Wei Liang's eyes narrowed. "What does that mean."
"Nothing." Chen's expression said clearly that it meant something. "I'm just saying — you know how the palace has been the past few weeks. Quiet in some ways, loud in others." He glanced around. Lowered his voice. "I heard something from one of the residential staff. About the Queen."
"Don't," Wei Liang said.
"I'm just—"
Wei Liang turned fully to face him. His hand moved — not to strike, but to grab the front of Chen's robe, bunching the fabric at the collar, pulling him close enough that the next words were very quiet and very clear.
"Whatever you heard," he said, "you're going to forget it. The Queen is a widow managing a succession. If you have thoughts about her dignity—" He released the robe with a small push. "—keep them to yourself permanently."
Chen smoothed his robe. He did not look entirely convinced, but he nodded.
Wei Liang turned back toward the deck.
