Though Wufu’s words seemed both real and fake, and she even showed the letter from Saintess Ah Sang to him, Ah Jiu still appeared somewhat skeptical, as it was too coincidental. However, Chi Er and others were indeed not in Changan anymore; they had gone to Miaojiang with their people, leaving him unable to find any flaw for the moment.

Unbeknownst to him, Wufu had imposed a strict gag order early on, even orchestrating a show with others. The letter, naturally, was written by Ah Sang ahead of time just to address his doubts.

Three days went by quickly. During these days, Ah Jiu didn’t feel anything amiss and gradually eased his mind. However, whenever he saw that soup and smelled the bloody scent, his eyebrows would involuntarily furrow, feeling extraordinarily uneasy.

"Where’s the girl?" Ah Jiu asked Xiao Li.

Xiao Li felt a chill down his spine but respectfully smiled, saying, "Master forgot that today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday, and the girl was conferred the title of County Lord. She is invited to the Imperial Banquet and is busy dressing up, hence unable to come here. She already sent someone to tell me that she will visit the Beast-fighting Palace to watch the match later!"

Ah Jiu suddenly understood.

"Master, drink it while it’s hot; you’ll have to go to the Beast-fighting Palace soon." Xiao Li urged.

Ah Jiu finally remembered that today was also the day of the horseball match between Beiyan and Nanyue. He also recalled his prepared plan, his heart stirred, and he excitedly drank the soup that he found unsettling, not noticing Xiao Li’s relieved expression. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

...

On another side, Purple Jade looked at Wufu’s pale face sorrowfully, eyes reddened, watching her drink the blood-tonifying soup.

"Dear Purple Jade, make sure you don’t show this expression in front of Ah Jiu, or the cover will be blown." Wufu said with a smile.

Purple Jade glanced at her bandaged finger, gritting her teeth, "I wish I could dig out that damned Xue Dizi and whip his corpse."

If it weren’t for him, how would the Lord and the girl suffer such great hardships?

"It’s a pity that he had long prepared an escape route; he didn’t even leave us a chance to whip the corpse." He turned into water; how could you whip?

Wufu had to admit that Xue Dizi was truly a ruthless man, ruthless enough with himself. Only those who are ruthless to themselves can be called truly ruthless, unafraid of death, even letting their bones dissolve; he really knew how to go to extremes.

"Enough talking. Draw my face properly so Ah Jiu doesn’t suspect anything, and as for my mother, seal her mouth tight for me." Wufu ordered her.

Purple Jade nodded, personally applying makeup to her.

Following the schedule, first, watch the match between Beiyan and Nanyue, then attend the Imperial Banquet that afternoon. She would need to dress up again, but fortunately, the clothes and jewelry were prepared in advance.

Purple Jade skillfully applied the makeup, covering Wufu’s pallid face caused by blood loss with cosmetics. But ultimately, even though the makeup made her look rosy, her body had lost much blood, making her not as robust as usual, giving off a slightly frail impression, becoming more gentle.

"A bit too plain, switch to that light purple dress with embroidered cherry blossoms." Wufu looked at her gown and said.

Purple Jade chuckled, "Usually your gowns are mostly in plain colors, that’s the first time I’ve heard you say it’s plain." Saying this, she felt a pang of sourness in her heart. If she didn’t look frail, how would she wear these bright colors to conceal it, just to ensure others wouldn’t notice.

The girl is sometimes sharp-tongued and stubborn, yet when she needs to be gentle, she is softer than anyone, thinking more, just like now for Ah Jiu.

It shows how cold and soft the heart can be depending on who it concerns. Even the toughest person has a soft side.