Revenge of the Phoenix Beauty-Chapter 13: Secret Power

As Qingyan sat in her study, and the collection of documents spreaded before her.

Among them, there was the trade routes, supply chains, and ledgers of various merchant enterprises.

To the world, she was still the obedient fiance of the second prince.

But behind this, she was building something far greater.

A merchant company~one that would operate under a hidden name, yet remain entirely under her control.

With wealth comes power. And with power comes freedom.

And she will ensure that when the time comes, she will not need the emperor's favor or the support of a prince to decide her own fate.

She sealed the final document and handed it to her most trusted servant.

"Ensure this reaches our contact in the northern trade guild."

The servant bowed and vanished into the night.

The first step has been completed. Now that she knows the future, nothing's gonna bind her.

---

A Question Unanswered

At the Hua estate, her father and brothers watched her with growing concern.

For years, Qingyan had been devoted to the second prince, completely smitten with him.

Now, she has been fighting to sever ties with him at every turn.

During a family dinner, her eldest brother, Hua Ziyang, finally spoke.

"Qingyan, tell me the truth." His voice was calm, yet firm. "Wh...why are you so determined to annul this engagement?"

Their father, Prime Minister Hua, set down his tea cup,but his gaze was with expecting an answer.

"You loved him more than anyone," her second brother, Hua Yichen, added. "Now, you speak of him like an enemy."

Qingyan placed her chopsticks down, her expression unreadable.

For a moment, she considered lying.

But these were her brothers. Her family.

So instead, she smiled faintly and replied, "Because I realized I loved a dream, not the man himself."

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Ziyang frowned. "That's not enough of a reason. You're risking too much."

Qingyan lowered her gaze, feigning vulnerability. "I only wish to choose my own fate, Brother."

Their father studied her for a long moment before sighing. "The engagement still stands. You cannot defy the emperor's will."

"But I can prepare for the day when that changes," Qingyan thought silently.

For now, she would let them believe she was merely heartbroken.

But in truth, her reasons ran far deeper than any of them could imagine.

---

The Second Prince's Growing Suspicion

Wei Chen sat in his private chambers, fingers tapping against the armrest of his chair.

Something about Qingyan's recent actions unsettled him.

She had always been a woman of passion and eager, devoted, desperate for his affection.

Yet now, she has turned cold. More calculating.

And worse, she has been making moves beyond his reach.

He had assumed she was merely rebelling out of spite.

But what if there was more to it?

His mother had told him to tame her.

May be it was time he did.

A slow smirk formed on his lips.

" If Qingyan thought she could escape me so easily, she is clearly mistaken."