Teressa's visit to Cloud Palace felt ominous. Sure enough, Jane's instincts were right.Teressa hadn't come alone. A palace maid accompanied her, carrying a black lacquered tray. On the tray were three itemsâa length of white silk cord, a cup of poisoned wine, and a dagger.Lily's face went pale with horror, and her eyes widened in disbelief.Was Teressa sentencing Jane to death?Lily quickly turned to look at Jane.Jane stood to greet the great queen dowager. She was dressed simply yet still exuded a graceful presence. She had also seen the items on the tray, but she remained composed. She was calm, as though an impending disaster would not faze her."Greetings, Lady Teressa."Teressa's gaze swept past her as she slowly walked to the main seat and sat down."As the one overseeing the harem, it is my duty to ease His Majesty's burdens. Wendy, do you realize that the court has been in turmoil over your situation?" There was accusation in both her words and her gaze. It was as
Teressa looked outside. Her pupils dilated in shock."George? What are you doing here?"She had come to deal with Jane in secret without informing him.George strode into the hall, kicking down the royal servants who had attempted to lay hands on Jane. Then, he positioned himself in front of her, directly facing Teressa."Grandmother, it is I who should be asking what you are doing here."He was dressed in a deep purple robe, his expression cold and imposing. One would feel intimidated just by looking at him.Jane silently put away her concealed weapon.Seated where she was, Teressa showed no sign of guilt as she spoke."Everything I have done is for the sake of the kingdom. A woman from the Foster family should never have entered the palace, much less become queen."George had always been filial to her. Teressa did not believe he would defy her over this matter.George's gaze seemed dull."I have already sent her to live here. Grandmother, you should not punish her further.
An arrow shot into the room Jane was in at Forbidden Palace. A note was attached to the arrowhead.It was Jocelyn's handwriting.[Jane, I owe you another life. But do you really think I'd let you find my contingency plan so easily? Next time, send someone sharper.]Jane immediately realized that Wallace was in trouble. She frowned. Without a moment's hesitation, she left the palace before nightfall.Wallace had followed her from the Northern Battalion all the way to the Royal City. He was not only her trusted aide and most capable subordinate. He was also her closest friend.Jocelyn had already taken countless lives to hurt Jane.Jane had to find Wallace.-Searching for someone without a single clue was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Jane had scoured countless places. The only lead she had was the vegetable vendor.By gathering descriptions from the surrounding townspeople, she pieced together a portrait of the man.At dusk, in a pawnshop on the outskirts of the ci
Wallace was badly injured. When he woke up and saw Jane, he immediately knew he was safe. His upper body was covered in bandages, and his face was pale."Com-"He noticed someone else in the room and quickly corrected himself. "Master."Jane, still wearing the same silver mask, turned to look at him.The doctor was giving her instructions on how to care for the injury. She listened, memorized them, then paid the fee and personally escorted the doctor out.Moments later, when she returned, she saw Wallace trying to sit up."Don't move!" she ordered immediately. Did he not realize how badly he was hurt?Wallace obediently laid back down. He grimaced with a wry smile."Master, I'm tough. It's nothing."He was lying. He still remembered the pain of those knives stabbing into him. It hurt like hell!"Master, that vegetable vendorâ""He's been caught," Jane interrupted.Wallace was about to speak again when a young man suddenly barged into the room."Vice Leader! That vegetable
"There are three in total. I haven't really seen the other two," the vegetable vendor gasped, blood trickling from his lips.'Haven't really seen' meant he had seen them.Jane pressed on. "Describe them.""One has a mole on his face. The other likes to gamble and is a habitual thief. He's skinny and has a square face. Please, have mercy! I've told you everything I know!"Jane lifted his chin with the tip of her dagger. "Why do you all follow Jocelyn's orders?"The vendor was pale from blood loss. His voice was weak."We're all wanted men. Outlaws. If we don't obey her, she'll hand us over to the authorities. But if we do, she gives us gold. She also poisoned us. She gives us the antidote on schedule. Otherwise, we die. "Now that I've betrayed her, there's no way I'll survive. I beg you. Make it quick."Jane's gaze was cold. "Fine."With a swift motion, she slit his throat.For a wanted criminal of his stature, death was probably mercy enough.She sheathed her dagger and ste
Conan reacted quickly. He barely dodged Jocelyn's first strike.Jocelyn didn't stop there and launched a series of attacks at him.Conan had been on a long and hard journey, exhausted and starving. In this moment, he barely had any strength left. Yet, even in this state, he managed to evade Jocelyn and even found opportunities to counterattack.Jocelyn's expression darkened. This kid was even stronger than she had expected.She feinted an attack at his lower body, and just as he moved to counter, she suddenly shifted behind him and delivered a sharp kick to the back of his knee.Conan's knee buckled, and he dropped to the ground on it.Jocelyn immediately locked her arm around his throat from behind. His head was forced back, mouth wide open, gasping for air.Jocelyn didn't let go. She tightened her grip more and more. Conan's face turned a bluish-purple.Sensing something was wrong, Keira immediately shouted in alarm. "Commander Morris!"Only then did Jocelyn release him, tho
Conan's lips were cracked, and his voice was unusually hoarse. Jane met his gaze and saw the murderous look in his eyes."I was paying respects to my ancestors and happened to pass by," she explained.Due to prolonged hunger, Conan's hands trembled as he picked up the offerings and returned them to her."Take them away! My mother doesn't need these!"Jane ignored his resistance. She carried a sword at her waist. With a swift motion, she drew it from its sheath. With a few rapid slashes, a nearby tree was carved into a wooden slab the size of a gravestone.Conan watched the scene unfold. His expression was completely blank.Jane placed the wooden slab on the ground and asked him, "What was your mother's surname?"Conan suddenly reacted, looking at her in surprise.Jane's tone was calm and even, without a trace of condescension or pity. "With a gravestone, she won't become a wandering ghost."Conan let out a cold scoff. "I don't believe in that."Jane spoke as if joking, "Even
Onyxite was an impossible find, yet now it was before Jane's very eyes."This is onyxite. How did you get it?" she asked immediately.Conan looked intrigued. "Master, do you know about onyxite too?" Three years ago, when I first met Commander Morris, I heard her discussing onyxite with my father. She seemed quite fond of it. She even took notes on it in her books."I have a good memory, so I remembered it."My hometown, Lime Valley, is surrounded by mountains. In my free time, I searched everywhere. A year ago, I finally found onyxite. That's why I chose it as my offering to Commander Morris for when I became her apprentice. But that was before she rejected me."Three years ago, Jane had already wanted to develop a new type of rifle. At the time, she had determined that the key was in insulation. The best material for insulation was none other than the black iron refined from onyxite.Who would have thought a child would overhear and, by pure chance, actually find it for her?Ja
The envoys who had spoken out had ropes tied around their waists, making it impossible to break free.As the horses galloped, they had no choice but to run for their lives.But how could they outrun horses? Before long, they stumbled and fell, and were dragged across the ground.Even on sandy soil, the experience was brutal. After several rounds, the air was filled with their screams. Their clothes were torn, their flesh scraped open, leaving streaks of blood on the ground.Desperate pleas rang out."King George! Have mercy!""King George, we've learned our lesson!"The remaining envoys, watching in horror, were relieved they hadn't spoken out earlier.George ignored the pleas, drinking and eating as if nothing was happening. He had no fear of them dying right then and there.The atmosphere at the banquet was tense. No one dared to breathe too loudly.Vivian was an exception.Even though the envoys from Bayou were among those being dragged around, she continued eating and dr
Seeing their national interests at stake, the Nidoran officials immediately voiced their opposition."Your Majesty, this must not be allowed! The onyxite mine has yet to be successfully extracted. We don't even know how much onyxite can be obtained. Even if there is enough, if we keep giving it away, there will hardly be any left!""I second that! Wouldn't this be equivalent to doing hard labor for other countries for free?"The envoys looked displeased and immediately retorted."How is this hard labor for free? Jadonia is willing to offer five hundred thousand ounces of gold as wages for the craftsmen!""Nordale is also willing to contribute five hundred thousand ounces of gold!"An elder statesman of Nidora, with white hair and an imposing presence, spoke forcefully."Is this a matter of money? Onyxite is an invaluable resource. Surely, you all know its true worth!"Of course, they did.Onyxite was an extremely rare mineral. For nearly a hundred years, it had been exclusive
Vivian carefully observed the queen on the throne. The queen felt strangely familiar.Jane subtly turned her head to glance at George. He looked indifferent, as if merely watching a play unfold.Theon, however, was focused on the queen."Queen Wendy, what do you think of this woman?"All the concubines looked at Wendy. Deep down, they all hoped she would reject the Bayou envoy. There were already too many women in the harem.Jane maintained a composed expression and responded with a question."I find her pleasing to the eye. But wouldn't making her my maid be beneath her?"Theon's expression changed.'A maid?'That was not their intention at all.Vivian's lips curled into a slight smile upon hearing this. Compared to the king, she found the queen much more interesting. She didn't know how to put it. It just felt right.Theon fell into deep thought.Presenting Vivian to the king was meant to sever Nidora's fortune by giving her an opportunity to quietly eliminate George. If
The envoys from Bayou dressed differently from those of other nations. The men tattooed their faces, and the women wore veils and short tops that revealed a sliver of their slender waists.These foreigners, skilled in raising venomous creatures and practicing strange customs, were unwelcome in many countries.Once they entered the hall, the previously lively atmosphere grew tense. People instinctively distanced themselves, casting looks filled with disdain and rejection. A woman with her waist exposed so openly was simply indecent in their eyes."Greetings, King George of Nidora!"Jane lifted her gaze, a flicker of surprise flashing through her eyes.Among the Bayou envoys, there was only one woman. And that woman was none other than Vivian, whom she had sent away just two days ago.Vivian was clad in red. The veil she had on fluttered with the breeze, revealing glimpses of her breathtaking face. Her eyes were captivating. One look, and a person would feel weak, numb, and intoxic
Wendy's letter was simple. It was written in a childlike tone, recounting everyday trivialities. Yet Jane read it for a long time.She knew Wendy had not yet fully recovered. But as long as she could remain this simple and happy, perhaps that was enough.-In Carefree Abode at the northern borders, Wendy sat on the swing in the courtyard. She was wrapped in a silver cloak. She often sat there and stared blankly into the distance for hours.Candace never left her side, while Luke busied himself in the adjoining room, preparing various herbal remedies.There were no outsiders and no disturbances here, only quiet and peace every day.Candace fed Wendy her medicine, and the latter obediently opened her mouth.Wendy never looked at anyone. Her gaze was fixed forward as if trapped in a dream no one could wake her from.Every time Candace saw her like this, her heart ached. If only Wendy had never endured such filth and suffering. She would be so happy now."Miss, would you like to w
A lunar eclipse was a rare spectacle. Though there was a curfew in the palace, the patrolling guards were somewhat lax.Jane saw the signal flare from Safe Haven Pawnshop and assumed it was urgent, so she rushed there immediately.The moment she pushed open the door, she sensed something was off. A strange fragrance drifted into her nose in the darkness. Then, she felt a sudden killing intent approaching.Jane swiftly caught the assailant's wrist, blocking the strike. However, the person immediately collapsed into her arms.A soft and curvaceous body pressed against her. It was impossible to shake off."Oh, my dear, I've missed you so much," a sultry voice murmured.Jane sighed inwardly.Trouble had shown up.Valles lit a lamp, illuminating the room. His face was full of guilt, and he dared not look Henry in the eye. After all, he was a traitor who had betrayed the vice leader.Jane mercilessly pushed away the woman in her arms.Vivian rested her chin on her hand with her v
George spoke coldly and solemnly to Wendy."I want you to know that appointing Lady Rachel to assist in managing the harem was Grandmother's decision. It was never my intention!"Jane looked up at him and asked seriously, "So, you disapprove of Lady Rachel?"George's breathing grew slightly heavier.'She might as well be called Wendy the Stone instead of Wendy the queen!'He simply didn't want her to believe the palace gossip that he was favoring Rachel. But on the other hand, if she wanted to misunderstand, then so be it. Why should he bother explaining?"Just pretend I never said anything," George said coldly.-That night, the king's litter arrived at Grace Palace.George exuded a chilling presence, making everyone around him too afraid to speak. Even Rachel remained unusually quiet.After dinner, seeing that the king was about to leave, Rachel gathered her courage and grasped his sleeve.George's expression instantly darkened with displeasure. He turned his head to see R
Wilhelmina arrived at Zen Palace, only to be told that the queen was resting and not receiving visitors.The situation was already critical, yet the queen could still sleep?Wilhelmina didn't leave. She simply waited.Two hours later, a royal servant finally came with a message."Lady Wilhelmina, Her Majesty is awake. Please come inside to speak with her."Wilhelmina's purpose for coming was simple. She had no intention of hiding anything. After paying her respects to Wendy, she got straight to the point."Your Majesty, do you know that while you've been staying in the forbidden palace, Lady Rachel has been enjoying herself immensely? King George has been giving her the finest tributes from all over the kingdom."Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but even when you were carrying the royal heir, you never received this many rewards. And Lady Rachel just loves flaunting her favor. "She even takes the gifts His Majesty gives her and hands them out to others. If that's not showi
'The great Vivian Rudock?'Before the masked man could even process his shock, his head was already rolling on the ground.Hearing the commotion, Conan quickly got up.Vivian.He had heard that name somewhere before.Not knowing whether the other party was friend or foe, Conan's first instinct was to flee. Suddenly, a chilling breeze swept past him. The next moment, an icy hand clamped around his throat.A woman's sultry yet ruthless voice sounded by his ear. "So, you're Henry's new apprentice?"Did she know his master? Conan remained cautious and didn't answer.The woman chuckled."Quite the tough one, huh? No worries. I've got plenty of time."Her long, talon-like fingers clutched the top of his head. With a sudden force, he felt as though the tendons in his skull were being yanked out. An excruciating pain shot through him.He clenched his jaw, refusing to utter a single cry for mercy.After fifteen minutes, the woman seemed to have grown tired of her game and finally le