Reborn: Femme Fatale First Daughter

“That’s right, many scholars were left out of the palace, a great loss to the imperial court. Do you wish to see some true scholars out of the court in the Qin Kingdom, Your Highness? True scholars always longed for freedom and you could be considered to be one of them. It will be a real pity if you do not join us.” Bai Yihao smiled.

“Just like the piece that the Empress Dowager praised.”

Bai Yihao seemed to be inviting her to participate in the Qin gathering, even threatening her. Involuntarily, Mo Xuetong lifted up the jade bowl beside her and sipped at the wine. Together with the warmth brought by the wine, her eyes became cold and unforgiving. “Thank you for your invitation, Sir Bai. My foot is injured or I would definitely be willing to know those scholars.”

“I can help you examine your injured foot, and ensure that you can participate in this Qin gathering.” Bai Yihao glanced down at Mo Xuetong’s foot. Even though he could not see anything, Mo Xuetong’s face turned red with embarrassment as she attempted to retract her foot. Bai Yihao’s rude behavior was unusual for a gentleman like him.

“There’s no need to trouble you. The doctor merely told me to rest it.”

Only she knew about the conditions of her injury and she would never show it to Bai Yihao, well-known for being a great doctor.

“One needs to combine work with rest. Such a good opportunity is not so easy to come by.” Bai Yihao placed down a chess piece and smiled handsomely.

“An opportunity for others might not be an opportunity for me.” Mo Xuetong replied calmly as she placed a piece in the corner, engulfing an entire portion of Bai Yihao’s pieces. The chessboard immediately emptied out, with distinct white and black pieces. It was obvious that there were more black pieces.

Bai Yihao seemed to be oblivious to his imminent defeat and raised his head to look at his opponent, smiling even more calmly. “The treatment of a unique Qin arrangement and chess formula would be completely different in and out of the palace.”

“In and out of the palace! What does he know!”

Mo Xuetong’s hand trembled as she forced herself to remain calm. As she placed down another pawn, she realized that she had lost her initiative after placing this piece, rendering the entire corner Bai Yihao’s territory. Even though she had removed his pieces from the board, she also entered his trap. However, she had to do it or it would be an immediate defeat for her.

Bai Yihao has superb chess skills!

Any move will lead to her defeat!

She frowned slightly as she glanced at Bai Yihao secretly, trying to figure the mysterious man out. Since both advancing and retreating would result in worries, Mo Xuetong might choose to retreat in her previous life. However, Mo Xuetong chose to face her difficulties in this current life. She placed down her pawn and clapped, smiling. “You’ve won! I admit defeat!”

“It’s merely luck.” Bai Yihao threw his pieces into the basket as he waved his sleeves across the chessboard, not willing to discuss the match at all. If Mo Xuetong didn’t know that he had great ambition, she would have thought that he did not value fame and fortune.

He merely didn’t care about partial victories.

Mo Xuetong reminded herself again about the danger of the man before her. The corner of her eyes rested on the chessboard, worried.

Bai Yihao smiled and turned to Princess Royal, saying, “Aunty, thank you for your plum wine. It is already late and I will leave first. I will come back to visit another day.”

The sky had darkened, signaling that it was already late. The palace lockdown would be happening soon and Mo Xuetong had to leave too, albeit after Bai Yihao left to prevent unnecessary rumors. However, Princess Royal’s thoughtful eyes made her stressed. Her eyes seemed to convey pity, worry, and some other strange emotions.

She had always been wondering about the relationship between her mother and Princess Royal. Did Princess Royal know about her mother’s identity? If she did know, why did Princess Royal make such a friend? If she didn’t, why did she treat her mother so well? She had a feeling Mother and Princess Royal were not just friends.

The previous emperor killed King Jin, his brother, and took his crown. That meant that Prince Jin was Emperor Zongwen’s uncle, and Princess Royal was Mother’s cousin. Was Princess Royal really as peaceful as she seemed to be on the surface? Did she really not participate in politics? Through her interactions with Princess Royal, she discovered nothing about Princess Royal’s involvement in the battle of the heirs other than her favor towards Feng Yuran.

However, she noticed that something seemed amiss amidst the entire mess.

In her previous life, the only place where she met Princess Royal was at the downfall of General Manor, which Princess Royal played a big role in. Why was Princess Royal so determined in dealing with General Manor? After her rebirth, she slowly became familiar with the royal family, and she changed her mind about Princess Royal. Could such a calm Princess Royal really dare to rush and destroy General Manor just for the son of her wet nurse?

If she was truly so, where did she place Mother?

In her previous life, Mother never mentioned Princess Royal voluntarily, and Princess Royal seemed to be just part of a legend. However, she seemed to be involved in everything that was happening in this world. She also mentioned the items that Mother left behind. But how could she know about that? Was the Plum Garden a coincidence as well?

Impossible. There must be something that she did not know.

Mo Xuetong did not use the sedan this time, as she used Mo Lan’s hand as a support. As she walked, she pondered about the matter just now. She felt that Princess Royal was a different person just now, but she could not say exactly why.

Was it because of Bai Yihao? Something flashed across her mind but she could not catch it.

“Are you Princess Anping?” Under a tree full of blossoming flowers, a beautiful lady stood tall. She asked with a friendly tone as she blinked when seeing Mo Xuetong.

“You are...” Mo Xuetong stopped and asked hesitantly.

“This is Beauty Liu.” Her servant beside her answered.

Under the light, Beauty Liu really did deserve the title of Beauty as her pale skin shines like the moon and her charming eyes sent off signals of seduction.

“Oh, Beauty Liu! Sorry for being impolite.” Mo Xuetong looked at her and smiled.

“Is Princess Anping leaving the palace now? I am on my way out as well, let’s go together.” Beauty Liu invited her with full intimacy as if they were friends for many years.

Mo Xuetong almost mocked her as her face turned stone cold, her brain contemplating. She didn’t believe that she met Beauty Liu coincidentally as matters rarely happened “by chance” in the palace.

A meticulously planned encounter was as accidental as a meticulously planned assassination.

“What a coincidence! We do go on the same path.” Mo Xuetong smiled as she looked at her.

“Did you come from Princess Royal’s palace just now? I have never come inside Princess Royal’s palace ever since I entered the palace. Is it really a place as elegant and peaceful as the rumors say? It is known for being one of the prettiest places in the palace?” Beauty Liu was all smiles as she walked next to Mo Xuetong naturally.

It was a pleasure to have such a beauty speaking to you with such a gentle and amiable voice.

Mo Xuetong smiled gently as well as she chatted with the Beauty. As she walked out slowly, she noticed that the little eunuch bringing them around was still the same one who invited her in. He followed behind them quietly, implying that she took the right path.

Pine trees stood on the side of the road, and green shoots emerged from the numerous branches. It seemed that the climate transformed from winter to spring in just these few days, as patches of green appeared on stones, trees, and bushes.

“Is this the way out of the palace?” Mo Xuetong looked at the route in front and asked curiously, smiling. This route was covered by flowers and trees, with lanterns lit up at other places. Shadows covered the place, which made the route seem even smaller. This route indeed seemed too small to be the main road out of the palace.

And it was also too fancy.

“This is a shortcut that we like to use, and few outsiders know of it. However, you are not an outsider. Furthermore, this place reminds me of spring and I involuntarily brought you here. Sorry for not informing you.” Beauty Liu commented as she stepped on the stone steps. Her voice was seductive even with the seemingly cold tone. Women in the palace did need skills to survive.

Mo Xuetong smiled as she felt coldness coming from within the twilight. The two walked side by side silently, with only the crisp rustle of their dresses in the wind.

“Princess, your hairpin is truly unique. I have never seen anything like that before. Can I see it? So I can make one with a similar pattern tomorrow.” Perhaps to break the awkward silence, Beauty Liu smiled and commented on the hairpin that Mo Xuetong had had.

After Feng Yuran’s upgrade, the hairpin was no longer extremely special to the eye and was only a beautiful hairpin. No one would have thought that beneath the beautiful surface hid an extremely sharp knife that could pierce through all defenses and take someone’s life.

As Beauty Liu spoke, she extended her hand to touch Mo Xuetong’s hairpin.

“Thanks for the compliment. It is just a normal pin but it contains a special meaning for me as my late mother left it. I usually keep it with delicate precaution for worry of damaging the pin.” Mo Xuetong evaded the hand of Beauty Liu, giving off a bitter smile in return.

She asked politely, “So that’s why. You are indeed a filial girl.” Beauty Liu put down her hand and seemed to have accidentally touched Mo Xuetong’s long sleeves, pulling inside her sleeve. Immediately, she stopped to apologize, “I apologize, Your Highness. I messed up your dress. Perhaps you can come to my palace to change for another dress?”

...

“No need for such formality, Beauty. There is no need to change this dress.” Mo Xuetong tidied up her sleeves and smiled nonchalantly.

Going around a corner, a few trees of unknown species stood there. Unlike other trees, these trees of medium height were extremely vibrant with energy, having a full crown of green leaves in winter. They were completely different from other trees.

The palace is full of everything, and even such unique trees that differ from pine trees exist as well.

Perhaps because it was too cold, Beauty Liu retracted her hands into her sleeves as a strong aroma rose in the night. Mo Xuetong suddenly pointed at the ground and asked, “Beauty, what is this on the ground?”

Before Beauty Liu could even answer, Mo Xuetong squatted down as if she had discovered something strange.

Beauty Liu was shocked as she shook her hand as if she wanted to get rid of something. However, at that moment, a sharp roar descended from the sky as a bright yellow shadow emerged, claws slashing on her face.

“Ah! My face! My face!” Beauty Liu screamed frantically as blood flowed out from between her fingertips.

The two servants next to Beauty Liu were horrified as they rushed forth to help her.

Mo Xuetong stood up and stepped back in panic, shivering in fear. She leaned on Mo Lan, unable to use any strength.

A hidden smile flowed out from the corner of her mouth.