It has nothing to do with me.

Yan’er gazed into the mocking laughter in the eyes of the man in black—was he ridiculing her weakness and incompetence? Was he saying that the one who owes a blood debt must be the one to repay it?

“Hmph!” The man flung off Yan’er’s lingering gaze and, in the next moment, vanished from the room.

“The one who owes a blood debt must be the one to repay it?” Yan’er murmured the words he left behind, and it seemed as if some dark force within her began to stir restlessly. Exhaustion overcame her; she collapsed onto the bed, her eyes fixed upon the beam above. Night had already fallen, and Yan’er lay motionless, only her shining eyes proving she was still alive.

Yes, Feng He’s death, the child’s death, even her own fate were all in the hands of these powerful nobles. She was like an ant—anyone could snuff out her life. Rather than continuing to survive so wretchedly, why not wager her life instead?

“Princess—!” Cui Zhu burst excitedly into the room.

Ou Ruolan was standing before the bronze mirror, inspecting her reflection. She glared at the image in the mirror, and Cui Zhu immediately pursed her lips, saying no more.

“Why aren’t you fixing my hair? The General should be back soon.” To have eliminated two thorns from her side in such a short time—she had to admit her own abilities were impressive.

“Yes, Princess.” Cui Zhu curtsied slightly, then stepped over to the bronze mirror. “Princess, the guard sent to investigate that little wretch Yan’er has returned.”

“Oh? And what news?” Ou Ruolan was no longer much interested in Yan’er’s background. Who knew, the little wretch might already be dead by now.

“Hmph, Princess, it would have been better not to investigate. Only on reaching Suhe City did we learn that Yan’s family has long since fallen. It turns out the General had already provided them with large amounts of money. Without his support, it’s said the family might now be begging in the streets of Suhe City!” Cui Zhu’s face was full of jealousy. To think that little wretch was once a lady of a noble house. Why did daughters of wealthy families always have better lives than those born to the poor?

Ou Ruolan paused, her hand still upon the floral hairpin. So that’s how it was. “I knew it—there’s no such thing as a bargain for nothing in this world.” She fixed a pearl-encrusted hairpin into her hair, adjusting her position in the mirror.

“What do you mean, Princess?” Cui Zhu was somewhat puzzled.

“With that empty head of yours, what could you possibly understand?” Ou Ruolan haughtily pulled out the hairpin and replaced it with another.

“Yes, Princess.” Cui Zhu lowered her head and fell silent.

“Go and see when the General will return.” Ou Ruolan dismissed Cui Zhu with annoyance.

“Yes, Princess.” Cui Zhu quickly left the room and dashed to the main gate, fuming as she went. “You’re a princess now, but if my father were the emperor, I’d make you wash my feet and empty my chamber pot every day!” She kicked pebbles in frustration.

At last, Pan Yueyang returned to the residence after the lamps had been lit. After a day and night of restless anxiety, he immediately sent for Dan Yunjie. Entering Yunlu Courtyard, Pan Yueyang’s brow furrowed in displeasure, a formless anger welling up inside him.

“Husband.” Ou Ruolan greeted him outside, bowing slightly. After Cui Zhu left, she’d already sent someone to check whether that wretch Yan’er was still alive. As expected! A wretch will always be a wretch. Though she was unwilling, she had nonetheless ordered a room prepared in the main house and assigned a maid to attend to her.

“Is everything well at home?” Pan Yueyang glanced coldly at Ou Ruolan, inwardly debating whether he should check on Yan’er.

“No, not well.” Ou Ruolan donned a look of sorrow. “Let me accompany you to see Yan’er.” Standing beside this tall, handsome man always gave her a sense of happiness.

“What happened to her?” Pan Yueyang tensed unconsciously; no wonder he’d been so uneasy at court.

Ou Ruolan pressed her lips tightly, jealousy surging within her as she suppressed her resentment. “Let’s talk once we’re there.” Her delicate fists clenched tightly. Yan’er! You deserve a thousand deaths!

“Madam, please have some porridge.” The little maid placed the reheated porridge on the table, worry filling her eyes as she looked at Yan’er, frail and lying in bed.

Yan’er seemed not to hear, her wide eyes brimming with tears. She told herself not to cry, for even if she cried her eyes dry, what would it change? All who had been kind to her had left, one by one; she hadn’t even had the power to protect her own child.

“General, Princess.” The little maid, turning, saw Pan Yueyang and Ou Ruolan already at the door. She curtseyed hurriedly and fled the room as if for her life.

“Yan’er, what’s wrong?!” Pan Yueyang rushed to the bedside, only to see Yan’er staring blankly at the ceiling, refusing even to look at him. He turned and glared fiercely at Ou Ruolan. If she weren’t a princess, he’d have thrown her out!

“Yan’er just suffered a miscarriage…” Ou Ruolan did not enter the room, but stood at the door, coolly clarifying Pan Yueyang’s confusion.

“What did you say!” Pan Yueyang released Yan’er’s shoulder and touched her abdomen gently…

“It was my fault for not taking better care of her.” Ou Ruolan remained wary of Pan Yueyang’s temper, ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

“Yan’er? Yan’er!” Pan Yueyang, not as angry as Ou Ruolan had expected, turned back and gripped Yan’er’s shoulders, trying to make her look at him.

Yan’er slowly turned her head to look at the man before her.

“What happened here while I was at court?” Pan Yueyang pulled Yan’er’s icy body into his arms.

Yan’er did not speak, but her eyes were full of hatred as she stared at Ou Ruolan in the doorway. It was you! You killed Feng He, and still live so proudly in this world. It’s because of your power and malice. Every beautiful life near you has been destroyed, one by one, as if they were obstacles in your path. Ou Ruolan—Feng He’s mysterious death is a debt I swear to repay you, in this life and the next!

Ou Ruolan felt deeply uneasy under Yan’er’s hateful gaze. She steadied herself. “Husband, I’ll leave you to talk. I’ll go back first.” With a flustered heart, she hurried away.

“Feng He is dead, and so is the child.” Yan’er lay quietly against Pan Yueyang’s shoulder, as if recounting something that had nothing to do with her.

Pan Yueyang’s body went rigid, and he held Yan’er tightly, his voice hoarse: “Who did this?” He was certain Ou Ruolan was involved.

“It was me.” Yan’er smiled.

Ou Ruolan, who had just left, heard Yan’er confess to killing Feng He and her unborn child. She nearly stumbled as she fled. Just now, Yan’er’s expression clearly showed her intent to avenge Feng He and the child. Why, then, did she admit to Pan Yueyang that she had caused their deaths herself? How would she explain Pin’er’s involvement? She had hoped Yan’er would accuse her, so she could use Pin’er’s suicide as a shield…

“What?!” Pan Yueyang clearly did not believe Yan’er’s claim. He wanted to shake her, force her out of her misery.

“Yes, it was me.” Yan’er gave Pan Yueyang a wan smile, not knowing just how wretched her expression was. Slowly, she reached out to touch Pan Yueyang’s face, caressing every inch of his skin—did she truly love this man?

Pan Yueyang was bewildered by Yan’er’s calmness. “Feng He, Feng He!”

“Don’t call her, hush.” Yan’er pressed her finger to his lips. “Feng He never wants to serve others in her next life. Let her sleep quietly. If she is reborn, I hope she will not return as a human.”

Pan Yueyang glanced suspiciously around the room. Indeed, since he’d come in, there was no sign of Feng He. Ever since she began caring for Yan’er, Feng He had always been attentive and devoted. “Where is Feng He?”

“She’s gone, too.” Yan’er suddenly collapsed onto Pan Yueyang, weeping bitterly. More than for the child, it was Feng He’s death that grieved her most. The child’s fate had been sealed, but Feng He did not deserve this…

“Yan’er! What on earth happened?” Pan Yueyang, angered, pulled away and seized Yan’er’s shoulders, forcing her to look at him.

“Feng He…” Yan’er gazed steadily at Pan Yueyang, but in the end said nothing. Perhaps she had finally realized that a woman relying on a man was useless. If she wanted to live, if she wanted revenge, she could only rely on herself!

Pan Yueyang knew he would get nothing out of Yan’er in her current state. Her face was utterly pale, without a trace of color. His heart ached as he looked at her. Closing his eyes, he pressed several acupoints, and Yan’er gradually fell asleep. Gently, he laid her down, covered her with a quilt. When he opened his eyes again, they were bloodshot, filled with a murderous gleam.

Kicking open the door, Pan Yueyang startled Ou Ruolan, who hurriedly put down her jade pendant and stared at him.

“Speak! Don’t make me find out for myself!” Pan Yueyang seized Ou Ruolan by the throat.

“Ah… release…” For the first time, Ou Ruolan felt how terrifying this man could be. She beat desperately at his hand, knowing that a single squeeze could end her life.

Pan Yueyang’s fingers tightened, as if he would snap her neck. When he saw her struggles weaken, he regained a bit of composure and released his grip.

Ou Ruolan collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath, fearfully pressing herself against the cabinet. Her wide eyes darted up and down. “Husband, I did not do it.” She panted heavily.

Smack! Pan Yueyang slammed his palm on the table, leaving a crack in the redwood. He glared at Ou Ruolan. Royal offspring, he thought, were invariably ruthless. From the day she stepped into the Pan household, Ou Ruolan had tormented Yan’er openly. He had endured it, but now, in just a few days since her arrival, she had become so brazen. Did she really think he was weak and useless? To harm his own child—on this account alone, he would risk everything to repudiate her!

Catching her breath, Ou Ruolan spoke weakly, “I am grieved by Yan’er’s misfortune as well. After all, that was your own flesh and blood. I certainly do not wish to share my husband with another woman, but I would never do something so cruel. The matter has been investigated—Pin’er was the one who poisoned them. When she was discovered, Pin’er took her own life. The servants have already disposed of her body. If you do not believe me, you can ask the steward. Though I did have Yan’er and Feng He punished by the servants, I soon placed them in Yunlu Courtyard to guard against anyone with evil intentions. At the time of the incident, I was napping in my room—it truly was not my doing. Feng He was an unfortunate maid; she fell into the well by accident. I have already ordered her body retrieved. If you look, you’ll see there is not a mark on her—it was a simple misstep. As for Feng He, I was at fault and will make amends to her family. But the matter of the child had nothing to do with me!”