Since things had already come to this, Pei Liang naturally had to get a proper understanding of what had happened.
During the idle chatter on the road, she casually coaxed the information out of Hongxiu and Qingyi, piecing together the cause-and-effect of the entire affair.
The original host had probably been rather proud of what she had done, and had made no effort to restrain her attitude in front of Hongxiu and Qingyi. As her personal guards, the two of them had naturally taken on much the same air.
It turned out that the Su family was the most influential noble clan in the empire.
The family was large and deeply rooted, and its head was the current Chancellor, who enjoyed the Empress’s complete trust. Whether in official circles or among the common people, the family also had an excellent reputation.
The children of the family were accomplished as well. Countless members of the main and collateral branches held office at court, while their marriage ties were so intricate that they formed an inescapable web.
In his younger days, Chancellor Su had served as the head of a renowned academy known throughout the realm. His students were scattered across the land, and many officials at court proudly called themselves his pupils.
A family like that ought to have inspired fear and suspicion. Yet Chancellor Su was a remarkable man—strict in managing his household and so slippery that no one could find a handle on him.
Though he stood just below the Empress and above countless others, he remained plain and modest. Anything that did not rightfully belong to him, he absolutely refused to touch.
Even the Empress could only admire his skill at conducting himself and handling official affairs.
That old fox was, of course, also an important character in the original novel. Pei Liang had long since guessed that the Su family Consort Yan had mentioned was this very family.
In theory, the original host had previously held the advantage and had no need to ally herself with the Su family. Doing so had merely invited the Empress’s suspicion.
The heir apparent and a powerful minister exchanging secret glances—was she really that desperate?
Yet several months ago, the original host had sent a marriage proposal to the Su family. Naturally, she had asked to marry the eldest son of Chancellor Su, the famously talented Young Master Su.
The Su family had rejected her outright. Not only that, Young Master Su had even composed a poem mocking her.
The original host appeared magnanimous, but was actually vindictive to the bone, and valued her pride above all else. How could she possibly endure that?
Still, in Pei Liang’s estimation, there was probably more to it than that simple reason. Though the original host’s temperament was difficult to describe, overall she was still aware of the bigger picture.
She must have had a compelling reason to bind the Su family to her war chariot at once. Perhaps the possibility of losing the position of Crown Princess today had not been entirely without warning.
At the very least, the original host had sensed something was wrong—whether from the Empress’s attitude or from clues she had noticed elsewhere.
In short, although the original host refused to believe that anyone but herself could be chosen, she had instinctively taken action.
Returning to the Su family: after realizing that the usual methods would not work, the original host had naturally resorted to underhanded tactics.
At a poetry gathering the previous month, she had set a trap that caused Young Master Su to fall into the water. Then, while he was changing clothes, she had “accidentally wandered in” and seen his body.
After that, he had no choice but to marry her. The only alternatives were for the Su family to send their exceptionally talented son into a monastery—or strangle him to death to prove his innocence.
Even then, the family would have to bear the appearance of showing contempt for the imperial family.
With Chancellor Su’s cunning, he would never risk the lives and future of his entire clan. He could only grit his teeth and accept the marriage.
Because Young Master Su had lost his chastity, this son of noble birth, blessed with peerless beauty and originally destined for a splendid wedding procession stretching ten li, could only have a hasty wedding arranged within a month.
Today, before the enthronement ceremony, Chancellor Su had originally arranged to speak with the original host after court ended.
That seemingly impenetrable old man, who never let a single drop escape his grasp, had now been forced to lower his stance for the sake of ensuring that his grandson would have a good life after marriage—and endure humiliation at the hands of a despicable person like the original host.
It was truly a lamentable situation.
This time, Pei Liang had taken the Third Imperial Daughter out to have fun, thereby breaking her appointment with Chancellor Su. From the Su family’s perspective, it naturally appeared to be an act of deliberate humiliation.
But after hearing the whole story, Pei Liang felt even more strongly that she could not visit the Su family just yet.
Chancellor Su was an old fox. Unlike Consort Yan, he was not someone Pei Liang could handle by giving him a full-body massage while chatting, gradually dulling his ability to think.
Besides, even with Consort Yan, Pei Liang had only dared to be so bold because she had discovered that he felt no affection whatsoever for the imperial family. In fact, he seemed happy to see the royal household descend into chaos and corruption, so she had not bothered to maintain a perfectly guarded façade.
But Chancellor Su was different. Before facing either Chancellor Su or the Empress, Pei Liang at least needed to understand her own current situation.
Pei Liang could not help sighing. “What a mess.”
The Third Imperial Daughter lifted the carriage curtain, her heart leaping at the lively sights outside.
Hearing her Imperial Sister sigh those words, she said shyly, “It isn’t, Imperial Sister. There are quite a few young eunuchs and palace maids in the palace to play with me too. There just aren’t as many as there are here.”
Pei Liang patted her on the head. “Have you ever bought anything before? Get down and buy something.”
The Third Imperial Daughter’s eyes sparkled. “Can I?”
Pei Liang nodded. She took a large bundle of exchanged copper coins and loose silver from Hongxiu, then led the child down from the carriage.
They were in the middle of a bustling market. Vendors and peddlers filled the streets, which stretched so far that the end could not be seen.
In all the years the Third Imperial Daughter had been alive, she had left the palace only a handful of times.
Two of those occasions had been visits to Prince Liang’s residence. On those trips, imperial guards and carriages had escorted her the entire way, so she had never actually seen the busy streets.
On another occasion, she had gone out on official business and caught only a hurried glimpse of the city. She had gazed enviously through the carriage window at the lively world outside, only to be scolded by the etiquette matron.
There might be many people in the imperial palace, but every word and action had to follow strict rules. How could that compare with the vast, open world outside, where one could speak loudly and laugh freely without anyone telling her to stop?
The Third Imperial Daughter hugged a large embroidered pouch filled with loose silver. The pouch was still half-open, making it rather eye-catching.
However, with Pei Liang beside her and the sturdy Hongxiu and Qingyi guarding her from behind, anyone could tell at a glance that this group was not to be trifled with.
Passersby merely assumed that some wealthy young lady had come out for a stroll, while the surrounding vendors became even more enthusiastic.
When the Third Imperial Daughter passed a stall selling candied hawthorns, she cautiously followed her Imperial Sister’s instructions and learned how to pay for something.
As she gradually experimented and found her footing, Pei Liang taught her how to judge prices and what various goods generally sold for in the market.
Once the girl had a basic idea, Pei Liang taught her how to haggle.
“C-could you make it a little cheaper?” the Third Imperial Daughter asked the first time she tried negotiating.
“Oh, I truly can’t lower it any further, miss. I’m already selling it at cost. I’ve got an elderly father of eighty to support at home, and a two-year-old daughter as well. I’m not making any money off you, but you can’t ask me to take a loss, either.”
“Is that so? I’m sorry. I can’t let you work for nothing. How about I add five more copper coins?”
Pei Liang covered her face as she watched the girl return from her purchase, beaming foolishly as she held it up for display.
“Imperial Sister, look! I only paid eighty copper coins for this wooden hairpin.”
“I heard you bargaining so fiercely that you nearly made the vendor cry. I felt sorry for her. A few dozen copper coins are nothing to us, but she has to support her family by selling things, so I added five coins. She agreed right away.”
Pei Liang nodded. “Mm. The vendor made seventy-five copper coins with tears in her eyes.”
The Third Imperial Daughter: “…How could you say that? QAQ”
Pei Liang taught by example, explaining many of the tricks involved in buying and selling. She even gave the girl a basic lesson in market economics, using language simple enough for a child in kindergarten to understand.
The child was not actually stupid. She had simply been slow to mature, and had received little attention since childhood. Her two elder Imperial Sisters were both exceptionally gifted and several years older than her, so by comparison, she had naturally seemed mediocre.
Sure enough, after some hands-on instruction, she understood everything after just one explanation.
By the time they finally left the market, the Third Imperial Daughter’s last round of haggling had reached an almost bloodthirsty climax.
She lacked the imposing presence to intimidate anyone and looked entirely harmless, but she made up for it with sheer persistence and stamina.
She had the appearance of a soft, harmless little bun, yet she could wear people down until they went mad. The vendor was practically on the verge of tears.
“Miss, my ancestor, please—just call me your ancestor.”
“I’ll give you this bracelet for ten wen. Now please go.”
Once they left the market, Hongxiu and Qingyi’s hands were so full they could barely fit anything else. Good heavens, they were carrying nothing but the Third Imperial Daughter’s spoils of war.
The Third Imperial Daughter’s face was flushed with excitement as well.
She looked at Pei Liang and grinned foolishly.
Pei Liang poked her in the forehead and asked with amusement, “Why are you acting like that?”
The Third Imperial Daughter rubbed herself affectionately against her hand. “Elder Sister, I had such a wonderful time today.”
“I’ve never been this happy in my entire life.”
The bustle, the freedom, the ability to do whatever she pleased—and the sense of accomplishment.
Pei Liang said, “You’re happy, but Hongxiu and Qingyi’s arms are about to fall off.”
“Let’s find a restaurant, put everything down, and have something to eat first.”
The Third Imperial Daughter obediently replied, “All right!”
Meanwhile, in the Empress’s bedchamber within the imperial palace—
The Empress had received word the moment Prince Liang took the Crown Princess out.
They had first returned to Prince Liang’s residence to change clothes. In truth, the Empress’s people had begun following them before they had even left the estate.
Unexpectedly, however, the Empress did not order the Crown Princess brought back to the palace. She merely instructed her people to follow them in secret.
The person standing beside her bed said, “Your Majesty, I fear this is unwise.”
“The Crown Princess is a person of immeasurable importance, while Prince Liang must be in an unstable state of mind. Taking the Crown Princess out of the palace at such a time—what if—”
Calling her state of mind unstable was already an understatement. Anyone could easily guess what Prince Liang was feeling at present.
The Empress merely scoffed. “Now that she is the heir to an entire nation, as well as the chosen enlightened ruler you all speak of, she has naturally set foot upon a road lined with thorns from this day onward.”
“If something this trivial is enough to cost her life, then it merely proves that she lacks the ability to secure this position and has no heavenly mandate or fortune protecting her.”
“But—”
The Empress impatiently waved a hand. “Enough. The eldest wouldn’t be foolish enough to go that far.”
“Look at how she panicked and insisted on marrying into the Su family. She clearly has some understanding of the situation. Would she really hand me such an obvious weakness?”
“Even if she intended to make a move, she would eliminate the second child first.”
The person listened as the Empress spoke of the slaughter between her own children with cold, ruthless indifference, and felt a chill in her heart.
Of the three daughters, the Empress did not merely favor none of them—she did not even seem to care whether any of them lived or died.
If it were not certain that the Empress had only these three daughters, with no more promising illegitimate daughter hidden somewhere outside, she might have suspected that the Empress was clearing the way for someone else.
The Empress had sent out several groups of people. At regular intervals, one group would return and provide a detailed report on the movements of Prince Liang and the Crown Princess.
Nothing was omitted.
When she heard that Prince Liang had taken the Crown Princess out to stroll and play, her expression had already returned to normal. There was not the slightest sign of dejection or fury. The sisters had been affectionate with each other all along the way, provoking the envy of onlookers.
Interest appeared in the Empress’s eyes.
The second group returned and reported that Prince Liang had taken the Crown Princess shopping through the market like an ordinary commoner. Everything they had bought consisted of commonplace, inexpensive goods used by ordinary people.
Grain, dried fruit, vegetables, snacks, fabric, ready-made clothing, jewelry, calligraphy, and paintings. It was the first time the Crown Princess had spent money herself, and she was thoroughly enjoying the novelty.
The Empress smiled. “I never realized the eldest was so good at entertaining children.”
The third group returned and reported that Prince Liang had been using their purchases to teach the Crown Princess about prices.
The people assigned to watch them had excellent hearing and memories. For the most part, they had to repeat everything exactly as they had heard it, without adding the slightest personal interpretation.
The Empress’s expression gradually grew more serious as she listened.
This was hardly taking a child out to play and cheer her up. The most important principle of ruling was to remain constantly aware of the people’s livelihood.
When the final watcher returned after following them into the restaurant, she reported how Prince Liang had explained, in simple and accessible terms, the factors that determined market patterns; how she had taught the Crown Princess to use those patterns to assess prices; how she had established an appropriate benchmark; and how she had stood her ground when dealing with the silver-tongued merchants who racked their brains to take advantage of them.
The Empress’s expression became more complicated than ever before.
After a long silence, the Empress sighed.
“The eldest is no good as a person, but when it comes to this throne, she is the most suitable.”
“Your Majesty, this—”
The Empress let out a cold laugh. “A ruler’s word is her bond. Do you think the appointment or removal of a Crown Princess is child’s play?”
The implication was that her subordinate was worrying too much.
The other person hurriedly lowered her head, though inwardly she could not help thinking that Prince Liang’s move had indeed been remarkably clever.
The supposedly “clever” Prince Liang, however, was not satisfied with the dishes at the restaurant.
It was not that the restaurant’s cooking was poor. On the contrary, both the flavor and presentation were truly exceptional.
But Pei Liang was a chef, and once she viewed the food with the most exacting eye, the flaws in areas that could clearly be improved became all the more regrettable.
It was like a glass marble. No one would care about a few scratches on it.
But if it were a one-of-a-kind piece of flawless jade, every imperfection would become an eyesore.
Unfortunately, given Pei Liang’s current identity and circumstances, a prince who had never once involved herself in the affairs of the kitchen, it would not be convenient for her to enter the back kitchen and discuss matters with the cooks.
For a moment, she found the waste of talent truly regrettable.
They were seated in the restaurant’s largest private room, whose windows overlooked the busy streets. The Third Imperial Daughter was happy to leave them open so she could listen to the lively sounds outside.
They were in the middle of their meal when Qingyi suddenly approached Pei Liang and said in a low voice, “Your Highness, I just saw Young Master Su’s personal attendant enter the restaurant.”
That meant it was someone from her fiancé’s household.
Pei Liang said nothing, and Qingyi continued explaining. “This restaurant has a glutinous-rice duck that Young Master Su supposedly likes best.”
Since the original owner had been plotting to win him over, and the Su family was so prominent, it was only natural that she had made a special effort to remember such details.
Pei Liang herself might not remember her fiancé’s preferences, but Hongxiu and Qingyi were all-purpose assistants who knew them perfectly well.
Considering that she had stood up Chancellor Su today—and that his family were victims in this matter to begin with—it would not be right to leave them so worried.
Thus, she instructed Qingyi, “Tell the proprietor to put it on my account.”
“Choose a few of the more novel little items we bought earlier. You are to deliver them personally to the Su residence as gifts for Young Master Su and his brothers to play with.”
Earlier, while the Third Imperial Daughter had been shopping, Pei Liang had also bought a few interesting trinkets.
They were all finely crafted handmade objects of ingenious design.
In the modern world, they would have been considered top-tier handicrafts—the sort of things that could make even Hermès feel ashamed. The detail, the craftsmanship, and the charm of their history, refined over generations—
Yet here, they could be bought for a pittance.
*
Little Sheng had finished packing the glutinous-rice duck, but he was filled with worry when it came time to pay.
Ever since that incident, his master had been unable to eat or sleep. He had visibly wasted away, and Little Sheng did not know whether his favorite glutinous-rice duck would tempt him to take even a few bites.
At the thought of it, he hated that Eldest Imperial Daughter—no, she was Prince Liang now—even more.
When the Chancellor had returned to the residence and informed them that the Empress had appointed the Third Imperial Daughter Crown Princess, the entire household had been thrown into shock.
The Eldest Imperial Daughter was not the Crown Princess?
She had been made Prince Liang instead.
Even more infuriatingly, some petty-minded people had mocked their young master by criticizing him obliquely. What they meant was nothing more than that he thought too highly of himself—as though marrying the Eldest Imperial Daughter warranted such an affected attitude.
Now that the Eldest Imperial Daughter had missed out on the position of Crown Princess, his expression of utter despair seemed perfectly appropriate.
What a joke. Whether the Eldest Imperial Daughter became heir to the throne or not, their young master had never been interested in marrying her.
These people had fawned over and flattered their young master when he was at the height of his glory, yet now they were perfectly willing to kick him while he was down.
Originally, the Chancellor had invited them over so that the young master could gather with his close friends and cheer up, rather than spend every day depressed and miserable.
But look how things had turned out.
Little Sheng took the glutinous-rice duck from him and asked without much interest, “How much?”
The shopkeeper smiled. “Young sir, someone has already paid.”
Little Sheng frowned. “Who?”
As he spoke, he saw one of Prince Liang’s attendants coming downstairs with a large pile of things in her arms.
Little Sheng glared furiously at her. Qingyi gave a mocking laugh. “Let’s go. I’ll accompany you back to the Su residence.”
“What are you trying to do?” Little Sheng’s eyes were filled with suspicion.
Qingyi replied, “While our Highness was accompanying the Crown Princess on her outing, she came across quite a few little trinkets she liked. She bought them to send to Young Master Su, so he would have something to amuse himself with.”
Little Sheng was just about to say that their young master would never want anything from that shameless woman.
But Qingyi had already started walking ahead on her own.
She was a personal attendant of a prince, and there was a distinction between ruler and subject. Moreover, Prince Liang was the Su family’s prospective granddaughter-in-law. It was only natural for a fiancée to send a few small gifts to her future husband.
Little Sheng was so furious along the way that his eyes turned red, but there was nothing he could do.
When they arrived at the Su residence, Qingyi was quite courteous.
The Prince Liang Residence had already sent someone to inform them that Prince Liang would be unable to keep her appointment. Chancellor Su was well informed, so he knew that she had taken the Crown Princess out instead.
Even so, he could not help wondering whether Prince Liang intended to snub and humiliate the Su family.
Now that Qingyi had once again come to offer an apology, bringing along the small items purchased during their outing, the meaning was clear.
The things were not expensive, but they represented thoughtfulness. At the very least, Prince Liang was making it clear through her actions that even while accompanying the Crown Princess, she had still kept the Su family in mind.
She had preserved their dignity completely, and the elders who had been overthinking matters finally relaxed a little.
The Chancellor’s husband hurriedly instructed the servants to deliver the gifts to Young Master Su’s courtyard.
At that moment, Young Master Su was speaking with several young masters he had once been close to.
Listening to their supposedly clever, veiled jabs and barely concealed gloating, he felt nothing but exhausted.
When Little Sheng returned and noisily announced that Prince Liang’s attendant had come to the residence, he remained unmoved.
One of the young masters said with a smile, “Prince Liang is a person of importance with many matters to attend to. Today’s incident happened so suddenly; it was only natural that she had to break her appointment.”
“She sent someone to apologize more than once, which shows that she still values Brother Su.”
The others joined in, offering words of consolation. Their meaning was nothing more than the same sort of thing.
The once-lofty young master, who had stood above everyone else and seemed impossible to approach, had now been disgraced by scandal and forced into a hasty marriage. On top of that, his wife-to-be treated him with indifference and disdain.
How could that fail to delight them?
Just then, several servants entered carrying a large pile of things.
Smiling, they said to Young Master Su, “After leaving court, His Highness Prince Liang was detained by the Crown Princess and could not come to the residence for the appointment.”
“The Crown Princess wished to learn more about the lives of the common people, so His Highness accompanied her on a stroll through the marketplace. She came across quite a few interesting little trinkets and thought of Young Master Su. When she heard that you were entertaining several young gentlemen today, she had her trusted attendant deliver them personally, saying that you should share them among yourselves.”
“None of these things are particularly valuable, but they are amusing enough to play with.”
When news passed through a family connected by marriage, every retelling naturally made it sound better than the last.
The servants spread the items across the table. As expected, they were not precious objects; they were all made of ordinary wood, bamboo, colored stones, and the like.
Yet because they had caught Prince Liang’s eye—and because of the prestige attached to her noble identity—the young masters found the trinkets more novel and thoughtful with every glance.
Only now did those who had been so quick-witted earlier suddenly remember something.
Prince Liang was also the dream woman of countless men in the capital. Even if she had failed to become Crown Princess, the title of prince was still far beyond their reach. And judging from the current situation, the Crown Princess and Prince Liang seemed to share a close sisterly bond.
With Prince Liang’s abilities, even if she did not become Empress, she would likely one day stand second only to the Empress, wielding power throughout the court.
And now she was still so attentive to Young Master Su that she thought of him even while strolling through a marketplace.
Families like theirs did not lack gold, silver, jade, or other valuables. What truly made people envious was the fact that a prince of such exalted status had taken the trouble to choose something with genuine care.
For a moment, all those who had been so articulate fell silent. Their expressions varied as they looked at Young Master Su.
There was jealousy, admiration, and resentment.
Young Master Su and Little Sheng: “…”
The undercurrents swirling through another person’s private gathering were naturally beyond Pei Liang’s notice.
After they finished eating, it was no longer early, and Pei Liang began considering sending the Third Imperial Daughter back to the palace.
But Pei Le was having far too much fun to leave.
She tugged at her imperial sister’s sleeve and wheedled, “Let’s play a little longer. We’ll go back after visiting just one more place.”
Then she muttered, “It’s fine if I don’t go back tonight, right? Your princely residence has more than enough room for me to sleep there.”
Pei Liang pitied this unfortunate child. Pei Le valued freedom above all else. She had even refused to build defensive walls during the zombie apocalypse, choosing instead to launch attacks and seize territory. That alone showed how unbearable constraints were for her.
Pei Liang could understand her reluctance to return.
So she compromised for once. “All right. Where do you want to go?”
Pei Le thought for a moment. “I want to go to the place Imperial Sister visits most often these days.”
Pei Liang nodded. “Fine. Hongxiu, lead the way.”
A fleeting look of surprise crossed Hongxiu’s face, but she quickly concealed it.
Inside, she applauded her mistress’s decision. No wonder His Highness had not made a move all day, but had instead taken the Crown Princess around and played with her so cheerfully.
Everyone had thought His Highness had chosen a different approach. As it turned out, it was this. A soft knife was naturally more effective than a hard one.
Hongxiu nodded, then instructed the people at the restaurant to send the Crown Princess’s spoils back to the Prince Liang Residence. She also told them to inform Qingyi where to find them when she returned.
Next, she efficiently gave the coachman their destination, and the group set off for the place Prince Liang had been visiting most often lately.
The capital was prosperous, and at night, the lanterns illuminated the streets as brightly as day.
The surroundings exuded a rich, elegant, old-world charm, mingled with the warm bustle of everyday life.
Some wealthy household nearby seemed to be celebrating a birthday—or perhaps the marriage of a son or husband—for brilliant fireworks lit up the sky.
Pei Le leaned against the carriage window, marveling at the lively night market.
“Imperial Sister, it’s so lively here,” she exclaimed. “It’s even brighter than the palace during the New Year celebrations.”
Pei Liang smiled. “How could that be? If you keep saying things like that about the palace—”
Before she could finish, a coquettish voice rang out from nearby, calling for customers.
“Miss, noble lady, come in and have some fun~~”
Pei Liang shuddered all over and immediately realized something was wrong.
Pei Le, still completely oblivious, turned back and smiled at her. “Imperial Sister, look! There are so many handsome young men on this street.”
“They’re everywhere upstairs too.”
Before Pei Liang could say anything, the carriage came to a stop.
Hongxiu lifted the curtain, her face glowing with an unmistakable look of triumph. “Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the Ripple Pavilion.”
Pei Liang climbed out of the carriage with a numb expression.
Sure enough, the madam was already hurrying forward to greet her.
“Oh, Your Highness, you’ve finally come! You haven’t visited in several days, and our proprietress has been lovesick to the point of falling ill. She can barely eat!”
Pei Liang stared blankly at Hongxiu.
“A brothel?”
“Ah! Your Highness has taken to coming here these past few months.”
Then, acting as though he were being clever, he added, “The Crown Princess is at the age where she ought to broaden her horizons. The palace may have no shortage of beauties, but they’re all so stiff and proper—how could that not get boring?”
He looked at Pei Le, who had already poked her head out, like a bad friend eagerly trying to lead someone astray.
Displaying the place to her, he said, “Your Highness, this is where our master usually comes to dispel her boredom. If you ever have any troubles weighing on your mind, come here sometime. I guarantee all your gloom will vanish.”
The two fools—one dared to say it, and the other naturally dared to believe it.
The moment Pei Le heard this was a place her Imperial Sister approved of, her face lit up with anticipation. “A place Imperial Sister herself says is good? Then of course I have to come broaden my horizons.”
Pei Liang hurriedly pressed down on her head. “Get inside. Why are you poking your head out? This isn’t a place for children.”
“No! I’m already an adult. If Imperial Sister can come here, why can’t I?”
Pei Liang couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. She merely cast Hongxiu an aggrieved look. “You really don’t leave your master any dignity.”
Hongxiu looked utterly bewildered. Had she misunderstood her master’s intentions?
Pei Liang was just about to turn and leave when a soul-searing, bone-chillingly plaintive voice came from behind her—
“Your Highness, passing by my door without coming in—isn’t that just forcing me to die?”
