The weather was gloomy, and the cold wind was biting.
Anguo Duke's Mansion.
Duke Anguo stared at the steaming Ten Complete Great Tonic Soup in the clay pot—ah, no, it should be called a Yang-strengthening substance.
His mood was extremely complex; he couldn't tell if he was touched, embarrassed, or utterly mortified.
He looked at Shadow One, who stood respectfully before him, with cold eyes. "Did the Princess Consort say anything else?"
A flicker passed through Shadow One's eyes. He curved his lips into a smile uglier than a dead man's, which was quite… unsettling!
"Replying to Duke Anguo, the Princess Consort said that this Ten Complete Great Tonic Soup is a fine recipe he went through great pains to find. Furthermore, he has personally tested it many times and its effects are excellent.
He also said that as soon as you drink it, you will see immediate results. A pillar reaching the sky, firm and powerful, valiant and spirited, you'll carve a bloody path forward!"
A pillar reaching the sky, firm and powerful!!!
Duke Anguo's eyes lit up. He glanced down below without a change in expression, his heart itching as if scratched by a cat.
He admitted it; he was tempted.
His good son was truly his seed. To think he would even consider such a private matter for him, his thoughts were truly meticulous. He was deeply gratified!
Seeing Duke Anguo's moved expression, Shadow One felt utterly disgusted inside, but he didn't let it show on his face and continued, "Duke Anguo, the Princess Consort instructed that you must drink it while it's hot, otherwise the medicinal effects will be greatly diminished.
Additionally, the Princess Consort spent a fortune to purchase a cart of citrus fruits from the south. They are sweet and sour, fragrant and refreshing. He specifically ordered this subordinate to deliver them to the mansion so that all the masters may have a taste."
Don't let the Princess's kind intentions for these spiked, poisonous citrus fruits go to waste, Anguo Duke's Mansion.
This is merely an eye for an eye.
"Hahahaha, my son is indeed thoughtful. This Duke accepts his kind intentions," Duke Anguo laughed heartily.
He didn't suspect anything was amiss, as he had long known that An Dongzhang had sent people to the south to purchase citrus fruits.
He had originally thought An Dongzhang was trying to curry favor with Qingyang Princess, but now it seemed his son was doing it to express his filial piety.
How could this not make him happy?
Shadow One put on his deathly smile, his tone sincere. "Duke Anguo, the Ten Complete Great Tonic Soup is getting cold. It would be best for you to drink it first, lest its medicinal effects dissipate."
Drink up, drink up!
It's not easy raising your son, so you should at least get some benefits from him, right?
Duke Anguo: …Right, right, mustn't let the medicinal effects dissipate. It had been a long time since he had displayed his virility. It seemed today he could finally show his prowess.
Hahahaha!
But…
Duke Anguo frowned, looking at Shadow One with disgust. He said irritably, "Turn that dead face of yours to the side. If you can't smile, then don't. It's truly unsettling to look at."
It was seriously affecting his appetite.
"Yes, Duke Anguo."
Shadow One respectfully accepted the order. He had even less desire to look at that old face, afraid he wouldn't be able to control the urge to take his dog life.
Watching Shadow One turn his body to the side, Duke Anguo let out a long sigh of relief. He didn't know what his Zhang'er was thinking, hiring a subordinate with a zombie face.
The first time he saw him, he almost thought he was here to kill him and silence him. Tsk, tsk, it had scared him into a cold sweat.
Duke Anguo sniffed. Smelling the potent, medicinal Yang-strengthening soup, his appetite instantly soared.
In one go, he ate everything, meat and broth, until it was all gone.
After finishing, he licked his lips, wanting more. The taste was truly excellent.
Duke Anguo wanted another serving and immediately instructed Shadow One, "Go back and tell the Princess Consort that this Duke is very satisfied with this tonic soup. If conditions permit, have him prepare a few more portions for this Duke."
Shadow One: "Understood. This subordinate will definitely relay the message."
Although An Dongzhang's little caterpillar was gone, the Anguo Duke's Mansion was not short of men.
There was Heir Apparent An, and several other sons by concubines. After they finished eating the Yang-strengthening substances of these men, Duke Anguo's fate should also be sealed.
After Shadow One left, Duke Anguo's entire body grew unbearably hot and restless. He immediately rushed excitedly to the room of his beloved concubine…
As for why the medicinal effect was so immediate?
It was because Qingyang Princess had specifically instructed that an extra dose of tiger-wolf medicine be added to the soup.
…
When Shadow One returned to the Princess Mansion, he told Qingyang Princess about his plan to cut off the little caterpillars, and Qingyang Princess immediately expressed her approval.
"Shadow One, you are the leader of the Shadow Guards. This Princess trusts you completely and believes you have the ability to handle this matter well.
As for how to do it?
And how to do it discreetly, without arousing the suspicion of the Anguo Duke's Mansion?
You will be fully responsible for controlling and arranging everything. This Princess will not interfere in the process; I only need to see the result. Once the matter is accomplished, this Princess will reward you heavily."
She was done being the obedient princess.
For the rest of her life, she no longer wished to live for her reputation. She only wanted to live as her true self and clear all obstacles for her precious baby.
As the master, she was already walking the path of madness, and all her subordinates could not fall behind.
Shadow One's eyebrows lifted. The feeling of being trusted by his master truly made him happy, and his tone was inevitably tinged with excitement.
"Yes, this subordinate obeys. I will certainly not fail Your Highness's expectations."
Qingyang Princess was extremely satisfied and nodded at Shadow One with a smile. "Mm, thank you for your hard work. You may go and attend to your duties."
"Yes." Shadow One respectfully accepted the order. As he turned to leave, he secretly glanced at Meilan, and was caught red-handed by Rong Momo.
After he left, Rong Momo couldn't help but tease, "Your Highness, our ever-so-cold Shadow One's iron tree has actually blossomed."
A glint flashed in Qingyang Princess's eyes, and her interest was immediately piqued. "Oh! And whose flower has it blossomed for?"
[Yay! It's gossip time! Better late than never. This Baby just woke up in time for some major gossip. It's fate!]
The Little Ginseng Sprite let out a small yawn, then excitedly pressed against Qingyang Princess's belly, wanting to get the gossip straight from the source.
Qingyang Princess smiled gently: …Her precious baby was awake. So what the little one called "eating major gossip" was just gossiping…
Gossiping was indeed interesting. She was her daughter, after all.
Meilan and the other three also loved gossip. They all pricked up their ears, their bright, gossip-hungry eyes blinking.
Rong Momo replied with a wide smile, "Your Highness, it's one of your own flowers, and she is far in the horizon, yet right before your eyes."
"Oh? A rabbit doesn't eat the grass by its own burrow, yet he's started eating the grass by this Princess's burrow?" Qingyang Princess was slightly shocked.
She immediately turned her head to look at the four maids in the room. Only when her gaze made all four of them feel their scalps tingle and their bodies squirm did she let out a soft laugh.
"Momo, go on and tell me. Which of my four maids has Shadow One taken a fancy to?"
Rong Momo's face was wreathed in smiles, her eyes teasing.
The four maids: …Ahhh, Momo, don't look over here!
Each of them prayed in their hearts that it wasn't her.
Mainly because!
Although Shadow One's martial arts were superb, he had a solitary and cold temperament, always wearing an icy expression. No matter how you looked at it, he didn't seem like a good husband who would dote on his wife.
Rong Momo chuckled. "Your Highness, it wouldn't be interesting if I just said it. After all, nothing is set in stone yet. What if saying it out loud ruins Shadow One's chances at love? What should we do then?"
Luo Ranran: [Family, who gets it!
Getting only half the gossip is like taking off your pants to fart—completely unnecessary.
Rong Momo might as well have not said anything and avoided getting the gossip-loving crowd all excited. Hmph, bad review!]