The courtyard's breeze stirred softly as a man clad in a black robe dropped from the courtyard wall and entered the room.
"The wrath of the gods descended... truly a clever one." The man's entire face was hidden beneath a mask, only his eyes revealing a fleeting glimmer of admiration.
"Zero."
"My lord." The Hidden Guard appeared silently behind him.
"Find a brazier and burn some paper money," the man instructed listlessly.
"Yes." Zero did not inquire further, though his mind was full of doubts.
He couldn't understand why his master was so concerned about the Princess Consort of the War God Residence, having one of his most trusted Hidden Guards follow her secretly and even help to "stir the pot."
Zero disappeared in a flash, and the man raised his hand to remove the mask from his face, revealing an unquestionably divine and handsome visage, his brows like distant mountains and eyes as dark as ink, his expression noble yet merciless.
"Wearing the mask for too long is indeed somewhat uncomfortable."
A faint sigh dissolved into the air.
As soon as Zero reached the door and heard this, his body trembled slightly.
...
Chu Nanli had a good night's sleep, undisturbed by any scheming servants or problems, which made for a peaceful rest.
She even dreamed that she had returned to the year 2090.
She was just starting to enjoy the dream when an annoying voice shattered it completely.
"Witch, get out here to me now!"
"Bang!"
The huge sound of the door being kicked made the windows tremble thrice, and just as Chu Nanli was pulling away from her dreams, she was grabbed by the throat.
"Ye Yunting, have you lost your mind?!" Chu Nanli was also infuriated. She wasn't a person to wake up grumpy, but nobody could keep their cool if they were rudely awakened with a door kicked in and being choked.
"Sister, where have you hidden Nanny Hua? Even if you dislike me, Nanny Hua is innocent..."
Lin Fuying, covering her chest, entered with tearful, reddened eyes, looking as if she might collapse at any moment.
Chu Nanli instantly understood.
So, this was about that cunning servant.
"Where is she?!"
Seeing Chu Nanli remain silent, Ye Yunting tightened his grip slightly, his expression sinister, "Chu Nanli, do not repeatedly test my limits!"
"And what, pray tell, are your limits?" Since they couldn't find the person, she would just play along with them.
A trace of scorn flickered in Chu Nanli's eyes.
"Still playing dumb? Yesterday, you asked for money, and I gave it to you under the condition that you would not harm Yingying's nanny. And today, the nanny is gone. You have a lot of nerve, going against me right under my nose."
"To correct you, what I wanted yesterday was my dowry. Secondly, you claim the concubine's nanny was hidden by me—where is the evidence?"
Lin Fuying's frail figure swayed slightly, her pale face distorted in unbearable grief as she looked at her sister.
"Sister, from the day Nanny began serving by my side, she was always early to attend to me, every day for many years without changing. I know you did it out of love for your child... If you truly blame me for the harm to your unborn child, come at me instead. I am willing to endure your wrath for Nanny's sake."
With that, she knelt down with a thud, clearly manipulating the situation to her advantage.
"Concubine!"
"You are too frail for this!"
The attending servants scrambled in turmoil.
"I am fine, Prince. Do not be angry with my sister. She did not mean to hurt Nanny Hua; it was all my fault..."
Seeing Lin Fuying still defending Chu Nanli under these circumstances, Ye Yunting's disgust and disappointment towards Chu Nanli deepened further.
"Where did she go! If you don't tell me, I'll have you killed!"
Chu Nanli's face flushed instantly, her breathing was tight, and she felt like cursing.
In her two lifetimes combined, this despicable man was the only one to have ever choked her.
This grudge was undoubtedly one she would avenge!
A silver needle flew out from beneath the bedding, aiming straight for Ye Yunting's neck.
In that instant of crisis, Ye Yunting's heart skipped a beat. He swiftly released her and spun back, narrowly evading the needle.
Ye Yunting looked at Chu Nanli, his gaze dark and menacing.
While the silver needle wouldn't have killed him, he had to admit that Chu Nanli's foolish little trick had indeed caught his attention.