Chapter 034: So Hot

Strong arms tightly encircled her waist, a broad, bony palm pressed firmly against her soft flesh through the thin silk of her summer dress, even digging into her skin!

So hot!

Liu Yandai gasped in shock!

This was the first time—no, the second time she had been embraced by a man like this.

The previous time was when she was at the Prince of Southern Pacification’s Mansion, rushing to find Pomu, and she accidentally bumped into someone. That person had also held her like this.

She never expected the second time to be her stumbling and offending someone again.

How utterly improper!

Startled, she hurriedly steadied herself, instinctively stepping back and reaching out to push against the other person’s chest. A flurry of apologies spilled from her lips, afraid of being even a moment too slow.

“I was careless and have offended you, esteemed guest. Please forgive—”

Her words trailed off as she released the guest’s clothing and stood firmly on her own. But even after she steadied herself, the guest holding her did not loosen his grip.

Liu Yandai’s remaining words caught in her throat. She looked up in confusion, meeting a pair of sharp, commanding eyes gazing down at her from just a fist’s distance away.

The Crown Prince was tall and broad-shouldered; with a single sweep of his arm, he could envelop her entirely.

The Crown Prince enjoyed this feeling. With a single lift of his hand, he could manipulate her as he pleased, while she had no ability to resist, forced to submit to his chest and endure his actions.

She was soft and plump, warm and obedient in his embrace, nestled against him like a cozy, fluffy little rabbit. When she lifted her face, it revealed a delicate, rosy complexion.

As beautiful as a fish diving and geese descending, as enchanting as the moon hiding and flowers blushing.

The Crown Prince felt as though his chest was filled by her presence. He had never encountered someone who pleased him so much, down to the very strands of her hair, each one perfectly placed.

Liu Yandai was completely enveloped in his embrace, her head level with his collarbone. When she looked up, she could no longer see the flowering branches, as if she were trapped in the palm of his hand, forced to gaze upward and see only him.

The Crown Prince had a handsome face, with sharp features, deep and mysterious phoenix eyes, thin lips, and a high nose—the very image of a heartless man.

When Liu Yandai saw the Crown Prince’s face, her mind went blank.

She had seen the Crown Prince before. During a banquet at the mansion, he sat in the place of honor, while her husband attended to him with flattering deference. She had also heard others discuss the Crown Prince, saying he was a cold and detached man, strict with rules and discipline, and that the officials under him in the Eastern Palace never dared to overstep.

The Crown Prince, the future ruler of the nation, held the fate of the entire country in his hands, while she was merely one among the masses, a single grain of sand in the vast sea.

Liu Yandai had also heard rumors about the Crown Prince’s affairs. It was said that in earlier years, some beautiful palace maids had tried to climb into his bed, only to be dragged out and beaten to death.

When she first heard these stories, she thought the Crown Prince resembled Zhennan Wang. Her Shufu was also a man of iron discipline, unwavering in his commands.

And she had offended such a man!

If she angered the Crown Prince, she would surely bring trouble upon Pomu!

Liu Yandai’s legs went weak, and she nearly dropped to her knees.

But she did not kneel, for the arm wrapped around her waist did not loosen in the slightest. Unable to break free, she remained trapped in her original position, facing him.

“It’s fine.” The Crown Prince’s gaze fixed intently on her, moving from her fair, delicate, and plump cheeks to her rosy, moist lips, before finally saying, “I am on good personal terms with Zhou Shizi.”

The Crown Prince’s expression remained calm, his tone gentle, as he slowly released his hold on Liu Yandai’s waist, adding, “I won’t hold it against you.”

If someone else had been standing here, they would have immediately sensed something unusual in the Crown Prince’s words.

The Crown Prince had no personal relationship with Zhou Shizi, yet now he claimed to be “on good terms.” Clearly, this connection wasn’t for Zhou Shizi’s sake but for someone else.

And who else was present? There were only the two of them. The Crown Prince’s words were not about the wine but about the beauty.

Moreover, the slow release of his hand seemed tinged with reluctance, his rough knuckles brushing against her soft flesh with a distinctly masculine possessiveness.

If Bai Yuning had been here, she would have seized the opportunity without hesitation. Only fools hesitate, clinging to blind loyalty and filial piety. The clever ones strike while the iron is hot, always ready to jump ship if one fails. Sympathy, affection, loyalty—these things are the most useless. Only solid power allows one to stand tall and unshaken.

Compared to the second son of the Houfu, the Crown Prince was clearly more useful. If she could attach herself to the Crown Prince, Bai Yuning would even sell out the Second Prince on the spot, embracing a leg far thicker than his.

But standing here was Liu Yandai, a timid, foolish, and naive little lady.

Yandai couldn’t grasp the hidden meanings in the Crown Prince’s words, nor did she understand the implications of his touch on her waist. She simply stared blankly at the Crown Prince for a moment before letting out a sigh of relief.

How wonderful! The Crown Prince was on good terms with her husband, so they must be friends. Surely, the Crown Prince wouldn’t mind her intrusion. He had even caught her to prevent her from falling—the Crown Prince was truly a good person!

She had been afraid that Shizi would blame her—she had been overthinking it!

Thus, the fair and delicate Shizi Furen lowered her head, performed an elegant bow, and said straightforwardly, “Your Highness is most gracious, and this humble consort is deeply grateful. Since Your Highness is enjoying the scenery here, I shall take my leave.”

Liu Yandai thought that since the household was handling funeral affairs today, the Crown Prince must have come to pay his respects. He was likely here because he appreciated the view—who wouldn’t love these blooming branches? Since the Crown Prince was enjoying the scenery, she should keep her distance and not spoil his mood.

Upon hearing her words, the Crown Prince paused slightly.

His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Liu Yandai’s face, unable to conceal a hint of surprise.

Usually, when the Crown Prince spoke with others, all it took was a slight hint of a topic for them to eagerly latch onto it. If he mentioned “Zhou Shizi,” Liu Yandai should have immediately responded with “Zhou Shizi has been confined, and I haven’t seen him in a long time.” If he said, “The Marquis has passed away, please accept my condolences,” she should have shed a few tears, lamenting her hardships in front of him. If he offered comfort and subtle hints, she should have leaned in delicately.

One word leads to another, and before long, people find themselves intertwined, sharing the same bed.

He was the Crown Prince. Being with him was a hundred times better than clinging to a husband who might never return.

But someone like Liu Yandai, who finished speaking and immediately ran off—this was the first time the Crown Prince had encountered such a person.

The tall and imposing Crown Prince stood frozen in place for a moment, his gaze returning to her with a hint of suspicion.

For a moment, he couldn’t tell whether Liu Yandai hadn’t understood his implication or was… playing hard to get.

“Shizi Furen, you may rise, but there’s no need to leave,” the Crown Prince’s voice slowed slightly as he said, “This courtyard belongs to your Houfu. If anyone should withdraw, it should be I.”

Liu Yandai was not skilled at conversing with outsiders and could only stammer out a polite reply, saying, “If Your Highness likes, you may look around. The Houfu has many flowers and plants. My Pomu is very fond of them.”

The Crown Prince rubbed the jade ring on his finger, his eyes fixed on her fair and delicate face. “The Marquise enjoys these flowers and plants—I wonder what Shizi Furen enjoys?”

Does she love wealth and glory, or does she admire men in this world? The former, as the Crown Prince, he could fulfill for her. As for the latter—hmph, a mere eight? He was the Crown Prince! A true dragon in flesh. He alone could make Liu Yandai never think of another man for the rest of her life.

Liu Yandai opened her clear, bright eyes, grinned, and replied, “Your subject enjoys eating fruit.”

And Braised Pork.

It seemed… this woman had no intention of taking the bait.

The Crown Prince’s hand paused, and then, unwilling to give up, he asked, “I’ve heard that Shizi Furen and Shizi share a deep bond. If you have time, Shizi Furen could take me to see Shizi. It has been a long time since I last saw him.”

The Crown Prince’s voice was deep and drawn out, the trailing notes carrying an indescribable ambiguity, like the faint fragrance drifting from an incense burner.

Time and again, the Crown Prince extended an olive branch, and time and again, Yandai snapped it off.

If it were anyone else, they would naturally understand that the Crown Prince was inviting Liu Yandai to leave the estate, merely using Shizi as a pretext. After all, what was a fallen Shizi? Was he worthy of the Crown Prince lowering himself to visit him?

But when these words reached Liu Yandai’s ears, she only understood that the Crown Prince wanted to see Shizi.

This was only natural, Liu Yandai thought. Good friends, even if one has fallen on hard times, the other should still go and visit. She truly hadn’t realized that the Crown Prince and Shizi were so close.

But… Liu Yandai suddenly had a rare moment of cleverness.

Pomu and her husband were not on good terms, and the Crown Prince was such a high-ranking and powerful figure. If the Crown Prince saw her husband suffering in the mountain villa, wouldn’t he bring him back?

That wouldn’t do! Pomu had worked so hard to send him there!

However, refusing the Crown Prince didn’t seem appropriate either.

After a moment of troubled contemplation, Liu Yandai thought of a good solution.

This was something she had learned from Pomu these past few days! When faced with a difficult situation, she shouldn’t respond directly but find another way to divert the topic.

The best method was—to feign illness by collapsing.

That was how Pomu had pretended at the banquet! She had seen it, and it was very effective. Yandai had learned it too!

So Liu Yandai simply clutched her stomach, feigned a pained expression, and prepared to collapse to the ground.

As long as she fell and claimed illness, all difficult matters would have to be set aside. It was the same principle as a child refusing to go to school.

She was slow-witted, but her acting was sincere. When she fell, she went down with her full weight. The Crown Prince was startled and instinctively reached out to catch her.

With that catch, she fell into his arms once more.

Liu Yandai was inwardly astonished, thinking, How is it that every time I end up in his arms? I was planning to just lie on the ground.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince found himself embracing a soft, fragrant warmth, his heart nearly soaring away. He held her waist tightly, thinking, This woman took the initiative to throw herself into my arms—she knows her place.

But before he could speak, he heard Liu Yandai say, “Your servant has recently become with child and felt momentarily dizzy. I beg Your Highness to forgive me.”

Upon hearing the words “with child,” the Crown Prince reacted as if scalded by fire. He abruptly stood up and took a step back, his eyes shifting unpredictably as he stared at Liu Yandai.

With child?

Was this the reason she had been avoiding him?

It seemed Liu Yandai was determined to cling to the Zhongyi Hou Mansion for life—even willing to bear the child of a disgraced heir apparent, entangling herself with the Zhongyi Hou Mansion forever.

If she gave birth to a child, could he still allow her into the palace?

With a child… with a child…

Impossible.

He could accept that Liu Yandai had been married before, but he absolutely could not accept her bearing another man’s child.

Forget it. What did he care about one woman?

Once he ascended the throne, would he lack for women?

His face dark, the Crown Prince flicked his sleeve and left after a moment.

—

After what felt like a conversation between a chicken and a duck, the Crown Prince suddenly and inexplicably departed. Liu Yandai shook her little head in confusion, watching his retreating figure. Not understanding what had come over the Crown Prince, she respectfully saw him off before returning to her Shuhai Courtyard.

Back in Shuhai Courtyard, her mind lingered on the Crown Prince’s mention of visiting the Shizi and, even more, on his reaction of turning and leaving immediately after she mentioned being “pregnant.”

Hmm… the Crown Prince had stared at her belly several times. Could he have noticed something amiss?

Liu Yandai grew somewhat flustered. She thought she must discuss this with Pomu tomorrow. Worriedly, she stuffed a bite of braised pork into her mouth, completely unaware of what the Crown Prince had been thinking as he stood on the flower-lined path.

All those intricate thoughts, when met with someone who utterly failed to grasp them, were wasted. While one side was burning with anxiety, the other hadn’t even begun to ponder the matter! Others might slowly boil a frog over three to five years, but here it was like boiling a stone in scalding water—no matter how fiercely the water bubbled, the stone wouldn’t give it a second thought.

No, the stone did think.

The stone believed the Crown Prince had ulterior motives and might target her “child.” So the next day, Liu Yandai specifically found an opportunity to discuss this with Qin Chanyue. However, from Liu Yandai’s perspective, the Crown Prince seemed extremely odd, and Qin Chanyue couldn’t fathom why the Crown Prince would inquire about Liu Yandai’s pregnancy.

The Crown Prince was a man of deep schemes and numerous thoughts—unfathomable at a glance, his words twisting through countless turns. Without a sharp mind, one couldn’t grasp his meaning. The Crown Prince had many people he wished to scheme against, but there was no need for him to target Liu Yandai.

Even if the Crown Prince knew the child in Liu Yandai’s belly was fake, he had no reason to expose it.

Their Zhongyi Hou Mansion was thoroughly aligned with the Crown Prince’s faction, while the Zhou Mansion leaned closer to the Second Prince’s faction. If the Zhongyi Hou Mansion were to undermine the Zhou Mansion, the Crown Prince should be applauding.

Qin Chanyue frowned, studying her daughter-in-law’s face for a moment, thinking, Liu Yandai must have misunderstood. The Crown Prince certainly isn’t concerned about her faking a pregnancy.

But then, what exactly had the Crown Prince come for?

Qin Chanyue couldn’t figure it out. She waved her hand and said, “Don’t worry about it. The boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridgehead. If it really doesn’t work out, Zhennan Wang will take care of it. Go back and eat two extra bowls of rice each day.”

Liu Yandai felt relieved and soon forgot about the matter. Now, her focus should be on the small kitchen in Shuhai Courtyard. She needed to eat more, to make her belly grow bigger.

It was said that after some time, when the belly was fully grown, she would even need to stuff a soft pillow inside.

——

The Houfu held the vigil for seven days, during which Liu Yandai ate meat every day. She indeed looked a little rounder and occasionally performed dry heaves. After going through all these motions, the day to escort the spirit finally arrived.

Qin Chanyue was unwilling to attend Zhongyi Marquis’s funeral procession, so she began feigning illness the night before, claiming to the outside world that she was “overwhelmed with grief and sorrow,” too ill to leave her bed.

Thus, the task of escorting the spirit fell entirely on Zhou Chiye and Zhou Ziji, wearing down the uncle and nephew until they visibly lost weight.

After Zhongyi Marquis was laid to rest in the mausoleum, the affairs of Zhongyi Hou Mansion finally came to an end. Officials from the Ministry of Rites came to inquire about inheriting the title, but Qin Chanyue turned them away.

Generally, when a Marquis died, preparations for inheriting the title would begin. However, given what Zhou Yuanting had done and the evidence against him, if he inherited the title, someone would immediately report it to the Ministry of Rites. He couldn’t inherit it.

So Qin Chanyue told the Ministry of Rites officials to wait another year, until after the child was born. If it was a boy, then they could proceed with inheriting the title.

The Ministry of Rites officials had never seen such a method of succession—although young children had inherited titles before, they were at least living children. This one was still inside Shizi Furen’s belly.

Upon hearing this, Qin Chanyue said, “If it’s difficult, then let Zhennan Wang seek an imperial favor from the Emperor.”

At the mention of “Zhennan Wang,” the Ministry of Rites officials immediately bowed and complied, hurriedly saying they would return to inquire again after a year.

The Zhou family was furious but helpless. It was said that Lady Gu knelt before the Buddha every day, copying scriptures and praying that Liu Yandai’s child would be a girl.

When Qin Chanyue heard this, she merely smiled lightly.

Don’t worry, it will definitely be a boy. The Qin Family Army picks up hundreds of children every year. Choosing one boy—is that such a big deal?

A Madam with no real power could only rely on her own belly, trembling with anxiety. A Madam with real power and a powerful backer could have ten children if she wished.

Once something falls into her hands, no one can take it back!

——

Ever since her husband died, Qin Chanyue’s good days had arrived.

As soon as the white lanterns hanging from the eaves of the mansion were taken down, Qin Chanyue summoned her male favorite that very night.

That day, the bright moon hung high in the sky. Qin Chanyue’s male favorite walked through the quiet Shangyue Garden, lifted the beaded curtain, and saw Qin Chanyue drinking by the table.

She was unusually cheerful, drinking one cup after another. Seeing the male favorite arrive, she didn’t speak, only propped her chin on her hand and watched him quietly with her charming fox-like eyes.

The snow-white pearl shoes slowly parted, and a man’s knee slid between them.

The tall man knelt on the ground, his mask swaying gently as the firelight burned quietly.

The ice vat in the corner gradually melted, and soft, wet sounds occasionally echoed. Qin Chanyue lifted her head, her fingers gently brushing through his hair at the temples. Her voice, slightly hoarse, slowly sounded: “To the bed.”

This little pre-meal dessert had grown tiresome to her. Compared to these gentle sea breezes, she preferred things that were galloping, frenzied, intense—things that could make her lose her senses.

—

This long night had only just begun, and her life, too, had only just begun.

Qin Chanyue had never felt such exhilaration in her life.

The entire Houfu was now firmly in her grasp. Those who had been eyesores were dead, and no one dared to cause trouble in front of her. Every day, she would take Liu Yandai out to listen to operas, watch performances, savor delicious food, and buy the most fashionable jewelry and headpieces to flaunt their status. In no time, the entire Chang’an City knew that the Marquise and the Shizi Furen were living a life of pure bliss.

Ordinary households still had to attend to their husbands, raise children, and serve their Pomu every day. Even a slight annoyance from a disagreeable sister-in-law could ruin their mood for half a day. If their husbands were incompetent, spending their days drinking, gambling, and visiting brothels, these women of the Inner Residence would suffer even more. Yet, the two women of the Zhongyi Hou Mansion seemed to have no troubles at all, a sight that filled others with envy.

Some would sneer and say, “What good is having a Juewei? After Zhou Ziheng died, the remaining two young masters of the Houfu don’t even hold official positions. It’s only a matter of time before the family declines.” But as it turned out, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the Houfu simply didn’t care.

If she had simply enjoyed her good fortune, it might have been fine, but she insisted on causing trouble for others.

A few days earlier, Lady Wan, who had once insulted her at a banquet, had planned to watch an opera with friends by hiring an entire troupe. Qin Chanyue, however, outbid her at a high price, poaching the entire troupe and leaving Lady Wan with no opera to watch. Furious, Lady Wan refused to leave her room for several days.

For Qin Chanyue now, the only source of discontent was that her Adoptive Brother had yet to awaken. She couldn’t even see him anymore.

Qin Chanyue could only return to the Houfu and kneel in the Fota, praying for her Adoptive Brother’s safe recovery.

If possible, she was willing to give half of her lifespan to her Adoptive Brother.

Due to her devotion to Buddhism, she went out less often to stir up trouble, and Chang’an actually enjoyed a brief period of peace.

But this peace didn’t last long. Just a few days later, a major incident occurred in Chang’an.

A Gu Master from the Southern Gu had infiltrated Chang’an and committed a major crime!

The Nan Gu People were born with some knowledge of poison. They grew up in the Twenty-Four Mountains of the Southern Borderlands, living alongside venomous insects from birth, so they naturally understood how to use poison. Among them, the most skilled were called Gu Masters.

These Gu Masters were all deadly. With just a flick of their hands, they could release poison capable of killing hundreds or even thousands of people! In the past, it was precisely because such a Gu Master had infiltrated Luoyang City that the entire city perished.

And recently, another Gu Master had arrived in Chang’an.

This Gu Master disguised himself as a Dachen person—the Dachen people and the Nan Gu People were actually quite similar. The Nan Gu People were not as dark-skinned as the Kunlun Slaves, nor did they have blue or green eyes like the Xijing People. They looked almost identical to the Dachen people.

Blending in among the Dachen people, they could spend some silver to purchase a Dachen person’s tooth plaque household registration. With a bit more silver, they could buy the city entry permit required to enter cities.

City entry permits were actually quite difficult to obtain. Dachen restricted population movement. If someone wanted to travel far, they had to report to the local government office, specifying their destination. For example, traveling from Luoyang to Chang’an would pass through over a dozen cities. The authorities wouldn’t issue a single permit directly from Luoyang to Chang’an. Instead, they would issue one from Luoyang to Suzhou, then another from Suzhou onward, issuing permits one by one until they reached Luoyang.

Without a city entry permit, one cannot enter the city. This greatly restricts the movement of merchants, hinders the escape of criminals, and prevents the Nan Gu People from entering Chang’an.

Yet this Southern Gu Master overcame all difficulties and made his way into Chang’an.

After arriving in Chang’an, this Gu Master did only one thing.

He used Gu worms to control horses in the capital, launching an attack on the Ministry of War’s Vice Minister Wu Xingzhi on his way to court.

Although Wu Xingzhi had brought private soldiers for protection, the fatal blow came when the Gu horse was slain. From its body emerged Gu worms the size of soybeans, gathering into a dense, black swarm that directly pounced on Wu Xingzhi, devouring him alive until only a skeleton and his intact official robe remained. Beside the corpse, four words were left: “Blood debt, blood repayment.”

As soon as this incident emerged, half the imperial court was thrown into shock.

Dachen had always turned pale at the mention of Gu. In ordinary times, the appearance of a single Nan Gu person would trigger a thorough investigation. Any household daring to harbor a Nan Gu person would face the crime of execution and the extermination of their entire family, with all involved sentenced to death upon discovery.

Not only the court, but even the Madams and Young Ladies of prominent families, upon hearing of this incident, dared not step outside.

Who knew how this Nan Gu Gu master had arrived? Who knew where he was hiding now, waiting to kill them?

In his fury, Emperor Yongchang convened a meeting of court officials. The Ji Gu Guard, Dachen’s specialized force for capturing Gu practitioners, immediately sprang into action, turning Chang’an upside down in search of this Gu master.

Yet, they still could not find him.

Even worse, the next day, another high-ranking official was killed in the same manner while leaving his residence for court. Beside his corpse, four words remained: “Min Nan Conflict.”

Upon seeing the words “Min Nan Conflict,” the Ji Gu Guard deduced what was happening.

Years earlier, Vice Minister Wu Xingzhi of the Ministry of War had served as a general on the frontier, personally leading a campaign in a place called “Min Nan” and achieving a victory that resulted in the deaths of many Nan Gu people.

Now, it seemed a Nan Gu person had traveled thousands of miles across cities and towns to seek revenge on Wu Xingzhi for that victory.

The second official to die was Wu Xingzhi’s former Deputy General.

As this incident unfolded, the soldiers who had fought together in the Min Nan Conflict trembled in fear—they were not afraid of real swords and spears, but of the omnipresent Gu and poison, of becoming a warm nest for worms, of being devoured to the bone.

Yet, the useless Ji Gu Guard could not capture this Nan Gu Gu master no matter what they tried. If they had caught him within a day or two, the incident would not have escalated so severely. But they simply could not find him.

Not only could they not capture him, but even under the tight protection of the Ji Gu Guard, another official who had participated in the Min Nan Conflict was killed!

This was the third high-ranking official!

If he could kill right under the noses of the Ji Gu Guard, how long would it be before he infiltrated the Chang’an imperial palace and released a worm to kill the Emperor?

Was there no one who could deal with this Nan Gu person?

For a time, the court was thrown into turmoil, and discussions spread throughout Chang’an, with even the frontier growing restless.

The deeds of the Nan Gu Gu master killing officials in Chang’an ignited the flames of aggression among the Nan Gu people in Nanjiang. Seemingly emboldened, they continuously invaded the borders.

At this time, a rumor suddenly spread in Chang’an: Zhennan Wang had abruptly returned to Chang’an and had not left his residence for days because he was already dead.

It was precisely because Zhennan Wang had died in Chang’an that the Nan Gu people on the frontier dared to invade, and the Nan Gu Gu master dared to wreak havoc in Chang’an.

As soon as this news broke, not only was Chang’an thrown into an uproar, but the frontier grew increasingly restless as well.

Among the border generals, eight out of ten were from the Qin Family Army. Having guarded the frontier for many years, the name “Zhennan Wang” was more than just a title to them—it was the sun above their heads.

As long as Zhennan Wang lived, they feared not the sky-darkening swarms of Gu worms.

But when the sun was about to fall, they would panic, grow restless, and tremble with fear. The border would inevitably be thrown into turmoil.

If Zhennan Wang truly died, where in all of Dachen would another Zhennan Wang emerge to stabilize the situation? Would the entire Dachen once again be invaded by the Southern Gu?

Naturally, some would jump out to refute this, claiming it impossible. Could none of the civil and military officials in the court step forward? Would Dachen truly be finished without Zhennan Wang?

Others said that Zhennan Wang was not yet dead. If he would just show himself, the rumors would collapse on their own.

But Zhennan Wang refused to appear.

And why would Zhennan Wang refuse to appear?

——

That night.

Outside the window, stars dotted the sky, and the bright moon hung high.

From the Second Prince’s residence outside the palace, a burst of furious cursing pierced through the window, startling the birds nesting under the eaves.

“Worthless—utterly worthless!”

With a crisp crack, a jade cup was hurled and smashed against the white marble floor, shattering into pieces. Advisors inside the hall trembled as they knelt in fear. Behind the high desk, the Second Prince, shedding his usual facade of refinement and elegance, roared with a ferocious expression, “What battle in Min Nan? It’s nothing but the Crown Prince’s scheme!”

From the very beginning of this incident, when Wu Xingzhi died, the Second Prince sensed something amiss.

Wu Xingzhi was his most capable general and the only military officer he could rely on. The Second Prince’s concubine, the younger sister of Imperial Consort Wan, had originally been married to Wu Xingzhi as a concubine. Later, after Imperial Consort Wan rose to power, the Second Prince’s concubine began scheming, hoping to leverage her sister’s influence to climb higher. Seeing this, Wu Xingzhi decisively divorced his wife and elevated Lady Wan, Imperial Consort Wan’s sister, to the position of his official wife, while also pledging allegiance to the Second Prince.

If the Second Prince ascended the throne as emperor, Wu Xingzhi would have boarded a treasure ship, sailing straight to the heavens.

And this time, it was precisely Wu Xingzhi who died.

The Second Prince immediately dispatched people to investigate, but his men, like the Gu Investigation Guards, found nothing.

It was as if a powerful Gu Master had descended from the heavens to kill him.

The Second Prince refused to believe it!

Gu worms existed, but they were certainly not that formidable. The Southern Gu and Dachen had fought for at least fifty years, nearly an entire dynasty, and had only managed to seize Luoyang. If there truly were such a powerful Gu Master in the world, why not just enter Chang’an and kill Emperor Yongchang? Wouldn’t that directly overthrow Dachen? Why bother killing a mere Wu Xingzhi?

He was more inclined to believe that someone had conspired from within, orchestrated the murder, and then forcefully fabricated the existence of such a Gu Master.

Someone must have ulterior motives—he just didn’t know who.

When the second person died, the Second Prince became certain: the one behind it was the Crown Prince.

Because the second victim was also one of the Second Prince’s faction.

Two deaths in a row, both targeting his people, and at the same time, rumors began to spread that “Zhennan Wang is dead.” After some thought, the Second Prince understood exactly what was happening.

The Crown Prince and Zhennan Wang sought to force the Emperor into submission and deal with the Second Prince by escalating tensions between Dachen and the Southern Gu, killing a few ministers aligned with the Second Prince, and inciting shock and panic among the ignorant masses.

The commoners believed that without Zhennan Wang, Dachen would be doomed. Rumors spread like wildfire, and though only a few had died, Dachen was thrown into turmoil, with widespread fear and unrest at the border. Under such circumstances, the Emperor would have no choice but to compromise with Zhennan Wang and the Crown Prince’s faction.

Compromise… how would that manifest? Naturally, by finding a pretext to deal with him, the Second Prince! Once he was suppressed and dealt with, Zhennan Wang’s “illness” would miraculously heal! He would return to Nanjiang, continuing to lie low like a dog, guarding those Twenty-Four Mountains!

And what of him? With the Crown Prince’s victory, he would be pushed further from the throne. Each loss would see his supporters dwindle while the Crown Prince’s ranks swelled. Even if his father protected him, he would no longer stand firm!

In this political struggle, the Crown Prince wielded Zhennan Wang’s influence and used the Nan Gu People as a blade, striking ruthlessly at the Second Prince’s neck.

Want Zhennan Wang to step in and stabilize the situation? Want the border secured? Fine—deal with the Second Prince, and everything will proceed smoothly.

What a masterful move by the Crown Prince, killing with a borrowed knife!

“Bastards!”

The Second Prince’s roar echoed through his bedchamber, forceful on the surface but hollow beneath, barely concealing his unease.

The Crown Prince’s move was vicious, exploiting everyone’s fear of the Southern Gu and leveraging Zhennan Wang’s mountain-like authority. Combined, they tied Dachen’s stability to Zhennan Wang’s fate: as long as Zhennan Wang remained absent, Dachen’s borders would remain in turmoil.

If war truly broke out, causing casualties among the common people, even his father, despite his favoritism, would inevitably yield.

This was the perpetual tug-of-war between the noble families and imperial power.

No, he had to do something.

The Second Prince paced anxiously in his bedchamber, hesitating for a long time before finally making a decision.

With the Crown Prince’s true intentions laid bare, he too had to resort to ruthless measures.

“Summon Bai Yuning,” the Second Prince suppressed his rage, pinching the bridge of his nose as he spoke.

The pawn he had kept hidden for so long was now to be deployed.

——

That night, Bai Yuning entered the Second Prince’s chambers.

Red candles burned quietly, casting the shadows of two figures against the window screen as they plotted throughout the night.

At dawn the next day, Bai Yuning left the Second Prince’s residence and headed straight for the Houfu.

It was the ninth lunar month, and dawn arrived later now, the sunlight no longer as harsh. The private soldiers guarding the mansion entrance had stood watch all night and were inevitably weary.

Just as they leaned drowsily against the doorposts, propping themselves up with their spears, they suddenly spotted a figure in plain clothing approaching from the distant street.

Under the pale, misty sky, the cool morning light fell, illuminating the large bluestone bricks on the ground.

The private soldiers found the figure’s silhouette vaguely familiar.

As the person drew nearer, the guards at the entrance widened their eyes to see more clearly. The figure stopped before the mansion gate, turned, and with a resounding “thud,” knelt firmly on the ground.

The private soldiers gasped in shock, exclaiming, “Isn’t that—isn’t that Miss Bai?”

Previously, it was Miss Bai, Bai Yuning, who was driven out for framing the Eldest Young Master! How has she returned now? And not only has she returned, but she’s also kneeling right in front of the mansion gate!

A single stone stirred up a thousand ripples. The private soldiers at the gate dared not delay and hurried inside to report.

If they were even a moment late and outsiders saw this, they might think the Houfu had done something to this Miss Bai!

In no time, the private soldiers at the gate went to fetch Nanny Zhao.

At the time, Nanny Zhao was wearing a narrow-sleeved one-step skirt. As soon as she stepped over the threshold, she caught sight of Bai Yuning’s tear-streaked face.

Look at this little vixen!

Nanny Zhao gritted her teeth in hatred. She always felt that if it weren’t for this woman, the Eldest Young Master and the Second Young Master wouldn’t have ended up at odds. So she thought to herself, today, no matter what this little vixen said, she would drive her out! If she really refused to leave, she’d break both of Bai Yuning’s legs!

Did they really think the Houfu was a family without a temper?

Watching Nanny Zhao approach, the two private soldiers at the gate sighed in unison.

Lately, Nanny Zhao’s temper had been fierce. She held a tight grip on the affairs of the mansion, and no one could get away with anything. Seeing her so menacing now, they figured Miss Bai was in for trouble.

But unexpectedly, after Nanny Zhao stormed over and spoke down to Bai Yuning for just a few words, she turned around, pale-faced, and went straight into the mansion to see the Marquise at Shangyue Garden.

Nanny Zhao’s message was relayed layer by layer until it finally reached Shangyue Garden.

——

In Shangyue Garden, Qin Chanyue lay deeply asleep, nestled in soft silk.

Last night, Qin Chanyue had indulged with her male favorite until the world turned dark.

In recent days, the male favorite’s skills had improved by leaps and bounds, pleasing her immensely. She rarely experienced such delightful sensations and became utterly captivated. Yesterday, she let herself go a little, even selecting a newly finished silk from the storeroom to bind him.

The silk was red and very long, originally used for dance performances. When Qin Chanyue was young, she loved performing the Zhen Qian dance, a dance to send soldiers off to war. A single red silk could dance up to the heavens. Now, instead of dancing to the heavens, the red silk danced upon a body.

He was strong but offered no resistance, kneeling on the ground and panting heavily. The red silk tightly bound his dark skin, outlining distinct curves. With the doors and windows tightly shut, light flowed like water over his body, every inch of his muscles radiating the unique, fiery aura of a man.

Qin Chanyue loved teasing him, like playing with a warm, large dog. She used her fair, delicate toes to step on him, from his chest down to his waist, finally applying a bit of pressure.

A deep, sensual sound escaped his throat, like a beast in heat. Qin Chanyue reached down to touch his Adam’s apple, and in that moment, she suddenly wanted to see his face.

Just as she reached to lift his mask, he suddenly broke free from his restraints, wrapped his arms around her, and rolled with her onto the bed. Amidst the dizzying spin, and then—

Qin Chanyue couldn’t remember clearly after that.

She only recalled the bed curtains swaying endlessly, the lotus patterns on them spinning round and round, and her world turning upside down along with them.

Qin Chanyue slept soundly like this until the next day, when she was abruptly awakened by the panicked arrival of Nanny Zhao.

Nanny Zhao didn’t dare enter the inner room, only calling out repeatedly from outside the door. Qin Chanyue woke in a daze and reached beside her, only to find it empty, just as she had expected.

This person…no matter how wild the nights were, he would invariably be nowhere to be seen the next day. Qin Chanyue reveled with him night after night, yet she still didn’t even know his name.

When she first awoke, Qin Chanyue stared blankly at the bed before her for a moment.

This male favorite…for some reason, the more she looked at him, the more he pleased her.

After all, he was a martial man—this physique was something any woman would adore.

Her slender fingers lightly traced the bedding, as if gliding over that fiery chest. After a moment, Qin Chanyue withdrew her hand, lifted her gaze toward the outer room, and said, “Enter.”

Outside the door, Nanny Zhao entered with a pale face. Once inside, she acted like a thief, first closing the door to the outer room, then taking two anxious steps forward and kneeling behind the beaded curtain. In a hushed voice, she said to Qin Chanyue, “It’s terrible, Madam. Just now…just now, this old servant received a report that the private soldiers we keep at home saw Bai Yuning arrive. He’s kneeling right outside the mansion gate. I wanted to drive him away, but who would have thought…when I went out, Bai Yuning actually said to me—”