C25 Storm

Dugu Rou paused for a moment, her long lashes fluttering as she looked at her brother, a smile playing on her lips. "Sure, if you're willing to bring Feng Xueyao's body back to the Dugu estate, then I'll believe you truly love her."

Dugu Jin was stunned, his whole body trembling at her words. "Sister, what... what are you planning to do to Feng Xueyao?"

"Wasn't I clear enough?" Dugu Rou's eyes darkened, growing colder. "Anyone who stands in my way, whether it's Dugu Yan or Feng Xueyao, I'll remove them one by one."

"She hasn't done anything to you!" Dugu Jin shouted.

"But she's in your way!" Dugu Rou retorted angrily. "I've endured so much for us to reach where we are today, and I won't let some irrelevant woman ruin your future!"

"It's your future!" Dugu Jin nearly roared, his bloodshot eyes glaring fiercely at Dugu Rou.

"My future is your future. Without me speaking well of you to the Crown Prince, do you think you could secure the position of Commander? Without that title, would Feng Xueyao even know who you are? Get out and think it over!" Dugu Rou spat, angrily sweeping her sleeve as she walked toward the chaise lounge.

Dugu Jin was seething with anger, his jaw clenched and a vein throbbing on his forehead, yet he was at a loss for words to counter.

"And don't go provoking Feng Tiange and that envoy from Chu. Dismissed!"

Despite his resentment, Dugu Jin dared not act out in the Hall of Obedience. Once he left, Mo Hua cautiously approached the chaise lounge. "Miss, do you think you were too harsh? The Commander seemed really upset."

"If I don't give him a reality check, who knows what trouble he'll stir up next," Dugu Rou replied, frowning as she massaged her temples. "Did the Crown Prince mention if he's coming tonight?"

Mo Hua hesitated, then saw Dugu Rou look up. "He's not coming?"

"Li Gonggong said His Highness has been staying in the Imperial Study for the past few days, working tirelessly," Mo Hua whispered.

Dugu Rou withdrew her gaze, her eyes closing slightly. "Tirelessly..."

Seeing her mistress doze off, Mo Hua gently draped a blanket over Dugu Rou. Ever since the bloody incident at the Hall of Obedience, her mistress had been restless at night, often taking naps during the day.

Thinking of the eldest lady of the Dugu family, Mo Hua suddenly felt a chill down her spine, an eerie sensation that made her inch closer to the chaise lounge...

At the east gate of the palace, Xue Li, wrapped in a brown mink coat, never expected Dugu Jin to stop their carriage.

He was sure he had never crossed paths with the Commander standing before him, let alone offended him. Yet, Dugu Jin's demeanor was clearly hostile. "Who let you in here?"

"Commander, sir, I'm just a commoner delivering medicinal herbs to the Imperial Hospital. Here's my entry pass; please take a look." Xue Li respectfully bowed, removing the pass from his waist and holding it above his head.

Dugu Jin took the pass without so much as a glance and tossed it to the ground. "I suspect you have hidden weapons in this cart. We need to search it!"

Having been slighted at the Heaven Obeying Hall, Dugu Jin was eager to vent his frustration. Knowing that Virtue Helping Hall had taken business away from his own establishment, he was already in a foul mood. "Did you hear me? Uncover the top of this cart!"

The carriage came to a halt, and the attendants hesitated, looking to Xue Li for guidance, reluctant to act.

"Commander, sir, you might not be aware, but this cart is filled with herbs sensitive to the cold. If you wish to inspect them, could we perhaps move to the Imperial Hospital?" Xue Li hurriedly approached, speaking in a low, respectful tone.

Dugu Jin sneered and was about to draw his sword when sudden laughter echoed from nearby.

"Don't be ridiculous!"

"Is the young lady embarrassed? What's the big deal? If the second young lady can openly gift an embroidered handkerchief to Prince Rong, why not tell the Dowager if you have someone in mind?" Yueya intentionally spoke loudly, ensuring Dugu Jin heard every word.

"Is this embroidery for Prince Rong?" Tiange asked curiously.

"Of course, it's for Prince Rong. Who else would it be for? Everyone in the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion knows about the Second Miss's intentions!" Yueya replied confidently.

As Dugu Jin approached from the opposite direction, a shadow of coldness flickered in Tiange's eyes.

"Stop right there!" Dugu Jin commanded, blocking Tiange and Yueya's path with an intimidating presence.

Yueya was scared but stood her ground. "Why is the Commander blocking my lady's way?"

While Yueya and Dugu Jin were at a standstill, Tiange signaled to Xue Li across the way.

Startled, Xue Li gestured to his attendants.

Hearing the commotion, Dugu Jin was about to turn his head when Tiange stepped in to block his view. "Commander, are you longing for another taste of the paddle?"

At the mention of past events, Dugu Jin's eyes flared with anger. "Tiange, don't think you can do whatever you want just because the Empress Dowager protects you, you ugly duckling!"

So, this half-brother of mine is as shallow as ever.

"That's not true! My lady is not ugly!" Yueya retorted, her face flushed with anger.

"How dare a servant like you interrupt when the Commander is speaking!" Dugu Jin suddenly threw a punch aimed directly at Yueya.

Feng Tiange's brow furrowed slightly as she stepped forward, intercepting Dugu Jin's incoming punch. With a swift counter, a sharp crack echoed through the air.

Dugu Jin winced, clutching his wrist in pain, and looked at Feng Tiange in shock. "You..."

"If I were an adult, I wouldn't be here entangled with Tiange. The Royal Grandma sees everything clearly," Feng Tiange replied, her expression unchanged, her chin slightly raised in a mocking gesture.

Xue Li and the others had already entered the Imperial Hospital, and even Dugu Jin wouldn't dare cause a scene there.

"Besides using the Empress Dowager to pressure people, what else can you do?" Dugu Jin growled through gritted teeth, forcing the bone in his wrist back into place, breaking out in a cold sweat from the pain.

"Just that is enough to keep you in check, isn't it?" Feng Tiange dismissed Dugu Jin, turning to Yueya. "Let's go."

She had helped Xue Li this time, and if nothing unexpected happened, Xue Li would soon figure out her identity.

Fortunately, there was someone like Chu Ping hidden in the Virtue Helping Hall, capable of protecting such a significant figure. Xue Li must be extraordinary.

Extraordinary people usually know when to keep their mouths shut...

News of Dugu Jin's commotion at the East Gate of the palace quickly reached Beiming Yuan's ears.

Sitting on the throne, Beiming Yuan tossed aside the report in his hand, his face darkened with anger.

The Commander only exchanged a single move with Tiange at the palace gates, so it shouldn't have alarmed the Empress Dowager," Lee Chengrui explained quietly, thinking his master was worried about this.

"I warned them not to pursue the matter at the Virtue Helping Hall. Are they deaf?" Beiming Yuan's eyes flashed with a cold, ruthless light as he spoke sharply.

Lee Chengrui remained silent, listening for a moment before recalling something. "Mo Hua mentioned earlier that the Crown Prince Consort had carefully prepared dinner, hoping..."

"I'm not going! Let her reflect on her actions!" Beiming Yuan picked up a document again, his eyes landing on a petition from the Martial Peace Marquis, urging the appointment of Dugu Rou as Crown Prince Consort. Anger flared within him, and he threw it to the ground.

Beside him, Lee Chengrui quickly picked it up, glancing over it and understanding the situation. It seemed Dugu Rou's hopes of becoming the Crown Prince Consort were dashed...