Chapter 171: There are already rumours spreading
Hua Jing lowered the letter slightly and shook her head. "It’s from His Highness," she murmured, though her voice lacked conviction.
Xia Lin hesitated before speaking again. "But... do you trust it?"
Hua Jing exhaled slowly, her mind racing. She missed Zhao Yan dearly, but she was not foolish enough to act on emotion alone. There was something wrong here, and if she ignored her instincts, she might very well be walking into a carefully laid trap.
Her gaze shifted toward the doorway, where the messenger had stood just moments ago. Had that truly been one of Zhao Yan’s men? Or was it someone else entirely?
Xia Lin’s face paled, her brows knitting in deep worry as she watched Hua Jing pace across the room. The golden letter, now folded and clutched in Hua Jing’s grip, seemed to weigh more than it should. The air in the chamber was heavy with tension, thick with unspoken fears and uncertainties.
"Prepare my robes," Hua Jing finally commanded, her voice calm but firm. "I will go out, but we will do this my way."
Xia Lin’s eyes widened, her hands instinctively tightening around the silk sash she was folding. Something cold slithered down her spine—a premonition, a warning she couldn’t quite put into words.
She stepped forward quickly, placing herself in front of Hua Jing. "Please don’t go, my lady," she urged, her voice barely above a whisper but trembling with urgency.
"It could be even worse for you as it is. There are already rumors going around."
Hua Jing stilled. Her grip on the letter tightened as she turned toward Xia Lin, her expression unreadable. "Rumors?"
Xia Lin swallowed, looking around as if to ensure no one else was listening. "Yes. They say the emperor is sick."