C3 Good Cards

"The Crown Prince Consort and her deputy, Silver Mask, are rumored to be involved. Silver Mask must be a man. How could I, Tiange, possibly resemble a man enough for the Commander to suspect me in front of everyone?" Tiange pushed past Rong Qi, her eyes blazing, her left shoulder soaked in blood staining her white silk robe.

Because of a silver mask, no one in the world knows if Silver Mask is male or female. Until yesterday, in the Heaven Obeying Hall, Beiming Yuan declared he had found 'evidence' proving Silver Mask is a man. He needed a reason, a legitimate excuse to eliminate me!

Adultery.

So, Silver Mask became my alleged partner in crime, and the child I carry, eight months along, became evidence of our supposed affair! Beiming Yuan's cold, mocking laughter still echoed in my ears. He said, "Dugu Yan, don't blame me for being ruthless. Rulers have always been heartless; your mistake was falling in love. You shouldn't have been the renowned Grand Marshal, overshadowing the glory that should have been mine!"

Thinking back on those words, a chill ran through me. You never truly know your worth until you've faced death...

Seeing Tiange like this, Dugu Jin was momentarily stunned but tried to maintain his composure. "That's because... Silver Mask could also be a woman."

"Beiming Yuan announced to the world that Dugu Yan and Silver Mask were involved, and now you're telling me Silver Mask is a woman?" Tiange's eyes flashed with anger, her voice a cold, low growl.

"I was just suspicious, I didn't say..." Dugu Jin started rambling, not really suspecting anything, just looking for an excuse to search for the 'Grand Yin Scripture.' He didn't expect this ugly duckling to suddenly become so outspoken and confrontational today.

"Get out!" Tiange suddenly shouted, the veins on her forehead almost bursting. The birthmark on the left side of her face seemed to shift, like a ghostly mask.

Tiange's shout caused the atmosphere in the Silk Garden to plummet. Strangely, Dugu Jin felt paralyzed, unable to retort, standing there awkwardly.

"Commander, I can assure you there's nothing in my sister's room. Time is of the essence; perhaps you should search elsewhere," Xueyao said softly, her gentle demeanor evoking sympathy.

Knowing Rong Qi's stance, Xueyao didn't want to escalate the situation or leave a bad impression on him.

"Fine, since you say so, let's go!" Dugu Jin snapped back to reality, stiffened his neck with a cold snort, and turned to leave. He noticed Xueyao looking at Rong Qi, feeling displeased. "Xueyao, aren't you coming with me to leave this wretched place?"

Xueyao reluctantly tore her gaze away, turning to leave the Silk Garden with Dugu Jin.

The courtyard was silent and still. Feng Tiange stood like a statue, surrounded by a sea of blood. Thirteen bodies lay mutilated, their flesh torn, intestines exposed, and among them, her child...

"Miss, your shoulder is bleeding a lot," Yueya cautiously approached, speaking softly.

Feng Tiange relaxed her clenched teeth, coming back to her senses and turning around, remembering there was someone else in the courtyard.

As their eyes met, Rong Qi, with a graceful presence, walked closer, raising a hand to his lips and coughing lightly, "Miss..."

"No need to see me off."

As she brushed past him, Rong Qi's captivating smile froze on his face, cracking as the door closed behind her. Feng Tiange truly did not see him off...

In front of the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion, a carriage was parked. Its body was made of golden nanmu wood, wrapped in exquisite, expensive silk. The window frames, inlaid with jade, were veiled by a light blue gauze, making it hard to discern the view inside or out.

The carriage set off, heading towards Xuanwu Street. Inside, Rong Qi sat upright, his wrist resting on his knee, thumb gently rubbing a ring. A censer on the low table burned with dragon's saliva incense, the mist swirling around his strikingly beautiful yet cold and indifferent face, a stark contrast to his demeanor in the Silk Garden moments ago.

"As long as Feng Tiange is alive, she'll eventually uncover who the traitor is among the Thirteen Sects," Rong Qi said, his eyes darkening imperceptibly.

"Since Feng Tiange is the Silver Mask, she should be able to identify which of those thirty bodies is a fake," Lei Yi thought.

Rong Qi remained silent for a long time before speaking, "Without Dugu Yan, the identity of the Silver Mask loses its purpose. Feng Tiange's return from Puning Temple is surely for revenge."

Five years ago, when the enemy was at the gates, he first saw the renowned Grand Marshal of Qi Country's army.

Dugu Yan exuded a natural authority and commanding presence, standing proudly amidst thousands of troops, her regal aura intimidating all of the land.

One wrathful glance made lords tremble; one smile brought eternal spring!

Beiming Yuan, you killed her, and I will... destroy you.

Seeing his master close his eyes, Lei Yi fell silent.

In the inner chamber of the Silk Garden, Feng Tiange asked Crescent to fetch a robe. She sat at the dressing table, slowly opening the middle drawer, where a silver ghost face mask lay.

Only with the Silver Mask's death could she be reborn.

But she couldn't understand how the Silver Mask died or why this silver mask, symbolizing identity, was brought back to the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion.

Too many questions swirled in her mind, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find the answers.

Feng Tiange reached out, her palm resting on the silver mask.

'Boom—'

Silver dust rose, bursting into a brilliant glow.

Silver Mask, you were born the eldest daughter of the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion and a close relative of the Empress Dowager, yet you lived as humbly as dust. You endured endless humiliation in the mansion and ultimately died in this desolate Silk Garden, unnoticed by anyone.

I learned to read at three, practiced martial arts at five, mastered ancient military texts by seven, and at fifteen, joined the army in place of my fallen father. I defeated the Qiang, battled the Southern Yu, and conquered Wu and Chu, earning countless honors. Yet, in the end, I was driven to despair by the one I trusted most, dying with my eyes wide open.

Despite having all the right cards, we ended up squandering everything until nothing was left.