The carriage came to an abrupt halt.
The next second, the carriage door swung open. A shadowy figure darted inside, and the carriage rolled on as if nothing had happened.
"Quentin, do you have any instructions?" Lucian Fox's golden eyes shimmered with a mesmerizing light in the faint sunlight.
Prince Quentin smiled, "Lucian, you were walking so slowly—weren't you waiting for me?"
Lucian Fox lowered his gaze. "I just can't walk that fast, that's all."
Prince Quentin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "After all these years, Father still can't trust you or Aunt Ling."
Lucian Fox glanced out at the scenery. The bustling street was lively with people coming and going.
He let the curtain fall, instantly shutting out the noise of the outside world.
Lucian Fox didn't answer Prince Quentin's question, only said softly, "It's not so bad this way."
Prince Quentin leaned back on the soft couch. "It's rare to see you, so I'll get straight to the point. If I get the antidote to save Aunt Ling, you help me succeed."
Lucian Fox looked up at him. "Quentin, you overestimate me. I don't have that kind of ability."
"And what about Aunt Ling's health? Do you really not care?" Prince Quentin raised an eyebrow. "You know her condition has never been just a chronic illness—it's because of Father..."
Lucian Fox stayed silent.
"Think it over carefully," Prince Quentin said. "I've always been sincere. If you decide, send someone to let me know."
With that, the carriage kept moving, but Prince Quentin opened the door and vanished in an instant.
Lucian Fox tightened his grip on a porcelain medicine bottle—the miracle drug he'd gotten from Lord Grant.
Now, he suddenly didn't want the medicine anymore.
Getting caught up in the fight for the throne was never a wise choice.
Lord Grant was on Prince Adrian's side.
He gave Lucian the medicine simply because Prince Adrian had gotten part of the antidote from the emperor—his uncle.
Yet now, I was being counted as part of Prince Adrian's faction.
I could get this medicine through other channels, of course. It'd be best if I could get it without a fight.
Who would've thought today's banquet was a trap?
Even though I've kept such a low profile, people still have their eyes on me.
I've hidden away in Princess Ling's residence for eighteen years, always far from politics and the center of power, rarely interacting with my cousins.
I just wanted to get through this period peacefully.
But now, it looks like they're all getting restless—they can't wait any longer.
They can't wait any longer...
Lucian Fox let out a soft sigh.
Outside the carriage, a young servant couldn't help but ask, "Sir, are you heading back to Princess Ling's residence now?"
"Stop the carriage." Lucian Fox's cool voice sounded low. "You all go on ahead. I'll walk alone for a while."
The young servant said, "Let me accompany you, sir."
"No need." Lucian Fox slowly stepped off the carriage, and in a flash, his figure vanished.
The young servant chased after him a few steps, but had to stop, stomping his foot. "Sir, honestly! You never wait for me!"
Lucian Fox leapt up, landing atop the tree canopy, hands clasped behind his back.
The sunlight spilled over him, making his dazzling golden hair shine even brighter.
Lucian Fox glanced down, his brows shifting slightly.
What a coincidence—he'd ended up outside the wall of Zara Yun's little courtyard again.
He quietly watched Zara Yun in the courtyard, patiently practicing with her spear.
Zara Yun knows how to wield a spear?
How had he never heard about this before?
Who taught her how to use a spear?
And every move she made was lethal, not a hint of showmanship... Clearly, only someone who’d survived bloody battles could wield a spear like that.
"What an interesting woman." Lucian Fox's long eyes lifted in amusement. He casually pulled out a square scarf, tucked away his golden hair, then covered his face with a handkerchief. With a flick of his hands, he dropped soundlessly into the courtyard.
Zara Yun had sent away all the servants, practicing her spear technique alone in the small courtyard.
She’d dug this spear out from the pile of junk in her family's warehouse.
But for her, it was good enough.
As she practiced, she was swept away by memories, running through every spear move she knew from beginning to end.
Just as she was about to finish, a surge of killing intent suddenly descended from above!
Zara Yun’s years of battlefield experience kicked in—she instinctively rolled to the ground, dodging the attack, and spun her spear in a dazzling arc right back at her opponent.
Clang—a wooden stick blocked Zara Yun’s attack.
"Who are you?" Zara Yun eyed the masked figure warily, pressing down with her spear and reaching to grab the cloth covering his face.
But he wouldn’t let her succeed; with a nimble twist, he dodged and appeared behind her in a flash.
"Courting death!" Zara Yun roared, tossed aside her spear, and switched from long-range to close combat, her fists whipping through the air as she struck at him.
Lucian Fox blocked Zara Yun’s attack with one hand, speaking lightly: "Who would’ve thought? Everyone’s blind, thinking the Second Miss of Grant Manor is just a lovesick fool with no skills except chasing after Prince Adrian. If I hadn’t stumbled upon this by chance, I’d have believed it myself."
Zara Yun gritted her teeth, her face turning ashen. "Who are you? Are you with Lady Grant? What do you want?"
Lucian Fox grabbed Zara Yun’s wrist and yanked, trapping her in his arms.
"Lady Grant? So you’ve been playing dumb all along to guard against your stepmother." Lucian Fox’s golden eyes narrowed.
"That’s my business—not yours. If you’re not here to kill me on Lady Grant’s orders, then get out of my courtyard." Zara Yun’s voice was icy.
"Is that so?" Lucian Fox asked mildly. "Then tell me—who taught you how to use a spear?"
"That’s my business!" Zara Yun tried to turn around, but her body was held so tightly she couldn’t see a single feature of the infuriating man behind her.
"Oh, is that so?" Lucian Fox was about to say more when he heard movement outside. He suddenly leaned in and whispered in Zara Yun’s ear, "I’m not with Lady Grant. But—your spear technique is impressive. Clearly, you’ve had a master’s guidance. Too bad your physical foundation is weak; you’re not even using a tenth of its power. I’ll be back."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zara Yun’s wrist and body were suddenly freed.
Zara Yun spun around, trying to grab him.
Her fingers closed on nothing but air.
What incredible skill!
Who could he be?
Why did he show up in my courtyard?
He said he’s not with Lady Grant?
Then whose side is he on?
Zara Yun spun in place several times; only the lonely sound of the wind remained, with no trace of that man.
Looking at her hand, Zara Yun felt her heart inexplicably race when that man grabbed her wrist.
What on earth was that?
Just then, footsteps outside grew clearer. Zara Yun hurried to hide her practice spear.
She’d just finished concealing it when someone behind her said, "Second Sister, what happened to you? Why are you all sweaty? And where are your maids? Why aren’t they attending to you?"
Zara Yun turned lightly, facing the elegantly made-up woman whose every step was graceful. She smiled faintly, "Big Sister, did you need something?"
Wendy Yun glanced around, pressing a handkerchief to her nose. "Father had someone make soup for you. I brought it over myself."
Zara Yun glanced at the woman—honestly, she had no interest in this so-called big sister.
She couldn’t be bothered with all this family drama.
Once she got her strength back, she’d find a chance to leave and let them fight it out among themselves!
The original owner of this body’s mother was gone; there was no need to be filial anymore.
As for that biological father—let him do as he pleases. What does it have to do with her?
Besides, he wasn’t short on wives or sons to show him filial piety. Surely he didn’t need her.
"Oh, is that so? Well, thank you, Big Sister." Zara Yun replied blandly.
Wendy Yun had the soup placed on a stone table in the courtyard, then walked over to Zara Yun. Her nose twitched as she instinctively asked, "Did someone just come by?"
"Nope, it’s just me." Zara Yun replied at once. "Why do you ask, Big Sister?"
A trace of disappointment flashed in Wendy Yun’s eyes. "Ah, maybe I... misheard."
Zara Yun stared intently at Wendy Yun, noticing her still sniffing; it was clear this woman had a keen sense of smell.
The fight with that man had lasted only a moment, yet Wendy Yun could still detect a scent completely different from her own.
Was Wendy Yun part bloodhound or something?
"So, what does Big Sister really want?" Zara Yun asked. "You never come by for no reason. You didn’t show up just to bring me soup, did you?"
Wendy Yun had always been treated like royalty; now, Zara Yun’s words left her momentarily speechless.
Sure, she’d always known her Second Sister was a bit brash, but she’d never been this outspoken before.
How did that fall not kill her, but instead knock some attitude into her?
"Since you’re being so direct, I won’t beat around the bush either." Wendy Yun walked up to Zara Yun. "Back when Her Majesty the Empress arranged your betrothal to Prince Adrian, she gave you a jade pendant…"
Zara Yun immediately laughed. "So you want it back? Fine!"
Wendy Yun stared at Zara Yun as if she’d seen a ghost.
She’d never imagined Zara Yun would be this agreeable!
"But—I want something of equal value in exchange!" Zara Yun said. "Since you fancy Prince Adrian, I’m happy to help. But there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and you can’t just call off a betrothal for nothing! If you don’t offer something in return, I’m afraid it won’t be so easy."
Wendy Yun looked even more shocked.