Henwell pours a gss of wine for Cao Mingzhi to calm his nerves.

  “I don’t know the exact reason, but I suspect it has something to do with your father. He’s the Left Deputy Minister of Works, right?”

  ”If I’m not mistaken, that position oversees major construction projects. It could be the canals, border fortresses, city walls, or even grand buildings in the capital, including royal supervision. Your father’s jurisdiction covers all of these.”

  Cao Mingzhi nearly breaks down. “But if they kill me, my father won’t just let it go! If they really had demands, they should have kidnapped me, not killed me!”

  Henwell shakes his head. “Kidnapping you would have caused too much commotion. Your father wouldn’t have accepted their terms with so many eyes watching. Killing you sends a message, and your father still has two other children.”

  ”Killing you is a statement, a way to prove something to your father. To achieve their goal, they’re willing to use any means, even killing the children of several high-ranking officials. They’d sacrifice multiple warriors just to demonstrate their power. At that point, your father will be shaken, forced to think twice about any demands they make.”

  Everyone is taken aback by this revetion. After a moment of silence, Huo Xi stands up quickly. “Henwell’s insight is crucial. I must report this immediately.”

  Henwell taps on the table. “Wait, Madam. No matter what their purpose is, this is a conspiracy that could topple the heavens. Not even your father, the head of the Evil-Catcher Department, could handle this alone.”

  Huo Xi and Huo Hao both freeze in pce. Henwell then points outside. “Just now, wasn’t there a distinguished guest? That tall figure is someone capable of turning the tide, a person who can prop up a falling sky. Why not inform him of this matter to get yourself out of trouble?”

  Huo Xi is about to respond when Huo Hao pulls her back.

  Huo Hao solemnly bows to Henwell. “Thank you for your guidance. This great favor will be repaid in the future.”

  With that, Huo Hao leads Huo Xi away.

  The others look at Henwell with mixed emotions, surprise, caution, suspicion.

  Only Cao Mingzhi appears utterly distraught, clearly worried about his future.

  Henwell continues eating and drinking, occasionally praising the fvors of the dishes.

  After a while, someone brings a pot of wine from outside.

  It’s a gift from the tenth prince, Nangong Ying, a small apology for the earlier pressure.

  The banquet ends with everyone feeling uneasy. Just before leaving, Huo Hao returns once more.

  Holding the tenth prince’s token, he sternly reminds everyone present not to speak of today’s events to anyone.

  It’s clear to all that this matter is growing far bigger than they initially thought.

  As Henwell heads downstairs, he encounters a man dressed in an imperial dragon robe, an even more handsome prince.

  The prince looks at Henwell and says, “I heard my tenth brother caused you some embarrassment earlier. He’s young and stubborn, spending most of his time fighting on the frontier. If he offended you in any way, I, as his elder brother, apologize on his behalf.”

  Henwell, clearly fttered, quickly assures him it was all a misunderstanding.

  Before leaving, the prince hands Henwell a token. “I see you as a remarkable and heroic man. I’ll invite you for drinks another time. This is my token. If you ever need anything, come find me directly. I’m Nangong He, the seventh prince of this dynasty. I will welcome you wholeheartedly.”

  After Henwell leaves, one of Nangong He’s attendants whispers, “Your Highness, why bother with this barbarian from the frontier? Is he really worth such grand treatment?”

  Nangong He smiles and shakes his head. “It’s just a small move in the game—whether it matters or not. Since I promised, I won’t spoil the mood. It’s just a gesture, nothing troublesome. You have to put some heart into charming women!”

  Meanwhile, Cao Mingzhi grows even more curious about Henwell. Within a single day, two princes have sought his favor.

  To Cao Mingzhi, Henwell must possess qualities he hasn’t yet recognized.

  That same day, Henwell leaves the capital and returns to his estate.

  That evening, Lucy comes over.

  Seeing Henwell polishing his longsword, her heart skips a beat, and a sweet smile spreads across her face.

  “Henwell, you really stole the show today. Both princes seem to admire you a lot!”

  Henwell puts down the sword and stares at Lucy for a moment before sighing. “Sigh... Why do you always underestimate me?”

  Lucy is taken aback, then looks hurt, her eyes misty. “Did Lucy do something to upset you again?”

  Henwell replies calmly, “So the Yan Jun Mansion is one of your businesses too? You’re quite the skilled entrepreneur. Your pn today was nothing more than to make me dislike Nangong Ying and see Nangong He in a different light.”

  Lucy quickly tries to expin, “Henwell, that’s not what I meant...”

  Henwell waves her off. “No need to expin. It doesn’t matter. I don’t dislike either of them, nor do I think highly of them. Want to know why?”

  Before Lucy can answer, Henwell continues.

  “Because, to me, they’re just like that, mere figures in your world. In my world, those so-called princes don’t even qualify to stand beside me.”

  ”My real opponents are their fathers, the ones truly holding power in this country. They’re just a bunch of ignorant younglings, not even worthy to be my rivals. So your little arrangements? They’re just as ughable to me.”

  Lucy’s expression calms, and she bows slightly. “I was presumptuous. Please forgive me, Henwell. I promise nothing like this will happen again.”

  Henwell picks up the sword and resumes polishing. “You don’t need to apologize or promise. If it happens again, I’ll kill that Nangong He. I know you like him. Believe me, if I decide to kill him, he won’t live past three days.”

  Lucy’s face hardens. “Brother Henwell, please don’t put me in a difficult position!”

  Henwell lowers his head. “What if I insist on making things difficult for you?”

  “In that case, little sister will have to offend you!”

  No sooner have the words fallen than Henwell vanishes from where he stood and appears right in front of Lucy.

  He raises his hand and grabs her by the neck, lifting her off the ground, all while Lucy’s hidden weapons strike him.

  The poisoned darts and needles don’t even pierce Henwell’s skin.

  Calmly, Henwell looks at Lucy, whose face is flushed, and smiles. “Come on, show me what you mean by offending me.”

  As Henwell’s grip tightens, the sound of bones grinding echoes from Lucy’s neck.

  Henwell’s smile fades as he pulls her face close to his and says coldly, “Lucy, this isn’t some game where you pick princes to love after transmigrating. This is a deadly battle where a single mistake can wipe out your entire family.”

  ”If you don’t understand that yet, I’ll join forces with others to petition the higher-ups to strip you of everything, even your memories from your past life. Then you can happily py your love games without any burdens.”