Chapter 98: Interlocking Schemes

Langhua Hall, Shao Yuan Jun Mansion.

Huang Fei had just seen Qie Lan off. Dressed in light robes with a jade belt, he was reclining on a golden couch, listening to the four masters of ceremony from the Chu Palace report the itinerary for welcoming the Nine Princess. The gift list alone filled two tables. A master of ceremony in a scarlet robe stood respectfully nearby, reading them out one by one. Amidst his monotonous voice, elegant and melodious zither music drifted in, blowing away the flowers and moonlight, while eight handsome young boys played zithers and flutes in the hall, creating an atmosphere of utmost elegance and beauty.

Just as two scrolls of the gift list had been read, a guard hurried into the hall. Before he could even kneel and speak, a clear, sharp, and unrestrained voice, accompanied by the sound of zither strings, drifted in from afar: "Huang Fei, the Ranxiang Lake is extremely lively tonight. Why are you hiding in the Jun Mansion? Are you afraid to see people?"

The vermilion gates of the Jun Mansion were flung wide open, leading straight into the central courtyard. Having served in the court for many years, the masters of ceremony had never heard anyone dare to be so rude to the Shao Yuan Jun, and they stared at each other in shock. Huang Fei opened his eyes abruptly, a strange light flashing in his pupils. The guard, acting on Fang Feibai's orders, had rushed back to report the news; he whispered a few words in his ear before retreating.

Huang Fei smiled as he stood up, tossed the wine bottle to a stunned master of ceremony, and swept out of the hall.

A woman in black robes with wide sleeves stepped onto the terrace in the moonlight, her ink-black hair dancing in the gloom, fluttering in the wind. Against the backdrop of the white-clad figure flying gracefully before the hall, the heroic prince and the beautiful woman looked like a legendary romance, no matter how one viewed it.

Behind the Nine Princess, a group of experts from the Jun Mansion followed closely. Fang Feibai gestured, aiming his gaze at Zhao Yu.

Huang Fei acted as if he hadn't seen them, only smiling as he looked at Zi Rao, his expression extremely pleased. "I was just thinking of Zi Rao, and Zi Rao arrived."

Zi Rao raised her eyes and asked, "Oh? What were you thinking about me?"

Huang Fei reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, not caring at all about the people present. He leaned in close to her hair and took a light sniff, laughing, "I was thinking that Zi Rao might want to personally inspect the betrothal gifts to see if they are to your liking and if anything is missing."

Zi Rao's expression was soft and charming, but her gaze swept over like the shimmering light of a meteor. "I'm afraid your heart and words don't match. If I want something, is it possible you would be willing to give it?"

Huang Fei smiled nonchalantly. "As long as Zi Rao can name it, I can afford it."

"Really? If I want that Nine-Turn Spirit Stone Ice Blue Crystal, will you give it or not?"

"If Zi Rao likes it, you may take any person or object in this mansion. From now on, you need not ask me for anything."

Under the silver glow of the golden lamps, such light laughter and words—his pristine white robes were like woven moonlight, and when they touched her dark, mysterious robes, there seemed to be a shimmering radiance flowing into a charming smile. The moonlight filling the sky and the fragrance of flowers in the courtyard seemed to ripple in those smiling eyes, the halo of doting and tenderness intoxicating the heart.

Zi Rao was momentarily lost in a trance. After a brief moment of daze, a wanton brilliance flashed from her pupils. Iron-blooded mountains and rivers splashed with fine wine; let one be wild and romantic. If she were to spend her days with such a man, it would never be dull. As the years flowed by like water, day and night, in this life or the underworld, to hold hands and make a pact of life and death—thinking about it, it was actually quite interesting.

Huang Fei watched the shifting light in Zi Rao's eyes and said without looking back, "Yu'er."

Zhao Yu's sleeves tightened slightly. After a moment of silence, she knelt by the steps. A string of crystal-clear Linglong stones was held up in her delicate fingers. As she lowered her head, the crystal brilliance scattered like icy, clear tears, falling into the palm of the man she regarded as a god.

Huang Fei raised his hand, turned to Zi Rao, and said with a hint of teasing, "Is this what moved the Princess to grace my humble abode with her presence?"

Zi Rao raised her charming lashes, just about to speak, when Huang Fei's fingers suddenly tightened, locking her wrist. "Zi Rao, you just drank wine."

Zi Rao asked curiously, "The Monarch is busy with a thousand tasks; does he even care about such a small matter as whether I drink or not?"

Huang Fei pressed his fingers against her pulse, his gaze never leaving her face. After a long while, his sword-like brows furrowed slightly. "That's right. From now until the day of the grand wedding, you are not allowed to touch a drop of alcohol."

Zi Rao was extremely surprised and couldn't help but glare at him. He was the first man to speak to her in such a tone, and he was so composed, so matter-of-fact. The moonlight flickered, reflecting into her deep, enchanting crystal pupils, where a devouring darkness seemed to bloom. Zi Rao let him hold her like this and asked with a leisurely smile, "By what right?"

"By the right that you are my, Huang Fei's, woman." Huang Fei's smile was graceful. He pulled his arm inward, bringing their skin into contact with no obstruction, and whispered, "Zi Rao's internal injuries have not yet healed. If you hurt your body because of this, I will be heartbroken."

A pleasant masculine scent permeated through the warmth of their skin, creating strange ripples in the fragrance of flowers and shadows of the moon. Zi Rao stared at him unblinkingly, her phoenix eyes narrowing abruptly. "Huang Fei, you have the scent of a woman on you."

Huang Fei's eyes held a faint smile. "Is Zi Rao jealous?"

Zi Rao couldn't help but snort coldly. Huang Fei laughed heartily, laughing until she had no way to be angry. He suddenly dragged her hand to Zhao Yu and used his other hand to pull Zhao Yu up. "It's fine for Zi Rao to be jealous of others, but don't find fault with Zhao Yu, alright?" He glanced at Zhao Yu, raised his hand to brush aside her sleeve, and sighed softly, "I met Zhao Yu at the Free and Unfettered Workshop a few years ago..."

Zhao Yu instinctively shrank back, her soft, delicate hands struggling in his palm, but like a weak bird trying to escape a heaven-covering net, it was all in vain.

The beautiful silk robes were slowly rolled up. On her jade-like arms, hideous scars were revealed. Even though the wounds had long since healed, those dense marks still outlined scenes of past gore. The extreme beauty and extreme cruelty formed a stark contrast. Everyone around was shocked; no one expected that this beautiful and confident Princess of the Hou Feng State had such a tragic past.

"When I brought her to the mansion, except for her hands and face, she was almost covered in wounds. For a long time after her external injuries healed, she would tremble in fear whenever someone touched her body. Later, I slowly interacted with her, managed to help her recover her internal strength, changed her appearance, and taught her military strategy and martial arts." Huang Fei gently stroked Zhao Yu's hair. "Sigh, Zhao Yu is actually half a disciple of mine, so I sent away all the women in the mansion but kept her by my side alone. Will Zi Rao blame me?"

Zhao Yu's eyes were already shimmering with clear light. She knelt down, tears falling. "My life was saved by the Young Master. I am willing to be a slave and maid for the Young Master, and I would never dare to have any improper thoughts! If the Princess..."

Before she could finish, Zi Rao frowned faintly, looking both pitying and ruthless. "Who did this?"

Zhao Yu's red lips trembled. After a long while, she said word by word, "Helian Qi. But he is already dead. The Young Master promised to avenge me, and he is dead after all."

Zi Rao's eyes flashed with surprise. She stepped forward a few paces, blocking others' view of her, tidied her messy sleeves, and sighed in a low voice, "Since the person is dead, let it be. There is no benefit in thinking too much." As she leaned down, she whispered softly in her ear, "Just don't forget, the one who killed Helian Qi with his own hands was the Third Young Master of the Mu State, Ye Xuanshang."

Zhao Yu's eyes shook. She had already withdrawn her sleeve and left, leaving only a lightning-like glance, the lingering fragrance like a blade.

After the Nine Princess left, Zhao Yu stood alone in the side hall, looking out at the eastern horizon. A bright star hung high in the moonlit sky, clear and brilliant; that was the direction of her former Hou Feng homeland.

The prosperous land of the Three Realms, the Thirteen Cities of the East Sea.

This human fairyland, where Zhaohuang Zhuxiang lost to the Baidi in the ten games of Tongyou Chess eight hundred years ago, had the sweet and fragrant Jade Marrow Spring, the blue sea and beautiful jade reflecting each other's brilliance, the Hao Shan Smelting Sword Technique, the night pearls of the Crystal Palace, and rare treasures everywhere. The sea was beautiful and the mountains were spiritual, a feast for the eyes.

Every treasure, every inch of land, constantly attracted the greedy eyes of the world.

Zhao Yu closed her eyes, as if hearing the sound of Chu and Xuan iron cavalry trampling over mountains and seas. Slaughter and blood, wailing and wild laughter, power and sin created a movement of destruction in the fiery human world. Her limbs were cold under her clothes, and every whip mark felt like a venomous snake gnawing at her heart. She dared not think anymore, when suddenly someone came up behind her.

Zhao Yu opened her eyes abruptly, hearing a familiar and pleasant voice. "Is Yu'er blaming me for being heartless?"

She turned around in shock, and Huang Fei stood behind her with his hands behind his back, smiling. A gentle breeze brought the luxurious scent of his presence, and the moonlight shone on the jade courtyard.

She was slightly flustered. "Why would the Young Master say that? How could Yu'er dare to blame the Young Master? Although the Nine-Turn Spirit Stone is a relic of my old country, if it is beneficial to the Young Master, not to mention a small string of crystals, even if Yu'er were to be smashed to pieces, I would have no complaints." Her voice lowered, like dust falling under the moonlight. "As long as the Young Master does not abandon Yu'er, Yu'er is willing to do anything."

Huang Fei lowered his head, his eyes filled with a flamboyant and bright tenderness, just like three years ago on the first day she entered the mansion, the first time she raised her eyes. The bright sun fell on his sword blade, flowers danced like spirits, and the gaze of such a proud and dazzling man was the light she looked up to in purgatory.

In the front hall of the Jun Mansion, Fang Feibai and the others had not yet left. The dark-clothed guard who had luckily escaped stood beside Bie He, his face pale, clearly having suffered serious internal injuries, his expression also very gloomy.

"Princess!" Upon seeing Zhao Yu and Huang Fei, the dark-clothed guard immediately rushed forward a few steps and whispered something. Zhao Yu's expression changed, and her gaze swept towards Bie He and the others, with a hint of coldness.

Seeing this, Bie He shouted, "Dark-clothed one, do not spread rumors in front of the Princess, saying that we colluded with Bai Shu'er. Show us the evidence first!"

The dark-clothed guard sneered, "Bai Shu'er said it herself, how could it be false? Xiu Yun knows my identity. As for whether it was you, Bie He, or Xian Qing, you know very well in your hearts!"

Xian Qing said angrily, "Nonsense! We two are remnants of the Hou Feng State, and our loyalty to the Princess is clear. How can there be any talk of betrayal!"

The dark-clothed guard retorted, "So what if you are remnants of the Hou Feng State? That Helian Yiren was a royal relative of the Zeng State in the past, didn't he also sell out his master for glory? Let alone you!"

"You are spouting blood!" Bie He and Xian Qing were both furious, when suddenly they heard Zhao Yu's clear reprimand, "Have you said enough?"

The three of them stopped abruptly, their hearts trembling, and they all knelt down, not daring to speak again.

Huang Fei watched their argument coldly, having never spoken. At this moment, he suddenly smiled. "Dark-clothed one, tell me what happened at that time. Remember, do not have a single word of lies." His smile was like electricity, sweeping towards the dark-clothed guard. Even Xian Qing and Bie He beside him were intimidated by that compelling sharpness; it was the murderous aura tempered in thousands of armies.

Huang Fei never directly intervened in the affairs of the Freedom Hall. Since he suddenly spoke, everyone knew it was because of Zhao Yu, so they listened as the dark-clothed guard recounted what happened on the boat one by one.

Huang Fei narrowed his eyes and drank wine, not knowing if he was listening. After the dark-clothed guard finished speaking for a while, he said, "How do you rate your martial arts compared to Bai Shu'er?"

The dark-clothed guard was stunned and said, "Perhaps not as good."

Huang Fei raised the corners of his eyes and nodded. "Perhaps not as good, very good." Suddenly, he raised his hand and struck out, a sharp palm wind heading straight for the dark-clothed guard's chest.

The dark-clothed guard's expression changed abruptly, and he retreated rapidly. His figure was fast enough, but it was still of no avail. He was struck by Huang Fei's palm wind, which was faster than lightning, on his Shanzhong acupoint, and his body trembled violently.

Huang Fei's fingers changed slightly in his sleeves, and several finger winds followed, pointing at his chest, abdomen, and head. Only the sound of "chi chi" could be heard continuously. The dark-clothed guard's whole body trembled frequently, with no power to resist, and his face turned red as if dyed, which was extremely terrifying.

After more than twenty such fingers, Huang Fei pressed his palm in the air, and two spots of blood exploded from the dark-clothed guard's back, as if a pair of tiny, brilliant lights had broken out of his body, embedding themselves into the hall pillars one after another.

The dark-clothed guard's body was thrown away and fell to the ground, but he jumped up and knelt down. "Thank you, Monarch, for saving my life!"

Huang Fei had already withdrawn his hand and turned his head, just in time to take the wine cup handed by Zhao Yu, and said coldly, "With such meager skills, you didn't even realize that someone had tampered with your body, yet you dare to say 'perhaps not as good'. If you can survive ten moves in Bai Shu'er's hands, I will take you as my master!"

Cold sweat broke out on the dark-clothed guard's back. He knew that what he said was true. If Bai Shu'er really had the heart to kill, how could she allow him to escape calmly and bring back news of the traitor? These two "Broken Jade Seeds" were the unique torture weapons of the Freedom Hall. Once they entered the body, they were invisible, but they could slowly flow to the heart with the blood and kill with one strike, but that would be a matter of several days later.

Xian Qing and Bie He turned their heads to look at each other, both seeing a trace of danger in the other's eyes. Bai Shu'er had only used a slight trick, and she had almost incited infighting in the Freedom Hall. Zhao Yu gritted her teeth slightly, dismissed the few people, turned around, and knelt down. "Tonight, Yu'er failed to achieve her goal, letting Ye Xuanshang and Bai Shu'er escape. Please punish me, Young Master."

Huang Fei smiled. "Yu'er, don't be discouraged. Ye Xuanshang is still in the Chu State, are you afraid he will fly to the sky?" After speaking, he stood up. "Feibai, listen to my order. I will give you one thousand soldiers. You and Lu Chen will join the Southern Chu troops led by Qingqing and Zhan Xing to guard the Hengyuan Hall. Five days later, Ye Xuanshang will definitely arrive here. If you still cannot kill him by then, don't come back to see me!"

Fang Feibai stepped forward and responded loudly, "Feibai obeys!"

Yi Qingqing asked curiously, "Ye Xuanshang knows the Monarch wants to kill him, where does he get the courage to risk entering the palace? Shouldn't we be setting up defenses at the Hostage Mansion or on the only road to the Mu State?"

"Qingqing doesn't know how bold this person is." Huang Fei's lips curled sharply. "Not long ago, someone sneaked into the Hengyuan Hall to steal treasures. If my guess is correct, it is most likely this Third Young Master Ye. His target should be the Purple Crystal Stone that originally belonged to the Mu State. If he wants to steal the treasure and return to his country, the best time is the night of the grand wedding. I bet he will definitely come. But Feibai, you must act secretly; I also want to use this to determine someone's intentions."

He raised his wine cup lightly, the jade color of the fine wine reflecting in his eyes, flashing with strange light and shadow, as if light silk were falling on the sword blade. The gentle and sharp light was heart-wrenching at this moment.

Everyone was puzzled, not knowing who had moved the Shao Yuan Jun. Only Zhao Yu lowered her head, vaguely guessing the clue. Yi Qingqing couldn't help but ask, "Is there someone so bold that they dare to betray the Monarch?"

Huang Fei's face was like still water, his pupils shooting out cold tenderness. "I hope my guess is wrong."

Since he didn't want to say it clearly, who would dare to ask? Yi Qingqing smiled and changed the subject. "The Monarch's plans are foolproof. This time, no matter who wants to target the Hengyuan Hall, they will definitely not return."

These words were not empty. With the one thousand Liefeng Cavalry led by Fang Feibai and Xiao Luchen, plus a group of Southern Chu experts, the Hengyuan Hall would become a heaven-covering net five days later, and no one would be able to escape. Kuang Tian stroked his beard and smiled. "The Monarch has mobilized all his elites, but left out the old man. Is it because you think the old man is no longer useful?"

"Old General, you are wrong!" Huang Fei turned around and laughed. "Ginger is old and spicy; I have other important tasks for you. On the night of the grand wedding, Helian Yiren will launch a palace coup to assassinate the King of Chu. Old General, you can lead three thousand elite soldiers to set up at the Rixing and Gonghua gates, send troops to protect the King, and encircle the rebels."

With casual laughter, even the experienced and steady Kuang Tian showed shock, then straightened his brows, stepped back, and took the order. "The old general will definitely not fail the heavy trust!"

Huang Fei nodded with a smile. "Old General, remember to use the fire at the Yinghuang Palace as a signal. Make sure not to hinder Helian Yiren's plan."

Kuang Tian said in a deep voice, "Monarch, rest assured, the old general knows the stakes!"

Strange light flashed in Huang Fei's eyes. "The Second Young Master Han Hui has been missing for over a month. According to intelligence, this matter must be related to the Mingyi Tower. We must be on guard. Feng Yun, you lead two thousand guards to set up defenses along the way from the East City to the Le Yao Palace, but only act in secret. Without my order, do not act rashly. Shan Qi, you lead five thousand Duqi Forbidden Guards, fly the flag of the Helian Hou Mansion, and guard the eight city gates. On that night, if any officials in the court have any unusual movements, I give you the power to decide, handle it freely, and I will not pursue it afterwards!"

A series of military orders were issued, and all the generals were blood-boiling, knowing that the Chu State was about to undergo a great change, and these short five days were the last peace of Shangying City.

Zhao Yu lowered her head and said nothing, not knowing how to arrange herself next. Huang Fei threw down his wine cup, stepped out of the hall, looked up at the sky where the morning light was about to arrive, raised his brows, and said lightly, "Zhao Yu, the Queen and Han Xi Princess are the key to all our plans. I will leave the Shangyang Palace to you."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 99 =====