Xin Jiuwei's lips curved into that cold arc again, carrying an almost cruel clarity: "Your Highness is right, it's a win-win situation. I, Xin Jiuwei, am all alone, with only a worthless life, and there's nothing I can't risk. The future of the Xin family, my brother's future, my sister's happiness... these are worth risking my crippled body to play this grand show with Your Highness."

She leaned slightly closer to him, her warm breath almost brushing against his straight nose. Her voice was extremely low, carrying a fatal allure and a chilling edge: "But Your Highness, once this play begins, it's not something you can stop at will. If Your Highness wants to act out unwavering love, I will act out a picture of perfect harmony with you. If Your Highness wants to act out a story of undying devotion, I will make the whole world believe that Your Highness is head over heels for me. But..."

Her gaze slowly moved down, landing on his right hand, which was wrapped in blood-stained bandages, then on his left hand, which was tightly gripping his ankle, and finally settled on his deep pupils, each word clear and distinct:

“Your Highness must remember, actors are heartless. Your Highness uses me, and I will use Your Highness in return. I am determined to take the position of ‘Sixth Prince’s Consort’ that Your Highness has given me! I am determined to take the ‘backer’ that Your Highness has promised me! As for whether Your Highness will set me free after the matter is settled… I’m afraid that is not up to Your Highness.”

Her voice was soft, yet it carried a resolute determination and a desire for control, as if everything would perish. She was no longer a passive pawn; she would use this "Princess Consort" pawn to drag Xiao Xun onto her chariot! She would use his power to reclaim everything that belonged to the Xin family! As for so-called freedom... ha, when she possessed enough power, why would she need anyone else's charity for her freedom?

Xiao Xun stared intently into her cold, resolute eyes, so close to his own. His heart felt as if it had been gripped tightly by an invisible hand, then suddenly released, bringing a strange tremor and…an unprecedented wariness. For the first time, he realized with such clarity that he had not provoked a docile bird, but a ferocious beast in beautiful plumage, ready to devour him at any moment. She saw through his manipulation, accepted it calmly, and even intended to manipulate him in return! This realization sent a chill down his spine, yet strangely ignited a thrilling excitement, as if he had met his match.

He slowly released his grip on her wrists and ankles. The blood from her injured right hand seeped even deeper into the white cloth, becoming a darker stain. He braced himself on his knees and slowly stood up. His tall figure loomed over her again, bringing a heavy sense of oppression.

"Alright." He uttered a single word, his voice regaining its usual coldness, yet seemingly carrying something indescribable. "Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), I will send someone to fetch you to the palace to visit the Empress Dowager. Remember your words."

He didn't look at her again, turned around, his dark cloak drawing a cold, hard arc in the night wind, and strode away into the darkness outside the courtyard gate.

The door closed again, shutting out the cold moonlight and the strong, complex scent left by the man. The air was thick with the suffocating smell of blood, burnt flesh, and his chilling, pine-ink-like aura.

Xin Jiuwei stood there, her bare feet on the cold floor tiles, the lingering heat of his palm still seeming on her ankles. She slowly raised her hand, looking at the red marks on her wrist where he had pinched her, then looked down at her ankle, where a faint ring of finger marks remained.

"Heh..." A very soft, cold laugh escaped from her pale lips. She slowly walked to the still-warm ashes of the charcoal brazier, squatted down, and stretched out her fingertips to gently brush the charred, unburnt remnants of the brocade. The cool ashes touched her fingertips.

"Sixth Prince's Consort..." she murmured softly, as if chewing on a colossal irony. She suddenly tightened her grip, crushing the fragment even more, sending grayish-black powder fluttering down.

“Miss…” Xin Kui’s worried voice rang out.

Xin Jiuwei stood up, all emotion vanishing from her face, leaving only an icy calm. "Prepare water, I want to bathe." She paused, then added in a completely flat voice, "Use the strongest soap, prepare plenty."

She wanted to wash away all the scheming, humiliation, and... that lingering scent of him.

The next day, the first quarter of the chen hour begins.

A blue-draped carriage, adorned with royal insignia yet understated, pulled up precisely at the gate. The eunuch driving the carriage had an ordinary face but sharp, eagle-like eyes; he was one of Xiao Xun's trusted confidants, named You Ye.

Xin Jiuwei had already finished washing and dressing. She didn't dress up elaborately, but simply wore a plain and elegant moon-white brocade dress, over which she wore a thin silk jacket of the same color with light blue ivory trim. Her black hair was tied into a simple single bun, with a plain white jade hairpin at an angle, and she wore no other ornaments. This attire was neither too shabby nor impolite, but just right for the simple and dignified manner required for "visiting the ailing Empress Dowager," and it was also consistent with her status as a "daughter of a lower-class noble family."

Xin Kui, still dressed in a neat maid's outfit, silently followed behind her, her eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

You Ye bowed respectfully but not obsequiously: "Miss Xin, His Highness is waiting outside the palace gate. Please follow me into the carriage."

Xin Jiuwei nodded slightly and calmly boarded the carriage. The interior was simply furnished and filled with the elegant scent of cold plum blossoms, which diluted the suffocating pine and ink smell of the previous night.

The carriage moved smoothly along the streets in the early morning, its wheels making a monotonous rumbling sound as they rolled over the cobblestones. Xin Jiuwei closed her eyes to rest, suppressing all her turbulent emotions deep within her heart, her face showing only a calm and indifferent expression.

About half an hour later, the carriage stopped. You Ye's voice came: "Third Miss, we've arrived."

Xin Jiuwei opened her eyes and, with Xin Kui's help, got out of the carriage. Before her stood towering palace walls, the massive vermilion gates tightly shut, with only a side gate open for passage. The morning light cast a pale golden glow on the cold palace walls, but it could not dispel the overwhelming solemnity and oppression.

Xiao Xun was indeed already waiting there. He had changed into a prince's everyday robe, black with a four-clawed dragon embroidered in gold thread, which made his figure appear even more upright and imposing. He stood with his back to the palace gate, hands behind his back, and slowly turned around when he heard footsteps.

Their eyes met.

Xin Jiuwei clearly saw the fleeting scrutiny in his eyes. He was assessing her state, evaluating whether she was ready to "act." She lowered her eyes slightly, avoiding his gaze, and gave a demure curtsy: "Your Highness." Her voice was calm and even.

Xiao Xun's gaze lingered for a moment on her plain dress and lowered eyelashes, seemingly surprised by her "docility," but he didn't say anything more, only saying lightly, "Come with me." He turned and walked towards the palace gate first.