Feng Ninghe once trusted Lin Yuran, but after experiencing various events, she became cautious and no longer easily trusted anyone.
Back then, Lin Yuran had drugged her to succeed. If it were a fair fight, that woman might not have been her match.
"Mother, I want to go too."
Si Xin Xin, drowsy, uttered these words, her heavy eyelids drooping.
Looking at the sleepy Si Xin Xin, Feng Ninghe couldn't help but smile, "Xiao Zhao, go take care of Xin Xin."
Xiao Zhao finally nodded, repeatedly cautioning, "Master, be careful with everything."
Feng Ninghe did not delay, proceeding with Zhen Zhu.
The palace at night alternated between darkness and light, the begonia flowers appearing exceptionally alluring under the moonlight.
Not far away was Lin Yuran's palace.
This palace once belonged to the Empress of the Lin Kingdom.
Lin Yuran, about to ascend the throne as the new Empress of the Lin Kingdom, had schemed her way into this palace and finally achieved her wish.
As they walked, Zhen Zhu's steps halted, and she deliberately lowered her voice, "Miss Feng, you must be careful of the princess."
"Oh?"
Feng Ninghe's gaze fell upon her, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Why should I be careful?"
She hadn't expected Zhen Zhu to warn her.
Zhen Zhu surveyed their surroundings. Seeing no one else, she spoke, "Miss Feng, those who serve the princess always die inexplicably, and the palace maids are frequently replaced. The deaths of these maids are closely related to the princess!"
Upon hearing this, Feng Ninghe's expression turned grim.
She knew Lin Yuran was a wicked person, but she hadn't expected her to be so utterly depraved.
The maids dying inexplicably was something Lin Yuran could not possibly be unaware of, yet she allowed it to happen, which could only mean she was involved.
"And you?"
Feng Ninghe's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at Zhen Zhu, her voice soft as she spoke, "You haven't had an easy time all these years, have you?"
After entering the palace, she had surveyed her surroundings.
The servants in the palace were all unfamiliar faces; she hadn't seen any of them before and had no recollection of them.
It seemed that after her death, Lin Yuran had replaced everyone in the palace, and those who had served her were nowhere to be seen.
Facing the question, Zhen Zhu smiled dismissively, "It hasn't been easy, but I've endured it. Having stayed in the palace for so long, I've learned how to protect myself."
Her simple words sent a shiver down one's spine.
Feng Ninghe's gaze deepened, a thousand unspoken meanings surfacing in her eyes.
She had anticipated these circumstances, yet hearing them firsthand still weighed heavily on her heart.
That woman had wreaked havoc in the Lin Kingdom for so long; her good days were surely numbered.
Their conversation did not last long.
Zhen Zhu led the way.
Soon, the two arrived at Lin Yuran's sleeping quarters.
The maids at the entrance of the sleeping quarters saw them and hurried to report.
Inside the sleeping quarters.
Lin Yuran reclined lazily, holding a translucent grape.
"Princess, the guest has arrived."
A maid approached her and reported.
Lin Yuran raised her eyes, a flicker of ruthlessness crossing them. Her languid voice fell, "Since the guest has arrived, please invite her in."
The maid quickly ushered Feng Ninghe into the room.
The sleeping quarters were exceedingly luxurious, brightly lit, with strings of night-blooming pearls adorning the walls.
A faint fragrance permeated the air.
Everything around her filled Feng Ninghe with disgust.
Her palace, which should have been hers, had become this.
"Miss Feng, it's been a while."
Lin Yuran spoke first, a smile gracing her alluring face. "It is my honor that you can represent the First Sect to congratulate me."
Feng Ninghe sat down, her gaze shifting to Lin Yuran. "Princess, you didn't summon me here late at night just to say this, did you?"
She could have said this during the day. For this woman to specifically call her here at night, it was impossible that it was just for such trivial pleasantries.
"Miss Feng is indeed clever."
Lin Yuran smiled and waved her hand, signaling a maid to prepare tea. "Prepare tea for Miss Feng."
The maid did not dare to delay and quickly brewed tea for Feng Ninghe.
The tea's aroma was strong and rich, a tea unique to the Lin Kingdom.
Feng Ninghe brought the tea to her nose and sniffed gently. A subtle smile played on her lips.
She detected a sleeping drug in the tea.
The drug was specially made, and the tea's fragrance masked its scent. If she hadn't learned much over the years, she wouldn't have noticed anything amiss.
Years ago, Lin Yuran had used this same method to incapacitate her before striking.
Now, she was repeating the same trick.
She gently blew on the tea, not rushing to drink it.
Lin Yuran smiled charmingly, "Miss Feng, this tea is unique to the Lin Kingdom. You might not be able to taste such tea outside the Lin Kingdom."
Feng Ninghe nodded slightly. "The tea is still a bit hot. Let it cool for a while. Princess, why don't you tell me what you wanted to say?"
She intended to play a trick on Lin Yuran, teasing her deliberately.
Seeing that she hadn't drunk the tea, Lin Yuran was naturally anxious but didn't reveal her intentions. "The First Sect is full of masters. I wish to interact more with the seniors of the First Sect. The Lin Kingdom has always been on good terms with the various sects, and also with the First Sect."
"I see."
Feng Ninghe nodded with understanding. "Princess, rest assured, the First Sect is naturally willing to be on good terms with the Lin Kingdom. The Lin Kingdom is a great nation, and we also wish to have more contact with it."
Lin Yuran lowered her gaze to glance at the tea. "Miss Feng, it's best that you say so. The tea is cooling down, please try it."
This time, Feng Ninghe no longer refused and drank the tea in one gulp.
The familiar taste of the tea and the sleeping drug reminded her of being framed in the past.
Back then, she had been too trusting of Lin Yuran, believing that the woman would not harm her, which led to her death.
As the tea went down, a smile appeared on Lin Yuran's alluring face.
Bang!
Feng Ninghe suddenly fell unconscious, her head hitting the table with a thud.
At the same time.
On the eaves, two figures stood silently.
"King of Hell, Miss Feng has fainted! Why would this Lin Kingdom princess drug Miss Feng for no reason?"
A Xi spoke hurriedly, a hint of urgency in his eyes. "Should we go and help?"
Si Jian Ye's indifferent eyes held a subtle depth. His voice was low and hoarse. "She knew the tea was drugged and didn't drink it; she fainted deliberately."
"Deliberately?"
A Xi's eyes widened in surprise. He couldn't help but click his tongue. "Miss Feng is indeed a clever woman, knowing how to feign unconsciousness."
Si Jian Ye stared straight ahead. "Feng Ninghe is extraordinary. Perhaps she is more than what we see on the surface. We should observe the situation. There's no need to intervene unless it's critical, and we likely won't get the chance to."
Late at night, he had intended to take A Xi to search for the entrance to the Dragon Realm.
However, he saw a maid leading Feng Ninghe, and he became curious, following behind. Unexpectedly, he witnessed this scene.