Although Lin Xun held a high position, possessed power, status, and good looks, he was not a target of Bai Xiyue’s schemes. For one, he had once had an intimate relationship with Princess Qingrong and had very likely shared her bed; she naturally had no desire for a man who had been touched by someone else.
Furthermore, Lin Xun was significantly older than her. Thus, even with Lin Xun standing right before her, Bai Xiyue had no intention of attracting his attention.
However, she truly had not expected that Song Yunqing would catch Lin Xun’s eye, or even, earn his favor.
Thinking about it carefully, if the Lord Grand Preceptor hadn't been partial to Song Yunqing, she likely wouldn't even be sitting in this carriage right now.
At this thought, the way Bai Xiyue looked at Song Yunqing carried an undefinable emotion, one that even faintly masked a trace of jealousy…
Such a mediocre, incompetent, and foolish person had managed to gain the favor of the Sheng State's Lord Grand Preceptor so easily. It was a pity that even though she knew Lin Xun liked dim-witted people, she, Bai Xiyue, could not lower herself to feign stupidity.
"Thank you, Lord Grand Preceptor..."
After finishing the milk, Li Fuyin looked at Lin Xun with a touch of surprise, seemingly puzzled as to why he would treat her this way.
Lin Xun smiled slightly and said in a natural tone, "Miss Song reminds me of my younger sister who passed away..."
Hearing this explanation, Bai Xiyue felt much more at ease, finally understanding Lin Xun’s behavior.
Li Fuyin blinked, pointed at the remaining pastries on the table, and said with an innocent and naive expression, "Then, may I eat the remaining pastries?"
Lin Xun chuckled, "You may. Eat slowly, and don't choke yourself."
Eat slowly?
That was, of course, impossible!
At the thought of what was about to happen, an uncontrollable excitement filled Li Fuyin’s eyes. She pounced on the food like a starving wolf, sweeping the small table clean in an instant, silently anticipating the show that was about to begin.
Outside the city, the sound of hoofbeats rang out. Someone was charging toward them on horseback, and the most elite death squads of Western Zhou had already infiltrated the ranks of the commoners.
The grand funeral procession had reached the halfway point. The sky was growing dark, and the last sliver of the setting sun was about to be swallowed by the distant mountains.
Just then, a figure in a color as vibrant as raging fire suddenly appeared at the end of the street. In the dim twilight, the person looked like a sudden spark, and as the distance closed, the flame grew larger, accompanied by an increasingly oppressive force.
"Who is so bold as to block the royal procession? Withdraw at once!"
The youth in red, who had galloped up on his horse, stopped in the center of the long street, blocking the way of the procession all by himself.
He turned a deaf ear to the shouting of the palace eunuchs. His sharp, somber black eyes stared fixedly at the incomparably luxurious golden Phoebe wood coffin ahead, a terrifying rage burning in the depths of his pupils.
The people of Sheng State did not recognize this man, but the members of the royal family recognized him at a single glance.
Handsome in appearance, fond of wearing red, and always carrying a long whip tucked at his waist.
That whip was a gift from the Princess; it was his weapon, but also his shackle, for more often than not, it was the tool his master used to punish him.
In the eyes of the people of Sheng State, that was the living proof of the humiliation suffered by this Western Zhou prince during his time in Sheng State.
Inside the carriage.
Li Fuyin lifted the curtain to look outside, her gaze unable to stop from scanning up and down.
Her memories of her previous life had grown blurred; she had long since forgotten the youth’s appearance. Now, looking closely, he looked quite different from the image in her memory.
When Rong Qi was by her side, he had transformed from a little wolf cub who would bite if touched into a submissive, obedient, and cunningly disguised loyal dog. Although she knew full well that this fellow was only playing a part and was actually biding his time for a chance to strike back, she had still been willing to give him rewards at appropriate times to let him taste some sweetness.
Later, when Sheng State and Western Zhou reconciled, Li Fuyin sent him back. Fearing he would die on the journey, she even gave him a few reliable men.
She had known that little wolf cub was no pushover. Indeed, he had returned to Western Zhou alive, but not a single one of the men she had given him had returned.
Three years had passed. The Eleventh Prince—who had been the most inconspicuous, most unloved, and least supported of all, having been sent to Sheng State as a hostage for six years—had suddenly transformed into the Crown Prince of Western Zhou.
Looking at him now, the youthful air had faded from him; his brows and eyes were filled with ruthlessness. The obedient skin he had once worn in front of her had been completely torn away. He was like a lone wolf with no soft spots, showing his long-hidden edge without reservation.
Arrogant, reckless, overbearing, and wanton!
It was said that he possessed a force of elite cavalry so powerful they could defeat a hundred men with one.
It was said that he did not get close to women and detested all women in the world, especially Princess Qingrong, whose name was a reverse scale he could not bear to be mentioned.
It was also said that he had been plotting a war against Sheng State to take revenge on Princess Qingrong and the people of Sheng State who had once bullied him.
At this thought, a trace of pride could not help but surface in Li Fuyin's eyes.
Who else could train someone like that? He was smarter, more capable, and more resourceful than anyone else. Not only did he firmly control the Western Zhou state, but in her previous life, even the Sheng State, which had been ruined by Li Mexiao, eventually fell into his hands.
"Who is this man? Why is he so bold? Can no one drive him away?"
Bai Xiyue’s gaze fell upon Rong Qi through the carriage window, her face full of amazement, and she couldn't help but murmur the question aloud.
Hearing Bai Xiyue’s voice, Li Fuyin snapped back to reality. She suddenly realized something, and her heart gave a strange thump.
She seemed to have forgotten a very important detail...
The Crown Prince of Western Zhou, Rong Qi, also seemed to be one of Bai Xiyue’s targets!
In her previous life, it was after Bai Xiyue became Empress that she had gotten entangled with Rong Qi, which led to the breakdown of relations between Sheng State and Western Zhou. In the end, Rong Qi had attacked Sheng State and conquered it precisely for Bai Xiyue’s sake...
Good heavens!
So, this Rong Qi was fierce on the surface but was actually a total "love-addict" deep down. He would do anything for Bai Xiyue, and he had already been hopelessly obsessed even while Bai Xiyue was still the Empress of Sheng State... Tsk tsk tsk, what a little madman indeed!
"He is the Crown Prince of Western Zhou, Rong Qi. He has come with ill intent; I fear the ordinary guards cannot drive him away."
Lin Xun’s expression was stern as he rose to his feet. "I shall go and see for myself. You two young ladies stay in the carriage and do not wander off."
Upon hearing the name Rong Qi, Bai Xiyue’s eyes lit up, clearly having developed a keen interest in him. Since she needed to attract his attention no matter what, she certainly wouldn't stay put!
Li Fuyin had already filled her stomach, specifically so she would have the energy to run around at the critical moment. She would certainly not miss any chance to join Bai Xiyue in the spotlight!
"Little sister Yuer, who do you think is better looking, His Highness Prince Ning, or this Crown Prince of Western Zhou?"
After Lin Xun left, Li Fuyin seemed to relax instantly. As if completely unaware of the tense atmosphere outside, she pulled Bai Xiyue close and asked with a smile.
Although Bai Xiyue wouldn't normally dwell on such things, now that Li Fuyin had brought it up, she seriously compared them in her mind before saying, "If we speak of looks, each has their own merits, they are evenly matched. But if we speak of temperament... the wild, untamed nature of the Crown Prince of Western Zhou is truly unique in this world..."
"Haha, little sister Yuer, could it be that you’ve taken a fancy to the Crown Prince of Western Zhou? Otherwise, how about this: once I marry His Highness Prince Ning, you can marry into Western Zhou as the Crown Princess?"
Li Fuyin laughed with an innocent look, while quietly hatching a wicked plan.
That little madman Rong Qi was not so easily tamed. If Bai Xiyue were to get entangled with him now, it would surely cause Li Mexiao no end of trouble. As long as those two started fighting early on, why would she have to worry about not having a chance to thrive?