As an honored guest, Zi Azha, the Prince of Zhennan's heir apparent, drank late into the night at the Marquis's Estate and stayed in one of its guest rooms.
The guest rooms were in the outer courtyard, with a row of green bamboo planted outside.
Zi Azha had just gone to bed when he suddenly heard a knock outside. His personal Imperial Guard said, "Your Highness, it's the estate's Second Miss. She says she has an urgent matter to discuss."
Zi Azha had drunk a little too much and, for a moment, couldn't remember who Second Miss was.
He put on his outer robe. "Ask Second Miss to wait a moment."
The door opened. Jian Chuyun stood outside with her head lowered and offered a perfectly proper bow. "Blessings upon Your Highness."
By the moonlight, Zi Azha recognized his visitor. Wasn't this his future Heir Apparent's Consort?
"What brings you here, Second Miss?"
Delivering herself to my door in the middle of the night? Did she hold herself so cheap?
Seeing the contempt in Zi Azha's eyes, Jian Chuyun hurriedly said, "Your Highness, I am always careful in word and deed. I am not ignorant of propriety. This matter is simply so urgent that I had no choice but to disturb you at this late hour."
"Please come inside, Second Miss," Zi Azha said.
Jian Chuyun entered with tiny steps. Once seated, she raised her eyes to steal a glance at Zi Azha.
In the flickering lamplight, the heir apparent looked even more handsome.
Jian Chuyun suppressed her fluttering heart and said softly, "The emperor intends to abolish the fiefs. Plans are already underway. You must be careful, Your Highness."
Jian Chuyun lifted her head, her face full of worry.
"How do you know?" Zi Azha's heart tightened. "Did your