Chapter 11: The Final Contest

“Mm~” Jiang Manxue let out a soft, alluring sound from her throat as she gently pushed against Song Junyao’s chest, the pressure light yet deliberate, as if tapping directly on his heart.

This was a tactic she often used on him—appearing to resist while actually welcoming, ensnaring him so completely that he could not restrain himself.

Her beauty and intelligence far surpassed those of the stuffy, uninspired noblewomen of this era. If she wished, every young master in Chang’an would fall at her feet.

Sure enough, Song Junyao’s eyes darkened, and his hands cradling Jiang Manxue’s face tightened slightly.

His voice was hoarse: “A Xue, be good.”

With that, he deepened the kiss.

Time slipped by unnoticed.

Finally, the kiss ended. Jiang Manxue, soft as if without bones, nestled against Song Junyao. Her cheeks were flushed, her enchanting eyes shimmering like spring waters.

She shot him a shy yet reproachful glance. “A Yao, what are you doing?”

Song Junyao felt deeply gratified.

His handsome face was sincere as he said in a hoarse tone, “A Xue, my heart belongs to you.”

“I saw you crying for me just now—I simply couldn’t control my feelings.”

Jiang Manxue had long known that Song Junyao favored her, but she feigned great surprise. “A Yao, so your feelings mirror mine.”

In the next moment, her smile faded into bittersweetness. “But A Yao, it’s impossible for us to be together openly and honorably.”

“Miss Fu has a betrothal with you. Even though I love you deeply and envy her, it was the late emperor’s decree. I cannot bear to push you into being the object of public scorn.”

Song Junyao was deeply moved.

A Xue was the wife he truly desired.

She was renowned far and wide, wise and thoughtful, always considering him.

Unlike Fu Jinhe, who only knew jealousy and hatred born of love, to the brink of madness.

How could he bear to wrong A Xue?

Song Junyao pulled Jiang Manxue fiercely into his embrace, lowering his head until his chin rested against her hair.

In a low voice, he said, “A Xue, wait a little longer. I will surely break off the engagement with that venomous woman, Fu Jinhe.”

“Our future is long.”

Jiang Manxue’s heart almost melted.

To truly wrest Fu Jinhe—whom A Yao treasured like a gem—away was such a delight.

If anyone were to blame, it was Fu Jinhe’s foolish arrogance and scheming, which only pushed A Yao further away.

Their union was destined.

The night stretched on.

On the magpie bridge, lovers trusted each other with devotion; beneath it, men and women, flouting propriety, connived in secret, reveling in their deceit.

…

The following day.

At the residence of Princess Mingde.

Princess Qingping, Shen Minglan, invited Jiang Manxue to her home for tea and flower appreciation.

Outside the window, peach blossoms spread endlessly, petals drifting gently inside, filling the air with fragrance.

Song Minglan placed a peach blossom branch into a newly acquired glass vase, her eyes curved in delight as she said to Jiang Manxue, “A Xue, isn’t this vase beautiful?”

“This was bought at great expense by my father from Persia. Truly, he cherishes me like a precious jewel.”

Jiang Manxue, however, frowned and looked out the window, fidgeting with her handkerchief, her mind elsewhere.

Shen Minglan approached and lightly tapped Jiang Manxue’s head. “A Xue, what are you daydreaming about so deeply?”

“Could it be that you’re thinking of General Song?”

Jiang Manxue snapped back to reality. Hearing Shen Minglan mention Song Junyao’s name brought a faint blush to her cheeks.

She denied vehemently, “I’m not. Don’t say such things.”

“Oh? That’s suspicious!” Shen Minglan smiled meaningfully.

After a pause, she grew serious. “A Xue, you can’t hide it from me.”

Jiang Manxue’s bright face was full of conflict. She sighed softly. “Last night, A Yao and I confessed our feelings to each other.”

Shen Minglan’s eyes lit up. She sincerely rejoiced for Jiang Manxue. “That’s wonderful. You and General Song are a perfect match—made for each other.”

“That wretched Fu Jinhe is talentless and ruthless, standing between you and General Song. I wish she were dead!”

Jiang Manxue’s gaze was heavy with sorrow. “But what can be done? Miss Fu and A Yao have a betrothal decreed by the late emperor. In the end, fate has denied us.”

“She’s even twisted and mad with jealousy because I have A Yao’s favor, scheming to harm him…”

She exaggerated the story of Song Junyao being chased by a vile wolf for Shen Minglan’s ears.

Upon hearing this, Shen Minglan’s beautiful face seethed with hatred, her voice laced with venom. “That wretched Fu Jinhe dares to commit such evils! I will never let her off easily!”

“A Xue, rest assured, as your sworn sister, I won’t let you down.”

She smiled coldly. “What if a betrothal was decreed by the late emperor? I still have the means to break it!”

A glint of cunning flashed through Jiang Manxue’s eyes, but she said softly, “A Lan, you needn’t go so far…”

Shen Minglan waved her hand and said sternly, “A Xue, I know you are kind, but when it comes to your future, you mustn’t be soft-hearted.”

“With me involved, and Qiuzhi in the house to offer clever plans, nothing will go wrong.”

“Don’t you want to marry General Song and live in harmony like phoenix and dragon?”

Jiang Manxue bit her lip and after a long moment, as if betraying her own conscience, said, “This time, I’ll follow your lead.”

Shen Minglan’s worried heart finally relaxed. She affectionately embraced Jiang Manxue. “A Xue, you saved my life once; I will repay you with all my strength.”

Where Shen Minglan could not see, Jiang Manxue’s eyes flickered with a mocking smile.

Everything was under her control.

A year ago, having transmigrated into this world as a minor noble daughter of the Hanlin residence, Jiang Manxue sought to secure her position by targeting Shen Minglan, the sole legitimate daughter of Princess Mingde, and staged a “rescue” to save her life.

From then on, with Shen Minglan paving the way, Jiang Manxue’s reputation spread far and wide, and she gained power within the Hanlin residence.

Qiuzhi was an important pawn she placed by Shen Minglan’s side. For the people she wanted to deal with, Qiuzhi would offer stratagems, and Shen Minglan would act.

She achieved her ends without lifting a single sword or soldier.

Across all of Chang’an, no noblewoman’s schemes could match hers—not one could rival her.

Jiang Manxue slowly narrowed her eyes.

Soon, Fu Jinhe would be caught in a compromising situation with servants at Princess Mingde’s banquet, disgracing herself, becoming a laughingstock.

Her reputation shattered, reviled by all in Chang’an, it would be only natural for A Yao to propose breaking the engagement.

She looked forward to that day with great anticipation—watching Fu Jinhe fall into ruin and weep bitterly would be a sweet satisfaction.

…

Two hours later, near noon.

At Jingchu Studio.

Fu Jinhe stood gracefully in a corner where her beloved’s tokens were arranged. She wore simple clothes beneath a floral canopy, her jade hairpins and coiled hairstyle immaculate, surrounded by silk curtains and scented powders.

Her brows furrowed as she carefully selected a token.

Bi Zhu silently cursed in her heart. That scoundrel playboy clearly didn’t want anything from Miss, yet today he suddenly sent word, asking her to choose a gift for him personally.

Who knew what he was scheming? Perhaps he coveted Miss’s beauty?

Had Shang Xunhuan known Bi Zhu’s thoughts, he might have only snickered and scoffed: “This girl knows nothing. He is actually very thoughtful.”

The token Miss Fu gave would be treasured by His Highness.

A man so deeply infatuated with Miss Fu, upon receiving her gift, would have his heart pound uncontrollably, unable to suppress the overwhelming passion.

His Highness would cherish it, unwilling to part with it.

If Miss Fu could embroider a fragrant sachet herself, better still—imbued with her scent, His Highness would press it to his nose, inhaling deeply, savoring the lingering presence of his beloved.

“Fu Jinhe, are you again painstakingly selecting tokens to gift General Song?” a mocking voice suddenly interrupted.

Fu Jinhe looked up, her gaze cold and clear.

Bi Zhu also turned, her face flushed with indignation. Miss Fu and Princess Qingping had never gotten along.

That wretch! The two of them dared to look at her with such disdain! Just then, Shen Minglan, who had sent away Jiang Manxue, happened to arrive at Jingchu Studio, selecting tokens for Princess Mingde.

Unexpectedly, she ran into Fu Jinhe. Truly, enemies often meet.

She approached with a sneer. “Fu Jinhe, I advise you to stop wasting your efforts. A Xue has already… and General Song will never accept your token.”

Fu Jinhe’s eyes revealed clear disdain.

So at this moment, Jiang Manxue and Song Junyao had shamelessly breached all barriers and become entangled.

Her voice was calm as water. “Whether I intend to give tokens to Song Junyao or not, I am still his fiancée, and thus entitled.”

People inside the studio all looked at Fu Jinhe. The young woman was graceful and composed, carrying herself with ease.

Rumor had it that the eldest daughter of the Grand Tutor’s residence was infatuated with General Song to the point of losing herself. Now that they saw her, it was not entirely so.

Instead, Princess Qingping was aggressive and somewhat unpleasant.

When did that wretch become so sharp-tongued? Shen Minglan’s fury surged. In the past, whenever she mentioned General Song neglecting Fu Jinhe, the latter would become so furious she would stomp her feet and lose all decorum.

Never had she been so calm and self-controlled.

What was Fu Jinhe pretending now, hypocritically calling General Song by his full name, Song Junyao?

Suddenly, Shen Minglan gave a strange smile, her gaze sinister as she swept over Fu Jinhe’s figure. “Soon, that will no longer be the case.”

With that, she swept her sleeves and left, not even choosing a token.

Bi Zhu spat quietly and muttered, “Song Junyao, such a disgusting scoundrel. Miss treats him like dirt.”

“Only Jiang Manxue still treasures him.”

Fu Jinhe’s eyelashes trembled slightly, contemplating Shen Minglan’s earlier nakedly cruel gaze.

Surely another poison plot was brewing, aimed at her.

Shen Minglan was Jiang Manxue’s sworn sister. In her past life, Jiang Manxue often used Shen Minglan’s hands to push Fu Jinhe step by step into an abyss of no return.

The downfall of the Grand Tutor’s residence was also aided by the stabs from Princess Mingde’s household.

A gentle breeze stirred the strands of hair at Fu Jinhe’s jade-like cheek. Her eyes were sharp as blades, and her heart surged with a solitary courage to push forward.

If this poison plot was indeed Jiang Manxue’s doing, then in this new life, her battle with the heroine from the tale would begin anew…

And once again, who would emerge victorious?