"All the guests that are here tonight, please be my eyewitness. While I'm considered a useless miss, the t.i.tle of the First Miss still belongs to me. The second madam stepped out of her boundaries and harmed me. This caused my mother to be angered even in death. Does anyone object my statement?" Hongyue's voice rippled distinctly through the air.

How can anyone object? Second Madam's current appearance was proof of Hongyue's words. Who wanted to go up against a supposed ghost? What if they end out like the second madam? No one said a word, hoping the spirit of the First Madam would be satisfied and leave. The general sat dumbfounded; he didn't recognize this Hongyue. The Crown Prince frowned, gently tipping his teacup around.

Hongyue beamed at the quiet crowd, "Then it's settled."

Hongyue began walking to the second concubine, "Since there are so many eyes today, Second Madam shouldn't make it hard for this miss anymore. Please deliver over the Dragon's Glory my mother left for me."

Dragon's Glory!

Upon learning the name, the general responded violently. He stood up, knocking over his cup of wine. The Dragon's Glory! Where was it?! His eyes shone with desire. He a.s.sumed it was his wishful thinking that Hongyue had been talking about the treasure, who knew it was for real? What did that girl say before? She'll give it to him? Good. Very good. He s.h.i.+fted his eyes to Concubine Ruolan coldly.

Concubine Ruolan felt disheartened, abandoned in despair. She stayed still on the ground racked with tremendous pain, yet the general was more interested in the treasure than her. She was tossed away without a second thought. She tensed her hands; her gnarly fingers burrowed into the dirt. Concubine Ruolan lamented bitterly. She never believed in any ghosts; after all, if she could kill them once, she could always kill them again.

So her stable mindset enabled her to think more deeply.

It couldn't be a ghost.

Concubine Ruolan had greater immunity than other people due to her periodic interactions with poisonous concoctions. This allowed her to find something strange with her body. So the second madam speculated she was poisoned not possessed by some ghost. However, even if she understood it was poison, she couldn't announce the revelation to clear her name. If she did, others might doubt her origin and correlate her to the First Madam's death. So Concubine Ruolan could only lay there unbearably listening to Hongyue throw mud upon her name.

Knowing yet not able to do anything.

Just like the former First Madam.

The second madam was smart; she survived on this estate for so long. How would she not comprehend what was happening?

Her eyes studied Hongyue. This eldest miss was dangerous. Perhaps she isn't even the eldest miss. No wonder the general changed so much after going to Hongyue's courtyard.

Making up her mind, the second madam made a sweeping show of gradually snaking her hands into her robes for the Dragon's Glory. Her eyebrows creased in pain as she panted breathlessly. She skillfully bit her tongue and spat out mouthful blood. General Wei looked on with distress while Hongyue slightly smiled.

This second madam indeed didn't disappoint her.

Seeing the blood from Concubine Ruolan's lips, the general felt his heart break a little. She had been his confidant for many years and even took parts in his schemes so she naturally obtained a piece of his heart. To treat her like this was too cruel but he didn't want to be confronted by the wrath of First Madam. He'll just make sure to pamper Concubine Ruolan more after this.

Just as Concubine Ruolan's fingers reached within her robes, she froze. Where?! Where was it? She couldn't find it! Her hand came back out empty-handed, and the general frowned.

The second madam felt trapped. If she had it, she could at least feign distressed while handing it over, acting like Hongyue was the one bullying her. But there was no hair stick to give so it seemed like she was unwilling to part with the hair stick due to greed. Did that little brat do this?

Hongyue turned to the general, "Father, what is the meaning of this?"

"I don't have it," Concubine Ruolan spat out in disdain.

"Why is second madam still lying?" Hongyue questioned.

"Hongyue, don't speak to Second Madam like that. She must have misplaced it," The general scolded but his heart felt heavy. Why didn't she take it out? Did she truly not have it?

"Father, Hongyue can see it peeking out from her sleeve," Hongyue protested.

Concubine Ruolan exploded, "You little s.l.u.tty liar!"

Hongyue marched forward and reached inside the concubine's robes, pulling out a black hair stick. The clear design was burned into everyone's memories. The Dragon's Glory! Startled, the general looked at the second concubine with unreadable eyes. Didn't she say she didn't have it? He almost believed her! This wretch was just like the fourth madam. His heart hardened.

Hongyue whispered softly, "Why didn't father believe me? Did father say he trusted me the most? See, you can see just who was the liar."

"Do you think I'm stupid?!! This must be one of your tricks like the ghost," The concubine couldn't hold it in anymore due to anger. She turned to General Wei, "Lord Husband, I'm poisoned-"

As she spoke, Concubine Ruolan froze. Her drained skin seemed to avert back to her former appearance, turning milky white and soft. Her complexion became better as blood flushed to her cheeks and her once gnarly fingers filled out appearing fleshy. WHAT?! Wasn't she poisoned? How can this still happen?!! Her eyes darted to Hongyue who gave her a strange look.

"What did you say? Poisoned?" Hongyue taunted. She patiently tapped the rim of her black bracelet. Series of metallic clicks sounded out, catching Qingyu's attention. She looked up with an innocent expression, but Concubine Ruolan felt her heart chilled.

Hongyue smiled.

You won't be able to get out, Second Madam.

Now, now, now, Father, don't disappoint me.

Just how will you deal with this?