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

Hei Feng fell silent. He should praise the girl's performance, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. His heart ached, and he tried to press his hand down, but he remained motionless.

As if punishing herself, she cruelly continued: "What? Sad? Angry? Why are you asking like this? Do you still cling to the hope of the sisters recognizing each other?"

Jian Yue shook her head; though her eyes were red, she showed no anger.

"From the moment we were separated, it was destined that we would never find peace again. If we meet again in the future, we will either be enemies or friends. I am just a little unwilling. You have gone to such lengths to find someone who can change the future of the armored soldiers?"

Jian Yue looked at Hei Feng with a mocking expression, toying with the jade seal between her fingers. Suddenly, a smile flashed in her eyes, and she said, "This seal must also be in duplicate. Let her and I each keep one!"

At this point, Hei Feng suddenly stood up, his back to Jian Yue. Seeing this, Jian Yue raised an eyebrow and said with amusement, "Since when did Master Hei Feng become so unsettled and so easily excited? Could it be that you haven't been sleeping well these past few days? Is it affecting your energy and spirit?"

Black Wind placed his right hand in front of him, clenching it into a fist, while his other hand was behind his back. He remained motionless, his unwavering stance belying the immense torment he was enduring.

After a long silence, he coldly said, "If you want to know more, then continue your studies. What I said still stands. When you can defeat me, break free from my control, and take the armored soldiers back into your hands, that will be the time for me to pay my debt."

Qiu Lingyu is also undergoing trials. It's still undecided who will live and who will die between the two of you. The final result will be that whoever slacks off will not make it to the end.

Qiu Lingyu was born in the northern desert and danced with wolves from a young age. Under Qiu Zhennan's tutelage, she is far stronger than you, while you are not at an advantage. The reason you were chosen to enter the trial is merely due to the prophecy of the twin phoenixes.

Qiu Lingyu, so that's her name.

Jian Yue's heart tightened, and she looked coldly at Hei Feng, saying, "What a show! Sisters killing each other. You've been planning this for fifteen years. After all this time, didn't you ever think that one of them would not survive? That your plan would fall apart?"

Upon hearing this, Black Wind turned around, his gaze calm and unwavering.

"Instead of questioning these useless things, you should think about what will happen when you two sisters meet. There was a case of two phoenixes fighting each other five hundred years ago, and the final result was predictable. So, since your foundation is not stable, you should start early."

"I thank you for your guidance. Don't worry, with your kind care and attention, even if I'm so clumsy that I stumble when I walk, I'll definitely fly up and show you. As for the two phoenixes fighting, we'll wait and see."

Jian Yue's eyes flashed with a chilling light as she met Hei Feng's gaze without the slightest fear. Her confident eyes were even more radiant than the bright moon in the sky. Hei Feng thought those eyes were incredibly beautiful, even surpassing the beauty of the pearls in the East Sea Dragon Palace.

He suddenly smiled, a wicked look rising on his handsome face, and said, "Such fighting spirit, not bad, very much to my liking, I'll be waiting."

As Hei Feng spoke, he turned and left, but paused at the door and said, "The New Year is just a month away. The wife of the Marquis of Qingyan, who was jealous, fell into the lake and died. The Marquis was so heartbroken that he was bedridden and unconscious. The Emperor then issued an edict to arrange a marriage for him to bring him good luck. You are familiar with the bride. She is the witch from the Miao region, Heli Hong, and the former head of the Qilin Pavilion's assassins, Yipin Hong."

After saying that, Hei Feng turned and left without looking at the stunned Jian Yue.

He was indeed looking forward to another different Shangguan Jianyue, like a pearl covered in dust, gradually shining brightly under his guidance, dazzling all living beings.

Jian Yue stared in shock for a long time before murmuring, "He's getting married? What about me? He promised to wait for me!"

A heavy snowfall overnight transformed the capital into a white wonderland. However, the red ribbons along the way added to the festive atmosphere. Inside the princess's residence, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere that dispelled much of the usual quietness.

Murong Yan stood under the eaves, quietly watching the eunuchs coming and going, decorating what was nominally her mansion, with a faint hint of mockery in her eyes.

The old steward stood beside her, looking at the expression in her eyes, and comforted her, "It's getting cold, Princess, you should take better care of yourself."

Murong Yan shook her head, sighed, looked around nostalgically, and said with a mocking smile, "After today, this place will have a new owner. Liang Sheng, do you think this place will be renamed, perhaps something like the Prince's Residence?"

The old steward, Liang Sheng, did not answer her question. Instead, he said, "The Marquis has written that he still thinks about the princess. He has already petitioned the Emperor to release her. Otherwise, he will be sent to the capital. It seems that the Emperor has already made his plans. Today, there will definitely be a result."

Upon hearing this, Murong Yan paused, a hint of warmth suddenly appearing in her eyes as she said, "My presence is a threat to Nan'er, but also a thorn in the Emperor's side. After all, that old man truly cares about me."

Liang Sheng also smiled and said, "The Marquis not only takes the princess into his eyes, but also into his heart. The commotion in the capital is too great and has far-reaching implications. How could the Marquis remain unmoved?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Yan's face flushed red, and she gave a slightly embarrassed and coquettish laugh. Then she said seriously, "Hmph, at least he has a conscience. It's just that it's difficult for my Nan'er. This time, I can't take him away."

"Princess, please don't be sad. Miao territory is indeed dangerous, but the Marquis is no pushover either. The Qingyan Marquis's mansion has many extraordinary people from other worlds. I believe the young master will be able to escape danger in one move."

Liang Sheng's words of comfort had no effect. Although it all started with Miao Di, the final order was given by Emperor Murong Qianqiu. No one knew what Murong Qianqiu was thinking, let alone why he would scheme against all his sons in this way.

He thought he truly cared for Bai Jianan as a father, wanting to give him the best out of guilt, but now he realizes that wasn't the case at all.

After much thought, Murong Yan still couldn't understand why Murong Qianqiu would do such strange things, things that could even destroy half of the Yue Kingdom.

"The imperial edict has arrived!"

As soon as it was said, the imperial eunuch who was delivering the decree quickly approached Murong Yan's side. Without even performing the proper etiquette, he opened the imperial edict and said, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Princess Murong Yan and I share a deep sibling bond, which I find deeply gratifying. Considering that she and her husband, Marquis Qingyan, have spent little time together, I hereby grant Marquis Qingyan's request that Princess Murong Yan promptly leave the capital and return to Marquis Qingyan's residence to reunite with him. This is the imperial decree."

After speaking, the eunuch bowed to Murong Yan and presented the imperial edict, saying, "Princess, please accept the edict."

Murong Yan felt a chill run down her spine at that harsh attitude and said sarcastically, "The Emperor is really impatient; he won't even let me participate in my son's wedding."

The eunuch delivering the decree smiled slightly and said, "This is not my concern. His Majesty has ordered that ten thousand taels of silver be prepared for the Princess so that she may depart immediately."

Murong Yan was furious, her eyes blazing with anger. She grabbed the imperial edict and was about to tear it up when Liang Sheng stepped forward calmly. Before Murong Yan could react, he whispered, "Princess, you must not disappoint the Marquis's intentions."

"What about my son?"

She practically gritted her teeth as she spoke, and Liang Sheng said helplessly, "But if the princess is trapped here, the prince will also be unable to make his move and will be controlled by others at every turn. How can he achieve a surprise victory? Princess, lest you lose more than you gain."

Murong Yan held the imperial edict for a long time before finally suppressing her anger. She said to the eunuch who delivered the edict with a forced smile, "Then thank you very much, sir. Rest assured, I also miss my lord very much and can't wait to set off to be with him. I will definitely not delay. However, the expenses for holding a wedding in the mansion are quite high, so I can't give a reward. I hope you won't be angry."

The eunuch delivering the decree froze for a moment, but only for a second before forcing a smile and saying, "How dare I? It is my honor to serve the princess. Today, I should also congratulate the young master on his wedding."

Murong Yan immediately bared her teeth and said, "This marriage was bestowed by the Emperor, and the wedding was also arranged by the Emperor. As his mother, I am leaving now. There is no use in you congratulating me. You can go and tell the young master yourself. Then I will not see you off."

Having been ordered to leave, the eunuch who delivered the order quickly departed. He had known from the beginning that this was a thankless task, but as a servant, he could only watch the power struggles among those in high positions. It was already a great blessing that he didn't get burned; he dared not covet anything more. Now that he had easily left Murong Yan's side, he breathed a sigh of relief and hurried back to report to Murong Qianqiu.

Meanwhile, Murong Qianqiu was sitting on the dragon throne in the imperial study, clutching the letter sent by Qingyan Marquis tightly, his eyes blazing with anger and his face ashen.

"Threatening me? Fine, whatever. I'll see how you dare to act so arrogantly in front of me. I will gradually bring you all into my hands and then behead you one by one."

"Your Majesty, please do not be angry. The Marquis of Qingyan was able to ask to marry the Princess after he learned that she had given birth to an illegitimate child for another man. This shows that he has feelings for the Princess. It is only reasonable for him to threaten her now. I believe that as long as the Princess is released, he will not come to the capital. Many things will be much easier to handle."

Upon hearing this, Murong Qianqiu nodded and said, "I naturally understand. I have already issued an imperial decree to Yan'er, ordering her to leave the capital immediately. However, she will surely be dissatisfied. I am wondering whether I should strike first."

“If His Majesty takes action, it won’t just be the Marquis of Qingyan who will be enraged. The heir of the Marquis of Qingyan will always be the heir of the Marquis of Qingyan. No matter who he forgets in the end, he cannot forget his own mother. If something happens to the Princess, the heir will inevitably rebel. If the investigation leads to His Majesty, His Majesty will suffer a great loss.”