Reborn as the Weakest Heiress, I Gave My Inheritance to the Enemy's Daughter novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: A Trap for Lanterns

Zhaoxue looked at the open palm for exactly as long as an heir could look without seeming rude.

"Of course, Senior Brother," she said. "At dusk, at the welcome ceremony, in front of the Seven Peaks. Where else should the Seal change hands?"

Ning's smile did not move.

"That is proper," he said. "I'll see you on the steps."

He bowed to the Master of the Third Peak and went away down the porch, light-footed, key ring chiming.

The tall woman in violet drew on her pipe and watched him go.

"He has grown," she said to nobody. "He used to stammer."

Then she looked at Zhaoxue, and for the first time her eyes were sharp.

"There's something on your mind, child."

"Yes, Master."

"I'll sit where I can see the east gate tonight."

"Thank you, Master."

"Don't thank me. I haven't decided to believe you."

She went inside on her cane.

Zhaoxue's shoulders loosened, and Linxia whispered at her shoulder, "I like her."

"She terrifies me."

"That's what I like about her."

They held the council in the Quiet Courtyard with the shutters closed.

Master Feng sat in his cushions with the bowl of sleep-root in front of him, untouched.

Mo Zhenhai sat on the floor with a map of the mountain spread on the mats, and drew on it with a thick finger.

"My men leave the lower courtyards after dark," he said. "Ten at a time, by the south path, in plain grey robes borrowed from your disciples. By the third lantern, there will be two hundred in the pine wood beside the east gate. Another thirty at the ford below, to meet the envoy's forty."

"Won't the Pavilion's riders see them?"

"Not if they're lying down and not breathing." He grinned in his beard. "My men are very good at lying down."

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