Chapter 117 (1/2)

Chapter 117: An Invitation from Qi Chen

Only those who were involved in affairs of the court understood the dangers lurking within the imperial city. One wrong move could mean the difference between life and death. Vigilance was an integral part of survival.

”How about the a.s.sa.s.sins who attacked me that night? Have you found anything?” Jun Huang was suddenly reminded of the incident. Too many things had happened since then. She had forgotten about it.

Nan Xun shook his head with his brows furrowed. A sigh escaped his lips. ”No. Not at all. They were well-prepared. I couldn't find any clues that may lead me to the perpetrator.”

”Don't concern yourself too much about it,” Jun Huang said. ”The fact that you couldn't find anything is an answer in and of itself.”

”I will keep on investigating.”

Jun Huang gave him an noncommittal smile. She didn't think it would be an easy task. Nan Xun wasn't able to find anything after such a long period of time. It was likely that his investigation would only lead him to a dead end.

She looked at him seriously. ”Clearly someone powerful was behind the a.s.sa.s.sination attempt. Be careful when you are investigating. Don't wake the sleeping dog from its slumber.”

Nan Xun nodded. ”What do you plan to do now?”

Jun Huang shook her head after a moment of silence. She took a deep breath and said, ”I can only take one step at a time and cross the bridge when I come to it.”

”Do take care of yourself.” Nan Xun noticed that Jun Huang was acting differently from how she had been before. Ji Bo must have said something to her, and he wouldn't be wrong to do so. This wasn't a good time to take Qi Chen out. Being hasty would only attract troubles.

Clever people like her was born this way. They had to think through every option they had, and would always choose a slow but reliable solution over a swift but risky one.

At the beginning, Jun Huang sought to only take her revenge. She could afford to follow her heart. Now with Ji Bo in their ranks, she had to come up with a plan before making every move, which wasn't a bad thing per se, but it was an added weight on Jun Huang's shoulders.

Nan Xun felt a bitter taste in his mouth when he noticed how slim Jun Huang had become. She looked as if she was wasting away right before his eyes. His feelings threatened to burst out of his chest and he could feel his unspoken words forming a lump in his throat. ”Jun Huang, you… you have to take better care of yourself,” he said, apropos of nothing.

Jun Huang looked up at him with questioning eyes, but she didn't voice her confusion. Instead, she gave him a nod, again keeping him at arm's length.

He wanted to ask Jun Huang if she knew that her ailing body would collapse if she continued to overtax herself both physically and mentally. He wanted to ask if she knew that her days were numbered and she was sacrificing her life in her pursuit of revenge.

But he was in no place to question her, was he? Jun Huang knew what she was doing. She gave more thoughts to her every action than Nan Xun ever did.

He didn't say anything.

After lunch, Nan Xun offered to walk Jun Huang back, but she turned him down. ”I want to stretch my leg a little. It's daytime. Nothing will happen to me. Besides, Qi Chen might have someone keeping an eye on my place now. If he knows we have been talking, I'll need to find an excuse again.”

Nan Xun opened his mouth to argue, but decided against it. Jun Huang, as usual, was in the right. He watched her walk away with Little Girl in tow.

Jun Huang wandered back to her house with Little Girl. Little Girl was beaming as she played with what they had bought before. Her bright smile was in stark contrast with Jun Huang's expressionless face.

Upon their arrival, the door-watching page boy rushed to them. ”You have finally returned, gentleman Feng.”

”Is something wrong?” Jun Huang asked with a frown.

”The crown prince sent a man,” said the page boy with a finger pointing inside.

Jun Huang took a quick look inside before nodding at the page boy and entering the main hall. Qi Chen's housekeeper walked up to her with a wide smile and cupped hands. Jun Huang returned the gesture. ”Did the prince send the housekeeper here for something urgent?”

”The prince told me to invite the gentleman back to the manor,” said the housekeeper.

Jun Huang frowned. ”Has the prince told you what for?”

”This servant cannot possibly question the prince's order. The gentleman will know what the prince wants when you meet with him.” His answer was perfectly in line with his status. His respectful tone gave her no reason to feel offended.