"Thank you for your teachings, Mother Consort," the two consorts and four concubines bowed their heads in agreement, appearing very obedient.

Empress Dowager Xiao's gaze grew even colder, and her tone even more indifferent: "In another twenty days, the Ninth Prince and his new wife will be entering the manor. There will surely be quite a spectacle at the manor. You all need to help Consort Jia make the arrangements well, and not let our Prince Su's manor lose face."

The two concubines and four maids smiled slightly and answered in unison, "Yes."

This old hag gave them a stern lecture, but she didn't take charge of the wedding herself, which shows that she didn't take that bandit girl seriously either.

Otherwise, how could there be a situation where the elders don't take charge when the daughter-in-law enters the family, but instead order the concubines to welcome the mistress?

He dismissed the two concubines and four mistresses.

Wang Mama watched them leave, naturally not missing the subtle undercurrents of emotion hidden in their eyes, and couldn't help but whisper, "Your Highness, this Consort Jia..."

"No one can stop the Ninth Prince from bringing back the people he wants, unless he doesn't want to," Consort Xiao said impatiently, rubbing her temples. "I'm afraid my headache is about to flare up again. Summon Imperial Physician Gao to take a look at me."

Granny Wang agreed, a knowing glint flashing in her shrewd old eyes.

Dianxiang Pavilion.

As soon as Qing Sang and Rong Ju entered the inner room, they anxiously grabbed "Consort Jia's" hand and said urgently, "Huan Ying, what should we do? If the princess really kills that female bandit, this old hag in the manor might really exterminate our entire clan."

Huan Ying reached out and peeled off the human skin mask from her face, letting out a cold, mournful laugh: "Nine clans? Where do we still have nine clans? So that bandit must die, and the Ninth Prince must die too!"

Qing Sang and Rong Ju were startled, then suddenly realized: Yes, they were already slaves of a conquered nation, their parents and relatives scattered and sent to various countries, regions, and households to serve as slaves and maids. Even if their country were restored one day, they might not be able to find them all; how could they possibly have their entire family?

The early summer rain pattered down, creating a noisy patter on the branches and leaves in the dark, dense forest.

The night sky was pitch black, and at the foot of the majestic Weinan Mountain, it was so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

Most of the wedding procession members were asleep, with only a few soldiers occasionally keeping watch under makeshift rain shelters. The faint firelight and the constant, repetitive noise could easily numb one's senses.

A nimble black figure moved silently between the tents under the cover of darkness and the sound of rain, like a ghost.

Finally, she successfully approached the largest tent in the middle.

She wanted to lift the tent flap to see what was inside, but she was worried that the person was too alert and would be awakened by the slight noise. After struggling and hesitating for a moment, she gave up, uncorked the medicine bottle in her hand, and walked around the tent.

Having done all this, the dark figure stood once more at the tent entrance, his hands clenched into fists, his eyes flashing with a light as dark as the night. Finally, he turned and plunged back into the night rain, disappearing into the forest.

A moment later.

The thorns and grasses in the mountains trembled, and a low hissing sound, perfectly concealed by the night rain, quickly approached the camp.

The soldiers on night watch still didn't notice that countless venomous snakes and insects were surging out of the mountains like a rising tide, heading towards the largest tent they were guarding.

In the dimly lit tent, venomous snakes and insects swarmed in.

Shang Xiye opened his eyes and looked at another bed three zhang away. The rainy night was slightly cool, and the little female bandit was sleeping soundly wrapped in a brocade quilt. He reached for the tinderbox beside his pillow and flicked it at the brightest oil lamp in the tent, instantly illuminating the tent.

Colorful venomous snakes and insects had crawled all over half of the tent, and many were already close to the two men's bed.