Li Yuyan had barely sighed in relief when he heard disturbing knocks at his door. He muttered under his breath in annoyance.
" Tcch! Persistent dogs!"
"Your Highness!" a guard barked. "By His Majesty's command, all rooms must be searched! The fugitive is said to be grievously wounded!"
A dozen voices echoed. Locks scraped. The chamber door rattled.
Li Yuyan's lashes lowered, masking the flare of killing intent that rippled through the air.
They dared.
The door creaked open and torchlight spilled in. Official Bai himself entered, arrogance sharp in his eyes, soldiers crowding behind.
"Forgive the intrusion, Crown Prince." His bow was shallow, insolent. "But His Majesty's orders allow no exception. Not even you! The assassin is gravely injured—she must be close. Even this chamber must be searched."
Li Yuyan barely managed to conceal his anger. He folded his palm tightly till his knuckles turned white. Their audacity was infuriating.
The soldiers' gazes swept the room.
On the bed, Hua Lian's form lay concealed beneath his cloak, body pressed into the silks. Li Yuyan sat at the bed's edge, fingers casually toying with a jade dagger, his aura stretching like an hungry lion waiting in the dark for it's prey.
"Search?" His voice was soft, almost amused.
Yet the air thickened. Cold. Crushing.
The torches flickered. A bead of sweat rolled down a soldier's Another soldier was shaking like a leaf.
Official Bai stiffened. For a heartbeat, it felt as though invisible blades hovered at his throat, his chest, his heart—each breath an invitation to death.
The prince's smile did not reach his eyes. "Do you suggest," he drawled, "that I—the Crown Prince—would harbor a wanted criminal? That I am to be inspected like a common thief?"
A suffocating silence fell.
Bai opened his mouth, but words withered. The soldiers shifted uneasily, unable to lift their heads beneath that oppressive gaze.
"Leave." Li Yuyan's tone was final. "Or should I report to my imperial father that you dared to question me?"
The torches trembled in hands slick with sweat.
In moments, they were gone. Doors closed. Silence.
Only then did he release the faintest sigh.
He wondered the reason he was risking his reputation and life to save the girl. What secrets do you have hua lian? Why are you actually doing this?