When Feng Yao reached the bedroom door, she heard voices from inside.
"Lang Huan, I love you… Touch me like you touched my sister…"
Then came Lang Huan's voice, weak and shaking. "Feng Xiyan…"
Feng Yao's happiness vanished in an instant. Her face went pale, then flushed with rage beneath her veil.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself. "Qiu Yue, open the door."
Qiu Yue didn't wait. One powerful kick—BANG!—the bamboo door flew open.
At the same time, A Li and the other shadow guards had just arrived on horseback. From afar, they saw Feng Yao rush into the house, and hope lit up their hearts. They thought she had finally found Lang Huan.
They quickly followed, smiling with relief. But when they entered the house and saw the scene inside, their smiles disappeared. A wave of regret washed over them—they wished they hadn't come in.
They had just witnessed something they were never meant to see.
The Eighth Princess was half-naked, kissing Lang Huan's neck. She gasped in shock and quickly grabbed Lang Huan's robe to cover herself. Her eyes were wide with panic and shame.
Lang Huan lay on the bed, clad only in her middle garments. Her face was flushed red, and when she heard a familiar voice. She murmured softly, "Your Highness…"
Everyone fell into silence.
No one dared to look at the Eldest Princess. Even though her face was covered by a veil, they could imagine her furious expression.
No one dared to look at the Eighth Princess either. The scene was too shameful, too awkward to witness.
A Li and the shadow guards lowered their heads. In their hearts, they had already accepted Lang Huan as the future princess consort. To them, the marriage was only a matter of time.
They didn't know exactly what had happened in that room—but now, fear gripped them. If things went wrong, Lang Huan might end up like General Nanbei Lu Shou.
Feng Yao raised her hand and pointed straight at Feng Xiyan. Her voice was cold and sharp. "What are you waiting for? Catch the Eighth Princess!"
As the shadow guards moved forward, the Eighth Princess didn't panic. She leapt toward them and launched attacks.
The guards, all women, hesitated for a second. Fighting a princess was one thing—but fighting a half-dressed one made them deeply uncomfortable. Even so they couldn't defy the Eldest Princess's command.
The fight broke out—quick and chaotic. Feng Xiyan fought like a wildcat, using every trick she knew. While the guards tried to restrain her without causing serious harm, Feng Xiyan showed no mercy. The struggle soon spilled outside the bamboo house.
Inside, Qiu Yue had stayed behind. At first, she planned to vent the eldest princess's anger on Lang Huan. She raised her hand—but something made her pause.
She looked closer at the young master lying weakly on the bed. Lang Huan's body was trembling, sweat covering the face.
Qiu Yue's expression darkened.
She stepped back and bowed toward Feng Yao. "Your Highness," she said quietly, "Young Master has been drugged. I think someone gave him an aphrodisiac."
"Aphrodisiac?" Feng Yao's eyes narrowed. Who else could have done it? She hadn't expected the Eighth Princess to be that desperate—stooping to something so vile.
Her anger cooled slightly. Even if Lang Huan had been a victim in all this, Feng Yao had no intention of letting her off easily.
She stepped closer to the bed. Her middle garment was soaked. Her cheeks were flushed red, and her lips were slightly parted as she mumbled something faint and unclear. Her hands moved weakly, rubbing her arms and neck, as if trying to fight off the burning heat inside her body.
Feng Yao sat down on the edge of the bed and gently touched Lang Huan's forehead. It was burning hot. A deep frown appeared on her face.
The cold touch made Lang Huan flinch.
"Qiu Yue," she said calmly, "I think we need to throw him into a lake to cool him down. Go check if there's one nearby."
Just then, Lang Huan caught a familiar scent—the soft, cold fragrance that always surrounded Feng Yao. She let out a weak smile, eyes half-open.
"No… What if I get eaten by a crocodile?" she whispered. "I'd rather be eaten by you… than crocodile."
Feng Yao: "…"
With a teasing glint in her eye, Lang Huan licked her lips. This little brat still had the nerve to flirt at a time like this…
The drug's effect grew stronger. Lang Huan's body was burning up, the heat rushing through her like fire. She could barely think straight anymore.
Still lying on the bed, she turned to Feng Yao, who was sitting beside her. Like a kitten searching for warmth, she slowly moved closer and wrapped her arms around Feng Yao's waist.
"Take your hands off. " Feng Yao slapped her hand away.
Lang Huan sniffled, eyes watery. "Damn Feng Xiyan! How could she give me an aphrodisiac?! She's a beast in woman's skin—wuwuwu… she was going to rape me!"
"She's a pervert… wuwuwuu…"
Pfft—A Li and Qiu Yue, standing nearby, tried to hold back their laughter. They had never heard of a woman trying to rape a man before.
Qiu Yue shook her head. Honestly… Young Master Ye looked more like a little girl than a man. She couldn't help feeling dissatisfied with how unmanly Lang Huan was. What could I do? she thought. The Eldest Princess liked him so much. I just hoped Her Highness would be happy for the rest of her life.
Feng Yao wanted to stay serious, but Lang Huan looked so pitiful and cute that a small smile appeared on her face.
"Qiu Yue, A Li—go fill the wooden tub with clean water," she said calmly.
Once they left the room, Feng Yao turned back to Lang Huan, who was still struggling to fight off the drug's effects. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glassy, and she was trying hard to stay in control.
Feng Yao leaned in close and whispered with a teasing smile, "Do you need my help?"
Lang Huan looked up and saw the playful glint in Feng Yao's eyes. Her heart jumped in panic.
"What help?" she asked nervously.
Then, realizing what Feng Yao meant, her whole face turned red. "No need! I think… Your Highness doesn't know how to do that kind of thing anyway!"
The Eldest Princess raised an eyebrow. She found Lang Huan's words amusing, and her smile deepened. "Oh? Then maybe you can show me— how it's done."
As she spoke, her hand lightly brushed across Lang Huan's chest, making her squirm with irritation and heat.
Lang Huan was about to say something, but A Li interrupted.
"The wooden tub is ready, Your Highness."
"You can go now."
They bow then quietly closed the door behind them.
Lang Huan lay weak and limp. She didn't resist as Feng Yao gently removed her remaining clothes. The moment the cool air touched her bare skin, she whimpered softly. Her body was overly sensitive—every light touch made her shiver.
Feng Yao's eyes scanned her body and noticed small cuts and bruises scattered across her arms, shoulders, and waist. Her heart tightened with worry.
"Don't move," she warned sharply. "Or I'll really let you handle it on your own."
Lang Huan immediately froze and shook her head quickly, like a frightened child.
With care, Feng Yao helped her sit up and supported her all the way to the wooden tub.
"This will help cool you down," she said, guiding her into the water "Just bear with it for a little while."
Lang Huan obeyed. She sank into the tub, shivering as the cold water began to soothe her feverish body.
Feng Yao couldn't help but chuckle softly at Lang Huan's reaction. Then she gently turned her face from side to side, carefully inspecting her neck—as if searching for any suspicious marks.
Lang Huan knew exactly what she was thinking.
She pulled down the veil from Feng Yao's face. When she saw those tired eyes and thinner cheek, her heart ached.
It was clear that Feng Yao hadn't been sleeping well—she must have travelled day and night, nonstop, just to find her.
Lang Huan felt a wave of guilt rush over her. She reached out, wanting to touch Feng Yao's cheek and comfort her.
Slap — Feng Yao knocked her hand away.
"Don't touch me," she said coldly. "I haven't settled things with you yet." Her eyes were full of emotion.
"I really want to know…what exactly happened between you and Feng Xiyan?" she added.
Then she pinched Lang Huan's cheek—hard—and gave her a dangerous look.
"Ugh…" Lang Huan let out a tiny groan.
She could feel it—that look in Feng Yao's eyes. Something bad was definitely about to happen. Despite everything Feng Xiyan had done, she still felt a little worried about her.
"Your Highness…" Qiu Yue called softly from outside.
Lang Huan turned her head and said, "It's okay. The heat has gone down a little. I'll meditate to help regulate my qi."
"Alright, I'll be back in a bit," Feng Yao said, then stepped out of the room.
Outside, Qiu Yue leaned closer and whispered something to her. The eldest princess replied quietly, "Guard the door. Add more guards—don't let Lang Huan leave the room."