Suyi rushed into Zhaoyang Palace to find Xue Liulan staring blankly in the courtyard pavilion. Hearing that the Emperor had released Guo Shangzhong, Suyi had ridden straight from the prison. He knew there must be a reason.
"What happened?" Suyi asked, stopping a few paces away.
"Little Dingzi betrayed her location to Guo Shangzhong." Xue Liulan's voice was flat.
"Little Dingzi?" Suyi was stunned. "He's served you faithfully for years. How?"
Xue Liulan stood up slowly. "Guo Shangzhong captured a maid he cares about. Even a eunuch has feelings."
"Where did he take her?"
Xue Liulan shook his head, his brow furrowed with worry. "Guo Shangzhong wouldn't tell him that."
"What will you do?" Suyi wanted to help, but he knew his spies might be exposed if he pushed too hard.
"The Fifteen are searching for Guo Shangzhong," Xue Liulan said heavily. "We plotted against him, but he outplayed us."
Originally, they planned to fake a rebellion in Yin to draw Guo Shangzhong out, while secretly moving troops to the border to stop the Turks. But Guo Shangzhong had seen through it.
"He is a dead man." Xue Liulan sneered. "Anyone who touches my woman dies."
"Troops from Jin, Zhao, and Yan are gathering at Wuchuan. The Turks are attacking," Suyi reported.
"Guo Shangzhong learned his dark arts from the Turks. He has spies among them. He will help them break our defenses." Xue Liulan spoke calmly. "Suyi, I leave Wuchuan to you."
"And you?"
"I've been thinking. Who could subdue Murong Jin in one move, without a fight?" Xue Liulan stared at the jade hairpin in his hand. It was a tribute from the Yanyun, a gift he had meant for her.
A thought struck him.
"What?" Suyi saw his expression change.
"It's just a guess." Xue Liulan gripped the hairpin tight. "Die Man."
"Die Man?" Suyi laughed. "Her kung fu is good, but subduing Murong Jin in one move? Impossible."
"You don't know. Her greatest skill is poison. Not just gu, but colorless, odorless poisons. She promised never to use them again, so few know."
Suyi's face fell. If it was Die Man, Murong Jin was in the hands of two people who hated her and Xue Liulan to the bone.
Murong Jin sat quietly in a chair, facing Guo Shangzhong and Die Man.
"Long time no see, Your Majesty," Die Man laughed, her voice dripping with malice.
"Indeed." Murong Jin smiled, glancing around the room. It was luxurious. "Eunuch Guo has taste."
Guo Shangzhong turned. "General Murong's daughter has sharp eyes."
"The most dangerous place is the safest. Xue Liulan is tearing Jindu apart looking for you, but you're hiding right here in the palace." She spoke calmly, testing the ropes binding her.
Strange material. She couldn't budge.
Die Man saw her struggle and laughed harder.
"Don't bother. I brought these ropes from the Southern Borders just for you." She leaned in, her long fingernail scratching Murong Jin's cheek. A line of blood appeared, trickling down her chin.
Die Man licked the blood from her nail, savoring it.
Murong Jin didn't flinch.
"I'm honored you came so far just for me. A heavy gift indeed."
"You!" Die Man was furious at her indifference. A scar on the face was a disaster for a woman, yet Murong Jin didn't care.
"Are you hoping Xue Liulan will save you?" Guo Shangzhong smiled sinisterly.
Old fox. Murong Jin closed her eyes. Little Dingzi's betrayal, Guo Shangzhong's cunning, and now Die Man's return. The situation was grim.
"He will come," Die Man hissed. "You are his treasure."
"If he let you go, why come back?" Murong Jin opened her eyes, staring at Die Man. "He spared you for old times' sake."
"Old times?" Die Man shrieked. "After you stole him, you think he still cares for me? Don't make me laugh!"
Murong Jin smiled faintly. Die Man's outburst betrayed her hope. She still wanted to believe she mattered to him.
"He has always cared. He hopes you will turn back before it's too late."
"Turn back? Easy for him to say!" Die Man raged. "When he loses everything, I'll make him regret choosing you!"
Lose everything? Murong Jin's heart skipped a beat. They want to destroy the dynasty.
"Die Man, deliver this letter to Xue Liulan." Guo Shangzhong interrupted. Die Man was unstable. He couldn't let her ruin the plan.
Die Man glared at him, snatched the letter, and turned to go. Then she stopped, spun around, and kicked Murong Jin in the stomach.
Murong Jin grunted, bowing her head to hide the pain.
"Speak again, and I'll kill you," Die Man sneered, then left.
Murong Jin lifted her head slowly, worry etched on her face.
"Too early to worry about him," Guo Shangzhong said, sipping his tea.
She looked at him.
"He is dead anyway. It's just a matter of time." Guo Shangzhong smiled cruelly. He looked forward to seeing Xue Liulan. The boy who had ruined his life's work would pay.