The Fine Print✔️

Chapter 25

Just as I had done the night before, I follow Lung Chi to the queen's chamber. But this time, I am prepared. I leave symbols at inconspicuous places on the walls with my sword as Lung Chi is busy pushing the wheelbarrow towards its destination.

Finally, we reach the queen's chamber. I find her waiting for Lung Chi, who leaves the items at the threshold and enters the room, closing the tunnel behind him.

I watch the queen invite him for a cup of tea, and the two get talking.

 "Lung Chi, I want to thank you for keeping my secret and helping me retain my position."

"YuanYou, I am done bowing to you. Don't forget what I did for you. Without me, you would not be sitting next to the king now!"

"And I have done everything in my power to do what you wanted. I even made slave trade legal!"

Lung Chi remains silent and sips his tea before asking, "You mentioned something about the ceremony. What secrets are you keeping from me?"

"Wei Zhan's marriage to YiJuan."

"What about it?"

"Once they get married, I will be in complete control of both the kingdoms. Then taking over Waihonglai would be a piece of cake. King Wai Xiu would do anything for YiJuan."

"You seem to have forgotten that both of them have gone missing."

"We still have a few days before the time runs out. I have sent my spies all over the kingdom. Lung Chi, is there something you want to tell me?"

"What do you mean?"

"I got news today that someone who looks like Zhan was spotted working in the tunnel."

"The tunnel?"

"Yes. My spy even managed to get a look at his permit." Aunt smirks, "Why didn't you tell me that you have been hiding him at your place?"

What! She knows about Zhan! How? I need to leave right away! But if I do, I will alert them. What should I do?

Just as I am about to start panicking, I remember that Weredra could hear and see this. 'Weredra, are you hearing this?' I ask to confirm.

 'Yes.' Comes the instant replay, 'Stay put. We need to know more.'

Feeling a bit relieved, I turn my attention back to Lung Chi and my Aunt.

"What are you talking about?"

My aunt snorts, "Stop pretending, Chi. I know that you are playing some game with me. Why else has he not done anything since he arrived in the inner city? Why else has he been hiding his face?"

Lung Chi purses his lips. "Are you talking about Zhan?"

My aunt nods.

"The boy told me that a witch had placed a curse on him." Lung Chi stops abruptly. "Are you sure it's him?"

"Yes."

"But he has been staying with two others. A younger brother and a sister of about ten."

"Ten?" Aunt asks, clearly taken aback. "I presumed the sister to be YiJuan."

"Don't you think I would have recognized the princess right away?"

My aunt goes silent and shakes her head as if trying to clear her thoughts. "How old is the boy accompanying him?"

"A few years younger than him. If I had to guess, I would say eighteen or nineteen. Why?"

"No reason." She shakes her head. Then all of a sudden, her head snaps up, "Are you telling me that you truly didn't know who Zhan was?"