Reborn as the Legitimate Daughter: Blood Debts Repaid

They say I, Shangguan Yue, am unfit to be empress and incapable of shouldering the responsibility of ruling the realm? Hmph! Then I, Shangguan Yue, will become the very person who brings you all to heel! Shangguan Xue, Xiao Rou, and Crown Prince Chu Yun: in my previous life, you humiliated and killed me, leaving my entire loyal family to die unjustly. This blood feud is beyond measure. Reborn into this life, I will make you pay for every drop of blood with your lives!

Chu Xuanyu set down the book in his hands and let his gaze drift to the qilin pendant at her neck. His tone was meaningful as he asked slowly, “You want to borrow my power to protect your family and secure the court's stability?”

“Precisely.” Shangguan Yue bowed low, her posture respectful yet dignified. “I have two plans. First, the Third Young Master of the Minister of Revenue's residence has been in close contact with the Dongling trading caravans. Their relationship is far from ordinary. This letter”, she raised a slender hand and pointed to the secret missive on the desk, “may not be enough to convict him of a serious crime, but it will certainly make His Majesty suspicious of the Minister of Revenue's residence. Then the marriage alliance will naturally be called off.”

Chu Xuanyu suddenly rose. The hem of his black robe billowed like an ink-dark cloud, brushing lightly against her hair as he said in a low voice, “In three days, I will have the Directorate of Palace Affairs deliver the betrothal papers to the Duke of Zhenguo's residence.” When he saw her look of surprise, he added, “Don't misunderstand. I'm merely borrowing your chessboard to play my own game.”

With that, he turned and headed for the inner chamber. Halfway there, he stopped and said coldly, “Lingxiao, burn the robe I wore today.”

“Why?” Lingxiao asked, baffled.

“The sleeves smell of rouge.” Chu Xuanyu didn't even look back. His voice was cold as frost. “Filthy.”