Chapter 17: Plotting treason
The door to the bridal chamber closed softly behind Zhao Yan as he stepped out into the cold night air. His expression, which had softened during his time with Hua Jing, hardened immediately. The warmth he had briefly allowed himself to feel was gone, replaced by the sharp detachment that had always defined him.
Wei Ling was waiting for him, standing a short distance away with his hands clasped behind his back. The faint glow of the lantern cast shadows across his face, highlighting his composed demeanor.
"I've dismissed the maids for the night, Your Highness," Wei Ling reported as Zhao Yan approached.
"Good," Zhao Yan replied curtly.
There were imposters among the maids who had been sent to watch his every move. If they saw him get out of the bridal chamber before morning, they would report back to their masters and all hell would break lose!
A third figure emerged from the shadows. Deng Mi, Zhao Yan's trusted guard, bowed deeply before falling into step beside them.
The three men moved silently through the estate, their breaths visible in the frigid air. The snow crunched softly beneath their boots as they made their way to a small, inconspicuous hut on the far edge of the property.
Once inside, the atmosphere shifted. The small space was sparsely furnished, with only a table and a few chairs. A single lantern hung from the ceiling, casting a dim light over the room. The air was heavy with unspoken tension as the three men took their seats.
Deng Mi was the first to speak. "Your Highness, we've confirmed the rumors."
Zhao Yan leaned back in his chair, his mask still firmly in place, though his sharp gaze bore into Deng Mi. "Speak."
"Prime Minister Gu has been training a secret army," Deng Mi began. "Our informants report that he's been recruiting men from the border regions—those loyal only to him. They've been training in secluded areas, away from prying eyes."