The servants and maids arrived to prepare dinner. Xiao Lan watched nervously as they poured soup into the bowls. Her hands shook slightly, eyes following every movement, terrified of making a mistake.
"Hi, Xiao Lan!" A Li greeted while arranging the utensils. The eldest princess's maid spoke calmly, but it only made Xiao Lan more nervous. Her fingers fumbled, and the bowl slipped—crash!
The porcelain shattered on the floor. Xiao Lan dropped to her knees, carefully gathering the pieces. "I'm sorry, Sister A Li," she whispered, her face burning with shame.
A Li bent slightly, confusion in her eyes. "It's okay… it's okay. You don't need to say sorry." She wondered silently why Xiao Lan seemed so afraid—was it because of the eldest princess's vicious reputation?
Xiao Lan gasped as her hand pricked on the shattered porcelain. "Xiao Lan, you're bleeding!" A Li exclaimed.
"It's just a small cut, Sister. Did you bring the food for Her Highness?" Her voice trembled slightly as she tried to hide the pain.
She reached for the jade bowl in A Li's hand. "Let me help you," she said, pouring the soup carefully. The fragrant vegetarian soup made her smile faintly at A Li, hoping to ease the tension.
A Li nodded, though puzzled by Xiao Lan's devotion. A pang of pity struck her as she realized the little girl must have been forced to cook. "You don't have to help in the kitchen. You're not a maid," she said gently. The two other servants in the kitchen lowered their heads, embarrassed and ashamed at A Li's words.
Xiao Lan knew well that no one forced her to help, yet she didn't clear the misunderstanding. Instead, she only smiled and shook her head, painting herself as the picture of a wronged, pitiful girl.
Once all the dishes were arranged on the tray, she offered to help A Li carry them to Her Highness. A Li refused. "All food for Her Highness must pass the Golden Needle poison test. I have to do it myself…"
Panic surged within her—if A Li tested it, wouldn't she discover the poison? And if that happened, suspicion would surely fall on her. What about the soup already served by the other maids and servants? Were those tested too?
Her heart raced, fists clenched. Pretending to stumble, she knocked the tray, sending the food crashing to the ground. Bowls shattered, soup spilling across the floor. "Ahh… Sister, I'm sorry! I was careless!" she cried, masking her true intent behind her clumsy act.
A Li frowned and let out a small sigh. "These were Her Highness's favorite utensils…" she murmured.
Xiao Lan's eyes welled with tears as she dropped to her knees. "Sister, this is my fault… I will beg forgiveness from Her Highness for breaking them."
A Li's heart softened. How could she let the girl bear such blame? She had served the Eldest Princess for many years and knew well—aside from Lang Huan, Her Highness was never gentle with anyone. Yet seeing Xiao Lan cry, she could not bring herself to be harsh.
"No need," A Li said softly. "We still have another set. I'll cook something else for Her Highness."
Xiao Lan nodded quickly, pretending to wipe her tears, though inside she hid her relief and secret thoughts.
That night, everyone ate heartily. From outside the window, Xiao Lan peeked into the dining hall, praying they would all die. Her eyes swept across the room—only the ordinary guards were eating. Qiu Yue was nowhere to be seen, and Wu Ming hadn't touched her food. A flicker of disappointment crossed Xiao Lan's gaze. If Feng Yao's guards were gone, her path would be far easier.
Wu Ming was waiting for Lang Ruhua, who still hadn't appeared. The soup had already gone cold—had she forgotten to eat? At last, she rose from her seat and stepped out of the dining hall to look for her.
Then came the sound of groans. One by one, the diners collapsed—the Emperor, Wei Yanzhou, the guards, even General Wu and Master Xuan Kai. Bowls toppled, soup spilled, and the dining hall fell into chaos in an instant.
Hearing the cries, Wu Ming rushed inside. Xiao Lan trailed after her. She had never killed before—in one night, countless lives had fallen by her hand.
Her hands trembled, yet she forced herself to stand still, watching quietly as her victims writhed in agony.
"Help!" Wu Ming shouted, her voice breaking.
Qiu Yue rushed in, kneeling beside the fallen. After checking their symptoms, she said, "They've been poisoned."
She rose quickly, face tense. "I'll search for the antidote in Old Bai's room. Wu Ming, stay here."
Xiao Lan's eyes widened. Antidote? There's an antidote? Why didn't I think of that? Darkness stirred in her heart. No… they must die.
Qiu Yue hurried back, clutching a small vial. "Here's the antidote! Give it to Master Xuan Kai—he's still breathing!" She carefully poured it into his mouth. His body convulsed violently, vomiting a thick, tar-like substance before forcing himself into meditation.
She quickly moved to give the antidote to the others, but none could be saved—including the Emperor. Her chest tightened as the weight of the disaster settled on her. How could she report this to Her Highness?
Xiao Lan, not wanting to arouse suspicion and to smooth her plan, forced herself to sip the soup while everyone else was distracted. Moments later, she cried out in pain, clutching her chest and throat before collapsing to the ground. Groaning weakly, she writhed in agony until Qiu Yue rushed over and quickly gave her the antidote.
The poison raged through her veins until darkness claimed her.
"Xiao Lan!" Qiu Yue shouted, panic flooding her voice as she scooped the girl into her arms and carried her to the bedroom.
---
Wu Ming knelt before the eldest princess, her voice low and heavy.
"Your Highness… something terrible has happened. Someone poisoned tonight's dinner. The emperor… has passed away. Along with him, the guards, Wei Yanzhou, and General Wu also lost their lives."
Wu Ming did not dare lift her eyes. The room fell into a suffocating silence. "Since the eunuchs and guards accompanying the emperor were killed during the journey, the security around His Majesty had weakened, and his harsh temper made everyone keep their distance."
"Who did it?"
She shook her head, fists tightening against the floor. "This subordinate… does not know."
A Li, who had been standing quietly at her side, spoke up. "I recall seeing Xiao Lan in the kitchen last night, together with two other servants helping to prepare the meal. Nothing about it seemed suspicious."
"Xiao Lan?" The princess arched a brow, surprised.
A Li explained softly, "It seemed the servants had forced her to help."
Feng Yao's gaze turned cold. Whoever the culprit was, they had ruined everything. She had been planning to compel the emperor into issuing a decree, granting her the throne before she returned to Luo City. With his sudden death, her plans lay in ruins. The fourth prince had already declared himself crown prince. If news of the emperor's passing spread, nothing would stand in his way of seizing the throne.
"This must remain a secret. Anyone who knows of it outside my people… must die."
"Understood, Your Highness. Qiu Yue is still investigating the matter. Once there is news, we will report at once."
With a flick of her sleeve, the eldest princess dismissed both Wu Ming and A Li. Silence settled heavily over the room once more.
Her royal father was gone. After the cruelty he had shown to her mother and to herself, Feng Yao had believed she would feel nothing at his passing. Yet to her surprise, a dull ache still lingered in her heart.
Feng Yao walked into the inner room. The heavy air of plotting and poison seemed to fade as she sat at the edge of the bed. Her expression softened when her gaze fell on the sleeping figure.
Fingers brushed gently over Lang Huan's face, tracing her smooth skin. "Lazy little brat, when will you wake up?" she whispered.
Her hand lingered, gliding to the girl's lips. Unable to resist, Feng Yao leaned down and pressed her lips to them. Lang Huan stirred faintly, as if pulled from the depths of slumber. The familiar scent enveloping her left no doubt in her mind.
Instinctively, her lips responded, and her hand slipped around Feng Yao's back. The sudden touch made Feng Yao stiffen in surprise, her eyes widening at the unexpected response.
Lang Huan slowly opened her eyes. "Your Highness, why are you stealing my kiss?" She gently reached up, pulling Feng Yao down onto the bed and wrapping her arms around her.
"Lang Huan…" Feng Yao gasped softly.
Lang Huan leaned in and kissed Feng Yao's shoulder and neck, savoring the scent she had longed for.
Feng Yao's fingers tangled in her hair, stroking gently. "Lang Huan… are you okay? You always make me worry."
She wanted to say she was afraid of losing the little brat, but the words stuck in her throat. Her naturally cold and distant demeanor made it impossible to speak. All she could do was hope that Lang Huan understood her heart.
Lang Huan looked into her eyes and pecked her forehead. "I know you worry about me. I promise I'll never leave you, no matter what. You're the only one I have in this world," she said, though in her heart she added, …and also Lang Ruhua.
"In this world?" Feng Yao raised an eyebrow. She had many suspicions about Lang Huan's origins after that night. Whoever you are… I hope you're not Ye Lang Huan. I don't want you to hate me for what I've done.