"If I had any news, do you think I'd be so worried?" Liu said, leaning against a pillar, his arms crossed. "Xue Feiyan is undoubtedly the one behind this. But Guo Shangzhong and Deng Qinyao have done nothing. It's suspicious."
"Deng Qinyao, I can understand." Murong Jin's brow was still furrowed. "But Guo Shangzhong is on the same side as Xue Liulan. For him to do nothing in a situation like this… I don't know what to think."
"Could it be that he sees Xue Liulan's power waning and is looking for a new backer?"
She shook her head. "Think about it. Besides Xue Liulan, if any of the other princes were to take the throne, the first thing they would do is eliminate the eunuch faction."
"And Xue Liulan wouldn't?" Liu smiled, his gaze soft as it rested on her. "I imagine he would be the most ruthless of them all."
She met his eyes, confused. "Why do you say that?"
"I've heard rumors that the Deng family and Guo Shangzhong were both involved in the death of the Empress Murong. Rumors, yes, but there's no smoke without fire. With a mind like Xue Liulan's, he must have been investigating it for a long time."
Does he really know the truth of what happened to her? Murong Jin thought, her mind racing.
"What's your plan now?" Liu's voice brought her back.
"I want you and Yi to find out what happened, right before he was arrested. I've seen the skill of his men. It wouldn't have been easy for the Ministry of Justice—or even Xue Feiyan's Night Blade—to get a hold of them. Something isn't right."
"Alright." He paused. "And you?"
"He left a message for me. To see him when I returned." She gave a helpless laugh. "As for what comes next… we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
"Be careful."
"I will." She forced a smile, hiding the worry in her eyes. Only when he was gone did she let it fall, a long sigh escaping her lips.
I wonder if he's suffering in that prison.
In the Yichun Courtyard, Die Man looked from He Chengjian to Ning Bi. "You're saying Murong Jin wants to see me?"
"Yes. My lady said she will be here after noon," Ning Bi said respectfully. She knew this woman was important to Xue Liulan.
Die Man's brow furrowed. She tapped a long nail on the table. "Good. Then I will await her."
Just after noon, a figure in men's clothes appeared at the entrance. White robes, hair bound, a bamboo fan in hand. Murong Jin smiled to herself and walked inside.
She found a seat with a clear view of the stage. A moment later, the madam of the house, dressed in a gaudy profusion of silks, sashayed over.
This one has money, she thought, her painted face breaking into a wide smile.
"Well now, a new face. First time here, my lord?" she purred, trying to arrange her large frame into a delicate posture.
Murong Jin coughed, hiding a laugh. "I heard Lady Die Man's dancing is quite good. I came to see for myself."
"Then you've come to the right place! Our Lady Die Man is the number one beauty in all of Jindu."
"So I've heard."
"But," the madam added, "she is not an easy woman to please."
"Because of the Fifth Prince?"
"Who else?" The madam's teeth ground together. "But, we have other girls here just as talented."
"Oh." Murong Jin opened her fan. "Isn't Lady Die Man's performance about to begin?"
The madam got the hint. "Yes, yes. Right away," she said, and stomped off.
Murong Jin let out a breath. The silence that fell over the room was a relief. The gauze curtains around the stage slowly rose. Die Man stood in the center, a vision in pale violet. Her eyes swept the audience, pausing for a fraction of a second on Murong Jin before moving on.
The music began. She danced. At the end of the song, she glided across the stage, spun, and through the veil of silk tassels, gave the audience a bewitching smile.
"Bravo!" someone yelled, and the room erupted in applause.
Murong Jin clapped politely, then rose and slipped out a side door, heading straight for Die Man's private courtyard. She stood there, fanning herself, waiting.
"Sorry to keep you," Die Man's voice came from behind her.
Murong Jin turned. "A dance fit for the heavens. Truly without equal."
"You're too kind." Die Man walked past her and opened the door to her room. Murong Jin followed, closing it behind them.
The room smelled of rouge. Not the rich fragrance of Yinghong, but still a fine product from the Yang family.
"You've just returned a hero. What brings you to me?" Die Man asked, gesturing to a chair.
Murong Jin remained standing. "It's about Xue Liulan, of course. You've heard he's in the heavenly prison."
"I have. But he has not asked for our help. So what of it?" Die Man took a sip of tea.
"The assassinations were carried out on his orders, by your people. Can you tell me who, besides the assassins themselves, knew of the plan?" Murong Jin's smile never wavered, but her eyes were cold.
"No one," Die Man answered without a second's hesitation. "Are you suggesting I have a traitor in my ranks? Or are you suggesting it was me?"
Murong Jin didn't answer. She just smiled. "These are desperate times. It pays to consider all possibilities. Forgive the intrusion. I'll be leaving."
"Murong Jin." Die Man shot to her feet as she turned to go.
"Is there something else?" Murong Jin watched as she approached, the killing intent in her eyes undisguised. Instinctively, her hand clenched into a fist.
"Are you afraid?" Die Man sneered, taking a step back.
"To face the woman who commands an organization like Thousand Day Drunk? It would be a lie to say I'm not," Murong Jin answered, her guard still up.
"Good." Die Man sat back down. "Remember this, Murong Jin. What I have been through with Xue Liulan is something you will never be a part of."
"And so?"
"So you have no right to suspect I would betray him." She stared at her long fingernails. For a moment, she had truly wanted to feel them close around Murong Jin's throat.
Murong Jin was silent for a moment, then smiled. "If he suspects, I can do nothing. If he trusts, I can do nothing to sway him. I will take my leave."
She left Die Man alone in the fragrant room.
Back at the residence, Murong Jin sat in Xue Liulan's study, turning Die Man's words over in her mind.
"Your Highness?" Little Dingzi called softly from the door.
"Come in."
"Your Highness, I've bribed one of the prison guards. During the changing of the guard tonight, you'll have the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to see the master."
"Good." A faint smile touched her tired face. "Go and prepare. And bring me a set of your clothes."
"Yes."
She rested her head on the desk, a splitting headache coming on.
The door opened softly. She looked up. It was Liu.
"It's you." She relaxed.
"You look terrible," he said, studying her face. "Are you ill?"
"No. Just tired."
"Of course. To return from the frontier to this…" He sighed. "You must take care of yourself."
"I will." She stood. "What did you find out?"
"Only that someone reported him to Li Yan. With both witnesses and physical evidence."
"Physical evidence?" Her eyes sharpened.
"Yes. A letter. An order, handwritten by Xue Liulan, to the assassin."