Meanwhile, dark clouds were gathering over Yuzhou City.
In recent years, the Ghost Realm had enjoyed relative peace. Firstly, because fewer evil ghosts were seriously violating the Golden Wall Law, and secondly, because the Ghost King's mood had remained surprisingly good for three consecutive years—which softened her temper considerably, and she no longer casually annihilated evil ghosts on a whim.
Just when everything seemed to be flourishing, news arrived from the Palace Master of the Jiao Ghosts: an evil ghost in his palace had encountered Bai San Xing!
Soon after, palace masters from various regions successively reported sightings of Bai San Xing or ghosts resembling him. However, his appearances were erratic—he would vanish before the evil ghosts could react. No ghost had managed to speak with him, nor did they know his intentions.
The news of Bai San Xing's reappearance caused a tremendous sensation throughout the Ghost Realm. Over three hundred years ago, when Bai San Xing had been Palace Master of the Wei Ghosts, he was considered second only to the Ghost King himself, with power so formidable that no ghost could match him. When the previous Ghost King died, Bai San Xing had launched a rebellion. Before He Simu appeared, many evil ghosts believed Bai San Xing would seize the Ghost King's Lamp and become the next ruler.
But one day, Bai San Xing had suddenly vanished. Yan Ke replaced him and sided with He Simu, who ultimately claimed the throne. The various palace masters had assumed that with He Simu's thunderous methods, Bai San Xing couldn't possibly still exist—he had most likely been reduced to ashes.
Who knew that not only had Bai San Xing survived, but he had returned with a vengeance. He was known to be vindictive—seeing the palace masters who once depended on him now sworn to He Simu, no one knew how he might turn everything upside down. Hence, the palace masters who had served since the previous Ghost King's era were deeply worried. The old palace masters had been annihilated by He Simu long ago, while the newly promoted ones felt somewhat more secure.
Guan Huai, the Palace Master of the Gui Ghosts—that old fellow who had been dead for over three thousand years—was now ironically fortunate. Being confined in the Nine Palace Maze Prison had helped him escape this particular calamity.
After receiving this news, He Simu showed no visible disturbance. During the court assembly, she merely ordered a search for traces of Bai San Xing, instructing immediate reports of any sightings and promising substantial rewards for anyone who could capture him—as if the once-renowned "White Killer" wasn't worth concerning herself with.
The sovereign's mind is unfathomable. After the monthly grand court assembly ended, the palace masters eagerly inquired about the King's plans from the Left and Right Ministers, but were promptly sent away. It wasn't that the ministers didn't want to share—they were still suspecting each other.
Yan Ke and Jiang Ai descended the steps outside the royal palace. Yan Ke, with his hands clasped behind his back, asked softly, "Just now at the grand assembly, you told the King you haven't seen Bai San Xing yet."
Jiang Ai wore her usual magnificent brocade dress, gold hairpins and pearls adorning her elaborately styled hair. She turned around, causing her jewelry to chime with crisp, musical sounds.
Looking at Yan Ke, she asked, "What's wrong? Is there a problem with what I said?"
"I know Bai San Xing. You are his obsession. He's been infatuated with you for a thousand years, always resenting your rejection, trying every means to possess you. Three hundred years ago, you tricked him into the Nine Palace Maze Prison, causing him to lose his way for centuries. Now that he's escaped, how could he not look for you?"
"Infatuated with me? You might as well call it a desire to conquer. Which good thing in the world doesn't he have a desire to conquer? Perhaps after waking up, he found something else to pursue and decided to put me aside for now. But speaking of trickery…" Jiang Ai moved closer to Yan Ke and covered her mouth, laughing behind her sleeve. "Three hundred years ago, I wasn't the only one who tricked him—you did too. You were his Deputy Palace Master then, and he trusted you so much. Now that he's escaped, shouldn't he settle accounts with you first? How come I just heard you tell the King that you haven't seen Bai San Xing either?"
Yan Ke's gaze turned cold as ice. "I haven't seen Bai San Xing."
"Then I haven't seen Bai San Xing either."
The Left and Right Ministers of the Ghost Realm locked eyes—one with an icy, penetrating gaze, the other with a beaming smile. Neither yielded an inch.
Finally, Jiang Ai waved her hand dismissively, turning to leave. "Rather than suspecting each other, we might as well pray for our good fortune, Lord Right Minister."
Yan Ke's sharp eyes caught sight of a pure white, glowing bracelet on her right wrist as she gestured. The bracelet was remarkably simple, without any jewels or gold and silver inlays—quite unlike Jiang Ai's usual ostentatious style.
He secretly rubbed his thumb, giving a cold laugh as he turned and departed.
Meanwhile, the prefect of Yun State had inquired about the history between Lord Fang and Marquis Duan immediately after yesterday's banquet. Only then did he learn about the rivalry between these two men, making him fear he had committed a grave error that might cost him his official position. Therefore, the next day, after giving Lord Fang a comprehensive and lively send-off, the prefect turned around and once again arranged a banquet to invite Duan Xu.
Duan Xu immediately understood the prefect's intentions. He played along with the man's assumptions, putting on airs and displaying subtle displeasure, making a few pointed sarcastic remarks about Fang Xianye. Seeing the prefect's face turn ashen with profuse sweating, Duan Xu then made an unexpected turn, cheerfully accepting the invitation with magnanimous grace.
All the generals had returned to their respective stations, and at this banquet, besides Duan Xu, the guests were all officials from Yun State. After several rounds of drinks, the prefect insisted on having Duan Xu rest at his residence and specially arranged for beautiful women to accompany him. Duan Xu figured the prefect must have heard about his frequent visits to the Yuzao Tower in the southern capital and was catering to his perceived preferences. Seeing the prefect's expectant expression, he didn't refuse and selected one of the beauties to accompany him.
After the banquet, the prefect eagerly instructed the beauty to serve Duan Xu well before departing with a grin of satisfaction. The beauty appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old. She supported Duan Xu back to the room prepared by the prefect, timidly avoiding his gaze throughout the journey. She helped him sit on the bed, then went to close the door.
Naturally, she remained in the room.
Duan Xu sat on the bed. Just moments ago, he had appeared tipsy with a dazed expression, but now his eyes were completely clear and sober. He asked, "What are you doing staying in my room?"
The young girl approached him and lowered her head submissively. "The prefect ordered me to serve you well, Marquis."
Duan Xu chuckled softly. "Yet you keep your head down. I can't even see what you look like."
The girl raised her head somewhat fearfully. Though young, she was a natural beauty, with delicate features and a touch of moving melancholy. She gazed at Duan Xu with autumn waters in her eyes for a long moment, then stammered, "I… I'm here to serve the Marquis."
Duan Xu tilted his head to examine her and smiled. "Do you know who I am?"
"The Marquis of Ningyi from the southern capital…"
"I mean my name."
"Marquis… Marquis Duan."
"My name is Duan Xu, Duan Shunxi." After a pause, he continued, "You say you want to serve me. Do you know how?"
The young girl bit her lip and took two steps forward. Perhaps due to extreme nervousness, she tripped over her own feet and suddenly fell onto Duan Xu's lap. Duan Xu didn't say anything, so she clung to his shoulders and somewhat clumsily removed his upper garment, then attempted to kiss him.
Duan Xu, who had been supporting himself on the bed allowing her to proceed, suddenly raised his hand. His index finger touched her lips as he looked at the girl—so close to him—with a knowing smile.
"I don't accept you using someone else's body to kiss me, He Simu."
The young girl startled. She whispered, "What are you saying, Marquis…"
"Your Highness, are you still trying to catch me cheating?"
The young girl fell silent. Her hands no longer trembled, and her eyes no longer showed fear. After a moment of stillness, she closed her eyes, and her body slumped to the side. A pale hand with purplish-blue veins caught her by the collar and placed her properly at a table nearby.
The owner of these hands—the equally pale He Simu dressed in flowing red—stood in the room with arms folded, sighing. "How do you always discover it's me?"
Duan Xu smiled and extended his hand to her. She walked over and, like the young girl earlier, sat facing him in his lap.
He praised her, "You acted very convincingly this time. Did you possess her when the third pot of wine was emptied at the banquet?"
He Simu raised her eyebrows. "You discovered it then?"
"Yes, that's right."
"How exactly did you find out?"
Duan Xu held her waist, leaned close, and pressed his forehead against hers. "Because you had that look in your eyes, hoping I would discover you."
He Simu blinked. She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck, nuzzling his nose affectionately. "So, Marquis, may I kiss you now?"
Duan Xu obligingly closed his eyes. "As you wish, Your Highness."
He Simu laughed briefly. She didn't act immediately but waited a moment before pressing her lips to his. His body trembled slightly, as expected. Recently, she had discovered that perhaps because her body was too cold and Duan Xu's senses were very sensitive, he would involuntarily shiver every time she kissed him. She quite enjoyed this peculiar reaction.
As He Simu was savoring this thought, he parted her lips, and their tongues intertwined as he sighed against her mouth, "Your Highness, focus."
She then cradled the back of his head and relaxed, allowing him to deepen the kiss. Soon, he embraced her waist and laid her on the bed. Duan Xu's chest heaved dramatically, his gaze intense with barely restrained desire.
He Simu casually caressed his shoulders and smiled. "I heard the Marquis has a tattoo of white snow covering plum blossoms on his back. What does it mean?"
Duan Xu laughed softly, his voice somewhat hoarse. "That was drawn by my beloved. She's like white snow and red plum blossoms."
"Is that so? She sounds very cold. It must be uncomfortable to embrace her. Why doesn't the Marquis consider someone else?" He Simu asked with feigned innocence.
"I must have an eye condition, incurable, as I can't see anyone except her. Fortunately, although she's cold at first, she warms up with a little holding, and sometimes becomes so hot it makes my heart race." Duan Xu gently stroked her cheek with the back of his finger, his touch reverent.
He Simu looked up at him for a long moment, then smiled and extended her arms. "Duan Xu, hold me."
Duan Xu obediently embraced her tightly, drawing her against his chest.
"Am I still cold now?"
"A little bit."
"Then let me warm up." He Simu whispered in his ear, her breath cool against his skin. "Warm me with your temperature."
Duan Xu kissed her neck, his fingers deftly untying her sash as he laughed indistinctly.
"As you command."
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