The Kill Palace, with its centuries-old reputation, had never made a mistake with its poisons, yet here they were, foiled by Yun Shu.
How had Yun Shu managed it?
They had once consulted renowned physicians from across the land to test the water for any tampering, and without exception, none could detect anything.
Let alone when it was mixed into tea.
Back then, it was truly colorless and odorless.
How had Yun Shu detected it?
And even been able to neutralize it!
Princess Ningde was only briefly perplexed. Soon, an answer formed in her mind. The answer was simple: Yun Shu's medical skills had always been underestimated. Ever since Yun Shu had healed her brother, she should have realized that underestimating Yun Shu in any regard was acceptable, but not her medical prowess.
"Setting such a grand trap for me, Princess Ningde, has anyone ever told you that a forcefully plucked melon is not sweet?"
Yun Shu's gaze calmly swept over Princess Ningde as she spoke with a half-smile.
Princess Ningde's recent actions had truly surprised her.
Despite Zhan Tianye's clear rejections, Princess Ningde had persisted relentlessly.
Now, she had resorted to these unsavory tactics.
The esteemed Kill Palace was the foremost organization in Xixia, commanding thousands of assassins, their presence spread throughout Xixia and even into other nations.
As the leader of the Kill Palace, Princess Ningde, should have been clear-headed and rational, understanding what actions were forbidden and which would prove futile. Yet, Princess Ningde's obsession with Zhan Tianye was disturbingly extreme.
"Indeed, a forcefully plucked melon is not sweet. Neither King Ye nor Prince Jin has any feelings for you! In his eyes, you are no different from a man. If I were you, I would have seen this clearly and fled as far as possible. Why would you shamelessly throw yourself at him? Aren't you afraid of disgusting him?" Xie Jin, tidying his disheveled hair, stared at Princess Ningde with exasperation, his words sharp and infuriating.
Upon hearing Yun Shu address her as Princess Ningde, Princess Ningde was startled.
Shock flickered in her eyes.
She had never imagined that Yun Shu would see through her identity!
When had Yun Shu and the others discovered who she was?
And, did Zhan Tianye already know?
Seeing Princess Ningde's silence, seemingly astonished at her identity being exposed, Xie Jin scoffed and said, "While you may be formidable, do not underestimate others. You may believe you've concealed your identity well, but you must recognize one thing: you are intelligent, but others are not fools."
He subtly rubbed his wrist.
The assassins of the Kill Palace were truly troublesome.
It had been a long time since he had fought so exhilaratingly.
It had also been a long time since he had faced a life-threatening danger. Several times just now, he had thought his life would end here today.
However, the current situation was hardly any better. Princess Ningde had revealed herself, and now her identity was exposed; a fierce battle was likely to ensue today.
This path was clearly blocked, with no one passing by in either direction.
"Shut up!" Princess Ningde snarled at Xie Jin.
She would eventually cut out Xie Jin's tongue. Xie Jin's words were never pleasant; if he had a tongue and couldn't speak properly, it should be removed.
Xie Jin rolled his eyes. "I will speak when I want to speak. What business is it of yours? Do you want to be my housekeeper? Tsk tsk, for the leader of the Kill Palace to want to be my housekeeper, I simply cannot bear such a burden!"
Princess Ningde gritted her teeth, seething with anger.
The many subordinates beside her, seeing Xie Jin's arrogance, all wanted to rush forward and teach him a lesson.
Yun Shu gave Xie Jin a look, indicating that was enough.
Xie Jin touched his nose and, being obedient, said no more.
"Since you know I am the leader of the Kill Palace, you should understand that I will not let you pass through this road today. Last time, I let you leave your manor because I had no choice. But now, you have no opportunity." Princess Ningde stared directly at Yun Shu, her voice icy.
This road was filled with Kill Palace operatives.
Even though it was daytime, she was confident she could prevent Yun Shu from leaving.
Regardless of how astonishing Yun Shu's medical skills or martial arts were.
Today, she held the advantage.
Yun Shu was trapped within her scheme.
What nonsense was this about a forcefully plucked melon not being sweet?
There was no such thing in this world! She never believed that a forcefully plucked melon wouldn't be sweet. Today, she would give it a try and throw Yun Shu onto her brother's bed. Once Yun Shu became his woman, she would see how Yun Shu could still say that a forcefully plucked melon wasn't sweet?
Once everything was settled, she would be the one to decide whether it was sweet or not.
"Is that so?" Yun Shu asked softly.
Her slender hand gently caressed the whip in her grasp.
The unique chill of the snake whip emanated from it, reaching her fingertips.
"I know you are very capable and do not take the Kill Palace's assassins lightly. Are you still waiting for Prince Jin to appear? I can tell you, from now until dark, you will not see Prince Jin." Princess Ningde said coldly.
Xie Jin spat, "Quite confident."
Yet, a sudden unease struck him.
With so many people, would he and Yun Shu really be finished here?
If King Ye were truly detained, there would be no way to rescue them.
A drop of cold sweat slid down Xie Jin's forehead.
He wiped it away discreetly.
"I know you won't kill me," Yun Shu said calmly.
Her tone revealed no hint of emotion.
Despite being at a disadvantage, she remained composed.
Princess Ningde's expression was grim.
Yun Shu knew very well that she and Xie Jin were envoys from the Eastern Ning Kingdom. If anything happened to them in the capital of Xixia, especially so soon after leaving the palace, it would undoubtedly arouse suspicion worldwide.
No matter how much they wanted her dead, they would not let her die in Xixia.
Moreover, if she were dead, how would they control Zhan Tianye?
Therefore, they had other motives.
"In the tea served in the palace, you had someone administer a drug that causes me to enter an illusion, blurring the line between reality and dreams, leading me to act against my will. I guess your purpose in giving me this drug was to ruin me?" Yun Shu guessed calmly.
However, the drug they administered was extremely rare.
And it had a peculiar effect.
Once she let her guard down and failed to take the stabilizing medication in time, she would be controlled by their drug, perhaps already falling into their trap.
Xixia truly had many talented and unusual individuals.
They could concoct such strange and wonderful things.
It even made her want to study them thoroughly.
Princess Ningde's heart leaped. "I don't know what you're talking about. There's no need to delay any longer."
As she finished speaking, she turned and ordered those behind her, "Capture Xie Jin and pull out his tongue. As for the Night King's Consort, seize her and take her away."