Revenge of the Phoenix Beauty-Chapter 54: It’s time for my next step

In Hua Qingyan's study...

Her eyes were sharp, lips pressed in a thin line, and the papers before her lay forgotten.

A cunning empire like Jin... why would they support the second prince? Her gaze darkened further. What do they gain by aiding in treason within our walls?

Her fingers tapped rhythmically against the table, each tap echoing her thoughts.

Zhao Lianyi's death... it wasn't random. If Jin's agents were involved, then it was a silencing move—calculated, clean. I was this close to being the next target. If I hadn't found out in time...

A chill crawled up her spine.

No. I won't be cornered. Not again. I've been given a second life, and I refuse to waste it cowering in the dark. If they think I'll wait silently... they've severely underestimated me.

Her fist clenched.

It's time for my next step.

---

Before the sun had even peeked above the horizon, the estate was still cloaked in a sleepy hush.

But inside the manor's outer courtyard, Hua stood tall, wrapped in a plain robe with her hair tied high. The air was crisp, the world barely stirring.

She summoned one of her most trusted spies from her merchant network—a man known for vanishing in plain sight.

"I want you to reinvestigate everything—everything. Leave no thread untouched," she ordered. "Look into the second prince's past few dealings, his every movement, especially what he's tried to hide. I want to know who came to this empire in the past few months. Any new face, any unfamiliar merchant, noble, or guest—track them all. I want the truth dug out of the earth if needed."

The spy bowed low. "Yes, my lady."

With that, Hua turned and strode out, the sharp edge of her decision slicing away hesitation.

---

The training ground was empty when she arrived. Silent. Dew still clung to the grass as she walked across the dirt path.

She took a deep breath and picked up her wooden sword.

There were no instructors. No audience. No noise. Just her and her shadow.

She moved.

Strikes, blocks, footwork—sharp, fast, and unrelenting. Her arms moved with deadly precision, her body glistening with sweat despite the early chill. Her fingers, already roughened with callouses, stung with every swing, but she didn't stop.

Time passed.

Slowly, others began to arrive—young soldiers, trainees, her family's retainers—and stopped in their tracks.

"She's... already here?"

"I thought the sun wasn't even out yet..."

"Why's she training like that?"

Even among whispers, no one dared interrupt. Hua's movements were fierce. Purposeful. Like every swing of her blade was against fate itself.

From the edge of the ground, her brother stood watching. His brows furrowed. He had seen her train before, but never like this. Not with this desperation. Not with this storm in her eyes.

And then—

Thud!

She threw the wooden sword to the ground, her breath ragged. Without a word, she turned and ran off.

"Hua!" her brother called out, startled. "Where are you—" ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

He followed her without hesitation.