Feng Yao sat calmly on a black sandalwood chair, her face expressionless. In her hand, a stack of confidential reports burned slowly in a small bronze furnace beside her.
With a slight motion of her hand, she signaled A Li to come forward.
"Bring Madam Su to the study," she said in a flat voice, her eyes never leaving the flames as the final page turned to ash.
Not long after, a knock echoed at the door. When it opened, A Li stepped inside with Su Qing at her side. After leading her in, A Li silently stepped back and waited outside.
Su Qing gave a polite bow. "Greetings, Your Highness."
The Eldest Princess gave her only a brief glance, then leaned back into her chair. Her tone was calm, but distant.
"What brings Madam Su to the Princess's mansion?"
Su Qing raised her head and stared straight at the woman who now stood above all others.
"Where is Lang Huan?" she asked sharply, wasting no time with pleasantries.
Silence filled the room. The only sound came from the soft crackling of the fire.
Feng Yao sneered, her lips curling slightly in mockery.
"Aren't you his mother? Shouldn't you know where he is?"
She emphasized the word mother, a sharp reminder that Su Qing would never be anything more than that to Lang Huan.
"I'm not Lang Huan's mother," Su Qing snapped. "And I never will be."
Feng Yao let out a low laugh. "You married the Duke of Huguo. That makes you his stepmother—whether you accept it or not.
Su Qing's eyes narrowed with fury. "Feng Yao… you poisonous woman," she hissed. "My father served you loyally as an honest official. And how did you repay him? By forcing me into marriage with the Duke of Huguo!"
Feng Yao raised one eyebrow slightly. "Your father came to me," she replied. "He begged for my help. The Emperor wanted to take you as a concubine, and your father couldn't let that happen."
Her voice remained calm. "Marrying you to the Duke was the best option—and I know the Emperor placed you at the Duke's mansion as his eyes and ears. That's still better than rotting away in the palace as a forgotten concubine."
Su Qing's hands trembled at her sides. "I hate you. Just because you have power, you think you can decide my entire fate," she said, her voice full of anger.
"Stay away from Lang Huan. Don't drag him into your schemes. Don't think he has feelings for you just because he's kind and gentle."
Feng Yao stood slowly and stepped toward her. Her fingers moved to the high collar of her robe, undoing the top buttons as she walked.
Her hand slid down her neck, revealing deep red marks on her skin. With a sly smile, she said,
"Oh, you're right. He's so gentle during the day… but surprisingly... fierce in bed."
Feng Yao had deliberately gone without makeup that morning, leaving the deep kiss marks on her neck uncovered—to torment Su Qing.
"You're lying!" Su Qing's eyes widened in disbelief the moment she saw the marks.
"Shameless!" Su Qing hissed. "You dare call yourself a noble princess, yet you use your own body to manipulate him like this?"
The Eldest Princess let out a low laugh. "If we're talking about shamelessness… no one beats you. A stepmother in love with her own stepson? You may carry the title of a talented woman, but deep down, you're nothing but immoral."
Su Qing's eyes darkened. Her voice was laced with contempt. "You're really pushing my limits." She narrowed her eyes. "I wonder… does Lang Huan know what happened nine years ago? Would he still want to be with you?"
Feng Yao's expression froze. Her smile vanished instantly. "What are you trying to say?"
Su Qing raised an eyebrow. "Should I explain it clearly? I didn't know you were the one behind it… until I saw that arrow your guard sent to inform Lang Huan's whereabouts. The rose pattern was the same as the one sent to his mother nine years ago."
Feng Yao's chest tightened, and she bit her lower lip until it almost bled.
Su Qing let out a cold, satisfied laugh as she watched the color drain from Feng Yao's face.
"This is the last time I'll warn you," she said, voice like ice. "Leave Lang Huan… or I'll make sure he knows everything you've done."
With one final glare, she turned and walked out of the study. The door shut with a quiet click.
Feng Yao stood frozen. Then, she let out a scream and stormed to her desk, sweeping everything off in a violent crash. Scrolls, inkstones, and documents flew everywhere.
Startled by the noise, A Li and Qiu Yue—who had been chatting just outside—rushed into the room. The sight before them was a mess. The Eldest Princess sat silently in her chair, her face pale.
Neither dared speak.
They stood on either side of her, unsure how to offer comfort. After a long silence, Qiu Yue finally stepped forward. Her voice was soft and careful.
"Your Highness… do you want me to kill Madam Su?"
Feng Yao shook her head slowly. It wasn't because she didn't want Su Qing dead. But if she laid a hand on her, Lang Huan would never forgive her.
No matter what Su Qing had done, she had still raised Lang Huan.
"No," she said flatly. "Let her go."
Qiu Yue glanced at A Li, then spoke again, her voice low. "Forgive me, Your Highness, if I speak too boldly… but please don't forget your ambition—to seize the throne."
Feng Yao's eyes snapped to Qiu Yue, sharp and cold. The intensity made Qiu Yue drop to her knees.
But after a long silence, she let out a slow breath.
"Rise," she said, her voice calm again. "You're right. I've been too indulgent. Love has made me soft…"
She paused, then added quietly, "Thank you for reminding me."