Chapter 10: A Renewed Malicious Scheme

Meanwhile, at the Eastern Palace, Xiao Xuanyin was occupied with the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue. His expression was indifferent, yet his focus was absolute.

Three days ago, the Emperor had issued an edict commanding the Crown Prince to assist in overseeing the Ministry of Revenue. The entire court was shocked. The Ministry of Revenue was the lifeblood of the nation, managing wealth, land, taxation, grain supplies, and the resources required for military campaigns. It appeared that the Crown Prince’s position was now ironclad. It was well known that the Emperor, still deeply mourning his long-deceased Empress, extended his profound affection to their son, holding him in the highest regard. The other princes could scarcely maintain their composure; they lowered their heads, concealing their naked jealousy and their burning desire for the throne.

Outside the chamber, a servant’s voice rang out: "Your Highness, Master Shang has sent some books from outside the palace. He requests that you read them without fail."

Xiao Xuanyin’s brows were as still as mountains. "Enter," he commanded.

"Yes, Your Highness." The servant entered, respectfully placed the tightly wrapped bundle of books on the table, and retreated quickly, not daring to linger. His Highness favored silence and disliked being disturbed.

As night deepened, the work remained unfinished. The flickering candlelight cast a glow upon Xiao Xuanyin’s face, making his pale, snow-like features appear even more ethereal.

Outside the palace, Shang Xunhuan lounged with his legs crossed, his peach-blossom eyes filled with triumph. He had earnestly urged the Crown Prince to seize the opportunity and draw closer to Miss Fu; otherwise, should she fall for another heartless scoundrel, she would only suffer the agony of heartbreak once more. Why not make her the Crown Princess, shower her with exclusive favor, dote on her until she was entirely his, and make her the envy of all Chang’an?

Under his persuasive, emotional appeals, the Crown Prince had finally nodded. Shang had been so beside himself with excitement that he immediately promised to find "secret manuals" for the Prince to study, assuring him that by following their guidance, he would surely win the beauty’s heart. He was a man of action; in just a few days, he had scoured the markets and presented the Prince with titles like *Secret Court Romance*, *The Overbearing Crown Prince’s Fierce Love*, and *Where Are You Running, My Princess? Let Me Dote On You*.

Wait.

Shang Xunhuan’s expression shifted subtly as he recalled something alarming. Last night, he had been so deeply engrossed in a collection of erotic illustrations that he had lost all sense of time. Before falling asleep, he had tossed them aside—and he remembered them landing right next to the romance novels.

He paused, then arched a brow, a lewd grin spreading across his face.

Let it be. The Crown Prince was like a jade mountain about to crumble, a deity who had never descended to the mortal realm; it was high time he learned the ways of the world. However, if the Prince were to see those illustrations and let his imagination run wild—thinking of Miss Fu’s exquisite beauty, her ice-pale skin and snowy flesh—he might find himself in a state of agitation, quite unable to regain his composure.

Back in the corner of the Eastern Palace, Xiao Xuanyin finished his work. He set down his brush and his gaze fell upon the "secret manuals" Shang had spoken of so confidently. His brow twitched slightly. After a long moment, his slender, well-defined fingers untied the bundle and picked up the first volume, flipping it open casually.

A scene of lush, erotic beauty met his eyes. On a soft hibiscus-patterned couch, a lady’s tresses, black as midnight, cascaded like a waterfall, tangling with the dark hair of a man. Their bodies were pressed together in a melting embrace, their lips grinding against one another, their breaths intermingling in chaotic rhythm.

Xiao Xuanyin’s knuckles tightened as he held the book, his heart trembling. In his mind, scene after scene from his dreams—where he had been intimate with Fu Jinhao—flashed before him, mapping perfectly onto the imagery in the book. It became increasingly vivid, stirring his desires into a frenzy.

An indescribable flame pulsed within his very bones. His cold, pale skin gradually flushed with a crimson hue, radiating an aura that lured one toward total surrender. Like a majestic, frigid deity from a painting, he had broken his vows and indulged his passions, teetering on the edge of losing control.

The candles continued to burn. Xiao Xuanyin lowered his head, his gaze lingering on the hem of his robes, his eyes dark with intense, hidden shadows. He stood up, and at last, unable to restrain himself, he walked toward the inner chambers.

***

At the Magpie Bridge in the North Alley of the capital, lanterns were hung every ten steps. The scene was brilliant and resplendent, the clear light reflecting off the lake in a way that was heart-stoppingly beautiful. Chang’an was an open-minded city; couples who were betrothed or newlyweds often made appointments to spend a romantic evening here. Everywhere one looked, there was the sound of sweet laughter and the sight of tender, affectionate gazes.

Jiang Manxue stood in the dim light. She had dressed elaborately today, a vibrant vermillion mark between her brows, her eyes shimmering with coquettish charm. She wore a light, crimson gauze dress that left her magnificent skin partially visible, easily stirring the blood of any man who caught sight of her.

She looked at the intimate couples on the bridge with complex emotions. She envied their ability to embrace openly, yet she felt smug that with a few small schemes, she had managed to bewitch Song Junyao—a man already betrothed—and steal him away with ease.

Days ago, she had learned from the Zhao brothers that Song Junyao intended to use his birthday as an excuse to lure Fu Jinhao to Yundian Mountain, hoping to give her a harsh lesson just to settle a score for her. In the end, the person accompanying Song Junyao on his birthday was her. Was Fu Jinhao still trapped on Yundian Mountain right now, heartbroken and suffering in the bitter wind and rain?

Jiang Manxue thought with a mix of disdain and pity: *Fu Jinhao, you truly are both pathetic and laughable. Spreading rumors and threatening me with tongue-cutting—you could only vent for a moment before failing so miserably. Song Junyao will always stand by my side, cherish me, and protect me.*

"A-Xue." A familiar, low voice sounded from behind her.

Jiang Manxue raised the smile she had practiced countless times in the mirror, charming and moving. She turned around, her voice softening: "A-Yao..."

But when she saw Song Junyao’s haggard face and the long, bloody scratch upon it, her smile froze. She asked in astonishment: "A-Yao, why are you injured?"

Song Junyao’s expression darkened. He did not want to mention that he had been outwitted by the very Fu Jinhao he despised most, and left trapped in a cave for several hours—it was a blow to his pride. He shook his head and said, "A-Xue, it is but a minor injury. It is not worth mentioning."

Driven by a woman’s intuition, Jiang Manxue sensed something strange in Song Junyao’s heart. She bit her lip. She walked over to him, stood on tiptoe, and gently stroked his brow, her breath sweet like orchids. "A-Yao, I ache for you. Did you not tell me that there would be no secrets between us?"

Song Junyao clearly felt her breath against his face. He looked down, taking in her voluptuous beauty. Yet, he could not help but think of Fu Jinhao’s cold, jade-like face. *A-Xue is so gentle and charming, while she was sharp-tongued and vicious.*

Song Junyao took a deep breath. Omitting the fact that they had intended to scare Fu Jinhao with vicious dogs, he told Jiang Manxue what had happened afterward. In his eyes, there was confusion, resentment, and a massive, burning anger: *What exactly was he in Fu Jinhao’s heart now? What was she planning?*

After hearing this, Jiang Manxue’s heart was filled with venom. *Not only did Fu Jinhao escape unscathed, but she dared to hurt A-Yao.* She looked up and caught the strange look in Song Junyao’s eyes, and her heart skipped a beat. *A-Yao has surely fallen for the common male folly—he showed disdain for a woman who was passionate toward him, but now that she has turned a cold eye toward him, he has developed a subtle change of heart and become interested in her.*

No, she would never allow such a thing to happen!

"A-Yao, to think you were in such danger today... I am relieved, yet terrified." Suddenly, Jiang Manxue reached out and wrapped her arms around Song Junyao’s waist.

Song Junyao’s body stiffened. Although he adored A-Xue and enjoyed the undercurrents between them, this was the first time they had embraced. His voice was hoarse: "A-Xue, you..."

Jiang Manxue tilted her head back, her captivating eyes fixed on Song Junyao. "A-Yao, I let it slide when Miss Fu framed me in the past, but today, I cannot tolerate her using such viper-like malice to harm you!"

"On the fifteenth of the third month, the Eldest Princess Mingde is hosting a banquet. I am close friends with her daughter, the Princess of Qingping. I will surely make her a laughingstock of Chang’an at that banquet." As she spoke, her tears fell like rain. "A-Yao, I ache for you."

Song Junyao’s heart swelled, filled with tenderness and love for Jiang Manxue, and fresh resentment for Fu Jinhao. Almost as if to exact revenge on Fu Jinhao, he cradled her face and kissed her fiercely.