Retaliation

After being dismissed, Rin left the Emperor's office when outside, a figure poked out from behind a pillar. His calm, peach blossom eyes fixed on her with interest. It was the envoy.

"You must be Bai Lan. I've heard quite a bit about you!"

"Oh?" Rin raised her eyebrow slightly. She gave him a casual glance, her eyes filled with indifference.

Although he did not recognize her, she didn't feel at ease being in the presence of someone from the Eastern Empire. Not to mention an envoy of the Emperor.

"Well then, if you will excuse me." Rin walked past him, averting his penetrable gaze.

"You have a very interesting eye color," His words made her pause. She looked back at him with furrowed brows. He was staring at her, taking in her appearance with an outlandish expression.

However, as if he had not seen her cold eyes, the envoy just smiled.

"Although I was very young at the time, I heard a particular story about someone with the same eye color as yours. If I remember correctly...it was the former Crown Princess."

The words startled Rin out of her indifference. Although her expression remained unmoved, a layer of ice had encased her heart.

Did he know her? Or was he trying to instigate her? Though, the last time she lived in the palace, she was only seven. She stared at his face but saw only a slightly intrigued countenance.

"I've heard Bai Lan is a talented strategist from the north. I have to say I admire your willingness to aid the Western Empire." The envoy continued speaking, his steps slowly leaning in closer.

Rin frowned. Just as she had taken a step back, she bumped into something hard. Elevating her head, she was surprised to see An Sun staring down with a grim expression.

"Sun..." She opened her mouth to speak but was suddenly pulled to the man's side.

Rin blinked, astonished. When she looked up, she saw An Sun staring in the envoy's direction. His black hair was pulled back tightly behind his head, fastened with a leather band. It was a severe look that emphasized the hard, gaunt lines of his face.

He looked at the envoy with dark gray eyes and spoke in a low, clear voice, "Do you have a reason for bothering Bai Lan?"

The envoy held up his hands. His mouth twisted wryly. "My apologies if I have offended. I merely came to express my admiration for Advisor Bai." He inclined his head and turned back down the halls.

Watching him leave, the tension in Rin's muscles ebbed a little. She sighed.

"Are you okay?" An Sun's brows furrowed deeply. He noticed her somewhat wan appearance and couldn't help but feel distressed.

Turning her gaze, Rin gave the man a faint smile. "I'm fine. Thank you."

An Sun pressed his lips into a rigid, straight line. He looked at her, eyes filled with complicated thoughts. A long time later, he slowly said, "Are you worried?"

Now that he knew of her relations with the Eastern Empire, he couldn't help but feel anxious at the envoy's sudden arrival. Not to mention, he seemed to have already taken curiosity in her. The hands on her shoulder squeezed.

Sensing An Sun's shift in emotions, Rin sighed. She pulled his hands away from her shoulder and suddenly turned to him. Ever so fast, she lifted her toes and kissed him.

An Sun was stunned for a moment, surprised to feel something soft and warm touch his lips. The girl's lashes were long, enough to brush against his eyelids.

When he looked down, Rin had already stepped away. Her eyes lit up as she revealed a smile so wide her eyes curved into crescents. Her brows and eyes were breathtakingly charming.

"There's nothing to be worried about." Her gentle voice tickled at his heart.

When An Sun finally regained his senses, he had quickly wanted to return the kiss with one even longer but held back. Instead, he pressed down his desire and spoke in a low and hoarse voice, "I want to tell your grandfather about us."

Not expecting to hear his words, Rin's eyes widened. However, very quickly, she also considered this matter.

Out of everyone who knew her identity, only General Guo, Manchu, and Jin Yue knew about their relationship.

Meaning...Bai Han was the only one in the dark.

Rin could imagine the despair her grandfather would feel after finding this out. She sighed softly and nodded her head. The corner of An Sun's lips held a trace of a smile. Where no one could see, he leaned her body against the stone pillar and dipped his head to kiss her softly. With their lips moving lazily against one another, the sweet sound of their soft, whispering breaths faded as the sun set.

...

"Advisor Bai, a man is waiting for you by your bedroom door." Jin Yue announced upon Rin's arrival.

With furrowed brows, Rin made quick strides to her room. When she saw the person standing there, her frown deepened.

"Wei Jingyi?" She watched as he approached her.

"Did you happen to meet the East Empire's envoy already?" He asked.

Sensing a bad premonition, Rin nodded her head. "Yes. On my way out of the emperor's office, he stopped to speak with me."

The moment he heard her words, she saw his complexion grow pale. Understanding something was wrong, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"Why? Do you know him?" She asked.

Wei Jingyi looked at her, the expression in his eyes complex. "Although I am not familiar with him, that man is a trusted envoy of the Eastern Empire. Since he was a child, he had been raised within the palace, which means...He may have seen the Princess as a child. When I was a servant there, I would see him occasionally, but it wasn't too often. However, we can never be too sure. Which is why I urge you, Princess...please stay away from him."

These words sounded both clear and muddled in Rin's ears. It felt like a turbulent stream had broken into her mind and was messing up her thoughts, making it impossible to think. She stared at the ground in a daze and suddenly felt the hands by her side tremble.

Wei Jingyi said something else, but she did not hear it. She was back in the Emperor's halls, remembering her uncle's clever, dark eyes that overlooked nothing.

She had been too careless. Even if the envoy didn't recognize her, if he mentioned anything to Li Chang, he would surely be suspicious. When that time came, he would either cage her, eliminate all her power or...kill her and everyone around her.

The scene of every one of her loved ones being slaughtered by Li Chang made the blood in her veins boil. Her heart, however, was cold, like it had been frozen.

No! While she still had the chance, she would retaliate first!

A cruel smile appeared on her lips.

Just like her Li Chang had done to the Western Empire, she would destroy him before he became a threat.

Wei Jingyi looked at Rin's profile, emotions complicated. Before he could speak, she beat him to it.

"Wei Jingyi. While they are preparing to fight against the An Clan, send word to our forces in the east to gather their strength."

Her words left Wei Jingyi stunned for a moment. However, seeing the perseverance in her eyes, he knew he couldn't convince her otherwise. Shutting his eyes, he sighed heavily.

"Yes...Princess."