I leaned against the head of the bed, trying hard to piece together the chaotic scenes in my mind, just like trying to solve a puzzle that could never be completed.
The movements of those men in black, the handwriting on that warning letter... I kept feeling as if something had been overlooked by me.
"Whew..." I let out a long breath, feeling as though my brain was about to explode.
Lu Zhao had been staying by my side the whole time. Seeing how distressed I looked, he pulled me into his arms with a heart full of care: "Don't rush, think about it slowly. I'm right here with you."
His voice was deep and gentle, like a fine medicine that smoothed away my anxious emotions.
Being held by him like that, I felt like a robot with a dead battery that had instantly been recharged.
"Mm..." I nodded, leaning against his arms, closing my eyes, and trying hard to recall everything that had happened that night.
That night, I remembered that when the man in black broke into the room, his movements were extremely agile and every strike was fatal, but somehow his movements felt a bit... how should I put it?
"That's it!" I suddenly opened my eyes and broke free from Lu Zhao's embrace. "His movements were a bit like... like some specific martial arts technique!"
Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow: "A specific martial arts technique? What do you mean?"
I jumped out of bed excitedly, pacing back and forth in the room: "I'm not entirely sure either, it's just that... his moves felt like I'd seen them somewhere before, but I couldn't remember for the moment."
"Don't rush, think about it slowly." Lu Zhao caught my hand and pressed me back onto the bed. "Perhaps we can find some clues."
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.
"Shen Li!" I called out toward the door.
Shen Li quickly ran in, looking at me with a face full of concern: "My lady, what is it?"
"Go and fetch the pieces of clothing worn by that man in black from the other night," I instructed.
"Yes." Shen Li acknowledged the order and went to handle it immediately.
Before long, she came back holding a few pieces of black fabric.
I took the fabric and began to observe it closely.
The material of these fabrics was very ordinary, nothing special about it, but...
"This pattern!" I pointed to an inconspicuous corner of the fabric, where a strange emblem was embroidered, looking like a deformed lotus flower or a bat with outstretched wings.
Lu Zhao leaned over to look as well, studying the emblem carefully: "This emblem... I seem to have seen it somewhere before..."
"You've seen it too?" I looked at him in surprise.
Lu Zhao frowned, trying hard to recall: "Let me think... Ah! I remember! This emblem seems to be... the mark of the Shadow Pavilion!"
"Shadow Pavilion?" I looked blank; this was the first time I had ever heard that name.
"The Shadow Pavilion is a very mysterious organization. They hire themselves out to do dirty work for others; as long as the price is right, they are willing to do anything," Lu Zhao explained. "It is said that the members of the Shadow Pavilion are all high-martial-arts-skilled and ruthless desperadoes."
"You mean those men in black belong to the Shadow Pavilion?" I gasped.
"Very likely," Lu Zhao nodded. "If they really are people from the Shadow Pavilion, then this matter becomes even more complicated."
"Why?" I asked uncomprehendingly.
"Because people from the Shadow Pavilion generally do not strike easily unless someone has paid a heavy price." Lu Zhao's expression grew grave. "Which means someone wants me dead, and this person must be very powerful."
My heart sank; it seemed that this matter was even trickier than I had imagined.
"Then what should we do now?" I asked with some worry.
"Don't be afraid. When soldiers come, we block them with armor; when water comes, we block it with earth." Lu Zhao patted my hand comfortingly. "I will protect you."
Looking at his resolute gaze, a wave of warmth surged in my heart.
I knew that no matter what difficulties arose, he would stay by my side.
"By the way, you said earlier that you seemed to have seen this emblem somewhere. Where was it?" I pressed further.
Lu Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "I remember now. A few years ago, I once saw a similar emblem in the Empress's bedchamber."
"The Empress?!" I exclaimed aloud. "You mean this matter might be related to the Empress?"
"I can't be certain, but... it's very likely." Lu Zhao's gaze grew sharp. "It seems we have a necessary reason to thoroughly investigate this Empress."
"Good, we'll investigate together," I said firmly. "I want to see what kind of mischief this Empress is really trying to pull!"
"For now, let's start with this emblem," Lu Zhao said, pointing to the mark on the fabric. "Let's see if we can find more information about the Shadow Pavilion."
"Mm," I nodded, picking up that piece of fabric and studying it carefully.
At that moment, Shen Li walked in carrying two cups of tea.
"My lady, His Highness the Heir, please have some tea." She smiled and placed the teacups before us.
I raised my head and saw the ambiguous smile on Shen Li's face, and instantly understood what was going on in my heart.
"Ahem..." I awkwardly cleared my throat, picked up my teacup, and took a sip of tea.
Lu Zhao also smiled with a bit of embarrassment, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly turned somewhat subtle.
I could feel that Lu Zhao's gaze remained fixed on me, making me feel somewhat uneasy.
"Well... we should get back to investigating the case first." I set down my teacup, trying hard to change the subject.
"Right." Lu Zhao nodded, also putting down his teacup, picking up the fabric again to continue his research.
As I watched his focused profile, a strange feeling welled up inside me.
His facial features were exquisite, his contours distinct, his gaze deep and charming, and his entire body radiated the mature charm of a man.
"Ahem..." I cleared my throat once more, trying hard to focus my attention on the fabric.
"By the way, this emblem looks a bit like... like the pattern of some kind of plant." I pointed to the mark and said.
"A plant?" Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow. "What plant?"
"I'm not entirely sure either, it just feels like..." I frowned, trying hard to recall. "It seems to be a relatively rare medicinal herb."
"A medicinal herb?" Lu Zhao's eyes lit up. "Perhaps we can find someone who understands herbs to ask."
"Mm, that's what I was thinking too." I nodded.
Just at that moment, Lu Zhao suddenly reached out and gently grasped my hand.
"Don't worry too much, I will always be by your side," he said softly.
I froze, raised my head, and looked into his affectionate gaze, my heart instantly tumbling into chaos.
His palm was warm and dry, holding my hand and giving me an inexplicable sense of security.
I could feel my cheeks burning and my heart beating faster.
What should I do? I... I think I'm starting to fall for him...
When Shen Li saw our intimate gesture, she covered her mouth with a chuckle, then quietly retreated and thoughtfully closed the door behind us.
Lu Zhao looked at me with eyes as gentle as water, and his hand was still tightly clasping mine, showing no intention of letting go.
I was somewhat at a loss, not knowing what to do.
Although Su Mingyue felt a bit shy, she didn't pull her hand back either.
Hey, being handsome really does come with privileges. With a tactile sensation like this, no wonder those love-struck fools throw themselves at it one after another!
The little deer in my heart—oh no, make that a wild horse—was galloping wildly across the grassland.
Yet I knew that now was not the time for romance; that old hag of an Empress was still sharpening her knives.
Lu Zhao's palm was a bit warm, carrying light calluses, giving a tingling sensation that made my heartbeat practically break 120.
His gaze was so tender it looked as though it could drip water, staring right at me and making my face burn even hotter, feeling like a fully ripened tomato.
I could catch the faint scent of ambergris on him, clean yet alluring—simply cheating!
"Mingyue..." He called my name softly, his voice as deep as a cello.
Oh no, oh no, who could possibly withstand this!
I hurriedly took a deep breath, trying hard to recover my rationality: "Well, Your Highness, perhaps we should get back to studying this 'little flower'? I feel like it's hinting at some earth-shattering secret!"
Lu Zhao's gaze darkened, but he still nodded and released my hand.
Phew, saved!
If things went on any longer like that, I feared I would simply pounce on him and stage a scene of a domineering female CEO.
I picked up the piece of fabric and brought it close to the oil lamp to study it carefully.
The more I looked at that "little flower," the more familiar it seemed, as if I had seen it in some ancient text.
That's it!
I remembered!
It seemed to be...
"Consort, everything you requested has been prepared," the personal maid said cautiously.
"Very well. This time, I will make sure she never recovers!" The corner of the Empress's lips curved into a cold, sinister smile, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in the depths of her eyes. "Pass down the order..."