Morgan Shangguan let out a bitter laugh. So, in order to fulfill her sister and Crown Prince Adrian, she was pushed forward—sacrificed, really—yet they acted as if they were bestowing some favor. How utterly ridiculous!
Anyone with half a brain would realize that this marriage alliance was no blessing. Exiled from home, left without support—and as the princess consort, she would never become empress. Emperor Ming was a fifty-year-old man. She didn’t know what Crown Prince Adrian of the Azure Kingdom was like, but he surely wouldn’t be worse. If she became Crown Princess, and the prince ascended, she’d be empress. The difference was obvious.
But fortunately, Morgan Shangguan was not a true princess, so Emperor Ming likely wouldn’t use her as a hostage. And if she’d really been so timid and easily bullied in her past life, the Azure Kingdom wouldn’t expect her to send out any secret messages. So what was the real reason for this alliance? Surely it wasn’t just to foster friendship between two nations. Her instincts told her it couldn’t be that simple!
Morgan Shangguan ignored the swaggering Serena Yuan and lay down on the bed. She needed rest, to let her soul and body fully merge.
"You... Morgan Shangguan! How dare you ignore me! I’ll definitely tell Second Miss!"
Morgan Shangguan curled her lips. It seemed she’d always been oppressed by her own sister. Tell Second Miss? Has she forgotten where she is now?
Serena Yuan’s cheeks flushed with anger. In the past, with Second Miss backing her, she could bully Morgan Shangguan without fear. Now, as soon as Morgan became Princess Consort, she started showing her true colors!
Serena Yuan snorted coldly, stomped out heavily, muttering that she’d make Morgan Shangguan pay.
Morgan Shangguan opened her eyes, watching Serena Yuan’s departing figure, a flash of coldness in her gaze. If not for someone watching from the shadows, she would never let a maid climb over her and act so brazenly!
She let out a soft snort and closed her eyes again.
In the deep of night, the moonlight was enchanting.
Morgan Shangguan suddenly opened her eyes, a mysterious smile slowly forming. The wind howled, carrying with it an eerie chill in the darkness, and faint sobbing sounds mingled with the wind, making the night feel even more sinister and terrifying.
But for someone who spent her days among ghosts and had visited Yama's Hall several times, this was nothing to fear!
"Ah..." A shrill scream echoed, the sound chillingly desperate.
Morgan could tell the scream belonged to Serena Yuan. She turned over, ignoring the commotion outside and continued sleeping. Still, she tugged the quilt tighter around herself—she didn’t want to catch a cold from the draft.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, Ethan Gu saw Maxwell Jing swaggering toward the Nether Court, twirling his folding fan and humming a tune—clearly in high spirits.
Ethan Gu hurried after him, suspicion in his voice. "What did you do?"
Maxwell Jing snapped his fan shut and grinned, "Pretending to be a ghost and scaring people is such a thrill—especially when you nearly frighten someone to death!"
Ethan Gu’s face changed. "You actually... The prince didn’t tell you to touch her!"
Maxwell Jing shot him a glance. "I know my limits. Without Prince Damien’s orders, I wouldn’t kill that woman. But for a spy, how could I not teach her a lesson?"
Ethan Gu frowned and followed Maxwell Jing toward the Shadow Court. To be honest, he was uneasy.
In the Shadow Court, Morgan Shangguan had her breakfast set out in the courtyard, sitting alone at the table, sipping porridge with elegance. Although the Ghost King's Manor had no maids—only men—they were surprisingly good at serving her.
Morgan was clearly in a good mood—after a single night's sleep, her spiritual power had returned, so she no longer needed to be so cautious.
Maxwell Jing and Ethan Gu entered to see this scene. Surprise flashed in Maxwell's eyes, and Ethan Gu frowned before turning and leaving.
Maxwell Jing quickly hid his expression and, with a roguish smile, said, "Princess Consort, Prince Damien sent me to check if you’re comfortable here."
Morgan’s gaze dropped, hiding her amusement. She replied calmly, "It’s not bad."
"Where’s Princess Consort’s maid? Why isn’t she here serving you?" The question was a bit suspicious, but curiosity got the better of him.
Last night, he hadn’t noticed any commotion from the Princess Consort and thought she was hiding under her quilt, trembling or perhaps fainted with fright. This morning, he expected to see her pale and listless, but instead, she looked radiant.
Even a man would feel a hint of fear! And according to the records, this Princess Consort was truly someone who was bullied and timid—how could she have no reaction at all? Was she just a heavy sleeper? No, that maid screamed so loudly, even the deepest sleeper should have woken!
Morgan sipped her porridge, frowning slightly, then said unhurriedly, "I planned to have Serena Yuan serve me this morning, but found her collapsed on the ground, eyes wide, face twisted, body cold and stiff—already dead. Judging by the scene, she must have been scared to death." With that, she took another sip of porridge.
Three dark lines slid down Maxwell Jing’s forehead—he was petrified for a moment, then forced a sheepish smile. "As long as Princess Consort is comfortable, that’s good. Prince Damien has other tasks for me, so I’ll get to work!"
Then he bolted as if his tail were on fire. He had to report to Prince Damien—this was serious! That woman was far from simple!
The information they’d gathered was nothing like the Princess Consort’s real situation. Just how deeply was this woman hiding her true self? Or...
Watching Maxwell Jing’s retreating figure, Morgan Shangguan’s lips curled slightly as she continued her breakfast.
Damien Gray raised his arms for his attendants to help him dress. Hearing what Ethan Gu reported, he wasn’t surprised—he simply said, "She wasn’t frightened by Maxwell’s prank?" His voice was gentle, but carried a deep, unreadable meaning.
"Bang..."
The door was kicked open, slamming hard against the wall with a loud crash.
"Prince Damien, something’s wrong!" Maxwell Jing burst in, shouting like a banshee.