Wuqing had no intention of responding to her at all, not even bothering to answer. He slightly released her and charged at the two men with his sword.

He indeed used powerful techniques – not to mention the thunderous momentum of his leaping and thrusting, but judging from Yu and Mao’s changed expressions and their inability to spare her any attention, it was clear how formidable he was. Lian Xin bit her teeth, crouched low, and rushed out the door through their fight.

“Got you!”

She was about to run wildly when she heard Mao Hui’s explosive shout at the door. Her steps abruptly stopped, and as soon as she turned around – she saw Wuqing take a sword to the shoulder, his abdominal wound reopening again, the situation becoming perilous.

Mao Hui and Yu Jinglun’s offensive became even more fierce. Yu Jinglun wickedly glanced at her and said to Mao Hui: “I’ll deal with this young man – you go kill that girl!”

Mao Hui knew that at this critical moment, they absolutely couldn’t let Lian Xin escape. He immediately responded, but though Wuqing was severely wounded, his swordsmanship was formidable. Moreover, he fought with a desperate, life-risking style – before finishing one move on one person, he would immediately attack the other. Both men had to defend simultaneously and couldn’t break free for the moment.

Lian Xin had always been hard-hearted, and this person was the one she detested most. But watching him struggle desperately, her teeth chattered and she couldn’t move her feet until Wuqing glared at her fiercely and shouted “Get lost!” Only then did she grit her teeth and prepare to run.

When masters fought, every split second mattered. In that moment of hesitation, Mao Hui deflected Wuqing’s sword with one stroke. Yu Jinglun sneered and took over all the attacks. Mao Hui gathered his energy and leaped, landing outside the door and capturing Lian Xin.

Wuqing’s eyes instantly turned violently dark. Using his left hand to point his crutch to the ground, he was about to attack Mao Hui when Mao Hui’s sword was faster. His lips curved slightly as he slashed horizontally toward Lian Xin’s neck.

Wuqing’s expression changed, and Lian Xin screamed in terror. At this life-or-death moment, a light laugh drifted over. Mao Hui’s blade only collided with another sword, sparking a shower of sparks.

In that gap, someone pulled Lian Xin away and sent her out of the room with a palm strike.

Mao Hui was shocked beyond words, Yu Jinglun’s face turned even more sinister, and Lian Xin, having escaped death, stood blankly at the door, looking at the newcomer with some disbelief.

Wuqing stood tall and proud, his gaze fixed on that person as he said quietly: “I knew you had problems long ago. Your martial arts skills are not simple.”

The newcomer laughed and snorted: “My knowing martial arts doesn’t mean anything about my character. As for you… cut the chatter. You owe me a life – think about how to repay it!”

Wuqing frowned. This person then spoke obsequiously to Lian Xin outside the door: “Princess, if this humble person accidentally dies for the country, you must remember to report to the Empress Dowager and His Majesty to grant me the title of Loyal Marquis or something.”

Wuqing’s lips twitched. Lian Xin was still in a daze when this person flicked his sleeve and slammed the door shut, isolating Lian Xin outside.

Lian Xin’s whole body was still trembling, but she heard a voice from inside: “Run quickly and find people to rescue me and Wuqing!”

She shuddered and finally snapped awake, running away desperately.

Suzhen found the inn but didn’t see Leng Xue. She only saw the Huang residence maid she had previously disguised as – the ugly girl was tied to the bed, cowering in fear. Leng Xue must have left not long ago, and before leaving, he had carefully fed her. The bowls and chopsticks were still on the table.

She untied the ugly girl and gave her all the silver she had, telling her to find some small business and not return to the Huang residence. Seeing that she wasn’t a bad person and that the silver was abundant, the maid stopped sobbing, thanked her, and left. She left a note for Leng Xue telling him to find her at the courier station, then returned to the courier station.

Since she had no way to interfere with Huang Tianba’s matter, staying here would only be an act. She felt nothing but irritation and discomfort throughout her body. After thinking for a while, she decided to find Wuyan. She was powerless to change what she couldn’t change, but at least she could salvage what she could salvage.

She asked a servant for directions and went to find her.

Arriving at the door, Wuyan wasn’t there, and the door wasn’t locked either. She simply entered the room to wait for her return.

After sitting for a while, she heard movement outside the door. Just as she was about to go open it, she heard someone sneer: “Won’t you invite me in to sit for a while, Consort Wei?”

This voice… it was Lian Yue!

Suzhen initially didn’t want to hide, but worried that this encounter would give Wuyan a bad reputation. Though everyone knew she was a woman, it hadn’t been made public, and she couldn’t guarantee Lian Yue wouldn’t use this to gossip and damage Wuyan’s reputation. There was nowhere to hide in the room… She leaped onto the bed canopy, hiding behind the thick curtains just like when she had entered the palace.

Just as she concealed herself, the two pushed the door open and entered.

“I don’t know what advice Princess Imperial has for me? This place is humble and really not suitable for receiving guests.”

She peered out to see the door left open, with Wuyan blocking Lian Yue’s path. Though she let her enter, her tone was indifferent with no welcoming intent.

Lian Yue laughed, her eyebrows beautiful: “Humble? Though the courier station isn’t comparable to the imperial palace, how could the quarters assigned to Your Ladyship be crude? The accommodations are probably several degrees better than mine and Chang’an’s. Though your father holds high position and power, you’re still just the daughter of a lowly concubine, yet you always put on airs of arrogance with a melancholy, gloomy demeanor. I really don’t know what Huo Chang’an originally saw in you!”

“Why don’t you ask him yourself, Princess?”

“Such a sharp tongue!”

“If I were courteous to Princess, you probably wouldn’t be used to it.” Wuyan suddenly laughed quietly: “If you have something to say, please say it quickly. If not, please leave. We’ll see each other in court soon enough.”

Lian Yue finally stopped smiling and put on an expression of cold hatred. She stared intently at Wuyan and said slowly: “This competition has two meanings for the Empress Dowager. First, to have Miao Yin take the lead and successfully bring down Huang Tianba, which would silence those veteran ministers in court. Second, it’s time for you and me to settle things.”

Wuyan had been listening with her head raised, but hearing this, she couldn’t help but be shocked.

“Do you think the Empress Dowager doesn’t know about you and Chang’an’s affair? His Majesty and Chang’an are both the Empress Dowager’s most beloved younger generation. Do you think she can allow you to play both sides like this? This time, on the surface, neither of us can defeat Miao Yin, but privately, whatever evidence we collect and methods we find to win the case can be handed over to her. Then, whoever she promotes will be the victor. If you lose, please stop entangling Huo Chang’an and be a good imperial consort.”

Wuyan clenched her hands tightly but forced a smile and asked: “Why should I agree to your demands? Why don’t you manage your own man instead of managing me? Since you married him, he and I have had no connection. Speaking like this shows you’re afraid he’s obsessed with me, aren’t you? But that’s his business – how can I stop it?”

Lian Yue’s expression changed, her gaze growing more sinister: “Wei Wuyan, if you truly have no feelings for him, how can you happen to appear around him every time he enters the palace, letting him see but not touch?”

Wuyan trembled slightly. Lian Yue saw she had hit the mark and slowly smiled: “Wei Wuyan, I’ve touched on your secret thoughts, haven’t I? You’re afraid to agree because you’re scared of losing? You’re afraid Huo Chang’an misjudged you, that you’re not as wonderful and intelligent as he imagined…”

“Loving someone never depends on whether they’re wonderful and intelligent – it’s just because of love,” Wuyan slowly lowered her head, looking at the ground. “Fine, I agree. If I lose, whenever that person enters the palace, I won’t appear before him again. Now leave – looking at you one more moment makes me want to vomit.” She spoke while suddenly raising her head. Her face was pale, but her eyes were unusually bright, staring intensely at Lian Yue. Lian Yue had always been imposing, but at this moment she couldn’t quite suppress her. But Lian Yue was still Lian Yue – she smiled charmingly and said softly: “Good, then it’s settled between us. If you break your promise, you’ll face lifelong hardships and die lonely.”

“What if you lose, Princess Imperial?”

Wuyan watched her walk out gracefully like a lotus and asked from behind.

“I won’t lose. Really, Wuyan, you’ve never measured up to me. It’s just that Chang’an can’t see clearly. Even in loving him, you don’t match me.”

Lian Yue dropped these words and walked away without looking back.

After a long while, Wuyan finally remembered to go close the door. She slowly walked back to the table and chair, sat down slowly, and poured herself some cold tea. After pouring half a cup, her hand shook and she actually dropped the teapot.

She bent down to pick up the pieces but cut her finger on a shard. She seemed oblivious to this, watching her finger bleed while sitting as quietly as a stone statue.

Whether her hand was accidentally cut or deliberately injured to alleviate the coldness in her heart was unclear.

Suzhen knew Wuyan might not want to see her at this moment, but she couldn’t restrain herself. She jumped down from the bed and quickly walked to her, taking out a handkerchief to bandage her wound.

Wuyan almost immediately stood up and asked coldly: “How are you here?”

“I came to apologize to you.” Suzhen smiled bitterly.

“Apologize? What do you have to apologize for?” Wuyan gave a slight cold laugh.

“I didn’t know before that you also liked Lian Yu in your heart. I thought you loved Marquis Huo from beginning to end, so between Lian Yu and me…”

Wuyan’s expression suddenly changed. She pointed toward the door and said through gritted teeth: “I know – like Lian Yue said, in your heart I’m just a woman playing both sides. Yes, I do admire His Majesty. I do. Please leave.”

Suzhen knew she had misunderstood and was about to explain when Wuyan, seeing she wouldn’t leave, smiled self-mockingly and ran out first. Suzhen panicked and went out to find her, chasing her to the front courtyard when suddenly someone rushed toward her and nearly knocked her down.