After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

Raindrops fell on the oil-paper umbrella.

The entire Taoist temple was shrouded in mist, as if the heavens were mourning.

Behind the emperor stood a eunuch, who was meek and obedient, holding an umbrella.

"Your Majesty, it has been a long time since you and I last visited Mother."

"I wonder if my elder sister has anything to say to me, or to the Empress Dowager?"

The emperor's words had a hidden meaning, and how could Zhao Huining not understand? She knew that Zhao Yuan was waiting for her to be honest about everything.

In the past, she would probably have told the truth, but Zhao Huining wouldn't do that now.

She had already obtained the bewitching Gu technique from Jiawan, and she would personally hand the formula to Zhao Yuan when he paid respects to his mother.

Then, Zhao Huining would watch as Zhao Yuan, with her improved prescription, stepped into the trap she had carefully laid.

Her emperor brother only got to where he is today by relying on his mother to pave the way for him. If it weren't for the support of his maternal family, Zhao Yuan's eagerness for quick success would have surely led to his demise due to "insatiable greed."

Zhao Huining reached out and took the oil-paper umbrella from the maid. Her slender fingers rested on the bamboo-ribbed handle, her eyes filled with a smile.

"His Majesty."

"I am Your Majesty's elder sister. Today I have come to see the Empress Dowager, and I will surely have a long talk with Your Majesty by candlelight, reminiscing about the teachings Your Majesty and I received in the past."

Despite her smiling demeanor, Zhao Huining, mindful of royal etiquette, revealed a hint of sadness in her eyes.

Zhao Yuan, who had originally planned to press Zhao Huining for answers, couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh after seeing Zhao Huining's expression.

He recalled that when his mother was still alive, his father favored the daughter of the Imperial Concubine, and his elder sister was more intelligent than him and was also favored by his father.

Despite holding the most prestigious status, he inexplicably became the least likable person.

The sentence Zhao Yuan heard most often since childhood was: "Yuan'er, if you can lead the army to victory like your elder sister, I can confidently pass the throne to you."

Zhao Yuan, who was no match for anyone, was naturally angry. However, his teacher told him that he was the Empress's legitimate son, and that if he did nothing and remained indifferent to his father's beatings and scoldings, he should instead be told that the beatings and scoldings were justified.

This world will belong to him sooner or later.

The Emperor was indeed angry that he was so disappointing.

At that time, all the princes remained silent, but his eldest sister stood in front of him and said a few nice words on his behalf to appease their father.

Only then did they allow him to eat and apply his medicine.

His elder sister had treated him very well in the past, which was why Zhao Yuan, despite his suspicions, was still willing to believe in Zhao Huining.

Thinking of this.

Zhao Yuan softened slightly, and he retreated while clutching his sleeve, only to see the Feather Guard wearing a golden mask standing beside him.

Recalling the urgent report from the guards that night, Zhao Yuan's thoughts surged again. The kindness he had shown to his elder sister was long gone.

Now that he has ascended the throne, his elder sister probably can no longer trust him.

The young eunuch he once trusted most eventually betrayed him repeatedly for money and promises from others.

If he is even slightly indulged, he will surely lose his throne!

This man's heart is unfathomable; who knows if his beloved elder sister has sided with any of his "threats" in the court?

"Your Majesty, what His Highness says is quite right."

"What would Your Majesty and His Highness like to eat tonight? I've specially ordered someone to cook it and bring it over."

The imperial concubine reached out and took the umbrella from the eunuch's hand. Her beautiful eyes sparkled, captivating Zhao Yuan so much that he couldn't look away.

While Zhao Yuan was momentarily lost in thought, Zhao Huining met the Consort's gaze. Her beautiful eyes remained cold, yet they held a captivating allure for the stunning woman opposite her.

When she was designated as the Crown Prince's concubine, she had seen Zhao Huining at the age of sixteen, when she was full of vigor and spirit. Dressed in bright clothes and riding a spirited horse, Zhao Huining drew her bow and shot down the giant eagle circling in the sky faster than any of the princes.

Killing two birds with one stone.

The crowd cheered.

Things are different now. Zhao Huining's brows are tinged with gloom, like plum blossoms covered in snow in the dead of winter, making people feel heartache when they see them.

The reason why Consort Gui was able to win Zhao Yuan's favor was that she knew from a young age that she would become the Crown Prince's concubine, and her maternal family gave her a very clever and perceptive mind.

She could see through Zhao Yuan's thoughts, and naturally she could also figure out Zhao Huining's thoughts.

Since returning from Miao territory, the Princess has become more restrained in her demeanor than before. Now, when she glances at Zhao Huining from afar, she no longer sighs at how Zhao Huining's aura once far surpassed that of the other princes.

Instead, they pitied her for her difficult fate.

The Imperial Concubine had an informant, so she naturally heard about what was happening in the Princess's residence and knew that the Princess was hiding something from the Emperor.

She was willing to lend a hand to help Zhao Huining out of this urgent predicament. Similarly, the Imperial Concubine also wanted to know what could possibly make the prince, who was indifferent to fame and fortune and had no desire for power, willing to break ties with His Majesty.

Is it really as people in the capital have been saying?

His Highness has hidden someone in the mansion.

...

In the woodshed at the foot of the Taoist temple mountain.

Yin Huaixi picked up the Taoist robe. She saw the two Taoists who were "sleeping" on the bed. While tying her belt, she asked Sang Che again to make sure that the two would not wake up.

Sang Che looked slightly disgusted, patted the dust off his shoulders, turned around and put on a smiling face again, showing endless good temper towards Yin Huaixi.

She said softly, "Don't worry, I controlled the dosage of this toxin just right. They will be unconscious for three whole days, not even a moment longer."

A huge, hairy spider perched on Sang Che's shoulder. Its countless eyes made Yin Huaixi's scalp tingle, but she still dared to approach.

They weren't given an easy time, not even for a moment longer.

Sang Che let the spider bite people, and then claimed it was a gift of good sleep for them...

Indeed, shamelessness knows no bounds!

She still needs to learn from Sang Che's motto, "I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me," which is the essence of Boss Cao's philosophy.

Sang Che was slightly puzzled by Yin Huaixi's gaze.

"Huaixi, why are you looking at me like that? Is there something wrong with what I said?"

"Do you know... if it were me in the past, I would have let the poisonous insects bite them to death."

"I don't have the heart of a Bodhisattva."

That's true.

Since spending time with Sang Che, Yin Huaixi has been very clear that Sang Che's previous behavior and conduct have been influenced by her and have gradually changed.

At least they won't kill people so easily.

Picking up the peach wood sword carried by the Taoist priest, Yin Huaixi looked at Sang Che and raised an eyebrow.

"Ah Che, do you mean... you used to be a vixen that everyone hated?"

Sang Che caught the peach wood sword in Yin Huaixi's hand with two fingers. She looked at Yin Huaixi along the blade and said thoughtfully, "Hmm... that's what the people of the Central Plains call me."

"However, no one dares to threaten or kill me."

Yin Huaixi didn't believe it: "Really?"

Sang Che laughed: "Absolutely true."

"Those who shouted for me to be killed have probably been reborn as animals by now."

Yin Huaixi: "..."

Sang Che: "What, does Huai Xi think I'm ruthless and no longer like me?"

"Then I promise Huaixi that I will never kill again from now on, and will only do what Huaixi is willing to do."

Yin Huaixi reluctantly drew back the peach wood sword and put it back into its sheath.

"Ah Che, what are you trying to do? Can I stop you?"

This time, it was Sang Che who was relentlessly pursuing them. With a flick of her wrist, the large spider that had been perched on her shoulder crawled back up the roof beam along its web.

The silver jewelry on her wrist was still on, jingling as she wore it.

Sang Che hooked his arm around Yin Huaixi, who said coquettishly, "Of course I can stop them."

"Huaixi, I'll listen to you no matter what, even if it's to the heavens or the earth."