The heavenly prison was dark and damp, the faint light of the lamps casting long, sinister shadows. Little Dingzi led the way, Murong Jin following in a eunuch's uniform. Even a woman who had seen the horrors of the battlefield couldn't help but feel a chill.
They went deeper. The guard unlocked a separate gate and led them down a long corridor, stopping before a solitary cell.
"Be quick," he said. "One stick of incense. If my superiors find out, it's my head."
"Yes, yes, we know." Little Dingzi pressed two gold bars into the guard's hand.
"It's not for me," the guard said, stuffing the gold into his robes. "You're just loyal. But be quick." With a clang, the outer gate swung shut.
Murong Jin finally looked up. This section, reserved for royalty, was cleaner than the rest. But the sight of the rough straw pallet made her heart ache.
Xue Liulan was standing by the bars, his hands behind his back, the same lazy smile on his face. He was thinner, but had lost none of his grace.
"Xue Liulan." She rushed to the bars, her hands gripping them.
"So haggard. You haven't rested, have you?" He covered her hands with his, his other hand gently caressing her cheek. "You've worked too hard."
She shook her head, and the tears she had been holding back finally fell.
He felt the hot tears on his fingertips, and his own heart trembled. "What are you crying for? I haven't been executed yet."
"It will be too late by then," she shot back, forcing a smile. "Look at me. I've forgotten why I came."
"Oh? And why did you come?"
She froze. "Didn't you leave a message for me to come?"
"So you came?" he asked, holding back a laugh. "When did you become so obedient?"
"Xue Liulan, this is no time for jokes," she said, feigning anger.
He laughed aloud. "Little Dingzi, go stand watch. Keep your wits about you."
"Yes, my lord."
She watched the eunuch go, then turned back. "What happened? Liu told me they have a handwritten order from you."
"What do you think?" He walked to the door of the cell and, with a hairpin from his hair, approached the lock. The pin gleamed faintly in the lamplight, then disappeared into the keyhole. A dry click—like a heartbeat stopping—and the door swung open.
She stared as he casually strolled out, too stunned to react. She had thought he was trapped. But he had been here by choice.
He replaced the pin in his hair. "One learns many useful tricks, in all walks of life."
She just looked down, her lips pressed into a thin line.
He was about to speak, but she threw her arms around him, her head pressed against his shoulder, her tears soaking his robes.
"Life in here isn't so bad," he whispered, gently stroking her back. "I'm a prince. No one would dare mistreat me."
"Good," she mumbled. "An order to an assassin is always given face-to-face. How could there be a letter? It's an obvious frame-up."
"In this world, many black things are painted white," he said with a careless laugh, leading her to sit on the straw pallet. "If they wanted to pin this on me, they were going to find a way."
"But it wasn't without reason. Xue Liulan, has Thousand Day Drunk been exposed?"
"Perhaps." His expression grew serious. "The witness Li Yan has is indeed one of our own. The acting Hall Master, Po Jun."
"He betrayed you?"
Xue Liulan's silence was an answer.
She sucked in a breath. If this went to trial, it would be more than just imprisonment.
"We should get rid of him," she said.
"And admit my guilt? That would only give our seventh brother the pretext he needs. How is Die Man?"
"She seems safe."
He smiled, relieved. "Then Po Jun didn't tell him everything."
"So it wasn't a complete betrayal. But what is his goal?" Her mind was a tangled mess.
"Whatever his goal, we'll play the hand we're dealt. News from Guo Shangzhong?"
"That's another strange thing," she said. "He's placed his bet on you. Why would he do nothing?"
"To him, a puppet is easier to control if its strings are cut. This affair will weaken me. That's what he wants." He rose suddenly and walked to the bars, listening. "Someone's coming."
"What?"
Little Dingzi came stumbling down the corridor. "The Seventh Prince! He's here!"
She looked at Xue Liulan. There was only one way out.
He glanced up at a dark corner of the ceiling.
Before he could speak, she had grabbed Little Dingzi, and with a leap, was perched on a crossbeam high above, hidden in the shadows.
The lock turned. A guard entered, followed by two figures. Xue Feiyan, and behind him, a guard in black, light-footed, with a cough too delicate for a man.
"Fifth Brother. You're looking well," Xue Feiyan said.
Xue Liulan leaned against the bars. "And you? Have you learned to see me in a new light?"
Xue Feiyan laughed. "Unlock it," he said to the guard.
"But… Your Highness…" The guard hesitated, his eyes darting around.
"Did you not hear me?"
"You're making things difficult for me."
"Seventh Brother, your visit is enough," Xue Liulan said. "We can talk like this. No need to break the rules."
Xue Feiyan didn't press. "Have you heard? Your wife has returned victorious."
"How would I? But thank you for telling me."
"I thought she would have already come to see you."
Up on the beam, Murong Jin froze. So he has spies here.
"Cough, cough." The guard behind Xue Feiyan let out a soft cough, trying to stifle it. In the dead quiet, it was jarringly loud.
Xue Feiyan's expression changed. He glanced back.
Xue Liulan's gaze flickered between them. "You can go," he said to the prison guard. "With my seventh brother here, I'm not going anywhere."
The guard bowed and left. The cell fell silent.
Xue Feiyan's eyes swept the room. "Since it's just family, shouldn't my sister-in-law show herself?"
Murong Jin's hand tightened. The Emperor's orders were clear: no visitors. If she were caught, it would be treason.
Little Dingzi looked at her, terrified. She grabbed him, and in a silent leap, they were on the ground.
"You have sharp ears, Seventh Prince," she said with a smile.
"And you have excellent skill, Sister-in-law. But your servant is a bit loud."
She smiled at Little Dingzi, then her feet blurred. In a flash, her soft sword was out, its tip at the throat of the guard behind Xue Feiyan. The guard was pinned against the wall, a dagger half-drawn. Suddenly, Murong Jin let out a sharp cry of pain, the killing intent vanishing.
She stumbled back against the bars of the cell, her left hand clutching her right arm, her face pale.
"Murong Jin." Xue Liulan grabbed her through the bars, his eyes flashing with fury as he looked at his brother. His voice was low, almost calm. Too calm.