The Queen's private chambers were spacious, but tonight, they felt confining. Qingxue sat on a plush velvet cushion, the beautiful, intricately woven basket of fruit wine Liu Ma had given her sitting ignored on a nearby table. She held a crystal goblet filled with the wine, but she hadn't taken more than a sip. The sweetness tasted strangely bitter on her tongue, tainted by the suspicion that now clung to her like damp silk.
"Baozi," Qingxue whispered, swirling the liquid thoughtfully. "Run the numbers on Liu Hao. I need to know his Affection Score right now."
["Host, I can't. The system is… glitching," Baozi reported, its usual cheerful chirp replaced by a frustrated static. "Ever since the second time traveler entered the timeline—I assume that was Liu Hao—my internal diagnostics have been unreliable for anyone outside the main plot. I can track Jingyao fine, but anyone else is a blind spot. I can't confirm his loyalty score, positive or negative."
