"Don't move, or I'll slit your throat."
A blade was pressed against his throat as soon as Jingyan closed his bedroom doors. The man was positioned behind him and only black sleeves and the plain handle of a dagger was visible. The hand that grip the dagger was coiled with ready-to-release tension, and Jingyan could feel the murderous intent seeping into the air around them. In the background, Jingyan heard another set of doors open and close, a sign that Zhanying left the house to return to his own.
The voice was familiar. Quietly, Jingyan said, "Your martial arts skills are better than what I expected, Noble Fan."
"Pretty smart, aren't you?" said Noble Fan. With the dagger still trained closed to Jingyan's throat, he stepped forward until …show more content…
Your infertile stepmother is a princess of North Qi," said Jingyan. Perhaps it was fear that made him to press salt into the wound. "She can't like you and your father needs to keep her happy even if it means sending your friend to her death."
Jingyan was sure Noble Fan knew about his father and Ah Ning, but there was no guarantee Noble Fan wouldn't kill him. He needed the upper-hand in the exchange, needed to nourish the weakness he uncovered in order to make sure the blade didn't pierce the delicate skin of his throat. Quietly, he added, "I know what it's like."
The dagger shakily lowered and Noble Fan stumbled a step back. Jingyan himself also stepped back, placing himself out of the man's immediate reach. Despite what he said, he wasn't sure if anyone other than Zhanying would care if someone murdered him. Silence settled thickly between them, only broken by Noble Fan's rattled breaths.
Noble Fan watched him with haunted wariness and Jingyan could almost see his mind racing to come up with a plan of action. He could see that his last words had a visible effect on Noble Fan. Unable to help himself, Jingyan reached for his sleeve again, addicted to how the mindless movement could sooth him. After what felt like hours, Noble Fan said, "My name is
A blade was pressed against his throat as soon as Jingyan closed his bedroom doors. The man was positioned behind him and only black sleeves and the plain handle of a dagger was visible. The hand that grip the dagger was coiled with ready-to-release tension, and Jingyan could feel the murderous intent seeping into the air around them. In the background, Jingyan heard another set of doors open and close, a sign that Zhanying left the house to return to his own.
The voice was familiar. Quietly, Jingyan said, "Your martial arts skills are better than what I expected, Noble Fan."
"Pretty smart, aren't you?" said Noble Fan. With the dagger still trained closed to Jingyan's throat, he stepped forward until …show more content…
Your infertile stepmother is a princess of North Qi," said Jingyan. Perhaps it was fear that made him to press salt into the wound. "She can't like you and your father needs to keep her happy even if it means sending your friend to her death."
Jingyan was sure Noble Fan knew about his father and Ah Ning, but there was no guarantee Noble Fan wouldn't kill him. He needed the upper-hand in the exchange, needed to nourish the weakness he uncovered in order to make sure the blade didn't pierce the delicate skin of his throat. Quietly, he added, "I know what it's like."
The dagger shakily lowered and Noble Fan stumbled a step back. Jingyan himself also stepped back, placing himself out of the man's immediate reach. Despite what he said, he wasn't sure if anyone other than Zhanying would care if someone murdered him. Silence settled thickly between them, only broken by Noble Fan's rattled breaths.
Noble Fan watched him with haunted wariness and Jingyan could almost see his mind racing to come up with a plan of action. He could see that his last words had a visible effect on Noble Fan. Unable to help himself, Jingyan reached for his sleeve again, addicted to how the mindless movement could sooth him. After what felt like hours, Noble Fan said, "My name is