Volume One, Chapter 16: Capturing Him Is as Difficult as Climbing to Heaven

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Bai Yanran twitched the corner of her mouth, “...”

“Never mind, go on,” she shrugged.

Bai Yanran took a serious tone: “You must have seen and hated Xie Chenyen’s coldness and heartlessness, right?”

“Yes, you’re right. That damned Xie Chenyen banished me to the cold palace on our wedding night. If I ever get a chance to turn the tables, I’ll make sure he dies without a grave!” Ye Yuntang’s eyes glinted fiercely.

A surge of exhilaration rose in Bai Yanran’s heart. Not everyone in the palace was a fool!

This one in front of her was definitely someone she could make good use of.

After a moment’s thought, Bai Yanran said, “Your skin is too rough, your figure isn’t supple enough, and your hair is just average—I wonder how a noble daughter like you usually takes care of yourself!”

Her disdain and sarcasm were unhidden.

Ye Yuntang raised an eyebrow and obediently listened to the scolding. So, she was planning to transform her?

She was more than willing!

After all... who would refuse someone who wants to help them?

Heehee...

Bai Yanran quietly stepped closer to Ye Yuntang and whispered sinisterly into her ear:

“No, it can’t be... You see me calm and sane without any surprise, and yet you obey me so willingly. Tell me! What exactly are you thinking?”

Ye Yuntang smiled faintly, “What I’m thinking... is naturally to join forces with you to kill him!”

“You’d better not lie to me!” Bai Yanran’s voice grew cold.

“桑枝’s life is in your hands—I wouldn’t dare lie to you,” Ye Yuntang said, turning to look at her sincerely.

She was pretending.

“How do you know I—”

Ye Yuntang interrupted, “You’ve so blatantly revealed your identity. How could I not know you’re using me? You must have counted on the strong master-servant bond between us to shamelessly leverage her against me.”

Bai Yanran was about to silence her, but Ye Yuntang linked her arm and grinned, “Sister, I’m willing to be at your service, really!”

Bai Yanran was slightly taken aback, then sneered, “You’re quite clever. Since you understand the situation, cooperate well. Otherwise, that servant 桑枝 will suffer.”

Ye Yuntang rolled her eyes inwardly but remained expressionless, “I understand. As long as we achieve our goal, I will do as you say. But you must guarantee the safety of 桑枝 and me. Otherwise, even if I risk my life, I won’t let you off easily.”

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“Hmph, you can be assured. As long as you behave, I won’t harm you,” Bai Yanran replied.

Ye Yuntang nodded, a trace of grievance in her eyes: “What about after we kill him? Sister, will you kill me too?”

Bai Yanran glanced at her, “No.”

Ye Yuntang immediately lit up with joy, “Then I’m relieved. I hope after this is over, you can give me a large sum of money so I can leave the palace, okay?”

Hmph! So it was for the money!

A ruthless gleam flashed in Bai Yanran’s eyes, “Fine. Starting tomorrow, you must follow my instructions exactly, especially regarding your body...”

She lowered her voice and whispered in Ye Yuntang’s ear.

Ye Yuntang was startled, then smiled.

Originally, she had been thinking about how to get close to Xie Chenyen, as everything her Aunt Liu Shu had taught her was quite conventional.

Now Bai Yanran was giving her a boost...

Ye Yuntang nodded softly, “I will do my best.”

“Not ‘do your best,’ you must succeed,” Bai Yanran stared at her intently, as if seeing through her. “If you behave well, I might even consider giving 桑枝 the antidote. But if you show even a hint of disobedience, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

After Bai Yanran left, Ye Yuntang’s eyes flickered.

桑枝 quickly approached and whispered, “My lady, what did she say to you?”

Ye Yuntang pinched her little cheek, “You’ve always hoped to eat better food, right? From now on, you will.”

“Really?!”

At the mention of food, 桑枝’s eyes sparkled, “That’s wonderful! I haven’t had a full meal in days...”

“You’ll be well fed from now on,” Ye Yuntang smiled and led 桑枝 inside.

桑枝 hesitated slightly, “My lady, did you make some deal with her? Was she forcing you to save me?”

“No,” Ye Yuntang replied.

桑枝’s face darkened, “Why else would someone bring us food out of nowhere? You must have agreed to something. My lady, you don’t need to suffer for me. If it comes to it, I’m not afraid to die.”

Ye Yuntang smiled, “Nonsense, none of us will die. No matter what you see these days, don’t be surprised.”

桑枝 nodded.

Ye Yuntang looked at her again, “Just take care of yourself. If you feel unwell, tell me immediately, okay?”

Huan Bi nodded, “It’s all my fault for being greedy and causing you trouble.”

Ye Yuntang whispered, “It’s precisely because of your greed that I have a chance to walk out again.”

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Unconsciously, more than three months had passed in the cold palace.

It was midsummer, and even the cold palace was gradually warming.

The palace maids who came daily to prepare medicinal baths for her had started coming less frequently.

Yet, she was completely renewed.

Snowy cheeks and fragrant skin, jade-like bones and icy flesh, a slender willow waist so delicate it could be grasped with a hand, every step swaying with seductive grace.

Three thousand strands of silky black hair, smooth and lustrous like brocade, cascading down like a river of ink...

Ye Yuntang pushed open the door, and 桑枝’s eyes widened as she stared at her.

“Beautiful, absolutely beautiful!”

Ye Yuntang smiled, “The transformation is complete.”

Bai Yanran approached and said, “The outward appearance is done, but have you mastered the inner techniques?”

Ye Yuntang nodded and placed her delicate, boneless hands on Bai Yanran’s shoulders, eyes full of allure: “Of course. Sister, if you want to try, I can accompany you.”

Bai Yanran furrowed her brow slightly, a calculating look flashing in her eyes: “I knew it—I was right about you. You really are cut out to be a temptress!”

Ye Yuntang smiled faintly, “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Bai Yanran spoke seriously, “On the night of the fifteenth of the seventh month, someone will take you there to encounter Xie Chenyen. Just do as I say, and you can regain favor.”

Ye Yuntang obediently said, “I’ll follow your orders.”

The full moon hung high on the night of July 15.

It was the night of the grand ancestral rites in the palace. The imperial concubines knelt in the Ancestral Hall, keeping vigil, while the palace maids and eunuchs guarded the side halls, kneeling silently.

Occasionally, a patrol of Dragon Cavalry passed by, but there was less vigilance than usual, for on such a night, everyone stayed indoors to ward off evil spirits; few willingly wandered about.

Moreover, with a guide familiar with the palace passages, weaving through twists and turns, it was easy to avoid those patrols.

The path to the Night Palace was somewhat remote, taking nearly half an hour to reach.

Before entering, a strange fragrance wafted faintly, tickling her nose—subtle yet intoxicating the closer she got.

No one guarded the Night Palace inside or out. Ye Yuntang turned left and right into a room. Bai Yanran had told her that every July 15, Xie Chenyen would come here to rest.

At this time, he was at his most vulnerable and weak; if she came now, she could certainly take him down.

But Ye Yuntang thought otherwise. She knew Xie Chenyen’s temperament all too well—taking him down would be as difficult as climbing to the heavens...