It’s been two days since Cao Wan’er sent troops to reinforce the Crown Prince’s palace, and Ivy Shen has bounced back fast in that time.
As for Liam Willow, word is he told the Empress Dowager the demonic aura around Sherry is gone, so she’s fine. He said purging the demon drained him so much that praying for the Crown Prince right now would be pointless—he’s been tainted by ‘unclean stuff,’ so he needs to go back to Cloud Virtue Monastery for half a month to get Buddha’s protection again, then his prayers will actually work.
Cao Wan’er, who totally believes in ghosts, instantly ordered Official Gavin Gao to escort Liam Willow to Cloud Virtue Monastery. As for Ivy, demonic aura or not, Cao Wan’er’s never going to let her live.
Whenever Cao Wan’er sends her anything, Ivy treats it like a hidden knife—she never uses it. After that big blowup, everyone’s just playing nice while hiding daggers behind their smiles. But for these two days, Ivy’s been digging for one thing: the location of Flame Valley. Once she finds it, this palace arc can finally hit pause—even though she still hasn’t gotten her hands on Jude Song’s mechanism map.
But from all this, Ivy’s finally figured out one thing: even if that guy likes someone, nobody’s ever more important to him than himself!
Just then, Silver Consort strolled over. “The Crown Princess is here to see you,” she said, her voice totally neutral.
“Crown Princess?” Ivy blinked. Yvonne Song coming to see her? What’s up with that?!
“Sherry, are you okay?” Out of nowhere, a gentle voice chimed in.
The face Ivy saw was seriously gorgeous and classy—a woman with real elegance. “Your maid greets the Crown Princess…” Ivy started, but Yvonne Song gently pressed her down. “Don’t move.”
“Crown Princess…”
“Huh, the Crown Prince isn’t here?” Yvonne Song glanced around, then looked at Silver Consort. “Master Silver, His Highness asked me here for something—where is he?”
“Oh, I think His Highness stepped out,” Silver Consort replied. She really liked this Crown Princess—so kind and gentle, never acting spoiled, and always treating her respectfully as ‘Master.’ She’d followed the Crown Prince for years, and the Princess had always been polite.
“Master Silver, could you help me check on the Crown Prince? I’m not sure what he wants, but I’ve caught a cold lately and can’t stay here long,” Yvonne Song said, eyes full of apology.
Silver Consort quickly smiled. “Sure, I’ll go check.” Ever since Cao Wan’er called in 150,000 guards, she’d felt way more relaxed. Normally she stuck close to the Crown Prince, except for morning court. Today, she’d only left his side to change Ivy’s medicine.
At that, Yvonne Song turned to her maid Ruby. “Go watch the door for me—let me know as soon as the Crown Prince arrives, so I can greet him with my best smile.”
Ruby grinned. “Sure thing, Crown Princess!” And with that, she scampered off to the door.
Once Ruby left, Ivy looked at Yvonne Song. “You sent them away on purpose, didn’t you?”
“Uh? Was it that obvious?” Yvonne Song smiled sheepishly.
Seeing this, Ivy sat up, not sure what Yvonne Song was planning.
“You’re probably wondering why I did that, right?” Yvonne Song took a deep breath. “I want to persuade you to leave the palace soon.”
“Huh? Leave the palace?” Ivy squinted at her, not sure what she meant.
“You don’t love him, do you? Or maybe you two are enemies?” Yvonne Song asked, her voice cautious.
Ivy smiled. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know. But I do know you don’t love him—that’s a fact. And…” Yvonne Song took a deep breath. “He’s not someone you can trust with your future.”
“Why do you say that?”
Yvonne Song looked at her, face tinged with sadness. “There’s a lot I don’t know how to say, but I have to tell you now. Remember the message I gave you last time? The palace isn’t as simple as you think. Of course, you’re not simple either. But this is his turf. You’re almost healed, so I want to persuade you to leave before he starts to suspect you—that’s your best option.”
Ivy looked at her, puzzled. Lucian Vane had said Yvonne Song was kind, but even so—why help a stranger? Wasn’t that weird?
“Today’s the fifteenth, right?” Yvonne Song suddenly lowered her head, looking pained.
“What’s wrong?” Ivy quickly tried to steady her, wanting to know what was up.
“Remember this: on the fifteenth of every month, never eat anything the Crown Prince gives you—no matter what.”