The three girls looked at each other in confusion, not understanding why Aunt Fang had asked such a question.
Nan Zhi was the first to sense something. "For the young lady, we're not afraid of death!"
"I'd prefer someone with martial arts skills," Aunt Fang added.
Yao Guang calmly raised her hand. "I am."
"Come with me."
Yao Guang was taken away by Aunt Fang.
Su Yue looked utterly bewildered. "What does Aunt Fang want with Yao Guang inside? Could it be that she's afraid the princess's words will be too harsh and wants Yao Guang to beat up the princess?"
Nan Zhi felt an uneasiness welling up inside her. She had a feeling that something big was about to happen in the princess's mansion tonight.
She then recalled that when the young lady got out of the carriage and walked into the princess's mansion, she suddenly turned back and stared deeply at her and Su Yue. Her eyes held emotions that Nan Zhi couldn't decipher.
"Su Yue, you stay here and wait for the young lady's news at any time. I'm going to the Yu family!"
"Isn't Yu Huiyan about to die? What are you going there for? It's so inauspicious!"
Su Yue pouted angrily. "Second Master doesn't have the young lady in his heart. Even if you go, you won't be able to bring him here. The Yu family won't even open the door for you."
Nan Zhi said firmly, "I must go!"
If they wouldn't let her in, she'd climb over the wall!
The princess's bedroom was magnificent yet gloomy.
There were golden decorations everywhere, but they made Song Wanchu feel extremely cold.
The hustle and bustle outside was completely blocked out.
The princess pointed at the two cups of wine on the table.
Her fingertips were pale and sharp, like a knife that could take her life at any moment.
"Song Wanchu, I made myself clear that day. It's time for you to choose between life and death."
Two cups of wine, two choices.
"The first cup is poisoned. Drinking it will trigger your heart disease, and you'll die within four hours."
By then, Song Wanchu would no longer be in her mansion. The poison wouldn't leave any residue in her body, and even the most skilled imperial physician would only conclude that she had died from a heart attack.
"The second cup contains an aphrodisiac, Spring Night Warmth. Drink it and find the crown prince to detoxify you."
The princess let out a暧昧 chuckle. In the dim candlelight, the wrinkles on her face were deep, making her look even more hideous and vicious than usual.
"You've already tasted how intoxicating Spring Night Warmth is. The crown prince should be more than willing to detoxify you."
No matter which cup she chose, the outcome would be a descent into the abyss.
Song Wanchu looked up at the princess calmly and resolutely.
"No matter which cup I choose, Your Highness will spare my uncle, right?"
The princess evaded the question. "I can guarantee his safety."
She had long coveted the wealth of the Qi family. Exchanging a huge sum of money for a life seemed fair to her.
She thought she was being quite kind.
Rather than sending Qi Yuanjun to jail directly, she preferred to let him out so that he could continue making money and supply her with wealth for a long time.
"I know Your Highness always keeps her word."
With one foot already in the abyss, Song Wanchu had fewer concerns. "The promises you make will surely be fulfilled. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many court officials willing to follow you."
If there was one thing good about the princess, it was that she always did what she said.
This compliment pleased the princess. "I actually quite admire you. Your mouth can be as poisonous as a snake at times and as sweet as honey at others. It's a sharp weapon for dealing with people. I really can't bear to see you wither away."
This was an implication for her to choose the second cup of wine. If she could successfully seduce the crown prince, she would become the princess's spy beside the crown prince.
But Song Wanchu resolutely picked up the first cup.
"Have you thought it through?"
The princess sneered. "You'll suffer a great deal before you die after the poison takes effect."
Song Wanchu didn't drink it immediately.
"Your Highness, you actually didn't need to go through all this trouble, because I already intended to leave Liang Yuzhou."
"What do you mean?"
"The old lady has a concubine release letter stamped with the seal of the Liang family. Once I get it, I'll leave the capital with my uncle's merchant caravan and never set foot in the capital again."
"Does Liang Yuzhou not even know about this concubine release letter?"
The princess was surprised.
And Song Wanchu was actually willing to leave Liang Yuzhou voluntarily and never see him again in this lifetime?
Everyone in the capital knew that Song Wanchu loved Liang Yuzhou so much that she was willing to risk her life for the prize in the spring hunt.
She had sacrificed her life for Liang Yuzhou twice. She loved him so blindly that after being cold - shouldered by him for three years, she still clung to him like a dog without dignity.
The princess deeply doubted Song Wanchu's words.
"At this point, I have no reason to lie to Your Highness. If Your Highness doesn't believe me, I can bring the concubine release letter to Your Highness for inspection after I get it."
She had never been more eager to get away from the capital, away from Liang Yuzhou, and away from all the scheming and intrigue.
The princess burst into laughter. Her laughter was full of ruthless mockery, making Song Wanchu shiver.
"Song Wanchu, Song Wanchu. You're still just a little girl. Your thoughts are so simple that they're both cute and laughable."
She slowly walked closer. Her sinister and hideous face loomed larger in Song Wanchu's sight.
Her cold fingers gently stroked Song Wanchu's cheek as she shook her head. "You're a femme fatale, do you know that? A femme fatale either stays in her proper place to bewitch the emperor or becomes a tragic beauty with a short life.
As long as you're still alive, do you think Liang Yuzhou will tolerate his woman hiding from him? He'll search the ends of the earth for you. And the crown prince, once you have the concubine release letter and become a free woman, he'll spare no expense to seize this opportunity and find a way to keep you by his side.
Song Wanchu, do you think you can replace my careful plan with a mere concubine release letter? That letter would make my efforts seem redundant. And after that, whether the two men fight openly or secretly for you, I won't be able to interfere anymore. Do you want me to end up with nothing?
Here with me, you don't have a third choice. Either disappear from this world completely so that both Liang Yuzhou and the crown prince will give up their thoughts, or become the crown prince's favorite concubine so that Liang Yuzhou will never be able to get close to you again."
Song Wanchu was forced to look into those crazy eyes.
She understood that whether alive or dead, she had to be the princess's tool.
"Hurry up. My patience is limited."
Song Wanchu's hand holding the wine cup trembled slightly.
She slowly brought the cup to her lips.
The moment her lips touched the wine, the figure of Liang Yuzhou suddenly appeared in her mind.
He was beside Yu Huiyan, tender - eyed, making vows of eternal love. And she was about to die alone without even having the chance to say goodbye.
The princess's expression became even more crazy.
Just as she was about to drink the poisoned wine in one gulp—
"Bang!"
The door of the bedroom was kicked open.
"How dare you! You barge into my bedroom without permission!"
The princess glared angrily at the man who was rushing in.
"Wanchu, don't drink!"
A long, powerful hand snatched the wine cup from her hand and threw it forcefully to the ground.
The precious wine cup shattered into pieces at the princess's feet.