They were in that room at that moment.
Feng Rulin sat in the main seat, where there were three wine glasses on the table. He poured himself a glass of wine and sipped it slowly, paying no attention to the woman in black who had just entered.
With a wave of his hand, Feng Rulin sent the stool flying towards Ma Ruyi. Ma Ruyi swiftly countered with a lightning-fast strike, suppressing the immense energy from the powerful internal force. Ma Ruyi took a few steps back before catching the stool.
"Your martial arts have deteriorated!" Feng Rulin looked at her coldly, his eyes as cold as ice. He poured himself a glass of wine and took off his straw hat.
Ma Ruyi remained silent, moved the stool to the table, and then sat down opposite Feng Rulin.
He didn't speak, and Ma Ruyi didn't want to either.
Feng Rulin looked at her, took out a small paper packet from his pocket, and threw it in front of her, "Give this to Huangfu Xuan!"
Ma Ruyi remained motionless and silent.
Feng Rulin looked at Ma Ruyi with his head held high, a hint of anger in his eyes. "Yu Ruyi, have you fallen in love with him? Love is nothing more than a means to win people over! Have you forgotten the Emperor's teachings to you!"
"I haven't forgotten!" Ma Ruyi said through gritted teeth. "It's just that he's too vigilant. I'm afraid I won't be able to succeed. I'd like to ask my brother to find someone else to do it!"
"Difficult to succeed?" Feng Rulin looked at her coldly. "Besides you, no one is more suitable to carry out this mission!"
“He’s very wary of me. He never eats what I cook. If I were to poison his food, I’d probably be exposed and wouldn’t be able to complete this mission!” Ma Ruyi’s eyes were cold. “Why not send someone to assassinate him? His martial arts skills aren’t particularly high. With my brother’s skills, he should be able to kill him!”
"To die on a beauty's bed is the most wonderful thing. With your looks, how could I not succeed?" As Feng Rulin spoke, he flashed to Ma Ruyi's side and captured her instantly!
Feng Rulin reached out and grabbed her neck, his long nails seemingly digging into Ma Ruyi's flesh! Ma Ruyi tilted her head back, not daring to move an inch!
"Do I have to teach you these tricks again?" Feng Rulin's cold voice was directed at Ma Ruyi's face. His voice was sinister, and his alluring eyelashes fluttered like those of a ghostly demon!
“No need!” Ma Ruyi gritted her teeth.
"These drugs were administered when he was at his most triumphant, when he was feeling the most ecstatic. Don't you understand?" Feng Rulin sneered, his large hand moving down her neck.
"Don't touch me!" Ma Ruyi shouted immediately.
"What? You've been touched by him, so you know how to refuse me now?" Feng Rulin's large hand continued to move downwards, about to assault her softness.
Ji Wushang watched the flames raging in the secret room. Nan Xuzong held Ji Wushang tightly and whispered in her ear, "Don't be impulsive."
Ji Wushang pursed his lips, a flicker of anger burning in his eyes.
"I am your own sister!" Ma Ruyi said at this moment, "If you dare to touch me, I will die in front of you!"
"Oh, that's really sickening!" Just then, a woman's shrill voice came from outside the door. Upon hearing this, Feng Rulin immediately released Ma Ruyi, turned around and sat back in his chair. His expression had returned to normal. He reached out and poured a glass of wine into one of the glasses, then poured one for himself, but not for Ma Ruyi.
Ma Ruyi was slightly out of breath.
"You've arrived." Feng Rulin slightly raised his eyes to look at the woman in yellow, and handed her a wine glass. "Meiniang, come and drink."
"Hehe, you were just clinging to Princess Yu a moment ago, and now you're trying to curry favor with me?" The woman named Meiniang said without any politeness as she sat down and sprayed Ma Ruyi's face with face powder.
Ma Ruyi stepped back slightly. "Since Meiniang is here, and Meiniang is better than me, let Meiniang do this task. I have other things to do, so I'll be leaving now!" With that, Ma Ruyi stood up.
"Sit down!" Feng Rulin said coldly.
Ma Ruyi knew that if she didn't comply with their wishes, she would definitely not be able to leave, so she had no choice but to swallow her anger and sit down.
“I also want to test how long the Third Prince’s abilities last, but the Third Prince only goes to Princess Yu’s room and never goes anywhere else. Meiniang has no way to compete with you for this task!” Meiniang smiled at this moment, her makeup seemingly trembling.
Ma Ruyi was taken aback. "I advised him to take a concubine!"
"Hehe, Princess Yu is really generous! Marrying a concubine? Do you think the Third Prince would listen to you and marry a concubine?" Meiniang laughed. She snuggled up to Feng Rulin, who immediately pulled her into his arms. "Meiniang really understands the ways of the world!" Feng Rulin smiled and immediately helped Meiniang put on her clothes.
Mei Niang grabbed his hand and scolded, "You really don't know when to stop!"
“Meiniang’s body is too beautiful, why should we need to consider the occasion?” Feng Rulin laughed.
Ma Ruyi stood up again, and Feng Rulin turned his head and coldly rebuked, "Does this Venerable One grant you permission to leave?" As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and sent a palm strike towards Ma Ruyi!
Ma Ruyi was immediately hit in the face and fell to the ground. She turned her head and looked at the two of them with a fierce and murderous gaze, covering her half-swollen face with one hand.
"Oh dear, you've injured her face. If the Third Prince notices, won't he become suspicious of her?" Meiniang immediately winked and said sweetly.
Feng Rulin snorted coldly and threw the packet of medicine on the table onto the ground. "Get out! If you can't complete this task before I leave, you'll be waiting to taste the agony of having your bones torn apart! The bone-corroding poison will torment you until you're reduced to a pile of bones!"
He then took out a small bottle from his pocket and threw it in front of Ma Ruyi, saying, "Apply this medicine. If you get caught, you'll immediately pledge allegiance to His Majesty the Emperor!"
Ma Ruyi gritted her teeth, "When will you give me the antidote?"
"After this is done, I will personally witness Huangfu Xuan's burial, and then I will naturally give you the antidote!" Feng Rulin smiled.
Ma Ruyi listened, put the small bottle into her bosom, held the small medicine packet in her hand, and then slowly walked out.
Only after donning a black veil did Ma Ruyi disappear.
As Feng Rulin watched Ma Ruyi's departing figure, a sarcastic smile played on his lips. His hand then gripped Mei Niang's chin. "Have you completed the task I gave you?"
"Of course, it's just a little bit short. All it takes is a trigger, and it will all fall into place naturally!" Mei Niang chuckled.
"Making you submit to that old man is truly an insult to you!" Feng Rulin sneered. "So, tonight, you'd better serve me well!"
"Hehe!" Mei Niang giggled. "Since that's the case, why don't you know how to cherish a beautiful woman?"
"Because you're willing." Feng Rulin breathed warm air on her neck. "I've heard that old man is a bit of a pervert!"
"Being perverted is what makes things fun!" Mei Niang said coldly. "I will make everyone submit to me!"
"Is it the same for me?" He raised an eyebrow, his alluring eyes making him appear even more devilish.
"You? You're already doing well by submitting to me, haha!" Mei Niang laughed as she kissed his thin lips.
Upon seeing this, Nan Xuzong covered Ji Wushang's eyes with his hands, then sealed up the small holes, and pulled her away to another place.
Ji Wushang looked at him, and after being led through several secret passages, he entered a secret room and sat down.
"Cong, do you think she would poison the Third Prince?" Ji Wushang asked, looking at him standing by the window.
“It depends on her, not us,” Nan Xuzong said, turning around and walking to Ji Wushang’s side. “But the poison she’s been afflicted with, I’m afraid no one but Prince Lin can cure it.”
"The bone-corroding poison is terrifying," Ji Wushang said. "We should tell our third brother and discuss whether we can help them. Back then, without their help, you and I wouldn't be where we are today."
“Yes, I know.” Nan Xuzong looked at the sky outside. “But I’m afraid my third brother’s actions will exceed our expectations.”
"You think he'll let the Third Imperial Consort come?" Ji Wushang looked at him, and Nan Xuzong shook his head.
"Moreover, it's that Meiniang. I feel a sense of familiarity with her. She seems like someone I know, but when I look at her face, I can't recognize who she is. I don't know if she's disguised or what."
"We'll find out what happened after we investigate!" Nan Xuzong said. "You stay here, I'll go and discuss this with my third brother first!"
"Mm." Ji Wushang nodded.
Time moves on its own, and before you know it, most of the day has passed. Night has fallen, and the cold moonlight slowly rises into the sky.
In a vast, grand courtyard, a palace was particularly brightly lit.
Ma Ruyi took a deep breath, looked at the lotus seed soup in her hands, and pursed her lips, just thinking about what to say, when she heard a voice from inside, "Come in."
---
...
☆、272 Just putting on an act? A genuine expression of emotion!
Ma Ruyi was startled. After a moment's thought, she pushed open the study door and went inside. At that moment, Huangfu Xuan was looking up at her, a flicker of surprise in his eyes vanishing in an instant, his face turning from icy to grim. "What are you standing there for? Come here!"
"Yes." Ma Ruyi lowered her head and brought in the lotus seed soup she was carrying. She took small steps forward, keeping her head down, not daring to look at Huangfu Xuan.
Huangfu Xuan looked coldly at Ma Ruyi. Seeing her lower her head, his heart warmed slightly. He secretly glanced at the freshly made lotus seed soup, which was still steaming and looked quite good. He realized that he was indeed hungry.
"You did this?" Huangfu Xuan couldn't help but ask, but then he wanted to bite his tongue off. Asking this question meant he was admitting how much he cared about her actions. Was he going to be bound by his love for her? No, he'd have plenty of women in the future; this was just an act! Besides, he wouldn't forget what Nan Xuzong had said today! Heh, he'd just wait and see how she treated him! The act would continue, however it was!
“I made it. I saw you were still reading letters so late, so I made you some lotus seed soup to fill your stomach,” Ma Ruyi said, bowing her head. She stepped forward and placed the lotus seed soup on his desk with elegant movements.
Huangfu Xuan's expression remained cold. He glanced at the lotus seed soup and said, "You eat half!"
"Huh?" Ma Ruyi looked at him, slightly surprised. Did he mean she was afraid he would poison his lotus seed soup? Or...?
“I’m not hungry. I just made this for you.” Ma Ruyi maintained a relatively calm attitude.
Huangfu Xuan's cold eyes met hers. He sat at his desk, studying the defense maps of various countries—the source of which was unknown—and didn't care whether Ma Ruyi saw them or not. Beside him lay many letters. His large hand rested on them, his fingers lightly tapping the table. "This prince said you must eat half of it!"
"I am." He really was afraid I would poison him! Ma Ruyi lowered her eyes and stopped talking. She picked up the lotus seed soup, but Huangfu Xuan pointed to the mat on his left with his left hand, "Sit there and eat."
His tone left no room for refusal, so Ma Ruyi could only purse her lips and sit beside him with the lotus seed soup in her hand.
"What are you looking at me for? Eat half of the lotus seed soup, and don't make me repeat myself!" Huangfu Xuan was probably flustered by her gaze, so he was slightly angry.
Ma Ruyi lowered her head, her face full of grievance, and said, "Yes." He never knew how to cherish women, how to show concern for their well-being, or how to make a woman happy. He only knew how to declare his dominance in a commanding tone.
Ma Ruyi wondered if he had switched souls when he released the lanterns in the lotus pond, or if he was just putting on an act for others, and now that this was his territory, he didn't need to continue the performance.
Huangfu Xuan turned his head slightly to watch her slowly eat the lotus seed soup, and felt a sense of satisfaction. He then lowered his head and continued doing his own thing.
In this scene, Ma Ruyi was eating lotus seed soup beside him, while Huangfu Xuan continued to bury himself in his writing.
Ma Ruyi glanced at him from time to time, initially wary of his reaction, but later, seeing that he made no other move, she became bolder and looked at him more closely.
After a long while, Ma Ruyi became quite engrossed in looking at it and couldn't help but say, "Is this a troop deployment diagram? I feel it's too simple. It should be more complex to prevent the enemy from invading."
Huangfu Xuan's eyes darkened, and with a snap, he closed the troop deployment map. His eyes were filled with malice as he looked at Ma Ruyi. "How dare you! You actually dare to read my letter! Don't you know that women who participate in politics are beheaded?"
"I, I don't know..." Ma Ruyi was shocked, not expecting him to change his expression so quickly. She immediately put down the lotus seed soup and knelt in front of him.
Huangfu Xuan sneered, "You are my concubine, but you should know how to restrain yourself! Don't blame me for being ruthless when it comes to drawing your sword!"
"Yes," Ma Ruyi replied, her eyes lowered.
Huangfu Xuan looked at the lotus seed soup, which had only been eaten about a quarter of the way through. His eyes softened slightly. Seeing her reaction, he realized he had frightened her, so he said, "Keep eating the lotus seed soup. Finish half of it!"
"Yes." Ma Ruyi felt that she sometimes found it very difficult to serve this unpredictable man. His anger only lasted for a moment, and he rarely showed any joy.
Seeing that she seemed a little slow, Huangfu Xuan put an arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. Ma Ruyi was astonished, "Third Prince..."
"Is it so hard to eat half a lotus seed soup? If it tastes so bad, why did you make it for me?" His words were icy, yet he breathed his hot air onto Ma Ruyi's face and neck.
"I, I, I'm sorry..." She couldn't find any other words, so she could only apologize.
Huangfu Xuan's face was cold. He held her waist with one hand and brought over the lotus seed soup with the other, placing the bowl on the desk. He then scooped up a spoonful and said, "Open your mouth." He looked down at the woman in his arms. He had always disdained gentleness; his attitude towards love had changed. He wanted things to be direct!
The woman was startled, her beautiful eyes looking at Huangfu Xuan. "Third Prince, I... I can do it myself."
"Hmm?" His eyes darkened slightly. Was this going to go against his wishes too? Looking at her clumsy movements, he wondered how long it would take her to finish even half a bowl of lotus seed soup! Judging from how she came in, she definitely hadn't tried the soup. Since it was ready, it wouldn't hurt to share! Besides, she looked so thin and bony! He was always worried that people would say he wasn't feeding her!
Ma Ruyi nodded, "Yes." Then she opened her small mouth, her eyes looking at him with a sense of grievance, and tears welled up in her eyes.