The Pri Minister nodded, his smile sharp and calculating. "Very much so. It is quite evident to anyone who observes."
She shifted her weight slightly, wishing desperately to end the conversation. Her instincts told her this man was dangerous.
The way he carried himself, the way he spoke—everything about him scread trouble.
And the nagging feeling in her gut whispered that he might have been behind the attack they had narrowly survived.
If the n she had left behind at the ambush site had sohow survived, they might have reported back to him.
That would explain his pointed interest in her now. Her heart thumped uncomfortably in her chest, but she kept her expression calm and composed.
Pri Minister Gu seed content to let the conversation end there.
He gestured behind him, where a luxurious carriage rolled forward, its golden embellishnts gleaming in the sunlight.
The horses pulling it were immaculate, their coats shining and their manes braided with ribbons that bore the imperial emblem.
"The carriage is ready," he announced smoothly. "Please, Your Highness and Seventh Consort, allow it to take you to the palace in comfort."
Hua Jing’s eyes flicked toward the ornate vehicle, its opulence standing in stark contrast to the simple surroundings of their makeshift shelter.
It was the kind of carriage that drew attention, sothing she wanted to avoid at all costs.
Zhao Yan stepped forward, his sharp eyes studying the Pri Minister before glancing at the carriage.
His lips twitched in what could have been a smirk or a grimace. "Your efforts are appreciated, Pri Minister. I trust the journey will be uneventful."
The Pri Minister’s smile widened, though there was no warmth in it. "Of course, Your Highness. I have taken every precaution to ensure your safety."
"Good," Zhao Yan replied curtly.
Hua Jing stood silently, her instincts screaming at her to remain wary. She could feel the Pri Minister’s gaze lingering on her, even as he bowed once more to Zhao Yan.
"I wish you both a safe journey," he said smoothly. "And rest assured, I will leave no stone unturned in my investigation of this matter."
Zhao Yan’s smile returned, sharp and chilling. "I’m counting on you, Pri Minister."
Pri Minister Gu bowed again before stepping aside, his fan flicking open with a snap.
He watched as Zhao Yan offered his hand to Hua Jing, helping her into the carriage.
She hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking it, climbing into the plush interior that slled faintly of jasmine and sandalwood.
As the carriage doors closed behind them, Hua Jing glanced out the window, her eyes locking with the Pri Minister’s for a brief mont.
His expression was unreadable, but the weight of his gaze lingered even as the carriage began to roll forward.
Her unease remained, a persistent warning that sothing wasn’t right.
This man wasn’t just dangerous—he was a threat. And she had a sinking feeling that their troubles were far from over!
...
The gentle rhythm of the carriage rolling along the path was almost hypnotic, but Hua Jing was far from relaxed. Her mind spun in circles, replaying the Pri Minister’s expressions, his words, and that unsettling presence she couldn’t shake. She was brought back to the present when Zhao Yan’s voice broke the silence.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked, his tone calm but tinged with curiosity.
Hua Jing turned toward him, her brow slightly furrowed. She hesitated, then spoke. "That man..." she trailed off, her lips pressing together for a mont before continuing. "He seems very dangerous."
Zhao Yan chuckled softly, a sound that was both amused and approving. "Your perception never fails to amaze ," he said, leaning back in his seat with a faint smirk.
"So he is dangerous," Hua Jing pressed, her eyes narrowing slightly.
The prince’s expression sobered, though the smirk didn’t entirely fade. "He’s a man you don’t want to cross," Zhao Yan said, his voice low and firm. "Ensure that in the future, you have little or no interaction with him."
Hua Jing nodded, his warning imprinting itself firmly in her mind. But even as she agreed, she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling in her chest.
There was sothing about Pri Minister Gu that felt oddly familiar, though she was certain she had never seen him before—not in this world, nor in her original one.
As the carriage procession moved steadily along the path, Pri Minister Gu stood at the entrance of the encampnt, watching it disappear into the distance.
His posture remained languid, almost nonchalant, but his eyes were sharp and calculating.
One of his most trusted n approached, his movents brisk but discreet. Bowing his head slightly, the man asked in a hushed tone, "My lord, what are your orders?"
The Pri Minister’s expression changed instantly. The polite, almost charming façade he had worn earlier vanished, replaced by a chilling coldness that made the air seem heavier.
"Start investigating," he commanded, his voice devoid of warmth.
The soldier hesitated, as though he wanted to say more, but the Pri Minister’s sharp gaze darted to the other n still lingering nearby.
Without a word, the soldier nodded and stepped back, understanding the unspoken command to remain silent in public.
As the soldier retreated, Pri Minister Gu’s thoughts churned.
His fingers tapped idly against the hilt of the ornate fan in his hand, his mind returning to the Seventh Consort.
He had dismissed her initially as another pretty face in the prince’s orbit, but sothing about her deanor had caught his attention.
"Seventh Consort,"
he murmured to himself, his lips curling into a faint, humorless smile.
He recalled the reports from the surviving n who had ambushed the prince. They had spoken of a woman—quick, resourceful, and unexpectedly skilled—who had aided Zhao Yan in escaping unscathed. Could it be her?
The idea both intrigued and infuriated him. If the Seventh Consort truly was the woman from the ambush, it ant she was far more dangerous than she appeared.
And if she wasn’t, then her presence at Zhao Yan’s side was still a factor he couldn’t ignore.
His eyes narrowed as he stared at the quickly disappearing carriage. A thought quickly ford in his head,
"Just...who are you?"
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