With her elegant figure gliding through the gardens, Mingzhu and her maids made their way towards Bingwen's Chambers at Tranquility residence. Gracefully, she knocked on the door and called out,
"Marquis Bingwen, Mingzhu has come to pay you a visit." After a series of unanswered knocks, there was still no response. Perplexed by Bingwen's absence, Mingzhu and her maids entered his chambers, only to find the room empty, save for the lingering scent of incense.
"He must be in the inner chambers," Mingzhu surmised, her thoughts racing. Taking a seat at his study table, she noticed a stack of books on education and etiquette. As Mingzhu observed the stack of children's books on education and etiquette, her mind began to wander, imagining various scenarios and questioning Bingwen's intentions. Just then, Xiaofen entered the room, holding a pile of freshly washed and pressed bed sheets. Mingzhu's imagination ran wild, wondering if Bingwen had a connection with Xiaofen and if he was genuinely interested in her. An influx of questions flooded her mind, leaving her eager to uncover the truth and understand the dynamics between Bingwen and Xiaofen.
"What are you doing in the Marquis's chambers?" Mingzhu questioned Xiaofen, her tone brimming with curiosity. Xiaofen, with an indifferent expression, responded,
"I'm his personal maid." Mingzhu's anger sparked as she stood up, furiously exclaiming,
"You audacious wretch! You seduced the Marquis!" Shocked and fueled by her anger, Mingzhu gave a command, "Hold her down!" Min and Qião huí immediately rushed towards Xiaofen, who put up a struggle but found herself powerless against the strength of the two. After much effort, they managed to force her onto her knees. With a determined expression, Mingzhu slowly approached Xiaofen, a fiery determination in her eyes. It was clear that she intended to teach Xiaofen a lesson she would never forget. In a tone of self-righteousness, Mingzhu lectured Xiaofen,
"You mustn't covet what doesn't belong to you. A servant should never dare to think they are equal to their master." Just as she raised her hand, poised to strike, someone swiftly intervened, firmly gripping her hand. As Mingzhu yelled in pain from the firm grip, she spun around, ready to unleash her anger. To her surprise and fright, she came face-to-face with Bingwen. His piercing gaze and cold, menacing expression struck fear into her heart. It was a side of him she had never witnessed before, leaving Mingzhu shaken and unsure of what might happen next.
Startled by Bingwen's presence and demeanor, the maids quickly let go of Xiaofen, allowing Lan Ren to assist her in standing up. Bingwen approached Xiaofen, his voice gentle and his gaze filled with concern, conveying unspoken emotions
"Are you alright?" as he tenderly held her hand. Meanwhile, Mingzhu, observing the interaction, clenched her fist tightly as jealousy coursed through her veins, her emotions simmering beneath the surface.
Xiaofen gently released her hand from Bingwen's grip and nodded, assuring him that she was fine. However, his cold and piercing gaze turned towards Mingzhu, and with an icy and menacing tone, he warned,
"Don't touch what is mine." Stunned and taken aback, Mingzhu stuttered, struggling to find words as tears welled up in her eyes. Overwhelmed with emotions, she hastily fled from the room, accompanied by her maids.
Within three drunken villages, military encampments were established, encircling the settlements with a shield that created the illusion of a treacherous and dense forest. The once picturesque village now displayed Xiongu flags waving ominously in the air. Disturbing sounds echoed through the air, as the crack of whips and anguished cries filled the atmosphere. Nestled at the heart of the barracks stood the tent belonging to the crown prince, symbolizing his authority. Inside, Li Wei and Chang Yuchun engaged in a discussion with the prince about their next strategic move.
"Your Highness," Chang Yuchun inquired, "now that we have successfully conquered the three drunken villages, when shall we launch our next assault?" In response, the prince made a decisive pronouncement,
"I shall assign both of you to lead expeditions in other provinces." His voice, cold yet strangely alluring, echoed through the tent as the crown prince laid out his ruthless plan.
"We shall sow seeds of rivalry and animosity among the divisions of the imperial army," he declared. "And when the tension reaches its peak, we will cunningly persuade them to align with us. Those who resist our persuasion will meet their demise." With each word, the prince's determination and cunning nature became more apparent, foreshadowing a dangerous path ahead for those caught in the crossfire of his ambition. With a calculating tone, the crown prince solidified their plan,
"Once all the pieces are in place, we shall strike the marquises and ultimately overthrow the emperor." In reflection, Chang Yuchun remarked on the unexpected riches found within the three drunken villages,
"Indeed, it is fortunate we captured those villages. Who could have known they harbored such hidden treasures?" Meanwhile, a menacing glimmer entered Li Wei's eyes as he spoke of the newfound wealth,
"More iron, more metal, more weapons...the potential for mass destruction."
In the serene atmosphere of the tranquility residence's grand pavilion, Xiaofen diligently ground ink for Bingwen, who was engrossed in his calligraphy. With keen observation, she watched his graceful strokes flow onto the paper. Unexpectedly, Bingwen handed her a brush, puzzling Xiaofen. Curiosity and anticipation filled her gaze as she accepted the brush. He then presented her with a blank sheet of paper and uttered.
"Copy me."
Bingwen expertly penned the first syllables of the alphabet, while Xiaofen earnestly endeavored to replicate his calligraphy, her own version appearing slightly shabby yet neatly written. With patience, Bingwen guided her, articulating each word as he formed it on the page. Xiaofen mimicked his every move. After a while, he paused, observing her progress. Appreciating her efforts, he praised,
"Not bad for your first attempt." The words carried a mix of encouragement and acknowledgment, despite her cold expression, his words gladden her, fueling Xiaofen's determination to improve further. Bingwen carefully handed Xiaofen a stack of documents, instructing her to copy them and submit the completed work the following morning.
"You may leave now," he declared, his attention shifting towards Lan Ren as they made their way to his chambers.
Within the Xing estate, Mingzhu could be found in her residence, known as the Spring residence, in a state of agitation. Her embroidery work reflected her inner turmoil, as her movements appeared clumsy and unrefined. The image of Bingwen's expression as he gazed at Xiaofen, mixed with a fearful glare towards Mingzhu, ignited a fiery storm of rage and jealousy within her. Lost in her turbulent emotions, Mingzhu inadvertently pricked herself with the needle, a painful reminder of her inattentiveness. Enraged, Xiaofen flipped the embroidery table in a fit of frustration, causing materials and equipment to scatter and break. Min and Qião huí instinctively took a step back, terrified by their mistress's sudden outburst. Mingzhu, her eyes glowing with malicious intent, harbored a deep-seated hatred towards Xiaofen.
As the sky gradually darkened, nightfall enveloped the room where Xiaofen sat, diligently engrossed in her script. Her assignment was nearly complete, her words flowing effortlessly onto the page. Just then, Xiaotian entered, accompanied by Lan Ren. The tantalizing aroma of food drifted through the air, causing Xiaofen to glance up from her work.
"Sister, we've brought you dinner," Xiaotian announced with a warm smile. Lan Ren carefully placed the food on the table, as Xiaofen nodded in appreciation. "The young Master wanted me to check on you," he explained, his voice filled with concern. Noticing the almost extinguished candles, he swiftly ignited a light talisman to bring illumination back into the room.
"Incredible!" Xiaofen exclaimed, her eyes filled with fascination.
"How do you do that?" Lan Ren grinned mischievously and replied,
"You'll learn it soon enough." Xiaofen's smile widened, her excitement evident as she eagerly looked forward to that day. With a nod, Lan Ren bid them farewell and left the room. Curious, Xiaotian approached Xiaofen, glancing at the stack of documents she was engrossed in. "What are you doing?" Xiaotian asked curiously.
"I'm learning how to write," Xiaofen replied, her focus on the stack of documents before her. Xiaotian's eyes sparkled with excitement as she asked, "Can you teach me?" Xiaofen's smile grew affectionate as she gently patted Xiaotian's head and replied,
"Of course." The duo spent the night immersed in writing, Xiaotian stumbling a few times, but Xiaofen patiently guiding her through the process.
In the warm glow of the rising sun, the melodious chirping of birds filled the air, creating a harmonious backdrop as Xiaofen hurried towards the serene residence. A radiant smile adorned her face, lending an air of joyful anticipation to her light and graceful steps. Finally reaching his chambers, she gently tapped on the door, and stepped in. Bingwen, deeply engrossed in his work, meticulously wrote and read through the scripts, while Lan Ren stood devotedly by his side, ready to lend assistance as needed. In the midst of their diligent collaboration, Xiaofen approached, her face filled with respect, and placed a stack of documents in front of Bingwen. With a gentle yet unexpected interruption, Xiaofen began, "Young Master..." However, before she could finish her sentence, Bingwen, known for his enigmatic nature, instructed,
"Why don't you do a headstand instead?"
Acknowledging Bingwen's request, Xiaofen gracefully nodded and proceeded to execute a flawless headstand, displaying impeccable poise and precision. While Lan Ren nodded in approval, Bingwen seemed somewhat distant, barely paying attention to Xiaofen's remarkable achievement. However, the indifferent attitude of Bingwen perplexed her. Despite not fully comprehending his sporadic behavior. She undeterred by Bingwen's intermittent indifference, Xiaofen maintained her determination, Xiaofen resolved to become stronger and silently endure whatever pain lay ahead, as time would reveal. After what felt like an eternity, Xiaofen remained motionless, beads of sweat cascading down her face and dampening her hair. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of frustration, realizing that she had run out of hair dye, causing her strands to become increasingly visible. In the midst of her thoughts, Bingwen's voice cut through the air, beckoning her to follow. They strolled together towards the magnificent pavilion, where Xiaofen was instructed to resume her position.
With focused attention, Xiaofen observed Bingwen meticulously write out each letter of the alphabet on a painting sheet, enunciating each one as he went along. While Xiaofen struggled to keep up and maintain her inverted position, her unwavering determination propelled her to persevere for the sake of improvement. Though Lan Ren emitted a subtle sigh, it remained unheard amidst the intense atmosphere. Bingwen's strict approach towards Xiaofen's training underscored his commitment to safeguarding her, even if it meant employing a stern methodology.
Lan Ren's mind drifted back to his own early years, when he was assigned to protect his master at the tender age of 10, just like his master himself. His training had been strict, but his master's had been outright brutal. However, Lan Ren known his master held the weighty destiny of inheriting his father's title as the future Marquis of the Bing family. This meant enduring grueling training, being deprived of proper nourishment, and having his childhood stolen from him. Immersed in ceaseless training and studies, Bingwen appeared harsh and unkind to Xiaofen, but in truth, he was molding her for the unforgiving world. A world marked by the harsh reality of lies, deceit, envy, and betrayal. Knowing the struggles Bingwen had faced to reach his current position, he was determined not to make it easy for Xiaofen. With a comprehension of his master's intentions, Lan Ren silently observed as Bingwen continued to train and mentor Xiaofen. After an exhausting afternoon of training, Bingwen finally released Xiaofen from her position, as fatigue and her fragile physique took their toll. Collapsing instantly.
Xiaofen's eyes fluttered open slowly, only to be greeted by a scene of torment. Bound by chains and suspended upside down, the chilling air pierced her already weary body, leaving her cold and achy. Nevertheless, she clenched her teeth in silent determination, enduring the torment throughout the entire night. Her lips turned a faint shade of blue, and her consciousness wavered in and out, a testament to her unwavering resilience. Just the rain began, it started with a little drizzle, then a torrent of downpour. Xiaofen was awake as the chilly shooting droplets hit her mercilessly. Lan Ren stood beside his master in his chambers wordlessly. Bingwen casually flipped a page but his thoughts were on Xiaofen. He knew his actions were harsh but he wanted to protect her as well. His emotions were in turmoil when he heard the heavy downpour. Caught in a fierce internal struggle, Bingwen wrestled with the decision to let Xiaofen endure or release her from her torment. His grip tightened, his knuckles turning pale as he desperately tried to maintain his nonchalant facade. But the sight of Xiaofen's anguished face and the mental image of her suffering tore at his very being. With a clap of thunder, Bingwen's resolution crumbled, and he hastily made his way to the courtyard.
As he stepped into the rain, his astonishment grew when he noticed Xiaofen's rigid and motionless form, her soaked hair dripping black dye with hints of shimmering silver strands. Without hesitation, he rushed to her aid, summoning a surge of spiritual energy to break her chains. The force broke the chains, causing Xiaofen to collapse. As Bingwen held Xiaofen in his arms, he peered into her cold, soulless eyes, searching for a glimpse of the person he knew. In that moment, he tenderly ran his fingers through her hair, gently erasing the darkness of the black dye. To his amazement, a luminous shade of silvery white emerged, signifying a transformation that would bring about unforeseen consequences.