Chapter 382

Meng Guxue heard this and slightly shook her shoulders, but she didn’t show any sign of fear in front of Shen Yuanbai.

Today, regardless of whether Baili Chengyou comes or not, she still has Baili Miaoxue in her hands. It might not be impossible to take a chance!

Qiao Jiaojiao, upon hearing this, remained unmoved. She also wanted to say: What a coincidence! Qiao Bo has a tracking talisman, so finding this villa is just a matter of time.

“Yuanbai, save me!” Baili Miaoxue lay on the ground, and upon hearing Shen Yuanbai’s voice, she finally sighed in relief. This Meng Guxue, despite being so useless before, somehow managed to become cunning and even used underhanded tricks!

“Princess, don’t be afraid. Baili Chengyou won’t be coming. Right now, you are Meng Guxue’s only lifeline. She dares not act against you.” Shen Yuanbai’s voice was gentle, with no trace of panic.

“But Princess, you really shouldn’t have come tonight. Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, and one cannot always stay in the same place. No opponent should be underestimated.” Shen Yuanbai said this calmly, and Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but look at him with admiration. Look at how clear-headed this opponent is!

However, Baili Miaoxue wasn’t interested in hearing such talk at the moment. She just wanted to free herself from Meng Guxue’s grasp. And she was very concerned about what Meng Guxue had just said!

The Soul-Binding Gu was stolen when she wasn’t even born, but she had still heard of this secret gu’s great name. It was said to be divided into a mother and two offspring, feeding on human flesh and blood, capable of manipulating one’s mind and consciousness. It was extremely powerful and unsolvable.

If the mother gu was currently with Shen Yuanbai, the infatuation gu she planted on him might not be effective.

So, did Shen Yuanbai really spend this time acting in front of her? Were his gentleness and affection all just pretense? Would he disregard her life tonight? After all, her elder brother’s schemes were also in progress. If her elder brother succeeded, with the Yinzhu, Shen Yuanbai might seize the opportunity!

The more Baili Miaoxue thought, the more frightened she became, and her mind raced with thoughts. For so many years, the position of Crown Prince had remained undecided, and her father’s attitude was still ambiguous. No one knew who her father actually favored.

When she was younger, watching her elder and second brothers compete fiercely, she had developed a thought.

Her father was extremely fond of her too. Since everyone wanted to be the ruler, why couldn’t she? But over the years, she had been weak. She had quietly accumulated some power, but it was insignificant compared to her elder and second brothers.

Until recently, Shen Yuanbai entered her view. Perhaps seeing through her ambitions, Shen Yuanbai offered to help her, with the condition that after success, he would receive full support from the Nanli Kingdom.

At that time, he would return to the Northern Kingdom. Once he secures the throne there, the Nanli and Northern Kingdoms could join forces to launch a pincer attack and finally take down the Yong Dynasty!

This plan is very long-term and fraught with difficulties, but she was indeed very tempted, especially when Shen Yuanbai brought the Yinzhu to her.

The Yinzhu is the beloved concubine of her elder brother, highly trusted by him, and she could even say that the Yinzhu is well aware of all the forces under her elder brother’s control.

Of course, she had wondered why Shen Yuanbai didn’t directly support her elder brother. But she soon realized that while the world says her elder brother is indulgent and obsessed with beauty, she knew he was not simple.

In fact, it was hard to say whether her elder brother or the Yinzhu was using the other…

Perhaps Shen Yuanbai thought she was easier to control than her elder brother. But how could she be unprepared? She secretly planted the Infatuation Gu on Shen Yuanbai. The deeper the gu worm took root in his body, the more Shen Yuanbai would fall hopelessly in love with her.

This was her trump card, but now it seemed that if the Soul-Binding Gu mother was truly inside Shen Yuanbai, she might be manipulated by him!

Thinking of this, Baili Miaoxue’s expression changed several times, and she clenched her teeth secretly. The court was indeed a man’s world. It was difficult for her to get involved, but if Shen Yuanbai thought she was just a pawn to be used at will, he was gravely mistaken!

Meng Guxue, holding the weak Baili Miaoxue, slowly stood up and looked coldly at Shen Yuanbai, saying, “Baili Miaoxue brought me here, and you must have played a part in it, right? Do you intend to use me to threaten Baili Chengyou?”

“Shen Yuanbai, I don’t believe you can’t see that Baili Chengyou is not someone who is swayed by emotions.”

Shen Yuanbai’s mouth curled into a slight smile, “I think he does care about you.”

“However, Baili Chengyou has his own troubles now. As for your value… you should be clear about it yourself.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Guxue’s heart was reassured. Shen Yuanbai was indeed concerned about her special status, so even if she couldn’t escape today, she likely wouldn’t be in immediate danger.

“As for Baili’s side, did you also have a hand in the matter with the lady and the second prince?”

Shen Yuanbai shook his head with a light smile, “Miss Meng, you might be overestimating me. Do you think the Crown Prince is really that incompetent?”

He had only recently come to the Nanli Kingdom, and besides, the three princes and one princess of the Nanli Kingdom were not simple characters.

He couldn’t control the entire situation as he did in the Yong Dynasty. Instead, he was more about adapting to the situation and maneuvering within it.

“State your demands. If you want to leave, I’ll personally escort you to the villa’s entrance, but the Qiao family’s daughter must stay.”

“Impossible!” Meng Guxue rejected without hesitation.

Shen Yuanbai’s expression darkened slightly, “You’re not in a position to negotiate conditions here.”

Meng Guxue’s lips curled up, “So, it seems that in your eyes, I am more valuable than Baili Miaoxue?”

“Third sister, have you seen clearly? Men are all big fools. I told you he was just using you, and you didn’t believe it.”

Baili Miaoxue’s expression changed several times, finally letting out a cold snort, “Third sister-in-law, don’t try to sow discord here. I still understand Yuanbai’s feelings for me.”

“We’ve already made a trade, and if you keep pestering, let’s just stalemate!”

Qiao Jiaojiao, hearing this, looked up sharply at Baili Miaoxue.

[So smart! It seems she has already guessed that Shen Yuanbai is also using her! Now pretending to be lovesick, is she afraid that Shen Yuanbai might abandon her outright?]

The situation truly became a standoff!

Meng Guxue, supporting Baili Miaoxue’s body, did not expect the slender girl to be so heavily affected by the Softening Powder!

Moreover, Shen Yuanbai was skilled in martial arts. Meng Guxue was worried about being ambushed and dared not move, straining her arms to the point of almost cramping!

Shen Yuanbai’s gaze was sharp. He seemed to sense Meng Guxue’s distress and was waiting for the right moment.

Meng Guxue was nearly at her limit, and Qiao Jiaojiao felt Meng Guxue’s body trembling slightly. She furrowed her brow, thinking about Qiao Bo and the others…

As Qiao Jiaojiao’s thoughts began, the sound of fighting came from outside the courtyard, growing louder.

At the same time, a strong, clear voice came in:

“Princess, A-Re has come to rescue you on His Highness’s orders!”