Chapter 4: Species of Another World

“We—Miss, she, she...”

“The matter that Madam entrusted to us has long been completed. How could we not be attentive to Madam’s affairs? From now on, this General’s Residence will be Madam’s domain. Doggie and I rely entirely on Madam’s favor,” Wang Er interrupted Doggie hastily, noticing his stammering and sensing he was about to reveal what happened that day. He quickly lied to the Second Madam.

Wang Er understood perfectly well who the Second Madam was. When the First Madam had a difficult childbirth, the Second Madam had a hand in it—though no one, not even the General, knew what methods she used. This only proved how formidable her skills and cunning truly were.

Wang Er was a clever man; he knew how to choose wisely. Otherwise, he would not have agreed to help the Second Madam kill the eldest Miss. Although the eldest Miss was the General’s legitimate daughter, her status was low. She lacked spiritual energy and was naïve, with no scheming mind—how could she outwit the Second Madam? Moreover, the Second Madam had a daughter whose spiritual energy had reached the green level. Thus, Wang Er believed his choice was right; he had to cling tightly to the Second Madam’s influence.

“In that case, the two of you may go claim your reward. But remember to keep your mouths shut; otherwise, heh heh,” the Second Madam said with a low laugh as she rose. The pink silk she wore made her appear enchanting beyond measure.

Indeed, the Second Madam was bewitching. Despite being in her early thirties, her figure was as alluring as that of a young woman in her twenties, yet she exuded the mature charm of a grown woman. Wang Er and Doggie both swallowed hard, captivated.

After dismissing the two men, the Second Madam entered the inner chamber, which was decorated with equally seductive elegance. Pink silk curtains fluttered gently in the breeze, and the fragrant incense filled the room with a drowsy haze.

“Mother, is Yun Nuoxue dead?” The woman lying on the bed looked pale and weak, clearly gravely injured.

“Qing’er, rest assured. I’ve already taken care of that wretched girl. Now you only need to focus on healing,” the Second Madam said with a frown, gently supporting Yun Qing. “You’ve already reached the green spiritual level; how could you be so badly beaten by that useless girl?”

“Mother, Yun Nuoxue deceived us. She’s not useless at all—she’s reached the blue spiritual level. Otherwise, how could she have injured me?” Yun Qing clenched the blanket tightly, her eyes burning with fierce hatred.

How could it be? Yun Nuoxue could only be useless, doomed to live forever in her shadow. But now she had indeed reached the blue level. She would surely snatch everything away from her, even the Crown Prince. No, Yun Nuoxue must die—only death could prevent her from stealing what was hers.

“What? That wretched girl is already blue level? She hid it so well. Fortunately, we killed her today. If she had grown stronger, we would have been doomed,” the Second Madam said coldly.

“Daughter, rest well. Your future belongs to me. Hold the Crown Prince’s heart firmly; becoming Crown Princess is just a matter of time,” she said before leaving the room with her trusted aides.

“Master, shall we head straight to the inn or go to the palace?” the carriage driver asked as they entered the capital city.

The capital bustled with endless crowds. Famous inns, street food stalls, even brothels lined the streets. Vendors shouted loudly, advertising new wares and phrases continuously.

“First, go to the inn.”

“Yes, Master.”

Inside the inn, Xuanyuan Yu cradled a small white fox in his arms. The creature seemed to be sleeping soundly. This little fox was none other than Nuoxue from the twenty-first century.

“Master, no suspicious signs found. Could that old man be deceiving us?” Han Bing reported from the side, his face tinged with frustration.

“Master, it is my fault for failing,” Lie Yan knelt on one knee, self-reproaching. Unlike Han Bing, their personalities were opposite to their names. Lie Yan was cold, taciturn, and methodical. Han Bing was impatient and full of his own ideas.

“You both may leave. I know what I must do,” Xuanyuan Yu said, dismissing them as he sat on the bed and gently set down the little fox, his eyes weary with experience.

He believed the soothsayer’s words. The cold poison was something he controlled; his life was saved by that man. How could he not trust him? Yet the mystery of the alien species remained—what was it? Where was it? And how could he rid himself of the cold poison?

“Squeak, squeak.” Ah, such a good sleep—she hadn’t slept this well in a long time. Since coming to this strange world, she had been constantly anxious, fearing someone would catch her to stew her in a soup. Life was so hard and pitiful, she thought.