59 Fearless

“The lyrics that were sung?” Orelans pondered for a long moment, a sinister smile creeping onto her beautiful face. She turned to look at Mu Qianxue, unable to deny her cunning—Mu Qianxue, you are indeed shrewd, but I am determined to eliminate you.

“By law, such a crime is punishable by death, sister,” Mu Qianxue murmured, her gentle voice laced with chill as she leaned close to Orelans’s ear.

“It would be best if she died!” Orelans quickly regained her composure, her previous despondency vanishing.

Mu Qianxue shook her head; Orelans was, in the end, someone who would never amount to much.

“What kind of expression is that?” Orelans looked discontentedly at Mu Qianxue’s shake of the head, as if she had made another unforgivable mistake.

“Such a crime is not only punishable by death, but would also implicate the entire family... Sister,” Mu Qianxue felt obliged to remind her once again.

As expected, Orelans drew in a cold breath. “Then what should be done?”

“Death is inevitable, but it depends on how one dies...” Mu Qianxue had already devised a plan, merely waiting for a fool to play their part—and that fool was none other than Orelans herself.

“Let me hear it, sister.” In a rare display, Orelans addressed her as sister.

“What if... she were not someone of the General’s Manor? What if she were married off... to an inner court official?” Mu Qianxue hinted darkly at Orelans.

“You truly are ruthless, sister...” Orelans turned away. “Cui Zhu, see our guest out.”

Mu Qianxue said no more. Orelans was proud and lacked strategy; sooner or later, she would be nothing but prey in Mu Qianxue’s mouth. Let her be arrogant for now.

The next day, Orelans returned to the manor with a bright smile. Her first order of business was to visit Yan’er at the other residence.

“My lady, this is at the general’s instruction,” Xiaoyuan said, presenting a bowl of bird’s nest soup to Yan’er. “My lady...” She looked up at Yan’er, her tone half-pleading.

As expected, upon hearing that Pan Yueyang had insisted she drink it, Yan’er no longer refused. Pouting reluctantly, she picked up the bowl and began to drink. The relationship between her and Pan Yueyang had grown even more delicate these days; he accompanied her daily, which moved her deeply. From what she knew of him, such attentiveness was rare. Her body was recovering day by day, yet Xiaoyuan would never let her out of bed for long, nor leave the room, claiming it was at the general’s instruction to guard her health. Every night, Pan Yueyang would hold her as they slept, and the sweetness filled Yan’er’s heart. Perhaps this was the love she had longed for.

But joy never comes without sorrow.

“Hmph, Princess, look at this wretch!” Cui Zhu’s shrill voice accompanied Orelans’s footsteps as they stopped at the door.

Yan’er’s brow furrowed. How apt that what she feared would come to pass. Orelans had been away at the palace for days, and Yan’er almost hoped the entire household would forget her. Yet here she was, returning out of the blue.

“Your servant greets the Princess and First Lady,” Xiaoyuan promptly knelt and kowtowed, not forgetting to tug at Yan’er.

Yan’er remained motionless, her cold gaze fixed on Orelans, her lifelong nemesis—the woman whose arrival had brought innocent lives to ruin.

“My lady?” Xiaoyuan, trembling, tugged at the hem of Yan’er’s gown, her anxiety plain.

Yan’er sneered, setting aside the soup bowl and pulling the still-kneeling Xiaoyuan to her feet. “If the princess has something to say to me, Xiaoyuan, you may leave.” She meant only to spare Xiaoyuan from being implicated.

“Hmph, your lady has spoken—why are you still here?” Cui Zhu emphasized the word “lady” sarcastically, as if daring Orelans to tolerate being called the same as this wretch.

“I find this little maid rather pleasing. Raise your head and let me have a look,” Orelans said, stepping forward. Her lacquered jade finger tilted Xiaoyuan’s chin, her long nails lightly tracing the girl’s cheek.

“Let her go! She’s just a child,” Yan’er cried out in horror, terrified that Orelans’s cruelty might destroy Xiaoyuan on a whim.

“Out with you!” Orelans, in a particularly good mood, released Xiaoyuan’s face with a flick, casting a disdainful glance at the kneeling maid.

Reluctantly, Xiaoyuan rose to her feet. Yan’er gave her a reassuring look, and only then did Xiaoyuan leave, casting one last worried glance over her shoulder.

“Hmph, just because you enjoy some fleeting favor today, don’t think you can lord it over me in the future,” Orelans spat, glaring at the half-reclined Yan’er.

“I’ve never wished to compete with you,” Yan’er replied quietly, though her heart was steeled. “But perhaps one day I might. What say you, Princess?” She blinked, her eyes soft as water.

Orelans gasped. Yan’er had never shown her true submission, and it was this lack of deference that so irked her. Yan’er, though always deferential and proper, had never truly submitted in spirit; it was this quality that made Orelans uneasy, as if Yan’er were the lofty princess and she the clown.

Orelans inhaled deeply, forcing herself to remain calm. “We shall see,” she said coldly, though fear crept into her heart. This woman was slowly changing her, and Orelans bit her lip in frustration.

“For Feng He, I will,” Yan’er replied softly, only further fueling Orelans’s fury.

Orelans turned to leave, Cui Zhu close behind, not forgetting to shoot Yan’er a venomous glare.

Yan’er collapsed onto the bed as soon as they left. Xiaoyuan rushed in, wringing her hands anxiously. “My lady! Did they trouble you?”

“I’m fine, Xiaoyuan.” Yan’er stopped her from checking for injuries, smiling at her concern.

“I just worry about them bullying you. Honestly, none of us servants can stand them. Ever since they came to the General’s Manor, it’s been chaos every day...” Xiaoyuan grumbled.

“Enough.” Yan’er frowned. “Remember, do not speak out of turn again.” She feared Xiaoyuan might become another Feng He.

“Yes, my lady,” Xiaoyuan replied, aggrieved.

Three days passed since Orelans’s sudden return, and she had not appeared again nor made any move. Her demeanor seemed subdued, which left Yan’er uneasy. With Orelans’s character, she would never let things lie. Three days ago, Orelans had appeared before her. Yan’er, though anxious, had not greeted her nor performed any gesture of respect. It was not in Orelans’s nature to tolerate such insolence.

Yan’er glanced at Pan Yueyang, who was immersed in military texts at his desk. Her heart still raced at the sight of him; despite few words between them, she felt their hearts drawing ever closer in these days of quiet companionship.

“The Princess returned a few days ago,” Yan’er said, tugging at the corner of her quilt.

“There’s no need for you to concern yourself with her, Xiaoyuan,” Pan Yueyang replied without looking up. Xiaoyuan appeared immediately in the room. “If the Princess troubles Yan’er again, report to me at once.” He closed his book and massaged his brow.

“Yes, General.” Xiaoyuan beamed at Yan’er and slipped out obediently.

“She didn’t trouble me, so you needn’t worry. After all, she is a princess,” Yan’er said, rising to help Pan Yueyang remove his outer robe.

“I can manage,” he said, pressing her gently back to the bed before removing his own robe.

Yan’er turned away shyly, scooting further beneath the covers. “Reading every day must tire your eyes. Tomorrow, let Xiaoyuan prepare some nourishing soup.”

“Very well.” Pan Yueyang’s voice was low and deep. As he removed his outer robe, his undergarments came loose, revealing a strong, bronze chest—lithe and wild. He stroked Yan’er’s hair affectionately. “Sleep now.”

Knowing Yan’er was still recovering, Pan Yueyang was careful not to do anything untoward. He simply held her tightly, his body’s warmth quickly enveloping her.

“The weather’s turning cold. I wish I could go out for a walk, but you never let me,” Yan’er complained, wriggling in his arms.

“Stay still.” Pan Yueyang’s voice was a husky warning, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed.

“Eh?” Yan’er blinked in confusion. “Yueyang, I’m well now. I can go out for a bit. If you keep me in bed for two months, it’ll be snowing by then.” She pouted.

“What do you mean you’re well?” Pan Yueyang kissed her forehead, his hand caressing her shoulder over her clothes.

“It means... I’m fine, really. I don’t need to stay in bed anymore.” Yan’er’s voice was bashful.

“Truly?” Pan Yueyang sounded doubtful.

“Truly! I wouldn’t lie to you. If you don’t believe me, look...” Yan’er’s voice trailed off as she realized her mistake, her cheeks flushing crimson.

“If you’re truly recovered, then we can go out tomorrow for a walk—but not for long. I worry about your health.” Pan Yueyang lifted her chin, gazing at her smooth, delicate face that never failed to stir his heart.

“Mm.” Yan’er nodded shyly, wanting to turn away to sleep but finding herself held fast in his embrace.

Pan Yueyang bent down and captured her lips in a kiss. Though they had shared such gentle kisses before, he never dared deepen them, fearing he might lose control while she was still frail. But tonight, hearing her earnest assurance, he could no longer contain his longing heart.

“Mmm...” Yan’er gasped for breath amidst the deepening kisses. What had come over him tonight, to be so passionate?

“Yan’er...” Pan Yueyang pressed her beneath him, her cheeks flushed. Ignoring her weak protest, he buried his head at her neck, showering her with lingering kisses.

“Yue... don’t... ah...” Yan’er’s words dissolved into moans as he caressed her.

For the first time in a long while, their passions flared in unison. Yan’er, flushed and trembling, gazed at him with bashful adoration.

“It seems you really are well enough to go out,” Pan Yueyang said with a satisfied smile, and soon, desire swept them away once more.