Chapter 130: The Day of Your Demise

Jun Yechen turned to leave, satisfied, but had only taken a few steps when he spotted a woman in the distance, covering her smile behind a fan.

He had no desire to pay her any mind, but as she walked straight toward him, he was forced to offer a perfunctory greeting: "Noble Lady Yue."

"Heh, I never expected to run into the Second Prince. What a coincidence," Hua Yue said with a nod. Her demeanor appeared graceful, yet there was something unsettling about her cheerful air.

Jun Yechen scrutinized her, then let out a cold laugh. "Noble Lady Yue, you truly have a refined temperament. Your own sister is being held in the dungeons, and yet you still have the leisure to admire flowers and drink wine?"

Though his words were laced with sarcasm, Hua Yue did not deny it. She merely chuckled. "My sister is accused of murder. Even if I wished to protect her, I couldn't, and I would only risk upsetting the Emperor. On the other hand, Second Prince, why are you so exceptionally concerned about my sister's affairs?"

Taken aback by the retort, Jun Yechen remained silent for a moment before warning in a low voice, "I suggest you watch your tongue, Noble Lady. Do not bring disaster upon yourself with a slip of the lip."

He turned to leave, but before he could take two steps, Hua Yue spoke up again. "Don't think I'm unaware that the sachet you gave her was yours. To act so sanctimoniously now—what exactly is your game?"

The atmosphere turned awkward, the air seemingly frozen. Jun Yechen turned back, a flicker of murderous intent surfacing in his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"No need for anger, Your Highness. I simply wish to make a deal with you."

Maintaining her poised and elegant facade, Hua Yue slowly approached him, a move that only added to his unease.

Studying the woman closely, Jun Yechen sensed something deeply suspicious.

"Heh, this is interesting. And what exactly does the Noble Lady want?" He squinted, his gaze sharp enough to pierce through a person's soul.

"It is simple. I only need you to act as my backing, to help me gain a firm footing in the harem and become the protector of my family. That is all."

Hearing this, Jun Yechen realized she intended to use him as a pawn. He scoffed, "What makes you think you have the standing to ask me to be your protector? Besides, I am merely an idle prince; I lack such capabilities."

It was a humble claim, but Hua Yue had clearly done her homework. "I hear that the Second Prince has established a shadow organization among the commoners. If you are truly just an idle prince, why would you need such a thing?"

She curled her lips into a faint, enigmatic smile, one that carried a lethal edge. Jun Yechen’s heart skipped a beat. "It seems, Noble Lady Yue, you have prepared a foolproof plan to ensure your rise to power!"

With the conversation having reached this point, did he even have room to refuse?

"And what exactly do you want me to help you with?"

Jun Yechen forced himself to maintain his composure, his smile hiding a blade. Hua Yue, failing to notice, replied with a smug expression: "I have yet to receive the Emperor's favor, so I need you to help me manufacture an opportunity!"

"What do you mean?"

"The Emperor has a soft spot for my sister, doesn't he? Even at this critical juncture, he chooses to trust her blindly. Since that is the case, let my sister help me as well!"

As he listened to her elaborate on her scheme, Jun Yechen suppressed his disdain and replied, "Your plan is quite thorough, Noble Lady. I shall certainly maneuver behind the scenes to create the best opportunity for you."

Watching her walk away, Jun Yechen stood frozen for a long time before scoffing, "With that meager brain of yours, you still think you can scheme against others? Knowing too much is a dangerous thing indeed!"

Night fell, accompanied by the drone of cicadas.

Hua Rong’s prison cell had been transformed; with a new bed, new quilts, tea, and endless supplies of meat and wine, it was far more comfortable than her life in the Xuanji Palace.

After all, in the palace, she had to tend to flowers, grow herbs, and feed the livestock, but here, she had everything. Her only concern was, "I wonder if Suxin and the others are taking good care of my little ones?"

After all, animals raised on grain were the most delicious and nutritious when slaughtered.

Just as her thoughts wandered, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the prison.

Hua Rong frowned slightly. "It's so late—who could be coming to see me?"

Hesitant, she tentatively stretched her head toward the entrance.

Suddenly, a dark figure lunged toward her face. Startled, Hua Rong tumbled backward and landed on the floor.

"Who are you!"

She stared with wary eyes at the intruder, who held a long sword. The figure was slender and graceful—clearly, the visitor meant harm!

The air, previously heavy with boredom, was now thick with tension.

"The one who has come for your life!" The voice of the black-clad figure was female, yet filled with icy murderous intent. Hua Rong racked her brain; besides that group of women in the harem, she hadn't offended anyone else, had she?

"Could it be that those women are trying to kill me?"

Hua Rong swallowed, momentarily at a loss, but she felt a slight relief looking at the locked cell door. "At least I have this place as my shelter!"

But as she thought this, the woman toyed with the lock, and the heavy door creaked open. Hua Rong was stunned.

"What is going on? Isn't the prison supposed to be locked? And they don't even close the door when they leave!"

The jailers, having been warned by Jun Yeli, had been terrified of slighting Hua Rong. They treated her like a VIP, and the lock had been left unfastened, turning the cell into an open gateway.

But now, that very convenience had become the cause of her impending doom!

"Good heavens, what sin have I committed? If you leave, remember to close the door behind you!"

The more she thought about it, the more bitter she felt. The black-clad figure stepped inside. "Did you, Imperial Concubine, anticipate that today would be your day of death, and thus leave the door open to welcome me?"

With a sneer, the woman dragged her sword across the floor, the screeching sound grating on the nerves as she stepped closer and closer to Hua Rong.

Every step felt like a death sentence!

"Don't come any closer! Do you really think I won't call for help?"

"You could scream until your throat breaks, and no one would care. The trash outside has already been taken care of. Prepare to die!"

Without another word, the woman raised her blade and slashed directly at Hua Rong.