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Meng Fuyao snorted coldly, wracking her brain to recall when she had taken off her mask and who had seen it. But how on earth could she remember when she had taken off her mask in these past few years? And even when she had, the people nearby had either been a girl selling flowers or an old man delivering vegetables. Or perhaps, it had been a child that she had not had her guard up against? Who would remember who had taken down her real appearance? The reason why she wore a mask was that it was convenient to move around in, not because she, in any way, needed to hide it away. How would she have her guard up against something she believed was insignificant?

”Fuyao, my daughter.” Feng Xuan no longer bothered himself with Feng Jingfan and, instead, looked up at her and gave her a fatherly smile. With his arms wide open, he gently called to her, ”Here, let father take a good look at you.”

In the palace, Feng Xuan opened his arms, welcoming Meng Fuyao into his warm embrace as he portrayed himself as a perfect father.

Meng Fuyao leaned back against another pillar with her hands crossed. She sat there, watching Feng Xuan emotionlessly.

”Father?” She laughed after a while.

Feng Xuan's eyes lit up. On the other hand, Feng Jingfan turned pale.

Ignoring the obvious joy that Feng Xuan exhibited, Meng Fuyao slowly but clearly enunciated each and every word, ”Zhong Ze Ning's husband, the father of Feng Jingfan. You don't deserve to be the father of Meng Fuyao.”

The corners of Feng Xuan's mouth twitched, in that instant, his features contorted with fury. It took him a while to return to his composure, plastering a forced smile on his face. ”Fuyao, I know you hate me, but I had no choice back then. Since you've already killed the Empress, oh well, I'll just strip her of her status and massacre the entire Zhong Family as criminals who attempted to rebel. You can do whatever you want with the Zhong Family until you are no longer angry.

”And this.” Feng Xuan lifted up imperial decree and tried to entice Meng Fuyao with it. ”I've decided to pass the throne to you. From today onwards, you are the Empress. You can decide another's life or death and control your subordinates. You will be standing at the peak of authority and glory, where everyone will be dancing in your palm. How's that? Do you like it?”

”No!”

A shriek shattered the heavy silence that lingered in the air. Feng Jingfan, who had been supporting herself with the couch, suddenly pounced over, attempting to snatch the imperial decree.

Feng Xuan's expression changed as he clutched the imperial decree closer to his chest. Feng Jingfan's long, slender fingers reached out, eager to grab the scroll over, without a care for the manicured nails that were well-laced with poison or the fact that the poison might take her father's life with even the smallest scratch.

In the huge palace, Zhangsun Wuji and Meng Fuyao watched coldly without moving. Meanwhile, Tang Zhong Yi had already avoided the trouble and retreated, busying himself with instructing the soldiers on how to rebel.

Feng Jingfan lunged forward like the wind. Feng Xuan snorted coldly and slammed the imperial decree down on the desk and took a step back.

The scroll landed on the table and unrolled itself. Feng Jingfan reached out and grabbed it, immediately tearing it apart.

”Shhh—”

The quiet, barely audible sound of tearing paper resounded in the room. Suddenly, something rang from below the table, and in the dark palace, one could vaguely see a faint glowing green light. It flashed past, and a blood-curdling screech reverberated.

”Ah—”

Blood spurted out. Yet, oddly enough, it was pale green, resembling nothing like blood. Rather, it looked like two weird green flowers.

The last flower of light.

A trap was laid under the table, and in that instant, when Feng Jingfan had grabbed the decree, the trap was triggered, and the metal nails were launched with such a force that they pierced into Feng Jingfan's forehead!

One headed straight for her eyes, and the other nailed down the corner of her eyes. Both her eyes were blinded!

Feng Jingfan's miserable cries seemed to shake the entire palace to its core, threatening to crumble it to dust. She shrieked with all her might, as though she would not stop till her vocal cords tore.

This youngest, most pampered princess was protected her entire life. She had never once had someone touch her precious hands; she had never even broken a nail before. Because she was afraid of hardship and pain, coupled with her lack of innate potential, despite having a renowned teacher, she had not managed to master even 50% of what Epsilon had taught her. Her focus mainly laid on training her inner energy so as to protect herself in times of need. So how could she bear the pain of her blinded eyes?

Her manic, shrill cries pierced through the air. Blood gushed out of that deep wound, glazing her skin as her messy, untidied hair stuck to the crimson liquid. Black and red engulfed her features, leaving the once noble princess utterly unrecognizable. Only her pale lips could be seen, but it was quickly covered up by the blood rushing out from her throat with every scream she mustered.

Meng Fuyao shut her eyes. No emotions could be seen on her face.

The beautiful golden and red dress resurfaced in her mind as she heard a 'kacha'.

The sound of the lock falling.

'Today, it is your turn.'

'This is the evil you brought upon yourself.'