The column of soldiers swept past like a storm scattering clouds. Lena Sanders settled back into the carriage, her gaze wandering as Jack Golden and Harris Ma exchanged their usual pointless bickering. The convoy passed through the outer gate, then into the city proper.
"Oh, wow! Look at this street! So wide! So grand! No wonder they call it the Imperial City—magnificent!"
As they entered the city, Harris Ma gawked at the broad avenue—wide enough for dozens of wagons to ride abreast—and cracked his whip in excitement, sparks flying.
"Look at you, acting like you've never seen a road before. What's so special about it?" Jack Golden scolded out of habit. Then, unable to hide his own amazement, he bounded over to Lena's side, eyes gleaming. "Boss, this place is huge—so lively! Just look at that street! It's ridiculously wide!"
"Find somewhere decent to stay. It'll be dark soon." Lena tucked away her sunflower seeds and gave the order calmly.
Jack nodded eagerly and dashed off with Harris to inspect the inns.
"So lively," Darren Chang muttered, sitting up with a low rumble.
"Yes," Lena said lightly, surveying the bustling scene. "Northrealm's capital lives up to its reputation. If nothing unexpected happens, we'll settle here for a while."
Shops lined both sides of the grand avenue, each one lavishly decorated.
Harris and Jack, unimpressed, dismissed every luxurious inn they passed as "all show, no substance." After rejecting half a dozen, they led their sturdy mule into a quieter side street. The shops there looked modest but practical. Before long, they found a clean, well-run lodging house.
The building's front looked small, but the interior was surprisingly spacious. Business was brisk, with few rooms left and only one empty courtyard—right beside the stables.
Harris wrinkled his nose at the smell and began haggling with the innkeeper, insisting they'd be staying at least a month. Jack, restless as ever, darted off to inspect the rest of the place before the deal was even struck.
Lena remained in the carriage, silent, her eyes slowly drifting over the unfamiliar street.
When Harris finished negotiating, the inn's servants came to settle their wagons and mules. Lena instructed Jack to buy two hens and stew them with ginseng. He returned with steaming broth, a pile of flatbread, and several side dishes from the tavern next door. After the meal, everyone retired to rest.
———
From the Sunrise Gate, Gavin Shea emerged. Simon Wen was already waiting outside with a retinue of servants and guards. As soon as Gavin appeared, they hurried to meet him.
He mounted his horse, surrounded by his men, and rode straight toward Prince Rui's mansion.
At the gate, his two half-brothers, Evan Shea and Carl Shea, were already waiting within. Seeing the galloping riders approach, the brothers stepped forward hastily.
"Brother!"
They bowed quickly, falling in step beside Gavin as he strode forward.
"We heard you were attacked in Southland. Father and Mother were worried sick."
Evan had to half-jog to keep up with Gavin's brisk pace.
"Oh?" Gavin's tone was flat, his expression unreadable. "Where's Father?"
"He was sent to inspect the farmlands around the capital. Left early yesterday morning—should be gone a week or so," Evan replied precisely.
"And your mother?" Gavin asked again, though he already knew Prince Edward Shea had departed the day before.
"She's in our sister's quarters. The girl caught a chill two nights ago," Evan answered with a smile.
Carl, panting from keeping pace, faltered at the words "your mother." His pulse jumped—he had never heard his elder brother speak that way before.
"I'm still recovering," Gavin said evenly as they reached the second gate. "I'll rest first and pay my respects later."
He paused only a moment, then walked off toward his own courtyard, which occupied nearly half the estate.
Evan and Carl stopped, watching as Gavin and his attendants disappeared down the path. Then they exchanged uneasy glances.
"Second Brother," Carl whispered, "did you hear that? He said your mother!"
Evan nodded grimly. "I heard."
"The first time I've ever heard him say that. Do you think something's wrong?" Carl's voice wavered with unease. Just six days ago, rumors had claimed their brother was dead.
"Not the first time," Evan murmured, voice low. "The second. The first was years ago—you were little then. He said your mother to me once. After that, he never touched a single dish from our side of the family. Not a bite. Not even a drop of water."
Carl hesitated. "There are rumors… that Mother wanted him dead."
"Lies!" Evan snapped, voice rising slightly. "Mother told us herself—whatever stands between her and him, it doesn't concern us. We're brothers, and that's what matters."
Carl looked at him, said nothing.
———
Gavin went straight to his study courtyard.
William Chen was waiting at the steps and joined him as he entered. Gavin slowed his pace slightly, allowing William to walk beside him.
"The delegation arrives the afternoon after tomorrow," William reported. "Paul Denton sent word—says he must meet you first to present the imperial decree together. Claims he's the deputy envoy and you're the chief, so it can't be done without you. Also says he has something to tell you privately."
Gavin gave a short, dismissive hum.
William smiled faintly. "I told him, as agreed, that you've already filed a petition to impeach him."
"Good." Gavin's tone was cool. "And Miss Li? She's arrived?"
"Yes. She's staying at a small inn beside Chenzhou Gate—a humble place for merchants and travelers, but reputable. Just arrived this evening. Jack Golden went out, fetched food from a nearby tavern, and bought two old hens."
William's report was detailed, almost amused. He was clearly intrigued by Miss Li and her unusual entourage.
"Don't watch her too closely," Gavin said. "She's sharper than she looks."
"Yes, Your Highness."
———
After court the next morning, in the side hall of Huajing Palace, Deputy Envoy Paul Denton knelt in the center of the floor.
Prime Minister Pan looked down at his youngest son—miserable and cowering—and felt both anger and despair.
The Southland mission had been meant to celebrate their king's sixtieth birthday and secure lasting peace between nations—a glorious appointment. He had pulled strings to get his incompetent son the deputy envoy post, thinking it a safe and easy merit. Who could have foreseen that the Crown Prince would nearly lose his life on that very mission?
The assassination attempt had plunged the affair into deadly intrigue. Unless he sacrificed his foolish son, Pan knew he would be dragged into the mire himself.
"Tell me," His Majesty said evenly, "if the Prince did not return, why did you leave Riverford City?"
"A servant came with the Prince's seal," Paul stammered. "He said it was His Highness's order—that I was to lead the mission onward while he waited in Riverton. So I obeyed."
"And the servant?" His Majesty pressed.
"He fled before we reached Riverton—jumped into the river and vanished." Paul's face twisted miserably.
"The seal?"
"He took it. When he showed it to me, I tried to take it, but he said the Prince's seal must never leave his attendants' hands. I thought that reasonable… and didn't insist. Who could have known—"
Paul turned to Gavin, panicked. "Your Highness, I swear I meant no harm! I would never dare!"
Gavin looked up briefly, then looked away, silent.
"Deputy Envoy Pan's account borders on farce," said Gideon Shea, the second prince, seated in his wheelchair.
His Majesty's face darkened.
Paul went pale. "I'm telling the truth! I'd never betray the Prince! What would I gain from it? I—"
"Silence!" roared Prime Minister Pan, unable to bear it any longer. He glared at his son, voice low and furious.
Paul hunched, trembling, mute.
"Your Majesty," the Prime Minister said, bowing low, "the assassination in Riverford City was shocking. In my judgment, Southland is most suspect."
"Hmm." His Majesty rubbed his temples, visibly weary.
"This must be investigated thoroughly," he said at last. "But given the sensitivity, it must be kept quiet. Pan Xiang, you'll oversee intelligence on Southland—find the truth, but remember, the realm comes before pride."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Gavin bowed.
"And North Hollow County?" His Majesty turned to Gideon.
"The attack there is surely connected to Riverford. Fewer who know, the better. I suggest entrusting all to Prime Minister Pan."
Pan's face drained of color. Another ambush?
Before he could object, His Majesty nodded. "Indeed—Pan Xiang is prudent. You'll take charge."
Then, turning to Gavin: "Tell him everything you discovered. Hand over the evidence as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Gavin bowed slightly, then added coolly, "As for the Riverford plot—Deputy Envoy Pan must be complicit. I request that he be detained for questioning."
Paul's face turned chalk white. He looked desperately toward his father, too frightened even to plead.
His Majesty regarded him for a long, heavy moment, then nodded.
Paul collapsed to the floor, trembling, lips quivering, too terrified to cry.
He hadn't done it. He would never dare harm the one man in the entire capital no one dared to cross. He would have groveled before him, not betrayed him.