“How could an Omega serve in court? The State Preceptor’s family has always been high-quality Alphas, and Young Master Wen is even more so. If she were an Omega, she wouldn’t have passed the court’s inspection.”
“Not to mention it’s a capital offense!”
“Exactly! So yesterday’s scent must have been from Miss Cai’er, she’s the only Omega here.”
“But do you really think the State Preceptor and our Young Master Wen have that kind of relationship?”
“Of course! Many people saw it, the State Preceptor even took off Young Master Wen’s clothes and kissed her!”
“And…” The gossiping crowd snickered suggestively, “it was on the desk.”
“Eww~”
“Well, can you blame them? Our Young Master Wen is gorgeous!”
“Enough!” Liu Jiaojiao glared angrily at the chatterboxes. “Have you finished your tasks? How dare you waste time spreading nonsense!”
The group exchanged glances and quickly scattered.
Liu Jiaojiao carried tea into Wen Ningwan’s room, where Miao Shiyi sat beside the unconscious woman, turning with a worried expression.
“Why hasn’t the Young Master woken up yet? Should we call the imperial physician again?”
“The State Preceptor already gave her special medicine. We can’t administer anything else,” Jiaojiao replied, setting down the tea with concern.
Wen Ningwan’s eyelids fluttered, drawing excited gazes from both women.
Rubbing her temples, she blinked at them in confusion. “What’s wrong?”
Sitting up, she massaged the back of her neck before suddenly gritting her teeth indignantly. “The State Preceptor hit me!”
“……”
“……”
Their helpless expressions spoke volumes. Wen Ningwan glanced around her own room, sleeping on the floor, with Jiaojiao and Shiyi keeping vigil.
“How did I get back?”
“The State Preceptor brought you,” Shiyi answered.
“Carried you,” Jiaojiao mimed the action.
Bewildered, Wen Ningwan demanded, “What happened?”
“You fell into a trap. Cai’er sacrificed herself by releasing pheromones to induce you and the State Preceptor into rut.”
“WHAT???” Only then did Wen Ningwan realize, the State Preceptor had been in rut, which explained the overwhelming scent.
But she’d been fine around Cai’er. It was the State Preceptor’s pheromones that triggered her.
Cai’er was an Omega. The State Preceptor was an Alpha.
According to the novel’s rules, Omegas couldn’t induce each other’s heats, same for Alphas.
Clutching her neck gland in horror, Wen Ningwan had an epiphany: Holy shit! I’m an Omega?!
“I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead!” She scrambled out of bed, frantically putting on shoes.
The women exchanged puzzled looks. “My lord, what’s wrong?”
No time to explain. The novel’s law decreed death for any Omega serving in court.
If she knew, the State Preceptor definitely knew too. Arrest could come any moment she had to flee immediately.
Stumbling out the door, Wen Ningwan snapped at her followers, “Don’t follow me!”
They halted as she fled. Shiyi suddenly jumped excitedly. “Wait! Maybe the Young Master remembered crucial case evidence!”
“Could be!” Jiaojiao nodded in agreement.
Wen Ningwan scurried out of the courtyard like a thief with a guilty conscience, stealthily avoiding the officials from the Dali Temple.
Just as she was about to dash toward the main gate, a familiar figure appeared in her sight, the Imperial Preceptor was emerging from the front gate, heading her way.
Was she coming to arrest her?
Panicked and at a loss, Wen Ningwan immediately turned around and bolted toward the back gate.
The Imperial Preceptor raised her eyes just in time to catch the fleeing figure.
Beside her, Youran smiled meaningfully. “Does she finally realize she’s made a huge mistake?”
The Imperial Preceptor gave her a cold glance, and Youran immediately covered her mouth, bowing her head in apology. “My mistake, my mistake. I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn.”
“You may leave first.”
Youran hesitated, glancing in the direction Wen Ningwan had fled before lowering her head uneasily. “Yes, my lady!”
Wen Ningwan looked back to confirm no one was chasing her and finally let out a sigh of relief. She smacked her forehead in frustration, how careless! Was she really about to become cannon fodder just like that?
After scanning her surroundings to ensure no one was nearby, Wen Ningwan cautiously emerged and hurried toward the back gate.
She carefully pushed the door open, slipped out sideways, gently closed it behind her, and turned around.
“Ah!”
Wen Ningwan jumped in fright, clutching her chest in alarm.
The Imperial Preceptor turned to face her, her expression icy. Wen Ningwan glanced around, the back gate of the Dali Temple faced a small hill, with dense trees lining both sides of the path. Sunlight barely filtered through the treetops.
It was far too secluded for passersby. In other words, the Imperial Preceptor could easily kill her here without anyone knowing.
Wen Ningwan’s imagination ran wild. Staring at the Imperial Preceptor’s imposing expression, her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the back gate’s steps.
The Imperial Preceptor arched an eyebrow, her disdain unmistakable.
“Get up!”
Wen Ningwan’s heart sank. Fear left her even weaker. Was the Imperial Preceptor planning to drain her glands right here?
Resigned to her fate, Wen Ningwan covered her neck with trembling hands, her tearful eyes pleading desperately with the Imperial Preceptor.
Flustered, the Imperial Preceptor turned away. “Stop begging me. I won’t hold you again.”
“Huh?” Wen Ningwan blinked in confusion at the averted face before scrambling to her feet in excitement. “You’re not going to kill me?”
“Hmm?”
The Imperial Preceptor turned back. So that was why she’d been so terrified she thought I’d kill her?
“You’re an official of His Majesty. Your life and death are for the Emperor to decide.”
“Ah?” Wen Ningwan’s momentary relief turned to bitter disappointment.
“What? Do you doubt His Majesty’s authority over your fate?”
“No, no, no!” Wen Ningwan shook her head vigorously.
Seeing how far she kept her distance, the Imperial Preceptor gestured for her to come closer. Wen Ningwan hastily refused.
With an ingratiating smile, Wen Ningwan said, “Whatever you need, just give the order!”
“Come with me.”
“Eh?” Wen Ningwan’s face fell. Dusting off her clothes, she warily followed the retreating figure, forcing a cheeky grin. “Isn’t this a bit… inappropriate?”
“…” The Imperial Preceptor’s expression faltered slightly.