Feng Jinyue noticed Qi Beihan’s strange expression and thought to herself, ‘Qi Beihan has always kept his distance from women, without even a maidservant by his side. Suddenly encountering such a situation must have made him uncomfortable.’ She immediately explained, “I didn’t do that on purpose just now.”
Although she claimed it wasn’t intentional, the moment she threw herself into Qi Beihan’s embrace—especially when he wrapped his arm around her waist—an inexplicable feeling arose in her mind. His embrace was actually quite comfortable! Damn—was she completely succumbing to his masculine charm?
Qi Beihan steadied his slightly flustered heart after the incident, collected himself, and said, “It’s fine.”
Feng Jinyue muttered inwardly, ‘If it’s fine, then why are you frowning?’ She promptly said, “Your Highness, I shall take my leave now.”
Afterward, Feng Jinyue alighted from the carriage, wary of a repeat of the earlier scene and determined to keep her thoughts from wandering.
Inside the carriage, Qi Beihan could still catch the faint, unique fragrance from her lingering on his clothes—a scent that was utterly captivating. In the Tianshan Mountains, her life-saving grace, that fleeting yet unforgettable glimpse—to him, she was the most extraordinary. Fate was truly marvelous. Perhaps the imperial decree and the marriage alliance did not start off well, but in the future, they would be fine!
…
General’s Manor.
As soon as Feng Jinyue returned, she went to see her father and mother, briefly recounting her audience with the Empress Dowager in the palace to reassure them. Only then did she return to her own courtyard.
Qian Zhu hurried to greet her the moment she saw her young lady return. “Young Lady.”
“Is something the matter?” Feng Jinyue asked, looking at Qian Zhu.
“Nothing major. Uncle Fu was returning to the headquarters in Jiangnan today and wanted to bid you farewell again, but you had already entered the palace, so he left first.” Qian Zhu continued, “Also, three days from now, the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet hosted by Princess Changle has specially sent an invitation, requesting your presence at the banquet.”
Feng Jinyue reclined on the chaise lounge and said casually, “September is indeed the perfect season for appreciating chrysanthemums, but why would they think of inviting me? And who is this Princess Changle? I didn’t hear Father or Mother mention it earlier.”
Qian Zhu naturally provided a detailed explanation to her young lady. “Young Lady, these banquets vary with the seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—as pastimes for the young ladies of noble families in the capital. Invitations are sent directly to each young lady. As for Princess Changle, she is the only daughter of Prince Jin, the younger brother of the late emperor and the current emperor’s uncle. She basically leads these gatherings.”
“Boring.” Feng Jinyue laughed. “I don’t know any of them. Even though I am the legitimate daughter of the Feng family, I’ve just returned to the capital, and everyone knows I’ve never had any interaction with them. Why would they invite me out of the blue?”
“Young Lady, are you implying that it’s because the Empress Dowager has decreed your marriage to the Regent King, so they want to invite you over to make things difficult for you? Then… will you still go?”
“Since I’ve returned to Dongling City and have agreed to marry Qi Beihan, to become the Regent Consort in the future, of course, I will go. However, when the time comes, who ends up unhappy is none of my concern.” Feng Jinyue then instructed Qian Zhu, “For the next three days, I will be away on business. Handle any minor matters yourself.”
Qian Zhu’s heart pounded with anxiety. “Young Lady, what if the Regent King…”
“It’s fine. I told him that if he comes, you can inform him that I will attend the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet three days from now.”
“Yes, I understand, Mistress.”
“Alright, you may leave now.”
After Qian Zhu withdrew, Feng Jin Yue did not delay. With a flicker of her spiritual sense, she instantly entered the Spirit Ring Space.
Inside the stone hut, the Rust Sword was still devouring the piece of Scarlet Molten Fire Crystal. Originally, she had intended to use it to forge a fire-attribute Magical Artifact. Who would have thought that as soon as the material was thrown into the Spirit Ring Space, it was immediately devoured and fused by the Rust Sword. She estimated that after consuming this item, the Rust Sword could advance to the level of a low-grade treasure.
Feng Jin Yue shifted her gaze to the Spirit Field. At a glance, she noticed the three medicinal herbs planted there yesterday. When she received them from Xu Fu, she thought they were well-preserved and had cultivation value, but she never expected such a significant transformation—it was truly a delightful surprise.
One of them, after being cultivated, developed, and mutated in the Spirit Field and Spirit Spring, had actually become a Dustfall Spirit Herb. This was the main ingredient for refining the Dustfall Pill. With the Dustfall Pill, the chances of achieving Core Formation could be greatly increased.
After tending to the Spirit Field, she went straight into the stone hut and retrieved the Millennial Fire Spirit Mushroom.
Three days would be sufficient to refine this.
She sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion and began circulating her spiritual power to refine it.
In an instant, vast and powerful spiritual energy was absorbed by Feng Jin Yue, integrated into her body, and refined.
Before entering Tianshan, her Foundation Establishment Stage early phase had already stabilized. Finding a place with relatively abundant spiritual energy, she secluded herself for a year to cultivate, advancing her cultivation. She was only one step away from breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage middle phase.
Refining this Millennial Fire Spirit Mushroom could enhance Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation. Clearly, the barrier between her early and middle phases had already loosened…
Breakthrough—Foundation Establishment Stage middle phase!
The spiritual energy provided by the Millennial Fire Spirit Mushroom continuously consolidated her Cultivation Realm, allowing her to advance directly to the Foundation Establishment Stage late phase!
This Millennial Fire Spirit Mushroom was completely refined. As she had originally anticipated, it had a miraculous effect on Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, smoothly assisting her in reaching the late phase.
Feng Jin Yue regulated her breathing to stabilize her realm until everything was secure, then slowly opened her eyes, feeling quite satisfied.
Calculating the time, three days had passed. She rose, fetched water from the Spirit Spring outside, bathed, and then left the Spirit Ring Space.
As soon as she emerged, she saw Qian Zhu, who looked somewhat anxious.
Upon seeing her mistress appear, Qian Zhu let out a long sigh of relief. However, after just three short days, her mistress gave off a completely different aura compared to before. Realizing this, she promptly said, “Miss, the carriage to the Jin Prince Manor is ready.”
“Then let’s go,” Feng Jin Yue said calmly.
“Yes,” Qian Zhu replied. Indeed, in her mistress’s eyes, any time and any matter could be faced with composure.
…
Jin Prince Manor.
In a luxurious boudoir, a young woman sat before a bronze mirror, dressed in opulent attire with exquisite makeup. She was Jun Yao, the Jin Prince’s only daughter—Princess Changle.
A maid beside her praised, “Your Highness’s elegance is peerless. At the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet later, you will surely outshine all others.”
Another maid chimed in, “Of course, how could they compare to our Princess?”
Jun Yao looked at her reflection in the mirror and said, “They can’t compare. Do you think Feng Jin Yue can?”
Hearing this, the maids felt quite flustered, afraid of saying the wrong thing.
The elderly maid who had cared for the Princess of Changle since childhood spoke up, “Our princess is the finest, no one can compare. Princess, it’s time we head to the Chrysanthemum Garden.”
“Mm.”
At that moment, all the maids and attendants in the room finally let their hanging hearts settle slightly, cautiously following behind the princess.