Revenge of the Phoenix Beauty-Chapter 16: A Warning! (2)

Qingyan was carefully reviewing the latest reports from her merchants. The silk trade was flourishing, and her control over rare medicinal herbs was growing stronger.

But even as she secured her future, the past still lingered in her mind which made her heart tightened.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called.

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The door slid open, revealing her eldest brother, Hua Ziyang. His sharp eyes studied her, unreadable as he stepped inside.

"You've been working late," he noted, glancing at the documents spread across her desk.

Qingyan smiled slightly. "Just doing some works, first brother" as she slowly closed the documents.

Ziyang did not return the smile. Instead, he sat across from her, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest of the chair.

"You have changed, Qingyan."

She met his gaze calmly. "I've grown."

"You've hardened."

Silence stretched between them before Ziyang finally sighed.

"Tell me the truth. Why are you so determined to annul the engagement?"

Qingyan had expected this question sooner or later. Her brothers had always been protective of her, but Ziyang had a sharp mind. He was not easily fooled.

She lowered her gaze slightly, pretending to be thoughtful.

"I just realized how blind i was in the past," she said quietly. "That...my affections were misplaced."

Ziyang studied her carefully. "Then why not take your time? Why push for it so soon?"

Qingyan's fingers brushing against the edge of the scroll on her desk.

Because waiting meant giving Wei Chen more time.

Because every day she remained bound to him was another day her family was at risk.

Because she could not afford hesitation.

But she could not tell her brother that.

Instead, she sighed softly. "Because I do not want to be trapped in a marriage that would restrain me. I want my freedom."

Ziyang's gaze softened slightly, but doubt still lingered in his eyes.

"Then be careful," he said at last. "You are not the only one in this empire with ambition."

With that, he stood and left, leaving Qingyan alone with her thoughts.

Her brother's words were true.

She was not the only one with ambition.

And soon, those ambitions would begin to clash.

---

An Ominous Warning

Days passed, and Qingyan's influence in the merchant world continued to grow. Yet, with each step forward, she felt a growing sense of unease.

It came in small ways.

One evening, as she left the main hall after an imperial gathering, a servant discreetly slipped a small note into her sleeve.

Qingyan did not react, continuing her steps as if nothing had happened.

Only when she was safely in her own quarters did she unfold the paper.

The message was short, but it sent a chill down her spine.

"The second prince is watching. Do not trust the Empress."

Qingyan's grip tightened on the note.

She had expected obstacles. She had prepared for resistance.

But this... Who are they? How do they know that I'm going against them? Was I not careful enough?

No, I'm going to act like nothing happened, I'm not going to show my vulnerability to whoever they are.

This was only the beginning.