The soldiers’ confusion was evident.
Ren stepped in to explain. “Mistress Kang suspects foul play. Perhaps someone in Wen planned my death or—”
“Impossible,” Anshi cut in. “I’m the governor’s shadow. I would know if any of our higher-ups planned such a thing.”
I snorted. “That’s awfully reassuring.”
Before Anshi could reply, Ren raised his wrists to the sky. “Ah-ah. Whether it’s someone from Wen or Sian, we haven’t proven anything yet. We’re just saying both are possible, all right?”
Anshi huffed and crossed her arms, reminding me of an angry god in a fairy tale. “Whoever the guilty party is, it doesn’t matter since you’re not dead after all. So I have one more question for you—do you know where the king’s seal is?”
It was the subtlest change, Ren’s pleasant expression still glued in place, but I noticed him tense beside me.
“What do you want with that small thing?” he asked.
“It’s no small thing, at least not to your family,” Anshi replied coolly. “Your father can’t declare an heir without it. The kingdom wouldn’t acknowledge his successor. And if he’s unable to settle his legacy, his rule will be compromised.”
Ren lifted his chin. “So you wish to blackmail my father.”
Anshi didn’t relent. “Do you know where the seal is or not?”
“Are you willing to make a deal with me if I do?”
I stared at Ren, taken aback once again. Would he really give up his father’s seal? For what?
“I don’t make deals with enemy princes,” said Anshi.
Ren shook his head. “I guess the seal isn’t that important to you, then. By all means, let’s waste each other’s time by returning to Wen, where the governor can ask me the same questions again.”
Anshi said nothing, glaring at the wall behind us for a long time. Even I didn’t want to be the first to break the silence. I was starting to feel tired too. How many hours had it been since I last properly slept? Ren was disguising his exhaustion well.
After several more minutes, Anshi finally returned Ren’s stare. “What kind of deal?”
“I’ll take you to the seal if you promise to let us go after,” he said. “That simple.”
“Where is it?”
“In the town of Baimu, hidden somewhere only I know.”
Anshi looked at us, deliberating. Then she nodded and said slowly, “Take us to Baimu first, and then we can talk about letting you go.”
CHAPTER 21
“Why are you taking them to the seal?” I hissed at Ren.
It was early morning the next day, the sun not yet risen, and we sat once again in the cart, which was attached to a dark-brown horse—stolen, most likely. Anshi commandeered the saddle, her subordinates having remained at the barn to await further orders. It was bold of her to assume she could handle the two of us alone. But then again, we were bound and travel-worn.
Ren winced as we drove over a dip in the road, the cart jostling violently. His fever had improved after some rest, though his face retained a worrying pallor.
“We want the same thing,” he answered my question in a low voice.
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“We both want to end the conflict between Wen and Sian.”
“How do you know she won’t kill you after she gets the seal?”
“If she wanted me dead, she would’ve killed me already,” he said. “But my gut tells me that isn’t what she really wants.”
