The small chamber behind the stables was quiet.
The candle flames trembled and threw shifting light over Madam Lu’s robe.
After a moment, Madam Lu murmured in puzzlement, “An attempt on the Crown Prince’s life? How would he go to assassinate the Crown Prince?”
Manager Ye explained, “The maritime arrest warrant named Chen Ji and Liao Zhong. Before sunset a detachment from the Jiefan Guard and men from the Secret Intelligence Bureau rushed to Changping… even a maritime arrest warrant was issued, so the evidence must be solid.”
Madam Lu watched the wavering candlelight. “No,” she said.
Manager Ye blinked. “Hm? Mistress, what’s wrong?”
Madam Lu closed her eyes and pondered. “First, Chen Ji has lived in Luo City so many years and never had any dealings with the Crown Prince — why would he try to kill him? No motive. Second, if Chen Ji intended to strike at the Crown Prince, he could have done it back in Guyuan. Why wait until now?”
Third Master Hu straightened up; he too sensed something amiss.
Madam Lu spoke with certainty: “Chen Ji has been framed.”
The owner of Lantern made her judgment in just a few words.
She looked at Manager Ye. “He asked us to help find Liao Zhong in Changping?”
Manager Ye nodded.