How can one even play with intelligence like this?

Yun Feiyue gestured for Xiao Mumu to keep quiet. Suddenly, she felt a cold, lingering gaze beside her—had someone overheard her words just now?

Yun Feiyue looked around, but saw nothing. Was it merely her imagination? She glanced again, ensuring no one was paying attention, then quietly slipped away.

Tonight, the palace was brightly lit; colorful lanterns hung from the branches, adorning the silent night of the deep palace. Yun Feiyue walked along the path with Xiao Mumu in tow. Though she was heading for an unpleasant meeting, she seemed remarkably at ease.

She strolled leisurely toward the Imperial Garden, where a red lantern among the white flowers stood out. Beneath its glow was a face filled with annoyance. Yun Feiyue pulled Xiao Mumu along and approached slowly.

"Well, you finally made it!" Nangong Zhishi looked at Yun Feiyue with clear displeasure; he had waited so long the flowers were about to wilt.

Yun Feiyue nodded, taking two steps forward. "I’m here. Shall we talk about making peace?"

Nangong Zhishi's smile grew, even a touch sinister. "Are you sure I really came to discuss peace with you?"

Hearing this, Yun Feiyue’s expression changed. She feigned fear, looking pitifully at Nangong Zhishi. "What... what do you mean?"

Xiao Mumu crossed his arms in boredom: Mother, must you be this childish, playing again!

Seeing Yun Feiyue’s fear, Nangong Zhishi grew excited. "Ha! So you know how to be scared now? Weren’t you fierce enough when you dealt with me before?"

Yun Feiyue hurriedly stepped back, retreating into the darkness beyond the lantern’s reach. Yet her eyes in the shadows were full of endless amusement.

"I... didn’t know you were of the Nangong family," she stammered.

"Hmph, it’s too late now!" Nangong Zhishi lunged at Yun Feiyue, intent on carrying out his first plan—to vent his anger with a beating!

But as he rushed forward, he saw her beautiful, smiling face—and felt a sudden pain in his abdomen.

"Ah!" he cried out.

Suddenly, the people Nangong Zhishi had arranged appeared: four men in black!

They wore masks and carried identical gleaming scimitars. Yun Feiyue’s smile froze. This was the Nangong family’s Scimitar Guard. Did they think she wouldn’t recognize them just because they wore masks and weren’t on horseback? How could she play along with opponents of such limited intelligence!

She lost all interest.

"Xiao Mumu, it’s up to you!" Yun Feiyue stepped aside, barely steadying herself when a sinister wind swept past her ear and a poisoned needle followed. Yun Feiyue dodged swiftly, but her lack of strength slowed her, and her hand was grazed. Instantly, black poison spread.

Yun Feiyue turned her head just in time to see a purple figure darting away.

The soul-capturing bell rang, and the fleeing figure suddenly froze, walking involuntarily toward Yun Feiyue.

Yun Feiyue showed no surprise upon recognizing the newcomer. "So it’s you, Gongsun Ziyan."

Gongsun Ziyan was now completely under the bell’s control, unconscious and unable to move of her own will. Yun Feiyue searched her and found several bottles.

She didn’t know which was the antidote...

She considered that the poison wasn’t immediately dangerous and decided to deal with it later.

"Xiao Mumu, are you done?" she asked.

Xiao Mumu gave a long "oh," then proclaimed, "Final move! Xiao Mumu’s meatball combo bounce super cool shadowless kick!"

His shadowless kick sent the four Scimitar Guards tumbling.

Nangong Zhishi was so shocked he couldn’t speak. He hadn’t believed Gongsun Ziyan when she said the child was formidable, but now he saw for himself.

Best to flee!

He bolted, but before he’d gotten halfway, Xiao Mumu kicked him down. Following Yun Feiyue’s mischievous taste, he was stripped and tossed to the ground.

"Mother, someone’s coming ahead!" Xiao Mumu pointed to the bright lanterns along the path.

Yun Feiyue quickly tore a piece of fabric from Gongsun Ziyan’s chest and ruffled her hair. Then she dashed toward the light.

Stumbling, she landed before Beichen Yi.

Beichen Yi saw Yun Feiyue’s disheveled state and hurried to ask, "Sister Yue, what happened?"

Yun Feiyue pointed behind her. "I saw someone having a tryst in the Imperial Garden. I was about to leave but got spotted and hit by a poisoned needle."

She raised her left hand—black and swollen, resembling a pig’s trotter.

Beichen Yi bit his lip, his crimson lips paling. "Who did it? Bring them to me! Whoever harms Sister Yue will pay with their life!"

Several guards hurried to seize the disheveled couple.

When their identities were revealed, a barely perceptible smile flashed in Beichen Yi’s eyes, though outwardly he was furious. "How dare you! Gongsun Ziyan! Nangong Zhishi!"

Gongsun Ziyan snapped awake in fright, utterly confused, looking innocently at Beichen Yi. "Your Majesty, what’s wrong? Why are you so angry? Where... where are my clothes?"

Only now did she realize her garments were destroyed.

Beichen Yi snorted coldly. "You still have the nerve to speak! Drag them away and await punishment!"

Before she could figure out what was happening, two guards forcibly took Gongsun Ziyan. "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I’m innocent!" No matter the situation, protest innocence first!

———Extra———

A recommendation for a friend’s new book: "The Bewitching Male Slave of the Fox Empress"

She was reborn with a half-demon body, ancient divine power undiminished, commanding all demons to bow as slaves.

With a flick of her jade finger, she broke free of the Demon Tower, smiling at her childhood friend, wielding a ruthless whip to sever old ties.

She is the ancient god soul Yuan, and also the rebellious, cold half-demon slave.

The Fox King wants her as consort, but she demands he become her slave. Shaking the demon world, conquering the fox clan, she firmly sits on the throne.

The Demon King wants tribute, but she makes him serve her in bed. Shocking all, playing with the demon realm, earning the reputation of a libertine.

She is a calamity to the nation, and he willingly becomes her slave.