Sludge suction system

Hua Yu and Hua Xiang walked side by side out of the majestic, solemn, and magnificent palace gates, passed through the bustling streets, and finally returned to their own residence—the Hua Mansion.

As soon as they stepped into the mansion, the steward rushed over to report: "Master has learned that the two young ladies have returned from the palace and is waiting for you in the study. Please come over immediately."

The two sisters exchanged a glance, nodded to each other knowingly, and then quickened their pace toward the study.

Upon entering the study, they saw Minister Hua pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back, looking anxious. Seeing the two enter, he hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "How did things go for you two during your trip to the palace?" His voice betrayed his urgency.

Hua Xiang gave a slight curtsy and said softly, "Father, Consort Hua has chosen me to be the Fourth Prince's principal wife." She paused, a hint of smugness appearing on her face, but quickly regained her composure. She continued, "But about my sister..." At this point, she deliberately became cryptic, her eyes flickering and her lips curling into a half-smile, making it impossible to discern her thoughts.

"Yu'er, you speak!" Seeing Hua Xiang's appearance, Minister Hua became even more anxious and turned his gaze to Hua Yu, who had been standing silently to the side.

Hua Yu timidly raised her head, glanced at Minister Hua, tears welling in her eyes, and stammered, "Father, Consort Hua has told me to find another husband and not compete with my sister for the Fourth Prince." After speaking, she gently bit her lip, seemingly trying hard to hold back her tears, while secretly observing Minister Hua's reaction out of the corner of her eye.

"This...how could this be?" Minister Hua frowned, his face full of worry, clearly surprised and disappointed by Hua Yu's answer. He pondered for a moment, then pressed on again, "Isn't there any room for maneuver?"

Hua Yu gently shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. She choked out, "I don't know why Consort Hua made this decision. Perhaps she thinks my sister is more suitable for the Fourth Prince."

"Little Zha, what do you think the Minister will decide? Will our plan be able to proceed smoothly?"

Xiao Zha replied, "Host, judging from the current situation, everything is developing according to the script we set in advance. However, the final outcome depends on the Minister's attitude next." After hearing Xiao Zha's reply, Hua Yu still maintained a pitiful appearance and continued to sob.

Meanwhile, Minister Hua looked at his eldest daughter, Hua Yu, who was weeping uncontrollably, and felt a pang of heartache. At the same time, however, he was actually quite pleased that his second daughter, Hua Xiang, had been chosen as the Fourth Prince's principal wife. After all, once Hua Xiang married into the Prince's household, the entire Hua family could potentially benefit. After a fierce internal struggle, Minister Hua finally made his decision.

He coughed lightly and said to Hua Yu and Hua Xiang, "Alright, you two go back to your rooms and rest. I still need to discuss this matter with your mother." After saying that, he waved for the two to leave, then turned around and slowly walked to his desk, sat down, and fell into deep thought.

Meanwhile, deep within the magnificent Crown Prince's residence, Crown Prince Lan Yan sat upright in the resplendent hall, listening intently to his subordinates' detailed report, his face grim. They were recounting the various events that had transpired since the two beautiful young ladies of the Hua family entered the palace.

When he heard that Consort Hua had chosen Hua Xiang to be the Fourth Prince's principal wife, Lan Yan was slightly taken aback, and then burst into a deafening burst of wild laughter.

"Haha, haha..." The laughter, like the hooting of an owl, echoed endlessly in the empty palace.

"Blue Wind, Blue Wind, those secret guards under your command will soon belong to me! And your wife is already mine, hahaha! What right do you have to compete with me now? Even if the Emperor dotes on you, so what? In front of me, you can only always admit defeat, hahaha..." At this moment, Lan Yan was completely immersed in his fantasy. A picture seemed to appear before his eyes: he was wearing a dragon robe, sitting high on the dragon throne that symbolized supreme power, receiving the worship of thousands of subjects below.

However, just then, a gentle voice interrupted Lan Yan's reverie. A trusted aide named Mu Er cautiously stepped forward and softly called out, "Your Highness, Your Highness..."

Lan Yan frowned slightly in displeasure, but still suppressed his anger and asked coldly, "What is it?"

Mu Er quickly bowed and respectfully replied, "Your Highness, according to the timeline, it's about time to give Miss Hua Xiang her antidote. I think we should write her a letter to give her a little warning, so as not to make her rebellious and no longer be under our control."

Lan Yan pondered for a moment, then nodded and said in a deep voice, "Well, I'll leave this matter to you. Remember, you must make sure that Hua Xiang obeys our orders obediently and successfully gets the Dark Guard token for us. If you mess it up, hmph, you know what the consequences will be." With that, he waved his hand, signaling Mu Er to leave.

Mu Er left hastily as if granted a pardon, leaving Lan Yan sitting there alone, a sinister smile still on his lips, as if everything was under his control.

Hua Xiang sat quietly in her exquisite and elegant boudoir, her once beautiful face now contorted with pain. Not long ago, that despicable crown prince had forcibly administered poison to her, and now the poison was taking effect. The excruciating pain, like thousands of venomous insects gnawing at her, emanated from within her body, causing her to break out in a cold sweat and tremble all over.

Suddenly, a muffled groan was heard, and Xiao Gu, who had been guarding outside the door, collapsed to the ground without warning. Immediately afterward, a dark figure appeared before Hua Xiang like a ghost. The newcomer was completely shrouded in black robes, and his face was covered with a black cloth, revealing only a pair of cold and sharp eyes.

“Miss Hua Xiang, don’t be afraid. I am Mu Er, an officer under His Highness the Crown Prince. I have come here specifically to bring you the antidote.” Mu Er’s voice was deep and hoarse, as if it came from the depths of hell. As he spoke, he took out a small porcelain bottle from his pocket and handed it to Hua Xiang.

Hua Xiang endured the excruciating pain, staring wide-eyed at the mysterious masked man before her. When she heard him say he had come to deliver the antidote, she felt a slight sense of relief, but at the same time, a surge of intense anger and resentment welled up within her.

"Also, His Highness the Crown Prince asked me to deliver a message to you. He orders you to obtain the Secret Guard token as soon as possible; otherwise, if your antidote supply is cut off, the consequences will be unimaginable—death from the poison will be the lightest punishment. I hope Miss Hua will consider this carefully and act cautiously. Furthermore, you must not even think of informing Lan Feng, because there are people secretly watching you at all times." After Mu Er finished his cold warning, he vanished from the spot as quickly as he had come, leaving no trace.

Hua Xiang didn't have time to think. Trembling, she reached out and grabbed the antidote from the table, swallowing it without hesitation. As the antidote gradually took effect, the raging pain in her body finally eased somewhat. She leaned weakly against the chair, panting heavily.

After regaining some strength, Hua Xiang cursed through gritted teeth, "Damn Lan Yan, you are so ruthless! One day, I will make you pay a terrible price! I will cut you into a thousand pieces and tear you to pieces to vent my hatred!"