Chapter 18: It Seems I'm Not the Only One Wishing for Your Death.

The morning light gently filtered into her eyes. Qian Yange raised her hand to touch her forehead, afraid that the golden hairpin might fall off. Today was the day of the bride’s homecoming visit. Li Gou Le had come early in the morning demanding repayment of a debt. After paying it back, she still wanted to get some sleep, but unfortunately, she had to accompany Wan Qi Haoyu to the palace to pay respects to the Empress Mother.

So early at dawn, Die Yi summoned the servants to begin her grooming and dressing. Yet, no matter how thick the powder, it could not conceal the dark and red patches on her face. She didn’t care. Once she found the final medicinal ingredient, her beauty would surely be restored. Until then, she had to carefully plan her next moves.

She rubbed her eyes, still feeling sleepy. Being dragged out early for makeup and dressing was truly exhausting. Feeling as if her body had come apart, she slumped into the carriage. Suddenly, a cold voice carrying a hint of mockery whispered into her ear, “Princess, were you overexerted last night? You must take care of your health.”

“Yes, I was busy with sketches last night,” she replied casually. Only after speaking did she realize—damn, someone was there!

Qian Yange snapped her eyes open. Sure enough, someone was beside her; if not Wan Qi Haoyu, then who else? But today, Wan Qi Haoyu looked even more handsome than usual!

He wore a moon-white long robe, trimmed with blue edging at the collar and lapel, clearly crafted from top-quality brocade—simple yet luxurious. An ice-blue silk belt was tied around his waist, loosely holding three pale blue precious ribbons. His jet-black hair was bound by a white lotus crown in matching hues. His eyes, clear as an autumn moon, always seemed tinged with sorrow. His face, graceful and striking like a startled swan, was breathtaking. An aura of icy coolness seemed to ripple around him like a mountain spring.

Some girl swallowed nervously and whispered, “Hubby looks so handsome today.” Ugh, no, no—how could she forget again? Qian Yange wanted to slap herself hard. She cleared her throat and corrected, “I mean, my lord is truly magnificent today.”

Hearing Qian Yange call him “my lord,” though knowing this was only temporary pretense, somehow made Wan Qi Haoyu’s heart feel as sweet as honey.

A faint smile curved his lips—a smile as light and refreshing as bamboo after rain, yet intoxicating. Qian Yange’s heart skipped a beat. She turned her face away awkwardly, struggling to suppress the fluttering in her heart. She could find someone to share a lifetime with, but she must never fall for any man. The moment Wen Junyi fired that shot, she swore never to love anyone again. Hurting others would only hurt herself.

Suddenly, a series of disciplined footsteps approached, followed by the sound of weapons being drawn. A deep female voice declared, “The princess has murdered the county princess Li Gou Le. By order of Her Majesty the Empress, I am here to escort the princess to the Ministry of Justice for trial.”

In a richly decorated, silent chamber, a bewitching man strode toward the soft couch. He wore a deep crimson, high-quality silk robe embroidered with large mandalas. Silver trim adorned his cuffs. His silver hair flowed loose, unbound. Around his bare ankle jingled a string of silver bells, tinkling melodiously like a crystalline symphony as he walked.

“Where is the silver?” Shangguan Ning lounged lazily on the couch, her phoenix-shaped eyes alluring yet perpetually radiating a suffocating dangerous aura.

“The silver has been secured and distributed to the disaster victims in the city, as per the mistress’s orders,” said a servant dressed in plain blue respectfully. At a glance, this was the same servant from the wasteland last time—Huo Yue, Shangguan Ning’s dowry attendant.

Huo Yue paused before adding, “However, besides our forces, it seems another group also attacked Li Gou Le.”

As Shangguan Ning listened to the report, she painted her nails a blood-red hue. Then she curled her lips into a sly smile. In her enchanting phoenix eyes flickered a fire of excitement. Qian Yange, it seems you have more than one person wishing you dead.