After the tiger was delivered, Steward Zhao wasted no time and ordered.
Transfer it into a spacious cage and Keep it in the backyard.
The servants rushed to follow his order.
But as he watched the men struggle with ropes and wooden beams, Steward Zhao's mind drifted back to the girl he had met earlier. That suffocating pressure lingered in his mind like a shadow.
He glanced at one of the guards behind him.
"You," he said in a low voice. Keep an eye on that girl and her two servants, but do it secretly. Collect any information you can about them.
The guard bowed deeply. "Yes, Steward."
Steward Zhao waved him away and dismissed the others. Alone, he sat in silence for a moment, his gaze resting on a closed door at the end of the hall. Behind it lay a room that few in the Pavilion ever entered.
Slowly, Steward zhao stood and approached. He knocked softly.
"Young Master… Young—"
Before he could finish, a faint, weary voice replied.
"Come in."
Pushing the door open,Steward Zhao was immediately met by the heavy scent of medicine. The room was dim, its windows closed and on the bed sat a pale young man, his figure thin as paper, yet his posture upright. In his hands he held a book, reading with steady focus despite his frailty.
Zhao lowered his head respectfully. "Young Master…"
Su Jingyuan lifted his gaze, calm yet distant. His sickly complexion did little to mask the sharpness of his eyes.
"I brought back a tiger today," Zhao said carefully. "If you are interested, it can be trained and offered to you as a pet."
Jingyuan frowned slightly. "Did our people capture it?"
"No, Young Master. I purchased it from a young girl who came to sell it. A young tiger, no more than three or four years old—just entering adulthood."
For the first time, Jingyuan's eyes flickered with surprise. He closed his book, set it aside, and motioned with a hand. "Take me to see it."
Steward zhao immediately helped him up and led the way toward the backyard.
Is the tiger inside the cage? Steward zhao called as they arrived.
Yes sir, a servant replied. We moved it just now.
The cage loomed large beneath the evening light. Inside lay the massive tiger, its striped body stretched across the floor. Its chest rose and fell slowly with its breathing, but it showed no other movement. For a moment, Jingyuan thought it might be dead.
His expression hardened. He turned toward Zhao.
Zhao quickly explained what had transpired during the purchase—how the tiger had been bound, yet uninjured; how the beast was only unconscious because of drugs. He also mentioned the young girl was the one that hunted it
Jingyuan listened quietly, his gaze never leaving the tiger.
A look of interest appeared in his eyes then he shook his head.
I am not interested in the beast. But keep it safe. When the time is right, we will present it to his highness the crown prince. It would make a fine gift.
Understood, young master.
Back in his room, Jingyuan sank into his chair. A cough tore from his throat, staining his lips with color before fading again. His pale face betrayed his weakness, yet his eyes remained sharp.
Young Master…, Steward Zhao said softly, hesitation in his tone. Is your illness acting up again?
Jingyuan's gaze narrowed slightly. He waved his hand, "Don't worry. It will pass soon."
The room fell silent. After a long moment, Steward Zhao bowed once more and quietly withdrew.
Alone, Su Jingyuan leaned back against his seat, a faint, almost ironic smile tugging at his lips. His fingers returned to the book resting on the desk, and with a weak but steady motion, he turned another page.
At that moment, a faint rustle stirred near the window. A shadow slipped soundlessly into the room, kneeling before him in silence.
"Young Master…" the figure in black intoned respectfully.
Jingyuan's gaze shifted from the book to the kneeling man, his voice calm and quiet. Did our men find the people that brother cheng(crown prince) asked us to locate?
The shadow bowed his head deeper. From what we have investigated, they must have gone deep into the forests to hide or perhaps taken refuge within the mountains. There are signs that someone is chasing them, intent on silencing them. We cannot confirm their whereabouts yet, but I have stationed men in the area. The moment there is any information, it will be delivered to you."
A long silence passed before Jingyuan let out a soft sigh, his expression unreadable. So, it will take some time to finish after all.
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, turning back to his book as if dismissing the matter. With a weak but steady motion, he flipped another page, his frail figure illuminated by the dim glow of the lantern beside him.