Zhou Li and Leng Ning looked at Hai Wenxiang and Xuan Wu inside the gauze curtains with puzzled expressions.
“Sister Wu, the Prince of Han truly values you. The moment I said you were in danger, he rushed here immediately,” Hai Wenxiang said with a hint of jealousy in her tone.
Hearing this, Xuan Wu immediately drained a cup of wine. “Sister Xiang, I don’t like hearing that. I’ve only been by His Highness’s side for two days, but I can already tell he is someone who values loyalty and affection. If you were in danger, and he knew, he would rush here just the same.”
“And besides, Sister is so beautiful. His Highness must have been moved by you before. Otherwise, why would he treat you so well in particular?”
“You little mouth is truly sweet!” Hai Wenxiang laughed so hard she could hardly close her lips and lightly hooked a finger against Xuan Wu’s nose bridge.
Listening to their back-and-forth, Zhou Li frowned deeply.
What is all this?
Do women build bonds this fast? They’re already calling each other sisters?
Seeing this, Leng Ning hurried over anxiously. “Xuan Wu, are you alright?” she asked, shaking the drunken Xuan Wu repeatedly.
Xuan Wu gazed at Leng Ning dreamily and smiled. “I’m fine. I’m just drinking with Sister Xiang.”
Leng Ning turned her head toward Hai Wenxiang, who was reclining on the bed, and froze in shock.
So beautiful…
“And who might this be?” Hai Wenxiang asked.
“Oh, this is Leng Ning, His Highness’s personal maid.”
“Hahaha, so this is Sister Ning!” Hai Wenxiang gently touched her cheek and smiled. “Indeed another natural beauty. Your cultivation is not bad either.”
“You flatter me,” Leng Ning replied awkwardly.
She could not quite understand what was going on anymore.
At this moment, Zhou Li stepped forward. Seeing him, Hai Wenxiang immediately jumped down from the bed and ran over barefoot.
“Your Highness…” she called softly, about to throw herself into his arms.
Zhou Li caught the strong scent of alcohol on her and shifted slightly to avoid her embrace. “Saintess, falsely reporting danger to trick me here—what is your purpose?”
Hai Wenxiang chuckled softly and lifted her delicate fingers to hook under Zhou Li’s chin. “I simply missed you…”
“Missed me?”
We only met for the first time the day before yesterday.
“Yes. After Your Highness left that day, my heart has been filled with your extraordinary figure. It made my heart itch restlessly…” Hai Wenxiang said shyly.
Zhou Li smiled faintly and shook his head. “Saintess, do not jest. If I truly had such charm, why would I be unable to keep my wife’s heart?”
“That wretch simply doesn’t recognize treasure! I’m not like her!” Hai Wenxiang tapped his chest lightly and began to pull at his clothing.
Zhou Li, however, grabbed her wrist and said calmly, “Enough. I just laid everything out with Nangong Yan’er today. I still have many matters to handle. When I have time, I will come visit the Saintess.”
But Hai Wenxiang refused to let go. She pressed herself against him, her seductive eyes locking onto his. “Your Highness gave me such grand gifts today. I still haven’t properly thanked you.”
“You overstate it. We are allies. Helping each other is only natural. There is no need for thanks,” Zhou Li replied evenly.
“In Your Highness’s heart, am I merely an ally…?” Hai Wenxiang asked, gently stroking his cheek, her tone tinged with grievance.
Zhou Li considered for a moment before answering, “We have not known each other long. Naturally, at present, we are allies.”
Upon hearing this, Hai Wenxiang first froze, then her expression brightened.
At present, naturally allies. And in the future?
Doesn’t that mean that once time deepens affection, we may become more than allies?
“Enough. I have matters to attend to. Ning’er, bring Wu’er. We are returning to the residence,” Zhou Li said as he turned to leave.
Hai Wenxiang stepped in front of him again, her pretty face flushed. “Since Your Highness has come all this way, why not accompany me for a few cups?”
Hearing this, Zhou Li suddenly recalled the tea from last time and quickly waved his hand. “Thank you for your kindness, Saintess, but I do not hold my liquor well. I shall not stay long.”
Hai Wenxiang lightly waved her hand, and the door shut tightly. “Your Highness, this is simply celestial wine brewed by our Joyous Harmony Demonic Sect. It nourishes the mind and spirit. It is not like last time.”
“Hmph! Just now, Your Highness said we are allies, yet now you won’t even share a few cups of wine with me. How am I to trust you?”
Zhou Li laughed softly. “If the Saintess does not trust me, perhaps you should return the spirit stones and cultivation art I gifted you?”
Little trickster, daring to threaten me. Who owes whom a favor here?
Upon hearing that, Hai Wenxiang immediately softened her tone. “Your Highness~ don’t be angry. I only wished for you to share a few drinks with me.”
“Another time. Ning’er, Wu’er, let’s—” Zhou Li turned to call them and suddenly froze.
Leng Ning and Xuan Wu were hugging two wine jars, drinking themselves into a complete stupor.
“Excellent wine!” Leng Ning cried out boldly, her pretty face flushed red, completely unlike her usual icy demeanor.
Zhou Li fell silent.
Now there was no leaving.
Who exactly is taking care of whom here?
With a clenched fist, he walked over and sat heavily on Hai Wenxiang’s bed. “Saintess, quite the method you have. Getting my two maids drunk. It seems I have no choice but to stay.”
“Hehe, Your Highness misunderstands. It was clearly the two younger sisters who were greedy for wine. Why not try some yourself?” Hai Wenxiang licked her lips lightly, then walked over, lifted the wine pot, and slowly poured him a cup.
…
Elsewhere, the Prime Minister’s Residence was shrouded in solemnity.
Everyone wore plain white garments and white headbands, their faces heavy with grief as a funeral was being held.
In the center of the mourning hall stood a coffin crafted from purple brocade wood, covered by a thick white cloth. White chrysanthemums surrounded it, casting an especially desolate atmosphere.
An elderly man in his sixties knelt before the coffin. He was Sima Bo, the Prime Minister of the Sacred Martial Immortal Empire.
Tears streaked down his face as he cried out repeatedly, “My grandson!”
His voice was choked with sorrow, painful to hear.
Around the hall stood many of Sima Bo’s allies from court. All wore solemn expressions as they paid respects to the Prime Minister’s deceased grandson.
Some were high-ranking officials, others powerful nobles. At this moment, they set aside their usual pride to mourn the young man’s passing.
Sima Bo’s cries echoed through the hall. His body trembled from overwhelming grief.
Suddenly, he lifted his head sharply. Spiritual energy erupted from him like a volcanic explosion, instantly enveloping the entire mourning hall in a powerful aura.
“I will make the Southern State Duke’s Mansion pay with their lives for my grandson!” Sima Bo roared, eyes blazing with fury, his voice thunderous as he vented all his grief and rage.
At that moment, however, one subordinate’s face turned pale.
He hesitated, glanced at the others, then gathered his courage and stepped forward.
“Prime Minister, this official received some news today…” His voice trembled, clearly struggling to speak.
Sima Bo’s expression shifted slightly. He shot the man a sharp look and waved impatiently for him to continue.
The subordinate leaned in close and whispered a few words into his ear.
Sima Bo’s face instantly turned ashen, his eyes widening in shock.
“Quick! Quickly go and apologize to Miss Nangong!” Sima Bo shouted in panic, his voice filled with fear and urgency.
…
At the same time, Nangong Yan’er returned to the Prince of Han’s Residence, her mind utterly lost and her spirit shattered…