Hua Manman's heart skipped a beat when she heard the familiar voice.
She immediately looked up toward the sound.
Prince Zhao, clad in black, stepped over the threshold and strode inside.
The warm yellow light of the lanterns stretched his shadow long across the floor.
His narrow eyes were deep and sharp, their pupils darker and more profound than the night behind him.
His boots were silent as they touched the ground, yet his presence was so oppressive it made everyone's heart pound in their chest.
The color drained from Li Hao and Xianfei's faces.
Xianfei reacted in a flash.
She yanked Hua Manman in front of her, pulled a pin from her hair, and pressed it to Hua Manman's throat, shouting shrilly.
"Assassin! Guards!"
Li Hao swallowed his fear, drew the sword from his waist with a SWISH, and stepped forward to shield Xianfei.
He struggled to appear calm.
"How did you get in?"
Li Ji answered unhurriedly, "I followed this young brother here, of course."
