Revenge of the Phoenix Beauty-Chapter 17: Preparing

The Hua estate remained quiet in the early hours of the morning. Qingyan sat by the window of her study, absently running her fingers over the edge of the warning note.

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

The words replayed in her mind.

She had suspected it, but having confirmation was different. Wei Chen was aware of her movements—how much, she did not know.

And the Empress? What role did she play?

Qingyan kept the note down and picked up a cup of warm tea, letting the floral scent calm her thoughts.

This does not change anything. It only confirms that I must be more careful.

A soft knock at the door made her glance up.

"Enter."

The door slid open, revealing one of the servants she had personally selected for her private errands. A young woman stepped in silently, bowing deeply before presenting a neatly wrapped package.

"Miss, the items you requested have arrived."

Qingyan took the package and dismissed the servant with a nod. Once alone, she unwrapped it carefully, revealing a set of rare medicinal herbs wrapped in silk.

Perfect!

These were not for her personal use. They were for the emperor's treatment.

She had no intention of healing him completely...just enough to maintain his favor while ensuring his dependence on her care. If the emperor trusted her, it would be much harder for Wei Chen to act against her.

One step at a time.

She reached for a fresh piece of parchment and began writing a message to the palace physician. It had to seem as though her help was merely a humble suggestion, not a deliberate move.

Just as she finished sealing the letter, another knock came.

"Come in."

This time, it was her second brother, Hua Yichen. Unlike Ziyang, Yichen was known for his easygoing nature, but tonight his expression was serious.

"Qingyan," he said, stepping inside, "Father wants to see you."

Qingyan paused, setting her brush aside. "Now?"

Yichen nodded. "He's been thinking a lot about your engagement. He wants answers."

---

A Father's Inquiry

The study of Prime Minister Hua was lined with towering shelves filled with scrolls and books. A single candle flickered on the desk, casting shadows along the walls.

Her father sat behind the desk, his face unreadable as he gestured for her to sit.

Qingyan obeyed, keeping her expression composed.

"I will not repeat myself," her father said, his voice calm but firm. "You have always been the one who wanted this engagement. You fought for it. And now, you are doing everything in your power to escape it. Why? And don't try to escape this time, I know you are doing something behind"

She had expected this.

Her father was not a fool. He had given her freedom, but he would not tolerate reckless decisions.

Qingyan lowered her gaze slightly, as if hesitant. "I... was blinded, Father. I thought the second prince and I shared something real, but I was wrong."

The Prime Minister studied her closely. "That alone is not reason enough to move so decisively."

Qingyan clenched her hands in her lap. She had to be careful with her words.

"I have come to understand that I do not want my life to be controlled by a marriage that does not benefit me," she said slowly. "If I remain bound to the second prince, I will always be his pawn, not my own person."

Her father sighed, leaning back in his chair. "You really are more ambitious than I realized, qing."

Qingyan kept her face neutral.

"I do not want to be a powerless woman in the palace, father." she continued. "I want to shape my own path, not just tied to a prince who does not value me."

Her father watched her in silence for a long moment before finally nodding. "Very well. I will not stop you."

Qingyan's breath steadied, but before she could feel relief, her father added, "But I expect you to prove that this path you've chosen is not one of ruin and now it's not about just you but our whole house Hua."

She bowed deeply. "I will not fail you, Father."

---

Time to get the act together

As she returned to her chambers, Qingyan's thoughts remained sharp.

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Her father was giving her space for now, but his trust would not last if she did not show results. She needed to strengthen her position , within her family and within the empire.

Her merchant company is just a start.

Her influence over the emperor's health is another.

But Wei Chen would not stay passive forever.

The Empress, too, was a new concern.

As she sat down, Qingyan pulled out another sheet of paper and began drafting a letter.

This one was not for the palace.

It was for one of the most secret information brokers in the capital.

If the Empress had a hand in palace schemes, Qingyan needed to know.

And she needed to know before it was too late.