The eldest daughter's scheming, the crown prince's exclusive favor to the venomous concubi

Black Wind seemed oblivious to the blade formed from condensed resentment. He sighed and continued, "Old Zhang, look, so many years have passed. You weren't always like this. Enough is enough. Come back! You'll see something you never expected."

Upon hearing this, Kumu Zhang's resentment vanished instantly. After a long while, he suddenly grinned and smiled without saying a word, instead looking at Jian Yue. Hei Feng also looked at Jian Yue, who frowned, wondering what kind of trouble they were up to now.

Seeing Jian Yue's wary expression, Hei Feng said helplessly, "You don't trust me even a little bit?"

Jian Yue pouted: "Trust? Do you think there is any trust between us? I don't believe that someone who watches a young girl being captured and devoured by wolves would let that girl go."

Jian Yue still harbored resentment. She couldn't imagine what Shangguan Jian Yue would have been like if the armored soldiers had intervened back then.

Although none of this had anything to do with the armored soldiers, it concerned her own mother, so she still couldn't help but feel angry.

Upon hearing this, Black Wind remained noncommittal and turned to the beggars watching the commotion behind him, saying, "Get ready. We're migrating tomorrow. Bring your tools of the trade. Armored soldiers, it's time to get to work."

Upon hearing this, the beggars instantly changed from their previous demeanor. One by one, they stood up abruptly, straightening their backs. Jian Yue turned to look at them, and felt a surge of emotion.

Every single one of these people had a fervor in their eyes that she couldn't understand, and an inner world that she couldn't comprehend.

What exactly is the faith of the armored soldiers? After centuries of silence, why does such fervor still exist?

The eldest princess's mansion.

Princess Murong Yan sat on the armchair with a headache, leaning back wearily with her eyes closed. Beside her, the steward stood reporting on the young master's activities over the past few days. Everything seemed normal: eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating. Murong Yan couldn't believe that this was the same troublesome son she had raised.

But she also verified that it was indeed her son, only their life together was terrifyingly uneventful.

The old Bai Jianan was always restless and uneasy, but now he sits in his study and can stay there all day without coming out.

"He's still the same?"

"Yes, Princess, the Crown Prince still sits in his study. After breakfast, he sits there reading for several hours at a time. When it's time for lunch, he eats the traditional shamanic meal, then takes a nap until dinner. After dinner, he continues to sleep."

Upon hearing this, Murong Yan frowned and said, "I'm not raising a pig, how could this happen? For a woman, and this is still my son?"

The steward lowered his head, took two steps forward, and whispered, "Today, a witch from Miao territory came to the manor and stayed by the young master's side the whole time. The young master remained expressionless throughout, and his daily routine and habits were still the same as before. This old servant told the witch about the young master's abnormal behavior these past few days, but the witch from Miao territory said that it was normal."

Upon hearing this, Murong Yan fell silent. After a long while, she suddenly sighed and said, "Keep a close watch on that witch and don't let her harm the young master. As for the rest, uh, you don't need to worry about it anymore."

The butler nodded, thought for a moment, and continued, "So, is the young master really alright?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Yan gave a bitter smile and said, "Liang Sheng, we both know about Nan'er's background. Even his biological father has tacitly accepted it. What else do you think we can do?"

The steward frowned upon hearing this and said worriedly, "But if this continues, I'm afraid something will happen to the young master. I've watched him grow up, and I really can't bear it..."

Murong Yan stood up and sighed, "Don't worry, good people are always protected by heaven. I don't believe that girl's life is so short. The entire General's Mansion has disappeared. If that girl really died, how could that impulsive Shangguan Ting let it go? And how could he have escaped so quickly that even the Emperor couldn't catch him?"

As she spoke, she suddenly smiled and continued, "Therefore, I don't believe that my clever Nan'er wouldn't have discovered this, and I don't believe that my Nan'er would be such a depressed person."

This vast princess's residence, after all, is still a princess's residence. As the hostess, she would never mistreat her guests. Liang Sheng, go and prepare some tea and snacks for the Miao witch as a token of her gratitude for accompanying the young master.

Steward Liang Sheng nodded and said, "This old servant has already sent it over. Please rest assured, Your Highness. This old servant is not confused. No matter who enters this house, this is still the Princess's residence. With the Princess here, no one is allowed to interfere."

Heri Hong, who was very bossy, was doing very well in Bai Jianan, except for the people there.

She was well aware of this. She had come here without a proper reason and had even ruined the young master's marriage. It was only natural that the people here didn't like her. However, the princess had been quite polite and hadn't treated her harshly.

Quietly grinding ink for Bai Jianan, Heli Hong's eyes were filled with nothing but the handsome figure before her.

Long, long ago, she wanted to be like this, quietly by his side, watching him learn to paint, and grinding ink for him.

However, things didn't go as planned. She thought that since he had chosen her, she would definitely be by his side, but she never expected that what awaited her was training that could cost her her life.

She didn't hate him. On the contrary, because of him, she worked harder and stood out from hundreds of people, eventually standing by his side and gaining his approval.

Although I still can't reach him directly, at least I'm being valued and trusted, and that's enough.

However, things didn't go as planned. A woman named Shangguan Jianyue appeared and stole away the originally heartless Bai Jianan. How could she bear it?

She could tolerate her beloved man being unfaithful, and she could tolerate his indifference, but she could never tolerate the man she had been with for over a decade suddenly falling in love with another woman.

She is not convinced.

Therefore, even if she schemes and plots, ruins his life's work, and cuts off all his pride and wings, she still wants him by her side.

So, this moment was something she had always dreamed of, and now that it had come true, she was overjoyed.

"Are you tired? If you are, take a rest."

She spoke with a smile, her eyes filled with a deep, unyielding tenderness.

The person before him remained expressionless, but upon hearing her words, he put down his pen and ink, stiffened, and rose to walk toward the bed. Heli Hong followed behind, supporting him to prevent him from falling, and said gently, "Slow down. You're not feeling well right now, so you need to rest more. Once my letter reaches Miao territory, my father will bring my clan's Golden Cicada Gu. At that time, you won't have to endure the pain you're in now."

Bai Jianan's eyes flickered, then became blank again, his whole body like a puppet. Heli Hong didn't care and said softly, "Lie down and rest."

Bai Jianan obediently lay down, and Heli Hong covered him with a blanket, sat down by the bed, and gently stroked his cheek.

"Do you know how much I've wanted to touch you like this? Now, I can finally do it. I'm so happy. From now on, you'll never think of another woman again. You'll be mine for the rest of your life, and I will help you become the only ruler of Yue. You and I will become the famous emperor and empress of Yue. We'll live in harmony and happiness for the rest of our lives."

As she spoke, she leaned over and lay down on Bai Jianan, her cheek pressed against his, her arms around his shoulders. Bai Jianan suddenly closed his eyes, his hands clenching into fists in the shadows.

"Witch, it's late, you should go back."

Zang Feng's voice made Heli Hong pause slightly. She stood up unhappily and looked around, but did not see Zang Feng. She said coldly, "He doesn't need you anymore. Why are you still lingering?"

There was no response, as if Zang Feng had never appeared or his voice had never been heard. Yet, Heli Hong dared not move. Zang Feng was the person she feared most.

After a long while, Heli Hong finally bit her lip and got up unwillingly. She straightened her clothes and looked at the person on the bed, saying, "I'm leaving. You should sleep well and eat well. I'll come to see you again tomorrow."

After saying that, she glared and looked around the room again before saying, "I'll make you die sooner or later."

After saying that, she slammed the door and left. The instant she left, Cang Feng appeared beside Bai Jianan's bed and sighed softly, "Bai Jianan, Bai Jianan, now you even need me to protect your innocence. Tell me, shouldn't you give me a raise?"

Bai Jianan, who was lying on the bed, suddenly opened his eyes. The cold light that flashed in his eyes was a far cry from his previous dazed appearance.

He stiffly turned to look at Zang Feng and said, "Thank you."

Zang Feng sat on the edge of the bed with a smile and said, "No need for thanks, but I don't know how much longer I can hold out. I have become a thorn in her side, and I believe that it will not be long before she makes her move against me. No matter how well I hide, I can't withstand the sheer number of people she has."

As he spoke, Zang Feng looked at Bai Jianan with a mournful expression and said, "I really don't know why you fell for this crazy woman back then."

Bai Jianan smiled helplessly and said, "I don't know why I chose her back then. Maybe I really saw the ruthlessness in her eyes, and she was the most suitable to be an assassin. But I never expected that I was raising a snake instead of a wolf."

Cang Deng nodded, then thought for a moment and asked, "How long can Jia Banwen's medicine last?"

"It's only been half a month, I don't know if he'll be able to get back in time."

Zang Feng calculated the time and distance and said, "Half a month is enough. I'm afraid Heli Hong also understands Jia Banwen's abilities. Although this Gu poison is tricky, it still can't stump Jia Banwen. That's why she created the Wujiang incident to restrain him."

Now that you've brought Jia Banwen back, she certainly knows this, and it's quite possible that she'll secretly use some means to prevent Jia Banwen from entering the capital.

"But don't worry about these next two weeks. Besides my unwavering protection here, I'm sure the Princess won't just stand by and do nothing. My only concern is that if Jia Banwen still hasn't returned after two weeks, things might get a bit complicated."