"Bai Fei, we must not delay any longer," Bai Han said urgently. "We need to return to Luo City, or the Fourth Prince will grow suspicious.
Why insist on marrying her, she hasn't even looked at your face once. And what will we tell the Fourth Prince? He's already planning to marry the Eldest Princess to Prince Yan."
"You do not understand," Bai Fei replied coldly. "If I wed the Eldest Princess and seize her military command, we don't need to bow to the Fourth Prince anymore. At the very least, our strength will match his… Why should I become a puppet for that fool?"
A maid quietly entered the room and knelt. "My lord… Her Highness burned the wedding dress you prepared," she said in a trembling voice.
Bai Fei froze for a moment, then his face darkened. The sharp crack of a teacup shattering echoed through the room. He had lost all patience. Ignoring Bai Han's disapproving look, he strode toward the underground prison.
He dragged the Emperor behind him. The old man stumbled with every step, nearly falling as Bai Fei pulled him across the courtyard toward Feng Yao's residence.
Outside the princess's chambers, Bai Fei exchanged heated words with Qiu Yue before shoving the doors wide open. He pushed the Emperor forward, forcing him to stand before the Eldest Princess.
"Still not willing to marry me? Let's see if you can still refuse… when your own father's life depends on it." His sharp gaze dared her to defy him.
At the side of the room, Qiu Yue's hand was already on the hilt of her sword.
Bai Fei noticed, his lips curling into a mocking smirk. "Do you think you can stop me, little guard?"
Qiu Yue was ready to strike, but Feng Yao lifted a single finger from her calligraphy brush. All of her guards had already been poisoned by Bai Fei, leaving her at a disadvantage if she resorted to force.
The silent command made Qiu Yue hesitate. Reluctantly, she released her grip on the sword, though her body remained taut as a drawn bow.
Feng Yao, seated at her desk, glanced briefly at Bai Fei and her father then calmly returned to her calligraphy.
"If you refuse to marry me, I'll kill your father," Bai Fei said again. "I don't believe you have no pity for your own parent."
"You think I'll care?" Her voice was flat.
"That man abandoned my mother and never once loved his children. His life has nothing to do with me. Fourth Prince already subdued the throne—sooner or later, he will die by your hands anyway. This is only a matter of time."
Bai Fei's brows twitched. The Emperor lowered his head, shame flickering in his eyes, but said nothing.
He didn't know what else could force this stubborn woman into marriage. If he pushed too hard, she would rather die than submit.
The only thing that could shake her… was Lang Huan.
"Are you still waiting for him to come back?" Bai Fei asked.
"I told you, he will never return. I'll make sure he dies in that treasure hunt." His eyes burned with irritation as he spoke.
Feng Yao's lips curled into a faint, cold smile. "Who dies… is still uncertain," she replied.
"Are you so certain of Lang Huan's skill? That childish boy? Even his own father supports the Fourth Prince now and doesn't care whether his only child lives or dies…" Bai Fei's words dripped with scorn.
Feng Yao laughed softly, Her face did not show any surprise. "Lord Bai… who will win in the end is something no one can predict."
"He may not be skilled, and he's naïve," she continued, "but not many people have luck like him. Don't underestimate that little brat. Without his father, he still has me. As for the Duke of Huguo… even if he is powerful, his age is catching up to him. Time does not fight on his side."
Feng Yao lifted the fresh sheet of calligraphy from the table, admiring the bold, flawless strokes. A satisfied smile touched her lips. "If you're smart, you'll know where to place your support. Instead of wasting your time disturbing me, you'd better think clearly."
Bai Fei said nothing. He hated to admit it, but her words made him question who truly held control of the game. With a sharp breath, he seized the Emperor's arm and pulled him back toward the door.
Though Feng Yao had spoken to Bai Fei with a calm and composed facade, her heart was pounding beneath the surface. She had no idea whether Lang Huan was carrying out the plan as intended—no news had come from Lin Ruochen or the Falcon Army.
Had Ruochen explained the plan to her clearly, or had that little brat gone off in her own way again? When had Lang Huan ever stopped making her worry?
The Eldest Princess secretly hoped that, step by step, she could mold Lang Huan into someone strong and independent, without relying on her father or anyone.
She chose a hard way, making her see how cruel the world really was. In politics, there was no such thing as family; even father and sons, or brothers, could turn against each other. Lang Huan's kindness and compassion only made her vulnerable to those who wished to take advantage.
Feng Yao knew she was being selfish, forcing Lang Huan to face her own father like this. But she had no choice. The Duke of Huguo didn't care about family bonds, and if he could be ruthless, then she couldn't show mercy either.
Even if Lang Huan wasn't ready, she had to push her into the storm. The world wouldn't wait for her to grow—it would crush her if she didn't learn to stand on her own.
--
Bai Fei returned to the study in haste, Feng Yao's words still ringing in his ears. Three days… and still no news? Has Lang Huan not died yet? A dark scowl shadowed his face. It seemed he would have to make certain the boy was truly dead before he could Win Feng Yao's heart.
"Bai Han, is it possible… that our Bai Clan could lose to that child?"
"I don't know," Bai Han replied calmly.
The answer made Bai Fei's eyes widen. He had been so certain of his plan. How could that bastard possibly defeat the senior members of the Bai Clan, whose martial skills were unmatched?
Bai Han sighed. "That child's soul does not belong to this world. I cannot read his mind… nor see his fate. I've heard he survived falling from a cliff twice." He shook his head slowly.
The Eldest Princess had called the boy blessed with great fortune, and now even Bai Han himself was giving strange remarks.
"Lang Huan is neither god nor ghost," Bai Fei muttered coldly. "If Bai Clan's senior cannot get rid of him, then I will do it myself—and the princess will watch him die with her own eyes."
"His soul is not from here," Bai Han said, stroking his beard. "If we cannot defeat him by fair fight, then I will use an ancient technique to send him back to where he came from. It does not guarantee success… but it is worth trying. Whether it works or not is fifty-fifty."
A wicked smile curved Bai Han's lips, this was his chance to prove his shamanic arts.
He leaned back in his chair, his tone calming. "I think you don't need to worry too much. We don't know what's happening there—Lang Huan may already be dead by now."