Hongyue tapped by the side of the metal cup twice. Using her water manipulation, the temperature of the tea dramatically turned cold. Hongyue pretended to ponder for a bit before she loosened her hold on the cup. Turning to face her father, she pretended to be anxious.

"Father, I can't serve this," She stressed each word, her voice faltering.

Concubine Mei quickly snapped at her, "Nonsense, how could that be? Go on and serve the tea."

Hongyue pretended to look troubled as she hoisted the cup and delivered it over to the prince. The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes and moved to accept it when the Concubine abruptly shrieked out, "How can you do that to the Crown Prince?! Do you don't want your life anymore?"

Hongyue paused. Her hands stopping in place as her face developed into a look of confusion.

Just the right timing.

She had successfully handed the tea with no errors, so this silly mistress just drilled a hole for herself. Just how was this concubine going to explain her little crazy outburst? Hongyue couldn't wait to hear her nonsense and simply stepped to the side.

As expected, the Crown Prince scowled at the third concubine.

"General, don't tell me not only are you not able to control your servants, but you likewise can't control a measly concubine from uncontrollably screaming? Truly makes this prince admire your lack of talent."

Concubine Mei paled from the rigid insult, her eyes made its way to stared at Hongyue. Her heart genuinely bewildered.

"H-Hongyue...didn't yo-"

"Third Madam is unusual today. Hongyue didn't want to serve the tea because it was cold. It would spoil the imperial prince's stomach, but you insisted that I serve it. Now that I've served it, why is mother criticizing me?" Hongyue complained.

The Crown Prince's eyes flickered over to Hongyue with interest. The girl had nothing particularly special, but he had witnessed how the servants handled the tea with such attentive care. It was obviously steaming hot. Yet, how in a few seconds, was it ice cold?

Interesting.

He gazed over at the general, his straightforward demeanor was explicitly asking for an answer.

"Witchcraft!" An urgent shriek came from the shaking concubine.

Hongyue frowned and dropped to her knees before her father.

"Father, I don't understand. This daughter has no abilities in magic whatsoever. There's nothing wrong with what this daughter did, why would mother be blaming me of witchcraft?"

The General studied this daughter of his for a while. He was about to call her out himself. This child was so difficult to kill, he had almost believed she had some secret powers. However, the useless trash had no power. Maybe she was just lucky, he narrowed his eyes, a little fortunate for his liking.

"Call out the servants! How dare they slack off on their responsibility!" He roared, directly his anger the failures to the servants.

The two tea servants came out and examined the tea themselves. As they poured the tea from the pot, the handle of the pot burned into their skin. The servants immediately dropped to their knees in front of the general for mercy.

"My lord, the pot is unquestionably boiling! How could the tea be cold! We've been wronged, this is not our fault! Please seek justice for us!"

Disbelieving, the concubine hurried toward the teapot aching to test it herself. Hongyue struck the ground with two fingers while keeping her eyes on the pot. A wave of energy spread out from her touch, almost like sound waves, and traveled up the table toward the pot. Once the invisible wave hit the container, the tea inside became ice-cold; however, the outside remained hot to the touch.

The concubine tentatively grabbed the pot's handle. Throbbing in pain from the burning heat, she released her grip.

"My husband, it's still hot." She gasped, immediately turning her attention to soothing her burning hands.

"Third Madam, Hongyue doesn't understand. So what if the area outside is hot. The tea is still cold. You were the one who insisted I serve the tea. Are you trying to-" Hongyue started.

"Hongyue, don't be so rude. Concubine Mei might not be your blood-related mother, but she is still your elder. Don't randomly accuse her of insignificant tricks," The general motioned for a servant to bring Hongyue back. He didn't want to keep this unpredictable girl here any longer.

"General, don't you want to hear my opinion. I'm the one who is being plotted against, am I not?" The Crown Prince's sharp voice pronounced his intentions.

The general had no choice but to yield to the prince and gave a quick affirmative yes.

"Your concubine seems unhinged, and your servants are unfaithful. To see this lack of control is a disgrace, especially under a general of our country. Your daughter..." The Prince paused, eyeing Hongyue with interest, "...is merely being used a pawn. I normally wouldn't bother with personal family issues, but should I remind you my Grandfather wanted me to marry her?"

The general froze upon hearing the prince's words. He quickly opened his mouth to protest, "The edict had spoken of marriage, but you can pick any of my daughters-"

The Crown Prince stared at Hongyue without breaking eye contact with her pitch-black eyes.

"Her. I chose her when I was younger, and my mind is set on it. She is the one," The prince turned to the general, " So I want her."