Chapter 19 · Survival Menu - Chapter 19: The Bowl Meant to Take the Fall

The boots stop right outside the cellar door.

"We're looking for a Jin girl."

Yan Xiao doesn't move. His hand's still pressed against mine where he shoved the recipe book into my palm a second ago. The leather's warm from his body heat. I can feel his pulse through his wrist, fast but steady.

I pull my hand back. Tuck the book inside my sleeve.

He steps in front of me. Not obvious. Just shifts his weight so he's between me and the door. His shoulder blocks half my view.

"Which Jin girl?" His voice comes out bored. Imperial. The kind of tone that makes guards second-guess whether they're allowed to ask questions.

"Kitchen maid. Goes by Su now." The guard sounds nervous. "Dowager wants her for tomorrow's feast prep. Special menu."

My stomach drops.

Yan doesn't look at me. "She's not down here."

"We checked the dorms. The prep hall. Someone said they saw her near the storage—"

"I said she's not here." Colder now. "You questioning me?"

Silence. Then the boots shuffle back. "No, Your Highness. Apologies."

They leave.

Yan waits. Counts to thirty under his breath.