The Royal Decree Scheme

As the early morning sun came to grace the general's manor, so did the sudden news of the eldest miss being invited to the palace. The estate was still tranquil since many of its occupants had not yet awakened. The general was nowhere to be seen, and many of the servants were greatly surprised, but they kept their head down, biting their tongue. Who didn't hear of Hongyue's sudden rise in favor from last night? Who didn't know of the second madam go went crazy after stealing something from the eldest miss?

Who still dared to look down at her?

Meanwhile, Hongyue's own heart had already apprehended something was wrong in this situation. How could the third prince get something so essential within such a short amount of time? Why so early? Although she did ask for the edict, there was no way it could all be done within a night just for a simple eldest miss like her. With so many questions, Hongyue could tell this wasn't normal. However, Hongyue didn't allow it to show on her face. With a radiant smile locked in place, she strode from the courtyard to the front of the manor like a foolishly happy eldest miss.

Upon reaching the entrance, Hongyue let out a small smile and accepted the proclamation from the head eunuch, her eyes studying the servant holding the edict. Bowing, she placed both hands outward above her head. The royal decree was carefully placed in her hands. However, a small, prickling feeling could also be felt from the side of her left hand. A slightly numbing sensation spread throughout her arm, and Hongyue's eyes darkened at the pain, but she didn't let out a sound.

The eunuch stepped back, and his face was frowning. Nevertheless, he waved for the eldest miss to get on to the carriage. He looked back to his right and nodded for the transport to start its way to the palace. The carriage was lifted up by well-dressed servants, and the palace servants moved away from the manor uniformly, their movement slightly odd. As quickly as the palace servants arrived, they left, leaving nothing but an empty spot that felt like nothing happened at all.

After a little bit, from inside the carriage, Hongyue gently lifted the slightly faded curtain and looked out to the scenery. Her eyes seemed to darken when it caught sight of the rocky trail she was heading on, and she flipped the curtain down into place. Hongyue tilted her face to the front. Her fingers were lightly stroking a sleek black snake that laid nestled sleeping in her lap, and her eyes held not a drop of emotion as a wicked smile slowly crawled up her lips. Hongyue gently rubbed the top of the forehead of the snake as she clicked her tongue.

Thinking of the sharp pain from before, she lifted her left hand into her sight. Her entire arm was already felt numb even though there weren't visible changes to be seen by the eye.

Poisoned.

Hongyue had already found it strange that the third prince himself wasn't here, the edict must not be sent by the prince himself. Now she was poisoned once again.

Always the same tricks.

How amusing.

Although, there was an edict sent for her. It didn't seem to be written by the Emperor either, and it was way too early to commence a simple meet. Her eyes narrowed. There appeared to foul play involved, however just who made this move? They really didn't want her to make it into the palace alive.

Although the hand played was new, Hongyue wasn't surprised. She had anticipated this much from the moment she was awakened by the servants.

With a quick spin of her finger, a growing drop of purplish-green liquid flowed out from the tiny wound on her hand. Hongyue stared at the droplet with great interest and opened her lips.

"Hey," Her cold voice broke through the silence and seemed to hang in the air. The carriage continued. However, Hongyue could feel a slight tension beginning to appear.

"What is bothering this miss? Would you like to turn back?" The head eunuch's voice flowed into the carriage.

Hongyue's smile grew wider, hearing his words. It was an imperial edict; how could a simple eldest miss like her refuse?

So many tricks, so many tricks, Hongyue shook her head mockingly.

"Is head eunuch trying to tell me to disobey the imperial edict?" She asked, her eyes gleaming. There a slight movement outside, and all of a sudden, the carriage stopped. The carriage collapsed on the rough dirt road, and the termor could be felt throughout the entire wooden compartment. The sudden jolt seemed to wake the snake, and Hongyue's eyes flashed.

Already?

Hongyue calmly sat in place, but it wasn't long before the front fabric opening was ripped open. A dark bloodthirsty pair of eyes stared back at her. Hongyue's lips arched in a mocking sneer.

"Oh? I don't seem to recall inviting the head eunuch into the carriage. Is something wrong?"