Zeng Si clenched his teeth, refusing to utter a single word, determined to hold out until the end. Seeing him like this, Liu Hanyue gave a cold snort in her heart, thinking: Truly, he won’t shed tears until he sees his coffin.
“If that’s the case, don’t blame this princess for being ruthless.” Liu Hanyue’s voice was icy as she pulled out five golden needles in succession and pierced them into the Tianchi, Ganyu, Guanchong, Quze, and Dichen acupoints.
This time, she used the secret technique her master had passed down, magnifying the sensation of pain a hundredfold, determined to let this traitor taste true torment.
Liu Hanyue knew clearly—against a stubborn man like this, only ruthless means could pry open his mouth.
Zeng Si’s body instantly jolted as if struck by lightning, violently convulsing. The soul-crushing pain shattered his will. His eyes bulged wide, his face twisted with agony, and hoarse growls tore from his throat.
At last, unable to endure any longer, he cried out: “Vice Commander… Feng Jueying!” With that shout, he collapsed limply to the ground.
Upon hearing this name, Liu Hanyue froze, her hand halting mid-air as she sank into thought.
Feng Jueying? That seemingly loyal vice commander? This name carried too much weight, forcing her to reevaluate the entire situation and reconsider her plans.
After a while, her gaze regained its usual calm. Instead of ordering Zeng Si’s execution, she instructed the shadow guards: “Keep him under strict watch. No mistakes allowed.”
By now, dawn had broken. A beam of morning light slipped through the latticed window into the barracks. The night-long interrogation had left Liu Hanyue somewhat weary.
Rubbing her temples, she dragged her slightly tired steps back toward her quarters.
Inside, she saw Xiong Shaoqing still fast asleep. Sunlight shone on her face, giving her a rare look of peace. Seeing her steady breathing, Liu Hanyue felt a weight lift from her heart. So, she truly was exhausted, she thought with relief.
Having spent the entire night awake herself, drowsiness soon tugged at Liu Hanyue’s mind. Quietly, she lay down on a small couch nearby to rest for a while.
She didn’t know how much time had passed when she was roused by a faint murmur.
“Water… water…”
Liu Hanyue startled awake, instantly sitting upright. On the bed, Xiong Shaoqing’s lips were cracked and pale, still unconsciously whispering, “Water.”
A pang seized Liu Hanyue’s heart. She hurried to the table, poured a cup of fresh water, and quickly returned to carefully feed it to Xiong Shaoqing.
After a few gulps, the dryness in Xiong Shaoqing’s throat eased, her muddled awareness slowly clearing. She opened her hazy eyes and looked at Liu Hanyue. “Senior Sister, what time is it?”
Still rubbing her drowsy eyes, Liu Hanyue called softly toward the side chamber: “Qinglian, what time is it now?”
“Reporting to the Princess, it is already a quarter past noon.”
Liu Hanyue’s heart tightened, her gaze falling with worry upon Xiong Shaoqing.
Though she had already given her the antidote, the venom of the Ice-and-Fire toxin was fierce. She couldn’t help but fret that traces still lingered—Xiong Shaoqing must not be overexerted.
“Qinglian,” Liu Hanyue instructed, “personally cook a pot of nourishing congee, and prepare two light dishes.”
Qinglian bowed and departed swiftly.
Once alone again, Liu Hanyue stepped softly back to the bedside.
She leaned closer, her eyes tender as they fell on Xiong Shaoqing’s face. With gentle fingers, she brushed aside a stray lock of hair from her forehead. Her voice was low and warm: “Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet. Lie still and rest. Eat something to replenish your strength later.”
Xiong Shaoqing had many words bottled up inside, but when she met Liu Hanyue’s caring gaze, the words stuck in her throat. She could only nod. “Alright.”
She lay back against the pillow, staring up at the ceiling. Her usually bright, steadfast eyes now held a faint shadow of unease. With things so precarious, will this injury delay everything?
Before long, a faint fragrance of congee drifted in, whetting the appetite. Footsteps approached, and Qinglian entered with steaming congee and two delicate dishes. She carefully set them on the table.
“Your Highness, please take your meal.”
“You may withdraw,” Liu Hanyue said with a soft smile. Turning back, she helped Xiong Shaoqing sit up. “Junior Sister, come, have some hot congee to warm yourself.”
Xiong Shaoqing nodded, reaching for the chopsticks, but the movement tugged at the wound in her chest, making her frown slightly.
This tiny change didn’t escape Liu Hanyue’s eyes. She immediately stepped forward, gently taking the bowl from her hand. “Let me. You’re still too injured to move.”
Xiong Shaoqing lowered her eyes, cheeks faintly flushed. “Senior Sister, that’s… not proper.”
Liu Hanyue smiled serenely. “You saved my life. With the poison not yet cleared and your chest still wounded, feeding you is only right.”
Warmth surged in Xiong Shaoqing’s heart. Her lips curved into a smile. “Then I’ll enjoy the privilege of being fed by a princess.”
“Look at you, so pleased,” Liu Hanyue teased. She spooned up some congee, blew on it to cool it slightly, and then brought it gently to Xiong Shaoqing’s lips—like she was handling the rarest treasure.
The warm congee slid down her throat, spreading a soothing heat through her body.
A long-lost sense of happiness welled inside Xiong Shaoqing. Ever since her family’s ruin, years of fleeing and hardship, she hadn’t felt such warmth.
“Junior Sister, had you not saved me, I might not have survived. You risked your own life—how could I ever face it if something happened to you?”
Liu Hanyue’s tender words drew Xiong Shaoqing back from her thoughts. Meeting her gaze, she felt the sincerity and worry within.
Xiong Shaoqing curved her lips, eyes glinting with defiance. “Don’t worry, Senior Sister. My life is tough. I’ve survived worse—this injury is nothing.”
But no matter how lightly she spoke, those past sufferings weren’t easily erased. Still, she instinctively chose to lighten the air rather than show her pain.
Liu Hanyue’s heart ached. She knew too well the seed of vengeance buried in Xiong Shaoqing’s heart, and the loneliness and burdens she had borne all these years. It only deepened her resolve to protect her.
“Junior Sister, you’ve suffered enough. I want to help you achieve your goal. Not just because you saved me, but because…” She stopped, unable to finish.
Xiong Shaoqing glanced at her, but stayed silent. Unspoken words hung heavy between them.
Liu Hanyue warned herself silently: Not yet. When all this is settled, then I’ll confess.
“Senior Sister, how did you escape that day, when I was unconscious?”
Pulled from her reverie, Liu Hanyue recounted all that had happened the previous night—the court intrigues, the hidden mastermind.
“This attempt has planted an eye inside Liu Hanxing’s faction,” she said gravely. “But the risk is great. If we fail, the loss will be devastating.”
“Do you have a plan?” Xiong Shaoqing asked softly, eyes filled with trust despite the worry.
“I do,” Liu Hanyue answered with a faint smile. “When Zeng Si revealed Feng Jueying’s name, I already had Fuqu investigate her background—especially her family ties.”
“And?”
“Feng Jueying is deeply devoted to her mother. Her father died early, and her mother raised her alone. Originally a commoner without backing, she caught the eye of Minister of War Peng Yong and was drawn into Liu Hanxing’s faction. But to ensure her loyalty, Liu Hanxing took her mother hostage.”
Xiong Shaoqing frowned. “Then she cannot truly be loyal to Liu Hanxing.”
“Exactly,” Liu Hanyue nodded approvingly. “This is our chance. I plan to meet Feng Jueying myself, to win her over with both sternness and kindness.”
Xiong Shaoqing’s expression tightened. Concern laced her voice. “Be careful, Senior Sister. Promise me you won’t take risks.”
Seeing her worry, warmth spread through Liu Hanyue. “Rest assured. I won’t act recklessly.”
At the doorway, she paused and looked back, her eyes gentle. “Stay here and recover. Wait for me to return.”
Xiong Shaoqing nodded, watching her go.
Liu Hanyue went to Feng Jueying’s quarters. Feng Jueying was surprised to see her personally, but quickly masked it. “Your Highness honors me with your presence. What orders do you have?”
“Feng Jueying, your deeds have been exposed,” Liu Hanyue said coldly, cutting straight to the point.
Feng Jueying’s heart clenched, though her face remained calm. “What does Your Highness mean?”
From her sleeve, Liu Hanyue produced a token engraved with the character Xing. “This was given by Zeng Si, along with testimony.”
The sight left Feng Jueying visibly shaken. She sighed helplessly, her voice resigned. “So, Your Highness already knows. Yes, I was wrong.”
But instead of condemning her, Liu Hanyue stepped closer, her voice soft and warm. “I understand your plight. With your mother held hostage, you had no choice. I don’t blame you. I will even find a way to save her.”
Feng Jueying froze, tears suddenly brimming. In the next moment, she dropped to her knees, knocking her forehead against the ground in fervent kowtows.
“Your Highness, your grace is beyond measure. I will confess everything I know, to repay your kindness.”
“Oh?” Liu Hanyue arched a brow, motioning her to continue.
“Peng Yong’s illegitimate daughter, Peng Yongshen, is also part of Liu Hanxing’s faction. She was involved in this plot as well.”
Liu Hanyue’s eyes gleamed, lips curling faintly. “Excellent. This is crucial intelligence. We’ll make an example of her—let them see I’m no one’s pawn.”
She turned solemn again. “Come with me to see Lin Jingmo. Remember—Peng Yongshen’s matter is mine to handle. As for the poisoning of the Xuanbing Battalion, it will be declared that you exposed it, turning the scheme back on them. That way, not only will you be absolved, you’ll be credited with great merit.”
Feng Jueying’s eyes widened, joy chasing away her despair. Once more, she knelt. “Thank you, Your Highness, for sparing me and even granting me this chance. From now on, I will serve you with all my heart!”
Liu Hanyue quickly helped her up, smiling gently. “Rise. Serve me faithfully, and you’ll never be wronged.”
Without another word, Liu Hanyue strode toward Lin Jingmo’s quarters, Feng Jueying following.
Inside, Lin Jingmo was reviewing military records. Seeing Liu Hanyue enter, she hurriedly rose. “Your Highness, what brings you here? What are your orders?”
With solemn expression, Liu Hanyue said, “Last night, I was ambushed. Xiong Shaoqing defended me, but was poisoned and is now recuperating.”
Lin Jingmo’s face tightened in alarm. “An ambush? Thank heavens you are unharmed—if anything happened to you, Her Majesty’s wrath would crush us all!”
“Indeed, this is no small matter,” Liu Hanyue continued. “We have found the mastermind.” She glanced at Feng Jueying.
Stepping forward, Feng Jueying recited their rehearsed account. “Peng Yongshen, Minister Peng Yong’s illegitimate daughter, resented Xiong Shaoqing. Out of spite, she placed poison at the banquet. I discovered her plot and secretly reported it to Her Highness.”
Lin Jingmo’s face went ashen, cold sweat beading her brow. She drew a steadying breath and bowed. “Thanks to Your Highness’s wisdom, disaster was averted. I will see Peng Yongshen punished severely. Please rest assured.”
She immediately ordered Peng Yongshen’s arrest and summoned the entire Xuanbing Battalion.
Within an incense’s time, all soldiers had assembled on the training grounds—except Xiong Shaoqing, still recovering in Liu Hanyue’s quarters.
Lin Jingmo’s voice rang out, cold and commanding:
“Today, I summon you all to announce a grave matter—”