Tonight, there was no moonlight, the night as dark as ink. The two-story building of Changle Fang blazed with fierce flames, standing out conspicuously across the entire Wangdu City.
The nearby residents, likely choked by the thick smoke, grumbled as they got out of bed. Sensing something amiss, they hurriedly opened their windows and were shocked by the sight.
“Fire! Fire!”
“Quick, everyone wake up! There’s a fire!” “Hurry, every household fetch water! Put out the fire!”
Shouts, knocking on doors, the clattering of water buckets… The street, silent just moments before, descended into chaos.
Such a commotion in the middle of the night quickly attracted the patrolling soldiers.
On the outer corridor of a tavern with an excellent view not far away, Song Yao stood with her hands behind her back, watching the arriving soldiers. After confirming that Changle Fang was completely burned down, she handed her long sword to Huai Qing.
“Alright, everyone, go back to sleep.”
Huai Qing and the others bowed their heads, not looking up until Song Yao’s figure disappeared into the darkness before turning to leave.
Song Yao took a winding path, making a detour before returning to the Eastern Palace. After bathing and changing clothes with the assistance of Ru Shuang and others, she returned to her room.
As for the follow-up arrangements for Changle Fang, that was the responsibility of Third Brother, Huai Qing, Hong Yue, and the others. The organization didn’t support idlers—if every matter required her personal attention as the leader, that would be unacceptable.
Her appearance tonight was purely because of the heavy patrols, curfew, and the fact that Changle Fang was a pawn raised by the prince. With that prince recently deceased, the operation was particularly risky, so she came to check personally.
Why choose tonight despite knowing the risks?
There was no time to delay. Since they intended to take over Changle Fang, it had to be done flawlessly. When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter—if even one person from Changle Fang escaped, it would spell trouble for the organization.
Especially those who had direct contact with Nangong Zhe, their former master. Without uprooting them completely, she wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.
As always, the organization must not attract the attention of the court.
Of course, those who knew Changle Fang belonged to Nangong Zhe weren’t limited to its members—there were also a few people close to Nangong Zhe.
Only two, in fact, both his right-hand men. After all, this Sixth Prince had been playing the fool to hide his strength, so the fewer who knew about forces like Changle Fang, the better.
And those two had been eliminated along with Nangong Zhe during the assassination. Thinking of this, Song Yao couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Mwah~”
The effects of the sedative would last until morning. The sleeping man’s facial contours were softer than ever.
Song Yao leaned over and kissed Nangong Yi’s beautifully colored lips, her mood exceptionally cheerful.
“Husband, you truly are this humble servant’s benefactor.”
She slept soundly through the night.
The next day, near the end of Chen hour.
Song Yao woke up but didn’t open her eyes immediately. Instead, she turned over to stretch, then suddenly sensed something and opened her eyes.
Her gaze met Nangong Yi’s, who lay beside her in his inner garments, and she was momentarily confused.
“Your Highness?”
Shouldn’t he be at Zaochao at this hour?
Nangong Yi: “Hmm.” His distinct knuckles brushed aside the stray hairs on Song Yao’s forehead, his movements gentle as he explained, “There’s no court session these few days, so I thought I’d stay and sleep a bit longer with Yao Yao.”
These few days? Song Yao suddenly understood, nuzzling her cheek against the man’s palm coquettishly, her voice drowsy and muddled. “This humble servant will have someone send a message later, asking Father and Second Brother to see if they can join forces with other ministers to speak on Your Highness’s behalf before His Majesty.”
Nangong Yi was pleased by his wife’s thoughtfulness. His thumb lingered on her soft, full lips as he gently declined, “No need, I’ve already made arrangements.”
Song Yao: “Alright then.”
She rose and instructed servants to bring water. After washing and changing clothes, she waited for the maids to withdraw before leading Nangong Yi behind the jade screen.
Cupping his handsome face that was so close to hers, she kissed him briefly – a swift touch that gave him no chance to respond – then began removing his long robe.
Nangong Yi didn’t stop her, looking surprised. “Does Furen want me?”
Song Yao gave a vague hum in response. After undressing him, she patted the nearby wisteria wood couch, signaling for him to lie down.
Nangong Yi complied.
As soon as he lay down, Song Yao sat astride him and produced a red jade container from somewhere, removing the lid.
Using a small red jade spoon, she scooped out ointment, bent over, and began carefully applying it to the scars on Nangong Yi’s body with focused concentration.
While applying the ointment, she murmured, “This is the Ice Jade Scar Ointment I asked my sister for. With prolonged use, Your Highness’s scars will fade.”
“My sister developed this ointment years ago. Even street vendors sell it now, not to mention the royal family.”
“You should have had someone buy it for you right after your wounds healed. Delaying for so long has turned them into stubborn old scars that are difficult to remove.”
Actually, what she held wasn’t her sister’s Ice Jade Scar Ointment, but something created by the Poison Doctor from their organization.
Huai Qing had brought it last night. Though slightly more effective than her sister’s version, it required rare and precious ingredients, so it was rarely sold and mostly reserved for their own people.
“This humble servant isn’t cursing Your Highness, but if you get injured again in the future, remember to use this after the wounds heal. That way scars will fade faster…”
“Never mind, just be careful not to get injured at all. You’re not leading troops in border battles anymore, no need to charge into enemy lines.”
“As the Crown Prince now, the legitimate heir to the throne, you should bring more guards when going out – it suits your status. Don’t feel embarrassed about it, your life is what matters most.”
Nangong Yi bore too many scars, both large and small. The one running vertically across his chest was particularly shocking.
Though there were many differences between modern and ancient times, and Song Yao had been an assassin in her previous life who frequently got injured over the past decade, she knew exactly how dangerous that particular scar had been – one fraction deeper, and Nangong Yi would have died.
…
After finishing the application, having used a thick layer of ointment, Song Yao paused before casually placing the red jade container on a nearby small table.
She looked at Nangong Yi, who had been smiling at her all this while, and felt inexplicably angry. She reached out and pinched the Crown Prince’s face with considerable force.
“How can Your Highness have the nerve to smile? Just applying this ointment has exhausted this humble servant. What other prince has scars covering their entire body like you?”
Nangong Yi’s smile only widened as he sat up.
In the pale golden morning light, his exposed muscular body radiated masculine energy, carrying a faint medicinal scent as he drew near.
As their breaths mingled, Song Yao’s lips were captured. She wasn’t surprised – he had wanted to kiss her upon waking, and that brief peck earlier hadn’t been satisfying. So she wrapped her arms around Nangong Yi’s neck and kissed him back – deep and passionate.
Shyness? Reserve?
What were those? They were rightfully married and could kiss however they pleased. To Song Yao, one should enjoy life to the fullest when given the chance!
Meanwhile, at Qin Zheng Hall…
The Emperor sat high upon the Dragon Throne, listening to the endless stream of pleas from civil and military officials begging mercy for the Crown Prince, the veins on his forehead throbbing violently.
He never realized when exactly the majority of the court officials had become Yier’s people!
Even his other sons, who had previously harbored ambitions for the throne, had changed their tune today!