Chapter 11: Huan Tao Obtains the Booklet and Seeks Judgment from the Master

The Princess deeply knew her husband was a man of great wisdom and strategy; he had never once disappointed her. Otherwise, she would not have chosen to marry him all those years ago.

“What means do you have to settle this matter without damaging the harmony between me and Lu Heng?” the Princess asked, her attention completely diverted.

The Prime Minister took his wife’s hand, patted her shoulder, then gently stroked her arm as he guided her forward, patiently saying, “My lady, do you still remember when I once told you about a brother-in-arms from my youth? His name is Xie Anjing.”

As he spoke, he swept his left hand behind him, signaling the three rascals trailing behind to leave quickly.

The Princess’s thoughts were stirred by her husband’s words; her previously gloomy expression softened, and she answered gently, “Of course I remember. You said he has now become the leader of the Martial Alliance, commanding tens of thousands of highly skilled disciples. His family is immensely wealthy, and he even runs a weapons factory specializing in blades and swords. Quite a remarkable man, is he not?”

“That’s right. It’s him.”

“But what does Xie Anjing have to do with this matter?” the Princess asked, puzzled.

“Nothing at all,” he replied. “He has a daughter who is seventeen this year, just of marriageable age. I was thinking…”

Their voices gradually lowered until they were indistinct.

Feng Zhinen, Jiang Mubai, and Feng Yuxi were uninterested in the conversation and no longer strained to listen.

Seeing their mother walk away, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Feng Zhinen bent over, clutching his abdomen in pain, his face twisted in agony. He grumbled inwardly at how harshly their mother had treated him, feeling as if she didn’t consider him a son at all.

Feng Yuxi, seeing her brother’s distress, hurried over to support him, and Jiang Mubai also stepped forward. Feng Yuxi said anxiously, “Brother, are you alright? Let’s get you back to your room to rest, and we’ll find a doctor to examine you.”

“No need,” Feng Zhinen said, still polite to his sister but forcefully pushing Jiang Mubai away. Raising his eyes with a cold glare, he said, “Jiang Mubai, don’t think I don’t know what your intentions are in marrying my sister An. One day, I will expose your true colors. Just wait and see!”

Jiang Mubai looked innocent. “Brother, what intentions could I possibly have? Even if I did, it’s only to be with Yuer, to hold her hand and grow old together. Why do you not trust me and harbor such prejudice?”

Better to turn him into a pawn than an enemy.

But Feng Zhinen was difficult to control, and Jiang Mubai could only watch and wait for now.

“Is that so?” Feng Zhinen sneered coldly. “Let’s see how long you can keep up this act.”

Jiang Mubai clenched his hands hidden in his robe sleeves, bearing the humiliation with a pure smile. “Brother, you truly misunderstand me.”

Feng Zhinen snorted coldly, unwilling to engage further.

Feng Yuxi couldn’t understand why her brother was so antagonistic toward Jiang Mubai. Angry, she stomped her foot and said, “Brother! We’re about to become one family with Mr. Jiang. Why are you so hostile toward him? He’s your future brother-in-law!”

Feng Zhinen softened his tone and reasoned kindly, “Little sister, while there’s still a chance to salvage this, I advise you to let go. It’s better not to have the child; otherwise, you’ll regret it for your whole life.”

Feng Yuxi quickly shook off his hand. “Brother! I am determined—this is a lifelong matter. No matter what, I will never regret it! And I believe Jiang will love me forever, won’t you, Jiang?”

She looked at Jiang Mubai with deep affection. Jiang smiled and gently brushed the stray hairs from her forehead, tucking them behind her ear as he whispered, “Yes, a lifetime, never to leave or forsake.”

Seeing this, Feng Zhinen snorted silently but stopped pressing the matter, knowing his sister’s resolve was unshakable.

Just like his feelings for Gu Nanshu, even though she was married, he could not suppress his emotions for her. Even if it was silent protection, he was willing.

That was love—unconditional trust and selfless devotion.

He sighed, clutching his abdomen, and turned away step by step.

—

At the Northern Star Prince’s Mansion.

After taking her medicine, Gu Nanshu returned to her bedchamber. The tonic invigorated her somewhat, brightening her spirit.

But a shattered mirror is hard to mend, and a wounded heart hard to heal. Though she seemed to recover outwardly, the pain within remained, leaving her physically and mentally exhausted.

Since her death and rebirth, her mind had been in constant turmoil. After her recent bout of coughing blood from emotional distress, and with Lu Heng to deal with upon waking, all her strength was drained. She only wished to calm her mind and rest properly, while also reviewing her plans for revenge.

The first step was to visit the Jiang residence to clarify one matter.

Did Jiang Mubai ever slip abortifacient herbs into the medicinal broths he gave her? Why had she not conceived in six years?

Yet Feng Yuxi was now pregnant. Was it truly a problem with her fertility?

Or had Jiang Mubai merely viewed her as a source of income, seeking only her wealth, intending to discard her once he had achieved his ambitions?

This knot in her heart had to be unraveled to find peace. Only then could she kill Jiang Mubai without regret, for he was not worthy.

Additionally, she needed to retrieve a token from the Jiang residence—a jade hairpin. This pin was crucial to her revenge; the success of her plan depended on it.

Gu Nanshu closed her eyes, resting in the bath filled with fragrant flower petals. The soothing scent dulled her senses and relaxed her guard.

Her attendant, Huan Tao, noticing her mistress had apparently fallen asleep, quietly approached the tub, testing the water’s temperature. “Miss, the water has grown cool. I’ll fetch some hot water to add so you can soak comfortably for longer.”

“All right, go ahead. Bring plenty—I haven’t had such a good rest in a long time.”

“Yes, I’ll get it right away.”

Huan Tao deliberately moved to fetch hot water but paused at the screen, glancing back cautiously at her still-resting mistress. Seeing no sign of her opening her eyes, she stealthily crouched down and began rifling through the shoes on the floor.

When her lady had first come to bathe, Huan Tao had observed carefully. After her mistress removed her clothes, she had taken something from her person and placed it inside the shoes.

Though she did not know what it was, Huan Tao guessed it must be something written last night.

The prince had entrusted her with this task; she dared not neglect it and wanted to know what her lady had written so secretively.

Was it a love letter to Feng Zhinen? A plan to escape? Or a record of sudden changes in her temperament?

Huan Tao carefully searched both shoes and finally found a small booklet inside the socks.

Thrilled, she glanced back at her closed-eyed mistress, then tucked the booklet into her bosom and slipped out of the chamber.

She then took a winding route to the kitchen.

Her plan: to read the booklet thoroughly before handing it over to the prince. A perfect scheme.