C78 Admit Defeat

After half an hour, Bai Yushuang had reenacted the entire incident, leaving the hall in silence. Empress Dowager Chu found that sipping her tea no longer masked her embarrassment, so she tilted her head back at a forty-five-degree angle to gaze at the ceiling. For the first time, she noticed a carving of a phoenix and a luan bird playing on the beams of the Happiness Prolonging Hall.

Nanny Sunn followed Empress Dowager Chu's gaze, thinking that the servants in the outer hall clearly weren't doing their jobs well, as the beams were collecting dust.

Lee Chengrui stood respectfully behind Beiming Yuan. He couldn't understand how someone with Bai Yushuang's lack of intelligence, whose lies were so poorly constructed, had become a general. How had a country with such generals risen to become the second most powerful among the seven nations?

Beiming Yuan didn't want to speak, fearing he might lose his temper and start shouting. If it weren't for his status as the Crown Prince, he might have thanked her, not just Bai Yushuang, but her entire ancestry!

"No need for such gratitude, Your Highness. It was just a small effort," Bai Yushuang said, feeling quite pleased as she noticed Beiming Yuan's eyes reddening. "Of course, if Your Highness wishes to show some appreciation, I suppose I could accept."

Beiming Yuan couldn't help but laugh in exasperation. "And how exactly does General Bai suggest I show my appreciation?"

"How about... giving me the Wind Slash Sword?" Seeing Beiming Yuan's face change instantly, Bai Yushuang chuckled awkwardly. "I wouldn't have much use for it anyway..."

As Bai Yushuang hesitated, Feng Tiange entered from outside.

"If the Crown Prince agrees, I, the General, would like to give the Wind Slash Sword, which I risked my life to retrieve, to Feng Tiange." With that, the room erupted in surprise.

From her seat, Empress Dowager Chu's hand tightened on the armrest, her eyes darkening slightly.

"What a fine sword!" Before Empress Dowager Chu could speak, Feng Tiange had already moved to Bai Yushuang's side, raising the Wind Slash Sword into the air. "Is this the Wind Slash Sword, ranked sixth among weapons?"

Seeing Feng Tiange's face full of amazement and admiration, Bai Yushuang knew she couldn't outshine her.

"Indeed," Beiming Yuan replied, unsure why Bai Yushuang wanted to give the Wind Slash Sword to Feng Tiange, but he saw it as an opportunity.

With Feng Tiange possessing the Wind Slash Sword, she would naturally become a target for the remnants of the corrupt concubine's faction. Feng Qing, in protecting his daughter, would then oppose them.

He didn't expect Feng Qing to join his side, but having a common enemy was enough.

"Are you really willing to give it to me?" Feng Tiange ignored Beiming Yuan and looked earnestly at Bai Yushuang.

"I'll give it to you, as long as you dare to accept it," Bai Yushuang replied bluntly, not caring whether Beiming Yuan nodded in agreement or not.

Feng Tiange had a look that said, "Since you've put it that way, how can I refuse?" She accepted the Wind Slash Sword with a nod. "Thank you, General."

The hall fell silent again. Empress Dowager Chu was the first to speak, casting a disapproving glance at Bai Yushuang. "Nanny Sunn, bring out the battle board. I wish to challenge General Bai to a game."

Bai Yushuang felt like crying. Could she just surrender now?

Feng Tiange then took her leave from Empress Dowager Chu, holding the Wind Slash Sword as she exited the Happiness Prolonging Hall. Beiming Yuan followed her out.

"Ms. Tiange, wait up!"

The familiar voice resonated through her past and present. Feng Tiange's grip on the Wind Slash Sword trembled slightly, the blade humming briefly before quieting.

"Your Highness," Feng Tiange said, turning to offer a respectful bow.

"There's no need for formality here," Beiming Yuan remarked, his gaze steady. "Do you like the sword?"

How should she respond?

Like it was her destiny.

"I've always admired the Wind Slash Sword. To have it now is a blessing," Feng Tiange replied, raising the sword slightly to show it off. "Its ranking among weapons alone makes it impossible not to like."

Knowing Feng Tiange intended to leave the palace, Beiming Yuan started walking toward the east gate. "Do you know who its previous owner was?"

"Is there anyone in the world who doesn't?" Feng Tiange replied calmly, following behind.

Beiming Yuan glanced sideways, "You don't care?"

"Care about who? It's mine now." Feng Tiange lightly pressed her lips together, "Does the Crown Prince care?"

Her retort made Beiming Yuan's body tense slightly.

Care?

By now, he no longer needed to care about that woman. Her thoughts, her actions, everything about her could no longer affect him. That woman was gone.

"The past is gone, and the living must move on. If you can temper the hostility of that sword, it would be for the best." Beiming Yuan suppressed the coldness in his eyes and pressed his lips together.

Feng Tiange remained silent, but inwardly she thought, you'll be disappointed. The Wind Slash Sword that once belonged to Dugu Yan had no hostility. The one in her hands now was truly filled with lethal intent...

Inside the Heaven Obeying Hall, Mo Hua reported the gathered information truthfully, only to be met with Dugu Rou's furious outburst.

Nearby, Dugu Jin wisely retreated to a corner, fearing any stray shards might accidentally hit him.

'Crash—'

A porcelain vase shattered at Dugu Jin's feet, "Didn't you say Yushuang wouldn't survive the night? How do you explain this now?"

Dugu Jin had anticipated this outcome, "I heard it from Huang Qing; maybe the plan failed."

"Failed? Just 'failed' and that's it? I waited all night, only for Yushuang to come back alive. You're good for nothing but ruining things!" The mere thought of Yushuang outside the Heaven Obeying Hall that day made Dugu Rou grind her teeth in anger.

"Why should I care? The Crown Prince didn't assign this task to me!" Dugu Jin grumbled.

Dugu Rou sneered, "You do realize the Crown Prince didn't give you this task, right? In the past, this kind of thing wouldn't have gone to Xie Jin!"

"Back then, Dugu Yan was alive, and the Crown Prince respected her. You're still not quite on Dugu Yan's level..." Dugu Jin suddenly realized something and fell silent.

The room was quiet.

Mo Hua noticed her master's slight sway and quickly moved to steady her. "Commander, that was a bit harsh."

Dugu Jin knew he had misspoken. "Sister, don't take it the wrong way. I didn't mean it like that..."

"Whether you meant it or not doesn't matter. What matters is if Beiming Yuan thinks that way." Dugu Rou, supported by Mo Hua, sat on the chaise lounge, her eyes growing cold. "Sometimes I wonder if... Dugu Yan died at the wrong time."

"My lady..." Mo Hua called out, her voice filled with concern.

"With no one to rely on in the Dugu family, I'm falling out of favor with Beiming Yuan, and now there's Feng Tiange..." Dugu Rou slumped on the chaise lounge, sighing in defeat. "At least when Dugu Yan was alive, Beiming Yuan wouldn't have been interested in other women."

Dugu Jin thought for a moment and shook his head confidently. "The Crown Prince won't fall for Feng Tiange. Otherwise, he wouldn't have given her the Wind Slash Sword, especially since Silver Mask is still around!"

After half a day, Dugu Rou finally heard something pleasant, but it didn't make her feel any better inside. Was she just supposed to accept her fate like this? Absolutely not...

The carriage rumbled along, occasionally jolting. Inside, Feng Tiange rested the Wind Slash Sword across her knees, her mind drifting back to the events of the previous night. She had seen it happen! The arrow shot by Xie Jin had suddenly halted mid-air, and on the rooftop opposite the drum tower, someone stood. Could it be him?

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