At dawn, Murong Jin woke to an empty space beside her. She touched the bedding. Cold. Xue Liulan, known for his laziness, rarely rose this early.
"Your Highness is awake?" Ning Bi entered, carrying a basin of hot water. "My lord left for the palace just as the sky was growing light," she said, helping Murong Jin dress. "Even Little Dingzi was yawning."
"The palace?" Murong Jin's brow twitched. "Is he in some kind of trouble?"
Ning Bi covered a laugh. "Your Highness worries too much! Our master is becoming quite diligent."
"Diligent?" Murong Jin was skeptical. "When did that word ever apply to him?"
"I know! I asked him the same thing this morning. I asked if the sun was rising in the west. Do you know what he said?"
"What?"
"He said he has a son on the way now, and he can't be a bad example, or the little prince will learn his habits." Ning Bi grinned. "It's true. I've never seen him so focused on court matters."
Murong Jin smiled to herself. Of course. With the Seventh Prince away negotiating and the Emperor still recovering, Xue Liulan was the only prince left in Jindu. It was the perfect opportunity to step in and take control.
"Oh, and Your Highness, my lord left a message for you."
"What is it?"
Ning Bi hesitated.
"What's wrong?" Murong Jin asked, sitting at the vanity. "I'm not that unreasonable."
"I'm just afraid you'll be angry. It's not good for you, or the baby." Ning Bi truly liked her. She was kind, and she was devoted to the prince in a way that Die Man never was.
Murong Jin just smiled. "Does it have to do with the lady in the Yanhong Pavilion?"
Yanhong Pavilion. The 'Crimson' pavilion. The new courtyard Xue Liulan had built for Die Man.
Ning Bi nodded. "My lord said… he said to ask Your Highness to stay away from her."
Even Ning Bi thought the words were cruel. Was he afraid the princess would bully his new concubine? Even if she was pregnant, he shouldn't be so blatant.
She watched Murong Jin, but the princess only nodded, not a trace of anger on her face. Ning Bi's heart sank.
"Your Highness, if you're upset, please don't keep it inside."
Murong Jin, holding the box of Yinghong rouge, looked at her in the mirror. "Why would I be angry?"
"He's favoring a concubine…"
Murong Jin laughed. "Ning Bi, you've been with him all this time, and you still don't understand him?"
"Hm?"
"What kind of woman is Die Man? She's seen everything in her line of work. Even I, with all my years on the battlefield, am no match for her in terms of cunning. He's not protecting her. He's protecting me from an unknown danger." She looked down at the rouge in her hands.
Ning Bi stared.
"Besides," Murong Jin continued, "in a real fight, what could she do to me? But now… there is a little prince to consider. If we came to blows, Xue Liulan would be the first to hold me accountable."
Ning Bi blushed. "This servant misunderstood my lord's intentions."
"But you were trying to protect me." Murong Jin smiled. "Go, fetch my court robes. I heard the Crown Princess has returned. I should pay my respects."
"Yes." Ning Bi curtsied. "And… the new concubine is supposed to pay her respects to you today. Should I tell her you're busy?"
Murong Jin thought for a moment. "No. Tell her the courtesy is waived. She's new, and I'm pregnant and tire easily."
"Yes." Why, Ning Bi wondered, isn't she using this chance to put her in her place?
As Ning Bi left, Murong Jin heard footsteps. Die Man stood in the doorway. She had changed from her wedding red into a magnificent fur-lined cloak. Even with just a hint of makeup, she was stunning.
Murong Jin rose. Cold wind swirled in from the open door.
"Since you're here, come in," she said, breaking the silence.
Die Man's lips curved into a sneer as she shut the door.
"Such a noble princess," she said, her voice dripping sarcasm. "Making me wait for so long."
"The winter air makes me tired." Murong Jin sat back down. "Please, sit."
"No need. I know my place." Die Man stood over her. "I'm just here to perform the proper courtesies."
"You're from the martial world. You don't need to bother with these formalities. Besides, it's cold, and my courtyard is far from yours."
"Is it inconvenient, Your Highness? Or do you just not want to see me?" Die Man's eyes narrowed, her smile chilling.
Murong Jin knew at once this was about last night. So the line is drawn.
"If our positions were reversed," Murong Jin said with a small laugh, "would you want to see me?"
"No, you're wrong. I love seeing you, Your Highness," Die Man said, stepping closer. "To watch you waste away day by day, consumed by grief… it's the greatest joy in the world. How could I miss it?"
Murong Jin's hand tightened. Die Man's venomous gaze was a blade in her chest.
She forced herself to stand, her voice steady. "Is that so? Then I look forward to disappointing you."
"Good. Spoken like a general." Die Man's voice was sharp. "Murong Jin, your husband, your son, and your precious family… I won't spare a single one. You'd better watch them closely. Or they might just… disappear. Just like Liu did."
Liu? A chill ran through Murong Jin. What does she mean by that?
"How do you know about Liu?" she asked, her voice low.
"If he hadn't almost ruined my plans, Xue Liulan and I would never have ended up in this situation," Die Man hissed. "But he's dead, so it doesn't matter now."
Murong Jin's face went pale. She remembered Liu's body. "Your plans? What did he ruin?"
"Oh? Xue Liulan didn't tell you?" Die Man feigned surprise. "Hah! And here I thought you two were so in love. Why would he hide that from you? Unless… he feels guilty?"
Murong Jin just watched her, her mind racing. This was a psychological attack. She wouldn't take the bait.
Die Man's smile faded. Murong Jin's calm was unnerving. Have I underestimated her?
"Are you finished?" Murong Jin asked.
Die Man's brow shot up, then she smiled again. "Yes. This has been very interesting. Farewell."
"I won't see you out."
Murong Jin watched her go, and only when she was gone did she collapse back into her chair, her hand trembling.