When Xiao Changfeng, carefully cultivated by Emperor Youning, with abilities and martial prowess no less than the various princes, had been trapped by Xiao Huayong for an hour, he finally found a way to break through and burst out.

Just as he led his men through the dissipating mist and saw their direction, charging toward the exit point, a very faint fragrance, so subtle it was barely perceptible in the wind, began to spread.

The scent wasn’t strong or pungent, and being in the mountain forest during the transition between spring and summer, even someone as vigilant as Xiao Changfeng didn’t take notice. Especially after being trapped for so long, he was anxious about being unable to contact his subordinates at the relay station for an hour, not knowing what new tricks Shen Xihe might be playing, his mind focused solely on quickly returning to the station.

The first to experience hallucinations were the subordinates behind him, exhausted both physically and mentally from being trapped too long. The hallucinogenic fragrance triggered their illusions, amplifying the evil in their hearts. One turned to see a colleague with whom he’d had friction, and those unpleasant memories instantly flooded his mind. Without hesitation, he drew his sword and struck at his unsuspecting companion.

This action frightened the surrounding colleagues into quickly dodging. Xiao Changfeng, who was at the front, finally realized something was wrong. Turning back, he saw not only this person had fallen into hallucinations – some were foaming at the mouth and collapsing, while others were releasing their deepest malice and suppressed desires, performing many shocking acts.

Those with steadfast minds became dizzy, only able to support themselves by using their swords as crutches.

“Youyou’s fragrance is truly fearsome,” Xiao Huayong’s eyesight was keener than Shen Xihe’s. While she could only see moving shadows, he could see more clearly, and even he was somewhat shocked.

“What’s fearsome isn’t the fragrance, but people’s hearts,” Shen Xihe said softly. “This fragrance is harmless, it merely causes hallucinations. Those displaying such ugly behavior are possessed by the greed and malice in their hearts.”

Human nature only needs an excuse to expose and indulge itself.

Those who didn’t display ugly behavior weren’t necessarily without malice – rather, the goodness in their hearts exceeded their malice, and they could better control themselves. Human good and evil are a manifestation of self-control.

Those who can control themselves well won’t easily make impulsive actions they’ll regret.

“Being able to draw out the evil in people’s hearts is already admirable,” Xiao Huayong chuckled.

Faced with Xiao Huayong’s praise, Shen Xihe didn’t merely show humility, but spoke matter-of-factly: “The art of using fragrance isn’t that sophisticated. If Your Highness hadn’t trapped them and agitated their emotions, it couldn’t have achieved such impressive results.”

Moreover, their panic was also thanks to the lightness of the touch-me-not fragrance blend that didn’t arouse suspicion. Had it been datura, they would have noticed immediately. Even now Xiao Changfeng hadn’t realized – the more they inhaled, the better the hallucinogenic effect.

If Xiao Changfeng had noticed the faint fragrance causing the hallucinations and quickly led his people away, they would have recovered before long.

Indeed, Xiao Changfeng didn’t suspect this mostly undetectable and barely perceptible fragrance. He first knocked out those deep in hallucinations, and though he noticed his head feeling heavy, he felt no major discomfort. Looking back at the majority who had fallen, he couldn’t abandon these people. He exchanged a glance with those still standing and struggling, and they tacitly understood, collapsing one after another.

After everyone had fallen, Xiao Changfeng held on for a moment before pretending to stagger and finally feigning collapse.

Although Xiao Huayong saw more clearly than Shen Xihe, he hadn’t detected Xiao Changfeng’s pretense. However, this didn’t affect his judgment: “Youyou, guess if our cousin is truly unconscious or faking?”

Shen Xihe could only see shadows at this distance, unable to distinguish individuals or even clear clothing patterns. However, since Xiao Changfeng had the best martial skills, the last person to fall must be him: “If Prince Xun is injured, falling at this time wouldn’t be surprising.”

She had once used datura fragrance to treat severely wounded Xiao Changying. For every fragrance she developed, as long as it wasn’t lethal, Shen Xihe had her guards test it to measure its potency, avoiding underestimating opponents and putting herself in danger.

Xiao Huayong smiled slightly. His hand turned, and a short flute appeared from nowhere. He held it to his lips, and melodious notes drifted out.

Moments later, a figure darted toward Xiao Changfeng – someone moving like lightning in night-walking clothes, face completely wrapped except for two eyes. He reached to grab Xiao Changfeng, but before he could seize him, Xiao Changfeng countered and seized his hand.

The black-clothed person was startled, immediately twisting his wrist to try to reverse-control Xiao Changfeng. Xiao Changfeng moved with him, and the two quickly became entangled in combat.

Shen Xihe listened to Xiao Huayong’s flute and turned to look at him. His eyes held a smile, tender gaze enveloping her. Occasional mountain breezes passed like a tourist enjoying scenic spots with their beloved.

The melody wasn’t long, but Shen Xihe became entranced, forgetting about Xiao Changfeng fighting below the mountain. When she became aware and looked over, she found both men had vanished.

Xiao Huayong was very pleased that his flute music had mesmerized Shen Xihe. His fingertips twirled the short flute: “Cousin’s skills are excellent. Without the influence of your fragrance, I would have had to personally subdue him. Now the local forces can capture him.”

It was just a matter of time.

Shen Xihe didn’t pursue the question. She turned to look again and discovered five or six people had appeared at some point, pushing three wooden carts. They placed all the unconscious people on them, bound them securely with ropes, and took them away.

“Where is Your Highness taking them?” Shen Xihe asked.

“These people are His Majesty’s men.” Xiao Huayong’s eyes held an unfathomable look.

But Shen Xihe understood – Xiao Huayong wouldn’t spare these people’s lives. Xiao Changfeng was spared only because of his noble status and major implications. These people were a response to His Majesty.

Shen Xihe remained silent about this. She hadn’t planned to spare these people either.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you to see your father.” Xiao Huayong extended his hand.

“Shouldn’t we wait?” Xiao Changfeng hadn’t been captured yet.

“Capturing him wasn’t part of the plan. We can’t take his life anyway, and catching him would actually make arrangements more difficult,” Xiao Huayong shook his head slightly. “His men are all lost – he already can’t account to His Majesty. Let His Majesty punish him.”

All lost…

These words meant that the people left at the relay station had also been… by Xiao Huayong…

With the Crown Princess abducted, they would certainly investigate in groups. It was an extremely easy matter for Xiao Huayong to deliberately leave clues, leading them step by step toward death.