After closing the door, Dong Zhao had already decided to meet with this Miss Song; if they couldn't reach an agreement, he would simply kill her.
The next day, Song Tangxue dragged her weak body out of bed, her brows furrowed. The blanket had fallen off the bed in the middle of the night, and now that summer was approaching, the temperature difference between day and night was significant.
I caught a chill when I woke up this morning.
"Miss, how about we go tomorrow?" Cuixi temporarily took over Haitang's work. Haitang had been told by Song Tangxue to rest well these past few days: "Rest until noon today, and go to Chunxin Hall in the afternoon."
"I need to go and check it out to feel at ease." Song Tangxue made a plan to go to those shops again today to see if the shopkeepers were outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant.
In the afternoon, I will go to Chunxintang to see Doctor Xie.
When she put on her clothes, she touched something icy cold. Song Tangxue knew what it was. She always kept this dagger close to her body, day and night, and it was warmed by her body temperature.
It was always warm, but last night, for some unknown reason, it was thrown under the bed, into the clothes she had taken off.
Looking at these things always makes me think about all sorts of things.
Song Tangxue always thought of Xie Qianzhong and the gap between them: one was the powerful and influential Ninth Prince, and the other was the Crown Princess who was about to be rejected, the unfavored legitimate daughter of the Song family.
The more I think about it, the more my head aches. I should find something to keep me busy so I won't have time to think about it.
Once outside the mansion gate, there was a shop nearby, so Song Tangxue decided to walk over there and take a stroll.
As they walked into the alley, a faint fragrance wafted over. Cui Xi collapsed to the ground. Song Tangxue's expression hardened, and then a cold sensation pressed against her neck.
A sharp pain shot through her neck as the sword pierced her skin, pushing her into an abandoned courtyard next to the alley.
Song Tangxue had already found the dagger in her hand. Following the force behind her, she entered the alley. The force on her neck was released, and she was pushed forward. The rickety door was closed.
When An Shiliu, who was shrouded in shadow, saw Dong Zhao, he wondered why his master hadn't assigned any missions to them recently.
After witnessing Dong Zhao push Song Tangxue into the alley, An Shiliu hesitated for a moment before turning back to Xie Qianzhong's side.
The figure blocked the entrance to the courtyard, shutting out Song Tangxue's exit. Song Tangxue turned to look at her.
A very beautiful woman, alluring and seductive, her sleek black clothes perfectly outlining her curves, stroked her hair as it twirled around her neck: "You're Song Tangxue?"
Song Tangxue was certain she didn't know her. She didn't let go of the dagger, and her other hand quietly reached for the bottle at her waist.
These bottles and jars contained various self-defense or life-saving medicines that she had been researching. She opened one of the lids.
Dong Zhao moved closer to Song Tangxue, his eyes sweeping over her eyebrows and eyes, scrutinizing her carefully from head to toe, before scoffing, "Nothing special."
"You're just a pretty face, Lord Xie is only interested in you on a whim. Don't be foolish enough to go after her and risk your life." Dong Zhao picked up the thin sword at his waist, its blade flashing, and looked at Song Tangxue with a cold gaze.
Like a venomous snake with its tongue lolling out, it stared at Song Tangxue menacingly, marking its territory.
Song Tangxue realized that this person was after Xie Qianzhong, and she thought the woman was incredibly stupid.
If you truly love Xie Qianzhong, the most important thing is Xie Qianzhong's attitude—not to pester that person or entangle you.
Even if she gets rid of herself, there will be another Song Tangxue, thousands upon thousands of Song Tangxues, all vying for her affections.
“I’ve been by my master’s side since I was a child, eating and sleeping with him. I’ve shielded him from many dangers, both openly and secretly. Do you think you can replace him?” Dong Zhao looked at this face, which was as beautiful as a fairy’s, and wanted to cut it open.
It must have been her seductive appearance that bewitched her master.
She stayed by Xie Qianzhong's side. Since she was little, her grandfather had said that she would become Xie Qianzhong's wife, but what about Xie Qianzhong?
He has never cared about himself, but now, for the sake of this Crown Princess, he is repeatedly breaking his vows with other men's women.
"Do you think Lord Xie would like you? A young girl like you, just beginning to experience love, is probably already falling for him, isn't she?" Dong Zhao deliberately provoked her, seeing her fearless expression in the face of danger.
"When Lord Xie and I made love, you weren't even born yet." Dong Zhao's words were tender and ambiguous, reminding Song Tangxue of Xie Qianzhong on the bed.
In her past life, Xie Qianzhong did not have this woman by his side. Song Tangxue knew she was lying, and looked at her calmly.
I even felt sorry for her; she was another woman who lived off a man and was willing to die for him, losing herself in the process.
Song Tangxue's expression remained calm, but Dong Zhao was starting to lose her composure. Shouldn't she break down?
No wonder Grandpa wanted to kill this scourge. With such a mindset, he will surely become a stumbling block in the future and will be unable to stop Xie Qianzhong's great cause no matter what.
With such stunning beauty and such character, what man in the world wouldn't be moved? Xie Qianzhong is only human, and it's not impossible for him to develop feelings over time.
Things have changed a lot lately, haven't they? I heard that this woman was also involved in the saltpeter powder scandal.
A murderous glint flashed in Dong Zhao's eyes. They couldn't be allowed to live. If it weren't for this woman investigating the saltpeter powder, Xie Qianzhong would never have suspected them.
The slender sword in her hand suddenly thrust out, and Song Tangli dodged to the side, her silver needle flying out and striking Dong Zhao's wrist.
Dong Zhao's wrist had a special bracer, which could not be pierced by a simple silver needle, but was enough to change the direction of the rapier.
The slender sword grazed Song Tangxue's cheek, and Song Tangxue seized the opportunity to stab Dong Zhao's hand with a silver needle covered in powder.
Dong Zhao released the slender sword from his hand and withdrew it. The silver needle struck the blade of the slender sword, making a clanging sound.
This person is not weak and helpless; he may appear frail, but he harbors murderous intent.
Silver needles are just for ordinary medical treatment; I was planning to bring them from Chunxintang this afternoon.
Now it became Song Tangxue's handy weapon. Dong Zhao's hand was shaped like a claw, and he grabbed at Song Tangxue's face.
Song Tangxue withdrew her silver needles and brandished her dagger with her other hand, thrusting it straight at Dong Zhao. Dong Zhao had not expected her to have this move and could only defend by turning to the side to dodge the attack.
With the rapier knocked away, Song Tangxue seized the opportunity and kicked it away. Without a weapon, dealing with Dong Zhao would be much easier.
The two observed in silence, neither making the first move.
After a long while, Dong Zhao made the first move, drawing a whip from his waist. Song Tangxue's weapons all required close combat, putting her at a disadvantage.
The black whip lashed out, and Song Tangxue lunged to the side. The second whip was already upon her. Song Tangxue gritted her teeth and ran toward Dong Zhao. The whip was stained with an unknown drug.
Song Tangxue was unable to dodge in time and was swept by the end of the whip. A sharp pain came from the wound, like being gnawed by countless insects.
An unbearable pain spread, but Dong Zhao laughed heartily, her allure as captivating as a flower blooming in the desert: "If I kill you here today, no one will know. Just remember not to seduce other people in your next life."
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