Chapter LXXXIII - The Truth She Brings
The western reception hall remained silent.
No one moved.
No one relaxed.
Because the Black Sparrow had just suggested something impossible:
Someone above Consort Xu.
The idea itself felt dangerous.
Like stepping onto ice already beginning to crack.
—
Shen Li sat calmly.
Outwardly.
Only outwardly.
Because inside—
her thoughts raced.
If Consort Xu wasn't the true architect behind the attacks...
Then who benefited from:
weakening Prince Rui,
destabilizing the Crown Prince,
creating chaos during wartime?
The answer frightened her.
Because there weren't many people powerful enough.
Then quietly she asked:
"Why tell me this?"
The Black Sparrow's eyes remained steady.
Then unexpectedly—
she laughed softly.
Not mockingly.
Almost tired.
"Because I'm making a terrible decision."
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The assassin folded her arms.
Then:
"Years ago, I sold information."
"I survived because I never cared who suffered."
The room remained silent.
Then:
"But after reading enough of your letters..."
"I became curious."
Qingyu looked horrified.
Several guards looked equally horrified.
Because apparently the empire's most infamous spy had developed feelings about correspondence.
Absurd.
Completely absurd.
Yet the Black Sparrow continued.
"Prince Rui writes like a man returning home."
"Not like a man chasing power."
Silence.
Then:
"That makes him dangerous to people who want the throne unstable."
The words landed heavily.
Because suddenly—
the war. The poison. The spies.
Everything began connecting.
—
Then the Black Sparrow reached into her cloak.
Twenty swords immediately lifted.
The assassin rolled her eyes.
"Relax."
No one relaxed.
She withdrew a folded document.
Old.
Worn.
Weathered by years.
Then placed it carefully upon the table.
Shen Li opened it.
And froze.
Because the seal impressed into the corner was unmistakable.
Imperial.
Very old imperial.
The Black Sparrow's expression darkened.
"Seven years ago."
"Before Prince Rui left for the northern frontier."
Silence.
Then:
"Someone ordered surveillance on him."
The room chilled instantly.
Because seven years ago—
Prince Rui had not yet become politically important.
Not officially.
Then why?
Shen Li lowered her gaze.
Reading.
Carefully.
And one phrase immediately stood out.
Observe military popularity growth.
The words seemed innocent.
Almost harmless.
Yet Shen Li understood.
Someone had been watching Prince Rui's influence for years.
Long before anyone else noticed.
Long before the current succession struggles.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
—
Far north—
Prince Rui finally slept.
For perhaps three hours.
A rare achievement.
Unfortunately—
the enemy ruined it.
A scout burst into camp before dawn.
The moment Prince Rui woke—
he knew something was wrong.
The scout looked pale.
Terrified.
Then:
"Your Highness."
"The western supply convoy never arrived."
Silence.
Prince Rui sat upright instantly.
The general returned.
Cold.
Focused.
Terrifying.
"Explain."
The scout swallowed.
"The route was compromised."
The command tent chilled.
Because only a handful of people knew that route.
Which meant:
The leak remained active.
Still.
Someone was feeding information directly to the enemy.
And that someone remained inside the empire.
—
Back in the capital—
the Black Sparrow watched Shen Li finish reading.
Then quietly said:
"The people hunting you don't fear Prince Rui today."
Shen Li looked up.
The assassin's gaze sharpened.
"They fear Prince Rui five years from now."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then:
"A victorious general."
"Beloved by soldiers."
"Trusted by the Crown Prince."
"And willing to burn the world for one woman."
The room became very still.
Because suddenly—
the conspiracy no longer looked like palace politics.
It looked like prevention.
Like someone trying to stop a future before it happened.
Then Shen Li softly asked:
"Who are they?"
For the first time—
the Black Sparrow hesitated.
Longer this time.
Enough to worry everyone.
Then she answered quietly:
"I don't know yet."
The disappointment was immediate.
Until she continued.
"But I know where the answer is."
The hall sharpened again.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Then:
"Where?"
The Black Sparrow looked directly at Shen Li.
And said the one thing nobody expected.
"In the north."
Silence crashed through the room.
Because suddenly—
the battlefield. The spies. The conspiracy.
Everything pointed toward the same place.
Toward Prince Rui.
Toward the war.
Toward the snow-covered frontier.
Then the Black Sparrow smiled faintly.
Dangerous smile.
Blade-like smile.
"Princess Rui."
"I think it's time you stopped waiting in the capital."
And for the first time—
Shen Li realized she had already made that decision in her heart days ago.
She was going north.
To her husband.
No matter what stood between them. ??????