337: I only care about my health.

Feng Ming was filled with doubt upon hearing this. "But what position did King Haoyue arrange for me that would make them so wary, even resorting to such insidious methods? I, the person involved, don't even know yet, but they've already made the first move."

He paused, then added, "Besides, if they're using Entangling Love Threads, there must be a woman involved, right? They can't just plot against me alone. If they wanted me to die from my body exploding, it would be simpler to just kill me directly."

"You are someone personally appointed by King Haoyue; who would dare to move against you lightly?" Gan Lei laughed. "All they can do is try to win you over or drive a wedge. To truly kill you would be like slapping King Haoyue's face, wouldn't it? So, your little life is definitely safe."

"As for the woman you mentioned, isn't it obvious?" Gan Lei looked at Feng Ming with a profound look in his eyes. "The Third Prince has the support of the Prince Zhenwei, but the Second Prince has no capable people by his side. The Xun Luoyuan's position is of pivotal importance. Think about it: if you and the Xun Luoyuan were involved in such a scandal at the Celebratory Banquet, who would be hurt the most?"

Feng Ming's heart jolted as he understood instantly, his expression darkening. "It's the Second Prince. If this really happened, it would be the equivalent of me cuckolding him; he certainly wouldn't let me off. Meanwhile, the Third Prince would reap the benefits. The Xun Luoyuan would be disgraced and unable to marry the Second Prince, and King Xibei's military power might be reclaimed because of it. This move by the Third Prince directly cuts off any possibility of the Second Prince winning over King Xibei."

"Clever." Gan Lei nodded, his tone growing more solemn. "But nothing is absolute. The Second Prince may seem dull, but could someone who is deeply favored by King Haoyue truly be stupid? Have you ever considered that this trap might have been set by the Second Prince himself?"

"How is that possible?" Lu Qianqian blurted out. "Who would be willing to cuckold themselves?"

Feng Ming fell silent, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.

He looked at Gan Lei and spoke slowly, "Ordinary people naturally wouldn't, but for those in the vortex of power, what wouldn't they do for that supreme position? If this trap really was set by the Second Prince, then the outcome would be entirely different."

"He could ignore everyone's opposition and insist on marrying the disgraced Xun Luoyuan to protect her reputation. In doing so, he would not only kill me but also make the Xun Luoyuan feel deeply grateful, ensuring King Xibei's lineage supports him with all their might. This move is incredibly ruthless."

After speaking, Feng Ming couldn't help but curse under his breath, "Holy crap! The schemes in this Imperial Capital are way too deep."

Lu Qianqian was also full of disbelief. "But the impression the Second Prince gives is that of a total idiot. How could he design such a complex plot?"

"Based on my years of experience in the Imperial Capital, the Second Prince indeed doesn't seem to be faking it," Gan Lei said slowly, stroking his beard. "But that doesn't mean he's easy to deal with."

"Whether he has a master strategist advising him behind the scenes, I don't know, but there's one person you can definitely identify."

"King Haoyue," Feng Ming blurted out.

"Correct." Gan Lei nodded. "Without King Haoyue's secret favoritism, with the Third Prince's ability and the Prince Zhenwei's influence, the Second Prince would have probably died a hundred times over by now."

He looked at Feng Ming, his tone becoming solemn again. "In short, it's the same advice. In this Imperial Capital, if you want to stay out of trouble, don't get involved in King Haoyue's family matters. Don't offend either the Second Prince or the Third Prince; that is the best strategy for self-preservation."

Saying that, Gan Lei took an exquisite wooden box from his robes and handed it to Feng Ming. "Inside is a Ninth Grade cooling pill. It can suppress the effects of the Entangling Love Threads and allow you to maintain your sanity."

"Before you attend the Celebratory Banquet, you must take it. Then, find an excuse to stay with three to five people; do not act alone, and hold out until dawn. When the other party sees that the effects haven't kicked in, they naturally won't be able to continue their scheme."

"Senior, where can I buy this cooling pill?" Feng Ming didn't take the box immediately but asked instead.

Hearing this, Lu Qianqian looked at him suspiciously and raised an eyebrow. "Are you still thinking about the Xun Luoyuan? You're not thinking of simping for her too, are you?"

"What kind of talk is that?" Feng Ming rolled his eyes helplessly. "Simping is when you have no bottom line. I'm doing this with a purpose; it's called an investment. She is King Xibei's only daughter and holds the power of King Xibei's lineage. If I can help her avoid this plot, it would be a massive favor. If I ever need help in the future, how could she not help me?"

"Isn't that still just simping?" Lu Qianqian said dismissively.

"Zhang Bai simps for her because he's after her body. I'm giving her the pill because I'm after the influence under her command. How can that be the same?" Feng Ming said helplessly. "Don't worry, when it comes to being after someone's body, I'm only after yours and your sister's."

"That's more like it," Lu Qianqian replied instinctively. But as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized the ambiguity. Her pretty face instantly turned beet red, and she scolded, "Who said you could be after our bodies? You rogue!"

Gan Lei, watching from the side, was dumbfounded and couldn't help but interject, "Ahem, I'm still here. Is this really something I should be hearing? You young people are quite open; this old man admits he can't keep up."

Lu Qianqian's face turned even redder as she glared fiercely at Feng Ming.

Gan Lei cleared his throat and continued, "Don't get sidetracked. Regarding your question just now, I advise you to forget it. In fact, there is no antidote for Entangling Love Threads. This cooling pill can only temporarily suppress the effects so you don't lose your mind."

"After maintaining your sanity, you can use your own Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to suppress the fire of desire within you. Then, find a time to vent it within three days, and you will be fine. If you forcibly suppress it, your body will still explode and you will die after three days."

Feng Ming was stunned. "Then isn't this pill practically useless? Where am I supposed to vent within three days? I can't exactly head straight for a brothel the moment I leave the palace, can I?"

"Don't you dare try!" Lu Qianqian immediately shot him a death glare, her back straightening. Her eyes seemed to say: Is a brothel the only place in the Imperial Capital with women?

Seeing this, Gan Lei couldn't help but laugh. "It's not as serious as you think. Under the suppression of the cooling pill, it's not strictly necessary to find a member of the opposite sex to vent; you can also solve it yourself."

As he spoke, he gave Feng Ming a meaningful look.

Feng Ming understood instantly and laughed, "Junior understands. If I can solve it myself, then it's much more convenient. Thank you for the advice, Senior."

"What 'solve it yourself'? You're not going to..." Lu Qianqian reacted instantly, her face wrinkling in disgust as she let out an "Eww."

"I'm doing it to stay alive, what are you 'ewwing' about?" Feng Ming said dismissively. "Otherwise, why don't you help me?"

Lu Qianqian's face turned red to the roots of her ears, and a thought unexpectedly flashed through her mind: *It's not like I couldn't...*

But in front of Gan Lei, she was too ashamed to say such a thing. She could only quickly change the subject. "You're a man, so it's convenient for you. But what about the Xun Luoyuan? How is a girl supposed to solve it herself? That's so embarrassing."