The Prime Minister was enraged when he was informed about what happened at the White Pavilion tea house as Lory had predicted. He summoned Lao Min Na, cursed her for being an ungrateful child, and forced her to kneel before him.

The Prime Minister also ordered his guards to whip Lao Min Na fifty times not bothering to listen to her side of the story. Lory was stunned when she heard all this from Ci Ci. She wondered if the Prime Minister was crazy. How could have Lao Min Na whipped for pushing her sister?

​​

Ci Ci couldn’t help but explain the Prime Minister’s reasoning to Lory excitedly. It turned out that Lao Min Na was punished for damaging Lao Fei Yan’s reputation and Lao Fei Yan accused that Lao Min Na had deliberately humiliated her.

As much as they were stepsisters, Lao Fei Yan was the Crown Prince’s consort which meant her position was above everyone at the Lao’s Manor. No one should dare dishonor her.  Lory still failed to grasp the need to torture one child because of the other’s reputation.

The punishment was put on hold when the Third Prince visited the manor. He was surprised to see Lao Min Na being punished for something she had not done directly. the third prince then clarified the situation by telling them he was there from the beginning and didn’t see Lao Min Na push anyone.

Lao Fei Yan and the Prime Minister were both upset with the new development as they both wanted to see Lao Min Na being punished. However, the Prime Minister knew he could not reject the Third Prince’s confession was to imply the Third Prince was lying. An official won’t dare accused royalty. Prime Minister Lao could only hold in his anger and let Lao Min Na off the hook.

Yang Wei Lan almost fainted on the spot with anger when Lao Min Na was released. She kept pestering the Prime Minister saying the outcome was unfair as her daughter was hurt, and no one was taking responsibility. She cried and whined and ended up embarrassing the Prime Minister before the Third Prince.

In order to calm his wife, he used the same method every noble household used in such situations. He blamed the maid that followed Lao Fei Yan that day for failing to protect her mistress. The maid was hit ten times with a wooden plank and was confined for one week in the warehouse. Lory could only let out a long sigh when she was told how the maid was punished. It seemed Girsha was right, she needed to find another job soon.

The return of the Third Prince to Nan Jing City made the succession situation tense than ever. The three factions were gathered in the capital city and no one, not even the first rank court officials, knew who would end up being the next Emperor.

The Crown Prince and Fifth Prince had strong backers, while the Third Prince seemed to have a few backers, had great achievement, and was well-loved by the citizens. The Third Prince’s only shortfall was his humble background. His mother was a mere concubine. However, this does not change the fact that he was the Emperor’s flesh and blood.

It was obvious to Lory that Third Prince was attracted to Lao Min Na. She knew how prideful the royalty in this world behaved. There was no way the Prince would involve himself in an Official’s household problem if his feelings were not engaged.

The thought of it was touching and Lory was relieved for Lao Min Na and hoped the Third Prince was the right man for her. However, Lory underestimated the human intricate mind and the depth of human ambition, especially in this world.

A woman wearing a bamboo hat with a muslin veil covering her face stopped at the front gates of Nin Jing Manor in the darkness of the night. The alert guards immediately held their spears close to her face to block her movements. “Stop! This is not the place you can just barge in!!”

The woman remained silent for a while before she calmly said, “I’m Lao Min Na. I’m requesting permission to meet the Sixth Prince.”

The guards look at each other in contemplation before one of them went inside the manor to relay the request. Lao Min Na was calm as she waited patiently. It was not long before another man with a black uniform and placid expression came out to meet her. Without much courtesy, he asked, “Are you Lao Min Na?”

Lao Min Na was not surprised by his behavior. She nodded calmly, “I’m…”

The man scrutinized her with an expressionless face and used the same tone to say, “Follow me!”

Lao Min Na followed him through the second gate and walked past the odd-looking but beautiful garden. The garden was odd to her because it contained a flower she had never seen before.

She was an alchemist who knew the different varieties of plants and flowers but the flower was new to her. Her curiosity was sparked but she held it as she had something more important to do.

She was led to a big gloomy room and the first thing she saw was the big stone wall carving behind the big black desk. Zhao Li Xin sat behind the table. His face reminded unperturbed and indifferent when he saw Lao Min Na.

She was recognized as one of the most beautiful women in the country and her cultivation made her look healthier with a red-tinted blush on her cheeks. She was considered a heavenly beauty, but all this seemed meaningless in front of the stone-cold Zhao Li Xin.

“What do you want?” Zhao Li Xin asked without beating around the bush. He never had the patience or showed his best temperament to most people.

Lao Min Na knew what lay behind the Sixth Prince’s weak and lazy persona. He was Long Ming and the real him was cold, cruel, ruthless, and most of all very strong. She always admired and envied him. Talking with him is scary and exhilarating at the same time. Lao Min Na took a deep breath and said, “I’m here to give you a proposal…”

“What kinda proposal…?” The Sixth Prince said with an indifferent voice. He placed his head on his fist lazily.

“That is… I can… I can heal your poison,” She managed to say it firmly.

Mong Ki who stood beside Zhao Li Xin twitched but Zhao Li Xin’s face remained unmoved. If someone could have said that to him a year ago, he might have been moved. However, Lory healed him and there was nothing for him to fear. He sneered at her, “Really…?”

Lao Min Na thought Zhao Li Xin only pretended to be calm. She knew how severe his poison was and he still couldn’t heal himself even with all the Hei Shen sect treasure that he owned. Lao Min Na also knew he didn’t have much time to live but she knew how to cure him. It was something she stumbled upon by accident if you could call it that.

“Yes. But the ingredients are very hard to find. It would need all your manpower to get them. However, this should not be too hard for you because you will be able to find them sooner or later with the four King’s Palace. For now, I can prolong your life for seven to ten years at most.” Lao Min Na said with confidence.

Zhao Li Xin sighed as he gestured for Mong Ki to pour him a cup of wine. He received the cup and took his time sipping the wine. His calm demeanor confused Lao Min Na. She couldn’t tell if he was excited or if he doubted her.

Zhao Li Xin leaned back into his chair lazily, “And what do you want in exchange?”

Lao Min Na’s eyes lit up. This meant he agreed with her proposal. She opened her mouth and said firmly, “I want to be your consort.”

Zhao Li Xin clenched his cup as his face darkened. Those who knew him could tell he was very angry. Fortunately, he could now control his rage properly after getting cured or maybe after he met Lory.

“Why? Don’t you know my reputation?”

“I’m still a nobleman’s daughter despite my situation. My father would marry me off to someone soon or later. With our bad relationship, I doubt he would arrange a good marriage for me. He would be tempted to find a wild man for me just to see me suffer.” Lao Min Na said with an upset look. “I also don’t think the Emperor would oppose the marriage of a leftover woman like me and a weak prince. They may treat it as a joke.”

“Sure… I believed all that but why should I agree to you…?” Zhao Li Xin hissed.

“I’m an alchemist and my cultivation talent is not bad. In just a year, I have reached the Knight Level’s Advanced Stage. My future is limitless. I could become your support. I know more than any of your subordinated could ever know… All I need is time to improve myself.” Lao Min Na said with confidence.

“Why me? There are so many princes out there… Why not Zhao Yi Chen?” Zhao Li Xin provoked her. He was curious but not tempted by her offer. He knew what type of woman she was. He also knew Zhao Yi Chen was visiting Lao Manor more. For Zhao Yi Chen to frequently visit the Official’s Manor meant something had attracted him and Zhao Li Xin could easily guess what it was.

Lao Min Na bit her lip. She didn’t know Zhao Li Xin already knew about that matter. It seemed he was watching the Lao Manor or someone in it. Was he watching her…? Lao Min Na’s mouth unconsciously curved slightly.

If Zhao Li Xin was attracted to her, even just a little, he would easily agree to her proposal. That was the best outcome for her and her future, “Because I know who you really are, Lord Long Ming.”

Her words stunned Mong Ki. How could she know about his identity? All the information about their Lord’s identity was tightly sealed. There were no leaks. Only a few of those who worked in Zhao Li Xin’s manor knew his identity.

Those who knew were the shadow guards personally under Mong Ki and Mong Yi and the four King’s Palace, and every each of them was undeniable loyal to Zhao Li Xin. They would rather die than betray him.

Zhao Li Xin slightly frowned before he relaxed. “What do you mean by that?”

“You are the strongest person in this country. NO…! In a few years, no one in this world would dare go against you anymore. With my knowledge and your power, we will be unstoppable. No one would beat us!” Lao Min Na said with confidence.

It was like she had seen the future. Her eyes brimmed with excitement. She believed Zhao Li Xin would approve of her. No man in this world could resist what she had to offer, especially not a man with so much talent like Zhao Li Xin. She could already see herself standing beside him as they conquered the world together. She believed nothing could hold her down if she had him by her side.

“I refused…” Zhao Li Xin said without hesitation..