It was already late at night when Wu Ming slipped quietly over the outer wall of Lang Huan's courtyard. Her steps were light and silent, barely making a sound. Only the moonlight occasionally caught the flicker of her shadow as she moved.
Luckily, she still remembered the path A Cai had once shown her.
As a trained assassin and spy, Wu Ming moved with sharp precision. After making sure Lang Huan wasn't in her room, she entered.
From inside her sleeve, she pulled out a small glass bottle. Carefully, she poured its contents into the teapot sitting on the table. Then, she crouched in the shadowy corner of the room, hiding, and waited.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway. Wu Ming hurried to hide behind the curtain—too fast. Her knee bumped the leg of the table with a dull thud.
Lang Huan stepped into the room. She dropped into the stool by the table and let out a deep sigh.
Feng Yao. That name kept circling in her mind like a storm.
She clenched her fists lightly. "I'm such a coward," she whispered to herself.
If she truly loved the eldest princess, she had to be brave enough to risk her heart. Even if it turned out to be a lie… then she had to be ready to accept the pain that came with it.
Slowly, she reached for the teapot and poured herself a cup. Steam rose gently from the surface. Her fingers trembled slightly as she brought the cup to her lips.
Just as the warm porcelain touched her mouth, her eyes caught a shadow.
In the corner of the room.
Lang Huan narrowed her eyes. Was she that tired? Maybe her heart was playing tricks on her. She shook her head slightly, trying to clear her thoughts.
But just then—
A soft sigh came from behind the curtain.
Wu Ming clenched her jaw. He was so close to drinking it! Frustrated, Wu Ming let out a sigh.
Her hand flew to her mouth, but it was too late.
Lang Huan froze.
Her heart started to race. Carefully, she placed the cup back down. Her eyes scanned the room slowly.
"H-hello?" she whispered.
Silence.
She hesitated. Then, with a small shake of her head, she sat back down and, determinedly, lifted the teacup once more.
She took a careful sip.
From behind the curtain, Wu Ming finally let out a breath of relief. Finally.
Just a few moments later, Lang Huan's eyelids began to grow heavy. She yawned once. Then again. And again.
"Strange…" she mumbled, blinking slowly. Her arms felt unusually weak, and her thoughts began to blur.
Unable to fight it any longer, she rested her head on the table. Within seconds, she was fast asleep.
Wu Ming peeked from behind the curtain and grinned.
She stepped out quickly, tied Lang Huan's wrists and ankles, then hoisted the body over her shoulder. A short while later, Wu Ming loaded the unconscious little duke into a waiting carriage and ordered it to move.
But Lang Huan wasn't quite as deeply asleep as she appeared.
Whether it was because the drug dosage was too low or because her internal force was strong. Slowly, her senses returned.
She opened her eyes—darkness.
Something rough covered her head. But through it, she could still smell a familiar hint of rose.
A soft smile curved on her lips under the sack.
When the carriage finally stopped, Lang Huan let her body go limp. She would pretend to still be unconscious. Let's see what kind of game the eldest princess is playing this time.
With the help of a guard, Wu Ming carried her inside. They brought her into a beautiful, elegant room and laid her gently on the bed.
The sack was pulled from her head, and the ropes around her wrists and ankles were untied.
Lang Huan stayed completely still, breathing slowly and evenly. A perfect sleeping damsel.
Not far away, Feng Yao stood with her arms crossed, watching in silence.
Feng Yao frowned. "He's not waking up…"
Wu Ming scratched her head nervously. "He should've been awake by now."
Feng Yao moved closer, crouched down in front of Lang Huan, and stared at her face with growing worry.
Wu Ming's face turned pale. "He's not dead, right?!"
Lang Huan almost rolled her eyes. Dead? Really? She bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing.
Feng Yao leaned in even more, gently patting Lang Huan's cheek. "Lang Huan? Hey… wake up."
Still no response.
She turned to Wu Ming, her voice a little panicked now. "How sure are you about the dosage?"
Wu Ming raised both hands. "Your Highness, I swear, it was just a few drops! Just enough to make him sleep for half an hour!"
Feng Yao looked back at Lang Huan, her expression filled with worry. "Then why isn't he waking up?"
After a brief pause, she sighed and turned to Wu Ming again. "Go call Qiu Li. Ask her to take a look."
Wu Ming nodded and rushed out. A few moments later, Qiu Li arrived, carrying her acupuncture case.
She knelt by the bed, inspecting Lang Huan closely. "In this kind of condition," she said calmly, "the best method is acupuncture."
Meanwhile, Lang Huan, still pretending to be asleep, froze.
Acupuncture?!
Her eyes snapped open.
She sat up abruptly, blinking as if confused. "W-Where am I? What's going on?"
Feng Yao narrowed her eyes.
Lang Huan rubbed her temples, putting on her best confused expression. "Why am I here…?"
Feng Yao didn't buy it for a second. She stepped forward, grabbed Lang Huan by the ear, and gave it a sharp twist.
"Your acting's getting better and better, huh?" she said dryly.
Lang Huan winced. "Ow ow ow—okay okay! Let go!"
Feng Yao rolled her eyes but smiled.
"You're lucky I didn't let Qiu Li stick a dozen needles in you."
Lang Huan shuddered. "Please don't even joke about that…"
Wu Ming let out a long sigh of relief from behind them.
Seeing that all was well, Wu Ming, Qiu Li, and the guards quietly excused themselves, leaving the eldest princess and Lang Huan alone.
As the door clicked shut and the footsteps faded into silence, the atmosphere shifted.
The room, which had been filled with tension and worry just moments ago, now held a different kind of quiet.
Lang Huan adjusted her sitting position on the bed, stretching her limbs slightly. Before she could say anything, Feng Yao's expression changed.
Feng Yao—usually cold, commanding, and full of authority—completely changed whenever she was alone with Lang Huan. Her voice took on a soft, sulky tone, like a girl pouting at her lover.
She let out a long sigh and leaned slightly closer. "I invited you. I even wanted to help restore Jinse Pavilion. But what did you do?" Her gaze held a hint of accusation, but it was laced more with hurt than anger. "You're heartless."
Lang Huan opened her mouth, but Feng Yao didn't give her a chance to speak.
"Is it because of Su Qing?" she continued, voice trembling slightly. "Did she tell you I'm only approaching you because I want to use you? Or… is it because your father commands the Dragon Stallion Army?"
Lang Huan couldn't help but laugh. "Your Highness knows the answer to that already."
But Feng Yao wasn't smiling. She stood up abruptly, frustration and vulnerability flickering in her eyes.
"I admit it," she said, her voice rising just a bit. "I'm a bad person. I'm cunning and selfish. But haven't I always treated you well? Have I ever hurt you?" She shook her head, as if trying to clear her thoughts. "I don't even know what to do anymore to make you believe that I'm sincere."
She turned her back, her hands clenched at her sides.
Lang Huan felt something inside her soften. She stood up slowly, walked over, and gently wrapped her arms around Feng Yao from behind. She rested her chin on Feng Yao's shoulder, holding her quietly.
Feng Yao spoke softly. "Do you believe what Su Qing said about me?"
Lang Huan gave a small hum, her voice light with teasing.
"Of course. Who else would I believe? Su Qing's never lied to me."
Feng Yao immediately turned around, shooting her a sharp glare. Then, without warning, she stood on her tiptoes and gave Lang Huan's chin a light bite.
Lang Huan stayed still, gently wrapping her arms around Feng Yao's waist as she met her eyes.
"Could Your Highness promise me something?" Lang Huan asked quietly. "Please, always be honest with me. Don't try to trick me. I don't care what you've done to other people—just don't lie to me."
Feng Yao looked at her for a long moment. Then she said quietly, "Yes. I promise."