Immediately after, he suddenly stood up, a sword across the newcomer’s throat. Zhuo’er’s face turned deathly pale. “Your Highness… this servant only forgot to take away the tea tray…”

Just now, having received Tuoba Zhen’s jade pendant, she had been so delighted she forgot herself and actually forgot to retrieve the tray. Returning would of course mean she couldn’t explain to the steward. Seeing Tuoba Zhen’s expression soften, Zhuo’er breathed a sigh of relief. His Highness seemed to like her—he surely wouldn’t do anything to her. But in the next moment, with a wave of Tuoba Zhen’s hand, her head fell. Her eyes were still wide with shock—a terrifying sight.

“Drag her out.” Tuoba Zhen glanced at the blood covering the ground, feeling only disgust.

A foolish woman who dared think she could compare with Li Weiyang. Li Weiyang hadn’t attracted his attention because of her beauty. What he wanted was her distinctive personality and intelligence. Even that terrifying viciousness of hers had a unique flavor. Compared to her, Zhuo’er merely had the appearance without the mind or personality—just a puppet. Tuoba Zhen’s gaze turned toward that lifeless face resembling Li Weiyang, his eyes gradually sharpening like a slowly honed blade’s edge. He now felt a strange hatred toward Li Weiyang. What he hated most was that she dared favor another man. He increasingly recognized the importance of power. He silently decided again that if he ever ascended the throne, even if he had to turn the whole world upside down, he would have his heart’s desire.

When Li Weiyang saw the Duchess of Weiguo, she was sitting dazed beside Gao Min’s bed. But when she turned her head, the haughty bearing she usually displayed had completely vanished. Her already prominent cheekbones now appeared even more gaunt, her cheeks slightly sunken. Those eyes that had made Li Weiyang very uncomfortable—sharp to the point of arrogance—were now swollen from crying, their pupils clouded and dull, yet appearing larger somehow. Whether from grief consuming too much energy, her temples also seemed to have gained several white hairs. Combined with her ashen complexion, her entire person appeared even more dejected.

Li Weiyang sighed.

This mother and daughter had brought this upon themselves. She had already confirmed they were the ones who had sowed discord before Virtuous Consort and instigated her to actively eliminate Li Weiyang. If they hadn’t first used despicable means to frame her, they wouldn’t have fallen to this state.

Gao Min’s entire spine was broken. Even if she barely survived, she would spend her whole life bedridden, her bright future completely ruined. For the proud Gao Min, this was more painful than death.

Sun Yanjun, who had come along, pushed Li Weiyang once, indicating she should stand behind her. Then Sun Yanjun stepped forward to console her. “Duchess of Weiguo, I know you’re heartbroken about Miss Gao’s accident, but you must also care for your own health!”

The Duchess of Weiguo had been in a daze. Hearing this, she wiped her tears, mumbling as if just waking from a dream, “Min’er is so pitiful.” Then she suddenly looked up, glaring fiercely at Li Weiyang. “Why did you come!” she said furiously.

In her eyes, Li Weiyang was the enemy who had harmed her daughter. She wanted to rush forward and tear at her, but seeing Zhao Yue behind Li Weiyang with her sword on her back and cold gaze, the Duchess instinctively stopped.

Li Weiyang said mildly, “My condolences, Aunt.”

Hearing this, the Duchess’s face immediately showed fury. She said bitterly, “Li Weiyang, if you hadn’t challenged Min’er to compete, how would she have fallen to this state? It’s all because of you…”

Sun Yanjun looked sympathetically at the Duchess. In her view, this matter really didn’t have much to do with Li Weiyang. If Gao Min hadn’t been so aggressive, Li Weiyang wouldn’t have competed with her. Besides, the injury was an accident. She was about to say something when Li Weiyang said gently, “Miss Sun, I have a few words I’d like to say privately to Aunt. Could you step out for a moment?”

Sun Yanjun was a generous, understanding young lady. Thinking Li Weiyang wanted to apologize to the Duchess, she smiled. “All right, I’ll go out first. I’ll come find you later.” Having seen too many affected young ladies, she, coming from a military family, greatly admired Li Weiyang’s straightforward personality and clever courage, and wanted to befriend her.

With that, Sun Yanjun walked out of the tent.

Li Weiyang and the Duchess of Weiguo faced each other for a moment, neither speaking.

The Duchess suddenly felt desolate. Her eldest son was dead, her younger son was incompetent, her daughter had only half a life left, and her husband blamed her for instigating their daughter’s competitiveness—he probably hated her now. She was usually quite cruel to servants. Apart from her elder sister, there was no one in the household she could really talk to. On this not-very-cold evening, facing Li Weiyang’s water-like countenance, she suddenly felt bone-chilling cold. Because she sincerely felt she had now become utterly alone.

“Did you come to mock me?” Seeing Li Weiyang, the Duchess’s already miserable mood felt like adding frost to snow.

“Aunt, why would I mock you? I feel sad for Cousin becoming like this too.” Li Weiyang felt no sadness at all—she thought Gao Min had brought this on herself. But now, she needed to continue. “I understand how you feel, but there’s something I must tell you. What happened that day was no accident.”

The Duchess suddenly looked up, her expression changing dramatically. “What did you say!”

Li Weiyang sighed. “I originally didn’t want to mention this, because speaking of it would implicate many people. But if I don’t speak, I feel uneasy inside.”

“You’re hiding it because you can’t speak of it? Or do you think I’m incapable of pursuing this matter?” The Duchess sensed something amiss, staring at Li Weiyang’s eyes, her gaze gradually sharpening.

Li Weiyang appeared hesitant to speak, opening her mouth but still hesitating. “I know this matter can’t be hidden from you… but if I tell you, Aunt, I’m afraid it will affect your relationship with Virtuous Consort… If that happens, I could die ten thousand deaths without redeeming my guilt… But if I don’t tell you, I’m afraid you’ll be kept in the dark your whole life…”

Hearing this, the Duchess’s expression changed dramatically, her voice trembling. She seemed about to stand, bracing herself on the sandalwood chair’s armrest. Her sleeve swept across the table, nearly knocking over a nearby teacup. “What did you say? It’s related to Virtuous Consort? What exactly… do you mean?”

Li Weiyang sighed. “The palace environment is very complex. Virtuous Consort appears benevolent and generous on the surface, but is actually narrow-minded! I heard you went before her to say many bad things about me, so I was very afraid. I asked Seventh Highness to explain on my behalf, but when Seventh Highness returned, he told me Virtuous Consort thought you were deliberately trying to sow discord in their mother-son relationship, and was actually very angry about your actions. Aunt, you know—Second Uncle from Duke Jiangguo’s household has a concubine-born daughter who became a side consort in the Crown Prince’s residence. Virtuous Consort easily made other associations. She thought Duke Jiangguo’s household and Marquis Bochang’s household had been colluding, viewing your deliberate courtesy as a divisive plot, so she planned to teach us a lesson! That day… Cousin was just unlucky!”

“What did you say!” These words were like a thunderbolt scattering the Duchess’s soul. She tried to stand up in panic, but halfway up her body fell back into the chair. Her face turned deathly pale, her gaze vacant, her whole body shaking uncontrollably, looking as if her soul had suddenly been extracted.

These words were actually full of holes, but Li Weiyang knew that hearing them now, the Duchess would believe them completely without doubt. She continued, “Aunt may not believe me, but I hope you’ll send someone to thoroughly investigate Zuo Yuan’s background. He’d been Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards for so many years, with superior martial arts and archery skills. How could he accidentally miss for no reason? So coincidentally shooting in our direction—clearly someone was using his hand to warn us!”

“No! This is impossible!” The Duchess didn’t believe Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang smiled. “Aunt, no matter how we hate each other behind closed doors, in outsiders’ eyes, the Li household, Duke Jiangguo’s household, and Marquis Bochang’s household are still one family. Although you said many bad things about me before Virtuous Consort, although outsiders know we’re not harmonious, in others’ eyes we have marriage connections, don’t we? Virtuous Consort would think you were deliberately betraying me to gain her trust for ulterior motives, wanting to warn you—what’s strange about that?” She paused, then glanced at the unconscious Gao Min. “Moreover, Cousin Min has always been close to Third Highness. Everyone thinks she’ll become Third Prince’s consort in the future. If something happens to her, it would naturally be a significant blow to Third Highness. Third Highness is also aligned with the Crown Prince… There are naturally many complex relationships involved. Alas, ultimately, Cousin was just a scapegoat.”

The Duchess sat in the chair like she’d lost her soul, her teeth biting her pale lips hard. “Why are you telling me this!”

Li Weiyang smiled. She wasn’t afraid of the Duchess investigating, because it truly was Virtuous Consort Zhang who had acted. Now she was merely informing the Duchess of this fact. “Because I’m also a victim. That day when I was walking horses with the Ninth Princess, someone used a trained eagle to startle the horses. I nearly died under the hooves. The person behind this not only wanted to kill Cousin, but also wanted to incite internal conflict between us. Aunt, tell me—would my hatred be any less than yours?”

“What do you mean by inciting internal conflict?! I don’t understand any of this!” The Duchess’s eyes widened.

Li Weiyang’s face showed a layer of regret. “The reason Cousin competed with me in horse racing was just momentary competitiveness between girls. We had no deep-seated hatred. But in others’ eyes, I became the culprit who harmed Cousin. This way, though Uncle won’t say it, he’ll certainly harbor resentment toward Father. Our two families have always supported each other in court. If we turn against each other, both our powers will weaken. If someone then guides the situation, causing our families to become sworn enemies isn’t impossible. Then defeating us separately would be easy.”

“Ah…” The Duchess seemed to awaken from a dream. Now her anger had gradually subsided. She only sighed deeply, her expression so dejected it was as if all her strength had been drained. “Go back first. Don’t mention this to anyone.”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “Aunt, rest well. I’ll leave first.”

The Duchess watched her retreating back through gritted teeth, spitting heavily on the ground. Nanny Liu, the Duchess’s trusted aide, said, “Madam, the County Princess is sowing discord.”

The Duchess slowly leaned back against the chair, her gaze moving toward the tent top like dead ashes, clenching her fists so hard her nails dug deep into her flesh. “She is sowing discord, but what she said must all be true. At least regarding who truly harmed my daughter, she wasn’t lying. That arrow was definitely arranged by Virtuous Consort Zhang!”

Li Weiyang had no need to lie about this point, because at the time, if she hadn’t dodged quickly, she absolutely couldn’t have escaped. In that situation, the two girls’ horses were nearly neck and neck—whether the other party wanted to kill Li Weiyang or Gao Min, both would be in danger together! The Duchess only thought Li Weiyang’s life was charmed, not realizing she had prepared in advance. After all, who in this world would risk their own life? Much less set such a terrible trap! She resented Li Weiyang, but even more hated Virtuous Consort Zhang. They had originally wanted to use her hand to eliminate Li Weiyang, but were instead harmed by the killer she sent!

Li Weiyang walked out of the Duchess of Weiguo’s tent and looked back, couldn’t help smiling faintly.

Zhao Yue found it strange. “Miss, why did you do this?”

Li Weiyang smiled without answering.

On the hunt’s final day, the white wolf was captured by Seventh Prince. The Emperor was greatly pleased and held a banquet to celebrate.

This should have been a very harmonious banquet, but trouble occurred. A palace maid was actually an infiltrated assassin attempting to assassinate the Emperor. However, high-ranking palace guards had long been protecting the Emperor and several important consorts. The palace maid had just drawn her dagger from under the tray when she was discovered before acting and captured on the spot. When the Emperor ordered her interrogation, the palace maid immediately slit her own throat and died.

The Emperor flew into a rage and ordered a search on the spot. A waist token was found on the palace maid’s body. Upon investigation, it actually came from Virtuous Consort Zhang’s palace.

In that instant, everyone’s expressions changed.

Virtuous Consort Zhang had long enjoyed the Emperor’s favor, standing firm all these years. But this time the Emperor was furious, picking up that waist token and hurling it forcefully. “Virtuous Consort, what a fine thing you’ve done!”

Virtuous Consort Zhang’s face turned deathly pale. Having been in the palace for years, she had long grown accustomed to such matters, yet had never seen the Emperor this enraged. Suddenly frightened by this calamity, she collapsed to the ground, her usual intelligence and wit forgotten. Not knowing how to defend herself, she cried out loudly, “This concubine is wronged! Your Majesty, this concubine is wronged!”

Li Weiyang watched from afar, a slight smile on her face.

Virtuous Consort Zhang’s face was covered in tears as she kept saying, “Your Majesty’s grace is profound—how could this concubine plot against Your Majesty?!”

The Emperor had experienced multiple palace upheavals. From childhood he had been constantly plotted against, and most hated and feared such underhanded methods. In his fury, without thinking carefully, he shouted to his attendants, “Take Virtuous Consort Zhang away and await judgment.” At these words, everyone was stunned.

“Father Emperor—” Tuoba Yu stepped forward quickly. Then he suddenly realized that no matter what, he shouldn’t provoke the Emperor’s anger at this moment. Even to vindicate his mother consort, he should wait until the Emperor’s thunderous fury subsided. Right now, whatever he said wouldn’t be heard!

“Virtuous Consort must be wronged!” Amid the general murmuring, a childish voice suddenly spoke thus.

Everyone was shocked, all looking toward the Ninth Princess.

The Ninth Princess had deliberately run to sit with Li Weiyang. Now she rose from her seat, quickly walked forward, knelt on the ground, shuffled forward on her knees, and kowtowed, memorializing, “Father Emperor must not condemn Virtuous Consort based solely on a waist token.”

Gentle Consort Rou immediately stood up. “Your Majesty, the Ninth Princess is just a child. She doesn’t understand anything!”

But the Ninth Princess gathered her courage. “Father Emperor, with so many people here, how hard would it be to obtain a waist token? If this token truly came from Virtuous Consort’s palace, why would she have that person wear it on her body? Wouldn’t that be afraid people wouldn’t know? This is a frame-up!”

Everyone lowered their heads. They naturally saw this was a frame-up, but before the Emperor’s rage, no one dared speak a word for Virtuous Consort.

The Emperor looked at his beloved youngest daughter in surprise. She wasn’t usually particularly close to Virtuous Consort, yet today she suddenly ran out to speak for her. Calculating it, the relationship between Gentle Consort Rou and Virtuous Consort wasn’t good, yet the Ninth Princess showed no hesitation whatsoever. Ultimately she was a child—precisely because she was a child, she dared speak words others dared not speak. Even things the Emperor in his rage hadn’t considered, she dared publicly voice.

Thinking carefully, things were indeed as she said. As intelligent and wise as the Emperor was, precisely because he had always valued and respected Virtuous Consort, he couldn’t bear this sudden blow and was especially furious. If he wronged Virtuous Consort because of such a simple frame-up, even future compensation would leave cracks, especially between husband and wife, father and son. Thinking this, he looked toward Seventh Prince, who had been silently watching Virtuous Consort with earnest eyes, and his expression softened.

Worthy Consort Wu, who had maintained silence, suddenly spoke. “Yes, Your Majesty, someone is jealous of Virtuous Consort receiving Your Majesty’s favor, so they deliberately framed her. You must investigate carefully—you must not wrong Sister Virtuous Consort.”

Virtuous Consort broke down in tears, crying as she rushed before the Emperor, grasping his robe’s hem and pleading bitterly, “Your Majesty, this concubine would never dare do anything to harm Your Majesty!”

The Emperor already understood everything but felt he couldn’t back down. Taking advantage of Worthy Consort Wu’s words, he backed down gracefully. “Rise. I understand everything. Go back and rest first. I will give you justice.” Then, turning to everyone, “This banquet cannot continue. Everyone disperse.”

Third Prince Tuoba Zhen felt very disappointed. He had greatly hoped Virtuous Consort would fall from power. Though this seemingly clumsy scheme couldn’t truly shake Virtuous Consort’s position, as long as it planted a seed of doubt in the Emperor’s heart, it would quickly take root and sprout. At the right time it could play a great role. Unfortunately, today it was disrupted like this. He looked resentfully toward the Ninth Princess, only to see her happily saying something to Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang taught the Ninth Princess to say those words! Tuoba Zhen was the first to understand! His fingers clenched tighter, nearly drawing blood.

The Ninth Princess quietly asked, “Sister Weiyang, who do you think sent that assassin?”

Li Weiyang smiled without answering.

Tuoba Yu happened to walk over at this moment. He suddenly spoke. “Why?”

Li Weiyang responded, “Ninth Princess, I have something to say to your Seventh Brother.”

The Ninth Princess blinked mischievously. “All right.” With that, she lifted her skirts and ran off.

Tuoba Yu’s gaze held a trace of disbelief. “It was the Duchess of Weiguo. Just now I saw her expression—at that moment—” When Virtuous Consort was pardoned by the Emperor, the Duchess of Weiguo’s disappointed expression was all caught by Tuoba Yu.

Li Weiyang smiled. “The Duchess of Weiguo merely learned the truth.”

“She wouldn’t have known these things originally, except from you, except from me—” Tuoba Yu said through gritted teeth. “How could you do this!” He almost couldn’t control wanting to shout aloud, but struggled to restrain his emotions. “She’s my mother consort! You’re clearly on my side!”

Li Weiyang smiled, a trace of coldness flashing in her eyes. “What if I had truly been killed by her?! How would Seventh Highness compensate me for this life! Just because she’s your mother consort, must I endure her endlessly, allowing her to kill me?!”

Tuoba Yu felt guilty, yet still wouldn’t give up. “But I already said I would explain to Mother Consort—”

“Explain? Are explanations useful?” Li Weiyang said mildly. “What I want isn’t explanations! I want justice!”

“I already told Mother Consort, and she guaranteed she wouldn’t harm you again!”

“Guarantee?!” Li Weiyang sneered. “Seventh Highness, forgive me for being unable to believe your mother consort’s guarantee.” If guarantees worked, why had Zhao Yue discovered from outside her tent that someone was still monitoring her, even throwing poisonous snakes into the tent?

This showed Virtuous Consort Zhang had never given up! Li Weiyang didn’t know what Tuoba Yu had said, but Virtuous Consort Zhang’s stubbornness was truly extraordinary!

Tuoba Yu’s eyes held a kind of pain. He felt as if living between two pressures, a feeling that left him not knowing how to explain to Li Weiyang. Mother Consort believed Li Weiyang wasn’t worthy of being his proper consort, which was why she did such terrible things. He said softly, “Weiyang, what Mother Consort did couldn’t harm you. You’re so clever, so capable—”

Li Weiyang suddenly laughed—laughed so hard she couldn’t stop.

Because she was clever, because she was strong, others could freely try to frame her? Did they think she was a fool?! She turned cold, her voice like a block of ice. “Seventh Highness, if I were incompetent, would I deserve to die?!”

Tuoba Yu was nearly at a loss for words. He knew these things couldn’t harm Li Weiyang, so he had been careless—ultimately, he had been too certain of Li Weiyang’s strength and intelligence, forgetting she was also someone who could be injured and bleed, and moreover, a delicate woman. For a moment, he felt immense regret. It was all because her previous impression on him had been too formidable, so he had formed the mistaken idea that she could handle everything. Unconsciously, he stepped forward. “Weiyang, I’m sorry. I promise you again—”

“No more promises! If such a thing happens one more time, I don’t guarantee Virtuous Consort will continue sitting securely in that position!” Li Weiyang sneered coldly. “I’m a rotten stone, but my life is very hard. If the Consort wants to kill me, she’d better beware of getting her own head bloodied!”

Tuoba Yu gazed deeply at her. “Though you speak so fiercely, I know you have a kind heart. Today you didn’t want to harm Mother Consort to death, otherwise you wouldn’t have had Ninth Sister speak those words. Anyone else saying them, Father Emperor wouldn’t have believed. You understand Father Emperor’s mind better than any of us.”

Only a princess with no conflicts of interest, a weak and innocent child, a beloved jewel in the Emperor’s palm—her words the Emperor would believe.

Emperors are suspicious. So everything that happened today was all within Li Weiyang’s calculations.

Li Weiyang turned her face away. The distant firelight cast flickering shadows on her face. Her voice was very ordinary, so ordinary no one realized she had an unprecedented fatigue. “What I did was also for Seventh Highness’s benefit.”

Tuoba Yu looked at her in surprise.

Li Weiyang continued, “On the surface today, Virtuous Consort was reprimanded by His Majesty, but His Majesty already knows he wronged her. And thinking deeply about the assassination, His Majesty will believe someone is so jealous of you they would frame the usually peaceful Virtuous Consort Zhang. Tell me, who would see you as a threat and couldn’t help but move to eliminate you?”

“You deliberately chose the Duchess of Weiguo?” Tuoba Yu looked at her in disbelief.

“Precisely. The Duchess of Weiguo’s second elder brother—my nominal second uncle—has a concubine-born daughter who entered the Crown Prince’s residence.” Li Weiyang smiled. “Watch and see. His Majesty will definitely believe the Crown Prince has malicious intent toward you. From now on, he’ll not only be more vigilant toward him, but will also increasingly protect and value you, to compensate you and Virtuous Consort for what you suffered.”

Tuoba Yu looked at Li Weiyang. Every step, every move of hers was so vicious. Complex feelings surged in his heart. For a moment, he only felt wave after wave of coldness.

The Emperor issued an edict to thoroughly investigate this matter. However, the palace maid’s identity and background all checked out. Having been in the palace for years without excessive contact with anyone, she was clearly someone planted years ago. Using such a person clearly meant wanting to put Virtuous Consort Zhang to death. But the Emperor’s command was no joke. Finally someone reported in secret that the Duchess of Weiguo had privately contacted this palace maid. This way, the Duchess became the first suspect. But when the Imperial Guards rushed to the Duchess’s tent, they found she had already dressed properly and committed suicide by swallowing gold. Marquis Bochang was greatly shocked, kowtowing three times and nine times to plead guilty before the Emperor. But the Emperor was determined to execute his entire family. Hearing of this, Li Xiaoran rushed to plead with the Emperor, strongly testifying this matter had nothing to do with Marquis Bochang. But ultimately the Emperor still stripped him of his title, reduced him to commoner status, and exiled him to desolate Hezhou. When the news spread, court and country were shaken.

When they came, the Duchess of Weiguo had sat high and mighty in her carriage. Now she was just a roll of broken matting being dragged along. Gao Min’s arrogant appearance riding on horseback was still vivid, but now she could only lie in a carriage heading to Hezhou with her father.

Li Weiyang watched from afar, her gaze flowing with indescribable indifference.

“How pitiful. They were fine originally.” Sun Yanjun had somehow walked to her side. “If they’d known this would cause so much trouble, they shouldn’t have joined this hunt.”

First the Ninth Princess was frightened on horseback, then Gao Min was accidentally injured, then Virtuous Consort Zhang was wrongly accused, then it was discovered the culprit was the Duchess of Weiguo, and finally the Duchess committed suicide. The entire sequence of events seemed interlocked, tightly connected. But Sun Yanjun could never imagine it all had close connections to this seemingly ordinary young woman before her.

Li Weiyang answered, “Miss Sun is indeed kindhearted, but many things are predestined. Since the Duchess of Weiguo committed evil deeds, she should have anticipated today’s outcome.”

Sun Yanjun couldn’t help nodding. “The Duchess of Weiguo truly shouldn’t have wrongly accused Virtuous Consort Zhang. I heard the Duchess has a niece who’s a Crown Prince’s side consort, so now everyone says the Duchess was acting under the Crown Prince’s orders to harm Virtuous Consort Zhang. The real purpose was to make His Majesty alienate Seventh Prince!” Her voice was very low, as if deliberately fearing others would hear.

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “Oh, does Miss Sun also believe such rumors?”

“These aren’t rumors. Everyone knows the Duchess’s eldest son Gao Yuan was the Crown Prince’s study companion before his death, and died for the Crown Prince’s sake—that’s why she was enfeoffed. Moreover, Duke Jiangguo’s first and second branches had five sons between them without a legitimate daughter. The Crown Prince, wanting to win them over, could only marry a concubine-born girl from their family, whose low status meant she could only be given a side consort position. If not for the Crown Prince, why would the Duchess frame Virtuous Consort Zhang when they had neither enmity nor conflict—” Sun Yanjun unconsciously repeated what General Sun had analyzed to Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang’s face showed slight surprise. “Is that so?”

Sun Yanjun showed an expression of disappointment. “You should be more alert too. Still, your family is fine. Your father has never participated in conflicts between princes—that’s fortunate in misfortune.”

Not participating? That was only appearance. Li Xiaoran was merely holding rare goods, waiting for a price. It was just that now his wish for his daughter to become Empress had failed—who knew what would come next?

“His Majesty felt so apologetic for wronging Virtuous Consort that he greatly consoled her! And because Seventh Prince hunted the white wolf, he gave such generous rewards…” Sun Yanjun rattled on while Li Weiyang’s gaze followed Marquis Bochang’s carriage into the distance, not knowing what she was thinking.

The hunt finally ended. Politely declining Sun Yanjun’s enthusiastic invitation, Li Weiyang returned to the Prime Minister’s residence.

Back in her room, Li Weiyang ordered everyone out. At this moment, when she couldn’t see any outsiders, she no longer needed to strive to be strong. She could safely be weak, could be less brave.

When Tuoba Yu had said, “I think you’re strong enough to handle everything,” how had she answered? Li Weiyang couldn’t remember. She only felt that in that moment she’d been especially angry, especially furious. Though she only considered him an ally, at least she’d invested some emotion. She had thought they could be confidants, friends, actively working together toward a common goal. But Tuoba Yu had said such words to her, and she couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

She was indeed formidable, but not yet formidable enough to handle all dangers. Especially facing death, she was more afraid than anyone. In her dreams day and night, there was always the desolate colors of the Cold Palace and the constantly dripping eaves. Sometimes she even dreamed her body was crawling with lice. This kind of fear—those who hadn’t experienced it simply wouldn’t understand. Tuoba Yu thought her strong, thought her fearless. The truth was exactly opposite—precisely because she was afraid, because she feared that once she weakened she’d be defeated, she would eliminate obstacles before her at any cost.

Knowing that sharp arrow would pierce through Gao Min, yet still inviting her to race.

Knowing the Duchess of Weiguo would try every means to frame Virtuous Consort Zhang, yet still telling her who was behind it all.

Li Weiyang was a woman whose heart had turned completely black.

Thinking this, she buried her face in her pillow.

The scent of sunshine and green grass—completely different from the musty smell and blood stench in her dreams.

“Open your mouth!”

A voice suddenly emerged right beside the bed.

Li Weiyang was startled. Looking up, she saw Li Minde with one hand propping his chin, the other holding a dumpling while staring at her intently.

Li Weiyang smiled helplessly. “What’s this?”

“Lotus balls.” Li Minde said concisely. “Don’t you really like eating them?”

Sweets from Feicui Pavilion. Li Weiyang used to eat them often, but now she truly had no appetite.

Li Minde couldn’t help frowning. He dropped the dumpling. “Then what do you want to eat?”

“I don’t want to eat anything!” Li Weiyang was rarely a bit impatient. She had clearly ordered to be left alone with no one entering, yet how had Zhao Yue still let this fellow in?

Now Minde entered her room as if entering an empty realm.

After a long while, Li Weiyang heard no response from him. Opening her eyes, she found the youth with lowered head, his expression unclear, but a faint aura of sorrow permeating the air. Rather than puzzlement that the usually gentle Li Weiyang would be troubled to this degree, his anger was that she would rebuke him for inexplicable reasons!

“Sigh, I didn’t mean it, Minde. I’m just in a bad mood.” Li Weiyang sighed, sat up, and consoled him.

Li Minde raised his eyes, blinking aggrievedly. His soft expression made one involuntarily feel they’d committed a heinous crime.

Li Weiyang couldn’t bear this pure, innocent gaze and unconsciously said, “Fine, fine, fine. I’m sorry.”

“Did you encounter something unhappy on this trip?” Li Minde asked.

Li Weiyang paused. “Just killing several people at once left me feeling a bit sad.”

“Survival of the fittest, the strong prey on the weak—you taught me that.” The youth raised his head, his gaze locked firmly on her.

Li Weiyang was startled. Her actions had indeed been thus. If you don’t kill, you’ll be killed. She had no time for spring sorrows and autumn grief. Only when she saw the Duchess of Weiguo in unbearable pain over her daughter did she seem to see Seventh Concubine… She lowered her eyes. “You’re right…”

He suddenly thought of something and darkened his face. “Someone made you angry?” The moment the words left his mouth he regretted them. He tentatively reached out his hand to lift her face when a cold tear fell without warning into his palm. Though so cold, the youth’s heart felt as if scalded in that instant, mysteriously painful.

Li Weiyang raised her face. Her eyes held no moisture whatsoever, as if the tear in his hand was merely an illusion. She smiled at the flustered youth, saying softly, “You…”

Now, the only person at her side she could completely trust was him.

If possible, she hoped he would never change, his entire life.

“I won’t let anyone bully you.” The youth reached out, touching her soft hair.

Li Weiyang was startled, then smiled. At this moment, she thought the youth was joking. Only later did she discover she had been wrong.

This day, Zhao Nan rode a swift horse straight to the Li residence.

Zhao Nan rushed before Li Weiyang and knelt down, reporting, “Miss, this servant has failed his mission and couldn’t succeed.”

Li Weiyang glanced at his blood-stained shoulder and immediately understood what had happened. She said softly, “Is your injury serious?”

Zhao Nan lowered his head, very ashamed and self-reproaching. “This servant is fine.”

Li Weiyang said to the nearly shocked Zhao Yue beside her, “First help your brother bandage his wound.”

Zhao Nan’s shoulder injury—a long sword had directly slashed his chest, a wound fully half a foot long, ferocious and terrible. Zhao Yue couldn’t believe it. “Brother, what person has the capability to wound you like this?”

Zhao Nan shook his head. He had originally been one step away from returning with Li Minfeng’s head. But—a group of people had suddenly appeared, led by a young man. Zhao Nan prided himself on superior martial arts, yet received unprecedented severe injury. That person with a long blade was far more ruthless than him. In the end, he forcibly seized Li Minfeng from his hands… It was also his carelessness—he hadn’t expected his opponent to be so formidable!

Hearing his account, Li Weiyang laughed coldly. “As expected, Jiang family people.”

Li Minde had been listening from the side, frowning slightly. “The Jiang family?” He found it strange—why was Li Weiyang so certain the people who rescued Li Minfeng were from the Jiang family?

Li Weiyang nodded with a smile. “Minde, the First Lady’s two brothers have five sons total between them, each with their own strengths—quite extraordinary!”

Li Minde smiled. “I have heard of this, but—the Jiang family men are all at the border. How could they suddenly appear there?”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “Yes, they should be stationed at the border under orders, yet suddenly appeared inland. Unfortunately we have no evidence, otherwise this would be one charge against the Jiang family.” She picked up her teacup and took a light sip. “Zhao Nan, losing to Jiang family people isn’t shameful. You must know the Jiang family’s most precious asset isn’t their lineage and position, but these five extraordinarily outstanding sons. They won’t watch Li Minfeng die. Naturally they’d try every means to rescue him. I just didn’t expect them to receive news so quickly. However, this also means they’ll know what I’ve done. Perhaps very soon, they’ll come knocking to settle accounts.”