Chapter 15 — The Heir to the Throne with the Wicked Face

The Cruel Hand

Although the meeting between Nhược Hi and Ứng Diệu Trân was carried out very discreetly, a small loophole still could not escape the eyes of those who were closely watching the envoys. A guard mixed in with the entourage, installed by Cận Bá Tuyên to monitor every move of the Tây Lương embassy, noticed Ứng Diệu Trân disappearing from the party for a suspicious period of time, then returning with a strange expression.

That report quickly reached Khưu Bá Trạch, making him frown and think. "An aide of the mission disappeared from the party for nearly half an hour, then returned with an unusually emotional expression?"

"That's right, sir." The subordinate bowed his head and reported. "I heard that she had a private conversation with master Thông Bảo Trang during that time."

Khưu Bá Trạch sat silently for a long time as the disparate pieces in his mind began to assemble into a disturbing shape. Master Thông Bảo Trang, who had recently been suspected repeatedly of having connections with the Ghost-Faced Witch, had now held a mysterious private meeting with the assistant of the Western Liang delegation—who, according to some old sources, had an unclear background and was said to be from Đại Hạ.

"Let someone investigate more closely about the origin of this female assistant." He ordered, his voice cold. "In particular, see if she ever served in the palace before the incident."

Just a few days later, the report returned that truly shocked Khưu Bá Trạch: there were traces showing that Ứng Diệu Trân was a former palace maid serving the Queen Mother, who disappeared right after the night of the incident with no one knowing her whereabouts. This is one of three names that he always feared would become a threat if he survived.

"We cannot give her a chance to speak." He gritted his teeth and immediately summoned Cận Bá Tuyên to discuss solutions. "I want her to be silenced forever, before the envoys leave the capital."

"But she is in a diplomatic mission. If she acts carelessly, it will cause a serious diplomatic scandal," Cận Bá Tuyên reminded him, even though he also knew how dangerous the situation was.

"Then let's make it look like an accident," Khưu Bá Trạch replied, his cold eyes without any hesitation. "A sudden illness, a carriage accident, anything as long as it doesn't leave a trace that implicates us."

The next night, a group of assassins was sent to the residence of the envoy group, disguised as ordinary thieves and trying to gain access to Ứng Diệu Trân's room. Fortunately, Trường Phong, who had remained vigilant since that fateful meeting, secretly assigned people from the Night Shadow Pavilion to monitor and protect her from afar, detecting and stopping the assassins before they could strike.

The encounter took place quickly but fiercely, two assassins were captured alive, the rest fled into the night. During interrogation, the two arrested men, despite all forms of questioning, still refused to reveal the mastermind, only saying that they received the orders through an intermediary and did not know the real employer.

"We saved Lady Ying this time, but Khưu Bá Trạch will not stop." Trường Phong told Nhược Hi after the incident calmed down, his voice full of worry. "He knows she is a threat and will continue to find a way to do it until he succeeds."

"I know." Nhược Hi nodded, her face serious. "We need to take Mrs. Ung to a safer place immediately. We cannot let her stay at the envoy's residence any longer."

That same night, with the help of Ứng Bạt Nguyên—who, after learning the whole truth, could not hide his indignation at Khưu Bá Trạch's crime—Ứng Diệu Trân was secretly taken to a safe haven within the Night Shadow Pavilion's network, under the guise of a serious illness requiring isolation for treatment.

Ứng Bạt Nguyên, after witnessing with his own eyes what almost happened to his closest assistant, privately met Nhược Hi to express his attitude. "I have long suspected that the current Đại Hạ court is not as pure as it appears," he said, his voice low but full of weight. "If Your Highness really needs support from the Three Kingdoms of Western Liang to expose this crime, I am willing to testify to what Diệu Trân has told me, even though it may affect diplomatic relations between the two sides."

"I really appreciate the ambassador's heart." Nhược Hi bowed her head in gratitude. "But please, envoy, please be patient a little longer. We need to collect enough evidence before openly confronting Khưu Bá Trạch, to make sure he has no way back."

"I understand." Ứng Bạt Nguyên nodded. "My delegation will stay in the capital for a while longer to complete the peace negotiations. During that time, if Your Highness needs any help, please do not hesitate to come to me."

Not only stopping at targeting Ứng Diệu Trân, Khưu Bá Trạch also ordered people to increase strict surveillance of Tịnh Nghiệp Am, suspecting that this place may be related to the mysterious disappearance of the Queen Mother over the past three years. Monk Tịnh Nghi, although he had prepared mentally for a long time, still could not help but worry when he received news from his trusted disciples about more strangers appearing around the temple area.

"We need to be more careful." The monk spoke to the person pretending to be Nhược Hi staying in the hermitage, his voice full of seriousness. "From now on, you must minimize going out, all activities must follow the old schedule so as not to cause any suspicion."

The girl pretending to be Nhược Hi, one of the orphans whom the Night Shadow Pavilion had saved in the past, nodded, though she could not help feeling frightened by the increasingly strict surveillance. Over the past few years, she had grown used to the quiet life in the hermitage, playing the role of a penitent sinner to protect the secret of the person who saved her life, but she had never felt danger so close.

"I'm not afraid, Master," she said, her voice small but determined. "If my presence here can help protect Your Highness even for just one more day, I am willing."

Monk Tịnh Nghi looked at her, feeling both touched and saddened by the loyalty of these simple people who were willing to sacrifice for the great cause. She silently prayed that everything would soon be clarified, so that people like this girl would no longer have to live in fear like they do now.

While things are becoming more tense than ever, Nhược Hi understands that time is no longer on her side. Khưu Bá Trạch, despite not having definitive evidence, has begun to act in a desperate and cruel manner, meaning that Khương Bạt Nghi's investiture ceremony may be accelerated faster than expected, narrowing all remaining opportunities for her to strike at the right time.

That night, Nhược Hi summoned all the leaders of the Night Shadow Pavilion and announced an important decision. "From now on, we move into the final preparation stage. All evidence and witnesses must be protected more strictly than ever. At the same time, I need you to speed up the search for the remaining captain, no matter the cost."

"When does master plan to strike?" Tang Dịch Phong asked, his eyes full of seriousness.

"I don't know exactly yet," Nhược Hi replied, her voice lowered. "But I feel that the decisive moment will come as soon as the royal court officially announces the investiture ceremony. That will be the last, and only, opportunity for us to expose the entire truth before the people."

Everyone in the room was silent, everyone's faces showed tension mixed with determination. They know, the final battle is approaching, and every mistake, no matter how small, can cost them both their lives and the justice they have diligently pursued for so many years.

Trường Phong looked around at those loyal faces, then turned to Nhược Hi and spoke softly in a voice only enough for the two of them to hear. "No matter what happens, I want you to know, these people, and me, will be with you to the last step, no one will give up halfway." Nhược Hi nodded slightly, her eyes swept over each trusting face present, her heart was filled with a new strength, enough to face any danger that was still waiting ahead. That night, when everyone had dispersed, she lingered for a long time in the deserted room, her hands clasping her mother's jade pendant, silently promising her parents' spirits that the day of revenge would not be far away.