His face wore a smile, but the clarity had vanished from his eyes.
Qing Nv had seen that look before.
Many of those who had once learned of her unusual nature had looked at her that way too—excited, covetous.
Only the warmth and kindness of someone who had once known her well were missing.
"The King of Huainan is no longer the boy who, years ago, was wholeheartedly sincere and sought the gods and immortals."
Qing Nv's gaze fell on Liu An standing in the doorway. She sighed softly, then reached up and tapped Hong Luan's head, her tone reproachful.
"Bird Sister, someone's here. Why didn't you say anything?"
"Pah!"
Hong Luan flapped her wings and spat. "Are you afraid of him?"
"Of course not."
Qing Nv set down the bamboo slips and looked at Liu An. "Young man, why did you summon me here?"
Liu An looked a little awkward. He smiled and said, "As expected, nothing can be hidden from an immortal!"
He stepped forward a few paces and gazed at Qing Nv. "Back then, the Jade Maiden Empress urged me to focus on writing books and not think of anything else. Had she already foreseen the Rebellion of the Seven States, and that the King of Wu would ask me to send troops?"
Qing Nv composed herself and asked calmly, "What difference does it make whether I had or hadn't? Let me ask you this: did you heed my advice before you left?"
At that, Liu An's expression turned sheepish.
"Clearly, you didn't."
Qing Nv's gaze darkened. But Liu An changed the subject. "I am willing to offer the splendors of the entire Huainan Kingdom as a gift and invite the Jade Maiden Empress to grace us with her presence!"
After a brief silence, Qing Nv smiled