On the other side.
Gu Moli stared at her face in the bronze mirror.
I stared at it for quite a while.
Her eyelids twitched twice, but in the end she threw the eyebrow pencil back into the box, turned around, and lifted the curtain to go out.
A night breeze blew in, carrying the smell of wood ash.
She took a breath and called over Qingwu, who was guarding the gate.
He leaned closer and said in a low voice, "Go and keep watch over the stables. When Yun Shuyue feeds the horses, go and talk to her."
Qingwu was taken aback. "Your Highness, what did I say?"
Gu Moli narrowed her eyes. "Just tell me there's still a huge pile of candied fruit and chilled plum juice left in the prince's tent."
She paused, a slight smile playing on her lips, "That girl has a real sweet tooth."
Qingwu's eyes lit up.
She immediately understood and bowed, replying, "This servant understands, I guarantee I will handle it flawlessly."
Gu Moli added, "Remember, don't let her think you said it on purpose. Pretend it was an accidental slip, and it's best to add a line like—"
She paused, then sighed in a similar tone, "'It's a pity that the Prince and that Goryeo princess don't like sweets; they'll probably spoil if they're left lying around.'"
Qingwu nodded in agreement.
He turned and left the side camp, his footsteps so light they made no sound.
They disappeared into the night in no time.
Gu Moli returned to her tent and sat down.
I picked up the teacup and took a sip.
The tea had gone cold, but she didn't change it; she just kept gulping it down.
He mentally rehearsed the next scenario.
Yun Shuyue barged into the main tent and caught her brother and Kim Seon-a having an affair.
That girl has a big mouth; she'll definitely shout it out so the whole camp knows.
By then, Kim Seon-a's reputation as "bewitching the emperor with her beauty and exchanging her looks for soldiers" will have spread far and wide.
Those women will definitely develop a grudge against her.
The more Gu Moli thought about it, the more confident she felt this move was.
He smiled slightly, put down his teacup, lay back on the couch, and closed his eyes to rest.
If you make me uncomfortable, you won't have an easy time either.
The stables.
Yun Shuyue squatted in front of the manger, feeding her chestnut horse the night grass.
While feeding him, she muttered, "Why didn't the prince ask me to bring him a midnight snack today? Did he forget?"
Qingwu entered through the side door carrying a lantern.
Upon seeing Yun Shuyue, he feigned surprise. "Oh dear, Miss Yun, you're still up?"
Yun Shuyue turned around and greeted her with a smile, "I couldn't sleep, so I came to feed the horses. What about you? Have you finished with the princess?"
Qingwu walked up to her and squatted down.
He casually replied, "I'm done with my work. His Highness asked me to go to the kitchen to find something to eat, so I just stopped by to check on things."
Yun Shuyue's eyes lit up immediately. "Is there food in the kitchen? I'm hungry too, why don't we go together?"
Qingwu shook her head. "Sure, but the stove fire is all out now, I don't know what's left."
She paused, then continued, "I just passed by the main tent and heard Sister Shen say that the Prince has prepared a lot of candied fruit and chilled plum juice."
Yun Shuyue swallowed.
Her eyes widened. "Really? That's my favorite food!"
Qingwu sighed, "It's a pity that the Goryeo princess doesn't like sweets. The prince specially prepared them, but they're all just sitting there untouched. It's such a waste."
Yun Shuyue scratched her head. "Then, can I go get some? They're just sitting there anyway, might as well not go to waste."
Qingwu feigned hesitation. "Well... His Highness is probably in a meeting right now. You can go if you want, but just don't disturb him."
Yun Shuyue patted her chest and assured him, "Don't worry, don't worry, His Highness is definitely in the inner tent at this hour. I'll be very quiet and won't disturb him!"
After saying that, he took off running towards the main tent.
Qingwu watched her figure disappear into the night.
A cold smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he turned and went back to the side camp to report.
On the beam of the main tent.
Zhen Meili is still lying down.
My hands and feet were numb, and I didn't dare to move.
She heard rustling footsteps outside the tent.
Getting closer and closer.
My heart tightened--
Is someone going to come in?
Gu Moran, that big lecher, the guards have all been removed.
The footsteps paused outside the tent.
Then the curtain was lifted.
Yun Shuyue peeked in and looked around.
He lowered his voice and called out in a breathy tone, "Your Highness? Is Your Highness here?"
No one answered.
She chuckled, "I already asked."
Then, feeling confident and bold, I walked in and headed straight for the low table where the food box was placed.
Zhen Meili, who was perched on the beam, froze when she saw Yun Shuyue enter.
Who could hear your barely audible breaths?
Am I just fooling myself?
It's over.
This girl's arrival couldn't have been more timely.
Yun Shuyue walked to the low table and lifted the lid of the food box.
Sure enough, there were several dishes of candied fruit and a pot of plum juice inside.
Her eyes lit up.
She reached out and grabbed a candied fruit, popping it into her mouth. Her eyes narrowed with sweetness. "So delicious!"
He grabbed two more and stuffed them into his sleeve.
He was about to turn and leave.
A low groan came from inside the tent.
Yun Shuyue stopped in her tracks.
He tilted his head and glanced towards the inner tent.
The curtains were drawn, so you couldn't see inside.
But the flickering shadows of the candlelight could be vaguely seen.
She swallowed hard.
Is the prince inside?
Is there anyone else?
She hesitated for a moment, then tiptoed two steps toward the inner tent.
Zhen Meili lay on the beam, she saw Yun Shuyue walking into the inner tent and cursed Yun Shuyue's ancestors for eighteen generations in her heart.
You silly girl, please don't lift the curtain!
Absolutely not.
Yun Shuyue walked to the inner tent curtain and reached out to lift it.
The instant her fingertips touched the curtain.
Gu Moran's voice came from inside the tent. "Who's outside?"
The voice was deep and carried a hint of pressure.
Yun Shuyue was so startled that her hand trembled and she failed to lift the curtain.
She hurriedly took two steps back and stammered, "Your Highness, it's me, Yun Shuyue. I... I just came to get some candied fruit..."
There was a brief silence within the inner tent.
Gu Moran's voice came again. "Take it and leave."
Yun Shuyue nodded hurriedly, "Okay, okay, I'll be going right now!"
She turned and rushed to the low table, grabbed a handful of candied fruit, and stuffed it into her sleeve.
Then he took off running.
The sound of footsteps receding into the distance followed as they rushed out of the tent.
The tent fell silent again.
Zhen Meili, perched on the beam, breathed a sigh of relief.
They're finally gone.
She was just about to move her numb arm.
From inside the tent came Kim Seon-a's voice, trembling with tears. "She... she might not..."
Gu Moran reassured her softly, "No, she didn't see anything."
Kim Seon-a wanted to say something more.
His words were cut off.
Zhen Meili lay on the beam, digging her fingers into the wood until her nails hurt.
She closed her eyes and recited silently.
I heard nothing and saw nothing.
I am a dead man.
Yes, dead people.
The inner tent was quiet for a while.
The sound of rustling fabric could be heard.
Zhen Meili lay on the beam, her hands and feet completely numb.
She tried to move her right leg.
His knee had just left the crossbar.
"Crunch--"
The wood made a soft creak.
Zhen Meili froze.
The noise below stopped.