Yuan Wei returned to his chambers, the quiet finally a relief. The morning air had been deceptively pleasant, but Princess Lian's relentless attention left him drained. He closed the door softly behind him and leaned back against it, running a hand over his face.
"Alright," he muttered to himself. "Time to think. Vines, hidden doors, missing papers… and a princess who apparently has no concept of personal space."
He sat on the edge of the bed, eyes narrowing. That eastern wing door had been far too perfectly placed to be coincidental. If the original Yuan Wei had really hidden something, this was a likely spot. But scouting it without drawing suspicion would take careful planning—something he'd have to do while keeping Princess Lian at arm's length.
---
Meanwhile, in another part of the palace, Prince Jian and Prince Lei were seated at a low table surrounded by maps and scrolls. The atmosphere was heavy, filled with the quiet tension that only political discussion could bring. Jian's sharp eyes scanned the reports with precision, his posture rigid and commanding. Lei, by contrast, leaned back lazily, swirling tea in his cup with a half-amused, half-exasperated expression.
"The northern border prefect is failing to meet grain quotas again," Prince Jian said without looking up. "If this continues, the northern provinces will face shortages by next month."
Prince Lei shrugged. "Then punish him. Confiscate his lands or raise taxes. Simple enough. We've done worse."
Jian's eyes flicked toward his brother, voice cold. "Simple enough? Simple enough doesn't prevent rebellion. Borders are fragile. One mistake and it won't be just lands we lose—it'll be lives. And possibly the throne."
Prince Lei raised his hands in mock surrender. "Yes, yes, I get it. Serious business. But you stress too much, brother. Look at me—I'm perfectly relaxed, sipping tea, discussing war like a gentleman."
Jian's lips twitched but he did not smile. "War is not a gentleman's pastime. Not here, not now. And not when someone stole sensitive documents from the eastern wing."
Prince Lei froze mid-sip, eyes narrowing slightly. "Sensitive documents? You mean—"
"Someone took them," Jian said flatly, finally looking up. "Military reports, strategic maps… gone. Who, I don't know yet. But if I find them, there will be consequences."
Before Lei could respond, the doors burst open. Princess Lian practically flew into the room, her silk robes sweeping the floor. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled with a strange, almost feverish excitement.
"Brothers! Brothers! I have news!" she exclaimed, her voice higher than usual. "A miracle happened today!"
Prince Lei blinked at her. "A miracle? Did the northern prefect suddenly apologize?"
"No!" she squealed, ignoring him. "It's about Yuan Wei!"
Jian's sharp eyes hardened slightly. "Yuan Wei?"
"Yes!" She clasped her hands together as if holding the heavens' entire worth. "I spoke with him today. And he… he didn't push me away!"
Prince Lei choked on his tea. "He… didn't?"
Jian leaned back slightly, expression unreadable. "You mean he allowed you to approach him? Without complaint or scorn?"
The princess nodded eagerly. "Yes! He even walked with me through the gardens. He… he looked at me without glaring. And he didn't glare once!"
Prince Lei whistled softly. "Well, that's new. Didn't he nearly push you into the koi pond last month for asking about the flowers?"
"Ignore that," Lian said sharply. "Today was different. He… he was gentle. And clever! He noticed the hidden door on the eastern wing!"
Jian's hand froze mid-motion, and Lei tilted his head.
"Hidden door?" Lei asked casually, though the hint of concern in his voice betrayed him.
"Yes!" Lian leaned forward dramatically. "Gege—Yuan Wei—he said it might hide secrets. Isn't that amazing? He… he noticed!"
Jian's jaw tightened imperceptibly. "Did he… say what kind of secrets?"
"Not exactly. But he… he seemed intrigued. And he didn't scold me for following him!" Lian's eyes sparkled. "Maybe… maybe he's warming up to me?"
Prince Lei leaned back, a faint grin forming. "Or maybe he's up to something."
The princess's gaze fell on him. "Brother Lei! Don't say that!"
Jian folded his hands, voice measured. "Sister, watch your enthusiasm. Just because he allowed you to walk with him doesn't mean… anything you think it does."
Lian pouted, but her eyes glimmered with the excitement of someone who believes in small miracles. "But Brother Jian! He smiled at me! Maybe… maybe he likes me!"
Jian's eyes darkened. He exchanged a quick glance with Lei. "Are you certain he didn't… act polite for a reason? Something unusual?"
Lei shrugged, sipping his tea. "Could be. That boy always has his tricks. Polite or plotting—hard to tell."
The princess clutched her hands over her chest. "Brothers, don't worry. I just… I just felt he was being… kind to me. Maybe he… trusts me?"
Jian's mind ticked rapidly. Eastern wing… hidden door… Yuan Wei… missing documents. Polite to the princess? Convenient.
Prince Lei leaned forward suddenly, voice lower. "Do you think he's hiding something? Maybe he's the one who took the papers?"
The princess gasped. "How could you say that? Gege would never! He's… he's kind!"
Jian's voice was calm but icy. "Kindness doesn't mean innocence. We must consider all possibilities."
The princess blinked, her excitement dimming slightly. "But… he didn't act strange at all. He… smiled."
Lei snorted. "A smile doesn't mean he's innocent, Lian. You'll learn that eventually."
Jian folded his arms, eyes narrowing. "Sister, do you remember exactly where he went after the gardens?"
"Uh… he returned to his room," she admitted. "I wanted to follow, but… he moved so quickly. I didn't want to disturb him."
Jian's jaw set. "Very well. Keep your distance. We'll handle this from here."
Princess Lian frowned. "But… he was so nice today. Why would you want to stop him?"
"Because," Lei said mildly, "sometimes being nice is exactly the cover someone needs."
The princess pouted again, but remained quiet, sensing the underlying tension she didn't fully understand.
Jian rose from his seat, glancing toward the maps on the table. "We will investigate the eastern wing. If the papers were moved, I intend to find them before the day ends."
Lei's grin returned, faint but knowing. "Then it's decided. Sister, you may stay, but you won't interfere. Yuan Wei's actions will be observed."
Princess Lian huffed, but nodded. "Fine… but if he truly is warming up to me, you'll see! I'm not wrong!"
Jian ignored her for now, mind working through all possibilities. The hidden door, the papers, and Yuan Wei's strange politeness were all pieces of a puzzle.
If he misstepped…
If Jian discovered the truth about the papers before Yuan Wei could maneuver…
He wouldn't just be in trouble. He could be executed.
And Yuan Wei didn't need to know that yet.
---
As the princess left the study to return to her own chambers, Lei leaned closer to Jian. "He's clever. Polite, obedient to a fault, but clever. Don't underestimate him."
Jian's gaze hardened. "I won't."
But even as they spoke, his mind ticked in multiple directions. Hidden doors. Eastern wing. Missing papers. And the boy's seemingly gentle behavior toward Princess Lian… far too perfect to be innocent.
Somehow, Yuan Wei had managed to make a morning stroll look harmless. Somehow, the princess had become a perfect distraction.
And somehow, the crown prince's temper would be the least of Yuan Wei's worries if anyone discovered where those documents were hidden.
---
Yuan Wei, in his room, had no idea the storm was gathering. But he would find out soon enough.