Chapter 7: Who’s that?
"What about the prince?" Hua Jing asked, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and irritation.
Her mind flitted back to the encounter earlier, and just the thought of Zhao Yan—the way he carried himself, his sharp tongue, and that infuriating mask—made her blood boil. Her fingers itched, and she had the sudden urge to kick something. How can someone be so insufferable in just one meeting?
"What kind of man is he?" she pressed, crossing her arms.
The maid glanced up at her hesitantly. "I... I don't know, Young Madam. The prince is one of the most mysterious figures in the kingdom."
Hua Jing narrowed her eyes. "Mysterious? How?"
The maid lowered her voice, as if afraid someone might overhear. "His Highness, the First Prince Zhao Yan, has been sickly since he was a child. Even though he is the eldest and heir to the throne, most people believe he will never ascend to the position of king. They think his health will prevent it."
"Sickly?" Hua Jing frowned, tilting her head. Her mind raced to the man she had met earlier. He didn't look sickly. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and radiated an intimidating aura. Nothing about him seemed frail or weak. "He didn't look sickly when I saw him."
The maid sighed. "That's because his illness went away a few years ago, but... there are rumors."
"Rumors?" Hua Jing raised an eyebrow. "What kind of rumors?"