Jing Hengbo wished she could immediately cover that woman’s mouth.

A woman’s mouth, a viper’s fangs—truly the most terrifying things in this world.

That woman’s voice was shrill, and all eyes in the venue turned toward them. Under such scrutiny, nothing could be done.

From the high platform in the river came a shocked cry: “It’s Second Master! The dead one is Second Master! He was killed with a single blade! The enforcement elder of our Yelu family has been murdered!”

The Yelu family members had already discovered that the corpse was Yelu Shengwu. Several figures burst through the crowd, rushing straight toward Jing Hengbo.

Everyone’s suspicious gazes fixed on Jing Hengbo. The entire banquet had been held on the grass, still some distance from the riverside. In this weather, no one would go play in the water, so the person with wet clothes would naturally be the most suspicious.

Facing everyone’s stares, Jing Hengbo casually shook her skirts as if nothing had happened, smiling: “Because I went to the riverside earlier and got my shoes wet.”

“What did you go to the riverside for?” someone immediately asked.

“To enjoy the scenery, play in the water, have fun.” Jing Hengbo replied frankly. “The river lanterns floating on the water were quite beautiful, so I went closer to look. Is that not allowed? Surely some of you have also been to the riverside?”

Everyone fell silent—indeed, because the river lanterns on the water were beautiful, many people had gone to the riverside.

“Uh, then uh, why uh, didn’t we see you by the river?” An elder from the Floating Water tribe stuttered his question suspiciously.

“Yes, you’re dressed so conspicuously. If you had been by the riverside, we definitely would have seen you.” A woman from Yu Kingdom asked the question, and Jing Hengbo felt that each word must be very tiring to squeeze out from the fat on her cheeks.

“I don’t like overly strong powder and cosmetics, so I didn’t crowd into places with many people. Is that not allowed?” Jing Hengbo smiled sweetly in reply. While speaking, she gradually moved toward areas with fewer people, preparing to simply disappear when she could no longer maintain the pretense. It was just regrettable that she wouldn’t be able to openly steal the medicine afterward.

In various hidden corners not far away, the Bee Stings concealed themselves in different ways, gripping smoke-emitting pellets tightly in their hands, ready to throw these smoke-producing projectiles to cover their queen’s escape the moment she made her move.

Jing Hengbo couldn’t move to the shadows, because with several whooshing sounds, people landed in front, behind, left, and right of her. From their appearances, they should be members of the Yelu family.

“No matter how you argue, you remain the most suspicious,” the leader said coldly, looking at her before turning to the approaching Shang Lue. “Please, Crown Prince, uphold justice.”

Shang Lue showed a troubled expression, but after a long moment said: “The Queen’s status is noble, and she is an honored guest of our nation. Our Shang Kingdom has no authority to take action against Her Majesty.”

“Then we can’t just let her remain suspicious yet go unpunished! What does the life of an elder of our Yelu family count for? What does our Yelu family count for?” The Yelu family man said angrily. “Even if she is a queen, she cannot treat human life as grass. Moreover, this is on your Shang Kingdom’s territory—this is a challenge to Shang Kingdom’s dignity! Furthermore, the Yelu family is also a great clan of Yu Kingdom. Jade Queen, this is also trampling on our Yu Kingdom’s dignity!”

Following his words, several Yu Kingdom royals slowly stepped forward. Their mountain-like forms blocked most people’s view just by standing there, creating an oppressive feeling.

Everyone showed solemn expressions. This matter was clearly very troublesome. Although the Jade Queen was wealthy in her territory, this time she had offended two kingdoms. Whether as the host Shang Kingdom or Yu Kingdom needing to support a domestic great clan, both would not let this matter pass lightly for the sake of their own dignity.

“Jade Queen,” Shang Lue struggled for a long time, finally understanding he couldn’t be too partial in this situation, and had to say: “This matter is suspicious. Please accompany this prince back for investigation.”

A Yu Kingdom royal immediately said: “We need to observe, and the Yelu family must also participate.”

Shang Lue, secretly heartbroken that the romantic beauty would be lost to him forever, said in poor spirits: “As you wish.” Then he whispered to Jing Hengbo: “You can rest assured. It’s just questioning. You also need to clear your suspicion to avoid making enemies of our Shang Kingdom and Yu Kingdom, right? Don’t worry, I’ll try to take care of you.”

Jing Hengbo snorted inwardly—this was a man from the political arena. So-called pursuit was nothing more than lower-body behavior. In the face of political interests, emotion was nothing more than light, airy promises between the lips and teeth.

Suddenly she thought of Gong Yin, and couldn’t help sighing in her heart at her own good fortune.

She didn’t mind following along for questioning anyway—finding an opportunity to teleport away should still be possible.

She didn’t resist, but the Yelu family members wouldn’t let it go. One person said: “Since she could kill the foremost person of our family, her martial arts must be quite strong. We must be careful and put shackles on her hands and feet!”

Suddenly a loud shout: “Who dares touch my queen!”

There was commotion outside, and over ten figures came running. Leading them were Yong Xue and Er Gouzi Feifei. They had also followed, but according to protocol, the attendants of distinguished guests were entertained separately outside the garden. Now hearing the disturbance, they had all rushed to protect her.

Yong Xue said nothing, leading the guards to block in front of her.

Feifei jumped onto her shoulder, crossed its front paws, looked around disdainfully, and flicked its big tail, as if to say: “If you dare come forward, I’ll slap you in the face.”

Er Gouzi’s round eyes rolled around chaotically as it broke into curses: “In the dark forest startled by wind, the general draws his bow at night. A bunch of big fools, pierce your chrysanthemums center!”

The Yu Kingdom people were also sneering coldly, surging forward with clattering sounds: “Setting up such a formation—could it be you have a guilty conscience?”

“Not at all.” Before Jing Hengbo could speak, the usually silent Yong Xue spoke first, each word especially clear: “I’m afraid you’ll die miserably.”

The fat men from Yu Kingdom were chuckling, their fat shaking out waves of contemptuous frequency.

“Like you,” Yong Xue pointed at the foremost Yelu family member, saying flatly: “You’ll die under the coldest snow, colder than the water that drowned that man just now. Snow will cover your nose, filling all breathing spaces… until you suffociate.”

Her tone was icy cold, each word pronounced with decisive clarity, like an iron-clad curse, and like a prophecy of death.

In the midnight cold wind, everyone felt a chill run through their bodies.

That Yelu family member’s face changed, then he sneered dismissively: “Has Your Majesty the Queen run out of people? Do you think getting a little girl to play ghost tricks and scare people can absolve you of the crime of murder?”

Jing Hengbo propped her chin on her hand, looking at Yong Xue. From what she knew of the little girl, she didn’t think Yong Xue was just making empty threats.

This child was usually quiet to the point of seeming to deliberately make herself invisible, but once she spoke, every sentence was like a nail. Moreover, she remembered that sometimes Yong Xue’s words had a prophetic quality, as if she could sense things others couldn’t, though it wasn’t stable or clear.

Yong Xue frowned as she swept her gaze around the Yelu family circle, her eyes looking at them as if they were already dead. Anyone being looked at this way would feel uncomfortable. A Yelu family member couldn’t bear it and sneered: “The fortune-teller act looks quite convincing. So, master, can you foresee how all of us will die?”

Yong Xue didn’t even glance at him, lowered her eyelashes, and said flatly: “You’ll all be the same as him.”

After a moment of silence, wild laughter erupted. The group of Yelu family members laughed until they nearly cried. One person wiped his eyes while gasping with laughter: “Oh my goodness, she almost had me fooled. I was actually worrying about not dying that way. Hehehe, turns out she’s just a little fraud!”

Everyone also smiled, and the previous unease and wariness instantly dissipated.

People in the martial world inevitably faced violent death, so when Yong Xue spoke her first sentence, everyone was somewhat alarmed, fearing she might be capable. However, hearing her say that all the Yelu family members would die the same way, their anxiety completely vanished—one person dying a certain way was possible, but an entire family dying the same way was absolutely impossible. Who could do that?

“We brothers really got carried away laughing, actually listening seriously to such a little girl’s nonsense!” A Yelu family man laughed for a long time, then strode forward, reaching out to grab Yong Xue: “Get lost!”

“Clang.” Yong Xue drew her sword.

“Clang, clatter.” All the guards drew their swords in succession.

Sword light stood like a forest, blocking Jing Hengbo behind them.

Feifei gracefully flew up from Jing Hengbo’s shoulder, curled into a ball mid-air, and landed on Yong Xue’s shoulder, baring its teeth at the person pressing closest.

Unfortunately, the image of a girl and a cat didn’t look very intimidating, making the Yelu family members laugh even harder.

People were approaching from all sides, some retreating, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

With arrows nocked and ready to fire, Shang Lue had no choice. With a stern face, he waved his hand, and large numbers of Shang Kingdom soldiers poured in, dispersing the crowd and surrounding both sides of the field.

Jing Hengbo slowly placed both hands on Yong Xue’s shoulders, palms slightly raised upward in a restraining gesture.

She was stopping Yelu Qi from coming out.

If he came out now, it would be useless. Not only would it fail to clear her suspicion, it would directly confirm that the two had committed murder. The Yelu family wouldn’t give up troubling her just because Yelu Qi came out to confess.

She hoped Yelu Qi would stay calm and take action after leaving here.

There was indeed no movement from all directions, and she felt slightly relieved.

She didn’t know that in the shadows, Yelu Qi had been ready to come out but suddenly fixed his gaze on the direction of the manor gate and stopped in his tracks.

Meanwhile, the Bee Stings had already scattered into the darkness.

On the grass, sword lights coldly confronted each other, those in front nearly close enough to touch each other’s eyelashes.

Jing Hengbo was smiling, but in her heart she was already preparing for a massacre.

Since this couldn’t end well, then let’s have a fierce battle.

It was just unfortunate that from now on she’d have to go from open to hidden, stealing medicine in secret, which would increase the difficulty.

Her palm pressed slightly harder, preparing to throw Yong Xue out first, then capture the leader—first taking down that fat Yu Kingdom prince.

Her fingertips had just lifted.

All around was silent as death.

Suddenly a long laugh rang throughout the manor.

“Hey, what are so many people gathering here for? Have you come to welcome this young marshal?”

The voice was clear and bright, carrying three parts of metallic ring, letting anyone who heard it know immediately that the speaker was decisive and hard, definitely not to be trifled with.

Jing Hengbo trembled and turned around sharply.

She could only hear distant commotion, as if someone was forcing their way into the manor, with others trying to stop them, but the obstruction seemed completely ineffective. The faint sound of clashing weapons rang out continuously, the sounds rapidly approaching. In the blink of an eye they were nearby, and everyone was greatly alarmed—the newcomer was so fast!

Before one thought was complete, they heard an “Ah!” of anguish. A human figure flew through the air. Everyone’s heads followed his backwards arc in a circle. With a “thud,” the person crashed into the center of the crowd, limbs convulsing, struggling several times without being able to get up.

Shang Lue looked and couldn’t help changing color, angrily saying: “Who dares attack my Shang Kingdom’s great general!”

“Me!” Still that clear voice. Everyone turned to look and saw under the moonlight and red lanterns, a person in gray-blue robes with a black and gold belt was striding forward. Even from a distance, one could see his narrow waist and long legs, his posture proud and upright. Even his flying garment edges had hard lines, seeming full of gunpowder and iron-blood atmosphere.

Most of the men present developed a “this is a formidable enemy” wariness, while the ladies and young misses mostly had bright eyes, staring at the man’s legs—longer and straighter than ordinary people’s—visible under his flying robes as he strode forward.

“Pei Shu!” Jing Hengbo never imagined he would appear here. She couldn’t help but be both surprised and delighted.

Her bright-eyed expression clearly pleased Pei Shu greatly. He laughed loudly, completely ignoring everyone else as he passed through the crowd, deliberately shoving Shang Lue aside as he passed.

“Your Majesty the Queen,” he opened his arms wide and laughed: “Long time no see, come give me a hug!”

Jing Hengbo laughed with a “pff” sound. Seeing Pei Shu at this moment truly lifted her spirits greatly. She really did open her arms with a smile: “A hug it is!”

“Stop!” A Yelu family man across from her roared, his long sword swishing as it pointed at Pei Shu.

The next moment his long sword flew from his hand straight into the clouds, then fell straight down, causing the ladies to shriek.

Pei Shu held up his hand, maintaining a finger-flicking posture. The next instant, his diamond-hard finger had flicked the man’s chin.

“Pop.” Everyone clearly heard the sound of bones shattering. The man screamed “Ah!” and opened his mouth, a pile of sparkling things flew out—upon closer inspection, they were his complete set of teeth.

“Noisy!” the young marshal said disdainfully.

Everyone was alarmed, shocked by this person’s ruthless methods.

Pei Shu had already turned toward those Yelu family members. He was very displeased that these people had blocked him from hugging Jing Hengbo.

The young marshal with slightly raised eyebrows stared at people with the gaze of a tiger eyeing its prey. That natural and even more intense acquired killing aura made both the Yelu family and Yu Kingdom people involuntarily begin retreating.

The next instant, Pei Shu crossed through the crowd and swept Jing Hengbo into his arms.

Jing Hengbo curved her lips at him: “How did you come here?”

Pei Shu didn’t answer, but turned to look at her carefully. Jing Hengbo suddenly remembered her current facial condition and hurried to pull down her face mask, but Pei Shu stopped her hand, encircled her in his arms with her back to the crowd, and lifted the mask to examine her closely.

Then his thick brows furrowed.

Jing Hengbo immediately heard his blunt criticism: “Ugly!”

Jing Hengbo pouted—well, she knew the young marshal was direct by nature, wouldn’t be indifferent to her appearance like Gong Yin, nor would he be gentlemanly and considerate of her feelings like Yelu Qi, but hearing this sentence so directly still hurt her a little.

The next moment she heard him say fiercely: “What medicine does Shang Kingdom have? What medicine is good for your face? Rob them all!”

Her mood improved greatly, and she asked with a smile: “What if Shang Kingdom’s medicine is also useless? What if it stays like this forever? Would you still be my young marshal?”

“Did I originally agree to you because of your face?” Pei Shu asked her back with a darkened face. After thinking, he muttered again: “Though there might have been some connection?” After thinking more, he impatiently waved his hand: “If it can’t be cured, then it can’t be cured. If it can’t be cured, I’ll slash all the women’s faces in this world, and you’ll still be the most beautiful one!”

Jing Hengbo laughed heartily, feeling that although the young marshal had improper values, he was really refreshing!

The two chatted as if no one else existed, while everyone watched with burning gazes. Shang Lue’s face was gloomy, his eyes constantly fixed on Pei Shu’s hand resting on Jing Hengbo’s waist.

Pei Shu had keen reactions and had long noticed, but didn’t even glance at him, and even pressed harder with his hand on Jing Hengbo’s waist.

“What are you doing?” Only now did Jing Hengbo notice his hand wasn’t being proper and tried to shake it off, but Pei Shu said: “Eh, how come your waist got thicker after not seeing you for a while?”

“Ah? Really?” Jing Hengbo was immediately distracted and hurried to feel her own waist. Touching it, she suddenly realized something was wrong—why were all her clothes dry?

She looked up and saw that only now did Pei Shu move away the hand that had been around her shoulders, with slight heat in his palm.

She understood completely.

So when Pei Shu appeared, he had made a preemptive strike with various arrogant behaviors, all to silently eliminate evidence.

Only Pei Shu had true fire and true qi that could instantly dry clothing.

“Who might you be?” Shang Lue approached with a gloomy face, followed by a large group of Shang Kingdom generals with unfriendly expressions.

“Pei Shu!”

Gasps sounded from all directions. Everyone present knew the famous name of Jade White Golden Pivot, the young war god.

“Pei Shu? The beloved general of the Black Water Queen?” Shang Lue was slightly surprised. “How did you appear here? How are you so intimately involved with the Jade Queen?”

“Because this young marshal is pursuing the Jade Queen.” Pei Shu showed him snow-white teeth, cold and menacing. “What, is it your business?”

“This prince cannot control your private affairs!” Shang Lue said angrily. “We have long heard of the young marshal’s fame, but this is Shang Kingdom! If the young marshal wants to show off your power, please return to your Dai Mao! Now the Jade Queen is suspected of murdering a Yelu family elder, and we were about to invite her for questioning. Young marshal, you obstruct us here—are you planning to make enemies of both Shang Kingdom and Yu Kingdom?”

“Murder?” Pei Shu rubbed his chin. “No grudges, no enmity, never dealt with each other—why would she murder?”

One sentence struck the heart of the matter, silencing everyone. The Yelu family members looked at each other—Yelu Shengwu was stubborn and went his own way. When he went to pressure Jing Hengbo, he hadn’t explained his reasons or purpose, so the Yelu family members also didn’t understand why the queen would kill Yelu Shengwu, whom she’d never met.

Seeing everyone speechless, Pei Shu immediately smiled.

The beautiful man’s smile in the night was cold, murderous, and vaguely cunning. Seeing this expression, everyone couldn’t help thinking of this man’s legendary explosive temperament and fox-like cunning on the battlefield, feeling even more uneasy.

“For murder, there must be motive and conditions.” Pei Shu sneered. “Now there’s no motive, so what’s the evidence against her?”

“Yelu Shengwu was murdered and hidden under stones by the river. The stones were disturbed by large fish, and the corpse floated up, just in time to be seen by a dancer performing on the river lanterns. Since the killing was by the river, the murderer very likely also got their clothes wet. Everyone else present has intact, dry clothing—only the Queen’s clothing was wet!”

“Ah? Wet? I don’t see any wetness.” Pei Shu laughed heartily and pushed Jing Hengbo forward. “Is it wet, hmm?”

Everyone looked and couldn’t help being stunned—Jing Hengbo’s clothes were completely dry with no wet traces.

“That’s not right! I clearly saw her skirt hem and shoes were wet just now!” The woman who had been standing beside Jing Hengbo suddenly shrieked.

Pei Shu didn’t even glance at her, but suddenly turned to arrange Jing Hengbo’s hair, gathering up her slightly disheveled locks and smoothing them. He casually picked up the jade necklace she wore on her chest that Shang Lue had given her as an accessory, saying: “This chain is too ugly, it doesn’t suit you!” With a flick of his finger, the necklace broke and flew out, hitting the shrieking woman right in the mouth. The woman cried “Ah!” and her mouth immediately caved in.

The woman covered her mouth crying and wailing as a crowd surged forward to check and help her. Pei Shu still didn’t look at her, fixing Jing Hengbo’s collar by himself and smiling: “Any jewelry looks vulgar on you. Don’t wear random accessories people give you anymore, understand?”

Jing Hengbo glanced at him sideways, worried in her heart—this violent child with such a strong possessive streak, how could this be manageable?

Shang Lue stood aside, staring at the shattered jade necklace on the ground, his face iron-gray. He suddenly said coldly: “Earlier, Her Majesty the Queen personally admitted she had gone to the riverside.”

Jing Hengbo looked at him with contempt—seeing that seduction was hopeless, he was taking action himself. With this character, no wonder the old king didn’t like him.

“I was just speaking in proverbs,” she shrugged. “Haven’t you heard? Those who often walk by the river—how can their shoes not get wet?”

“You!” Shang Lue and others glared at her angrily, while Jing Hengbo remained unperturbed.

“So what if she went to the riverside?” Pei Shu held her and turned to look at the riverbank, suddenly smiling. “She went to see the river lanterns. She just wanted to pick one for me, because I like lotus flowers.” He lowered his head to smile at Jing Hengbo, his smile suddenly tender and affectionate. “Isn’t that right?”

Jing Hengbo felt goosebumps all over from his deep, affectionate smile, but could only nod and return an equally sickeningly sweet smile.

“Why would she wade into water for you to pick river lanterns?” The Yu Kingdom prince asked sternly.

“Are you stupid? You can even ask such a question?” Pei Shu spread his hands and laughed loudly. “Because she’s thinking of me in her heart! Because we’re in mutual love! Because she loves me!”

A rumbling sound of discussion arose, and everyone’s faces suddenly flashed with gossipy brilliance—Young Marshal Pei is pursuing the Jade Queen! This was truly explosive news!

Jing Hengbo made a choking sound and nearly choked. Er Gouzi’s eyes widened, just about to recite poetry to mock someone’s shamelessness, when Pei Shu smiled and lightly touched its head with white teeth showing. Er Gouzi immediately shrank its neck and stopped reciting.

Feifei had already closed its eyes on Yong Xue’s shoulder, looking drowsy—it always slept very timely.

A face suddenly poked out from the crowd—that snow-white, delicate little face was Yu Wuse.

This boy was cursing in low voice: “Ah! Shameless! Too shameless! One impersonating my mother, one publicly declaring pursuit of my mother—if this gets out, what about my mother’s reputation, what about my face? This way this Pei Shu bastard would become my cheap stepfather! No, no, I must stop this, I must expose this pair of deceitful dog-man and woman who ruin others’ reputations…”

Just as he was about to rush out, his mouth was suddenly covered. Before he could struggle, he was quietly dragged out of the crowd, knocked down in a dark corner, and lost the chance to defend his mother’s and his own reputation…

In the field, Pei Shu was still eloquent: “The Black Water Queen and Jade Queen are close friends. I once led troops to protect the Black Water Queen to Jade territory. Upon seeing Her Majesty the Jade Queen, I was immediately stunned by her celestial beauty. I believe that among all women in this world, none equals half of her. Today, if anyone troubles her, I will certainly fight them to the death. I hope all of you will decide for yourselves!”

“Shu!” Jing Hengbo wailed. “I have a face full of pockmarks, I’m old, and I have an eleven-year-old son. I’m not suitable for you!”

“It doesn’t matter.” Pei Shu held her waist, not letting her move away, gazing at her with deep affection. “People will always age and become ugly, only the original heart remains unchanged. Everything about you is everything about me. Your child is also my child. Of course, I’d be very willing to have more with you…”

The rest of his words were cut off by Jing Hengbo’s fierce pinch. She leaned close to Pei Shu’s ear with mixed laughter and tears, whispering: “Hey, hey, moderate acting is fine, but this is too much.”

“Who told you this was acting?” Pei Shu snorted coldly. “Every word is true!”

Jing Hengbo sighed and turned her head away, but Pei Shu grabbed her chin, staring intensely into her eyes: “Jing Hengbo!”

She had to meet his gaze and was immediately shocked by his burning yet angry eyes.

“Jing Hengbo, don’t treat everything as a joke.” Pei Shu said in a low voice, word by word. “You come and go as you please, abandon things when you want. You could even abandon the vast Dai Mao to me and go enjoy yourself with other men. Everyone knew your whereabouts except me who knew last! Even wanting to say a few sincere words to you, I have to borrow such an opportunity and act it out like a performance. You still laugh and play the fool—tell me yourself, are you being fair to me?”

Jing Hengbo drew a breath, thinking this was bad. The violent dragon was actually angry—half acting, half venting. How should this end?

Recently her heart had been full of Gong Yin, and she hadn’t thought of others. Now that Pei Shu had said this, she felt she had indeed gone too far, but matters of the heart—how could one return feelings just because someone came to them? This principle couldn’t be explained to him clearly. She could only whisper: “Let go first, I’ll explain to you later.”

Pei Shu stared at her for a long time, snorted coldly through his nose, turned his head, but didn’t release her hand.

At this time, everyone saw the two whispering intimately, their manner naturally close, indeed looking like a couple, and couldn’t help frowning.

Pei Shu held Jing Hengbo’s hand and turned toward Shang Lue and the Yu Kingdom Yelu family members.

“Don’t think that just because the Jade Queen is alone, she cannot resist your Yu Kingdom and Shang Kingdom alliance, letting you beat and kill at will! She has territory, armies, the Black Water Queen as her ally, and a man to support her!” He pointed at his own nose, showing a fierce grin to the iron-faced crowd. “Fifty thousand cavalry of the Hengji Army are now at Shang Kingdom’s border! The blades under my command have drunk their fill of blood from Dai Mao nobles, but haven’t yet tasted the flavor of Shang Kingdom and Yu Kingdom blood! If you dare touch even a hair of hers today, tomorrow I’ll show you what it means to rage for a beauty!”