The Eldest Princess hadn't expected her sister to sink so low. To lie about being violated—just to win affection, to play victim, to create a situation where Lang Huan would be forced to touch her and comfort her.
Did Feng Xiyan love Lang Huan? Or was it something else? A desire to win, to possess, to claim whatever Feng Yao treasured just to prove she could.
Feng Yao didn't know. And honestly, she didn't care. What she did know was—she couldn't bear seeing anyone touch what was hers.
Lang Huan's softness—her tender heart—deeply disturbed Feng Yao. That gentle nature made it far too easy for other women to fall for her.
Whether it was Su Qing or Feng Xiyan, both had taken advantage of Lang Huan's kindness, using her soft heart to try and win her love.
The Eldest Princess could forgive Lang Huan's foolishness—her soft, naive heart. But forgiveness didn't erase the anger burning inside her. She was not like Lang Huan. She didn't believe in kindness. She didn't believe people got better just because you gave them a second chance.
And that's why Feng Xiyan had to die.
Still, she couldn't let Lang Huan carry that weight—not for someone like her sister. Feng Xiyan wasn't worth the guilt.
"What's troubling you… Your Highness?"
Feng Yao looked off into the distance, silent for a long moment. Then her gaze returned to Lang Huan. "Do you want me to let Feng Xiyan go?"
"Not really… Sometimes I feel a little soft toward her, just because she looks a bit like you. But I'm not blind. After seeing things clearly, I know—she hates you deeply."
If Feng Yao had ended up in Feng Xiyan's hands today… Lang Huan was sure she wouldn't have been shown any mercy.
What kind of person would try to steal their own sister's lover? Whatever feelings Feng Xiyan claimed to have, they were tainted by obsession.
Lang Huan took a breath. "When I put myself in your shoes, I'm sure—if someone had dared to do what Feng Xiyan did, to look at Your Highness with that kind of hunger… I wouldn't have hesitated either. I'd kill them. Without remorse."
Feng Yao tilted her head slightly. "Didn't you come here to stop me from killing her?"
"Yes… because she's your sister. I was just afraid you might feel sad one day. That maybe you'd regret it. I didn't want to be the one who made things worse between you two."
Feng Yao let out a short laugh. "Regret? There's nothing to regret."
"Feng Xiyan came with a mission from the Empress—get close to you, marry you, then convince the Duke of Huguo to start a rebellion. After that, you'd become emperor… and the Eighth Princess would be crowned empress."
She scoffed lightly. "Sounds like a perfect plan, doesn't it? The Empress doesn't have a son of her own, so of course she'd place all her hopes on Feng Xiyan."
Hiss… me? Become emperor? That's the funniest thing I've ever heard.
There was a short pause. Then Feng Yao let out a dry chuckle.
"But Lang Huan, looks like that slap really worked—you suddenly turned mature and smart. Maybe I should slap you more often."
"…"
---
"Your Highness," Qiu Yue reported, "I've examined the aphrodisiac the Eighth Princess used. It's called Yè Yě Sǎn—a rare and dangerous drug from west. Once someone takes it. The effects recur for seven consecutive days. The only way to detoxify is through intercourse each time the symptoms appear. If the victim resists… their blood vessels could rupture. It's a slow, painful way to die.
The Eldest Princess, who had been quietly enjoying the late afternoon breeze, turned her gaze toward Lang Huan—who was laughing as Xiao Bai chased her around, leaping from rock to rock.
She frowned slightly. "Where the hell did she even get something like that…"
Though concern lingered in her eyes, she hadn't seen any signs of relapse in Lang Huan since the incident. Even so, she made up her mind—she would no longer allow Lang Huan to get involved in her affairs. That little brat had survived many disasters—but no one could stay lucky forever.
Qiu Yue hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Then… what about the Eighth Princess?"
The Eldest Princess lifted her hand slightly—a silent signal to finish the job.
"Understood," Qiu Yue said calmly.
---
"Lang Huan…"
Lang Huan hurried over to her side. "Your Highness."
The eldest princess gently patted the space beside her, inviting her to sit. As Lang Huan settled down, Feng Yao reached out and wiped the sweat from her brow.
"Aren't you tired?" she asked in a low voice. "We still have a long way to go tomorrow."
Lang Huan held her wrist. "Your Highness," she said, looking straight into her eyes, "I want to ask you something."
Feng Yao raised an eyebrow, a faint smile forming on her lips. That serious tone had caught her off guard. "What is it?"
"Do you like me because I'm Ye Langhuan… or because I'm just Lang Huan?"
Feng Yao blinked, surprised. A moment of silence passed before she gave a soft smile.
"Is there a difference?"
"Of course there is," Lang Huan replied quietly. "Lang Huan is just… Lang Huan. But once you add 'Ye,' it becomes something else. It ties me to the Duke of Huguo, to the Ye Clan. All the power, all the prestige in that mansion—it's not mine. It's his. I don't own any of it."
Feng Yao's expression softened. She thought Lang Huan was simply tired of living in her father's shadow.
"Your Highness… please look at me for who I really am. I'm not like the Duke of Huguo. I don't have his dedication. I don't have his loyalty."
"I'm just an ordinary girl," she murmured. "When I'm angry, my eyes turn blue. And…" —she tilted her head with a smug little smile— "I'm very good looking. How could I possibly resemble the Duke of Huguo?"
Even as she let out her frustration, she didn't miss the chance to compliment herself.
Besides, in her opinion, her real father was way better looking than the Duke of Huguo anyway.
Feng Yao let out a soft breath, then stood. She gently wrapped her arms around Lang Huan, who was still seated, and pulled her into a warm embrace.
"If you don't want to be the little duke or carry your father's legacy… then don't," she said softly. "Just be yourself."
She looked down and brushed a few stray strands of hair away from Lang Huan's face.
"Ah, yes… your father always had that gloomy, stiff face,"
Her smile deepened. "Honestly, I think you look more like Xiao Bai."
Lang Huan let out a small snort. "My father doesn't even approve of us being together."
Then she looked up, a spark of mischief in her eyes. "How about this—if my father tells Your Highness to break up with me, just agree. Tell him you'll leave me."
Feng Yao narrowed her eyes. "What nonsense are you saying now?"
Lang Huan continued calmly, completely unfazed. "On one condition—he has to give you the military token. You know I'm the only 'son' in his eyes. If he really cares about me, he'll hand it over to you."
"And once he gives it to you… you stay with me. Break your promise."
She let out a dry little laugh. "If he refuses, then it's clear I don't matter to him. In that case, I'm broke… so the only thing I can offer you is Xiao Bai."
There was a pause.
Then Feng Yao burst into laughter.
"Lang Huan… if you're going to be untrustworthy, fine. But now you want me to be just as shameless as you?"
She patted Lang Huan's shoulder, shaking her head in disbelief—though she was clearly amused.
"Unbelievable. How did the Duke of Huguo end up with a daughter like you?"
"Lang Huan… I like you. As long as you listen to me and keep making me happy, that's more than enough."
Lang Huan didn't say anything. She simply leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Feng Yao's waist.
Then, quietly, she rested her head against her chest, listening to the steady beat of her heart.