A man dressed in black suddenly appeared in front of Feng Che and Bai Zhe. "Master, someone from the Shen Family in Shen City is heading towards Heavenly Phoenix City."
"Shen Family? Who is it? How long would it take for them to arrive?" Feng Che asked with a frown.
The man in black pondered for a moment and replied, "He is a shadow guard. He should reach Prince Su's mansion in about five days."
"Five days? It doesn't seem like he's coming here to attend the wedding. He is probably here for Prince Su's wife. Who knows if he will be in time to meet her in person? Perhaps, he will see a corpse by then." Feng Che said as he tapped on the table.
"Master, should we…?" The man in black made a beheading gesture.
"No need for that. The Shen Family only sent someone here after so many years because they had been in the dark. The Prince's mansion had sealed off all information regarding Princess Shen. If they had known, they would have made their way here much earlier! Anyway, the Shen Family will never become an ally to the Prince's mansion!" Feng Che concluded.
"You may go! Keep an eye on them in secret. Report to me once you have any news!" ordered Feng Che.
"Yes, Master!" The man in black replied and left.
"Princess Shen has really been down on her luck!" Bai Zhe said ruefully as he watched the man in black leave.
"Haha! If it wasn't for Su Yunqi's good reputation, Princess Shen would probably not have agreed to the marriage!" Feng Che sighed.
As they spoke, they began a new game of chess, and their battle ensued…
It was late at night two days later…
Su Ruoxi finally heaved a sigh of relief when she saw that Shen Fei had made good progress in her recovery. Granny Shen had also recovered. However, Su Ruoxi did not help Granny Shen regain her Mystique Energy, which had been expunged…
She did not want to make it too visible and give herself away before meeting everyone in the Shen Family…
Su Ruoxi used her mind power and transported Shen Fei and Granny Shen back to Shen Fei's room…
Shortly after, Granny Shen awoke and felt her body becoming much lighter than before. She looked at Su Ruoxi with gratitude and almost wanted to get down on her knees. "Xi-er, thank you! If not for you, my old bones would not be able to hang on for much longer!"
"Granny Shen, don't say that. You and the old Madam are as close as sisters! I couldn't let anything happen to you. I've neutralized the poison inside Madam and you. Both of you will be able to recover if you rest and nurse your bodies back to health. I've sent a letter to Shen City. Someone should arrive in no time to visit the two of you! Here! You and Madam should each take one elixir every day at the same time. Madam should be awake by tomorrow morning! I am busy lately. I will visit both of you in a few days…" Su Ruoxi said as she helped Granny Shen to her feet and passed her a bottle of elixirs.
"Xi-er, is Second Madam planning to… Please don't go! Don't do as they say. You had better take Baby with you and leave the Prince's mansion as quickly as you can. Hurry…" Granny Shen said anxiously. She seemed to have put two and two together after hearing Su Ruoxi's words.
"Don't worry, Granny Shen. I will be fine! I am no longer the Xi-er you once knew. They won't be able to harm me. Trust me!" Su Ruoxi said confidently as she looked at Granny Shen.
Granny Shen seemed to be in a trance as she gazed at the beauty before her. Granny Shen felt that everything this beauty said would come true. This was all because her words naturally left her lips!
"Alright, Xi-er. Be wary of Second Madam and the two other women! Don't let them harm you again!"Granny Shen urged worriedly.
"Don't worry, I won't let that happen!" Su Ruoxi reassured her once more before disappearing from Shen Garden with Baby.
A quiet night…
Earlier in the next morning, Lin Yue brought Su Ruoqi and Su Ruolin to the Jade Garden. The Crown Prince and Su Ruolin were marrying tomorrow. Su Ruoxi claimed to be cultivating in seclusion and had not made an appearance in two days.
The three women were feeling uneasy. They were worried that something might have happened to Su Ruoxi. This would cause their plan to go awry!
"Xi-er! Have you come out of seclusion?" Lin Yue said enthusiastically when she spotted Su Ruoxi.
"Yes. I thought I was about to level up. In the end, I was still unsuccessful even after cultivating for two days." Su Ruoxi said, in a seemingly dejected tone.
"Oh, cultivation can't be rushed. You have to do it slowly, take your time!" Lin Yue said with a smile. However, inside her heart, she was thinking. "This good-for-nothing should thank her lucky stars that she can cultivate! She's still hoping to level up? Dream on!"
"Xi-er, where's Baby? Is she still asleep?" Lin Yue asked as she peered around. The trio intended to come up with some excuse to take the bastard child away.
"Baby has gone with Mo Ye to visit my Masters! She had been close to them since she was young. She had been extremely bored staying here for the past couple of days. I've told Mo Ye to bring her to visit my Masters!" Su Ruoxi explained softly.
Last night, after they returned, Su Ruoxi had told Baby to return to the realm. In a bid to achieve their purpose, Su Ruoxi suspected that they might try to take Baby away. Thus, she decided to go along with their plan. Moreover, Baby was still a child even though she was highly skilled. Su Ruoxi was worried about leaving the little rascal in the hands of others…
Lin Yue and her two daughters were overjoyed when they heard this. They were pleased with what the good-for-nothing did! Lin Yue continued badgering Su Ruoxi with gibberish. Finally, the three women left Jade Garden.
Yue Yard…
"Ruolin, have you prepared the elixir your Master gave?" Lin Yue asked her daughter.
"Mother, it is ready! I will slip it into the good-for-nothing and her handmaiden's food tomorrow morning. Then, everything can go according to plan!" Su Ruolin let out a sinister smile.
"Great. Pass the elixir to Ruoqi. Ruoqi, you shall bring breakfast for that good-for-nothing tomorrow morning! You have to ensure that they eat the food, by hook or by crook! Use force if you have to. My men will be hiding nearby. You can shout for them if you need help!" said Lin Yue.
"Okay, Mother. I will definitely complete my task!" Su Ruoqi said with a smile.
"Good. Now, go and get ready! Make sure nothing goes wrong tomorrow!" Lin Yue said.
"Yes, Mother!" When Su Ruoqi and Su Ruolin left, Lin Yue pondered for a moment. Then she stood up and made her way to Su Yunqi's study.
Su Yunqi was working in his study at the mansion. He had not attended the palace court for the past two days as the wedding of the Crown Prince was taking place tomorrow.
Lin Yue walked to the door of the study and ordered the guards to stay away. She knocked on the door and smiled as she looked at the teapot she was holding. Then, she entered the study…
"Prince, what are you busy with? Don't tire yourself out!" Lin Yue said gently.
"You're here." Su Yunqi said in a slightly cold tone.
Su Yunqi had quarreled with Lin Yue a few days ago because of what was going on at Shen Garden. He had been busy handling matters at the mansion, and they did not have time to speak with each other since the quarrel.
For the past few days, Su Yunqi felt confused and disconcerted. The image of Su Ruoxi's face kept flashing across his mind. She bore a close resemblance to Su Zhe. As such, he could not bear to let Su Ruoxi take Su Ruolin's place to marry the Crown Prince whenever he thought of what Lin Yue suggested.
Although Lin Yue did not know that Su Yunqi had met Su Ruoxi, she sensed that there was something odd about the Prince. This was why she had decided to put everything aside and came to reassure and placate Su Yunqi.