They reached her father's office. One guard knocked gently on the door.
"Come in," said the Duke's voice from inside.
The guard opened the door and bowed. "Miss Yueshuang is here to see you, my lord."
There was a short silence, then a reply: "Let her in."
Yueshuang took one more deep breath. She could feel the connection to Lian beating weakly in her chest, reminding her why she was doing this and what she could lose. Then she walked into the room.
THE DUKE'S OFFICE - MORNING
Duke Yuwen was sitting at his desk, reading papers about the attack. The killers were hired fighters from a group called the Vipers' Nest, but no one knew who sent them.
This was worrying, but it had happened before. Papers and scrolls were everywhere on his desk. He was writing notes on them with a brush, his movements smooth from years of practice.
