Chapter LXXXII - The Black Sparrow Speaks
The woman in black was escorted into Prince Rui's estate under heavy guard.
Twenty soldiers surrounded her.
Crossbows ready.
Swords drawn.
The Black Sparrow appeared entirely unbothered.
Dangerous woman.
Very dangerous woman.
—
Inside the western reception hall, Shen Li sat calmly while guards lined every entrance.
The atmosphere felt sharp enough to cut skin.
Then the doors opened.
And for the first time—
Shen Li saw the woman who had haunted recent events.
Black clothing.
Sharp eyes.
A faded scar beneath her left eye.
Beautiful in a dangerous way.
Like a blade polished for years.
The Black Sparrow stopped several paces away.
Neither woman spoke immediately.
Both observed.
Measured.
Judged.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Finally Shen Li broke the silence.
"You returned our letters."
Not a question.
A statement.
The Black Sparrow nodded once.
"Yes."
Simple.
Direct.
No excuses.
No lies.
Then Shen Li asked:
"Why?"
Silence lingered briefly.
Then unexpectedly—
the Black Sparrow smiled faintly.
"Because they were embarrassing."
The room froze.
Several guards looked confused.
Shen Li blinked once.
The Black Sparrow continued calmly:
"I expected military secrets."
"Instead I discovered a famous war prince incapable of surviving three hours without writing to his wife."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then somewhere near the doorway—
Qingyu nearly choked.
Because unfortunately—
that assessment felt accurate.
Very accurate.
—
For the first time in weeks, genuine amusement flickered across Shen Li's face.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
The Black Sparrow noticed immediately.
Then quietly:
"Now I understand why people underestimate you."
The warmth vanished.
The room sharpened again.
Because that sentence carried weight.
Meaning.
Danger.
Shen Li remained calm.
"Explain."
The Black Sparrow's gaze settled steadily upon her.
"Everyone sees Prince Rui's devotion."
"So they assume you're the vulnerable one."
Silence.
Then:
"They're wrong."
The words echoed softly through the hall.
Because coming from anyone else—
it would sound flattering.
Coming from an assassin?
It sounded like a warning.
—
Then Shen Li lowered her teacup.
"You said you're here to prevent another murder."
The Black Sparrow's expression cooled.
Immediately.
The amusement vanished.
Only seriousness remained.
Then:
"The poison inside this estate wasn't ordered by Consort Xu."
Silence crashed through the room.
Every guard stiffened.
Because that changed everything.
Shen Li's eyes narrowed slightly.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Then:
"Who ordered it?"
The Black Sparrow hesitated.
For the first time.
Enough.
Because the answer mattered.
Then quietly she said:
"Someone above her."
The hall became very still.
Because Consort Xu was already one of the most powerful women in the empire.
Someone above her?
Impossible.
Almost impossible.
Then the Black Sparrow continued.
"I've spent years working among spies, nobles, generals, and kings."
"The people targeting you now aren't thinking politically anymore."
Shen Li listened silently.
The Black Sparrow's voice lowered.
"They're afraid."
That answer surprised everyone.
Even Shen Li.
Then:
"Afraid of what?"
The Black Sparrow looked directly at her.
And softly answered:
"What happens if Prince Rui survives this war."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Because suddenly—
the entire conspiracy looked different.
Not about Shen Li.
Not even about Prince Rui's love for her.
Something larger.
Something older.
Something connected to the future of the empire itself.
—
Far north—
Prince Rui won another battle.
And somehow felt worse afterward.
The enemy retreated.
The frontier stabilized.
Victory belonged to the empire.
Yet his unease remained.
Growing.
Then a familiar messenger arrived.
One from his estate.
Prince Rui stood immediately.
The messenger bowed deeply.
Then handed over a sealed report.
Prince Rui opened it.
Read.
And froze.
The generals nearby immediately became nervous.
Because Prince Rui had that expression again.
The dangerous one.
Then slowly—
he reread one sentence.
Again.
And again.
The report stated:
An unidentified woman known as the Black Sparrow has entered the estate voluntarily.
Princess Rui is speaking with her personally.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The generals waited.
Nobody moved.
Then finally one brave soul asked:
"Your Highness?"
Prince Rui folded the report carefully.
Far too carefully.
Then quietly—
dangerously quietly—
he said:
"Prepare another horse."
The general blinked.
"...Another horse?"
Prince Rui's gaze remained fixed on the letter.
"If the Black Sparrow harms my wife..."
"This prince intends reaching the capital before reason can stop me."
The entire command tent went silent.
Because unfortunately—
every single person present believed him. ??????