Su Shang returned home late and looked exhausted. Every day, as soon as she got back, she would retreat to the study. Feng Zeyue had tried to talk to her several times but couldn't find an opportunity.
Even when they occasionally met, it was just polite greetings, not at all like a newly married couple.
Feng Zeyue thought with annoyance, her expression somewhat displeased.
But Feng Zeyue had also observed Su Shang. Relying on her woman's intuition, she was absolutely certain that Su Shang wasn't seeing anyone else. So, what was she so busy with?
Feng Zeyue couldn't figure it out.
And through Su Shang's day and night efforts, she finally found some clues.
Su Yu had an excellent reputation among the common people back then. Moreover, every battle he participated in ended in victory. Thus, the people spontaneously bestowed upon him the title of God of War.
He had stood too high back then, so high that he became a symbol of faith in the hearts of the people. They even completely overlooked the roles others played in the war, which consequently aroused the dissatisfaction of many.
The Prime Minister was one of them.
It was said that his relationship with Su Yu was very good back then. During the battle where Su Yu was defeated, there was a traitor in the army who sent the defense map to the enemy country.
The enemy country was well-prepared, and the imperial court was slow to provide reinforcements. Besieged for many days, with supplies depleted, Su Yu died on the battlefield.
The current Emperor, in consideration of Su Yu's hard work and great contributions over the years, specially permitted his family to return to their hometown and bestowed upon them a hundred acres of fertile land. However, his family encountered mountain bandits on their way home and all perished.
Su Shang finally saw the portrait of her true mother.
The painting was beautiful. The woman in the painting smiled, appearing extremely gentle, far more beautiful than Gong Ningsi, who was always in a state of madness.
No wonder Su Yu chose her.
Su Shang's expression was melancholic. She gently stroked the painting and said, "If you were still here, would I, who grew up by your side, have become like this?"
But she would never get the answer.
However, it didn't matter.
Su Shang lowered her eyes, with little emotion, simply knowing what she needed to do.
Her efforts over the years had not been in vain.
Everyone has a weakness. The human heart is the most unpredictable, yet the easiest to exploit.
Su Shang thought it was time to end all this.
The Prime Minister was indeed noble, but not necessarily clean.
He had many students and many vulnerabilities. Bringing him down would not be difficult.
Su Shang had learned that first, she would spread rumors about the Prime Minister's disciples in the liveliest parts of the capital. When the rumors had fermented sufficiently, she would then spread rumors about the Prime Minister himself, attributing both existing and non-existent matters to him.
But there was one thing she would not do: Su Shang would not spread rumors about the defeat in the battle back then.
Without evidence, it was easy to invite trouble upon herself. Moreover, these things were enough to send the Prime Minister to eternal damnation.
As the rumors spread at an unimaginable speed, the General's Mansion remained unusually calm.
Su Shang, as usual, called Gong Ningsi "Mother."
Although she had not received much love from her, she knew clearly that without Gong Ningsi's existence, she would have died many years ago. She ought to repay the kindness of her upbringing.
Having shed her burden, Su Shang relaxed a little and unconsciously turned back to her room. Looking at the figure of the woman inside, the corners of her lips curved upwards, forming a gentle smile.
Feng Zeyue caught sight of the figure outside. Her eyes were still on her book, but her mind had wandered elsewhere.
She wanted to go out and find Su Shang, but she also wanted to maintain a little more reserve. After all, Su Shang had been neglecting her for so long recently.
Feng Zeyue was annoyed, yet she couldn't help but peek through the window at the motionless figure.
Su Shang stood tall and straight, but showed no intention of coming in.
Feng Zeyue grew a little anxious and gave her nearby maid a subtle glance.
The maid understood and immediately pushed open the door and exclaimed with feigned surprise, "Young Master, are you looking for the Princess?"
"Come in!"
Su Shang wanted to leave, but Feng Zeyue's voice, suppressing her anger, came from inside the room.
Su Shang paused and then walked into the room.
She stood at the doorway, unmoving.
Feng Zeyue raised an eyebrow, casually put down the book in her hand, and walked towards Su Shang.
The maid, understanding the situation, discreetly left, closing the door behind her.
"What, feeling guilty? Did you do something to betray me?" Feng Zeyue asked, raising an eyebrow and speaking aggressively.
Su Shang pursed her lips, her exquisite face filled with confusion. Finally, she shook her head.
Feng Zeyue laughed angrily and pinched Su Shang's cheek fiercely. "You! You just rely on your good looks. If you become ugly one day, I'll go out and find ten or eight male companions to give me shoulder massages and back rubs every day."
"That would be much more carefree than being stuck with just you."
"You're not allowed to." Su Shang subconsciously refused, her eyes reddening, her beautiful peach blossom eyes filled with grievance.
"Zeyue said she liked me. You're not allowed to dislike me."
Su Shang looked so pitiful that Feng Zeyue couldn't suppress her feelings. She grabbed Su Shang's collar and kissed her lips fiercely.
Su Shang was stunned. She tightly clutched her sleeves and instinctively closed her eyes.
Feng Zeyue smiled, and passionately kissed Su Shang's forehead, between her brows, her lips... finally biting her delicate collarbone.
A strange sensation she had never experienced before made Su Shang tremble slightly. Her thick eyelashes fluttered incessantly. She wanted to open her eyes to see, but her heart was filled with an uncontrollable panic.
A very strange feeling.
Su Shang thought, but she didn't dislike it much.
Although Su Shang didn't respond, merely letting Feng Zeyue manipulate her like a doll, Feng Zeyue's heart was pounding.
Su Shang's eyes were flushed at the corners, and when she opened them, a fleeting bewilderment appeared, making Feng Zeyue feel a pang of guilt.
"Xingzhi~" she called her softly.
"How about we try it? You mentioned it before."
Su Shang's eyelashes trembled, and her eyes became clear. Before she could speak, her face turned red.
Just thinking about her lying beneath her, her smooth skin exposed before her eyes, made her heart flutter uncontrollably.
But... she wasn't very good at it (´థ౪థ)σ
"A-actually," Su Shang swallowed a few times and finally whispered, "I don't know how to do it!"
Feng Zeyue froze.
She was burning up, her entire body feeling feverish. An invisible heat seemed to burn from the tip of her heart all the way to her body, incinerating all her reason.
She almost forcefully pushed Su Shang onto the bed.
Su Shang crossed her arms, her eyes timid, looking almost pitiful.
Feng Zeyue felt her mouth growing drier and drier, so dry that she lost all reason.
Su Shang also realized the danger and shrank back towards the inner side. Mustering her courage, she spoke the truth, "Actually, I'm a woman."
Feng Zeyue froze in place, unmoving, as if a basin of cold water had suddenly been poured over her head. The things she couldn't understand before suddenly made sense.
She looked at Su Shang's exquisite features, gritted her teeth, and reached out to undress her. "So what if you're a woman? Given how beautiful you are, this princess will make a slight sacrifice and take you in!"