Lang Huan turned and walked away, anger simmering beneath her calm façade. Her elegant silhouette slowly faded into the moonlit snow.
Feng Yao instinctively stepped forward to follow, but Su Qing's hand shot out, gripping her wrist and stopping her short.
"Let go," Feng Yao hissed, irritation flashing in her eyes. But Su Qing only tightened her hold.
In that brief moment, Feng Yao drew a soft breath and let her body sway. She deliberately let herself lose balance, collapsing gracefully into the snow.
"Madam Su… don't," she whispered sharply, masking her rising fury behind a trembling, fragile voice. Who had asked her to provoke Lang Huan?
Lang Huan heard the faint cry and spun around instantly. The second she saw Feng Yao on the ground, she dashed forward, snow scattering beneath her hurried steps.
She dropped to her knees beside her, breath misting in the cold. A shallow scrape marked Feng Yao's palm, small but enough to darken Lang Huan's expression.
Her gaze snapped to Su Qing, cold and cutting. "What were you doing?"
Before Su Qing could answer, Feng Yao let out a small, trembling sob and reached up, clutching Lang Huan's shoulder, seeking warmth and protection.
Her breaths came uneven as she leaned into Lang Huan's embrace. Seeing Feng Yao so delicate, so fragile, made the winter night itself seem cruel. Lang Huan's jaw tightened, torn between worry and anger.
"My leg… it hurts," Feng Yao whispered, pressing closer. Her fingers curled into Lang Huan's collar. "I think… I sprained it. Husband… carry me back."
Her cheek brushed against Lang Huan's neck, warm breath ghosting over her skin.
Without hesitation, Lang Huan swept her into her arms. The faint floral scent clinging to Feng Yao wrapped around her heart before she had a chance to think.
Su Qing stared in disbelief, then let out a bitter laugh. What kind of love potion had the Eldest Princess fed him? His mother died because of that woman. And yet he still… still chooses her?
Damn you, Lang Huan. You're blind and stupid. Her nails dug into her palm, knuckles turning white with frustration.
Meanwhile, nestled safely in Lang Huan's arms, Feng Yao wiped away her crocodile tears, a sly smile curving at the corner of her lips. She met Su Qing's gaze with quiet, triumphant mockery.
Play tricks on me? Dream on. She rested her head calmly on Lang Huan's shoulder and closed her eyes.
Lang Huan, completely unaware of the silent battle behind her, let out a breath somewhere between a sigh and a helpless laugh. She had planned to avoid Feng Yao tonight, yet here she was, carrying the princess all the way to her room.
A'Li had been pacing anxiously ever since she saw the eldest princess suddenly rush toward Lang Huan in a panic after hearing the shadow guards' report that Madam Su had asked to speak. She finally exhaled in relief when she saw them return.
Inside the room, Lang Huan gently lowered the princess onto the bed. But the moment she tried to step back, Feng Yao's arms tightened around her neck, refusing to let go.
The sudden pull broke her balance, and Lang Huan fell forward, landing directly atop her. Their lips brushed in a soft, accidental kiss.
Lang Huan quickly braced herself on the bed, intending to pull away, but Feng Yao only tightened her hold, drawing her closer and deepening the kiss with deliberate insistence.
When Feng Yao finally released her, Lang Huan's breathing came uneven. She turned her face away at once, composure slipping as she avoided the princess's gaze.
Feng Yao caught her collar and pulled her back down, her whisper brushing against Lang Huan's lips. "Why won't you look at me?" Her heart churned with turmoil. Now that the truth was out, she couldn't bear the thought of Lang Huan leaving her.
Her tongue traced slowly along Lang Huan's lower lip, then slid down to her jaw, leaving a trail of heat.
"I'm… afraid of you," Lang Huan murmured. "Sometimes I wonder if one day…I'll die by your hand."
Feng Yao arched a brow then let out a soft giggle. "Afraid? "
Her fingers drifted up, stroking the back of Lang Huan's neck. "You're so bold. You kiss me and touch my body every night. A little rogue like you… how could you possibly be afraid I'd kill you?"
Lang Huan refused to entertain such nonsense. She stayed silent for a moment before finally meeting Feng Yao's gaze. "I'm not Ye Langhuan…"
"I witnessed everything, when your assassin killed him and his mother. Then, A-Cai took me to the Duke's mansion, mistaking me for Ye Langhuan because we looked identical. My name… is Lang Huan."
There wasn't even a flicker of surprise on Feng Yao's face. Of course. This woman was far too perceptive and clever—how could she not have guessed?But just how many of her secrets Feng Yao had uncovered… Lang Huan couldn't be sure.
Lang Huan also felt a pang of guilt, she had kept something from her wife. She would find another time to talk with Feng Yao. After all, the matter had already been laid bare up to this point.
A wave of relief washed over Feng Yao. Cruel as she could be, she had never wished to harm Lang Huan's family.
If that was truly the case, then she no longer had any reason to hold back against the Duke of Huguo, after all he wasn't her father-in-law.
Each of them was lost in her own thoughts… until Feng Yao finally smiled and said,
"I don't care who you are. In this life, you're my lover—my consort. You're not allowed to leave me. Even if you run to the ends of the earth, I'll drag you back. And even if you die…"
She pulled her closer, her lips brushing Lang Huan's ear.
"…you'll still be mine."
Her voice softened, yet still carried a clear threat. "I promise I won't kill you. But if you ever dare betray me… I'll make you suffer a fate worse than death."
A shiver ran through Lang Huan; her brows drew together instinctively. She hadn't expected Feng Yao to threaten her again—shouldn't it be her giving the princess a lesson.
Feng Yao's smile deepened, amused by how adorable her reaction was.
Then, slipping seamlessly into a spoiled, pitiful tone, she murmured,
"My little husband… can you massage my leg? It hurts so much."