A secluded courtyard inside the city walls.
Two beds.
Two women were lying on the couch.
A Taoist priest dressed in a blue robe with white hair and beard looked at Pei Qing, who seemed like an immortal, and asked in a low voice, "Does the Imperial Preceptor really intend to do this?"
Pei Qing, dressed in white, stood in the center, looking at Jiang Rongrong lying on the bed, his usually indifferent eyes showing a hint of emotion.
Since he could remember, he had always been without desires and rarely felt emotions. He thought he would live a mundane life in the capital, but he never expected to meet Jiang Rongrong.
He initially disliked her; he abhorred deception, and Jiang Rongrong's act of marrying in his place had deceived him.
It wasn't until later, when Jiang Rongrong shielded him from the Cold Flower Poison, that he finally took the old woman seriously.
Now that he realized that being married in place of another wasn't entirely a bad thing, Chu Mo decided to take Jiang Rongrong away.
How could such a good thing happen?
Pei Qing lowered her eyes and looked at Jiang Fei on the other bed. She resembled Rongrong in appearance, and wasn't she looking for Chu Mo? Just like when she asked Rongrong to marry in her place, since she loved Chu Mo, he had fulfilled her wish.
This is how it should be.
"Hmm." Pei Qing nodded, took a half step back, and looked at the Taoist priest. "Thank you for your trouble, sir."
The Taoist shook his head, walked to Jiang Fei's bedside, and carefully examined her face, not missing a single detail, from her complexion to the shape of her bones.
Then he turned around and walked to Jiang Rongrong's bedside, observing her carefully for a long time.
"To disguise one's appearance, one must cut open the back of the sword. I urge the Imperial Preceptor to step aside!"
Pei Qing glanced at Jiang Rongrong one last time before turning and walking outside.
The guards hurriedly followed behind.
"Send someone to keep watch here. After disguising themselves, bring Princess Changning to see me."
"Yes," the guard replied respectfully, then suddenly remembered something, "Sir, Princess Changning is His Majesty's most beloved..."
"The prince consort plotted a rebellion, yet the princess remained steadfast in her loyalty. What's the problem?" Pei Qing asked calmly, glancing sideways.
The guard lowered his head and dared not say another word.
Pei Qing withdrew his gaze.
As for the poison on Rongrong's body... Although he couldn't leave the capital, since he already knew the way to cure it, he could always send someone to find the Blood Silk Gu.
A soldier rushed over and knelt before Pei Qing, saying, "Reporting to the Imperial Advisor, Chu Mo has gone back on his word and is about to attack the city."
Pei Qing frowned, flicked his sleeve, and walked towards the city tower.
...
Although Jiang Fei's Cold Flower Poison flared up, it wasn't too painful due to the nature of her system.
She had been faking fainting, but being carried to the other courtyard and being swayed around, coupled with lying there for a while, she actually fell asleep.
When she woke up again, she felt a warm hand constantly moving on her face. After a while, a cool but thin skin gently covered her face. At first, she felt a little strange, but after a moment she felt nothing.
Disguise.
The two musical frames almost instantly flashed into Jiang Fei's mind.
The Taoist priest scrutinized Jiang Fei's face, then glanced at Jiang Rongrong beside him, shook his head, sighed softly, and turned to leave.
Jiang Fei slowly opened her eyes and turned to look at Jiang Rongrong opposite her.
Jiang Rongrong's face was deathly pale, and her lips were somewhat bluish-black, suggesting that even while unconscious, she was still suffering from the Cold Flower Poison.
Then she frowned, as if she was about to wake up.
Jiang Fei looked away and rubbed her cheek with the back of her hand. Was her face the same as hers now?
If I hadn't known about the disguise beforehand, I probably wouldn't even realize that I have a different face right now.
Suddenly, a series of faint footsteps came from outside the door, followed by several muffled groans of someone being knocked unconscious.
Jiang Fei narrowed her eyes; it seemed Lu Zhi had come looking for her.
Sure enough, the door was gently pushed open the next moment, and Lu Zhi strode into the room.
Chu Mo's attack on the city was just a feint, merely to stall Pei Qing. Pei Qing is quick-witted and will probably react in an instant, so he must act swiftly.
However, when he entered the house and saw the two women inside, he suddenly froze in his tracks.
Two identical faces.
One man had a furrowed brow, pale lips, and his hands trembling slightly from the effects of the poison.
One person lay quietly on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, his eyes dark and lifeless.
Lu Zhi clenched his fists, staring blankly at the woman above him.
He didn't even need to guess; he knew she was Jiang Fei, the chosen one of heaven.
However, the light in her eyes was gone, replaced by a deep despair that made it hard to breathe.
She already knew that Chu Mo married her only to use her, which was why she acted this way... with no hope left.
His throat tightened, and he couldn't help but take two steps toward her.
"Lu Zhi?" Jiang Rongrong's voice was weak and barely audible.
Lu Zhi froze in his tracks.
Jiang Rongrong had regained consciousness at some point, her hands were still trembling slightly, and she was in so much pain that a layer of cold sweat appeared on her forehead, and her limbs were stiff.
Lu Zhi stared at her intently.
This beer... and the woman he had known since childhood, was the only bright memory he had during his darkest period.
But why couldn't he help but look at Jiang Fei beside him?
During that time, she cooked while he tended the fire; she forced him to taste the food; she leaned against him all night after being poisoned; she touched the character "Jiang" carved on his chest with teary eyes and said sorry; and that desolate scene...
Jiang Fei also heard Jiang Rongrong's voice. Her eyelashes trembled, and she said in a hoarse voice, "Lu Zhi."
Lu Zhi suddenly came to his senses and looked at her. Even though she was being scolded, there was still a princess's pride in her voice.
From the moment he entered and saw Jiang Fei in disguise, he understood Pei Qing's intentions.
He wanted to exchange Jiang Fei for Jiang Rongrong.
But Chu Mo said he knew the whereabouts of the Blood Silk Gu...
Only the Blood Silk Gu can counteract the Cold Flower Poison.
He walked slowly towards Jiang Fei, lowered his head and looked at her: "Princess."
Jiang Fei's eyes barely settled on him, and she said in a hoarse voice, "Where is Chu Mo? I want to see Chu Mo."
Lu Zhi froze, opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.
Even knowing all that, does she still want to go back to Chu Mo's side?
Jiang Fei reached out and gently grabbed his sleeve: "Lu Zhi, where is Chu Mo?"
“Princess…” Lu Zhi managed to squeeze out the two words, glancing at Jiang Rongrong beside him.
“Lu Zhi,” Jiang Fei looked into his eyes, her voice gradually lowering, “you’re going to choose Jiang Rongrong too, right?”
Lu Zhi looked at her.
He knew how proud and radiant she used to be, but...
“I have a past matter with Jiang Rongrong that I need to settle,” Lu Zhi squatted down and, for the first time, touched Jiang Fei’s cheek in a way that was beyond his bounds. “You will be alright.”
"I will ensure that nothing happens to the princess."
After saying that, he stood up.
Jiang Fei's hand, which was gripping Lu Zhi's sleeve, trembled.
Lu Zhi paused for a moment, then finally broke free from her hand and walked towards Jiang Rongrong.
The moment Jiang Fei pulled away, her hand fell limply onto the bed.
Only after watching Lu Zhi carry Jiang Rongrong out of the room did Jiang Fei slowly sit up, raise an eyebrow as she looked in the direction he left.
Lu Zhi's favorability rating has just risen to 60.
To put an end to the past?
I'm afraid this can't be resolved.
Let's revisit the past.
...
On the city tower.
Pei Qing looked down at the rebel army that was about to forcefully attack the city. Even though the surroundings were filled with the smell of blood, his eyes remained indifferent. His white clothes were out of place in the grim scene.
Only when arrows were shot at the city tower would he casually wave them aside, his body remaining completely untouched by dust.
"That Chu Mo is so unreliable, actually sending troops during a truce, what a despicable thing to do..." The deputy general beside him couldn't help but curse.
Pei Qing remained silent.
Chu Mo was by no means a reckless person. Even with his years of patience and perseverance, he would never have attacked a city so hastily. Yet now he had mobilized his troops...
"Grand Preceptor, the enemy's offensive is slowing down," reported a soldier scouting the enemy's position at the battlements.
Pei Qing raised her eyes, her hand slightly raised in front of her. After a moment of contemplation, she suddenly thought of something and frowned slightly: "Has anyone come to report from the other courtyard?"
"Reporting to the Imperial Preceptor, no."
Pei Qing narrowed his eyes, his heart tightening.
Another arrow came flying, and Pei Qing caught it casually. Holding the arrow tightly, his white robes fluttering, he flicked his wrist and threw the arrow back down the city wall. Then he turned and quickly headed towards the other courtyard.
The enemy general on horseback let out a wail as an arrow pierced his chest.
In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Pei Qing had already returned to the villa.
The guards in the courtyard had all collapsed to the ground, and even the disguised Taoist priest was not spared.
Pei Qing walked straight into the inner room, where only Jiang Fei was sitting on the bed, while Jiang Rongrong had disappeared!
Pei Qing's expression changed slightly, and he turned and walked outside. The guard asked, puzzled, "Imperial Preceptor?"
Pei Qing ignored him and rode his horse toward the main city gate.
However, the closer they got to the city gate, the paler Pei Qing's face became, and large beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He gripped the reins tightly and kept cracking the whip.
"Imperial Preceptor!" A guard chasing from a distance exclaimed, "You must not go any further!"
When they reached the city gate, Pei Qing suddenly reined in his horse.
The horse neighed loudly, raised its front hooves high, and finally came to a stop.
Pei Qing looked at the woods outside the city, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid.
"Imperial Preceptor." The guard cautiously followed.
Pei Qing remained silent for a long time, then lowered his eyes, a faint sneer in them.
The coveted position of Imperial Preceptor is not a source of honor, but rather a punishment.
He pulled on the reins and spurred his horse back.
The villa remained exactly as he had left it. Pei Qing entered the room and was momentarily dazed when he saw the woman lying on the bed with a blank expression.
For a moment, he really thought it was Jiang Rongrong sitting there in a white dress, waiting for him to come back.
But he quickly realized that it was Jiang Fei disguised as Jiang Rongrong.
Pei Qing looked closely at her face. Disguise techniques don't always produce perfect resemblance, but Jiang Fei and Jiang Rongrong were half-sisters, so their features naturally had similarities, making them almost identical.
She is Chu Mo's wife.
On the city wall just now, he saw that Chu Mo did not seem to be completely indifferent to her.
Rongrong said she would definitely come back.
He believed Rongrong would come back, but he didn't believe that someone like Chu Mo would give up so easily.
Why not switch the prince with a cat after Rongrong returns...?
"The Imperial Advisor?"
"Welcome Princess Changning back to the mansion."
...
A group of people were riding around a horse-drawn carriage at high speed along the mountain road.
Chu Mo leaned against the sedan chair wall, looking at Jiang Rongrong lying opposite him, looking weak. She had taken the herb that relieved her worries, and the poison was gradually subsiding, but her face was still pale.
Just like when Jiang Fei was poisoned.
Chu Mo was slightly taken aback, his brows furrowing.
Jiang Fei was just an insignificant person.
He finally won Rongrong's heart.
This score is about to be released, this score is about to be released... my beloved.
However, it didn't seem to be as joyful as expected; instead, it was mixed with an unvented anger.
"Cough..." Jiang Rongrong coughed softly, and the herb for relieving worries began to take effect.
Chu Mo snapped out of his reverie, picked up a handkerchief from the side, and prepared to wipe away the dust from her long journey.
But before he could get close, Jiang Rongrong turned her head away from his hand.
Chu Mo's hand froze in mid-air.
"Don't touch me," Jiang Rongrong said hoarsely, "There's blood, and it's dirty."
Chu Mo tightened his grip on the handkerchief.
His hands had been used to kill many people; the backs of his hands and his armor were stained with blood, so they were naturally dirty.
It wasn't just his hands that were dirty, but also his sinister nature.
His bones were all black.
However, there was once a scar on his back that he least wanted people to see, marked with a small mark.
Chu Mo frowned and took the handkerchief back.
Jiang Rongrong noticed his movement and finally looked at him: "You got what you wanted. So, when you said you'd 'get everything you wanted,' it included me too? Are you happy now?"
Chu Mo's eyes glazed over for a moment, but then his gaze hardened when he saw Jiang Rongrong's somewhat mocking look. He then chuckled softly, "Happy, Rongrong."
Jiang Rongrong stared at him without saying a word.
"Back in the palace, you protected me and told me, 'I'll have you from now on.' I listened to your words and got you. How could I not be happy?"
Jiang Rongrong coughed softly: "How could you... have become like this!"
"Changed to this?" Chu Mo lowered his eyes, wiping the blood from his hands with a handkerchief. "Rongrong, I've never changed..."
It's always been like this.
"What about Princess Changning?"
Chu Mo paused in wiping away the blood, his smile freezing on his lips: "She's nothing but a pawn."
“You…” Jiang Rongrong’s expression hardened, and she took a few difficult breaths. “It’s laughable that Princess Changning was so devoted to you. Even knowing that she was being used by you, she still begged Lu Zhi to see you when the poison took effect…”
"She brought it on herself!" Chu Mo interrupted her abruptly, his voice filled with anger. After speaking, he froze, his hand holding the handkerchief trembling slightly. Chu Mo reacted, threw the handkerchief aside, and said, "Stop the car."
The sound of horses neighing came from outside the door, and the carriage slowly came to a stop.
Chu Mo lifted the sedan curtain and stepped down from the carriage.
"Master." The guard hurriedly led a horse forward.
Chu Mo didn't speak, but only glanced at the surrounding woods.
When he saw Jiang Fei from the city wall, he thought that she would make a scene after learning everything, which would make his departure more peaceful.
But no.
There was nothing there.
She didn't make a fuss, not even cry. She just stared at him blankly. He tried several times to forget that look, but he could never manage it.
Did she also suffer from the poisoning?
She knew he had used her, yet she still begged Lu Zhi to see him.
This statement is ridiculous and utterly unbelievable.
Why would someone as arrogant and domineering as Jiang Fei ask for help?
But deep down, I also had a faint belief.
On the eve of the rebellion, she kissed him sleepily and told him she loved him.
And he...
He could never love her; the person he loves is Jiang Rongrong.
"Where is Lu Zhi?" Chu Mo suddenly thought of something and asked in a deep voice.
The guard hurriedly replied, "After bringing Miss Jiang here, he quickly returned to the city."
Chu Mo's hand trembled.
Is Lu Zhi doing this for Jiang Fei?
What about Jiang Fei's feelings towards Lu Zhi?
Back in the kitchen, she used to feed him so affectionately. Now that he's gone, will she continue like that? Or even...be more intimate?
"Master?" The guard called out cautiously, looking at his master's gloomy face.
Chu Mo suddenly snapped out of his reverie. What was he thinking about?
Those things were no longer relevant to him.
He took the reins from the guard and mounted his horse.
The guard asked in surprise, "You're not taking a carriage..."
Chu Mo interrupted him: "Hurry up and return to Great Wei."
...
The sky was overcast.
Outside the Imperial Preceptor's residence, a young man in a simple robe with his long hair tied up stood quietly, his face pale and his lips cracked and bleeding from dryness, yet he still waited patiently.
Servants entering and leaving the mansion glanced at the young man and all shook their heads.
This boy has been standing at the door for three days now; he's really stubborn.
Lu Zhi ignored the stares of those around him and remained standing there with his head down.
After delivering Jiang Rongrong to Chu Mo in the capital that day, he rushed back to that villa, only to find a bottle of wine and a crane-shaped hairpin.
He thought Jiang Fei had returned to the princess's residence.
But no.
The princess's residence was deserted; that radiant figure was nowhere to be seen.
He searched for her frantically for a day and a night, and finally learned that she had been taken to the Imperial Preceptor's residence.
She didn't attempt suicide, but she never wanted to see him again.
He could wait. He wanted to tell her that he had already repaid the warmth of his youth, and perhaps from the very beginning, his obsession with the past was a mistake.
Footsteps came from the side.
Lu Zhi stiffened slightly and looked to the side.
Pei Qing, dressed in white, walked slowly towards the mansion. After glancing at Lu Zhi, she went straight in.
"My lord," the guard approached cautiously, "Princess Changning still hasn't had dinner."
Pei Qing frowned, then took the food box from the guard and walked towards the side courtyard.
When he arrived at the guest room door, he knocked lightly twice, but there was still no response from inside.
Pei Qing pushed open the door and went in as usual. Although it was daytime, the room was very dark.
He went into the inner room and looked at the woman on the bed who had returned to her original appearance.
These past few days have been like this.
Since returning from the city gate that day, Jiang Fei has not uttered a single word. She simply curled up in the corner of the bed, hugging her knees, staring blankly into the unknown.
She never shed a single tear, nor did she show any extra emotion; her whole demeanor was heavy and sullen.
If the doctor hadn't confirmed after taking her pulse that she was out of immediate danger, it wouldn't be surprising if she had been mistaken for a walking corpse.
Pei Qing, however, felt nothing about any of this.
His emotions rarely fluctuated, let alone someone like Jiang Fei who had broken off an engagement and had someone else marry in his place.
“Princess Changning,” Pei Qing placed the food box on the table, “it’s time for lunch.”
Jiang Fei remained silent.
Pei Qing wasn't annoyed; he simply sat quietly to the side and watched her. To the outside world, Jiang Fei was still Princess Changning, and it was impossible for her to always wear a human skin mask and disguise herself as someone else.
But before Rongrong returns, he will make her every move resemble Rongrong's. And after Rongrong returns...
After a long silence, Pei Qing spoke softly, "Princess Changning's current state is extremely worrying."
"..." Jiang Fei didn't move.
Pei Qing looked at her and slowly said, "There is a man named Lu Zhi who has been searching for the princess all over the capital these days. A few days ago, he found the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion and waited outside the mansion for three days and three nights without eating or drinking, only saying that he wanted to see the princess."
Upon hearing Lu Zhi's name, Jiang Fei's eyes flickered slightly, but quickly returned to a deathly silence.
Pei Qing watched her change, slowly lowered his eyes, said nothing more, got up and walked out.
Hearing the door close, Jiang Fei finally looked up, the dazed look in her eyes disappearing.
Chu Mo's favorability rating is fluctuating wildly.
Lu Zhi's favorability rating has reached 60.
But this old woman, Konghuan…
Jiang Fei lowered her eyes and chuckled. She really disliked people whose favorability ratings rarely fluctuated.
She has now successfully entered the Imperial Preceptor's residence, but she is unwilling to play the role of someone who is "miserable and wretched".
Now that Lu Zhi is here, that's perfect...
Jiang Fei got off the bed, glanced at the undergarment she was wearing, thought for a moment, loosened the front of the garment a little, looked at the small mole on her chest, and slowly walked out of the room.
At the entrance of the mansion.
Lu Zhi waited with his head down, having not rested for several days, and darkness loomed before his eyes.
Footsteps sounded in front of him, but Lu Zhi did not look up.
After being disappointed so many times, I even lost the courage to look up.
A respectful voice came from within: "Greetings, Princess."
Lu Zhi suddenly looked up and immediately saw the woman slowly walking towards him.
Jiang Fei.
She was only wearing a snow-white undergarment, her face even paler than the garment, her long black hair cascading down her sides, disheveled, and she walked toward him with a blank expression.
Her eyes were no longer bright; instead, they were lifeless.
A sudden fear rose in Lu Zhi's heart, and a chill ran down his spine. He wanted to touch her, but dared not step forward.
Finally, Jiang Fei stopped in front of him, looked up at him, and said, "Lu Zhi."
Lu Zhi opened his mouth, but felt as if a fishbone was stuck in his throat. He could only squeeze out a sentence from deep in his throat: "This subordinate will escort the princess back to the manor."
"Return to the manor..." Jiang Fei repeated softly before adding, "Chu Mo has left, hasn't he?"
Lu Zhi's Adam's apple bobbed, and he lowered his head without saying a word.
Jiang Fei stared at him intently: "Bring Jiang Rongrong with you."
"Princess……"
Jiang Fei suddenly laughed, her eyes red-rimmed: "So, you like Jiang Rongrong too."
"So you knew all along that Chu Mo's marriage to me was just a ploy to use me? You knew all along that Chu Mo was the one who poisoned me?"
Lu Zhi pursed his lips, unable to utter a word of denial.
"As expected, you knew all along..." Jiang Fei murmured, her voice hoarse, "My husband used me and poisoned me. My guard knew the truth from the beginning, but he kept it from me."
Lu Zhi stood there, stunned.
Jiang Fei remained silent for a long while, standing there, his body almost swaying, before his thin lips parted slightly: "Take off your clothes."
Lu Zhi's body stiffened.
"What?" Jiang Fei sneered. "You keep calling me princess, but now you're defying me?"
Lu's hands trembled slightly. After a long while, he reached out and unbuttoned his clothes, barely revealing his chest.
Jiang Fei stared at his chest, a dagger slipping from her sleeve. She gripped it tightly in her hand: "If I were to stab you, would you dodge?"
Lu Zhi gazed intently at her: "No."
He was the one who did wrong first, and even if she was just his benefactor, he would never run away from her, let alone...
Lu Zhi's breath hitched.
Jiang Fei twitched her lips and reached out to stab him.
Lu Zhi closed his eyes and stood there motionless.
But the pain never came.
Lu Zhi slowly opened his eyes, then froze.
Jiang Fei's hand trembled as she gripped the dagger. The gleaming tip of the dagger pressed against his chest, but she didn't stab him. She simply stared at his chest for a long time before gently stroking the character "啤敖" on his chest.
Lu Zhi's body trembled slightly.
“These are the words I had carved on you when I bought you,” Jiang Fei murmured. “Now, it’s my turn to destroy them…”
Lu Zhi was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized what was happening, his eyes filled with panic. He tried to back away, but it was too late.
Jiang Fei gripped the dagger and made a cut on the character "啤敖".
Lu Zhi staggered and looked down. The bloodstain had split the character "Jiang" in two, and blood gushed out instantly, completely erasing the character.
Words that I used to find shameful are now gone, but I don't feel happy at all; instead... I feel a lot of pain.
He looked up and forced a smile: "Would the princess be willing to return to the palace with me?"
Jiang Fei did not respond, but just looked at him expressionlessly.
The smile on Lu Zhi's lips vanished, and he softly called out to her, "Princess..."
"From this day forward, all ties between us are severed." Jiang Fei interrupted her, the dagger in her hand fell to the ground with a "clang," and she turned to leave.
But the moment she left, her body slumped like a falling leaf, and she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Lu Zhi was stunned and quickly reached out to catch her. However, the next moment, when he saw the faint mole peeking out from under her loose inner garment, he froze completely.
That mole, that mole...
Why does Jiang Fei have this mole?
Why would it happen to her?
Lu Zhi's hand trembled as he held her, his memories jumbled—
Beside the palace pond, she said, "I used to play here when I was a child."
That day, after she woke up from the poisoning, she slapped him and said that familiar word, "lecherous scoundrel."
And this little mole...
Is it her?
Is it Jiang Fei?
Lu Zhi felt a metallic taste in his throat and couldn't help but cough softly.
Footsteps approached from in front of me.
Lu Zhi looked up in a daze and saw a white figure walk up to him and take the woman in his arms into his arms.
He reached out to grab her, but it was in vain; eventually, he too succumbed to darkness...
...
Jiang Fei woke up again on the second day.
Pei Qing was sitting in the room, dressed in white, spotless.
On the table to the side were decocted Chinese medicines.
A faint sound came from the bed.
Pei Qing turned his head.
Jiang Fei slowly opened her eyes, looking at the curtains above her head. Her eyes were not filled with despair, but rather sparkling. She rubbed her temples and sat up.
But when he saw Pei Qing by the bed, he frowned: "Young Grand Preceptor, it's not appropriate for us to be in the same room before we're even married."
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