The fact that the assailants knew Yan Zhaoning’s identity and ambushed her on the return journey from the grasslands left Jiu Yue absolutely certain—this was Consort Ning’s doing.
Yan Lingshuang had warned her that behind Consort Ning stood a secretive faction of skilled martial artists and extraordinary talents.
Now, as Jiu Yue clashed with them, she noticed something eerily familiar about their techniques.
The attackers, too, seemed stunned by her prowess—not just her strength, but her movements… Why was this woman using their own techniques against them?!
The fight dragged on, with Wu Liang watching from the sidelines, his unease growing with each passing moment.
The enemies fought ruthlessly, holding nothing back, each strike aimed to kill.
A flash of lightning split the sky, illuminating the cold glint of murder in Jiu Yue’s eyes.
She abandoned restraint, her attacks turning swift and brutal—faster, fiercer, deadlier than her opponents’.
In a blink, she put distance between them, then swung her blade in a sweeping arc, cutting down three men before spinning midair to kick the others back. With a flick of her wrist, throwing daggers shot through the rain, embedding themselves in the backs of the fallen.
Turning, she lunged, her blade slicing cleanly across three throats.
Silence fell over the grassy shelter as the rain poured harder.
Wu Liang, slow to process what had just happened, finally snapped back to reality. His gaze landed on Jiu Yue—then his face paled. "Your Highness! You’re injured!"
Jiu Yue frowned, glancing at the wound on her arm.
"Their blades were poisoned…" Wu Liang’s voice trembled as he stared at the dark blood seeping out.
"How underhanded." Jiu Yue clicked her tongue, then smirked at him. "Lucky you didn’t join in."
If Wu Liang had been hurt—and without an antidote—she’d have had to drag his corpse back to Great Yan.
Wu Liang: "…"
He was convinced the poison had addled her mind. How could he ever compare to Her Highness?!
Him getting injured would’ve been the expected outcome!
Wu Liang was on the verge of tears… until he saw Jiu Yue stride to the shelter’s edge, letting the rainwater rinse her wound before casually tearing a strip of cloth to bandage it.
"Don’t worry, it’s nothing." She shrugged. A scratch like this would heal by morning.
Still, for Wu Liang’s sake, she had to play along—no need to raise questions.
"These men were all stronger than you," Jiu Yue mused, rubbing her chin. "Recognize any of them?"
Wu Liang numbly shook his head after searching the bodies. "Just rogue martial artists, most likely…"
Jiu Yue narrowed her eyes.
So Yan Lingshuang had been right. That simplified things.
She’d initially feared Consort Ning was backed by some power-hungry noble or prince—a scenario that would’ve meant endless political scheming.
Jiu Yue had had her fill of court intrigue back in Tianqi. Exhausting.
But now? If this was the martial world’s doing, then martial world rules applied.
And in the martial world, strength reigned supreme.
How fortunate—she just happened to be the unassuming, undisputed number one under heaven!
Jiu Yue leaned back against the haystack, swinging her legs cheerfully. "We’ll take turns resting. Wake me later."
Wu Liang’s gaze held an inexplicable sorrow as he knelt beside her. "Your Highness… rest in peace."
Jiu Yue: "…"
Jiu Yue: "?"
Baffled but too tired to question him—metabolizing the poison required sleep—she soon drifted off.
Wu Liang had already planned his atonement: how he’d present the Crown Princess’s corpse to the Emperor before committing seppuku.
That poison was the infamous Black Widow—no known antidote existed!
Watching Jiu Yue’s serene sleeping face, Wu Liang collapsed to his knees, choking back tears.
Even if it was just her body, he’d carry her back to the Emperor!
———
Dawn broke clear after the storm.
Jiu Yue woke refreshed—only to find herself draped over a horse’s back. Confused, she lifted her head to see Wu Liang trudging toward her with another horse, his face the picture of mourning.
Too lazy to sit up, she propped her chin on her hand. "What’s wrong with you?"
"The Crown Princess is dead, I must hurry back—" Wu Liang’s muttered plan cut off as his eyes snapped up.
Their gazes met.
Wu Liang recoiled like he’d seen a ghost.
Jiu Yue, startled, rolled off the horse and sprinted away. "What?! Is something chasing us?!"
Wu Liang: "…"
She spun around—nothing there.
Jiu Yue: "…"
With a deep sigh, she fixed him with an unamused glare. "Wu Liang, I don’t have time for games."
She still had to get back and meet her arranged marriage prospect!
The "playful" Wu Liang: "…Your Highness, you’re… alright?"
Jiu Yue paused.
Slowly recalling his earlier "Crown Princess is dead" remark, she adopted a mysterious smile. "Of course I am. Did you think His Majesty would send me unprepared?"
Wu Liang gaped as she waved dismissively.
"Relax, I’m fine." She remounted. "This sunshine won’t last. Let’s move."
"…Yes." Watching her ride ahead, Wu Liang shook his head.
Maybe… it hadn’t been Black Widow after all.
Convincing himself, he hurried after her.
———
Pushing their pace but wary of exhausting the horses, Jiu Yue and Wu Liang stopped overnight in a small town.
They reached Great Yan by the next afternoon.
After freshening up at her Glazed Palace, Jiu Yue prepared to report to Emperor Yan with the diplomatic accord and the old khan’s head—until Lianqiao rushed in, wide-eyed.
"Your Highness, His Majesty is here!"
Before she could react, Emperor Yan strode in.
"Zhaoning!" His gaze swept over her, tense with worry. "Why didn’t you summon the physicians immediately after being injured?"
Ah. Wu Liang must’ve reported the ambush.
"It’s nothing serious, Father." By now, the wound had even healed.
Emperor Yan’s frown deepened. "The injury is minor, but poison is no trifling matter! Call the physicians—now!"
Eunuch Mao scurried out before Jiu Yue could stop him.
Dropping her outstretched hand, she changed the subject, briefly updating him on Chi Na and Yan Lingshuang’s successful coup before presenting the treaty.
Emperor Yan scanned the document, his stern expression finally softening into a faint smile.
"Truly worthy of being Our Zhaoning!" Emperor Yan laughed heartily, then noticed the wooden box beside her. "Is this the new Khan's gift to us?"
"Oh, something like that..." Jiu Yue pushed the box toward him. "It's his father's head."
Emperor Yan, who had been about to open the box: "..."
