Leena nearly dropped the hairpin.
Her pulse thundered in her ears.
"B-Bao Wen! I… I wasn't… I just—"
Words tumbled over themselves.
He walked in slowly, the evening light painting him in gold.
His expression was calm, unreadable…
… but his eyes, dark and steady, locked on the hairpin in her hand.
"You recognize it," he said simply.
Not a question.
Leena's breath caught.
"I… I lost this. Years ago. In my father's garden…"
Her throat tightened.
"…Why do you… have it?"
Bao Wen didn't answer.
Instead, he reached past her and closed the journal in one smooth motion.
The sound of the cover snapping shut felt like a warning.
"Some things," he said quietly, "don't need answers."
Leena's chest tightened.
For the first time since arriving at Merchant Bao's estate…
… she wasn't sure if she was safe.
Then—
Clop. Clop.
The sound of hooves and rattling armor echoed from the courtyard.
A voice rang out:
"Summons from the Imperial Palace!"
Bao Wen's expression flickered. He stepped to the window, his usual lazy calm snapping into alertness.
Leena followed, peeking outside.
The palace knight dismounted at the gate, scroll in hand, while the household servants whispered in excitement.
Merchant Bao hurried from the main hall, his ink‑stained beard bobbing as he bowed to the messenger.
The knight's voice carried into the courtyard:
"By order of the Seventh Prince!
The Empress Dowager's Birthday Banquet will be held at the palace in three days.
Merchant Bao, you are invited as an honored guest."
The courtyard buzzed.
Maya grabbed Leena's arm with wide eyes.
"A banquet in the palace again! Madam… we have to prepare clothes!"
Leena forced a smile, her mind still tangled with the hairpin and Bao Wen's journal.
For now, she slipped the hairpin back onto his desk.
He said nothing.
But the way his gaze lingered on her…
…made a shiver crawl down her spine.
POV – The Seventh Prince
Far away, in the royal study, Li Wei stared at the lantern light across the lacquered table.
His closest guard, Jun, leaned against the window.
"I don't understand," Jun muttered.
"You know what she's done. Why celebrate her birthday?"
Li Wei's jaw tightened.
"It's called strategy," he said, voice cold but steady.
"My mother loves flattery, jewels, and the illusion of loyalty.
If I give her all three…"
He folded a golden invitation with a snap.
"…she will lower her guard.
And when she does—
I will finally know the truth."
Jun hesitated.
"And if the truth is… worse than you think?"
Li Wei's gaze darkened, reflecting the candle flame like a blade.
"Then I will decide," he said quietly.
"…whether a son should become his mother's executioner."