“The Queen and the young prince…” Wu Zhao struggled to find the words before finally sighing, “No one wanted that tragedy. The prince was just a child then. He is innocent…”
Hua Hong swung her staff toward the Strange Prince, who lay on the ground. Wu Zhao quickly grabbed the prince by the collar, pulling him out of harm’s way just in time.
“Your Highness!”
Hua Hong looked coldly at Wu Zhao, who was shielding the unconscious person behind him. “Innocent?! If it weren’t for him, my mother would never have been heartbroken, tormented to death in childbirth! ‘Prince Yong’? A bastard born out of wedlock, taking the place of the rightful heir—it’s a sick joke! You’d better make sure the King of Strange City keeps a tight leash on him. If he dares to appear before me again, the king can come collect his corpse!”
Outside the wall, Bai Shuo covered her mouth, eyes wide with shock as she listened to the argument inside. Good heavens, what a scandal she’d stumbled upon! Everyone knew the King of Strange City had a son and a daughter, but no one had ever hinted that this prince was actually an illegitimate child! What exactly happened back then? And why was Hua Hong exiled? She wanted to hear more, but suddenly, Mumu’s face tensed, and he whisked her away from the spot in a blink.
A flash later, they were back by the hot spring.
“Oh, come on, Mumu! I wasn’t finished listening! Let’s go back—quick!” she urged.
“Someone’s coming. If we stay, we’ll be discovered,” Mumu said, shaking his head.
“Who’s coming? I didn’t sense anything.”
“The King of Strange City.”
“Oh no!” Bai Shuo gasped, clutching her chest in relief as she praised her quick-thinking disciple. “Good thing we slipped away in time. You’re amazing, Mumu!” she said. The king’s favored son was likely a beloved treasure, no matter how foolish he seemed. If the king knew she’d overheard this scandal, she’d never make it out alive.
But why did the prince reek of an evil aura? she wondered. Could the king, who lived with him day by day, really be unaware? Feeling a chill creep over her, she absentmindedly reached into her qiankun bag and retrieved the turtle shells she’d nearly forgotten about. She tapped one shell, and after a gentle tremor, it suddenly spun rapidly, only to stop, pointing directly behind her.
Bai Shuo froze. She’d been trying to locate the final Wutong Heartfire. The Golden Sun Immortal had already scattered it above Strange City, so why was the shell pointing to the Strange King’s palace instead of outside the royal compound? An icy dread filled her heart. Was the king lying?
Back in the courtyard, Hua Hong frowned at the prince behind Wu Zhao and suddenly asked, “Why does he reek of evil energy?”
Wu Zhao’s expression darkened, but before he could respond, a figure appeared in the courtyard, looking directly at Hua Hong.
“You shouldn’t have come back,” he said coldly.
“Shouldn’t have come back?” Hua Hong’s gaze hardened, and she scoffed. “Who would willingly return to this cursed place? Once the spiritual lock lifts at dawn, I’ll leave on my own. Whatever dirty secrets lie within Strange City are none of my business.” She turned to leave but found herself blocked by an unseen barrier surrounding the courtyard. She spun around, ready to protest, but a force struck her neck before she could react. Weakness overcame her, and she crumpled to the ground.
When did she get poisoned? Her gaze flicked to the red plum tree nearby, and her face twisted in realization. The plum tree was poisoned! Its flowers were a reminder of her most vulnerable past. She’d let her guard down.
Her mother’s favorite flower had been the red plum. Hu Yong’s appearance wasn’t a coincidence; he’d been sent to lure her here, to trap her. That plum tree had been planted just for her!
What a cunning King of Strange City. What a father. Her eyes blazed with fury as she fell, blood-red and filled with loathing. She closed her eyes and collapsed.
A pair of hands caught her limp form. The King of Strange City’s face remained expressionless.
“Your Majesty…” Wu Zhao looked at the unconscious Hua Hong and Hu Yong, his face filled with a rare hint of pity. “Is this truly necessary? Knowing Princess Hong’s temper, she will never forgive you when she wakes.”
“She’s already forgotten me as her father.” The king didn’t look at Hua Hong but at Hu Yong in Wu Zhao’s arms. “This is Yong’er’s only chance. Wu Zhao, lock her up. Once everything is settled, send her away from Strange City.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Back at the hot spring, Bai Shuo put away the turtle shells, her expression somber.
“Mumu, let’s go find A-Zhao,” she said. She needed to tell him and Beichen about the Wutong Heartfire right away. She couldn’t trust Nan Wan or that cunning fox, but the Kunlun swordsmen were honorable and reliable.
Just as she tugged on Fan Yue’s arm to leave, a maidservant from the palace approached, bowing.
“Master Mu, Lady Bai, the time has come. The gentlemen are already seated for the banquet. Please, come with me.”
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