Chapter 7: The Beginning of Wrath

  Jin'er was startled by the sudden voice and hastily replied with a "yes". She picked up the clothes from the tray and, together with Zi'er, helped Xia Zifu put them on layer by layer. Xia Zifu didn't resist, her eyes dull as she let them dress her in the undergarments, middle garments, and outer garments. The fabrics felt soft and warm to the touch, but only Jin'er knew that they were made from the finest silk from Gan state, interwoven with the rarest wool from the northern tribes' royal family. This wool was reserved for the highest leader of the northern tribes and had healing properties in addition to keeping one warm. No one else was allowed to wear it, except for the king, who didn't even wear it himself. The imperial palace of the Shuixing Kingdom only received a few bundles every year as tribute, all of which were used for the emperor's personal clothes. Even high-ranking concubines had never seen such fabrics before. Jin'er couldn't understand why the king would marry the daughter of someone who killed his mother and treat her so well.

  What makes her have to be a servant all her life? What else is this woman better at than her, except for being prettier? She has been devoted to the prince with 100% of her heart, but she can't even get close to his body.

  And this woman in front of him, what does she have anyway—

  The mere thought of it made her angry.

  She violently tugged at Xia Zixu's undergarment.

  Xia Ziying's eyes suddenly felt a sharp pain, her scattered gaze focused, and she slightly furrowed her brow, turning her head to glance over.

  "What are you doing? You're hurting my young lady!"

  Jin'er's movement just now was immediately noticed by Zǐěr standing beside her, and upon seeing Xiàziyù's brow furrowed in pain, she felt even more indignant.

  "It was an accident—"

  Jin'er whispered a sentence with a nonchalant expression on her face.

  "You're obviously doing it on purpose—"

  "Who told you it was intentional—"

  "Alright, what's all the fuss about?"

  The old lady Liu beside her scowled and shouted, everyone fell silent, then looked at Xia Ziyu.

  "The princess was shocked, and I must return to the palace to report the truth, so I'll take my leave first——"

  Xia Zi's gaze indifferently followed several figures who turned around

  The long corridor connects to the return corridor, with a floor every five steps and a pavilion every ten steps. On the high pavilion of the Prince of Yan's mansion, the eaves fly into the high sky.

  High up in the attic, overlooking the imperial city, looking down from afar, the high and low houses are scattered and hidden in the flying snowflakes, forming a vast and majestic landscape of white ice and snow.

  On the attic, standing against the wind are two handsome men with elegant demeanor. Their facial features are as beautiful as those of a god, their raven-black hair flying in the wind, wearing jade belts and ink-colored boots, one dressed in brocade clothes, the other in dark robes, tall and slender, the wind whipping up the hems of their garments.

  "The Western Moon Country has already withdrawn its troops, the old emperor of the Western Moon has a tendency to seek peace, but our Emperor insists on continuing the war. The meaning from Prince Ning's side is to seek peace and ceasefire, the court is in an uproar, the ministers are indecisive, now the court is divided into different factions, each with their own power, at a stalemate, the ministers are still waiting for the prince's attitude."

  The man in white brocade clothes was expressionless, not speaking for a long time. His handsome face had deep and profound black eyes. From the high pavilion, he gazed out at the fluttering heavy snow of the imperial city.

  "Your Highness—"

  A firm and resolute voice cut in

  "The palace maid has left, only... only. The princess was just making a big fuss in the room."

  Her black eyes turned over, her face sank

  "Then find a way to keep her quiet—"

  Halfway through, she added a sentence in a soft voice, "They didn't hurt her, did they?"

  "There shouldn't be, trust those aunties know what they're doing—"

  "Step down—"

  The corners of his cold lips slightly lifted, and his eyes were still as black as ink, unable to discern any emotions.

  The man in black robes next to him pursed his lips, elegantly clasped his arms, with a hint of a smile.

  "Ning Wang has always been at odds with us, and in court, our opinions have often clashed. This time..."

  "This time, we must unite——"

  Misty clouds slowly gather, a cold and stern face with perfect features like carved jade exudes an icy chill. A hand rests on the crimson railing, deep eyes gaze out at the vast snowy landscape.

  The handsome man in a dark-colored robe was slightly stunned, then suddenly smiled knowingly, his good-looking eyebrows raised.

  "Now the national treasury is strained and it's really not suitable for war—"

  "The Emperor is greatly increasing the number of Imperial Guards, wanting to grasp power firmly in his hands. However, the border army's strength is thin and not adding any military equipment. If this continues, borrowing troops from the vassal kings will be an inevitable strategy."

  Her eyes fluttered, nearby, the red plum blossoms proudly in the heavy snow, elegant and refined, each one radiant, amidst the flowing clouds and water, with a light step, set off a beautiful and delicate beauty.

  Ink-black eyes suddenly turned scorching hot