"My lady, I already burned all the slavery contracts. As per your instructions, they are all given huge compensations for the years of their loyal service to the manor."

After I begged the male lead, perhaps he finally pitied me or he just wants to humiliate me, Li Han agreed and released my people.

"And Jin'er?"

"She.. insist on seeing you my lady. That girl is very stubborn and said that she won't leave your side."

In my bed, I hugged my knees to my chest and rested my cheek on one knee, closing my eyes.

Bai Muro didn't object when I decided the dismissal of all of my servants and as their compensation, I granted their freedom, freed from slavery. Aside from that, I also gave them a good amount of silvers for them to restart their new life.

I was too late and couldn't salvage their tongues. I'm afraid that the next time, I.. won't be able to save their lives.

These days, Bai Muro's face was dark and ugly. The Prime Minister House became a laughing stock in the capital for having a bunch of mute servants. But he was forced to swallow his own blood because he couldn't retaliate to the humiliation caused by the fourth prince.

"These batch of new servants are very responsible and loyal. Please use them my lady."

"Leave. And.. take them with you."

"Yes, rest well my lady." Gu Mama– the head maid, bowed and left with the others.

Few minutes later, knocks came from the door.

"Come in."

I lifted my eyes. I walked towards him, he was hurt and bleeding.

"You're hurt."

Lu Kai knelt in one knee, his eyes lowered as he presented me a letter. Ahg! My chest hurts. He's mute now.

I bit my lips as I reached for the letter: 'Nan King is in critical condition.'

"Where is Lu Yi?" When I noticed that Lu Yi wasn't with him. My heart staggered.

"Is he.. d-dead?"

Lu Kai strongly shook his head. He passed another letter: 'Lu Yi is missing after the mission.'

The letter crumpled in my hands. I think either the assassins took him or maybe it was the Nan King's side. I wish it's the latter. 'Please God.'

"You have a new mission. Search for Lu Yi. Find him no matter what."

Lu Kai was now down with both knees, his palms in placed as he banged his head to the floor repeatedly. My head throbbed seeing this scene.

"Stop it. You can't change my mind. I will send another person to complete my plan. Your priority now is to find your twin."

"Go. Treat your wounds first." Noticing his red-rimmed eyes, I turned around, showing my back towards him.

"Lu Kai, I'm your master. Do what I say."

For a few seconds, Lu Kai remained on the floor. When I heard him standing up, I finally felt relieved. The door closed and his steps faded away.

Minutes later, knocks came again. That person entered when I told her to.

"Forgive me my lady, but the Master summons you in the main courtyard." Gu Mama saluted.

"Why?"

There was a moment of silence.

"His.. Highness Nan King has ordered someone to bring you my lady to the Prince's manor."

"Someone?"

"It's the Duke of Hebei."

My eyes narrowed. The plot is ongoing. It means my death is near.

Gu Mama asked the new servants to dress me. After the preparation, we proceeded to the main courtyard.

Not far from the door, I heard Bai Muro's voice. "Did he really think that he could become the emperor without my family's support? Without me? After offending this minister? Huh!"

The servants greeted me first before they opened the door.

Bai Muro beamed at me. "Nüér, it's good you're here. Come."

"Greetings to His Highness, Duke of Hebei."

Beside the protagonist, Li Nian is one of the most popular character in the novel, the most trusted ally of the male lead. The readers called him the 'Gorilla' a.k.a. 'the funny muscleman sidekick' of the male lead. Li Han and Li Nian are best friends since kids and have been through a lot together.

But in the end of the novel, this seemingly lowly and lovable character turns out to be the secret villain behind a conspiracy. He is an antagonists who are not revealed to be bad until a certain point in the story.

In the novel, Chu Wanwan is the first love of Li Nian.

Two years ago, Li Nian received an imperial order to be a spy and he successfully infiltrated the Chu Empire. There, he met and fell in love with the female lead.

During childhood, the male lead was known as the Dog Prince— who likes acting as a trained loyal pet to his royal siblings, who wait and sit at his master's orders, whilst the villain was called the Wolf Prince— who hunts and kill! Touch him and you won't even know how you died.

If the male lead was a person who pretends submission, the villain was more forward, he'll show his smiles and canines to everyone, making people fear him.

There were a lot of rumors circulating around the Wolf Prince, and the famous one was about a merchant family from Jinling Province. It said, while traveling, one night the Wolf Prince invited himself into that family's manor and when morning came, the people inside were all gruesomely hacked to death by someone. They were all brutally murdered, from servants to masters. No one was spared.

The rumors said it was the Wolf Prince but no witnesses and evidence appeared so the case was dismissed.

The novel's villain Li Nian is the only son of the late Prince Li Chen (brother of Emperor Li Hai). He is the tyrant who killed countless of people.

He's a spy, an assassin, a prince.

Only one thing came into my mind— I just met another psycho!

"Don't stand on ceremony, Lady Bai."