But even as she said it, she noticed the way the Empress Dowager was looking at them. That gaze that made Soyeon's skin crawl.
Then the old woman smiled. "Welcome back, child. You've been through such an ordeal. Come, you must rest."
"At least there's some good news," an official called out. "Some fortunate omen, even after the tragedy of Princess Liling's death."
Soyeon's head snapped up. "What?"
Yifeng's face was sad. "Princess Liling. The Xiongnu killed her during the raid."
No. Soyeon's eyes went immediately to the Empress Dowager.
The old woman was adjusting something in her sleeve, a small cloth.
Their eyes met.
The Empress Dowager smiled.
You killed her, Soyeon realized with sick certainty. You murdered her yourself and blamed the Xiongnu. You monster.
"I must attend to Prince Liang Jian," Soyeon said loudly, breaking the moment. "His wounds are severe. He needs immediate treatment."
"But surely the other physicians can—" the Empress Dowager began.
