Qi Bei Han watched the graceful figure disappear into the distance, then slowly withdrew his gaze. Though they parted today, they would surely meet again.
At that moment, two shadows appeared before Qi Bei Han—his trusted subordinates Liu Ying and Liu Shang.
The two knelt directly. “Your Highness, please forgive our tardiness. Your Highness, are you injured…”
“It’s nothing serious. After some meditation, we can set off for the capital. Rise.” Qi Bei Han had relayed the intelligence from Yan Kingdom but omitted his injury. Now that he had fully recovered, there was no need to mention it.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” The two stood up.
Qi Bei Han sat cross-legged on the ground, meditating as he spoke. “The traitors have all been eliminated. The covert network in Yan Kingdom needs reorganization. Additionally, Yan Kingdom has bred mutated Bloodthirsty Nether Wolves that they can control. Our northern border defenses against Yan must be further strengthened.”
Liu Ying responded, “Upon receiving Your Highness’s intelligence in the capital, the Empress Dowager immediately took action. New spies have already infiltrated Yan Kingdom. As for border military deployments, the Feng family has always been in charge. Your Highness can obtain detailed information after returning to the capital.”
“Hmm.” Qi Bei Han acknowledged, then glanced at the two men beside him. “What do we know about that Saintly Hand Physician Immortal who has become famous throughout the world these past two years?”
Suddenly questioned about this, Liu Ying and Liu Shang were puzzled. Why would His Highness ask about this person?
Exchanging glances, Liu Shang answered, “Your Highness, we only know she’s a young woman, but no one has seen her appearance. Her medical skills are profound, and she possesses miraculous elixirs. There’s no ailment she cannot cure, hence her title Medicine Immortal. She is extremely mysterious and constantly moving—we cannot trace her origins. However, she appears to have dealings with the All Heavens Commerce Guild.”
Qi Bei Han said solemnly, “Have people keep close watch on her.”
“Yes.” Liu Ying and Liu Shang responded in unison. At that moment, Liu Ying’s eyes swept over and noticed the dagger was missing from His Highness’s waist.
Liu Ying cautiously inquired, “Your Highness, your favorite dagger…”
Qi Bei Han said lightly, “I gave it away.”
These words shocked not only Liu Ying but also Liu Shang, who hadn’t noticed before. The two looked at each other in disbelief. That dagger was made from a meteorite His Highness had found, forged by a master craftsman—he cherished it deeply. How could he have given it away?
But they dared not question their lord’s affairs.
Liu Ying pondered, then decided to speak. “Your Highness, there’s another matter regarding you and the Feng family’s young lady. The Empress Dowager…” He abruptly stopped upon seeing His Highness’s expression.
Suddenly, the surroundings fell into terrifying silence.
The next moment, Qi Bei Han stood up. “Let’s go. We leave this place first.”
“Yes.” Liu Ying and Liu Shang quickly followed.
In an instant, three figures flashed through the forest and vanished.
…
Celestial Authority Kingdom, Eastern Mausoleum City, the capital. A hundred miles outside the northern city gate lay the Feng family’s Hot Spring Villa.
Night was falling, and the villa was brightly lit.
In the main hall, seated in the position of honor, was Feng Jin Yue.
Her maid Qian Zhu presented a cup of fragrant tea, saying, “Young Miss, you’ve finally returned. If you hadn’t come back today, this servant wouldn’t have been able to maintain the disguise much longer.”
Feng Jin Yue took the teacup and sipped delicately. “I said one year, so of course I’d return on time. What’s wrong? Was the face-changing disguise technique I taught you not effective enough?”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Then is there something urgent?”
“It’s about your marriage, Miss. Do you still remember when the Emperor first ascended the throne? The entire court was abuzz with rumors that the Empress Dowager intended to arrange a marriage between the Regent and you. It was only postponed because you were still young. But three days ago, the Empress Dowager suddenly issued the marriage decree, and tomorrow the Second Young Master will come to escort you back to the Grand General’s Manor.”
“…” After hearing Qian Zhu’s words, Feng Jin Yue was utterly speechless, feeling even the tea in her hand had lost its flavor. Were they serious? The young Emperor had been on the throne for nearly two years, his position stable. The Feng family remained unchanged—though holding military power, they had never entertained thoughts of rebellion. What was the Empress Dowager worried about, insisting on this marriage alliance?
“Qian Zhu, if I wanted to call off this marriage, what would happen?”
Just as Feng Jin Yue finished speaking, a gentle voice came from outside the hall.
“Speaking so earnestly—it seems our little sister has no desire to marry into the Regent’s Manor or accept this engagement.”
Hearing this voice, Qian Zhu turned toward the newcomer and immediately curtsied. “Second Young Master.” She breathed a deep sigh of relief. Thank goodness, the young lady had returned.
Feng Jin Yue looked at the person before her—her second brother, Feng Lingze. As always, he was dressed in pristine white robes, handsome and refined, exuding an air of gentle elegance. She addressed him, “Second Brother,” then asked, “Didn’t Qian Zhu say you would only arrive tomorrow?”
Feng Lingze stepped forward and sat down beside her. “Originally, I was scheduled to arrive tomorrow at noon. But thinking it had been some time since I last saw you, I hurried here posthaste. Father and Mother miss you dearly. By arriving early, I can escort you back to the manor sooner. Moreover, regarding the Empress Dowager’s marriage decree, I wanted to hear your thoughts first.”
Feng Jin Yue understood this well. Since her birth, whether it was her parents or her elder brothers, they had always doted on her excessively. The affection showered upon her had never waned.
“Second Brother, you were recently promoted to Vice Minister of Revenue and must be swamped with duties. Yet you still trouble yourself with my affairs.”
“Not to mention I’m currently on leave and have no official duties to attend to. Even if I were busy, those matters could never compare to your concerns.”
Feng Lingze continued, “Regarding this marriage—ever since the young Emperor ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager has been intent on forming a marriage alliance between the Regent and the Grand General’s Manor. The rumors never ceased; only the official decree was missing. This sudden edict came without any warning. The specific reasons are likely known only to the Empress Dowager herself. But if you are unwilling, we will never force you. Father will make arrangements to ensure the Empress Dowager feels assured and trusts the Feng family, even without this marriage alliance.”
“Second Brother, to be honest, I’ve lived in this Hot Spring Villa since childhood. Not only have I never met him, but I don’t even know his full name. I suppose, to him, I’m merely a stranger. With the Empress Dowager issuing the decree, did the Regent have no reaction? I recall the Empress Dowager is his elder sister, right? Is she so casual about arranging a marriage for her own brother?”
“The Empress Dowager issued the decree—perhaps he was unaware.”
“Why?”
“From what I know, the Regent hasn’t been in the capital recently.” Feng Lingze gazed thoughtfully at his younger sister. “But, little sister, have you truly never heard of the Regent, Qi Bei Han?”
“I’m not familiar with him. I might have heard the name, but since he’s not someone important, I couldn’t be bothered to remember it.” Feng Jin Yue said casually, when suddenly a thought struck her like a snapped string. “Wait, Second Brother, what did you say his name was? Qi Bei Han?”
Seeing her brother nod, Feng Jin Yue’s lips twitched. Back in the Tianshan Mountains, she had felt a faint sense of familiarity upon hearing the name ‘Qi Bei Han’.
Holy crap, this can’t be so absurd, can it? What are the odds of such a coincidence?