The queen sits next to the king, tears streaming down her face that glimmer like glass. "My heart is broken for Yǔlín," she murmurs, taking the king's hand. "That someone would be capable of setting up my kind son like this is unbelievable. He would never hurt you, my king. You know that."
Moyao's jaw clenches. "I know. but what about the evidence."
The queen strokes his palm gently, looking sad. "What proof? Guesses? Gossip? Yǔlín is always faithful. Someone is attempting to break up our family."
The king lets out a sigh, reclining against his throne. The queen's eyes glint triumphantly as her head is brought down, concealing the evil grin about to break loose.
Xiéyàn walks down a dark corridor, his face cold and cruel. He greets the dark figure in the private room, a figure who is hooded and bows solemnly.
The king is beginning to suspect Prince Yǔlín, says the figure.
Xiéyàn's mouth twists into an evil grin. "Well, we're getting closer to purging the kingdom of him."
"What of the assassin?" the figure asks.
"Let them squirm," Xiéyàn sneers, his voice laced with venom. "The king's confidence in Yǔlín is wavering. Soon, he won't be able to avoid casting him aside."
Yǔlín stands in the training area, bare-chested, muscles dripping with sweat as he brings his sword down in ruthless efficiency. The stress of questioning still lingers, and he funnels his annoyance into each blow.
Su Shu observes in the distance, her breathing stopped at sight of him. Yǔlín's single-minded intent, his swift, feral motion — he is like one of war's gods.
Yǔlín notices her looking at him and smiles wickedly. "You like what you see?" he questions, his tone smooth and taunting.
Su Shu flushes and hastens to turn her back, but Yǔlín is upon her, close enough that she can sense the warmth of his person.
"Careful, Su Shu," he whispers, his fingers grazing her cheek, making her shiver. "Not everything beautiful is harmless."
The air is charged with tension, and for one exquisite, dizzying moment, it's as if he's going to lean in and…
But he takes a step back, frowning. "Be careful," he growls under his breath, before storming off, leaving Su Shu gasping for air.
Wuji walks back and forth inside his chambers, his fists balled up. The queen's words ring inside his head: "Yǔlín would never hurt his father."
But suppose Yǔlín is being framed. Wuji reverts back to what Supreme Commander Kǒngyún warned him of. What is kongyun up to? - wuji still lost in his thoughts
Yǔlín heads back to his quarters, his head reeling, his eyes blurring slightly. The poison is getting the better of him, yet he stands up straight, fighting against it.
Su Shu waits, standing there as he comes in, her face concerned.
"Are you. alright?" She asks uncertainly.
Yǔlín's jaw tightens. "Why do you care
Su Shu stumbled, her eyes falling. "I don't."
Yǔlín approaches, dark and piercing eyes fixed on me. "Then do not stare at me like that."
Su Shu's mouth opens to answer back, but Yǔlín is already walking away, his shaking hands closing the door behind him.
Elsewhere within the palace, Xiéyàn has an interview with Supreme Commander Kǒngyún in an otherwise darkened room.
"It's time to heighten the pursuit," Xiéyàn growls, his voice as cold as ice. "Get rid of this assassin — and let Yǔlín suffer in the process."
Kǒngyún's face is inscrutable. "And what if the killer is nearer than we imagine?" Xiéyàn smiles grimly. "Then we draw tighter the noose. And let them hang."
We'll be careful Xiéyàn don't bite than what you can chew- supreme commander kongyun