126. Hand It Over

"Are you alright?"

She looked at Ye Xuan. It was his attempt to shield his own people that had led to him being wounded just moments ago.

"I am fine."

"Fine? You’ve lost so much blood from your hand." She hurriedly began to dress his wound, tying a cord to stem the flow, applying medicine, and wrapping it tightly.

Ye Xuan remained silent, simply watching Si Nuosang.

Yi Yi stood to the side, holding a bowl of medicine. Her face was expressionless, but her heart was churning with intense jealousy. Why couldn't this man just die? Why did he have to come and steal her Si Nuosang? She detested him from the bottom of her heart.

Although Si Nuosang had once been with Xuanyuan Juesi—and perhaps might be again in the future—Yi Yi did not resent him. Perhaps it was because she had served under him since she was young. She knew deeply that the Prince was the person most suited for Si Nuosang. While she felt jealousy toward him, it was nothing like the hatred she felt for Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan did not care about Yi Yi; as long as she posed no threat, her hatred was of no consequence to him.

"Yi Yi, you go ahead and attend to your tasks." After finishing the bandage, Si Nuosang seemed to have something to say to Ye Xuan.

"Yes." And so, Yi Yi was cast aside. Unreconciled, she stepped out of the room, fuming with suppressed anger, and ran outside to catch some air.

In truth, Si Nuosang only had her best interests at heart, wanting to keep her away from these dangerous affairs. She wanted to protect Yi Yi, but Yi Yi perceived it differently, convinced that Ye Xuan had usurped her place. From the depths of her soul, she loathed Ye Xuan. Now, that hatred burned even brighter. She ran frantically outside the city walls and sat beneath a tree, tears streaming down her face. She fought desperately not to show her true feelings in front of Si Nuosang, not wanting to be disliked, but her heart was in agony.

"How is it? My proposal was correct, wasn't it? As long as Ye Xuan is around, you, Yi Yi, will never return to your former position. You will no longer exist in Si Nuosang’s eyes." Qin Shuang appeared behind her.

"Shut up." Yi Yi glared at Qin Shuang with fury, pointing a finger at her. "Do you think I’m truly a fool? I am not naive enough to do everything you want. This will hurt Si Nuosang. Don’t think for a moment that I can be manipulated by you."

"True, you are no fool. But you understand the situation perfectly, don't you? This plan is good for both of us. Besides, we have already lured Ye Xuan here. Do you think there will be a better opportunity if we don't act now?"

Qin Shuang wore a serpentine smile—beautiful, yet lethally venomous. Yi Yi knew there was no turning back. If she backed out now, Qin Shuang would go to Si Nuosang and expose their collusion, and she would lose Si Nuosang all the same.

"Rest assured, what needs to be done will be done. You don't need to remind me. Furthermore, Qin Shuang, I may have no martial arts, but I have a brain. If you dare to harm even a hair on Si Nuosang’s head, I will make you pay."

Yi Yi stared at her coldly, and for a moment, Qin Shuang felt a flicker of fear. Looking at this young woman, she was struck by how truly wicked she had become.

"You and I are very much alike. I must heed a warning from someone of my own kind." Qin Shuang agreed, though the fear lasted only for an instant before vanishing. To her, Yi Yi was still too green; she could never be a true rival.

"Better that way, though we are not the same. Your hands are stained with blood, while mine are clean."

"Oh, are they? One day, your hands will be stained with blood too, because you are currently consumed by evil. Consumed by jealousy. Take this. Just a little is enough; too much will lead to discovery."

Qin Shuang handed Yi Yi a small paper packet. Yi Yi took it and spat, "Get out."

Hearing the word "jealousy" made Yi Yi point at her again. If she weren't still a useful pawn, Yi Yi would have seen her dead countless times over. Qin Shuang left. Yi Yi’s tears had stopped. She forced herself to calm down, and after a while, she acted as if nothing had happened. She pulled the small paper packet from her robes.

Her resolve was set: Ye Xuan had to be removed from Si Nuosang’s side. Si Nuosang belonged to her alone.

Qin Shuang had accelerated the timeline because the Thousand Gates sect had begun tracking her movements. They would arrive soon, so she had to secure the object before they did. Yi Yi had to succeed this time.

Upon returning, Yi Yi opened the packet and added a quarter of the powder to the tea. Qin Shuang had said a little was enough, so she only added a slight amount. She then took the tea into Si Nuosang’s room. Si Nuosang had a habit of drinking a cup every night. To ensure no one else consumed it, she ordered that no one be allowed near—using the excuse that she didn't want anyone to disturb Si Nuosang's sleep.

When Si Nuosang entered the room with Ye Xuan, Yi Yi’s brow furrowed. Why was Ye Xuan entering the room? Could it be that they shared that kind of relationship? At this thought, she clenched her fists. Fine, then. His presence only made it easier for him to be caught.

After waiting for a while, she heard the sound of two bodies hitting the floor. She had watched through the window as they drank, and she heard the collapse as she turned to leave.

The effect of the drug would last a long time, but she didn't intend to enter right away. What if it were a trap? Yi Yi was sharp; she didn't act personally. She gave a signal. Qin Shuang arrived, and the two masked women entered the room.

Qin Shuang listened to their breathing, confirming they were unconscious. She took the stone from Si Nuosang’s robes and ordered her men to carry Ye Xuan away. She left Si Nuosang alone in the room and dumped Ye Xuan outside.

She left with the stone. Si Nuosang had never anticipated such an event. The next day, when she awoke, she was livid and summoned everyone.

"What is it, Nuosang?"

"Where is Ye Xuan?"

"I don't know." Yi Yi shook her head.

Seeing Si Nuosang clutching the teacup, Yi Yi guessed she had realized something. Of course, the drug was the most famous concoction of the Ye Manor; a simple investigation would reveal the truth.

"Send men to find him. You must find him!"

Si Nuosang’s stone was gone, and so was Ye Xuan. It was Ye Xuan who had poured her tea yesterday. She had fallen unconscious immediately after drinking it.

*Ye Xuan, how could you do this?*

To think he had stolen her time-travel device—Si Nuosang was consumed by rage. She took the tea to a local informant and discovered it was indeed from the Ye Manor. All evidence pointed to Ye Xuan, and Si Nuosang felt utterly betrayed.

When Ye Xuan woke up and found himself outside, he rushed back, only to have Si Nuosang point her sword directly at him.

"Give it back."