Lingering Threats

As the morning sun tried to pierce into the chamber of the crown prince, the room bore the unmistakable marks of their intense lovemaking from the previous night. Yang Mi lay awake, gazing at the handsome man beside her, who still held her body close to his. His cold yet beautiful face was softened in sleep, and she found herself adoring him more than she expected.

A sudden knock on the door startled her, and she quickly buried her crimson-red face into Bai Jue's sturdy chest. "Your Highness, everyone is here," she whispered, her voice tinged with shyness.

Bai Jue tightened his embrace, reluctant to let go. "Da Yi, I still want to sleep longer with my wife," he called out, his voice half-muffled.

Da Yi's voice came from the other side of the door, laced with urgency. "Your Highness, you have a morning session with the emperor, and if my lady does not attend the selection this morning, she cannot become the crown princess."

Bai Jue's eyes snapped open, and he sat up abruptly. He looked down at Yang Mi, her sweet and cute face filled with embarrassment. "You heard him, Yang Mi. We need to get ready," he said, his tone reluctantly serious.

He helped her out of bed, dismissing Tan Qi's attempts to assist her. Instead, he chose a classical dress of ocean blue, which complemented her fair skin beautifully. The maids and Da Yi watched in astonishment as Bai Jue meticulously dressed Yang Mi, even combing her hair with gentle care before allowing Tan Qi to style it.

"Are you not going to put your hair up, my lady?" Bai Jue asked, a hint of a complaint in his voice as he dressed.

Yang Mi looked at him, a teasing smile on her lips. "Your Highness, I am not yet married. What will happen if I make my hair up as someone else's wife?"

Tan Qi giggled, her hands busy applying powder to Yang Mi's neck to hide the obvious love bites. "My lady, who bit you?" she asked naively.

"A standing dog came to my bed last night and bit me," Yang Mi replied, smiling and blushing at the same time.

Their playful banter was interrupted by Tang Li's entrance. He bowed to Bai Jue, his expression serious. "Your Highness, I have come to check on the lady's condition."

He approached Yang Mi and gently checked her pulse, using a small pillow to support her hand. "The aphrodisiac has left her body, and she is in prime condition. She needs to shield from the wind to maintain her health," he reported.

Da Yi then asked Tang Li to check Bai Jue's pulse. The results showed that the trace of the Love Poison was almost untraceable. Bai Jue was nearly cured. Tang Li's eyes widened in realization, understanding that the antidote for the poison was sitting right beside the crown prince.

They all sat down to breakfast together, Tang Li observing the changes in his friend. The cold and mean crown prince he once knew was now warm and cheerful. It was clear to him that Bai Jue had found his soulmate.

Meanwhile, in the city, Gu Wan Niang paced panickily inside Dong Bo Inn. She had expected to hear news of Yang Mi's downfall but had heard nothing. Her anxiety was palpable.

A familiar figure entered her room, sneaking in like a shadow. It was Chu Yan, the infamous playboy who had been blacklisted by the inn and several other businesses in the capital. He hugged the panicked Wan Niang from behind, planting kisses on her neck.

"Have you found out what happened with the trap last night?" he whispered, his voice a mix of curiosity and frustration.

Wan Niang shook her head, pulling away from his embrace. "No, I don't understand. She should have been ruined, but there's no word of her failure. How could this happen?"

Chu Yan frowned, his mind working quickly. "Someone must have intervened. We need to find out who and why."

Wan Niang's eyes narrowed, her determination hardening. "Bai Jue must have something to do with it. He's always been a thorn in our side. We have to find a way to get rid of her."

Chu Yan smirked, his fingers tracing the line of her jaw. "And how do you propose we do that, my dear?"

Wan Niang pulled away, pacing again. "We need to be more careful. No more reckless plans. We need to gather information and strike when the time is right."

Back at the palace, Yang Mi and Bai Jue finished their breakfast. Tang Li couldn't help but notice how the two interacted, the way Bai Jue's eyes softened whenever he looked at Yang Mi, and how she seemed to bring out a warmth in him that no one else could.

"Your Highness, my lady, you both should prepare for the day," Tang Li reminded them gently.

Yang Mi nodded, standing up gracefully. "Thank you, Lord Tang Li. I feel much better now."

Bai Jue stood as well, taking her hand. "Remember, Yang Mi, I'll always be here for you. No matter what happens, you have my support."

Yang Mi smiled, her heart swelling with affection. "And I'll be here for you, Bai Jue."

As Yang Mi walked towards the selection hall with Tan Qi, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The palace was beautiful, but it was also filled with hidden dangers and deceitful plots. She needed to stay alert and use all her wits to navigate the treacherous waters of the court.

"Tan Qi, we need to be extra careful. I don't trust Gu Wan Niang. She's up to something," Yang Mi whispered as they walked.

Tan Qi nodded, her eyes wide with determination. "I'll keep an eye out, my lady. We won't let her get the better of us."

As they entered the selection hall, the other candidates turned to look at Yang Mi. She felt their eyes on her, some filled with jealousy, others with admiration. Gu Wan Niang stood among them, her gaze cold and calculating.

"Welcome back, ladies," the head eunuch announced. "Today, we will continue the selection process. Only the most worthy will advance."