Chapter 30

📖 CHAPTER 30: THE CROWN PRINCE'S TRAP

The Eastern Palace was quiet. Too quiet.

Feng Yusheng sat at his desk, his fingers absently rolling a jade ring between them. The flickering candlelight cast shifting shadows across his face, making the sharp angles of his features even more pronounced.

"She is more difficult to control than expected."

The advisor kneeling before him hesitated. "Lady Gu has changed, Your Highness."

Feng Yusheng's lips curved slightly. "Changed?" His fingers stopped moving. "No… she has simply stopped pretending."

His golden eyes darkened.

He had underestimated her once. He would not do so again.

A soft knock at the door.

A eunuch entered, bowing deeply. "Your Highness, the preparations are complete."

Feng Yusheng set the jade ring aside and stood. "Good."

A slow smirk curled his lips.

"Then let's see if she truly intends to walk this path alone."

---

📍 Gu Manor – Midnight

Gu Qingyan sat in front of her desk, a single candle burning beside her. The system's interface hovered faintly in the air, displaying the most recent mission.

[Ding! A trap has been set. The Crown Prince wants to test your loyalty.]

Her lips curled into a smirk.

Of course, he did.

She had already expected this.

Xiao Yue hurried inside, her face pale. "Miss, the Crown Prince has summoned you to the palace immediately."

Gu Qingyan remained seated. "Immediately?"

Xiao Yue nodded. "The imperial guards are outside."

How impatient.

Gu Qingyan exhaled softly and stood, adjusting the loose outer robe draped over her shoulders. "Prepare my cloak."

Xiao Yue hesitated. "Miss…"

Gu Qingyan's gaze softened. "It's fine."

She had known this confrontation would come.

The only question was—who would leave unscathed?

---

📍 The Eastern Palace

The palace was eerily silent as Gu Qingyan stepped inside. The scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, masking the underlying tension that thickened the atmosphere.

She walked calmly, her gaze sweeping the dimly lit corridor. Every step felt measured, calculated.

The doors to the Crown Prince's study were open.

Inside, Feng Yusheng sat at the head of the room, his expression unreadable.

"Lady Gu," he greeted smoothly, his golden eyes watching her every move. "How rare for us to meet like this."

Gu Qingyan inclined her head slightly. "Your Highness."

She stepped forward, not showing the slightest hesitation.

A silent game had begun.

Feng Yusheng gestured toward the chair across from him. "Sit."

Gu Qingyan did so, her expression calm.

Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken meaning.

Then, Feng Yusheng finally spoke.

"I've been watching you."

Gu Qingyan's lips curled slightly. "How flattering."

He chuckled, but the amusement never reached his eyes. "Tell me, Lady Gu… where does your loyalty lie?"

Gu Qingyan tilted her head slightly. "Loyalty?"

Feng Yusheng leaned forward. "Do you intend to oppose me?"

The question was direct. A test.

Gu Qingyan's fingers lightly tapped the armrest.

"I have no reason to oppose Your Highness."

Feng Yusheng narrowed his eyes slightly. "No reason?"

A smirk ghosted across her lips. "Unless Your Highness gives me one."

The air in the room grew colder.

Feng Yusheng studied her carefully.

She was not the same girl from before. The one who had once blindly followed orders, clung to false hope, and lived in naivety.

No.

This woman before him—she was different.

Unfazed. Calculated. Dangerous.

And that intrigued him.

Slowly, he leaned back, a slow smirk forming on his lips. "Very well."

He lifted his cup of tea. "Let's see how long you can remain neutral, Lady Gu."

Gu Qingyan met his gaze, her smile faint.

"Let's."