Chapter 39: Leng Qing'er's Intentions and the Black Market's Scheme

It was clear at the time that Luo Mo had no desire to linger in his presence, as if he were in a great hurry to meet someone. Anyone capable of commanding such gravity from the Master of the Thousand Shadows Pavilion could not be an ordinary person.

According to his knowledge, Luo Mo was not the one behind the Thousand Shadows Pavilion. This raised the question: could the person Luo Mo was so eager to meet be the true mastermind hidden behind the veil of the pavilion?

Who exactly could it be?

The few men kneeling before him trembled, their expressions frantic. "It is..."

They knew the horrific tortures that awaited them for failing Leng Zimo's task, and their fear was palpable.

"A bunch of useless trash. Go and receive your punishment yourselves." Leng Zimo signaled to the shadow guards behind him. A guard stepped forward swiftly and dragged the kneeling men away with cold, decisive efficiency.

In an instant, the room was empty. Leng Zimo tapped his sandalwood table, his eyes as still and lifeless as a stagnant pool. Suddenly, a clear, melodious voice drifted in, causing his sword-like brows to furrow.

"It seems the people Brother sent were discovered."

The newcomer was dressed in white, her face partially veiled by ethereal gauze. Her raven-black hair was gently swept up, and in the night, she appeared like a dark angel descended to earth, untouched by the dust of the mortal world.

"Why are you here?" Leng Zimo felt an indescribable sensation toward this younger sister of his; he always felt her thoughts were too subtle, too unfathomable.

"What a thing to say, Brother! I was simply idle today and thought I would come by to see if there was anything I could help you with."

Leng Qing'er lifted her veil, revealing a delicate, palm-sized face. A flower was painted at the corner of her eye, exuding a bewitching charm.

"I do not need your help. Just focus on doing your own work," Leng Zimo replied, his face remaining dark and his voice sharp and cold.

"Must you speak to me like that, Brother?"

Leng Zimo’s eyes remained dull and lusterless. The conflict between the Leng siblings had existed since childhood. Leng Qing'er had tried to reconcile many times, only to be driven away by her brother’s icy demeanor. Seeing that Leng Zimo was finally willing to listen, she sighed almost imperceptibly. "I came today because I need you to do me a favor."

"A favor for you?" Leng Zimo let out a scoff, his tone dripping with mockery, showing not a shred of brotherly affection. "You are the legitimate daughter of the noble Leng family, the number one talented woman of the Fengyue Kingdom! If you need a favor, shouldn't there be a crowd of people fighting for the chance to assist you? Why would it fall to me?"

There was not a flicker of warmth in his indifferent gaze.

"I knew nothing of what happened back then. I only learned that Luo Qianfan had been sent away after the fact. Over all these years, haven't you failed to uncover the truth yourself?"

Leng Qing'er could not fathom what was so special about Luo Qianfan that everyone gravitated toward her—even her own brother, who was willing to engage in a cold war with her for all these years because of that girl.

She was nothing but a concubine's daughter...

Back then, Leng Qing'er would never have imagined that her brilliant, high-spirited brother would fall for a woman like Luo Qianfan. She was merely a lowly daughter of a concubine; how could she possibly be worthy of the status of the Leng family’s legitimate son?

"Do not speak her name to me. Do you think no one knows about the things you did back then?" The mention of the past caused Leng Zimo’s emotions to flare uncontrollably. "Leng Qing'er, heaven watches what men do. Karma is a cycle; I only hope you do not live to regret it."

"What exactly did I do back then? Which incident are you referring to?" Leng Qing'er’s alluring eyes flickered with changing emotions. After a long pause, she gritted her teeth and said, "Back then, if it weren't for that Luo Qianfan, I would never have been humiliated in front of everyone. She stole the honor and pride that were rightfully mine..."

"In the end, she even stole my brother. Why? Why? I only wanted to teach her a lesson—is that why you are so determined to champion her cause?" What right did Luo Qianfan have?

Leng Zimo listened to these words with cold eyes, his fists clenching tightly. Despite everything, she was his own sister, and he could not bring himself to be truly heartless.

"Go back now. I will help you with the matter you mentioned."

Seeing Leng Qing'er still standing thinly in the doorway as the cold wind howled, Leng Zimo barked, "Come out and escort your mistress back! If she catches a chill, I will not spare you."

Outside, a slender figure flickered, and a woman in black appeared at Leng Qing'er’s side, sighing inwardly. *Has the Young Master’s martial arts reached such a level? I kept my presence perfectly hidden, yet I was still discovered.*

Hearing this, Leng Qing'er was startled. "Brother knew why I came?"

She had come for the sake of the Beauty-Preserving Pill. The Black Market had been heavily promoting it, promising it to the highest bidder. It was now common knowledge, and many were covetous. Leng Qing'er was determined to win this auction. As the most talented woman in Fengyue, with the aid of the pill, she would become the most sought-after woman in all six kingdoms. Perhaps then, *he* would look at her differently.

She had to have that pill.

However, she hadn't expected the Black Market to move the auction to the Tianlin Kingdom at the last minute. As the leader of the six kingdoms, Tianlin would draw an even wider crowd. Given the hype surrounding the pill, noble families would compete fiercely. The Black Market had played a clever hand.

If she went alone, her chances of success would be slim. That was why she had come to Leng Zimo—hoping to go with him so that if any complications arose, she wouldn't be left at a dead end. As the future heir of the Leng family, he had access to vast resources.

"I heard the Black Market recently acquired a high-level pill, the Beauty-Preserving Pill. It is rumored to have a captivating scent and the power to rejuvenate one’s appearance. It is a divine medicine. The Black Market has truly found a great opportunity. It was not hard to guess that you wanted it."

Ever since news of the pill broke, Leng Zimo had been investigating. He had only learned two days ago that it had been refined by a young woman before being turned over to the Black Market. That was why he understood her request so readily.

"So, Brother does not lack affection for me after all. At least regarding the pill, you were thinking of me!" Leng Qing'er’s face lit up with delight, ignoring the venomous glint in the depths of her eyes. She truly lived up to her reputation as the number one talent of Fengyue.

Leng Zimo sighed. "You are my sister, the legitimate daughter of the Leng family. As long as you cease your reckless behavior, I will always be your backing."

Hearing this, Leng Qing'er’s smile deepened. With Leng Zimo’s support, she was in high spirits, walking with a spring in her step. Watching her retreating figure, Leng Zimo silently thought, *I hope this turns out the way you wish.*

...

As night fell over the Fengyue Kingdom, some found joy, while others carried sorrow.

At the Chancellor's Residence, Lu Xuanxuan was beaming, chattering away. "I am so happy today! Magpie, did you know? Luo Qianfan is just like she used to be—she hasn't changed at all. Still so arrogant, free-spirited, and willful. Shall we go to the Prime Minister’s residence to find her again tomorrow?"

"Miss, you’ve been rambling about this since you got back. Look, you didn't even have time to eat the meal the Mistress sent. I really don't understand, is that Luo Qianfan really that great? Why are you happier about her return than anyone else? You two used to be sworn enemies who would fight the moment you saw each other!"

Magpie pouted, looking at Lu Xuanxuan with reluctance. When her mistress left this morning, she had claimed she was going to teach Luo Qianfan a lesson. How had she changed into a completely different person by the evening, intent on making peace?

Lu Xuanxuan, however, was completely immersed in her own excitement, oblivious to Magpie’s distress. She wore a silly grin. "Honestly, if I could, I would want to be sisters with her—no schemes, no plots, just like my cousin Liu and me."

Magpie felt a deep sense of frustration. Her mistress was kind, generous, and lively, yet the world viewed her as a monster, even pairing her with Luo Qianfan as the "Southern Lu and Northern Luo." It was simply too unfair.

"Miss, don't worry. I will always stay by your side, and I will never leave you."

Lu Xuanxuan smiled without a word. Looking at Magpie’s sincere face, her heart was filled with complex emotions. *Silly girl, no one can stay with anyone forever.*

Meanwhile, the Yizui Pavilion presented a different scene.

"Why are you here?" Luo Qianfan’s face flushed with anger. She had walked all day and wanted to sleep early, but she hadn't expected to find a thief in her room—a flower-plucking thief at that.

However, when she caught sight of Dongfang Yuyue’s captivating face, she was genuinely stunned. His features were exquisitely carved, his thin, red lips curled into a wicked smile, and his peach-blossom eyes were exceptionally bright. But the words he spoke next were enough to make one’s blood boil:

"My lady, such a remark is quite beneath you. Since the road is open to all, the room, naturally, is open to all as well! If you can enter, why can't I?"

Luo Qianfan’s eyes widened in disbelief. What kind of logic was that? If rooms could be entered at will, the world would be in chaos.

"I see, so you are a man of such 'generosity' that you are willing to share even your bed. Tell me, are you willing to share yourself as well?" She pushed the point, wanting to see how he would handle it.

She had hoped to make him retreat in embarrassment, but his response refreshed her understanding of his nature.

"If you are willing, I shall accept with pleasure. I am all yours to choose!" Dongfang Yuyue spread his arms, the implication clear without further words.

In an instant, Luo Qianfan wanted to bite off her own tongue. As it turned out, when a person was truly shameless, no one in the world could compete. Dongfang Yuyue’s level of shamelessness was far beyond that of an ordinary man.

She, who had always been the one to trick others, found herself completely helpless the moment she encountered Dongfang Yuyue.

"What exactly do you want?" Luo Qianfan’s tired eyelashes fluttered. After a day of mental exhaustion, she only wanted to sleep.

Dongfang Yuyue, however, looked entirely relaxed, his expression one of blatant, frivolous indulgence. "A man and a woman, in the dead of night—naturally, we are here to do what should be done!"