The hallway of Kunning Palace was quiet, bathed in the gentle glow of lanterns. Feng Yao, the Eldest Princess, stepped out with calm elegance. Her long robes whispered against the floor, and the golden hairpin in her hair shimmered under the light.
But the stillness didn't last.
From the far end of the corridor, Feng Tianwei appeared, striding quickly with urgency in his steps. The moment he spotted Feng Yao, he hurried toward her.
"Wait!" he called out. "Did you give the treasure map to Father?"
Feng Yao turned her head slowly, one brow arching in mild amusement. "I did," she replied, her tone light. "I was going to give it to you, actually. But… your two useless subordinates ruined my mood."
She turned away and began walking again, clearly uninterested in continuing the conversation. But Feng Tianwei stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, stopping her.
"We could work together to find it," he said quietly.
Feng Yao looked down at his hand, then up at him. A soft, cold laugh escaped her lips. "I'm not interested."
She pulled her wrist free and walked a few steps, then paused.
"Unless," she said coldly, "you have something truly valuable to offer me."
Then, without waiting for a response, she walked off, her robes trailing gracefully behind her.
Feng Tianwei remained where he stood, watching her disappear down the hall—unable to say a word.
---
It was a bright morning at the Princess Mansion. Sunlight poured gently through the carved wooden windows, casting soft patterns across the polished floor. Out in the garden, Feng Yao stood among blooming flowers, carefully trimming the stems and arranging them in a porcelain vase.
Before long, Qiu Yue appeared, bowing slightly before speaking.
"Your Highness, Gao Fei is asking for guidance on how to open the box. He says His Majesty has begun pressuring him—and even threatening him."
Feng Yao let out a quiet laugh, still focused on her flowers.
"What's the hurry?" she said lightly. "Tell him to stall. Looks like the Empress has taken quite an interest in him. He should use that to his advantage. My father listens to her more than anyone else."
She picked up another stem and trimmed it with precision. "Besides, a box that valuable… it's not something that opens so easily."
After a brief pause, Feng Yao added, "What's Lang Huan been busy with lately? Has he gone to Jinse Pavilion?"
Qiu Yue lowered her voice slightly. "Reporting to Your Highness, Young Master Ye hasn't gone anywhere. And... Jinse Pavilion suffered serious damage during the Moonblade Sect's attack."
Feng Yao's hand stilled mid-cut. After a moment, she set the flower aside and said calmly, "Invite him here. And gather enough workers to begin restoring the pavilion—I want it cleaned up and repaired as soon as possible."
"Yes, Your Highness," Qiu Yue replied with a bow, then turned and left in haste.
Not long after, she dispatched Wu Ming to the Duke Mansion with the message. Upon arrival, Wu Ming was greeted by A Cai, who recognized her immediately and led her toward Lang Huan's courtyard.
"Please wait here," A Cai said politely, then called out, "Young Master, someone's here to see you!"
Moments later, Lang Huan stepped into view. Her expression was calm, though a flicker of surprise passed through her eyes when she saw who was waiting.
"Wu Ming? What brings you here?"
Wu Ming bowed deeply. "Her Highness invites you to the Princess Mansion," she said respectfully. "She's also arranged for a team of workers to begin restoring Jinse Pavilion. Everything is ready—just awaiting your approval."
Lang Huan blinked, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. Feng Yao was putting her in a difficult position again.
Su Qing had been passing nearby. She paused mid-step at the sound of Wu Ming's voice, and a faint frown formed on her face. Jealousy stirred within her like a slow, smoldering flame.
She strode over, her tone sharp yet polite. "There's no need to trouble the Eldest Princess," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "We can afford to restore Jinse Pavilion ourselves."
Lang Huan turned toward her. But before she could speak, Su Qing added quickly, "And Lang Huan won't be able to visit. He's busy."
Without waiting for permission or reply, Su Qing reached for Lang Huan's hand and tugged her away. Lang Huan glanced back over her shoulder, eyes apologetic, and gave Wu Ming a small wave before disappearing around the corner.
Wu Ming stood frozen, uncertain whether she should return to the Princess Mansion at once or stay to clarify the situation. The message had been delivered—but the result was nothing like she'd anticipated.
---
Wu Ming finally returned to the Princess Mansion and told the Eldest Princess everything—honestly, without concealing a single detail.
As she spoke, Feng Yao's expression darkened and the very air around her seemed to shift, tense and cold.
"That vixen… she must've planted something rotten in Lang Huan's heart."
So even the Eldest Princess is just a woman who can lose her mind over love, A Li thought, staring at The Princess with wide, uncertain eyes.
Feng Yao turned sharply to Wu Ming,
"I don't care how you do it—tie him up if you have to. Just bring that little brat to me."
Of course she wouldn't give up easily. The Eldest Princess always got what she wanted.
Feeling as though she were marching to war, Wu Ming left the study and made her way to the pharmacy, nestled behind the eastern wing, where the scent of dried roots and bitter tonics lingered in the air. There, she found Qiu Li—the mansion's most trusted medicine master—humming a folk tune as she sorted through bundles of dried leaves.
"I need your help," Wu Ming whispered, her voice full of dread. "A sleeping drug. Something strong… strong enough to take down a giant wolf."
Qiu Li raised an eyebrow, clearly unbothered. "For whom?" she asked flatly.
Wu Ming looked around to make sure no one was listening, then leaned in close. "Lang Huan."
A long silence fell.
Qiu Li stared at her for a long moment, then said dryly. "Are you sure you don't want me to drug you instead, so you can sleep through this mess?"
Wu Ming gave her a blank look. "Not funny."
With a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the absurd, Qiu Li turned and disappeared into a storage room. A few moments later, she returned holding a small porcelain bottle filled with clear liquid.
"Mix it into tea, or dab it on a handkerchief and wave it near her nose," Qiu Li instructed. "But be careful—too much and he might sleep straight through the next season."
Wu Ming accepted the bottle with both hands, as if it were a death sentence sealed in porcelain.
She let out a heavy sigh and glanced up at the sky.
Tonight, I'll either bring Lang Huan back to the Princess Mansion… or end up tied up myself.