He stared blankly down at the matching Red Ribbon on his wrist. His eyes stung, and he hurriedly covered his mouth.
They.
They were his parents!!!
Ci Mang suddenly looked toward the corner where the three of them stood. His ears twitched. "What was that sound?"
Someone immediately went over to investigate.
The three carefully slipped aside, leaving the searchers empty-handed.
"Reporting to the leader, there's nothing here," the Death Warrior said.
Only then did Ci Mang withdraw his gaze and ask the deputy leader, "How is that woman doing now?"
The deputy leader knew he meant Yan Xiurong.
"At first, she cried and made a fuss, and kept trying to escape. She's been much more docile these past few years. She stays in the courtyard, either embroidering or tending to flowers and plants. The Duke has visited her a few times, but she's grown cold toward him too," the deputy leader replied.
"Hmph. It doesn't matter if she's cold toward Duke Yan, as long as she's useful to us. Keep a close eye on her. Don't let your guard down. Last time, Duke Yan plotted against Consort Xian and the Empress because he wanted to use imperial authority to force us to hand Yan Xiurong over so she could be chosen as empress. That old fox would do anything for his daughter. Watch her closely," Ci Mang said.
"Yes."
An inscrutable, shadowy gleam flickered in the deputy leader's eyes.
After Ci Mang left, he went straight to where Yan Xiurong was being held. He raised a hand to dismiss the Death Warriors, then entered the room.
Inside, a woman with a serene face sat quietly embroidering by the window.
The flowers on her handkerchief were lifelike, brimming with vitality.
Yet her eyes were hollow and numb, even cold.
Hearing