“Prince Daxing is the second prince,” resumed Lotus. “But we don’t need to worry about him. He was exiled last year after attempting to poison the crown prince.”
I raised a brow. So fratricide was disturbingly commonplace among the princes.
“Got it,” I said. “Moral of the story—don’t poison a prince.”
“Moral of the story, don’t get caught poisoning a prince,” corrected Lily.
I smothered a laugh as Lotus shook her head at her friend. “Moving on, we have third prince Yuchen.”
I stilled. “That one means trouble.”
Lily nodded.
“Find out his weaknesses,” I said. “What about the fourth prince? I haven’t seen him yet.”
“He’s often sequestered in his rooms,” said Lotus. “He was born sickly, and his health has troubled him for many years.”
I crossed him off my mental list. “And the fifth prince?”
“He departed on a naval expedition shortly before Ximing declared war,” said Lotus.
“Even if he returns, he won’t pose a threat to you,” said Lily. “He values his independence far too much to ever aspire to the throne.”
That left Winter, who I trusted. I nodded. “Investigate Prince Yuchen and Prince Keyan,” I said.
“Should we approach their servants?” asked Lotus.
“Not the princes’ servants,” I clarified. “Talk to the servants of their wives.”
The princesses, far less guarded and easier to approach, held all the secrets of their husbands, and more. They were the less obvious targets to investigate, and yet I was accustomed to the ways of men—how they so often revealed their vulnerabilities through their women.
“See if you can befriend their maidservants,” I said. “Persuasion is more effective than force.”
The two girls nodded, rising to their feet. I was about to dismiss them when I recalled that flicker of guilt on Lily’s face. It reminded me of another mystery I hadn’t yet solved.
“Lotus, you’re dismissed. Lily, do you mind staying back a minute?”
Lotus shot her a look as if to sayI told you so. Lily’s face revealed nothing.
I waited until we were alone. “Do you remember the day I was brought out of the dungeons? My memory is a bit hazy, so I need to rely on yours.”
Her face remained carefully blank. “Of course, my lady.”
“I’m told I experienced a seizure.”
“Yes.”
“I remember faces around me, and then being carried somewhere. I think I vomited.”
Lily nodded.
“Did you help clean me then?”
Another nod.
“What did you do with my clothes?”
“I had them incinerated. They were…beyond salvaging.”
