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

Hua Xiangrong's ruthless words terrified the old women. Without a word, Fenben left the backyard. Only then did Hua Xiangrong turn around, look at Jian Yue's face, and click her tongue, saying, "You're so weak and frail that even a few old women can bully you. You say you want revenge, but do you know you don't even have the means to save your life?"

Jian Yue remained silent, but Hua Xiangrong smiled again and said, "How about I teach you martial arts? Although I don't know any really powerful skills, I can still defend myself and kill a few ants. Do you think that's feasible?"

Jian Yue remained silent. Hua Xiangrong sighed, picked her up, and carried her into the house, saying, "I really don't know why you're so stubborn. Even if you're abused or betrayed, life still goes on, doesn't it? You can't always dwell on the past. You have to move forward. If someone offends you, you can take revenge. You can't always live in the shadows and reject everyone, can you?"

Look at me, wasn't I betrayed and fell into this trap? Now I'm still smiling, but I'm also wearing a bitter face, gaining nothing except making myself look bad.

As she spoke, she re-bandaged Jian Yue's wound. Hua Xiangrong was about to get up and leave when her sleeve was grabbed.

"why?"

Hua Xiangrong raised an eyebrow with amusement and asked, "What? Why?"

Why are you being so nice to me? What's your purpose?

Hua Xiangrong, who was about to entrust me with a smile, suddenly laughed and mocked, "Purpose? What purpose do you think I have? Firstly, although you are a lady from a prominent family, you have fallen on hard times and are even starving. How could I possibly covet your money?"

Secondly, given my appearance, standing on this land, not to mention how many people I could get help from, what man wouldn't want to leave his money with me? I just need to take the money, turn around and run, change my face, do you think anyone could find me?

As Hua Xiangrong spoke, she smiled and took out a human skin mask. In a few quick movements, she transformed her face into that of another person. She looked at Shangguan Jianyue with a smile, enjoying the shock on her face, and said, "Thirdly, even if I didn't use these methods and just lived in these mountains, do you think someone who can communicate with animals and keeps a wolf king as a pet could end up destitute? Even if I were to become a bandit in these mountains and build a den of thieves, I could still rob a few caravans with my mediocre skills."

"Little Yueyue, don't assume everyone is so hypocritical. Sometimes, your heartfelt efforts can be rewarded. Although I can't guarantee that the little girl beside you is completely devoted to you, I can assure you that she's sincere now, which is why you took her in. As for me, you think I have ulterior motives? Perhaps it's because I suddenly appeared at the foot of this mountain, happened to be rescued by you, happened to know martial arts, and happened to shamelessly want to follow you. Do you think I'm someone your stepmother sent to kill you?"

Shangguan Jianyue remained silent, but the way she tightly gripped the bedsheet betrayed her emotions. Hua Xiangrong smiled. After all, she was still a child. No matter how mature she appeared, she was still a child. She tossed her neat short hair and continued, "Actually, I don't have any ambitions. In this world, I don't know anyone but you. And you just happened to save me. Regardless of why you saved me, I remember you risking your life to go deep into the mountains to get me medicine and money."

So, girl, I think you're a good child, and I feel sorry for you. So why don't you let me stay by your side and help you? If you insist on giving me an ulterior motive, then let's say I'm helping you, and you find me a high-ranking official to be my husband. My only regret in my past life was not being able to find a man to give away my virginity.

As an assassin, Wildcat dedicated everything to killing, just to survive. But after being an assassin for so long, she had seen through the hypocrisy of many men, which made her even more disgusted with them. If she had to choose, men probably wouldn't be as important as money.

Now that she has traveled through time, she doesn't know if she will have a chance to go back, nor does she know if her savings of many zeros have been swallowed up by the gray rats. Therefore, she still needs to acquire some property for herself here and leave herself some savings.

The reason she chose Shangguan Jianyue was firstly because she saw the pain in the child's eyes, and through the child, she saw the wound in her own eyes, felt the pain, and wanted to reach out.

Secondly, it was because of the life-saving grace. This child was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. In fact, she was afraid to trust anyone's kindness to her. She must have been hurt quite a bit. Such a child must have encountered something more disappointing and infuriating than the gray rat's betrayal.

There's another point, not very important, but it's also part of the reason: she didn't know anyone here, and she felt bored. She wanted to find someone she could tease and relieve stress from time to time, and without a doubt, this cold-faced little girl was very suitable.

For Shangguan Jianyue, what she lacked was not the desire for revenge, but the opportunity. However, opportunities are reserved for the living, and she had already lost even the right to live. Now that she had extended her last olive branch, she wondered if the child could seize it. She was not one to force things; as the saying goes, fate would come naturally, and if not, she would leave.

The result satisfied her; the little girl hesitated for only a moment before making her decision.

And she did it. Faced with Hua Xiangrong's harsh training, she didn't utter a word or complain. She endured it all with her thin shoulders. Hua Xiangrong truly admired her, especially when she swallowed a bloody rat whole.

She didn't even flinch, and after swallowing it, she felt no discomfort whatsoever, nor did she feel nauseous or vomit. She was even more tolerant than before.

Seeing Shangguan Jianyue like this, after half a month of training, Hua Xiangrong finally couldn't sit still any longer and asked, "What exactly did you go through?"

Hua Xiangrong was only asking, not expecting an answer. But this time, she actually spoke, telling her story clearly and logically, sentence by sentence. As she spoke, the sorrow in her eyes intensified, and in the end, her fists clenched so tightly that the rat head she hadn't yet eaten was crushed in her hands.

Hua Xiangrong listened silently, her expression unchanged from beginning to end. Only after she finished speaking and crushed the rat's head did she step forward, reach out to separate her still tightly clasped hands, and carefully wipe away the remains of the rat's head, saying:

"I'll give you another lesson today. Remember, never let your thoughts be affected. If you want revenge, you must hide your hatred in your heart and always be aware of your anger so that no one can see it. This way, you will lower everyone's guard and have a chance to fight against those big shots who are not as good as you."

As she spoke, she stood up, picked up a dead rat again, and placed it in her palm, saying, "You need to learn this lesson on your own. From now on, you must always think about everything you have suffered and your anger. Concentrate it in your hand, but do not squeeze it. You must keep the rat's body intact. In this way, you will pass this lesson."

After Hua Xiangrong finished speaking, she turned and left, saying, "My darling will be here watching over you. If one is not enough, the tower will bring you a second one. One will continue until you have completed your task. You should know that your anger is more important than anything else you learn."

Hua Xiangrong's wholehearted dedication finally earned Shangguan Jianyue's trust, which made Hua Xiangrong both happy and heartbroken. However, she also knew that everyone's life was unchangeable, and she had her own experiences. Her future path was up to her to navigate.

No one can help her for a lifetime, and there is no divine favor that allows her to do what she wants without putting in any effort. Therefore, everything requires her own hard work.

Shangguan Jianyue learned very quickly and diligently, especially the Deadly Chain Steps created by Hua Xiangrong. She learned them with lightning speed. Seeing such talent, Hua Xiangrong liked her disciple even more. Because of this affection, she now really wanted to rush to the so-called capital city and kill all her enemies.

However, Jian Yue's disdain was justified. She was unfamiliar with the place and the people there, and it was ancient times. Martial arts were not just about physical skill; everyone else knew internal energy cultivation. If she was not careful, she could lose her life.

That day, she took a walk in the mountains and when she returned, she saw Shangguan Jianyue sitting in her usual training place, looking worried and holding a piece of paper in her hand.

Curious, she walked over, snatched the paper from her hand, glanced at it, frowned, and asked, "What does this say? What building?"

"Lan Yue Lou" (Moon-Viewing Pavilion).

Shangguan Jianyue spoke without surprise, her eyes still filled with indignation. Hua Xiangrong continued to ask, "Ah, what's wrong?"

Shangguan Jianyue hesitated for a few seconds before saying, "Lanyue Tower was the place I left the capital, intending to use it as my future informant. But now, it has been swallowed up by the people who partnered with me. Indeed, many people are not trustworthy."

Upon hearing this, Hua Xiangrong blinked and asked, "Many people, does that include me?"

Shangguan Jianyue looked at her and said, "At this moment, you are still trustworthy."

Hua Xiangrong burst into laughter and pointed at the letter, saying, "Then tell me, what kind of place is this Lan Yue Tower? How about I go and take it back for you?"

Shangguan Jianyue was taken aback, then her gaze suddenly changed, and she said, "Sister Hua, can you trust me?"

Hua Xiangrong smiled charmingly, flicked a strand of hair, and said, "What do you think?"

Hua Xiangrong took on the task of managing Lanyue Tower. It wasn't that she had to, but she was just too bored and wanted to do something to prove that she was still as sharp as ever.

Thus, the heavy responsibility of eliminating traitors fell on her shoulders, and what excited her even more was that she would soon be able to see the so-called brothel.