The winter sunlight streamed through the sparse clouds, falling upon the snow in the Rear Garden of the Palace.
The melting snow began to slowly seep, moistening the earthy fragrance of the soil.
Princess Zeer and Nori strolled slowly along the garden path, both wearing soft woolen knitted sweaters.
Their figures cast long shadows across the snowy ground.
Walking with her head lowered, Mo’erzhi’s gaze swept now and then over the puddles from the melted snow, carefully stepping around them to avoid soiling her shoes and staining her skin.
“The situation in the Northern Mercury District is growing grim. Last night, we lost two more cities. The Mercenary Army’s offensive is far more intense than I had anticipated.”
Her tone was heavy, tinged with a faint but unmistakable anxiety.
“Under such pressure, those of the Noble Faction merely go through the motions when it comes to enforcing the Royal Command to suppress the chaos. If this continues, we’ll have no choice but to mobilize the Main Army to head north.”
“Is that so? That’s really troublesome!”
Nori’s steps were light and brisk. She did not seem affected by Zeer’s worries, maintaining her lively, cheerful disposition.
Her bright eyes wandered around the garden, and from time to time she picked a green sprig of jasmine, placing the freshly budded new leaves into her hand as if she could draw endless joy from such simple pleasures.
“It’s not just troublesome… But Nori is still a little girl, it’s better that she doesn’t have to worry about so much.”
“Big sister, you’re saying that about me again.”
Catching Zeer’s words, Nori turned her head, showing an innocent and pure smile. “Sister, you don’t need to worry so much. Don’t we have the strongest army in history?”
Zeer let out a sigh.
“Nori, war is not a game. Our army may be strong, but the Enemy Army is constantly receiving support. Their strength grows with each day…”
She stopped in her tracks, turning around to look seriously at Nori, her eyes sharp with inquiry.
“Moreover, their tactics change constantly. Every time, it seems as if they can predict our moves—almost as though they know our Qing Bao in advance.”
Indeed.
Noris heart skipped a beat, and the little hand that had been fiddling with the leaves paused for a moment. But after only a short while, she quickly masked her abnormality and forced a casual smile.
“How strange! Nori doesn’t really like this topic, big sister. Can’t we just talk about something happy?”
Zeer did not respond immediately. She remained standing where she was, her gaze as sharp as a blade, as if she could see right through Nori’s heart. That made it hard for Nori to maintain her cheerful smile.
“Nori I know you always have a lot of little secrets. But this time, it’s a grave matter. I hope you can tell me—do you know something?”
A tense air spread between the two. Nori’s heart started pounding faster, sensing Zeer’s suspicion. This unpredictable and dangerous person was now focusing all her attention on her.
She knew she had to respond carefully and could not let slip any flaws—just as she always did.
“Big sister, what could it be? How would Nori know about such things? Nori is just a little princess, I don’t know anything about war.” Nori blinked her big eyes, her chest rising and falling with unease. “You can leave these things to big sister to handle.”
“Nori, no matter who has leaked the Qing Bao, I will find them. For the kingdom’s safety, I will show no mercy.”
Zeer’s gaze remained as sharp as ever, but she did not continue her questioning. She turned around and started walking forward again, her voice carrying a note of determination.
“Nori understands! Then I’ll leave it to you, big sister!”
Nori followed behind Zeer, her voice playfully cute, but beneath it was a pool of dark, churning fear.
She desperately tried to think—where had she made a mistake, for Zeer to become suspicious?
This game was growing more dangerous, like walking a tightrope—if anything went wrong, all her plans would collapse.
“So, Nori, why haven’t I seen your personal maid, Marentia, today? Isn’t she always with you?”
Her heart skipped a beat. Nori quickly adjusted her expression, putting on a relaxed smile.
“Oh, Marentia? I sent her to buy some pretty hair ornaments! There’s a merchant caravan in the Royal Capital, and Nori has lots of things she wants!”
“Is that so?”
“Of course, sister.” Nori’s voice was laced with an almost undetectable nervousness, but she did her best to keep smiling.
“Then, when should she be back?”
“She should… she should be back tomorrow morning.”
“The market in the capital is just down the street. It shouldn’t take that long, should it?”
“That’s true, but Marentia… she’s always slow at getting things done.”
“What an interesting maid,” Zeer looked at Nori with a smile that was not quite a smile.
“Since Nori ordered her to go, then when she returns, she’ll surely bring Nori exactly what she wants, right?”
Every word in her calm voice struck deep into Yuli’s heart.
Nori’s already pale complexion turned ashen, and the sprigs in her hand all slipped to the ground.
“Ye-yes, of course… of course…”
No matter how she tried to force a smile, her voice grew smaller and smaller.
Nori of course knew that Marentia had not gone to buy anything—she was delivering that Military Map.
Her heart pounded violently as she realized the gravity of the situation.
So this was it—what had drawn Zeer’s suspicion was not her, but Marentia.
Zeer was naturally suspicious, intolerant of betrayal, and so had never truly trusted anyone more capable than herself, anyone she could not control.
In order to ensure absolute loyalty, she had selected Marentia from among the maids, using her Heart Echo Ability to probe her emotions.
Just a few warm words about the “Oath of Creation and Blessing” were enough to make that maid willing to do anything for her.
But things always have a way of turning against you. Just as Tii once said, the utterly loyal Marentia was, after all, just a maid. She had never received professional training and could not conceal her feelings well. Mistakes made during missions or slip-ups while running errands were all fatal flaws in the chain.
Useless…
Nori felt a pang of regret, her brows unconsciously knitting together.
The two continued wandering through the garden. The winter sunlight bathed their bodies, but in Nori’s heart, not a ray of sunshine could be found.
As they strolled to the other end of the Palace’s Rear Garden, two familiar figures approached—Sista and her maid Su Ling.
Sista’s face was cold and detached. Her gaze swept across Zeer and Nori like a gust of winter wind.
“Greetings, you two,” Sista’s voice was not entirely warm. She nodded slightly, counting as a greeting.
Zeer responded with a gentle smile. “My dear little sisters, today’s weather is quite nice, isn’t it?”
“What are you doing out here?”
“Just taking a walk.”
Zeer smiled, not at all bothered by Sista’s coldness.
“It’s rare for the three of us sisters to be together. We should have a good chat—little sister, you don’t mind sparing some time, do you?”
Sista hesitated slightly.
“I suppose I don’t mind.”
“Then—” Zeer spun around lightly, her brows raised, her gaze suddenly shifting to Su Ling.
“That maid over there, could you step aside for a moment?”
Upon hearing this, Su Ling hurriedly nodded, bowed respectfully, and was about to step away, but had barely moved half a step before her hand was seized by an icy cold grip.
“If you want me to stay, then she stays too.”
Hanyi Ta held onto Su Ling’s hand, meeting Princess Zeer’s gaze head-on, her eyes showing not the slightest wavering.
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