C22 Assassination

Sunn Hexiang placed a bowl of lotus leaf soup and a plate of plum blossom pastries in front of Feng Xueyao. "What difference does it make? Even if Feng Qing is incredibly talented, there's no way he can get Feng Tiange into the Imperial Academy in just two weeks. The reputation of the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion still depends on you."

"That's true, but I'm still just a woman, and any glory I achieve is temporary. My brother, on the other hand, is different!" Feng Xueyao glanced out the window. "I've already discussed this with Grandmother. If there are no promising talents from the main branch, my brother should learn from Uncle to eventually inherit the title. That way, the century-old reputation of the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion can continue."

Sunn Hexiang's eyes lit up. "What did the old lady say?"

"Grandmother is willing, but Uncle needs to agree. Now that Uncle has gone to the Silk Garden, it shows he hasn't given up on Feng Tiange. If that ugly duckling actually gets into the Imperial Academy, we can forget about the marquis title."

In this open-minded society, it's not unheard of for women to inherit titles. If Feng Junli from the main branch isn't qualified, then only Feng Tiange is left.

Sunn Hexiang frowned. "To make your uncle completely lose hope in Feng Tiange, unless... Feng Tiange isn't his biological child."

"Think about it, Mother. Before County Princess Chu Yue was pregnant with Feng Tiange, was there anything unusual?" Feng Xueyao hinted, and Sunn Hexiang knew exactly what she needed to do next.

After Sunn Hexiang left, Feng Tiange finally felt like she could stomach the bowl of lotus leaf soup in front of her. She knew she couldn't pin all her hopes on Xie Ruxuan. Even if Feng Tiange managed to escape the impending disaster, the mystery surrounding her origins would still make it difficult for her to regain her footing.

For five days now, she had been drinking the medicine prescribed by the Ghost Doctor, Chu Ping, and the red marks on her face were fading. As she walked along Main Street, her lips curled slightly under the white veil. She had planned to change clothes at the Silk Garden before heading to the Nether Market, but it seemed she would be delayed.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Feng Tiange's figure flickered a few times before she suddenly vanished. Moments later, a group of burly men emerged from behind several stalls, gathering together. The leader, with a fierce expression, demanded, "Where is she?"

"She was just right in front of us!" replied a scrawny man with a sly look, scratching his head.

"She can't have gone far. After her!"

On Main Street, about a dozen men in brown cotton jackets charged through the crowd, finally stopping at the entrance of an alley. Deep within the silent alley, a lone woman stood, her snow-white robe billowing in the wind, exuding an extraordinary presence.

Facing the unfamiliar faces surrounding her, Feng Tiange pressed her lips together coolly, "Who sent you?"

"Dead people don't need to know too much," the leader barked, and with that, the dozen men brandished their weapons and charged at her with ferocity.

Feng Tiange's lips curled into a mocking smile. If they wanted to kill her, they should have sent someone better.

'Bang—'

A massive blue sword clashed mid-air with the soft sword Feng Tiange had flicked from her waist, sparks flying as a piercing hum filled the air.

Standing at the pinnacle, Feng Tiange's sword was swift, her movements ruthless and precise as she struck back without hesitation.

A sudden gust of cold wind swept through. Feng Tiange quickly ducked, her pale wrist twisting behind her to deliver a fierce stab.

'Thud—'

Before the person behind her could react, her soft sword had already been withdrawn from his chest, swiftly slashing across another's throat...

In less than a minute, the alley fell eerily silent. Feng Tiange approached the man on the ground, who was barely clinging to life. Her snow-white robe was speckled with drops of blood, reminiscent of red plum blossoms blooming in winter—striking and beautiful.

"Don't... don't come any closer! I know who wants you dead. If you spare me..."

A cold gleam flashed, drawing a long line of blood in the air, and the man on the ground fell silent forever.

Feng Tiange sheathed her sword, her gaze falling on the man's open palm, where a small nail lay. "Too bad I'm not interested anymore."

Just as Feng Tiange was about to leave, she suddenly looked up!

On the rooftop across from her, a figure in white stood out against the night—a face as handsome as a celestial being, with features as finely carved as a sculpture.

Rong Qi had undeniably good looks, but Tiange just couldn't stand him.

Seeing Tiange ignore him and walk away, Rong Qi was momentarily taken aback. "Surely you didn't just pretend not to see me, did you, Miss Feng?"

As Rong Qi gracefully landed in front of Tiange, her expression turned even colder than before. "If you knew I was pretending not to see you, why jump out?"

"Ugly women are often sharp-tongued," Rong Qi said, showing a rare awkward expression, his lips twitching slightly. "Do you have a grudge against them, Miss Feng?"

"Are you suggesting I silence them?" Through her veil, Rong Qi couldn't see Tiange's face, but he could feel the chill emanating from her eyes.

He didn't recall having any enmity with the Silver Mask.

"If Miss Feng would join me for a meal, I might consider turning a blind eye," Rong Qi said with a smile, his tall figure exuding an air of elegance.

Tiange was ready to make a move, but paused when Rong Qi added, "I have a Dark Guard, Miss Feng, and you've met him."

Indeed, she had met him and couldn't defeat him for now.

Seeing the fierce aura around Tiange gradually dissipate, Rong Qi, ever the gentleman, stepped aside and gestured politely.

Rong Qi called for a carriage, choosing the Drunken Immortal Tower at the Nether Market.

Sitting in the private room on the third floor, Tiange could just make out the Virtue Helping Hall through the window crack. She wondered if Chu Ping had used Fong Qi’s connections to find out how the Qi Emperor was doing. If he couldn’t cure the Emperor within six months, Beiming Yuan might ascend the throne.

Rong Qi noticed Tiange’s gaze but pretended not to, instructing the waiter to serve the dishes quickly. “Have you been here before, Miss Feng?”

“Let’s get to the point,” Tiange replied, lowering her head and picking up the purple-glazed teacup in front of her. It seemed they couldn’t have a normal conversation anymore.

Rong Qi took a deep breath, retrieved a scroll tied with red silk from his sleeve, and pushed it toward Tiange. When she glanced over, her brows furrowed slightly. She recognized the paper from the Imperial Academy, thin as an eggshell and smooth as jade.

“This year’s exam questions from the Wenn Mansion,” Rong Qi said, his smile widening as he looked at Tiange. He knew she wouldn’t bow to him, but he was sure she’d at least say “thank you.” He was waiting for it!

Tiange was stunned for a moment, then slowly looked up, her eyes filled with undisguised shock. “Are you serious?”

“Besides the questions, I’ve also included carefully prepared answers. If you can memorize them, you’re sure to top the written exam at the Wenn Mansion...”

Feng Tiange suddenly grabbed the book from the table and flung it out the window, watching as it traced a long arc through the air, just like the drawn-out note in Rong Qi's voice.

Suddenly, a shadow flashed by.

By the time Rong Qi's voice faded, Lei Yi had already returned the book to the table and disappeared.

"Feng Tiange, what are you doing?" Rong Qi was so frustrated he felt like crying.

"I should be asking you that. What are you trying to do, Prince Rong? Leaking exam questions could get you exiled at best, or executed at worst. Even though you're a hostage from Chu Country, no one will hesitate to punish you if it comes to that." Feng Tiange laughed in exasperation, realizing Rong Qi was risking his life.

It was like trying to prop up a wall with rotten wood. To curry favor with the Royal Grandma, this guy would stop at nothing.

Rong Qi rubbed his forehead, feeling as if his jade heart had shattered into pieces. "Didn't you realize I was trying to help you, Miss Feng?"