Yue Hongling’s slight melancholy was not entirely due to her sect’s betrayal. Compared to Vermillion Bird, who had stirred up trouble and felt accomplished for it, Yue Hongling could not shake the feeling that she had not contributed much—at least not in the way a “local” should have. There was a lingering sense of inadequacy.0

But she did not realize just how significant her role had been.0

For one, she had forced Bo’e into the open in front of a crowd, making things much more difficult for the Li Clan moving forward. Furthermore, she had planted Wei Changming as a hidden piece on the board, though she had yet to grasp the full implications of that move.0

Still, no matter how weighed down she felt, Yue Hongling was not one to dwell for long. With a little comfort from her lover, her mood lightened quickly. Soon enough, she was smiling as she dragged Zhao Changhe off to eat.0

Just as the embassy staff finished preparing the meal, Huangfu Qing reappeared, having disappeared to who-knew-where moments ago. She smirked and teased, “You looked all moody before, and now your...0