At Si Tianjian.

Dai Yue, dispatched by Huang Rang, went to find Di Yiqiu. The guards knew the Jianzheng wasn’t present, but they had also heard of Dai Yue’s name. Knowing their Jianzheng still had a marriage agreement with her, they dared not slight her and invited her to wait in the flower hall of Xuanwu Si.

Dai Yue was already feeling apprehensive, and at this moment, she heard two young attendants speaking in low voices outside.

The attendants kept their voices down, but Dai Yue, having half fox spirit bloodline, sharpened her ears to listen. She heard Attendant A say, “I heard that the one in the flower hall is our Jianzheng’s future wife.”

Attendant B objected, saying, “She hasn’t crossed the threshold yet, so it doesn’t count at all.”

“How does it not count? The Jianzheng is about to send the betrothal gifts.” Attendant A argued stubbornly.

Dai Yue listened to them debate, and her heart was filled with smiles. At least everyone knew she was Di Yiqiu’s fiancée. She greatly enjoyed this identity. But just then, Attendant B said, “Don’t you know that last night Miss Huang Rang slept in the Jianzheng’s bedroom?”

This short sentence was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, shattering Dai Yue on the spot.

Last night, Huang Rang slept in Di Yiqiu’s bedroom? Then the two of them…

Dai Yue wasn’t foolish. She naturally knew why Di Yiqiu had proposed to her. Could it be because he coveted her beauty? How was that possible?!

It was simply that Si Tianjian belonged to the court, and what the court cared most about was nothing other than the people’s livelihood and the stability of the realm. Therefore, Si Tianjian searched for breeders every year, solely to ensure grain production and stabilize the kingdom.

Di Yiqiu’s choice to propose to her was merely because he valued her breeding abilities.

Dai Yue didn’t care if Di Yiqiu had other women. How could she dare hope that she would be his only woman? As long as she could marry him, she could escape her servant status. That was better than being a servant in the Huang household for life.

So if Di Yiqiu had other women around him, she could actually accept it. But of all people, this woman was Huang Rang!

Dai Yue clenched her fists, her nails piercing into her palms, blood seeping out, yet it didn’t hurt.

Because her heart was bleeding.

If this person was Miss Ten, what chance did she have?

All these years, didn’t she know where her reputation came from?

Huang Rang had beautiful features, an ethereal temperament, and most importantly, she wasn’t stupid. Even the breeding ability that Di Yiqiu coveted was precisely hers. And herself? She was merely her maid!

What could she use to compete with her?

Dai Yue felt as if she had lost all sensation, and even her heart began to ache with pain.

Her constant thoughts and hopes—just as good fortune was about to be achieved, Huang Rang still had to take it away. When she was pleased, she granted Dai Yue an empty name. When displeased, she could effortlessly take what Dai Yue loved without lifting a finger.

Must I accept my fate like this?

She lowered her head and remained silent for a long time.

If a person wanted to live with some dignity, they always had to think of some methods.

Ah, these words were actually spoken by Huang Rang when she was young.

Dai Yue looked at this flower hall and even the vast world outside. She made up her mind and pulled out the plain hairpin from her hair. The plain hairpin had a sharp end. She gripped it tightly in her hand, and after a long moment, lifted her sleeve.

She pressed her lips tightly together and forcefully dragged it across her arm.

At this time, at Embrace Qin Pavilion.

The Jianzheng entered a room on the second floor. The twelve beauties were usually skilled at extracting every drop from their clients, but now they were rather constrained. This wasn’t shyness—they were truly afraid the handsome young lord before them couldn’t withstand it.

These sons of nobility were mostly weak in constitution, and the one before them still looked childishly young. If he died in the room, that would be no laughing matter.

So everyone held back somewhat.

The Jianzheng came to the table and sat down. The twelve young ladies stood in a row, staring directly at him. This scene looked no matter how you viewed it like a pack of wolves surrounding a young lamb not yet weaned.

Yet the little lamb remained unaware and even asked, “Why stand so far away? Come here!”

Everyone saw—good heavens, this fellow really wasn’t afraid of death, he was a brave warrior! The twelve young ladies thus rushed forward together, about to unleash the special skills they had cultivated for many years. However, the Jianzheng’s eyes swept over and caught sight of Miss Bie Yun, who was in the lead.

Miss Bie Yun had pulled open her collar somewhat, revealing the tattoo on her shoulder. The tattoo was partially visible, but what kind of eyes did the Jianzheng possess? He saw it at a glance, immediately furrowed his brow, and asked, “What is this?”

“This?” Miss Bie Yun lifted her orchid finger and pulled back her gauze shawl a bit more, revealing skin like congealed fat. Against the snowy skin, that peony appeared even more seductively beautiful. Her voice was so soft it could wring out water. “Can you see clearly now, my lord?”

The Jianzheng didn’t just see clearly—his eyebrows practically knitted together! What kind of tattoo was this?!

“Crude technique, vulgar taste!” The more the Jianzheng looked, the more it offended his eyes, like sand rubbed into his eyes, causing discomfort. The Jianzheng immediately took out silver needles, grabbed hold of Bie Yun, half-pulled down her gauze shawl, and began applying needles to modify the tattoo on her body.

Bie Yun cried out in alarm, shouting repeatedly, “My lord… my lord, you mustn’t!”

The other women, seeing this, were all extremely frightened. Their livelihoods depended heavily on their appearance. If this skin was ruined, they would be finished. They wanted to run, but knowing this young man held high position and great authority, they feared his blame.

Thus the other eleven women huddled together, only hearing Bie Yun’s despairing face and repeated tearful pleas for mercy.

In the hall, Li Lu was still uneasy—these little vixens better not devour the Jianzheng. After hesitating several times, he still decided to go upstairs to check. However, just as he reached the second floor, from the room separated by only a door, he heard women’s repeated pleas for mercy…

Li Lu touched his nose and could only go back downstairs.

At this time, Bie Yun’s cries grew even louder. She had begun crying “Mama, save me!” The pavilion master was utterly shocked—how could she possibly go rescue her? Everyone in the hall sat on pins and needles.

On the second floor, in the room.

The Jianzheng finally finished modifying that peony picture and released Bie Yun. Miss Bie Yun couldn’t see the full picture herself and could only sob while helplessly looking toward the other eleven sisters.

The other young ladies embraced her and examined her fragrant shoulder. They saw that the previously sideways-blooming peony, after his embellishment, had become even more seductively vibrant and lively. Moreover, just below the peony, petals scattered down piece by piece, as if disappearing into her bodice.

Earlier when Bie Yun had struggled fiercely, these petals appeared bright purple. But as she gradually quieted, the petal colors grew lighter and lighter, then disappeared one by one without a trace.

This thing alone was enough to make her famous for life!

The other eleven wolves suddenly had different looks in their eyes!

So when Bai Qingyun came up, he heard the young ladies uniformly acting coquettish: “My lord is biased, only favoring Bie Yun alone! I want one too…”

Bai Qingyun touched his nose and went back downstairs.

In the room, the other young ladies had no tattoos on their bodies. The Jianzheng could only take out charcoal pencils to draw sketches. He was a genuine craftsman who particularly emphasized details. Even for these pleasure quarter ladies, since he had agreed, there was no reason to be perfunctory.

After the second Miss Rui Zhu’s orchid blooming under moonlight was also completed, the other young ladies very tacitly guarded the room door.

Whoever dares enter and ruin our good fortune will die!

Twelve tattoos—the Jianzheng worked from noon straight through until the fifth watch.

When he finally finished and emerged, even he had a weary expression on his face. Having stood for so long, and his hands never able to relax, his hands trembled and his legs were weak. The twelve young ladies, completely satisfied, escorted him out, their eyes and brows all filled with contentment!

The pavilion master had long been waiting anxiously. Now seeing the person finally emerge alive, she immediately breathed a long sigh of relief.

Li Lu and the others hadn’t slept all night. At this moment, several people surrounded him, but no one opened their mouths—what would they even ask?

The Jianzheng waved his hand and said, “This seat is tired and will return first. You all do as you please.”

Everyone had no objection to these words—twelve of them! Even an ox would have collapsed. Li Lu was even very considerate, asking, “If the Jianzheng is truly exhausted, you could rest another day…”

As soon as he spoke these words, the twelve young ladies clustered around the Jianzheng suddenly had their eyes light up. They said in unison, “Exactly! My lord, why not rest first? Our other sisters also want…”

“Unnecessary!” Before they finished speaking, the Jianzheng denied them. This was his first time in life doing work for others, and he had actually been charged rather than paid—how could he stay any longer?! What a loss! Hmph.

Bai Qingyun supported him lightly, afraid he would fall. “My lord, are you all right?”

“Mentally and physically exhausting, truly arduous.” The Jianzheng summarized his experience, walked out of Embrace Qin Pavilion with a weary expression, and left with head held high.

The other young ladies escorted him all the way to the door, each one reluctant to part. Seeing the women’s expressions, several officials wanted to inquire in detail but truly couldn’t bring themselves to do so.

Finally, Zhu Xiang asked, “You all… how was our Jianzheng?”

Your question… Several officials turned around, pretending they hadn’t heard anything. Yet their ears couldn’t help but prick up. And hearing this question, the twelve young ladies all had peculiar smiles blooming on their faces.

“Our lord…” The young ladies looked bashful, yet within it was complete satisfaction. In the end, no one elaborated. Everyone giggled and ran off into the distance.

This… this…

Like a little heifer wagging her tail… All the officials were greatly shocked.

Of course, before long, the twelve famous flowers of Embrace Qin Pavilion saw their value skyrocket. And these twelve famous flowers didn’t forget the Jianzheng either. They resolved to spread the Jianzheng’s fame as thanks.

Thus throughout the entire capital city spread the shocking legend that “the Jianzheng has a treasure that, when not in use, he wraps around his waist to prevent inconvenient movement.”

…

At Si Tianjian.

As soon as the Jianzheng returned, someone reported to him—Dai Yue had come.

Hearing this name, Di Yiqiu was startled. Thinking that Huang Rang had only just entered the palace today, and now Dai Yue had come, it must be about the Twin Serpent Fruit tree. He hurried to the flower hall. As soon as Dai Yue saw him, she rushed to greet him.

Di Yiqiu asked, “Did Miss Ten send you?”

Sure enough, his first words were about her.

Dai Yue forcibly suppressed the grief in her heart and said, “Miss Ten… she asks that Lord Qiu come over this evening.”

She still didn’t dare openly defy Huang Rang’s words.

Though Di Yiqiu was weary, hearing this, he still replied, “I’ll go over shortly.”

Dai Yue lowered her head and made a sound of acknowledgment. Seeing he had nothing more to say, Dai Yue finally said, “Lord Qiu, about the Twin Serpent Fruit matter… I’m sorry, it was all my fault.” As she said this, tears were already flowing.

Di Yiqiu’s brow furrowed slightly as he said, “This matter depends on whether your Miss Ten can save you. His Majesty’s decree—even I cannot disobey.”

Dai Yue quickly said, “Miss Ten will certainly be able to.”

Di Yiqiu’s gaze at her grew more scrutinizing. After a long while, he asked, “There’s one matter I’ve always wanted to ask you.”

Dai Yue lowered her head, her wrists curled within her sleeves. “Please speak, Lord Qiu.”

Di Yiqiu asked in a deep voice, “Since the beginning of the Chengyuan reign, you’ve bred many famous varieties. Yet this time you made a grave error. Dai Yue, all these years, who has truly been doing the breeding—you, or your Miss Ten? You must tell me the truth about this matter.”

He asked. He finally asked.

Dai Yue’s tears streamed down her face. She said with grievance, “These… were naturally all Miss Ten’s achievements.”

Having spoken, she turned to leave, but her right hand unconsciously pressed against her left arm. And on her sleeve, blood had already seeped through. Seeing this, Di Yiqiu couldn’t help asking, “What happened to your hand?”

Dai Yue was startled and hurriedly covered the bloodstain, saying repeatedly, “Noth-nothing!”

Di Yiqiu stepped forward several paces and lifted her sleeve. He saw that her arm was crisscrossed with wounds.

Dai Yue became even more flustered. She pushed away his hand and said, “Lord Qiu, I-I must return now.”

Di Yiqiu frowned and asked, “What happened?”

Dai Yue seemed to restrain herself again and again. Finally, she crouched on the ground, holding her head and weeping bitterly.

Di Yiqiu waited until she had cried enough before saying again, “Speak.”

Dai Yue sobbed intermittently and said, “Because I privately accepted the decree and came to the capital, and then carelessly caused such a disaster, Miss Ten was extremely angry. She just… she just… But Lord Qiu, she didn’t mean it. Although she occasionally beats and scolds this servant, receiving such injuries truly was this servant’s fault…”

The more she spoke, the more pitiful she sounded.

But after crying for so long, the person before her offered no comfort.

Dai Yue couldn’t help but steal a glance upward, only to see Di Yiqiu’s expression weary yet solemn. Feeling uneasy, she asked softly, “Lord Qiu… why are you looking at this servant like this?”

Di Yiqiu asked, “When did Miss Ten punish you? What implement did she use? How were these wounds inflicted?”

“Ah… ah?” Dai Yue was stunned, clearly having never imagined that Di Yiqiu would ask these questions. Obviously, she had severely underestimated the rigor of a master craftsman.

This… not a single word of comfort? How did he start interrogating me?

Caught completely off guard, Dai Yue said, “Just before I came here, Miss used… her hairpin… she grabbed this servant’s hand…”

Di Yiqiu extended his hand to her. Dai Yue looked completely bewildered. Di Yiqiu said, “Case reenactment. You don’t understand?”

Ah, he wanted to pretend to be himself and have her play Miss Ten, recreating the scene when Miss Ten tortured her! Dai Yue was shocked. After a long while, she grabbed Di Yiqiu’s arm, then pretended to be Huang Rang and forcefully made several scratching motions.

Seeing this, Di Yiqiu shook his head and said, “Incorrect.”

“How could it be incorrect…” Dai Yue wanted to speak further, but seeing his expression as if examining a criminal case, her momentum weakened.

Di Yiqiu said, “Your mistress’s hairpin is a double-pronged pin. The weapon doesn’t match.”

Dai Yue quickly said, “I remembered wrong. Miss took my hairpin.”

Di Yiqiu continued, “Your mistress practices the martial path. Though her cultivation is still shallow, her foundation is solid. If she struck, the force doesn’t match.”

Dai Yue was shocked. Di Yiqiu added, “The person who came earlier reported that you’ve been waiting here for a full night. The wound timing doesn’t match.”

…Dai Yue felt as if someone had heavily slapped her face. She didn’t even have the strength to make excuses.

And the Jianzheng gave her no more opportunity to make excuses. He said, “You should be grateful you’re currently in Xuanwu Si and not Baihu Si.” Having spoken, he waved his hand. “Go back and tell your Miss Ten that I’ll come over shortly.”

When Dai Yue walked out of Si Tianjian, she was in a complete daze.

However, an even more despairing matter awaited her. As she left, she heard people discussing—saying that this afternoon the Jianzheng had found twelve young ladies at once at Embrace Qin Pavilion…

The imperial palace, side garden.

Huang Rang had already gained thorough understanding of the Twin Serpent Fruit tree. She had Eunuch Fu procure various tree saplings and began breeding. Eunuch Fu felt apprehensive and stayed in the side garden without leaving. Instead, Huang Rang comforted him while breeding.

Thus Eunuch Fu watched with his own eyes as the small courtyard began with only one pot, later had ten pots, and finally transformed into over two hundred pots.

Though Huang Rang had constantly practiced martial arts in this dream, she hadn’t set aside her breeding abilities.

She did these tasks as smoothly as flowing clouds and water, without any delay.

By the time the sky was nearly dark, Dai Yue finally returned.

She was distracted the entire way, yet upon entering the small courtyard, she had no choice but to pull herself together.

“Miss Ten.” She came before Huang Rang and said respectfully, “The message has been delivered. Lord Qiu said… he will come shortly.”

Huang Rang made a sound of acknowledgment and directed her, “Move these pots to a shaded area.”

Dai Yue hurried forward to move the flowerpots. Huang Rang caught sight at a glance of the bloodstains on her sleeve. “What happened to your hand?” she asked.

“Noth-nothing.” Dai Yue said in panic, “I accidentally fell on the way back.”

Huang Rang didn’t probe deeply. Since Di Yiqiu had agreed to come today, she planned to prepare a dinner.

She and Di Yiqiu couldn’t be considered well-acquainted—even calling them friends would be quite forced. But outside her dreams, she had nothing, only this one man busily occupied around her. So she always felt an inexplicable sense of closeness.

Now that she had entered the dream again with difficulty, naturally she felt somewhat different toward him.

The side garden had a dedicated small kitchen, and Eunuch Fu didn’t dare slight her. So the ingredients inside were fairly complete.

Huang Rang briefly examined the ingredients and quickly decided on the dishes for this dinner.

Having cared for Xie Hongchen for a full hundred years, she had long since mastered these tasks.

She quickly made four small dishes plus a sweet soup. As long as that bastard wasn’t too picky, he could be quite satisfied with this meal. Huang Rang calculated silently.

But that evening, Di Yiqiu didn’t come.

Huang Rang waited for a while, then began eating alone. She remained calm and peaceful throughout, because such things had frequently happened at Prayer Dew Terrace. She had already learned how to calmly deal with all this.

When even disappointment becomes numb, what anger could remain?

That bastard—if he won’t come, forget it. Consider it his loss!

Dai Yue stood attending to the side. Seeing Di Yiqiu break his promise, for some unknown reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction. Thus even her words had ulterior motives. She said, “Miss Ten, today when this servant went to Si Tianjian, I heard people say… heard them say…”

Huang Rang asked, “Say what?”

Dai Yue said, “Heard that Lord Qiu at Embrace Qin Pavilion… found over a dozen young ladies at once… Now, he might be too physically exhausted to come.”

As she spoke, she secretly watched Huang Rang’s expression, anticipating seeing her pain and disappointment. But Huang Rang picked up a bite of food and after a long while sighed, “Could it be that this young lady actually underestimated him?”

Tsk tsk.

At Si Tianjian.

The Jianzheng had of course been preparing to go over. But just as he was about to leave, Eunuch Xi suddenly rushed over urgently and said, “Jianzheng, His Majesty commands you to bring capable hands from Baihu Si and immediately follow this servant!”

Di Yiqiu frowned and asked, “What matter?”

Eunuch Xi said urgently, “Scouts have sent back word—the Hui Snake has returned to its nest!”

Di Yiqiu’s hands clenched slightly. After a long moment, he said, “Someone, order Jianfu Bao to muster the troops and follow me out of the city!”

After speaking these words, he suddenly turned and called out to Bai Qingyun, “Send someone to deliver a message to Miss Ten. Tell her I have urgent business and won’t go today. When I return to the city, I’ll naturally go see her.”

Bai Qingyun understood and quickly acknowledged. But watching him don armor, he couldn’t help but remind him, “Jianzheng, the Hui Snake is highly poisonous. Be extremely careful in all things.”

Di Yiqiu made a sound of acknowledgment, took Bao Wu and others, and left Si Tianjian directly.

Imperial palace, side garden.

Huang Rang had almost finished her meal when someone outside said, “Bai Qingyun pays respects to Miss Ten.”

“Shaojian Bai?” Huang Rang was surprised. “What urgent matter brings Shaojian Bai here at this time?”

Bai Qingyun made a bow and said, “Miss Ten, the Jianzheng was commanded by imperial decree to leave the city on official business today. He specifically had this subordinate enter the palace to inform Miss Ten. He said the matter arose suddenly, and when he returns to the city, he’ll come to see Miss Ten.”

“Ah?” Huang Rang was quite surprised.

In the hundred years at Prayer Dew Terrace, she had grown accustomed to Xie Hongchen’s non-responses. If he didn’t come, he simply didn’t come. Where would he specially send someone to notify her?

She had waited in vain through countless days and nights until it became habit.

And now, in a dream, Huang Rang received a reply.