Die Man closed the door and sat alone, her fingers gripping the teacup as if it were Murong Jin's throat.
A soft knock interrupted her.
"Come in." She composed herself. A man dressed as a waiter slipped inside. His eyes were too sharp for a servant.
"Master," he said, kneeling.
"Get up." Her voice was cold. "What is it?"
"We've lost another assassin."
"Where was the body?" Die Man's eyes narrowed.
"In a forest, a mile outside Jindu. Left under a tree."
She frowned. She knew Xiao Suyi's hearing was formidable, which was why she had sent her fastest agent. To think even he hadn't escaped. Xiao Suyi is that good. She clenched her fists.
"Master, what are your orders?"
"You'll act as Hall Master for now," she said. "As for his death… say he was killed for attempting to desert."
The man flinched but said nothing.
"And find me the fastest man you have left."
"The mission?"
"Watch Xue Liulan. Follow him day and night. Report everything." A cold smile touched her lips.
She had lost his heart—and if she couldn't keep him, she would make sure no one else could. Chains of torment were better than none at all.
It was the third time Murong Jin had looked up to find him still staring.
The carriage was small. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on her.
"What are you looking at?" she finally asked.
His smile deepened. "A great prince like myself, and the Lord of Yuling can't even be bothered to fetch me. Is your title that grand, or am I truly that worthless?"
She whipped her head around. "You're blaming the victim."
"Oh?"
"You were the one who needed 'Murong Jin's maid' to get out of there. I helped you, and this is the thanks I get? Or are you just angry I interrupted your precious time with Die Man?" She shot him a glare and turned away.
"Hah! The vinegar is so thick." He laughed and moved closer, his voice a low murmur. "Are you really jealous?"
She turned away. "Who's jealous? Don't be ridiculous."
"You say that, but I can practically smell it." He slid his arm around her shoulder. "Why didn't you just come as my wife? I was waiting for you to make a scene."
The word 'wife' made her heart stir. "If word got out that your princess consort had stormed a brothel, your father would have you punished for failing to manage your household."
"So what?" he asked, playing dumb.
"He's already suspicious of you. Leaving on your own terms is one thing. Being exiled in disgrace is another."
The carriage rolled on, the quiet intimacy a world of its own.
Seeing him silent, she looked up. "Why aren't you talking?"
He gave her a lazy smile. "Because I'm not satisfied with your answer."
"Oh?"
"That was the Lord of Yuling speaking. I want to hear what a wife has to say to her husband." His smile deepened, his eyes full of a liquid tenderness.
She blushed. "How should I say it?"
No one had ever taught her how to be a wife. Only how to fight. She had married him for her family, for her fate. But now… now that she couldn't let him go, everything was so much more complicated.
He thought for a moment. "How about I ask, and you answer?"
"Alright," she said, her eyes bright.
"Why did you want to prevent me from being punished? And you can't say it's because my fall would bring down the Murongs."
She thought carefully. "Leaving is a strategic retreat, not a fall. I just… didn't want you sent back to the Court of the Imperial Clan."
That flogging. It had been on his back, but the pain had been felt by many.
His smile grew wider. "Then why didn't you refute Die Man? She knew who you were."
"Refute what?"
"About who holds my heart." His voice dropped, his expression serious.
She didn't answer. She turned away and lifted the curtain.
Suddenly, an arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her into his lap.
"You…" She pressed her hands against his chest.
"Murong Jin, what are you so afraid of?" his voice was low. "We have knotted our hair. Why can't you trust me?"
Her fingers clenched against his chest. She bit her lip.
"I'm waiting."
"I don't know how to answer," she finally said. "The things she's done for you… I don't think I could. The situations you've shared… I was never there. How can I stand up to a woman who has been so close to you?"
Her helplessness was a dull, suffocating pain in his chest. He traced the worried line of her brow. "Silly girl. Didn't I tell you? I won't fail you. Not ever."
"I remember."
"But you don't believe it." He tapped her forehead gently. "That bond is one of brotherhood. And what she did for me, you have done as well."
"Hm?"
"She aids me with Thousand Day Drunk. You rode back to Wuchuan to bring me Liu and Yi." He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "And even if you had done nothing, you could still say with absolute certainty that the one who holds my heart is you."
"I'm not that arrogant," she whispered.
"It's the truth. And you have every right to be." He brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek. "But we won't be having this conversation again."
Her heart leaped, and her hand tightened on his robe.
His smile was bright. "Because there's no need to state a fact more than once." He took her cold hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "Between you and me, there is no one else."
But in Jindu, someone was already watching.