Under the guidance of the palace servants, Wang Qingci once again stepped into the place where she had lost everything.
Her eyes fell upon the plaque hanging from the palace gates, and in an instant, the memories from half a month ago surged back like a tidal wave—vivid, searing, unforgettable.
Wang Qingci clenched her fists silently, forcing down the surge of emotions threatening to betray her calm. She inhaled slowly, steadying her steps, and tried her best to maintain a composed front.
The servants soon led her to the North Courtyard. As she entered, the only person present was Lu Chen, seated leisurely in the pavilion. The princess, whom she had been told wanted to see her, was conspicuously absent.
At that moment, realization struck her like a slap in the face.
So this was his game.
This lecherous bastard had clearly used the princess as an excuse to lure her back here. The so-called "thanks" from the princess were nothing more than a fabricated ruse—yet another of the King of the North's tricks to entrap her.
A cold sneer crept across her face.
Last time was a mistake. This time, I won't let him get away with it so easily.
Her fingers tightened around a small packet hidden in her sleeve—muscle softening powder. Her plan was simple: drug him, seduce him while he was incapacitated, and exact her revenge by turning the tables. He had humiliated her once. Today, she would make him pay dearly.
With her plan set in motion, Wang Qingci walked slowly toward the pavilion and gave a graceful bow.
"I greet Your Majesty."
Lu Chen offered a faint nod and replied with a measured tone, "Miss Wang, Zixuan mentioned she had something to discuss with you, but she had to visit the perfume shop and might be delayed. Please, have a seat while you wait."
Wang Qingci responded respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty."
She approached the stone table and subtly used her sleeve to shield the teapot from Lu Chen's view, discreetly adding the muscle softening powder into it.
Unbeknownst to her, Lu Chen had been observing her with a faint, unreadable smile. In his mind's eye, a familiar screen materialized.
---
[Name: Wang Qingci]
[Identity: Ninth-rank warrior, adopted daughter of the Jiangnan Wang family, Saintess of the Misty Rain Pavilion, temporary owner of the Baihua Tower. After receiving news that the Northern King's Mansion was looking for her, she quickly deduced it was a trap but chose to come anyway. She intends to drug the Northern King with muscle softening powder, seduce him, and take revenge.]
[Rating: 95]
[Favorability: 75 (Still affected by the Dragon and Phoenix Tea)]
---
Seeing her information, Lu Chen's lips curled upward.
Trying to drug me, are you? Then you'll be sorely disappointed.
He silently asked the system, System, can the All-Poison Invulnerability Pill counteract the effects of muscle softening powder?
[Naturally. After consuming the All-Poison Invulnerability Pill, the host possesses the Wandu Buwei Body. Your body can neutralize and dissolve all known poisons.]
With that confirmation, Lu Chen relaxed completely.
Since she had gone so far, he might as well cooperate and see where this led.
He stood and walked over to the table, pouring two cups of tea—one for her and one for himself. He placed the cup before Wang Qingci and lifted his own.
"Miss Wang, you must be parched. Have some tea to refresh yourself."
Wang Qingci quickly responded, "Thank you, Your Majesty, but I'm not thirsty."
There was no way she would drink that tea now, not when she had just laced it with powder. Even without the drug, her previous experience made her wary of drinking anything within these palace walls.
She still remembered how helpless she had been last time. Today, she wouldn't be so careless again.
Lu Chen didn't press further. Without hesitation, he raised his cup and downed the tea in a single gulp.
Then, he sat beside her on the stone bench and stared at her with a warm yet intense gaze.
"Qingci, ever since you left… I've been thinking about you."
His sudden words caused her heartbeat to quicken.
He's making his move, she thought.
Wang Qingci felt even more confident now that the drug had been administered. Without the muscle softening powder, she might have been helpless once more. But now? Now the tables would turn.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty," she said with a slight bow of her head.
Lu Chen leaned forward slightly and added, "Have you said goodbye to your sisters at Baihua Tower? I was planning to redeem you soon."
Wang Qingci put on a sorrowful expression and replied, "Please… allow me some more time, my Lord. I haven't told them yet. I can't bear to leave them so suddenly."
Just as Lu Chen was about to respond, he abruptly raised his hands to his temples and furrowed his brows.
"Agh… That's strange. Why does my head feel so dizzy…?"
Wang Qingci's eyes lit up instantly.
It's working!
The softening powder was taking effect. Her plan was in motion.
She stood quickly, feigning panic, and rushed to his side. In her haste, her skirt brushed against the table and knocked over the teapot, sending it crashing to the ground.
"My Lord, what's wrong? Please don't frighten me like this!"
"Wait here, I'll go get someone—"
But the North Courtyard was silent. Not a single maid or guard in sight.
Exactly as Lu Chen had arranged.
Lu Chen gently shook his head. "No… no need. Just help me to the room. A little rest and I'll be fine."
Wang Qingci nodded, masking the smirk threatening to reveal itself. She had already begun planning how to extract everything she could from him while he was in this vulnerable state—especially information regarding the mysterious master hidden within the Northern Prince's Mansion.
She supported him toward the inner room, both of them smiling subtly, each playing their own game.
Once inside, Wang Qingci casually shut the door behind her.
She believed the plan had gone off without a hitch. With the King of the North drugged and the servants out of sight, her revenge was within reach. Her heart pounded with anticipation as she helped him onto the bed.
Lu Chen let out a faint sigh and muttered, "Qingci, don't worry… My body has always been weak. I often get headaches and feel numb all over."
Wang Qingci snorted inwardly.
Weak?
Last time, this so-called weak man had toyed with her body for hours without tiring. And now he wanted her to believe he was frail?
She wasn't here to be fooled again. With time ticking, she needed to act fast before Chu Yuqin or anyone else showed up.
Looking directly into Lu Chen's eyes, she whispered softly, "My Lord… Look into my eyes."
A bewitching smile curved her lips as she activated her charm technique.
But before she could unleash its full effect, Lu Chen suddenly reached out and gently clasped her jade-like hand.
"Qingci," he said with a smile, "You're truly beautiful."
Wang Qingci froze.
In an instant, she felt it.
The internal strength coursing through her body—gone. Completely dissolved. Just like last time.
How?! He didn't do anything!
She had taken every precaution. How had she still fallen into his trap?
She looked at him lying on the bed, and a sense of relief flickered through her. At the very least, the muscle softening powder should have rendered him powerless, even if she couldn't use her strength, he also can't.
But before she could process that thought, Lu Chen's hand suddenly yanked her forward, pulling her onto the bed. In one fluid motion, he rolled over, now above her, pinning her down.
Wang Qingci was stunned.
How?! He drank the tea! I saw it with my own eyes!
The panic in her eyes grew. Her mind raced, struggling to make sense of what was happening.
Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Lu Chen leaned in put his lips on hers while pushing his tongue inside her mouth so that he can tongue fight with her, and like that her world once again spiraled into chaos.
"Mm…"
[Ding! The host and Wang Qingci develop feelings once again. Qi Refining Technique EXP +20. Rejuvenation Hand EXP +10.]
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