Ling'er still looked a little worried.
"It's all right. I've already accounted for everything. He's cunning, but I'm no fool either."
"..."
All that persuasion did no good whatsoever.
Ling'er grew even more worried.
When she had first arrived at the Southern Pacifying King's Residence, the servants had constantly bullied her, even splashing water over her in winter.
They had forced her to do strenuous physical labor, so she knew better than anyone what it felt like to be bullied.
Besides, the Princess Consort had even cried last night.
What should I do? How can I help the Princess Consort?
The little maid was weighed down with anxiety, terribly worried about her mistress.
Just then, a knock sounded outside.
The Princess Consort quickly rose and, imitating the tricks of the seductive vixens in the book, deliberately disheveled her clothes a little.
Then she stuffed the little maid beneath the bed.
Biting her lip, she walked toward the courtyard gate.
She sneered as she walked.
You fiend, just you wait. I've thoroughly mastered the first move in the Booklet. Tonight will be the night you die.
Creak!
The lantern swayed, and the gate opened.
The Princess Consort of the Southern Pacifying King looked just as she had last night,
wearing that long dress as thin as gauze.
She was supple and graceful, her elegance entirely natural.
And with the first encounter awkward and the second familiar, she was no longer as shy as before.
She simply leaned against the gate, suppressing the pain in her body as she gazed tenderly at Fang Yang.
"Demon Venerable, I've prepared a surprise for you today. I guarantee it's something you've never seen or heard of before. I certainly won't disappoint you."
"Oh? Really? As it happens, I've prepared a surprise for you too, Princess Consort. It won't disappoint you either."
"Then please come inside."
The gate to Wutong Courtyard slowly closed, and the two entered the room, one after the other.
It was the same room, the same bed.
The lantern light rippled like watery mist, enveloping the entire room, which brimmed with amorous promise.
With graceful movements, the Princess Consort of the Southern Pacifying King set the lantern in a corner. Looking at Fang Yang's smiling, unguarded face, she secretly rejoiced.
It seems my acting is quite good after all. This fiend probably really believes I've given myself to him.
And this was only the first step of her plan.
Next, she would keep cooperating with him, letting this fiend lower his guard further,
until... she found the perfect opportunity to assassinate him.
Meanwhile, Fang Yang sat on the edge of the bed and watched the Princess Consort of the Southern Pacifying King bend over to light the candles. He couldn't help letting out a small sigh of relief too.
He had been afraid that behaving differently from the fiend would arouse her suspicions and expose him.
From the looks of it, my acting is beyond question.
From beginning to end, the Princess Consort had shown no suspicion whatsoever.
Good. This is the first step of my plan. Next, I'll put the power of learning to full use.
And rack up a whole heap of affection.
"How are you feeling today, Princess Consort?"
He spoke with a smile.
You fiend, you know perfectly well!
The Princess Consort clenched her teeth. Even now, she could still feel a dull ache throughout her body, but she couldn't let the fiend give up and bring her assassination plan crashing down.
She could only endure the pain and say with a radiant smile,
"Very well. It's just... not quite well enough."
She's not very satisfied? Looks like I'll have to give it everything today.
Fang Yang frowned. While the Princess Consort wasn't looking, he took out the Pill the Spring Passion Hall Disciple had given him that day and popped it into his mouth.
Only then did he feel a little more confident.
Beneath the dim yellow candlelight, the two sat facing each other.
After exchanging just a few words, both felt there was little left to say.
Eventually, the Princess Consort grew impatient, gripping the Hairpin hidden in her sleeve.
She only wanted to get her revenge as soon as possible.
"Demon Venerable, it's already late. Why don't we retire early?"
She's in such a hurry. It looks like she really is dissatisfied with me. No, I absolutely can't let my cover slip!
Fang Yang popped another Pill into his mouth.
His expression, however, remained as calm as still water.
"All right!"
Puff!
The candlelight went out.
Two silhouettes slowly drew closer.
Just before blowing out the candle, the Princess Consort happened to meet the White Snow Lion Cat's resentful gaze.
Judging by its posture, the cat was itching to leap over and give her a couple of scratches.
Guilt filled her eyes. She grabbed a piece of cloth from nearby and covered the cat's eyes.
"Meow?!"
The White Snow Lion Cat was utterly dumbfounded.
The first page!
The first page!
Amid the rippling night, both recalled the Booklet they had studied that day.
They began to act.
The Princess Consort bit her lip, her cheeks burning crimson with shame, but for the sake of revenge, she moved anyway.
Fang Yang looked equally resolute, paying attention to every detail of his movements.
Closer and closer...
Excitement surged through the Princess Consort again. Her sleeve slipped, and the Hairpin was already in her hand.
Next, she only needed to entice this Demon Venerable into lowering his guard.
Her eyes glittered with excitement.
But very soon, she sensed something was wrong.
Why does what this fiend is doing look so familiar?
An ominous premonition rose within her. She suspected she would end up giving herself away for nothing again tonight.
Never mind. I'll give it a try.
Fang Yang's brows were likewise tightly furrowed.
Strange. Why does this move look like something I've seen somewhere before?
Forget it. None of that matters.
What matters most is that I give it everything I've got!
Each harboring their own secret schemes, both embraced with grim determination.
"You fiend, tonight you're going to die... mmm."
The night swirled around them.
Inside the room, the White Snow Lion Cat clutched the cloth in its paws, not only covering its eyes but plugging its ears too.
Fang Yang noticed none of this.
Or rather, he had no time to notice.
Right now, all he wanted was to rely on his acting and stamina to maintain his persona and build affection.
To keep himself from falling into the abyss.
Thus, he failed to notice what was happening within that hidden cave in his mind.
Ye Qinghong's statue knelt on the ground, his cheeks flushed crimson. The red thread entwining him and Fang Yang trembled continuously, giving off a faint glow.
And at some unknown point, three new characters had appeared on the attribute panel above his head.
[Watching the battle]
Chapter 15: A Heart in Turmoil
Before you continue