Feng Jinyue shook her head and didn’t say more to her second brother. She turned and returned to her own courtyard. As soon as she entered the room, she lazily reclined on the chaise lounge.
Her mind lingered on her second brother’s words, and in an instant, the intimate posture of her and Qi Beihan being extremely close appeared vividly before her—eyes, eyebrows, nose, lips… every detail was clear and distinct. She truly felt intoxicated, amazed that she remembered it so clearly.
“Qian Zhu, what do you think of Qi Beihan?”
“Ah?” Qian Zhu, who was attending to her and massaging Feng Jinyue, paused her movements. After a moment of thought, she replied, “This servant feels that the Regent treats you differently from others. Just like today in the Chrysanthemum Garden of the Jin Prince’s Estate, when Princess Changle made insinuations about you, the Regent appeared and spoke publicly in your defense. Moreover, the way he looks at you is also very different.”
As she continued massaging and gently patting her young lady’s legs, Qian Zhu went on, “The Regent is unfathomable. Getting close to him feels as if one might freeze from the icy chill he exudes. Yet, when he looks at you, there is tenderness in his eyes and warmth in his demeanor.”
Feng Jinyue was slightly surprised. Was it that obvious?
Qian Zhu spoke softly and slowly, “Having served you for many years, this servant knows well that if you were determined to reject this marriage, nothing could change your mind. In truth, you are not resistant to spending time with the Regent.”
Pondering these words, Feng Jinyue reflected carefully. Although her marriage to Qi Beihan was an alliance, she had originally planned to annul the engagement. Later, Qi Beihan offered ‘benefits,’ and they reached an agreement. But it seemed Qian Zhu was right—being with Qi Beihan was comfortable, and even their intimate moments felt…
Noticing her young lady deep in thought, Qian Zhu continued, “The master and mistress wholeheartedly wish for your happiness and fulfillment. This servant feels the same, hoping that everything in your life will always go smoothly and as you desire.”
Feng Jinyue’s thoughts returned to the present, and she said with a smile, “Alright, let’s not dwell on it. In any case, Qi Beihan and I have an agreement. When the time comes to enter the Regent’s Estate, nothing will go wrong.”
“Yes, there is nothing in this world that can trouble you, young lady. Nothing exists that could cause you harm!” Qian Zhu said with utmost seriousness. After a brief pause, she added in a hushed tone, “Young lady, there is one more matter. This servant is unsure whether it is appropriate to ask.”
“It’s just the two of us here. No need to hold back. Ask whatever you wish.”
Qian Zhu organized her words and said, “It’s about when Second Young Master came to the Hot Spring Villa to escort you back to the estate. On the way, we stayed overnight. That evening, Second Young Master specifically came to ask me because the Regent had mentioned that you were exactly like the person who had done him an enormous favor…”
“So it’s about that,” Feng Jinyue replied. “I did indeed do him an enormous favor—I saved his life. Otherwise, he would have died on Tianshan and never returned to Dongling City. However, even though I had concealed my identity at the time, he managed to recognize me just by seeing my eyes.”
“Miss, your eyes are extremely beautiful. Even with the disguise and appearance-changing techniques you taught me, I cannot replicate the essence of your eyes.” Qian Zhu gazed intently at her mistress. “According to this, there is quite a fateful connection between you and the Regent. Moreover, the fact that the Regent could see through my disguise at a glance shows that your life-saving grace has deeply imprinted you in his heart, far beyond ordinary people.”
Feng Jin Yue shook her head with a light laugh. It was indeed fate—she happened to encounter a severely injured man on the verge of death and saved him, only to discover he was her future husband. No one could predict the future, and as for what would happen between her and Qi Bei Han, that was a matter for later. But for her current plans, marrying him was a beneficial step.
“Qian Zhu, you may leave now. I wish to rest for a while. Do not let anyone disturb me.”
“Yes,” Qian Zhu responded and withdrew.
After Qian Zhu left and the door was closed, Feng Jin Yue focused her intent and instantly found herself within the Spirit Ring space.
A few days ago, she had devoted herself to refining the Millennial Fire Spirit Mushroom and left immediately after completing the process, leaving the Spirit Field unattended for several days.
Now, she discovered that the detoxifying herb and the moon star spirit herb she had cultivated had matured. The detoxification herb could be brewed into a detoxifying elixir, capable of neutralizing hundreds of poisons, while the moon star spirit herb could be formulated into a calming powder to calm the mind and nourish the spirit. With ten plants of each Spirit Herb, she could precisely refine ten portions of both.
Feng Jin Yue harvested them separately and refined them in sequence. Both items, meticulously prepared by her, would show immediate effects upon use.
Three hours later, ten portions of detoxifying elixir and ten portions of calming powder were completed. Though useless to her, they were remarkably effective for martial artists, especially the calming powder. She stored them all carefully, then inspected the various Spirit Herbs planted in the Spirit Field, paying special attention to the Dustfall Spirit Herb.
Over the years, through her understanding of the Spirit Field and Spirit Spring within the Spirit Ring space, she had learned that the two plots of land bordering the Spirit Spring were the most effective, allowing Spirit Herbs to grow a hundred times faster. However, due to their intense potency, ordinary Spirit Herbs could not withstand it.
But the Dustfall Spirit Herb was unaffected. Nurtured daily with Spirit Spring water, by the time she reached Great Perfection Foundation Establishment and condensed her Golden Core, it would surely attain the level of a millennial Spirit Herb. She could then refine it into Dustfall Pills to aid her in smoothly advancing to the Core Formation stage.
As she pondered this and prepared to leave, a sudden sword hum echoed, followed by a sword light bursting from the stone house. The next moment, the sword was in her hand. She brushed her fingers over the Rust Sword’s blade—it had broken through to the lower-tier magical treasure level. Besides the inherent lightning attribute of the Rust Sword, it had unexpectedly integrated the fire attribute after devouring the Scarlet Molten Fire Crystal.
This Rust Sword was truly extraordinary.
Holding the sword in her hand, Feng Jin Yue thought, “Not bad. It seems I can find an opportunity to test the sword.” As her mind stirred, the sword in her hand responded, as if eager.
“Alright, we’ll find time to go,” Feng Jin Yue said, then sent the Rust Sword back to the stone house and returned from the Spirit Ring space to her bedroom.
By now, the sun had set in the west, and night was emerging.
Qian Zhu, seeing her mistress emerge from the room, said, “Miss, Second Young Master came looking for you an hour ago, but…”
“Little sister.”
“Second Brother, do you need something from me?”
Feng Lingze said, “I forgot to mention it earlier at Father and Mother’s courtyard. Tonight, the Drunken Immortal Pavilion is holding its monthly auction—it’s very lively. I’ve spoken to Father and Mother, and I’ll take you along to have some fun.”
The mundane auction held no interest for Feng Jin Yue, yet she still agreed, “Alright.”
“Little sister, are you not interested?” Feng Lingze noticed his younger sister’s lack of enthusiasm.
“Not really, it’s fine.” Feng Jin Yue asked, “Second Brother, have you spotted something good?”
“There is indeed one item I fancy, but whether I can obtain it remains to be seen. Fortunately, the Drunken Immortal Pavilion offers fine food and delicacies.”
“Mm, then, Second Brother, shall we go now?”
Feng Lingze nodded, “Alright, let’s go.”
“By the way, Second Brother, I’ve heard that the Immortal’s Intoxication from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion is renowned throughout the land?”
“That’s true. The Immortal’s Intoxication from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and the Misty Rain Spirit Tea from the Elegant Pavilion are equally famous. A pot of tea or a pot of wine costs a thousand taels of silver, and they are both scarce and highly sought-after. Even spending a fortune might not guarantee you a taste.”