"Who is this?" Xue Liulan stared at the young woman standing before him. She was dressed like a daughter of a noble house, accompanied by a single maid. He didn't recognize her.
"This humble one is Guo Lingyu. My father is Eunuch Guo Shangzhong." She smiled, her eyes bright and lively.
"Ah, Eunuch Guo's daughter." He remembered now. The adopted niece, the beauty of sixteen. People had once compared her to Deng Qinyu.
"A pleasure," he said politely, and turned to leave. He had no time for flirting. He needed to speak with Li Yan. And if Murong Jin found out…
"Your Highness." Guo Lingyu hadn't expected him to be so dismissive.
He stopped. "Is there something else?"
She twisted her silk handkerchief. "Could I invite Your Highness to the teahouse for a chat?"
He glanced at the teahouse. "We've only just met. There is nothing to chat about. And I have pressing matters."
He mounted his horse and galloped away before she could say another word.
She stared after him, then stomped her foot. "They said he was a romantic! Does he not know how to treat a lady?"
"Miss," her maid whispered, "perhaps he's afraid of the tigress at home."
"Murong Jin?" Guo Lingyu whipped around. "Is she really that formidable?"
"Think about it. The Prince has no martial arts. Murong Jin is a general who has fought in wars. Who in Jindu is fiercer than her?"
Guo Lingyu nodded thoughtfully, watching the dust settle where he had vanished. "He truly is a dragon among men. What a pity."
"Why a pity, Miss?" the maid teased. "Who knows what the future holds?"
"But with a tigress like Murong Jin… even if Godfather has a plan, will the Prince dare to agree?" She frowned.
"The Master brought you to Jindu for a reason. I'd say it's all but certain."
Guo Lingyu blushed and looked down. "If it happens, I will help him divorce that tigress."
Achoo.
Murong Jin sneezed violently just as Xue Liulan walked in. He rushed to her side.
"Did you catch a cold?" He felt her forehead.
"I'm not that fragile." She took his hand, smiling. "Did they leave?"
"Yes. They're gone." He sighed, reaching to take off his cloak.
She helped him, hanging it on the rack. When she turned back, he was holding Qi'er, making him laugh.
She froze. The scene was so warm, so perfect, she was afraid to move. Afraid to wake from the dream.
"Why are you staring?" He turned, holding the baby. "Look, Qi'er. Mother is daydreaming. What do you think she's thinking about?"
The baby's dark eyes fixed on her. He gurgled and reached for her.
"Is Daddy holding you wrong?" She walked over and took him.
"Wrong? This brat." He ruffled the baby's hair, feigning annoyance. Suddenly, his hand stopped. His eyes narrowed.
"What is it?" Her heart leaped. "Is something wrong with him?"
Ever since Die Man had been alone with Qi'er, she had felt uneasy. She couldn't place it, but something was wrong.
"No." He shook off the feeling and smiled. "Just remembered something. Stay with him. I need to talk to Li Yan."
He turned to leave.
"Xue Liulan."
He stopped.
"Is it his bones?" Her voice trembled. "Are they changing?"
He whirled around. "When did you know?"
"I'm his mother. How could you hide it from me?" Tears spilled down her cheeks, landing on the baby's face. Qi'er stopped smiling, staring at her solemnly.
His hands clenched. He walked to her and pulled her into his arms. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I didn't want us to be your weakness," she sobbed. "I know you would do anything for him. But I didn't want to hold you back."
He closed his eyes, holding her tighter. "Silly girl. How could you hold me back? Without you, without him… what is the point of any of this?"
She nodded against his shoulder, weeping harder. "I sent a pigeon to Yi. Told him to find the Divine Physician."
"Mm." He didn't say more. He didn't want to tell her that Qi'er might not last until Yi returned from Wuchuan.
He left the Ninghe Courtyard and headed for his study, his head lowered. Perhaps the girl at the gate hadn't been a coincidence. Perhaps she was a message.
"Little Dingzi."
"My lord?" The eunuch jumped. The urgency in his master's voice was rare.
"Tell Guo Shangzhong I want to see his daughter, Guo Lingyu."
"Ah?" Little Dingzi stared. Why the sudden interest?
"Go!"
Xue Liulan collapsed into his chair, his brow furrowed.
When Die Man had threatened the child's life, he had been suspicious. But he had found nothing, so he had hoped it was a bluff.
Now he knew. She had used a poison so insidious, so cruel, on an infant.
"I told you. If I die, your son dies with me." Die Man's voice, seductive and laughing, came from the door.
He stood. She walked in, swaying her hips, her smile full of charm.
"The antidote," he rasped.
"I don't have it on me. Search me if you like." She spread her arms, her robes falling open.
He sneered and walked past her.
"Xue Liulan."
He stopped. "Die Man, there is a limit. If you hate me, take it out on me. Leave my wife and son out of it."
"Leave them out?" She gritted her teeth. "If that bitch hadn't appeared, would you have been so cruel to me?"
"Die Man!" He spun around. "Even if she hadn't appeared, I would have waited for her. I am the one who failed you. Not her. And certainly not my son."
"No, Xue Liulan, you're wrong." She laughed coldly, stepping close until they were breathing the same air. "She and the boy are your weaknesses. I will make you wish you were dead."
His fist clenched. "If you touch them again, I will forget everything we once had."
"Good! That past is long gone anyway. Let's see just how heartless you can be." She shrieked with laughter.
He stared at her. Her laughter was a knife in his heart. Was it a mistake from the beginning? To involve her in this game of power? Now it had spiraled beyond his control.
He left her in the study and walked out into the night.
"My lord." Little Dingzi found him in the garden, drinking alone on the steps.
"Is it done?" he asked, staring at the wine jar.
"Yes. Miss Guo is here."
He looked up. Guo Lingyu stood behind the eunuch, looking nervous.
"Sit." He pointed to the stone bench in the pavilion.
She hesitated, glancing at Little Dingzi. Her godfather had said the eunuch was reliable.
"Please, Miss Guo." Little Dingzi ushered her to the seat.
Xue Liulan stood, swaying slightly, and walked over to her. He looked down at her bewildered face.
"Why were you at the city gate today?" He leaned on the table, his drunken eyes fixing on hers.
She blushed crimson. "I visited the residence this morning and heard Your Highness had gone to see the red leaves."
He glanced at Little Dingzi and smiled approval.
"So you waited for me?"
"Mm." Her voice was a whisper, her heart pounding like a drum.
His words were flirtatious, but his eyes were cold as a frozen river. He knew. Some things could not be avoided. Even if he didn't want to, someone would force him to take this step.