The Last Dahlia

045

"Looks like we didn't have to make this trip after all," Shoya quipped, his arms folded across his chest as he surveyed the situation.

Baixun skimmed the letter that Ru Fei had passed to Maroo, then he said, "I suppose this means that all of you are aware of what's happened. This is a family matter, so I'll not need to trouble you with it."

Yuehwa opened her mouth to protest, but Shoya stepped forward and cut in.

"Of course, you're free to settle your family matters, but perhaps you could put this aside for a moment. We're here to discuss the matter about Dahai."

"This has nothing to do with my father!" Naying burst out. She dashed forward, grabbing hold of Baixun's left leg. "Baixun, none of this is my father's doing. It's Lady Kang. She was the one who put me up to this. She's the one who's behind all of this. She's trying to get me killed!"

"You're right about one thing, Princess," Shoya said, "but perhaps you think a little too highly of yourself."

Yuehwa shot him a warning glare. Was there a need for him to be so snide? Naying was already beyond herself with stress and anxiety with the potential charges that were to be laid upon her head, and her father and kingdom were in grave peril.

"I know it is not my place, but I think it would be best to set this matter aside for the moment," Yuehwa interceded. "The crown princess could not have intentionally meant to harm you, Baixun. It is likely that she was tricked into it."

To her surprise, Naying turned towards her and said, "I don't need your charity. All this is your fault, Lee Yue. None of this would have happened if you hadn't appeared."

"Excuse me?" Yuehwa was taken aback by Naying's outburst—and by the hatred that seemed to be emanating from the princess's reddened eyes.

Maroo cleared his throat. "There is one more thing... We've also found out that Princess Naying was responsible for the poisoning of the young crown prince of Hwa. She had bribed one of the prince's palace servants to scatter the powder on his clothes."

The revelation shook Yuehwa to the core. She shook her head in disbelief. "That's... that's not possible. How could it be? How could you..."

Naying was supposed to be her friend. After all they had gone through, how could Naying have betrayed her in this manner, by wishing harm upon her family? Yang-yang was only a child, yet the princess had thought to send him to his death.

"Yes, it was me," Naying replied, with no hint of remorse in her voice or manner. "With the crown prince of Hwa gone, nothing will stand in Baixun's way of dominating the five kingdoms. I will do anything to help my husband."

"Do not use me as an excuse!" Baixun shouted, throwing a slap across the princess's face. The girl tumbled backwards, clutching her right cheek in shock. "I never asked you to do such a thing. You did it on your own accord out of jealousy and spite. Don't try to use my name to justify your horrid actions." Fuming, he waved his hand irritably and said, "Maroo, take the princess back to her quarters and tell the guards that she is not allowed to leave her tent without my approval." He ignored the pleading cries from Naying as she was forcibly herded out of Baixun's tent by his chief aide.

Shoya wrapped an arm around Yuehwa's shoulder. "It's alright. At least no harm came to Yang-yang in the end. We can settle matters with Naying later," he said softly.

Yuehwa sucked in a breath, trying to calm the upheaval that was going on inside her. This was not what she had expected to find out upon coming here. Heck, she had come here to plead for leniency for Naying, only to discover that the latter's crimes were far more unforgiveable than what she had thought.