The woman on the bed was none other than Princess Shaoning!

Her face was full of spring colors, romantic charm rippling from her brows and eyes. As she sat up, the brocade quilt slid down, revealing fragrant shoulders, jade skin, slightly swelling breasts—dazzlingly snow-white. It was very obvious that beneath the brocade quilt she also wore not a single thread. She didn’t try to conceal it either, smiling with shy joy. The gaze she directed over was soft and sweet as honey candy.

Only before a lover with whom she’d shared intimate pleasures would a woman show no shyness at such exposure.

Looking again, her delicate brows were slightly disheveled, the ends moist and sticky, the space between her brows faintly red. Having read extensively, even spring palace manuals, Feng Zhiwei immediately saw that Shaoning had just lost her virginity.

In her palace chamber, on her bed—deflowered!

Frozen in place, lightning flashed through Feng Zhiwei’s mind in an instant. She already knew a new wave of attacks against her had arrived again like thunder and lightning, allowing no respite.

Shaoning had feelings for her—the entire Tiansheng court from top to bottom, even the Emperor knew this. Now Shaoning had lost her virginity on her bed. Needless to say, naturally it would be interpreted as Wei Zhi having private feelings, secretly meeting at midnight, young man and woman unable to control themselves, journeying together to Wushan’s clouds and rain. And with Shaoning’s temperament, she would surely insist on death or life that she’d marry none but Wei Zhi. The rice already cooked, involving the Princess’s reputation and imperial family dignity, in the end Emperor Tiansheng would certainly bestow the marriage. Thus, according to Tiansheng law, a prince consort cannot interfere in politics—Wei Zhi, who was about to soar upward, would smoothly be eliminated from the game.

And Ning Yi was responsible for palace watch duty tonight. With such an incident occurring, Emperor Tiansheng would certainly be furious and would definitely punish Ning Yi.

Truly killing two birds with one stone.

Feng Zhiwei stood three feet from the bed, silent and motionless, her palms instantly soaked. For a moment she deeply regretted going out tonight and giving someone an opening, harming both herself and Ning Yi. However, she knew that in this palace her power was thin, while the opponent had come prepared, knowing she worried about Gu Nanyi and would sooner or later go personally to check, taking advantage of the opportunity to make this arrangement.

This arrangement sounded simple, but executing it was very difficult. One had to be familiar with Shaoning’s psychology, familiar with the palace guard rotations, find a way to make Shaoning violate palace rules to come to Jingshen Palace at night, and also find someone to substitute and share spring wind with her. All these things required controlling the timing perfectly—any delay would result in being caught red-handed.

Originally she wouldn’t have lingered long at Gu Nanyi’s location, but Consort Qing appeared, leading both her and Ning Yi to be drawn away. Was it premeditated, or coincidence? If Consort Qing had conspired with someone to lure the tiger from the mountain, then she and Ning Yi were in even greater danger.

Tonight because of Consort Qing’s appearance and her own pursuit, Ning Yi had reassigned the guards outside Jingshen Palace for her convenience, giving someone an opening. When it was exposed later, it would be another unexplainable disaster.

The matter came suddenly and was completely irreversible. Looking at the disordered brocade on the bed, the spots of red, a naked princess sleeping there refusing to come down—even with Feng Zhiwei’s resourcefulness, thinking about the stakes and consequences, thinking how two years of painstaking effort might completely overturn tonight, her mind went blank for a moment.

On the bed, Shaoning saw Wei Zhi not moving and thought he was admiringly appreciating her in intoxication. She couldn’t help but lower her head with slight shyness, yet intentionally or unintentionally pulled the brocade quilt down a bit more.

Tonight she’d originally only wanted to take advantage of the rare opportunity of Wei Zhi being in the palace to secretly see her sweetheart, pour out her feelings, see if there was any possibility of moving that person’s iron-stone heart. Who knew that all the way she’d driven straight in without obstruction into the palace chamber? Inside the chamber was pitch dark on all sides, impossible to distinguish human figures, yet the chamber was fragrantly pleasant, making one’s heart sway. Afraid of disturbing others and afraid of interrupting her sweetheart’s injury recovery and rest, wanting to sit by the bed first, seeing his sleeping face would be good—so full of tender feelings she sat by the bed. Who knew that just as she sat down, Wei Zhi, with his back to her, turned over and with one hand pulled her down… She was shy, delighted, and panicked, wanting to refuse, but her body went so soft it lost all form. In her heart she vaguely thought that given Father Emperor’s intentions and her own status, if she didn’t first take this opportunity to accomplish the deed, her devoted heart would likely flow away as water. Spring passion surging, the lover she’d longed for day and night finally showed some favor—originally bold, daring, spoiled and willful Shaoning, half yielding half complying, let him have his way. In a pool of rippling spring water, she only felt her lover was gentle but somewhat hasty, seeming quite impatient, quickly raising his spear to enter port and swiftly finishing the work. She here only felt pain, not tasting any pleasure at all. Yet she didn’t dare be indulgent, always covering her face with her elbow… After the initial shyness passed, she turned her lover’s face wanting to properly express their feelings. That person hastily climbed up saying he needed to relieve himself, and she waited quite a while before he returned.

Now seeing him standing there silent and motionless, amid shy joy Shaoning felt some petulant blame, saying lowly: “Look at you… standing there dumbly doing what? Just now you were so urgent… so…”

By the end her voice was barely audible.

Feng Zhiwei’s eyes flashed with dark light. Just a moment ago she’d been considering whether to simply reveal to Shaoning that she was a woman. Nothing could prove her innocence better than this. However, in an instant she knew she couldn’t. Shaoning didn’t have a meek, submissive temperament. Once she knew she’d been deceived and violated, in desperate fury she’d certainly make a tremendous scene. Then everyone would suffer.

And she still had to find a way to notify Ning Yi about this matter, quickly investigate tonight’s suspicious comings and goings, find that bastard who’d slept with the Princess and pinned it on her, and prepare for the next hidden arrows.

In the distance the watch drum heavily struck, thick and stifling, breaking through the night’s heaviness.

Sound after heavy sound, sound after urgent sound.

This moment—the fourth watch.

If she hadn’t guessed wrong, since the opponent had made their move, they’d certainly have continuous killing strikes. Soon someone should come here to “discover” Wei Zhi and the Princess’s “private affair,” making the matter blow up.

She must immediately pacify Shaoning.

“Princess.” Having decided, Feng Zhiwei took a deep breath, suppressed her blazing fury, and smilingly stepped forward, sitting beside her. Gently she said: “I’m sorry, had a bit of an upset stomach, made you wait.”

While speaking softly and tenderly, she reached out to take the undergarments and intimate clothing scattered by the bed to dress her. Her tone was very slow, but her movements extremely swift.

Shaoning listened to her lover’s rare tenderness, enjoying her lover’s service. In a daze she let her do everything. While being dressed she murmured: “Why the upset stomach? Let me rub it for you…” As she spoke she reached to touch Feng Zhiwei’s abdomen.

Feng Zhiwei lightly dodged, smiling: “Your hands are ice cold.” Smoothly she helped her into the middle garment. Shaoning smiled with raised brows: “Little Zhi, you’re quite skilled at dressing women. I suppose you often do this? Hmm?” The last sentence had a long drawn-out tone, already carrying vinegar flavor.

Feng Zhiwei shook from that “Little Zhi,” thinking women truly were the world’s most presumptuous and jealous creatures. While gently and quickly dressing her, she smiled without speaking. But Shaoning sighed faintly again, saying: “For someone like you, it’s natural that people would admire you. Even I… But from now on, no more foolishness.”

More foolish than you? Feng Zhiwei laughed bitterly in her heart, honestly saying: “Yes.” Lifting her foot to help her put on stockings, Shaoning suddenly pulled her foot back, staring at her: “Why are you dressing me so quickly?”

Feng Zhiwei released her hand, smiling with furrowed brow: “Princess, if we don’t dress quickly, what else do you want to do? I’d love to turn phoenixes upside down with you here and battle another three hundred rounds, but you see—is it appropriate?”

Shaoning’s answer nearly made Feng Zhiwei choke.

“What’s inappropriate about it?” She raised her willow brows in anger. “Anyway the raw rice is already cooked. I’d be happy for it to be even more cooked. Might as well let Father Emperor know—in this lifetime, besides marrying you, I can’t marry anyone else!”

“Fine.” Feng Zhiwei stood up, tossing Shaoning’s skirt onto her. “Princess, you just get cooked then. Today just lie on my bed and refuse to get up. Tomorrow when I’m dragged to the Meridian Gate and beheaded, you marry my severed head!”

“How could that happen!” Shaoning’s eyes widened. “Father Emperor dotes on me very much, and dotes on you too!”

“No matter how much your Father Emperor dotes on me, I’m still just an outside minister!” Feng Zhiwei laughed coldly. “The more your Father Emperor favors you, the faster I’ll die! You—a dignified, legitimate Princess of Tiansheng—losing your virtue in my bed without name or status—when your Father Emperor finds out, if I’m not sent to the execution ground tomorrow, I’ll take your surname!”

“Little Zhi.” After a long silence, Shaoning grabbed Feng Zhiwei’s hand tightly, nervously saying: “You’re not thinking of backing out at the critical moment, are you? Father Emperor dotes on me very much. If you dare start chaos then abandon me, I… I… I’ll kill you—”

“Princess, with you sleeping in my bed refusing to get up, I’m already about to be killed by you. No need to expend that much effort.” Feng Zhiwei laughed coldly.

Shaoning pouted her lips, hesitated a moment, then took the clothes herself to put on. While dressing she said: “I’ll listen to you then.” Feng Zhiwei consolingly patted her hand. Shaoning immediately leaned over like a bird dependent on a person. Feng Zhiwei supported her shoulder, saying gently: “Princess, you go back first. As for future matters…”

“No!”

Shaoning whirled around, her tone resolute as iron: “Little Zhi, don’t think you can just coax me back like this. Today’s matter ends today. You must give me an explanation for today’s matter.”

Feng Zhiwei frowned looking at her, thinking this matter would be easy to handle with other women, but encountering Shaoning was troublesome. Patiently she asked: “What explanation does the Princess want?”

“You must write me a betrothal letter.” Shaoning stood up, walked to the desk, and pushed the four treasures of the study toward Feng Zhiwei. “Black and white, stating that you Wei Zhi will petition His Majesty to marry Princess Shaoning. From today, Ning Zhao is your wife. If you violate this vow, may heaven and earth destroy you, and may you never obtain your beloved for all eternity.”

She stared grimly into Feng Zhiwei’s eyes, then turned and quickly walked back, with one motion pulling back the bedding. On the bed were spots of peach blossoms—all the maiden’s blood. With a rip she tore down the bloodstained sheet, demonstratively waved it at Feng Zhiwei, then tucked it in her bosom.

Feng Zhiwei’s eyes were dazzled by that waving blood-stained glory. She stood silently, staring at the spread paper without speaking. This was less a betrothal letter than a confession of crimes. Black and white falling into Shaoning’s hands—what difference was there from falling into those enemies with ulterior motives? From now on it would be a handle and restraint she could never shake off. Her lifelong ambitions, these years of struggle, would all flow away because of this inexplicable betrothal letter.

In this moment her heart felt both suffocated and resentful. Tonight’s encounter—how unjust! And to encounter this unreasonably entangling Shaoning!

After a long while she slowly said: “Fine, I’ll write it.”

The grim expression on Shaoning’s face immediately changed to a smile. Intimately leaning over, she gently blew on her earlobe, smiling: “Don’t change your handwriting. I recognize your characters.”

Feng Zhiwei smiled bitterly, thinking at least she’d first get through tonight and send her away, then later find a way to destroy it. Just as she was about to pick up the brush, she suddenly heard rapid footsteps approaching from outside.

Her heart jumped, but then she felt puzzled—this seemed to be only one person’s footsteps. If it were the opposing party setting the trap, they’d certainly want to make as much commotion as possible and bring many people. How could it be just one person’s footsteps? And what was going on tonight? Earlier when Ning Yi met Consort Qing in the rear hall of Jingshen Palace, he’d reassigned the Jingshen Palace guards. By now it should have returned to normal. Why could this person still drive straight in without a sound?

She held the brush, concentrating on listening to those footsteps. The person had some martial arts ability, but not high. Each step lifted and placed followed strict form—possibly even the step distance was identical. Walking without the sound of robe hems brushing, indicating extreme propriety and discipline. This situation generally only occurred with long-trained palace servants.

Could it be…

She held the brush, lost in thought for a long time without writing. The ink saturating the brush dripped onto the paper with a plop. Shaoning dissatisfiedly pouted and pushed her, quickly replacing it with another sheet of paper, saying: “Hurry up. I’ll speak, you write.”

“Princess, what are you doing!”

A low, dignified female voice abruptly came from the doorway. Princess Shaoning was actually shocked into trembling all over. The two simultaneously raised their heads to look. They saw a middle-aged woman in purple robes and blue skirt, dignified bearing, standing at the door. Feng Zhiwei carefully identified her and vaguely remembered this was Nanny Chen, the most trusted person by the Princess’s side. They’d met once before.

Fearless Shaoning, seeing her, seemed to have all her imposing flames dampened considerably. Opening her mouth, she said resentfully: “Nanny, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?”

Nanny Chen stopped three steps away, looking directly at Princess Shaoning, her tone neither servile nor overbearing, her bearing more dignified than ordinary palace consorts. “This old servant followed the Princess here! And wishes to ask what the Princess is doing here in the middle of the night!”

Shaoning opened her mouth again, a flush of red surging onto her face. She was actually struck dumb. Feng Zhiwei was greatly surprised in her heart. She’d heard that the teaching nannies of princes and princesses held very high positions in the palace and princely mansions. Having raised the princes and princesses from childhood, inseparable day and night, with full authority to teach and discipline in their early years—it could be said that in the imperial family where father-son and mother-son affection was thin, these first nannies almost possessed the status of strict fathers and loving mothers. With accumulated authority and affection, they were greatly respected by the princes and princesses. Now it seemed that even domineering, spoiled Shaoning dared not contradict her nanny.

Suddenly she vaguely recalled hearing that this nanny had once saved Shaoning’s life. When Shaoning was young and contracted smallpox with life hanging by a thread, it was Nanny Chen who attended her without removing her clothes for half a month, pulling her back from the gates of death. So in Shaoning’s palace, this was half an Empress Dowager.

Shaoning was struck dumb. Nanny Chen didn’t let her off. Walking slowly forward without looking at Feng Zhiwei, she bowed to Shaoning: “Princess, this is not a place where you should be. Please quickly return to the palace with this old servant.”

“Nanny, wait a moment.” Princess Shaoning smiled reluctantly. “Lord Wei and I still have some unfinished business.”

“Inner palace family and outside ministers should have no business!” Nanny Chen said coldly. “Princess, in front of outsiders this old servant shouldn’t say much, but every moment you remain here is another portion of guilt for this old servant. Please depart immediately!”

“This is not an outsider…” Shaoning’s face flushed red as she said lowly: “Nanny, please fulfill my wish. This is my…”

“Princess, watch your words!” Nanny Chen’s brows shot up, her gaze like cold lightning. Shaoning was actually shocked into trembling, half her words swallowed back down.

Nanny Chen’s gaze turned, seeing a bit of blue satin cloth exposed in Shaoning’s bosom, vaguely showing fresh red bloodstains. Her brows jumped. She glanced at Feng Zhiwei, suddenly stepped forward and reached out, pulling that cloth out: “Princess, what is this?”

Shaoning let out an “ah,” standing there dumbfounded with mouth agape. No matter how spoiled and bold she was, no matter how she wanted to strive for her own happiness, having thrown all shyness and restraint aside—she was still a golden, precious imperial princess. How could she say this was maiden’s blood? After a long while she reacted, face flushed red, reaching out to snatch it. Nanny Chen pulled her hand back, saying coldly: “This kind of thing should naturally be kept by this old servant. The Princess need not trouble herself.”

Feng Zhiwei on the side silently let out a breath—heaven hadn’t planned to doom her. At least it had dropped down a Nanny Chen.

Just in an instant her heart filled with doubt again—tonight Nanny Chen’s every move and action was helping her. But she didn’t remember Wei Zhi having any relationship with Nanny Chen. Rather, as Feng Zhiwei attending Noble Consort Chang’s birthday banquet, she had once received her care. Today, was Nanny Chen helping her because as the Princess’s teaching nanny she feared bearing responsibility, or was there another reason?

Since entering the chamber she hadn’t looked at her even once, as if truly not recognizing Wei Zhi. But was it really that simple?

“Princess!” Nanny Chen’s face showed undisguised anxiety. “Please depart immediately. Don’t cause this old servant’s death, cause the death of all the palace servants of Yuming Palace, cause the death of—innocent others!”

Her last sentence slanted a glance at Feng Zhiwei. Shaoning hesitated, muttering: “…Things have already come to this. Father Emperor won’t kill him. At most he’ll strip him of office…”

Feng Zhiwei smiled slightly, her teeth grinding audibly—at most stripped of office, how lightly said. So my two years of bloody struggle, risking life and death to gain this brilliant future, you sleep it away in one night?

In an instant killing intent surged in her eyes, but she forcibly suppressed it.

Nanny Chen understood Princess Shaoning though, and didn’t say more to her. Only repeatedly urging, she pulled her wanting to leave. Feng Zhiwei took advantage of the two entangling, silently stepping forward and striking Shaoning on the back of her neck.

Shaoning fell in response. Nanny Chen caught her, without another word picked up Shaoning. Feng Zhiwei said lowly and quickly: “Thank you, Nanny. I’ll see you out.”

“Don’t.” Nanny Chen said. “You’re not suitable to go out now. If you run into someone head-on it will be impossible to explain. With Prince Chu here, I should be able to return to Yuming Palace without incident.”

Feng Zhiwei’s heart relaxed. It seemed Nanny Chen, discovering the Princess missing and going out to search, had already encountered Ning Yi. With Ning Yi’s intelligence, he could certainly guess Shaoning had come to her place, which was why he’d let Nanny Chen pass through smoothly. Since he already knew, there was no need for her to find a way to send a message.

Nanny Chen was holding Shaoning about to leave when suddenly loud noises arose outside. Lights blazed brightly. In an instant Jingshen Palace was surrounded.

Feng Zhiwei’s heart tightened.

They came so fast!