Lang Huan and the Eldest Princess, her shadow guard close behind, followed the group of men through winding paths until they arrived at a large villa.
The villa was exquisite—nestled amidst manicured gardens, with elegant pavilions standing gracefully by koi ponds and blossoming trees.
As soon as they arrived, Gao Fei and Bai Han immediately knelt and offered their salute. "Your Highness, we meet again," Gao Fei said politely.
"Rise," Feng Yao commanded.
Gao Fei's bright smile lit up as he looked at Feng Yao, but when his gaze shifted to Lang Huan standing behind her, the smile faded slightly—replaced by an assessing look.
Lang Huan felt the tension in that gaze. Her fingers curled unconsciously at her sides. She leaned forward, about to whisper something to Feng Yao, but seeing the many outsiders around, she held her tongue.
"Young Master Ye, where is the Eighth Princess?" Gao Fei suddenly asked. His eyes flicked between Feng Yao and Lang Huan with suspicion.
Lang Huan's heart skipped a beat, but before she could reply, Qiu Yue stepped forward.
"When we went to search for Young Master Ye, we didn't find Her Highness, the Eighth Princess," Qiu Yue said firmly, cutting off any chance for Gao Fei to press further.
Of course, Gao Fei and Bai Han didn't buy the explanation so easily. Both held their own suspicions. If the Eighth Princess hadn't died from falling off the cliff, perhaps she had perished at the hands of the Eldest Princess. After all, knowing Feng Yao's ruthlessness, nothing seemed impossible.
Feng Yao's sharp gaze swept over Gao Fei, then Bai Han, before a faint smile curved her lips.
"This pavilion is truly beautiful," she said softly. "It seems you've planned this quite carefully, Gao Fei… or should I call you Bai Fei?"
Gao Fei let out a low chuckle, his admiration for the woman in front of him deepening.
"As expected, nothing escapes Your Highness," he said, a glint of respect in his eyes.
"I simply guessed," Feng Yao said calmly. "the resemblance between you and the Imperial Advisor… it can't be mere coincidence."
Gao Fei laughed. "Interesting… very interesting. Your Highness really has sharp eyes."
"Honestly, this is all planned by the Fourth Prince, but… Your Highness joining this journey was not part of his plan."
"Yeah," Feng Yao replied with a cold smile. "He still needs me to marry the Prince of Yan to ease the tensions with the Yan Kingdom."
Beside her, Lang Huan clenched her fists at the thought of Feng Yao being used as a pawn in someone else's game.
The Eldest Princess noticed her anger and lightly brushed her little finger against Lang Huan's hand—a silent gesture telling her not to lose her temper.
"Bai Fei, why don't you just admit this is all your plan?" Feng Yao's tone was sharp, her eyes narrowing. "The Fourth Prince acts on impulse and has a short-sighted mind. How could he arrange this if he wasn't provoked and guided by someone?"
She let out a derisive snort. "I wonder, does the Bai Clan intend to revive and claim the throne again?"
Bai Fei's lips curved into a sly, confident smile. He met Feng Yao's gaze without fear, as if he had been waiting for this confrontation. "Since Your Highness can see through everything so clearly, I won't bother hiding it anymore," he said with a hint of pride.
"Yes," he continued with a cold glint in his eyes. "I want to claim the throne. Ever since the Feng Clan took power, they have failed to bring prosperity to the people. The suffering has only grown worse… This is the perfect chance for the Bai Clan to rise once more and take what should have been ours."
Bai Fei's gaze deepened as he turned to Feng Yao, his voice calm yet laced with authority. "Your Highness and Young Master Ye may rest for now,"
"Tomorrow, Young Master Ye will depart with the senior members of the Bai Clan toward Baiyuan Mountain."
Seeing the faint furrow on Feng Yao's brows and the unease in her eyes, Bai Fei said, "do not worry, Your Highness. They will ensure Young Master Ye's safety. After all, the treasure still needs to be found."
"I don't want to go anywhere! You can't force me!" Lang Huan's stubbornness was like a flame.
"Do you have any other choice?" Bai Fei's expression hardened, his tone carrying a quiet menace.
"Master Xuankai, your companions, even the Emperor himself… they are all in my hands. They have already been fed poison."
"I've heard of your extraordinary skill when you killed the eight-headed serpent. It would be a waste to let such talent go unused, wouldn't it?"
You…!" Lang Huan's breath caught as she turned to Feng Yao, her face had lost all color only the faint red of lip balm still visible to give her any trace of life.
No matter what, she would never leave the Eldest Princess. This man, Bai Fei, was clearly scheming something, and Lang Huan knew she had to protect her at all costs.
"Come here." Feng Yao's took Lang Huan's hand, leading her to a quiet garden, far from Bai Fei's prying eyes. Her expression was gentle, coaxing Lang Huan to soothe the restless fire in her heart.
"I don't want to listen to you…" Lang Huan muttered. Ignoring Feng Yao's words, she suddenly lifted her up and helped her standing on a large stone so they could be at the same height.
Then, she rested her forehead against the crook of Feng Yao's neck, clinging to her warmth.
Feng Yao's heart softened as she gently patted Lang Huan's head. "You won't even listen to me anymore?"
"Yes… because you'll just ask me to go with them, won't you? You'll use the chance to send me away while you stay behind and take all the risk,"
"You should've known this journey was a trap… but you still insisted on coming with me." Lang Huan's heart ached as she saw Feng Yao's eyes begin to redden.
"I'm sorry… Qiu Yue was right. I dragged you into this. Please—I don't want to leave you here. I can tell he's thinking about you."
This was the first time Lang Huan saw Feng Yao lose her confidence and composure. After all, she was just a woman in her thirties—not a god, not omnipotent. And she needed someone to lean on.
"Lang Huan, I have no regrets…" From her sleeve, she pulled out a small token engraved with the head of a falcon and placed it in Lang Huan's hand.
"If I'm right about the timing, Lin Ruochen and the others should have arrived by now. You're clever—find a way out. And return to Luo City. The fourth prince must be planning something. Lin Ruochen will tell you what needs to be done."
"Then what about you?" Lang Huan asked, her voice trembling with worry.
"You don't have to worry about me. I have my own way," Feng Yao replied, her tone calm but distant, as if already preparing herself for the worst.
"No…" Lang Huan's voice cracked as she tightened her hold on Feng Yao, as if she could shield her from the world. "I won't leave you. Not now, not ever."
"Lang Huan, I've always indulged you. Can't you grant me this one request?" Feng Yao's voice grew cold and firm again.
Lang Huan bit her trembling lip, her gaze lowering in defeat. "...Okay…" she finally muttered, her heart unwilling but unable to defy her.
Feng Yao's expression softened as she saw Lang Huan's pouty face, her cuteness tugging at her heart. "Be good… you're not a child anymore," she murmured, gently brushing Lang Huan's cheek.
"But… but… will you promise me that you'll be fine?" Lang Huan asked, her lips curving into a sad frown. "If you lie to me… I'll marry ten pretty young girls just to make you angry to death."
"You dare?" Feng Yao said sharply, though her eyes showed a trace of sadness. Even in this situation, she couldn't stand the thought of Lang Huan being with another woman.
Lang Huan chuckled softly, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss on Feng Yao's lips. She only pulled back when she heard Feng Yao let out a soft moan, her cheeks faintly flushed.
From a distance, Bai Fei was watching their interaction with a sneer. "the Eldest Princess actually likes a childish man."
"It seems the world is about to end."
Bai Han, standing beside him, let out a mocking laugh.
"A real man wouldn't last a day with a woman like her. What's the point of beauty if she turns your life into a living hell? Just look at Lang Huan—he's a pampered little white rabbit. Don't tell me you've set your sights on the Eldest Princess…"
"So what if I have?" Bai Fei shot him a cold glance. "The Eldest Princess is a rare beauty. Even if she doesn't love me, just having her by my side is enough. She's not only beautiful, but also intelligent… I've heard the Prince of Yan has been chasing her for years."
"How could I lose to that pampered white rabbit? Once he's gone… I'll make the princess surrender to me." Bai Fei's voice dripped with contempt as he slammed his palm down on the clay pot in front of him, shattering it into pieces.
Bai Han raised an eyebrow, sensing the ambition in Bai Fei's tone. "remember not to ruin the plan."