Chapter 25: The Flashy Peacock and False Aloofness

Jiang Chenbi did not leave immediately after stepping out the door. She turned back to glance at the tightly shut gates and let out a helpless sigh.

She lingered in front of the door for a moment longer before finally departing.

Meanwhile.

In the distant Southern Frontier Poison Gu Sect.

Li Qian paced restlessly around the room, muttering anxiously to herself as she walked, “It’s over, it’s over. What if Sister Chenbi really comes back? What about my hand? I haven’t even gotten married yet. I don’t want to lose my hand…”

A hint of helplessness flashed in Ying Qi’s eyes, but she couldn’t help speaking up to dissuade her. “Young Mistress, the Young Sect Master has been busy with matters at Yellow Path Palace lately. She won’t be back anytime soon. As long as you handle the Human-Face Gu situation within half a year, everything will be fine.”

Li Qian turned around, her eyes already brimming with tears, looking pitiful. “Really? What if she really does chop it off? Grandma won’t even care.”

It was clear she was truly afraid of Jiang Chenbi.

A flicker of amusement passed through Ying Qi’s eyes. The Young Mistress was the Sect Master’s own granddaughter, but she had always been spoiled and indolent. Ma Gu Po had deliberated long and hard before handing the Poison Gu Sect over to Jiang Chenbi for management, all for the sect’s survival. But that didn’t mean Ma Gu Po didn’t cherish her only granddaughter.

It was just that Li Qian had both revered and feared Jiang Chenbi since childhood, so she had been thoroughly intimidated.

Moreover, even if Li Qian failed to handle it properly, Jiang Chenbi wouldn’t actually chop off her hand. At most, she’d give her a scolding. How many messes had the Young Sect Master cleaned up for her over the years?

Heh, this little one remembered only the Young Sect Master’s strictness and forgot all her kindness.

Ying Qi comforted her. “It won’t happen. The Young Sect Master still looks out for you a great deal.”

Hesitation lingered on Li Qian’s face. “Really?”

She still remembered how Sister Chenbi punished those under her command.

Ying Qi continued, “The Young Sect Master has always been fair with rewards and punishments. Those people in the past colluded with outsiders to harm the innocent, which was why she punished them. Young Mistress, think about it carefully—isn’t that right?”

Li Qian blinked, nodding hesitantly. Suddenly, her expression shifted to one of fury. “It’s all that bunch of scum from Phantom Woman Valley’s fault! If they hadn’t stirred up trouble and reached their hands into the Capital City, why would Sister Chenbi get angry?”

Li Qian hurried forward and clung to Ying Qi’s arm, coquettishly pleading, “Ying Qi! You have to help me out!”

A trace of unnatural stiffness crossed Ying Qi’s face as she subtly withdrew her rigid arm. “It’s my duty as a subordinate. Young Mistress, just give me your orders.”

A smile finally appeared on Li Qian’s face. “Good!”

……

Inside the Great Zhao border military camp.

Prince Cheng raised his cup and drank deeply, his ambitions plain as day. “I’ve long admired the renowned Kunshan Daoist. For you to emerge from seclusion and assist this prince—when I ascend the throne, I shall make you the head of all officials!”

The Mountain Lord lowered its gaze, a faint smile tugging at its lips. Its restrained demeanor, paired with its androgynous features, gave it an air of poise reminiscent of a composed court lady. Prince Cheng stared, entranced.

The Mountain Lord raised its cup, its voice clear and crisp like spring water. “Prince Cheng flatters me.”

Prince Cheng snapped back to his senses, realizing his lapse, and hurriedly averted his gaze, downing his wine in one gulp.

How could such a reaction escape the Mountain Lord’s notice? It lowered its eyes, concealing the disgust in them.

Money was hard-earned and shit was hard to swallow—especially Jiang Chenbi’s money!

If not for the Xuanji Strategy, it wouldn’t have taken on this lousy job. In its view, Prince Cheng was just as much of a fool as Prince Sui.

It hated dealing with fools the most!

But encountering someone like Jiang Chenbi, that flashy peacock of a schemer, gave the Mountain Lord headaches too.

Out of ten sentences she spoke, nine were traps waiting for you to fall into, and the tenth she didn’t even bother acting on.

Yet the rewards upon completion were indeed generous. That was why so many under her remained loyal without gu poison’s control.

If you sought wealth, she had plenty to give lavishly.

If you craved heavenly treasures, she’d swindle, steal, or brave dangers alone—wounds and all—to procure them.

If you sought nothing, she still ensured you got your share.

Moreover, Jiang Chenbi was fiercely protective of her own. Once, to avenge the Mountain Lord, she had pursued enemies all the way to Changbai Mountain. She would never let her people suffer injustice.

Flamboyant yet measured, ruthless yet loyal, merciless at crossed lines, yet a blooming flower of solace in confusion—a giver of tenderness without stint.

Such charisma. Though a black-hearted flashy peacock, countless were willing to lay down their lives for her, brave fire and water, die without regret.

Mysterious yet straightforward, powerful yet frail, gloomy yet vibrant—all contradictions embodied flawlessly, compelling submission.

This was the Mountain Lord’s assessment of Jiang Chenbi.

Setting aside Prince Cheng and the Southern Frontier for now.

Dark clouds gathered over the Capital City, brewing a storm.

In the study of the Cui Residence, Cui Daoyuan shredded the secret report in his hand, his face grim.

This Kunshan Daoist had popped up out of nowhere and, with a few words, made Prince Cheng wary of the Cui Family!

If not for the Empress Dowager behind him, Cui Daoyuan never would have propped up such a crude warrior. Now, the man heeded others and sought distance from the Cui Family.

The Mid-Autumn sacrifice had already been ruined by some Yuan Kingdom assassin, derailing his plans—Cui Daoyuan was furious enough. Now Prince Cheng resisted both openly and covertly, and Cui Wangshu still hadn’t returned to report.

They were all rebelling! All of them!

Feng Gan picked up the Zhen Ruler that Cui Daoyuan had flung to the floor and placed it back on the desk. He said, “Prime Minister, Prince Cheng might just be momentarily bewitched. Our people are embedded in the camp; no breeze will escape our notice.”

Casually, Feng Gan added, “As for the Eldest Miss, she’s been visiting Xiaoyun Pavilion far less lately. The household says the new lady she’s brought back fills her nights with song and revelry. During this Mid-Autumn sacrifice, she didn’t follow the plan. Could it be…”

Cui Daoyuan looked up. “You’re saying Wangshu wasn’t interrupted by the fire, but did it deliberately?”

Feng Gan’s phoenix eyes narrowed. “This subordinate merely thinks that while the Eldest Miss may indulge in feminine charms, she can’t fixate on just one person. Could that country girl be a spy from the Emperor’s side?”

Cui Daoyuan pondered. “Investigate the woman’s background. Have Wangshu return tonight.”

Cui Daoyuan knew full well—he’d sent plenty of women to Cui Wangshu over the years, partly to monitor her, but mainly because he absolutely forbade her from growing attached or fond of any one person.

Her weakness could only be her mind, not emotions or any individual!

Feng Gan’s phoenix eyes curved into slits. “Yes.”

He rarely set foot in the Shangshu Residence; Cui Wangshu disliked dealing with him. Normally, Feng Gan respected that and communicated through underlings. But today was different.

He wanted to see just what kind of woman had lured Cui Wangshu away from Xiaoyun Pavilion.

Like Cui Daoyuan, Feng Gan didn’t care how many people surrounded Cui Wangshu, nor whether they were men or women. Having grown up with her, he knew she was cold-hearted and aloof, unmoved by anyone.

But ever since this country girl arrived, his people had only seen Cui Wangshu visit Xiaoyun Pavilion once.

So Feng Gan couldn’t sit still.

In the Shangshu Residence.

Cui Wangshu sat in a chair in the main hall, lifting her eyelids to glance at Feng Gan standing in the center.

She disliked the way Feng Gan always looked at her.

“Guard Feng, is there something you need?”

Feng Gan stared at Cui Wangshu. “Eldest Miss, the Prime Minister asks you to return to the Cui Residence tonight.”

Cui Wangshu took a sip of tea. “Alright, I’ll go back before dinner to dine with Father and Mother.”

Seeing Feng Gan remain still, she endured her impatience. “Is there more?”

Feng Gan smirked. “Eldest Miss, as the Cui Family’s legitimate daughter, you may indulge freely, but not to the point of obsession.”

Cui Wangshu’s face turned cold. She finally deigned to give Feng Gan a direct look today, staring him down as she said icily, “Guard Feng, my affairs are not for you to meddle in.”

Feng Gan frowned slightly. “This subordinate overstepped.”

“Steward, see the guest out.”

Feng Gan ran into Jiang Chenbi, who had come looking for Cui Wangshu, just as he left the main hall. He narrowed his eyes, his gaze locking onto her.

The newcomer wore a robe of fine floating-light silk, refracting iridescent hues in the sunlight, lending her an ethereal air.

A slender waist and ample bosom, with a tall, lithe figure that outlined a captivating silhouette.

Feng Gan’s gaze traveled upward to Jiang Chenbi’s face.

Her eyes slanted upward at the corners, brows drooping slightly; her skin was pallid, almost sickly white. Apart from the rouge on her lips, she wore no makeup.

Plain yet radiantly alluring, both fairy-like and seductive.

Feng Gan frowned and looked away, nodding in greeting before slowly departing the residence.

Jiang Chenbi caught the fleeting disgust in his eyes, raising a brow with interest as she watched his retreating back.

“What are you doing standing at the door?”

Cui Wangshu’s cool voice pulled Jiang Chenbi’s attention back. Seeing her cold expression, Jiang Chenbi asked, “Who was that just now?”

Irritation flashed in Cui Wangshu’s eyes. “My father’s personal guard.”

Jiang Chenbi sat in a chair on the other side, stating rather than asking, “You despise him.”

Cui Wangshu replied coldly, “I dislike the way he looks at me and his presumptuous attitude in interfering.”

Recalling the disgust in the man’s eyes earlier, Jiang Chenbi understood. She gave Cui Wangshu a light glance, noting her frank demeanor, and inwardly sighed—truly a blockhead.

“What did he want?”

“Father wants me back tonight. Probably about the Mid-Autumn sacrifice.”

Cui Wangshu omitted Feng Gan’s later words.

“You’re lying. Whatever it is, it’s not worth getting so upset over.”

Cui Wangshu looked at Jiang Chenbi in mild surprise, marveling at how well she understood her, before saying, “He presumptuously warned me not to indulge too deeply in lust.”

Jiang Chenbi let out an “Oh,” falling silent.

Cui Wangshu frowned. “What was that ‘oh’ for?”

Jiang Chenbi chuckled lightly. “I was just wondering if the little Lord Cui has been indulging in desire lately.”

Cui Wangshu said nothing. Whether she indulged or drowned in it, it was none of Feng Gan’s business.

When she was with Jiang Chenbi, they always interacted as equals—but that didn’t make her approachable.

Raised in luxury with noble status, Cui Wangshu carried an innate aloofness and pride.

To her, others could only aspire to her level. Out of propriety, she treated people mildly and politely, but deep down, she never equated their status to hers.

This was the source of her cool, distant aura.

If not for her truly exalted position and constant dealings with power centers—where everyone played at facades—such a temperament would have drawn endless scorn.

Frankly put, it was false aloofness, false propriety.