Revenge of the Phoenix Beauty-Chapter 9: A Threat or an Alliance?

Qingyan's mind remained sharp as she reread the letter in her hands.

Its sender had not signed it, but she did not need a name to know who it was from. The words alone were enough.

"You seek freedom. I seek change.

Perhaps our paths are not so different."

A silent invitation.

Whoever had sent it knew of her desire to sever ties with Wei Chen. More importantly, they were offering an alliance.

It was risky...too soon to tell if this was a trap or a true opportunity...but Qingyan had not come this far by being cautious.

She would find out for herself. But not right now she has more important matters to deal with first.

---

A New Step

The palace was always busiest in the mornings, nobles and officials moving through its halls. Qingyan, however, had her own path to take.

Instead of following the usual routines expected of a noble lady, she walked toward the Eastern Pavilion...an area reserved for scholars and advisors, far from where she would normally be seen.

But she was not here to meet a scholar.

She stopped at the entrance of a secluded courtyard, her eyes scanning the area before stepping forward.

"...You are here."

A voice greeted her from the shadows of the pavilion.

She turned.

A man stood beneath the willow tree, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture relaxed yet calculated.

Wei Heng.

Qingyan's gaze remained neutral. "It seems Your Highness has taken quite an interest in me."

Wei Heng chuckled. "Can you blame me? You've made yourself quite the spectacle." He tilted his head and had a smirk on his face. "And yet, I doubt that was your only purpose." He is playing with me.

Qingyan took a measured step forward. "Did you send the letter?"

His smile was slow, unreadable. "...If I did, what would you say?"

She held his gaze, the tension between them palpable.

A test.

He wanted to see if she would flinch, if she would hesitate.

She did not.

"I would say that Your Highness must have a reason for extending a hand to someone who, until recently, was nothing more than a discarded pawn."

Wei Heng's smile deepened. "Exactly."

He moved closer, lowering his voice. "Tell me, Lady Hua...how far are you willing to go for your freedom?"

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Qingyan's heart remained steady. She had expected this.

The first prince was not a man who acted without purpose. He had no reason to interfere in her affairs unless he saw value in her.

"Freedom," she echoed, meeting his gaze. "Is not something given. It is something taken."

A flicker of amusement flashed in Wei Heng's eyes.

Took a pass " It seems we both have same idea regarding this".

---

A Shared Interest

Wei Heng did not confirm nor deny being the sender of the letter, but he did not need to. His words made one thing clear...he saw potential in her.

Potential to be more than just Wei Chen's fiancée.

Potential to be something greater.

And Qingyan?

She was willing to use that interest to her advantage.

As their conversation ended, Wei Heng gave her a final, knowing look.

"The emperor's will may have kept you bound to Wei Chen," he joked, "but there are ways to loosen even the strongest of chains."

Qingyan met his gaze with a small, unreadable smile.

"Then I will see to it which chains to break first."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving the first prince watching her departure with a glint of intrigue in his eyes.