It was already dark when they arrived at the main tent. The guards were starting the fire to grill the meat and prepare for the bonfire banquet later at night.

 The sunset glow faded away. The undulating mountain ranges connected with the darkness and formed a more magnificent scene.

 Countless bonfires were lit up at the foot of the mountain, like a gleaming river paved on the ground by the falling stars.

 A giant bonfire was burning in front of the main tent with tables and chairs packed around it. Some officials had already taken their seats and exchanging hunting storied during the day. They were engaged in congenial conversations and enjoying the laughter while waiting for Emperor Zhao Ping to appear.

 Nangong Shu, Hu Dapao, and Qiao An had been waiting for Su Jiu near the bonfire. They stood up immediately the moment Su Jiu and Nangong Bi came.

 “Hu Dapao, how dare you not tell me that Su Jiu is here!” Nangong Bi spoke first to question Hu Dapao.

 “Ah?” Hu Dapao raised his head in a daze.

 Hu Dapao had no idea how to deal with his own wife. He was always in a state of stunned confusion whenever he saw her frowning.

 “Don’t put Dapao in the wrong. None of us knew Su Jiu would come!” Nangong Shu explained on Hu Dapao’s behalf, then said to Su Jiu, “Si over here!”

 “Good!” Su Jiu smiled and went to sit on the seat next to Nangong Shu.

 People arrived one after another. It was bustling with noise and excitement at the foot of the mountain. The chatting and laughter, the sound of playing drinking games, and the smell of wine and grilled meat dispersed the desolate vibe of autumn.

 Nangong Shu poured a cup of tea for Su Jiu and said softly with a smile, “This is the first time we see each other ever since you returned to the capital. Are your wounds healing well?”

 Su Jiu nodded and said, “It’s getting much better now!”

 Nangong Shu lowered his head slightly. With his bright eyes looking at the burning bonfire, he said in a gentle voice, “Shengjing City may be bustling and prosperous, but it is also the filthiest place. People’s minds can change in a twinkling to gain more influence and power for their own interests. But you don’t need to care what others do as long as you remain true to yourself!”

 Maybe the young girl had changed a great deal since he first met her. But Nangong Shu believed that her honest and simple heart would always be the same.

 Su Jiu chuckled, “Do you also think that I was naive before?”

 She couldn’t see through people’s minds and be too credulous.

 Nangong Shu shook his head slowly and turned his eyes back on her, said sincerely, “No. You’re perfect, no matter in the past or at present.”

 She didn’t think of scheming against each other because of her pure and honest nature. Many people were evil-minded and it was impossible to tell what was going on in their heads. They had lost the virtue a long time ago.

 Maybe that was exactly why he liked and admired her.

 Su Jiu pursed her lips and smiled with her eyes glistening, said, “Thank you, General Nangong!”

 She had known him for two years and Nangong Shu helped her many times. The two’s relationship was not tight but not loose either. The friendship between them was as pure as water, which was not strong and intense like wine yet would last much longer.

 “You’re welcome! Actually we’re very similar from certain perspectives. I don’t like the deceiving games and political hypocrisy in the officialdom either. So I would rather only being a military official!”

 “General you’re fortunate!” Su Jiu said.

 “What do you mean?” Nangong Shu tilted his head and looked at Su Jiu.

 “Because you can be a general as you wish!” She, on the other hand, couldn’t stay being a bandit and living by her own will.

 Nangong Shu’s eyes flickered as if he understood Su Jiu’s point. He smiled softly and said, “Maybe. But you’re also lucky in your own way, such as having so many people who pledged their lives to support you!”

 Su Jiu raised her eyebrows and smiled proudly.

 It was unfortunate of her to become an outlaw, but fortunate to be friends with Hu Dapao and the others.

 It was unfortunate for her life to be taken by another woman, but fortunate that she got to meet the man in the first place.

 Yu Long came and sat down next to Lord Yun Nan. She was facing Su Jiu with the bonfire in the middle. Her eyes swept across Su Jiu’s face and shifted away quickly.

 The noble young ladies sat beside her. Led by Wu Qian, they kept peeking at Su Jiu and were discussing something secretly.

 The crown prince of Lord Yun Nan and the Lady Yun Nan didn’t come to hunt this time. Yu Long was sitting with Xia Cang and his daughter while talking in a low voice from time to time.

 The officials took their seats at the tables in succession. They talked and laughed in huddles, at ease, and comfortable.

 Su Jiu raised the wine glass to her lips yet suddenly remembered that she couldn’t drink. Her hand stopped, then put the wine glass back down.

 “Greetings, Crown Prince Your Highness!”

 “Salute the Crown Prince!”

 People around Su Jiu stood up and saluted one by one. But Su Jiu looked down at the wine glass and pretended that she didn’t hear anything.

 The firelight flickered out of the blue, The man walked directly to her and sat down next to her.

 In an instant, several people cast curious looks at them. Su Jiu’s face remained unchanged. She gently rocked the clear and thick wine in the glass in her hand.

 Nangong Bi knitted her brows and looked at the view of Xiao Lie’s back next to her. She was about to stand up and go to him, yet was pulled by Hu Dapao.

 “What are you pulling me for?” Nangong Bi threw him an angry glance.

 “Don’t make trouble in front of so many people!” Hu Dapao said in a low voice.

 Nangong Bi shook up Hu Dapao’s hand in anger. She glared at Xiao Lie’s back like she was confronting a formidable enemy.

 Some officials started to whisper and look at this way already. Hu Dapao pulled Nangong Bi up and out of their seats.

 Seeing that Xiao Lie seemed to have things to say to Su Jiu, Nangong Shu withdrew from his seat tactfully and gave them some space.

 Xiao Lie poured a cup of tea and replaced the wine glass in Su Jiu’s hand, said in a low voice, “Your body just recovered. You shouldn’t be drinking!”

 “I heard the Crown Princess Consort also just recovered from injuries. Your Highness should care more for your own wife!” Su Jiu answered softly. She raised her head and saw that Yu Long was looking at them grimly.

 Su Jiu’s brows raised slightly and laughed, “Your Crown Princess Consort is looking at you now!”

 Xiao Lie didn’t bother to lift his head. His dark eyes fixated on Su Jiu, said, “Ah Jiu, I haven’t consummated my marriage with Yu Long.”

 “It’s between you and your wife. How is it my business?” Su Jiu curled up her lips and sneered.

 “We’re not husband and wife. You’re the one I want to marry!”

 “But you’re married to Yu Long!”

 “Give me some time. I promise that I will sort out all the matters and go to find you!” Xiao Lie said firmly.

 “But I won’t wait for you!” Su Jiu stared at him, unflinching.

 A trace of pain flashed in Xiao Lie’s eyes. He said, “Ah Jiu, you’re still resenting me. What can I do to make you forgive me?”

 Su Jiu smiled contemptuously. Before she answered, she heard a woman walked to them and curtsied, said, “Salute to Crown Prince Your Highness!”

 Xiao Lie took a quick look at her and said in an indifferent voice, “What do you want?”

 It was Wu Qian who was mocking Su Jiu before. She bowed and said, “Your Highness, the Crown Princess Consort is over there. You should sit next to her!”

 Xiao Lie’s long eyebrows farrowed.

 Yet the girl didn’t know how to take a cue. She glimpsed at Su Jiu who was sitting next to Xiao Lie and raised her voice, said, “Your Highness, there are many foxes in the mountain who are specialized in seducing men. Your Highness must be careful!”

 Since she intentionally raised her high-pitched and shrill voice, the chatting and laughter around them stopped abruptly. Everyone turned their heads to look at Su Jiu and Xiao Lie.

 Yu Long already walked to them and scolded, “Wu Qian, don’t speak more nonsense. Lady Su here is His Highness’s and my friend!”

 Wu Qian was only insinuating Su Jiu was the fox. Yu Long seemed to be defending Su Jiu, while in fact, she was pointing out clearly that it was Su Jiu that Wu Qian was referring to.

 Xiao Lie’s face was somber. He looked at Yu Long expressionlessly.

 Su Jiu remained composed. She looked at Wu Qian and laughed, “I have a question for you. Which woman do you think should be the fox? The one who comes to the man the first or the second?”

 Wu Qian answered instantly without thinking, “Of course the second woman is the fox!”

 Yu Long shot Wu Qian a cold glare.

 Su Jiu laughed, “Crown Princess Consort, she called you a fox!”

 Wu Qian explained hastily, “What are you talking about? When did I say the Crown Princess Consort is the fox!”

 “You just said it. The second woman is the fox. Unfortunately, the Crown Princess Consort is the second one here. ” Su Jiu raised her eyebrows and smiled cruelly.

 Only until now that Wu Qian realized she misspoke. She said in a hurry, “Please forgive me, Crown Princess Consort! I really didn’t know you are…”

 The more she spoke, the harder it was for her to get out of the dilemma.

 Xiao Lie stood up abruptly. His handsome face was cold and fierce in the darkness. He swung his sleeve hard and knocked Wu Qian on the ground. The wind from his sleeve even made Yu Long stumbled backward.

 “Who allowed you to shout in front of me!”

 Yu Long’s face was pale as a ghost. Xiao Lie didn’t only hit Wu Qian in front of everyone. It was also a slap on Yu Long’s face.

 Sitting across the fire, Xia Cang suddenly stood up and looked over fiercely.

 Wu Qian prostrated herself on the ground and kowtowed in fright, said, “I knew I was wrong. I will never do it again!”

 It was dead silent around them. Everyone was deterred by the man’s imposing manner and didn’t dare to breathe loudly.

 The vice minister of the Ministry of Rites ran to them and kneeled immediately, said, “Please don’t be angry, Your Highness. My daughter is ignorant and affronted Your Highness. Please forgive her!”

 “You can’t even teach your own daughter. Vice-minister Wu, how do you work at the Ministry of Rites?” Xiao Lie’s voice was icy.

 Cold sweat was dripped from Vice-minister Wu’s forehead. He said, “I’m guilty. I promise I will try my best to teach her back home!”

 There were not only civil and military officials at the banquet but also young masters from various noble families. Being berated by Xiao Lie in public, Wu Qian would never have a chance to marry into an aristocratic family.

 Wu Qian kneeled on the ground, trembling. Yu Long looked even more embarrassed. After all, Wu Qian was slapped down for speaking up on Yu Long’s behalf.

 “Vice-minister Wu, take your daughter back. Don’t let her out until she’s educated!” Xiao Lie spoke casually.

 “Yes, yes!” Seized with fear, vice-minister Wu answered and took the shivering Wu Qian back.

 Xiao Lie sat back down next to Su Jiu and poured her some tea. His face became gentle and tender in an instant. He said, “Ignorant girl. You don’t need to be bothered by her.”

 Su Jiu took the teacup and shrugged with a smile.

 Yu Long was the only one who was still standing there in awkwardness. She was surveyed by all kinds of looks of people, didn’t know what to do at the moment.

 “The Emperor is arriving!” A high-pitched voice rang up in the stagnate air.

 Yu Long exhaled a breath slowly and returned to her seat.

 On the other side, Hu Dapao pulled Nangong Bi straight to the woods adjacent to the campground. Nangong Bi broke away from him with all of her strength and said, “Hu Dapao, where are you taking me?”

 It was gloomy inside of the woods with the firelight far away dimly shone through the trees.

 “Stop making troubles!” Hu Dapao grasped on Nangong Bi’s arm, said gravely, “All the officials are here today. So is the Emperor. You can’t take any measures no matter what grudges you’re holding.

 “I didn’t want to do anything out of the line. I’m only trying to protect Su Jiu from being bullied by Xiao Lie!” Nangong Bi said with indignation.

 Hu Dapao cracked a smile, said, “Crown Prince His Highness won’t bully the Chief. Besides, with His Highness here, no one else could bully the Chief either!”

 “Humph!” Nangong Bi snorted in disdain and turned around to walk out of the woods.

 “Don’t go!” Hu Dapao clutched the girl’s arm and pinned her against a tree while staring at her with keen, sparkling eyes.

 “What?” The girl’s voice softened, grumbled in a flirtatious manner.

 “I miss you!” The man leaned forward slightly and said in his hoarse voice. He lowered his head and kissed the girl.

 Nangong Bi struggled a little bit and collapsed in the man’s arms. Her arms reached up and surrounded his neck instinctively and kissed him back with a coy smile.

 It was noisy and bustling at the banquet over there while silent and tranquil inside the woods. Even the occasional chirping sound of birds and insects had stopped now as if they didn’t want to disturb the two.

 The man’s kiss was rough and fierce. He enveloped the petite body of the girl and his arms held her lithe waist, while his breath turning heavy.

 “Bi’er, I want you!” The man said hastily.

 Nangong Bi was still extremely shy even though they had married for half a year. She moaned, “We just played half a night last night.”

 “Not enough. I want you again now!” The man kissed her neck while answering in an eager tone. His big hand fished inside of the girl’s clothes.

 “No. We can’t do it here!” Nangong Bi hurried to stop his hand.

 “Then let’s go back to our tent!” Hu Dapao’s eyes were glowing with lust. He couldn’t wait anymore.

 “That won’t do either!” Nangong Bi’s cheeks were red and feverish. She bit her lower lip and shook her head.

 Many people were walking around the tent. It would be so embarrassing if someone heard them!

 “Don’t worry. No one dares to come inside without my order!” Hu Dapao said. He lifted the girl to put her on his shoulder and particularly found a secluded route to go back to their tent because of her shyness.

 Nangong Bi struggled in embarrassment. Hu Dapao carried his wife back to the tent at full speed as though he was having an affair with some secret lover.

 Nangong Bi didn’t return to her seat until the banquet was almost over. She was bashful and sat next to Su Jiu with her head lowered and her eyes glistening.

 Su Jiu shot her a knowing look and chuckled near her ear, “What bad things did you do?”

 “Su Jiu!” Nangong Bi darted her a glance.

 Emperor Zhao Ping was tired after a day full of activities. He went back to rest a while ago. Xiao Lie and Nangong Shu were talking in low voice. The other people were half-drunk and chatting and laughing loudly with reddened faces.

 Yu Long was still sitting across Su Jiu with many obsequious women surrounding her. She seemed to be out of step with her companions. Sometimes she talked with other people, sometimes she poured herself wine and drank by herself. Her eyes kept glancing at Xiao Lie.

 Wu Qian was much more compliant now. She sat at the farthest back and didn’t dare to raise her head.

 Su Jiu didn’t waste her time either. She saw a familiar face.

 The person was sitting behind the wife of the new palace aide to the censor-in-chief. She was dressed as a maidservant with striking beauty. It was the most beautiful woman in Shengjing City, Lan Zhihui.

 Lan Zhihui was a concubine in Prince Zhao Manor. Xiao Jing, Prince Zhao, was confined in his manor for treason. All of his servants and concubines were removed. Some of them were sent into exile, some were sold off as slaves.

 Lan Zhihui was one of them. After many twists and turns, she entered the manor of the censor-in-chief to be a maidservant.

 It seemed like she had seen Su Jiu as well, as she lowered her head and didn’t dare to look to Su Jiu’s direction.

 After undergoing all kinds of hardships and tribulations, the arrogance in her heart had been worn out. She feared and resented Su Jiu at the same time but felt disheartened and gave up the idea of getting revenge.

 It was almost midnight when the banquet was over. Everyone returned to their tents to sleep. Maybe they were excited about camping in the mountain. The sound of whispering was still reverberating in the valleys later in the night.

 Nangong Bi and Su Jiu slept in the same tent. After midnight, two shadows sneaked out of the tent one followed the other.

 The valley quieted down completely. The bonfire smoldered out slowly and cast the shadows of the patrolling guards, interlacing with the shadows of the trees.

 Wu Qian, the daughter of the vice minister of the Ministry of Rites, was sleeping alone in a tent. She suddenly felt a pain on her neck in the middle of the night and fainted away before she could wake up and scream.

 Su Jiu took out a dagger and started to cut along the girl’s head.

 Even though Nangong Bi was rampant and arrogant, she had never done anything like this. Excited and enlivened, she whispered, “Su Jiu, you’re so ruthless!”

 She said it in an entirely admiring tone.

 Nangong Bi wasn’t there when Wu Qian provoked Su Jiu at the banquet. But she was extremely upset that Wu Qian criticized Su Jiu’s style to ingratiate herself with Yu Long. She saw how calm Su Jiu was at that time and thought Su Jiu mild-tempered and let it slide. Only until now, she realized that Su Jiu was much more aggressive than she was.

 Su Jiu moved quickly and finished her job in a short time. She looked at Miss Wu with satisfaction and laughed, “Let’s go. Go back to sleep!”

 Nangong Bi lowered Wu Qian back to the bed. She chuckled quietly and followed Su Jiu.

 Wu Qian woke up quite late the next morning. She rubbed her aching neck and shouted without opening her eyes to order her maidservants to come in.

 The young maidservant came in while holding the hot water. She gasped the moment she raised her head and saw Wu Qian. With a bang sound, the basin fell on the floor.

 Wu Qian was still angry about what happened last night. Now she was startled by her own maidservant. She scolded with a long face, “Little b*tch, what are you doing? Did you go hook up with guys last night? You can’t even hold up some water!”

 “No!” Panic-stricken, the young maidservant shook her head and pointed at Wu Qian’s head, said, “My lady, where is your hair?”

 “Ah?” Wu Qian froze for a second. She raised her hand to her head yet directly touched the slippery scalp. Her face changed in a flash. She jumped off the bed, lifted the blanket, and saw the black long hair stuffed inside.

 “Ah!” Wu Qian covered her head and shrilled.

 Wu Qian came with her father and only brought one maidservant. With this kind of thing happened, the young maidservant was out of her wits and had no other choice but to ask the Crown Princess Consort.

 Yu Long hurried to come while Wu Qian was hiding under the blanket and crying her heart out.

 Yu Long lifted the blanket and saw Wu Qian’s shaved head. Her eyes turned glacial at once.

 She already knew who the culprit was almost instantaneously.

 No one else but Su Jiu could sneak into Wu Qian’s without making any noise and calmly shaved her head.

 Su Jiu did this to Wu Qian naturally because Wu Qian mocked and insulted her yesterday.

 Yu Long put the blanket back on Wu Qian and said with a grave face, “Stop crying! I will arrange for people to send you home immediately!”

 The women’s hair couldn’t be cut without a legit reason, let alone being shaved off entirely. It was more humiliating for Wu Qian than killing her.

 Tears streaking down her face, the girl shivered and gripped on Yu Long’s sleeve and sobbed, “Who shaved my hair? Crown Princess Consort, you have to back me up and bring me justice!”

 “Yes! Such a horrendous act. I will definitely get to the bottom of it and report to the Emperor and the Crown Prince! You should go home now. The hair will grow back soon enough!” Yu Long said in a gentle voice.

 Wu Qian bent over the bed and couldn’t stop crying.

 After half an hour, wearing a black hat and a cloak, Wu Qian stepped out of the tent while being supported by her maidservant and walked to her horse carriage.

 “Hey! Isn’t this Miss Wu?” Nangong Bi came face to face and laughed, “What’s there unfit to be seen? Why are you wearing a hat?”

 The whip in her hand slashed at Wu Qian’s head before her voice faded away.

 Wu Qian stepped back while screaming.

 Yu Long’s face sunk. She pulled the ribbon on a maidservant’s waist and waved it to Nangong Bi’s whip.

 With a sound of ripping cloth, a dagger streaked across the air and cut apart the ribbon in Yu Long’s hand.

 Yu Long turned around her head abruptly and saw that Su Jiu was strolling toward them.

 Almost in the meantime, the whip in Nangong Bi’s hand already touched the hat on Wu Qian’s head and flipped it off.

 People around them gasped right away.

 All the ladies walking out of their tents stared together at the smooth and bright head under the sunshine.

 “Ah!” Wu Qian held her head and rushed back to her tent frantically.

 Yu Long’s face was as white as a sheet. She glared at Nangong Bi coldly, said, “Why does Miss Nangong have to push an innocent girl so far?”

 “She’s innocent? Why didn’t the Crown Princess Consort say she was innocent when she was insulting people?” Nangong Bi sneered.

 “So, you two shaved her hair simply because Miss Wu made a casual remark?”

 “Please be careful with what you’re saying, Crown Princess Consort. Did you see that we shaved her hair? Don’t wrongfully accuse people!” Nangong Bi confronted Yu Long fearlessly.

 Su Jiu walked to them and picked up the dagger on the ground. She pulled Nangong Bi to her tent and laughed, “Why don’t you hurry to dodge since it’s not you? What are you going to do if the Crown Princess Consort keeps pestering and saying it’s you?”

 “Ah! I’m so scared!” Nangong Bi patted her chest in a dramatic manner.

 “Come, I will rub it for you and offer you some comfort!” Su Jiu smiled coquettishly and reached her hand to Nangong Bi’s chest.

 “Go away!” Nangong Bi laughed and slapped on Su Jiu’s hand.

 Looking at Nangong Bi and Su Jiu waling away while echoing each other, Yu Long stood still with a pale and gloomy face and fierce eyes.

 After breakfast, the weather suddenly turned somber. A gale was blowing in the mountain, so Emperor Zhao Ping ordered the hunting would pause for a day.

 Nangong Bi was worried that Yu Long would tell on them before the Emperor. She went out to probe for information.

 Right after she stepped out of the tent, she saw a maidservant walking by with freshly-brewed tea. She ordered casually, “Bring the tea into this tent!”

 “Yes!” The maidservant nodded.

 The maidservant went into the tent and saw Su Jiu sitting behind the table. She hurried to lower her head and put down the tea.

 “Lady Zhihui, long time no see!” Su Jiu held the teacup and took a sip, smiled brightly.

 Lan Zhihui stopped hiding her face. She raised her head and looked at the young girl in front of her, only felt that she looked more and more like someone. Their charm and demeanor were becoming increasingly similar.

 “Doesn’t Lady Su fear that I may poison the tea?” The woman kneeled on the floor and said softly.

 “Does Miss Lan hate me because of Ji Yuxian or being kicked out of Robes Square?” Su Jiu asked.

 “Both!” Lan Zhihui said honestly.

 “Do you want to be the Young Mistress in the Ji Manor? Then why did you marry Su Yueqiu to Ji Yuxian?” Su Jiu asked.

 “Of course I wouldn’t help that Miss Su in achieving her aim if Ji Yuxian was willing to marry me.” Lan Zhihui answered in a quiet voice. She stared at Su Jiu and said candidly, “I will be honest. I went to Ji Yuxian before asked if he was still willing to marry me.”

 “What did he say?” Su Jiu held the teacup and pretended that she didn’t care much.

 “He turned me down. He even pushed me away when I threw myself at him!” Lan Zhihui forced a mirthless smile, mocking herself.

 Su Jiu’s hand that was holding the teacup trembled slightly. Eyes sparkling, she asked, “Was it the day you arranged Miss Su to marry into the mansion?”

 “Yes!”

 Su Jiu nodded knowingly.

 “Does Lady Lan like Ji Yuxian or Xiao Lie?” Su Jiu spoke in a relaxed voice as if she was a long-time friend with Lan Zhihui and was chatting with her casually.

 “What does it matter who I like? With my faded beauty, we are as far apart as clouds and mud! Maybe it was because I was spoiled by Ji Yuxian when I was at the Ji Manor. I forgot that I was someone who doesn’t have any background. Being arrogant and reckless only made me fell into the mud and turned even worse than commoners. To be honest, I’m very regretful. I regret that I didn’t accept Ji Yuxian’s proposal at that time, and I regret even more that I became resentful when he fell in love with you!”

 Lan Zhihui poured out her secret thoughts calmly. Her eyes were like a stretch of stagnant water, impassive, and blank.

 Her original arrogance had disappeared. Everyone was changing constantly.

 Su Jiu poured her a cup of tea, said, “What’s Lady Lan’s plan for the future? Do you still want to get your revenge from me?”

 “What can I plan for now!” Lan Zhihui ridiculed herself, continued to say, “Lady Su should kill me now. Because maybe I will still come to settle the score if I turn around and start over again!”

 Su Jiu raised her eyebrows, replied, “I will welcome you at any time!”

 Lan Zhihui stared at her straightly as if she wanted to understand her thoughts. She answered softly after a while, “Why is Lady Su still with the Crown Prince? Ji Yuxian likes you so much. Don’t let him down and follow my beaten track!”

 She saw that Su Jiu was sitting together with Xiao Lie last night at the banquet. Naturally, she thought the two were still involved.

 Su Jiu lifted her eyes and looked at her, said seriously, “I won’t be like you!”

 Lan Zhihui was in a daze. She didn’t know if Su Jiu meant she wouldn’t be as dejected as her, or that she wouldn’t disappoint Ji Yuxian.

 At the moment, a woman’s voice sounded outside of the door, “Is Lady Su here?”

 Lan Zhihui wanted to stand up and leave right away, yet her arm was held down by Su Jiu. Su Jiu sai,d “Stay here!”

 “Come in!” Su Jiu emptied the cup of tea for Lan Zhihui and answered in a gentle voice.

 The curtain was lifted. The maidservant Hong Xiu was standing outside, waiting for her master Yu Long to go in.

 Yu Long walked in with slow steps. She fixated her eyes on Su Jiu in silence.

 Lan Zhihui baked a few steps and kneeled behind Su Jiu with her head hanging low as if she was Su Jiu’s maidservant.

 Rather than standing up, Su Jiu leaning on the pillow leisurely. She held the teacup and sipping the tea like a handsome young man. She raised her brows and said with a smile, “Crown Princess Consort honors me with your gracious presence. I wonder what brought you here?”

 Yu Long looked at her calmly and said, “Su Jiu, the grievances between us don’t need to implicate other people. Wu Qian only made some ignorant comments. She was already humiliated from being scolded by His Highness last night. Why did you have to be so vicious to the extent of shaving her head? You know how mortifying it is for a woman to have her hair shaved off. If she took things too hard and killed herself, Lady Su, you would be the one who took her life!”

 Su Jiu chuckled, “Yu Long, the thing that I admire you the most is that you can always assume a holier-than-thou attitude and speak in front of people with assurance as if justice is on your side, no matter what kind of filthy business you conduct in the back! I admit with regret my inferiority! Besides, shaving Wu Qian’s hair had nothing to do with you. You don’t have to assume that everything is about you. I shaved her head to teach her lesson and warn her to watch her tongue. Not everyone in the world would spoil her as she wishes! She made insulting remarks and affronted people she shouldn’t mess with, people like me who would seek revenge for petty grievance. So she has to pay the price!”

 Yu Long sneered, “I hurt Lady Su. How does Lady Su want me to pay?”

 Su Jiu fondled the teacup in her hand in an offhand way. A sly look flashed in her eyes. She said, “I haven’t decided yet. Maybe I will sneak into the Crown Princess Consort’s room some night and shave your head or carve out your eyes. It all depends on my mood. So please be careful, Crown Princess Consort. Don’t sleep too soundly at night.”

 “Su Jiu!” Yu Long’s face turned grave. She said, “You can tell me straightforwardly what you want me to do. I’m not that easy to be intimidated!”

 “It’s good that you’re brave. I’m actually afraid of scaring you to death by accident!” Su Jiu’s lips curled up into a smile yet her tone was icily cold.

 The gale was blowing outside of the tent, while the air inside was stagnant and almost condensed into frost and snow.

 “Crown Princess Consort!” Hong Xiu suddenly lifted the curtain and walked in and spoke hastily, “Crown Prince His Highness is coming in this direction!”

 Needless to say, Xiao Lie was coming to find Su Jiu. With a cold look in her eyes, Su Jiu turned around and was about to leave. She didn’t want Xiao Lie to know that she came to see Su Jiu.

 “Since you came, why don’t you spend more time here? What’s the rush?” Su Jiu said unexpectedly. She stood up abruptly and outstretched her hand and tapped on Yu Long’s and Hong Xiu’s bodies.

 The two were attacked on their vital points and couldn’t move. They stared at Su Jiu in shock and didn’t know what she wanted to do.

 Su Jiu held a dagger and made gestures near Yu Long’s eyes. A mischievous smile displayed on her delicate face. She said, “Do you think Xiao Lie would blink if I carve out your eyes in front of him?”

 Yu Long didn’t panic. She remained composed and looked at her calmly.

 Su Jiu had to give her special regard for her courage and insight.

 Su Jiu shrugged and laughed, “Don’t worry. I won’t dig out your eyes. Because many great shows are coming and I need the Crown Princess Consort to watch with your own eyes!”

 The footsteps sounded outside of the tent. Su Jiu shoved Yu Long and Hong Xiu under her bed. She threw them in casually without caring if the master or the servant was deeper inside, then she put down the bed canopy.

 Dumbfounded, Lan Zhihui looked at the scene and didn’t know what Su Jiu planned to do. She stood up and said, “I will go back now!”

 She didn’t want to meet Xiao Lie!

 As down-and-out as she was, everything had changed. She would rather never see him again!

 “What’s the rush? Sit for a bit longer!” Su Jiu pressed on Lan Zhihui’s shoulder and sat her down again.

 The bell on the outside of the tent rang. The curtain tent was lifted and the upright figure of the man walked in.

 Lan Zhihui immediately lowered her head.

 Xiao Lie’s deep and gentle eyes were fixed on Su Jiu. He said with a smile, “You didn’t go out?”

 Su Jiu’s face was emotionless. She asked, “What does Crown Prince Your Highness want?”

 Xiao Lie went closer to her and gazed at her attentively, said, “Nothing. I just miss you!”

 Lan Zhihui glimpsed at the bed by instinct.

 “Your Highness is joking. If the Crown Princess Consort heard what you said, she would misunderstand me again!” Su Jiu chuckled gently and quietly.

 “Ah Jiu, you knew for a fact that I would never be with her. I married her just to save the Imperial Father. For all of my life, you’re the only person I love!” Xiao Lie said genuinely.

 Lan Zhihui’s heart trembled. She suddenly understood why Su Jiu insisted on keeping Yu Long here.

 There was nothing more tormenting for a woman than hearing her husband saying things like this.

 Somehow, a sense of glee rushed to her heart.

 “Oh? You still love me?” Su Jiu asked casually.

 “Of course! Ah Jiu, give me some time. I promise I will give you a satisfying answer!” Xiao Lie’s eyes were dark and unfathomable. He pledged earnestly.

 “But how will I settle the accounts for being severely injured and pushed off the cliff?” An icy look appeared in Su Jiu’s bright eyes.

 “How do you want to settle it?” Xiao Lie asked.

 Eyes sparkling, Su Jiu rested her chin in her hand, said, “I haven’t thought it through!”

 “I will do anything for you as long as you are willing to forgive me!” Xiao Lie kneeled in front of her. He looked at her with his keen eyes and grasped on her wrists.

 Su Jiu shook off his hand and curled up her lips, asked, “You will do anything I say?”

 “Yes, as long as you don’t stay mad at me!”

 “Good. Then, you, ” Su Jiu paused, then suddenly pointed at Lan Zhihui who was facing the ground, “You marry her!”

 Kneeling behind Su Jiu, Lan Zhihui suddenly raised her head, astonished.

 Xiao Lie’s face changed. He didn’t realize Lan Zhihui was here until now. He asked in a cold voice, “Why are you here?”

 “I… I came to serve Lady Su her tea!” Lan Zhihui became panic-stricken.

 “What do you want to do to Ah Jiu now?” The man’s voice was frigid and menacing.

 “Your Highness, please judge judiciously! I didn’t do anything!” Lan Zhihui prostrated herself flatly on the floor.

 Su Jiu’s expression became somber at once. She put the teacup on the table heavily and said, “Did I ask you to question her?”

 Xiao Lie immediately said, “Ah Jiu, she wanted to kill you before. Did you forget?”

 “So many more people who want to kill me. I’m still sitting here safe and sound, right? I’m asking if your words from moments ago still count? I asked you to marry her. Will you do it?” Su Jiu darted him a glare.

 Xiao Lie’s eyebrows knitted tightly together. He said, “Ah Jiu, don’t act rashly out of spite!”

 “I’m not acting out of spite. I’m serious!” Su Jiu said.

 “Ah Jiu.”

 “There is no point to come to me again if Your Highness can’t keep your words. Please leave!” Su Jiu turned her back on him with a resolute attitude.

 Xiao Lie looked at her with frustration. Emotions surging and rolling in his eyes. After a while, he said in a low voice, “You really want me to marry her?”

 Su Jiu nodded, “Yes!”

 Xiao Lie turned his eyes on Lan Zhihui and asked, “Where are you serving now?”

 Lan Zhihui answered vacantly, “I am a servant in the manor of the censor-in-chief.”

 “Alright. I will notify Minister Liu later. You don’t need to go back anymore. Stay with me from now on!” Xiao Lie said in an impassive tone.

 Lan Zhihui raised her head and looked at him in disbelief. She then turned to look at Su Jiu and said, “Lady Su, I can’t follow His Highness. I have already…”

 “Haven’t you admired His Highness for many years?” Su Jiu interrupted her and said, “Now your dream finally came true. No need to say anything else. From now on, you belong to the Crown Prince His Highness.”

 Lan Zhihui’s lips trembled. She prostrated herself in front of Su Jiu and said, “Thank you, Lady Su!”

 “You don’t need to thank me. Thank His Highness!” Su Jiu raised her eyebrows and smiled at Xiao Lie.

 Xiao Lie gazed at her. His eyes were filled with frustration, affection, and indulgent. Anyhow, he would do whatever she wanted to make her happy.

 Lan Zhihui left with Xiao Lie. The tent quieted down. Su Jiu stood up and pulled Yu Long and her maidservant out from underneath the bed and released them from paralysis from acupoint attack.

 Yu Long fell on the carpet. Her face was frighteningly pale and somber and her eyes were brimmed with resentment and bitterness.

 “Crown Princess Consort, how are you?” Hong Xiu stood up to help Yu Long up the moment she could move again.

 “Su Jiu, you will not end well for what you did to our Crown Princess Consort!” Su Jiu glared at Su Jiu and said furiously.

 Su Jiu shrugged indifferently, said, “Then let’s see what other tricks the Crown Princess Consort has in her sleeves to deal with Su Jiu!”

 She was looking forward to it.

 Yu Long flicked her sleeves out of anger. She glowered at Su Jiu then turned around and walked out.

 Hong Xiu hurried to follow her.

 The two happened to run into Nangong Bi who was coming back to the tent. Nangong Bi and Yu Long bumped into each other. Yu Long didn’t even bother to maintain her usual manner and left in a haste.

 Nangong Bi snorted at the view of her back and went into the tent, asked, “What was she doing here?”

 Judging by Yu Long’s look, she probably didn’t get to take any advantage.

 Su Jiu’s eyebrows arched. She said, “Perhaps the Crown Princess Consort isn’t happy that the Crown Prince just married a concubine!”

 “Ah? Xiao Lie took a concubine? Who is she?” Nangong Bi asked in astonishment.

 “You will know soon enough!”