Foster Son, Don’t Be So Crazy (53)

Looking at that face which was nearly similar with Princess Bai Xue, Song Jia had the urge to burn it.

"Is it because the woman looks a lot like the crown princess?" Nian Shou guessed. "When I saw the painting, I thought it was an unfortunate coincidence too. But...the woman in your painting looks better."

"Well, of course she does," Song Jia said without hesitation.

Her make-up skills were so good, even if Princess Bai Xue was more beautiful than Li Jia, it more than filled the gap between them.

It's this grandma, you know? I always look good~

Song Jia set the painting aside.

"About Su Liang and Huanhuan...the crown princess wouldn't lay her hands on them since the two of them are valuable hostages. Once you find their location, immediately rescue them and take them back to the south. All of the people there are loyal to us, so they'll be safe."

Song Jia tapped her chin and continued, "Also, keep digging about the matters of the former queen. I'm almost a hundred percent sure that the new queen had a hand on her death. Once this was exposed to public, those rumors we've already spread would turn deadly."

Song Jia's lips curved upwards. The best thing about gossip was that you could mix half-truths with lies, and it would quickly create a snowball effect. Once a certain number of people believed it, the easily fooled would take it for the truth, and those with working brains would also begin to doubt.

No one knew this better than Song Jia, who lived in the 23rd century. The virtual world was practically their second home, their avatars their second bodies. And since the virtual world was primarily composed of data, there was no privacy. Cyber violence and cyberbullying happened frequently, a major side-effect of malicious gossip. Each of their actions could be projected to the rest of the world, which was why black hat hackers could be given the death penalty if their existence was discovered.

This was also the reason why Nova, her A.I. boss, had been feared so much by the government. For the 23rd century inhabitants who lived in the virtual world, Nova was like a god who could make clouds with one turn of the hand, and rain with another [1].

For Princess Bai Xue who was preparing to ascend the throne, targeting her reputation was the best attack. She had been too protected by Xiang Feng in her previous life, practically with him doing all the work, so that bit of experience from being a reincarnator, Song Jia could simply dismiss.

"Ah, and I'll also give you my seal to act as the temporary fief lord in my absence. No one would be able to supervise the new reforms I've implemented in the fief better than you, Nian Shou," Song Jia said in afterthought.

Nian Shou stared at her. For the first time in eight years, he openly showed her his emotions.

"As long as you're not going back to the south, then I won't go back too. I can send Su Liang with Huanhuan, it should be easy to find a couple of trustworthy bodyguards to protect them. Jia...I want to stay with you."

He was well aware that between the three of them, Song Jia was the one in most danger. Even if he went back to the south, he would only endlessly worry about her. And just for a little bit, he also selfishly wanted to keep being by her side. Even if their relationship was only platonic, just being by her side, it was enough to satisfy him.

"I have Xiang Feng," Song Jia gently reminded him. With that bloodthirsty sadist by her side, everyone that wanted to hurt her would probably be sent back to Yin Cao. [2]

Nian Shou's eyes dimmed. Of course he knew that she had Xiang Feng.

He reached out to hold her hand. "Jia, I know that you raised him like a son, but you shouldn't completely trust him."

Song Jia's eyelashes swept upwards in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"According to my investigation of the crown princess, he was her right-hand man. Each and every opponent that tried to suppress her, he killed in the dark. Jia, you don't know how many people that supported us died because of him. He even got the nickname 'Hunter' because he was so good at sniffing out his prey and killing them."

Song Jia looked down at Nian Shou's hand that was holding her wrist. His warmth thawed the coldness she felt hearing his words.

It wasn't as if she wasn't aware that in the past eight years, the Xiang Feng that they thought was dead had been working under Princess Bai Xue. He seamlessly followed his former role in his past life. He killed for her, protected her, and became her confidant. Song Jia knew that Xiang Feng didn't know he was killing her own supporters for the crown princess, and that Song Jia was contending for the throne.

But Song Jia simply couldn't turn a blind eye to the truth either. If she did, how would she be able to face the bereaved families of her supporters? That's why she had never turned to him for help. Song Jia was still not sure if she could trust him completely.

Even when assassins ordered by the crown princess had tried to take Song Jia's life twice, he still didn't make a move against the crown princess.

It could seen at a glance how much he cared for Princess Bai Xue.

If it was the Xiang Feng from before when he was still a child, he would have taken Song Jia's side immediately.

But now...

Seeing Song Jia look down with a hint of melancholy in her eyes, Nian Shou's heart felt a dull ache. He unhesitatingly wrapped his arms around her.

"Jia, don't worry, you're not alone."

Even if Xiang Feng had forgotten who saved him from that hellhole where they once lived, he wouldn't.

[1] possessing great power or authority

[2] Chinese version of the afterlife