Night was gradually falling, and the garden outside was filled with the sound of birds returning to their nests.
With darkness settling in, every part of the plan began to unfold, bit by bit.
(Ivy Shen, in her Sherry persona, feigned chest tightness and asked Jude Song to dine with her—just as planned, to make herself unforgettable. Beneath the act, Ivy's true mind was already calculating her next move.)
“Sherry, are you feeling any better now?” Jude Song asked with concern, picking out a choice dish and handing it to her.
Seeing this, Sherry gave a faint smile. “I’m fine,” she said, lowering her head and sighing as if still unwell.
Sure enough, Jude Song trembled when he heard that. "Sherry..."
“Your Highness, don’t come any closer. I want you to be safe—Sherry doesn’t want you hurt. Please, don’t come over!” she called out. She’d planned this move to tug at Jude’s heartstrings; the more moved he was, the less likely he’d hurt her, and the greater their chance to escape.
“Goslyn Goss, if you so much as touch a hair on Sherry’s head, I’ll wipe out your entire clan!” Jude threatened viciously.
(Ivy’s inner monologue:) Hearing that, Ivy couldn’t help but feel grossed out. Be with her? With those twisted habits of his? (But outwardly, she kept Sherry’s gentle, lovesick act perfectly in place.)
“Your Highness, promise me you’ll live well. Sherry would die happy. Archers, let loose...” she closed her eyes, bracing herself.
“No one move! If anyone harms Sherry, I’ll execute your entire family!” Jude shouted.
“Sherry, my sweet Sherry...” Who knew a woman’s hand could be this soft? Even rich girls soaking their hands in milk all day couldn’t compare. If her hand’s like this, then... Jude’s mind started to wander, but he quickly shook it off.
Feeling awkward and flustered, Jude quickly let go of her hand, worried that if he kept going, he might lose his composure.
“Your Highness, you should go take care of your business. Sherry will wait for you to come back,” she said quickly.
Jude took a deep breath. “Alright, I’ll be back soon. Be good and wait for me.” He gazed at her lovely face, determined to hold her tonight—at least to feel what it’s like to have her in his arms.
(The moment Jude was gone, Ivy dropped the act. She rushed to the washbasin and scrubbed her hands as if she could wash off the whole encounter. Ugh, so disgusting! Who knows what kind of disease he has!)
Jude hadn’t been gone long when Nina Xu arrived. The guards saw it was her and, used to her visits, let her in without a second thought.
“Is everything ready?” Ivy asked Nina, knowing this was a huge gamble. After tonight, she’d be a target wherever she went—unless Jude was dethroned!
“Don’t worry, I’m totally prepared,” Nina replied, dead serious and absolutely fearless.
Sherry nodded. The plan was about to begin.
A short while later—
“Noble Lady Lana? Noble Lady Lana, what are you doing?” Suddenly, Nina Xu had changed into black clothes, a sharp sword held to Ivy’s throat.
“Back off!” Nina shouted, dragging Ivy step by step toward the door.
A guard quickly called out, “Hurry, go report to the Crown Prince!”
Seeing this, Nina grabbed Ivy and leaped up onto the rooftop, sprinting into the darkness.
Ivy knew the palace was packed with dangers—the only safe route was the rooftops. If you wanted to escape, the roof was the safest way out. Otherwise, you’d just be stumbling around in the dark, risking hidden traps and all sorts of unnecessary trouble.
“You know martial arts?” Nina sped toward the North Gate with Ivy, but to Ivy’s surprise, it was almost effortless. She’d started out leading, but now Nina was practically carrying her along!
“Focus!” Ivy frowned, gripping Nina’s hand as they raced in that direction. She’d calculated it out—Jude Song should show up right as they reached the North Gate, and that was her chance to really throw him off.
The palace was full of experts, but that didn’t faze her. Cao Wan’er was definitely a force to be reckoned with, but her injuries probably hadn’t healed yet. Besides, she wouldn’t dare show up tonight—not with all the chaos of the escape. Jude Song would have to go himself, so Cao Wan’er wouldn’t risk exposing her identity or making a move while still hurt.
As for the other tough opponent, Silver Consort, that was part of Ivy’s plan too. When Liam Willow was leaving, she’d already set everything up: Liam pretended to act dazed in front of the Empress and, ‘possessed,’ blurted out that the force controlling him to want Cao Wan’er dead was in Ruiland City. Ivy knew the paranoid Empress would send Silver Consort off to investigate, clearing that troublemaker out of the way!
“Stop right there!” By the time Ivy finished recalling her plan, they’d reached the rooftop above the North Gate. Down below, archers were everywhere, arrows drawn, itching to shoot them dead.
“Hide completely behind me,” Ivy whispered. She knew these archers would shoot the moment they got a chance. Ancient soldiers were dumb—they’d grab the hostage but stand off to the side, making themselves easy targets. The only safe move was to hide the hostage entirely behind your own body, so no matter the angle, it was impossible to get a clean shot.
“Hahaha, I’m going to kill her!” Nina Xu shouted, laughing maniacally.
(This chapter isn’t over yet~ Please click next page for more!)
Just then, Jude Song rushed over with a crowd of guards. Seeing the scene, he roared, “Lana Qiu, what are you doing?”
“What am I doing? Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to kill her!”
“You’re insane! Aren’t you two supposed to be sisters?” Jude shouted, furious.
Nina laughed loudly. “Are you stupid? I only used her! I’d never be sisters with an idiot like her. Jude Song, I came here to kill you, but your defenses are insane. Since I can’t kill you, I’ll kill the one you love most. At least then I’ll get my revenge.”
Jude frowned. “Who are you really?”
“Who am I? Do you remember Goswin Goss?” Nina shouted, dropping Ivy’s fake alias and revealing her true identity. She wasn’t going to hide anymore—her real goal was revenge, and only by showing her true self could she throw Jude off the scent.
Ivy frowned slightly. From the moment Nina said those words, Ivy already understood what she was thinking—she was doing it for Ivy’s sake.
“Who are you, really?” Jude Song snapped to attention at the mention of that name.
“My name is Goslyn Goss. I’m his sister, and I’m here for revenge. Haven’t you noticed how much we look alike?” Nina sneered.
Jude was stunned for a moment. Images of Goswin Goss flashed through his mind. He looked up at the woman above—yes, the resemblance was striking.
“I told you, I came here to kill you. But you’re surrounded by experts, so I couldn’t get close. Then I met her—this foolish woman. When she found out who I was, she begged me not to kill you, said she’d trade her life for yours. Isn’t that ridiculous? There really are idiots like her in the world.” Nina embellished the story just as Ivy had instructed.
Sure enough, Jude Song trembled when he heard that. “Chloe...”
“Your Highness, don’t come any closer. I want you to be safe—Chloe doesn’t want you hurt. Please, don’t come over!” she called out. She’d planned this move to tug at Jude’s heartstrings; the more moved he was, the less likely he’d hurt her, and the greater their chance to escape.
“Goslyn Goss, if you so much as touch a hair on Chloe’s head, I’ll wipe out your entire clan!” Jude threatened viciously.
Nina just scoffed. “Find our tribe first, then we’ll talk!”
“Your Highness, promise me you’ll live well. Chloe would die happy. Archers, let loose...” she closed her eyes, bracing herself.
“No one move! If anyone harms Chloe, I’ll execute your entire family!” Jude shouted.
Just then, a guard suddenly yelled, “Your Highness, there’s a fire in the East Palace!”
“What?” Everyone turned to look. Ivy seized the moment, grabbed Nina, and leaped down from the rooftop.
******* Preview Break ********
PS: Dear readers, Volume Two ends here! Tomorrow marks the beginning of Volume Three: ‘Homecoming’—the final volume! (Big updates Wednesday and Thursday!)