridors of the Bai estate, Bai Yue moved with purpose, avoiding the well-lit paths and sticking to the narrow servants' hallways. She knew where she needed to go—the archives. If there was any record of what the second mistress was planning, it would be hidden there.
Reaching the secluded hall leading to the archive room, Bai Yue pressed her back against the cold stone wall, glancing at Weishan. "If anyone sees us here, it'll be difficult to explain."
Weishan leaned in closer, his lips inches from her ear. "Then don't get caught."
Bai Yue ignored the warmth creeping up her neck and pushed open the door, stepping into the dimly lit room filled with shelves of ancient scrolls and ledgers.
She scanned the labels quickly, searching for anything that might hint at the second mistress's secret dealings. Weishan stood watch near the entrance, his hand resting on the hilt of his concealed dagger.
After several tense minutes, Bai Yue's fingers brushed against a worn ledger labeled Confidential Transactions. Her heart skipped a beat. She carefully pulled it from the shelf, flipping through the pages.
There it was. A series of secret shipments listed under a coded name, all delivered to the west wing. The items were vague—medicinal supplies, rare metals, and encrypted documents—but one entry caught her eye:
"Special Commission: Project Crimson Lotus."
Bai Yue's brow furrowed. "Crimson Lotus…?"
Weishan stepped beside her, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the page. "Sounds ominous."
Before Bai Yue could respond, the faint sound of approaching footsteps sent a jolt of panic through her.
"Someone's coming," Weishan whispered, his hand already grabbing her wrist.
Without hesitation, he pulled her into the shadows of a tall bookshelf, pressing her against the wooden surface as the door creaked open.
Bai Yue's breath caught in her throat as the soft shuffle of feet echoed through the room. Through the narrow gap between the scrolls, she recognized the silhouette—Bai Rong.
Her cousin's voice drifted through the quiet space, laced with suspicion. "I know someone was here…"
Bai Yue tensed, feeling Weishan's steady grip on her waist as he held her in place. His touch was firm, protective, and despite the dire situation, she couldn't ignore the way her heart pounded in a mix of anxiety and something else entirely.
Bai Rong's footsteps moved closer, her fingers trailing along the shelves as she muttered under her breath. Bai Yue clenched her jaw, holding her breath as the footsteps finally retreated. The door closed with a soft thud, leaving them alone once more.
Weishan leaned down, his voice a low murmur against her ear. "You really do have the worst luck."
Bai Yue exhaled shakily, pushing him away gently. "Let's get out of here."
Back in the safety of Bai Yue's chambers, she unfurled the copied entries she had managed to take from the ledger. She traced her fingers over the words, deep in thought. "Crimson Lotus… it's not just medicine. This could be a weapon of some kind."
Weishan sat across from her, watching her intently. "If the second mistress is dealing with something this dangerous, it means she has powerful backing."
Bai Yue nodded. "But why? What does she gain from it?"
Weishan leaned forward, his gaze dark. "Power. Influence. She's playing a dangerous game with forces far beyond this estate."
Bai Yue bit her lip. "If we expose this, she won't go down quietly."
Weishan's smirk was sharp. "Good thing I like a challenge."
Bai Yue sighed, rubbing her temples. "We need more than just records. We need proof—physical evidence."
Weishan's expression turned serious. "Then we go back."
Bai Yue looked at him, determination in her eyes. "Tonight?"
He nodded. "Tonight."
Despite the weight of the situation, Bai Yue couldn't help but feel a strange sense of reassurance with Weishan beside her. He was infuriating, overprotective, and far too arrogant for his own good, but he was also the only person she could trust right now.
She stood, gathering the papers. "Let's end this, then."
Weishan smirked, rising to his feet. "Careful, Bai Yue. You might start enjoying having me around."
Bai Yue rolled her eyes, but she couldn't deny the way her heart skipped a beat at his words.
As they stepped into the night once more, Bai Yue knew that whatever lay ahead, there was no turning back now.