Chapter 37: Reunion at the Tavern

That night I placed Wu Ye into the Blue Residence. The reason was simple: during the half‑year I was away he saved my life, so upon meeting again I naturally had to repay him. Because he has no fixed dwelling, I kept him by my side as a personal guard.

Logically, getting someone like that into the Blue Residence isn't impossible, but it shouldn't be that easy. Yet Lan Junqing, with an impatient yet casual expression, granted my request, which could only mean one thing: something major had happened at the Blue Residence.

Anyway, I wasn't interested in that; after finally shooing away the meddlesome Jin Hong and his two companions, the room was left with only me, Wu Ye, Xin Hui, Xin Luo and Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin was very perceptive; after seeing me she quietly crouched to one side, and only just now cheerfully leapt into my arms, affectionately rubbing against my neck nonstop.

I laughed, tickled, lifted her and examined her from side to side for a while, then said, "Luckily you're not skinny; Xiao Yin is still so beautiful! Strange, how did you know I was here? I myself don't even know what place this is."

Xiao Yin called out again, licking my hand repeatedly, her black‑glass eyes full of grievance and coquettishness.

"I'm sorry." I cradled her, gently brushing her against my cheek, and said apologetically, "I promise I won't abandon you again."

"Master?" Wu Ye asked uncertainly, "Are you really my master?"

I placed Xiao Yin in my arms, glared at him irritably, and said, "Not now; you can already pack up and go home!"

Wu Ye's face was hidden behind a full mask, concealing his expression, yet his eyes still showed satisfaction and a smile. He then slowly recounted their journey over the past few months.

"That day I heard your call, Master, so I rushed out to look, but the torrent was so swift that your trace was gone. I searched in the water for a long time without success, so I brought the fox… Xiao Yin and followed the river together. The downstream forked many ways; I was hesitating, unable to choose, but Xiao Yin had already taken one side. I thought animals have some spirit, so I followed her all the way here."

He paused, then asked, "Master, your appearance and voice… are you the lady of the Blue Residence?"

"I've told you not to call me 'master'… fine, call me whatever you like!" I saw Xin Hui still standing respectfully aside, unlike that brat Xin Luo who had already snuggled up to me, staring wide‑eyed at Xiao Yin in my arms. I then beckoned her to sit as well.

"I'm not some prime‑minister's daughter." Turning to answer Wu Ye's question, I sighed helplessly, "It's only because I saved this brat that I got dragged into this."

I saw Xin Luo reaching to pinch Xiao Yin's face, hurriedly pulled his hand away, and said, "Don't bully Xiao Yin." Ignoring Xin Luo's gloomy expression, I continued, "As for my appearance and voice, I'm also unclear. It's probably the result of two Blood Gu effects, I guess?"

"Blood Gu?" Wu Ye hadn't replied yet when Xin Hui let out a startled cry and jumped forward, "Miss, you know about Blood Gu?"

I smiled and nodded, gave Xin Luo, still sulking, a glance, then pinched his pretty little face teasingly, "I not only know Blood Gu, I also know 'Thousand Insects Ten Thousand Flowers.'"

Seeing Xin Hui's face full of astonishment and understanding, I smiled reassuringly, "I not only know Blood Gu; I've even implanted two of them in my body and have lived fine so far. Xin Luo's poison, I'll always find a way."

"Miss—" Xin Hui's eyes slowly filled with tears, "Don't you blame me?"

I sighed, then said ruefully, "I originally wanted to punish you quietly, but after you made me shed so many tears and feelings, you harshly threw me aside."

"But, thinking carefully, besides giving me over two months of fine clothes, fine food and a somewhat thrilling life, you haven't really harmed me. And later I guessed you were doing this for Xin Luo and some family‑ or country‑related grievances, so I'll let it pass."

Xin Hui wiped her tears, knelt respectfully before me, and, though not heavy, bowed deeply three times, saying, "Miss, please cure Luo'er's poison and take him away from here!"

"Xin Hui, do you think I'm a deity? The poison of Thousand Insects Ten Thousand Flowers isn't that easy to cure. If… if Qi Ran might still have a chance, of course, it's just a 'if.' I lowered my head, thought, then sneered, 'Even if it's hard, that only refers to the true antidote; as for the medicine guide, as long as we have a sample, it isn't impossible.'"

After all, Thousand Insects Ten Thousand Flowers is merely a medicine, not a perverse parasitic Blood Gu; a medicine inevitably has interacting organisms. It may require a lot of time and effort, but there's no rush now, so we can take it slowly.

"Miss!" Xin Hui's eyes flickered with struggle, then she stared at me resolutely, "I believe you can cure Luo'er; please take him away!"

"Fine!" I lifted my tea, sipped leisurely, then grinned mischievously, "If you run off with me, I'll reluctantly bring him along!"

Xin Hui was startled, then flushed, scolding, "Miss, be serious!"

"I am very serious!" I laughed even louder, "It's a buy‑one‑get‑one free."

Xin Luo squeezed beside me, grabbed my neck, and shouted indignantly, "I'm not a giveaway. Miss, you said you like sister, and you also like me, Xin Luo!"

I broke into a cold sweat: this brat has been clingy since yesterday as if a different person. It's cute, but I'm not a pedophile. The cool kid in the prison is still better.

After finally calming Xin Luo, I turned to Xin Hui, my expression turning serious, "Xin Hui, have you decided? Escaping a nation's control isn't easy. However, your mission here is nearly over; if I'm not mistaken, Feng Yinmo… no, Fu Junmo, once he gets what he wants, will kill you all to silence them."

"Miss, you know?"

I nodded, "Thousand Insects Ten Thousand Flowers is the Key Kingdom royal family's secret medicine, known only to successive imperial lines. Considering Feng Yinmo's usual conduct, his identity is easy to guess. I'm just puzzled why the poison was placed on a child like Xin Luo—was it truly only to force you to act?"

Xin Hui's face turned pale, and she stammered, "Xin Luo's poison was administered personally by the emperor; the crown prince was initially unaware. That's all I can say; the rest… Miss! If Xin Hui follows you, she'll only bring endless trouble, which is absolutely unacceptable. I only ask that you safely take Xin Luo away, and don't let him… meet his fate!"

"Meet his fate?" I was stunned; from Xin Hui's tone, Xin Luo's status seemed complex. Yet Fu Junmo clearly wasn't after the siblings, probably still unaware of the backstory. So perhaps…

Before I could speak, Xin Luo grabbed Xin Hui's sleeve, his face cold, and said, "If sister won't leave, then I won't leave either!"

"Luo'er, be obedient…"

"You all hold off for now!" I steadied myself, "The situation isn't as bad as you think. In a few days, no one may even notice Xin Luo's importance; amidst the bustle, you might be overlooked."

"Miss, what are you saying?"

I gave a faint smile, sipped tea, "If I'm not mistaken, the Key Kingdom is likely to undergo a regime change in the next few days."

Those words caused everyone to wear expressions of astonishment.

"By the way, Wu Ye, how's the person I saved?" I suddenly recalled and turned to Wu Ye, "A few days ago, the Qi Nation envoy sent to the Yin Nation was ambushed on the return trip, and none survived. That can't be true, can it?"

Wu Ye was startled, his eyes a bit worried, and after a while said, "When I went back that day, they were already gone from the cave."

The next day I learned that indeed something had happened at the Blue Residence—a front‑line emergency summons.

The cause couldn't be said to be unrelated to me. The Yin Nation, which had been using a conservative strategy to attack the Ting Nation, suddenly went berserk, making an all‑or‑nothing assault on 'Hulu Pass,' caring little about casualties.

The reason was that their diplomatic ties with the Qi Nation had broken, and rumors hinted that Qi Nation intended to attack the Yin Nation's border.

According to Jin Hong and the others, the Qi Nation and the Yin Nation had always been superficially friendly. This time, the Yin Nation could afford such a massive campaign against the Ting Nation largely because King Yin and King Qi reached an agreement: Yin would supply troops, Qi would provide supplies, and they would split the spoils after victory.

But two months earlier, the Qi Nation's envoy to the Yin Nation was ambushed halfway, and none survived. When the news returned, the entire Qi Nation was shocked; ministers clamored for troops to punish the Yin Nation. Yet King Qi insisted there were still doubts needing verification. Consequently, the matter gradually subsided, and no one expected today that he would suddenly launch an attack on a small state allied to the Yin Nation's border.

It was this double‑sided pressure that forced the Yin Nation, which had deliberately conserved its strength, to gamble and first settle one side.

Speaking of it, King Qi was truly ruthless: first he quelled the turmoil, using the Yin Nation's army as a weapon, and when victory was near he suddenly remembered to collect the blood debt. This left the exhausted Yin Nation unable to gain anything on either front; perhaps even the Ting Nation would fall into Qi's hands—a truly poisonous move.

Cradling Xiao Yin, I walked the street feeling a bit depressed; Jin Hong and his group had been gone for two days, and the entire Blue Residence seemed suddenly deadened. Sigh! If Xin Hui hadn't still not obtained Xin Luo's medicine guide for this month, I would have fled with them long ago.

Speaking of the medicine guide, after Xin Hui mentioned it I learned that even Fu Junmo doesn't have Xin Luo's antidote. Knowledge of the Thousand Insects Ten Thousand Flowers poison is already scarce; only the current Key King can wield this medicine.

Thus each of Xin Luo's medicine guides is tied to the leg of a giant eagle and delivered; as long as their whereabouts remain under the Key King's control, the antidote can be obtained, otherwise… indeed, the father's influence persists.

Fu Junmo hasn't shown up these past two days, likely busy with his covert 'change‑the‑sky' scheme, but as long as he doesn't provoke me, everything's fine.

My mind a jumble of thoughts, my stomach growling, I called Xin Hui, Xin Luo and Wu Ye to a restaurant. Though I, a lady, led a group of people, it attracted attention, yet I was completely oblivious.

Turning a corner, I led at the front, head down, continuing to think: since Thousand Insects Ten Thousand Flowers is the Key Kingdom's 'secret', how could Qi Ran know? Then again, Bing Ling is essentially an underground syndicate, so it's not surprising they know such S‑level state secrets! But what exactly is Xin Luo's identity that even the Key King fears him? And Jin Hong and second sister…

"Bang—" darkness flashed before me; I realized I'd collided with someone but couldn't dodge in time, "Ow—" I shouted, luckily Wu Ye caught me firmly.

I lifted my head to apologize, then widened my eyes and exclaimed, "Wei Lingfeng?!"

The person I'd collided with wore brocade and jade robes, exuded graceful poise, and his face was stunningly handsome—unmistakably not the Wei Lingfeng I rescued in the mountain cave that day; who was he?

Before my shout could finish, the figure flashed, already bearing a gleaming steel blade and a fan pressed against my neck.

I stared somewhat dazedly at the two men before me—one scholarly, one martial—whose faces were composed yet on guard, and at Ye Wu and Xin Hui standing behind them, likewise gripping their vital points. What is this situation?

Xin Luo ran over and seized my hand, coldly telling the two before me: 'Release the miss!'

Wei Lingfeng seemed oblivious to the situation before him, smoothing his robe's corner; though his face bore a faint smile, when he looked at me he clearly exuded a dangerous aura: 'How do you know who I am?'

Ah? I blinked, only then realizing that both my appearance and voice had changed—no wonder he didn't recognize me.

His identity must be far from simple, huh? He looks like he wants to silence witnesses. I frowned at him, then at the two expressionless men before him—men who would obey orders even if Mount Tai collapsed before them—and wondered silently whether I should flee outright or risk asking him for a lifeline.

He stepped before me, sizing me up, failing to notice the anxious look beneath Ye Wu's mask. His gaze slowly drifted down, landing on Little Silver in my arms, and he startled, blurting: 'Is it you?'

I secretly sighed; it seemed the first plan had failed. I gave a faint smile: 'After parting in the cave, I thought you were already dead.'

'Bold!' the martial one shouted, about to bring down his blade, but Ye Wu firmly blocked it.

Wei Lingfeng also merely blinked, then came to his senses; his eyes showed a hint of joy, but more so contemplation: 'I should be the one saying that—after our parting that day, it's truly been a long time.'

Turning to Ye Wu with a light smile, he said: 'You too—long time no see, Ye Wu. Since we've bumped into each other, why not retire to a private room and talk over a meal?'

I happened to be starving, so I readily agreed.

Entering the room, I sat opposite Wei Lingfeng, while Ye Wu and Xin Hui refused to sit no matter what; I therefore held Little Silver and pulled Xin Luo down to sit.

The two—one scholarly, one martial—had instructed the waiter to serve the dishes, then remained expressionless behind Wei Lingfeng, saying nothing.

Wei Lingfeng took the poured tea and asked: 'By the way, may I ask your name, miss?'

I tilted my head, thinking: the name Shui Bingyi definitely couldn't be used; perhaps Lan Yingruo would do, though that name wasn't very safe either. Anyway… I also poured a cup of tea for Xin Luo and took one for myself: 'My name is Lan Yingruo.'

'Oh? A Lan family member?' Wei Lingfeng sounded slightly surprised. In Ting Guo, there is only one family with the surname Lan.

I smiled helplessly, 'I suppose so for now.' Suddenly I thought of something, set down my teacup, and said: 'By the way, extend your hand.'

Wei Lingfeng was slightly surprised, but still placed his right hand across the table before me; his two subordinates, however, showed faint displeasure.

Wei Lingfeng's hand resembled Qiran's—long, slender fingers, even joints, skin crystalline as if glowing. I let out a soft sigh and placed my middle finger on his pulse.

His pulse was calm, his heart meridian unblocked—just like mine, the blood worm had truly been dispelled. So it seems my risky gamble that day, though twists and turns, ultimately succeeded.

Wei Lingfeng withdrew his hand, still smiling: 'My poison is indeed gone. It's just strange, Miss Lan—what strange encounter could have changed your appearance, voice, and even identity?'

I shrugged: 'That day I thought the poison had been cured, but then it suddenly flared up and I fell into the water. When I woke, I had been rescued by… my family; not only was my damaged appearance restored, but my voice changed as well. I suppose it's the effect of the blood worm.'

'Well then, congratulations, Miss Lan, for turning misfortune into blessing.'

I nodded gladly. Although Wei Lingfeng at first glance is clearly no benevolent sort, perhaps because we've shared hardship and he inadvertently resolved my greatest trouble, I may not feel close to him, but at least I don't dislike him.

As we spoke, the dishes were brought out; I stubbornly dragged Ye Wu and Xin Hui to sit, while as for those two being Wei Lingfeng's subordinates, I certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to greet them.

'Miss.' The usually silent Xin Luo suddenly tugged my sleeve. I turned in surprise, seeing he hadn't moved his chopsticks, and asked anxiously: 'What's wrong? Is the food not to your taste, or are you feeling unwell?'

Xin Luo shook his head, glanced at Wei Lingfeng's face, then wondered: 'No. Miss, Xin Luo is just curious—is this elder brother called Wei Lingfeng?'

Upon hearing that, the two behind Wei Lingfeng gripped their weapons. Xin Hui's face turned pale, she wanted to speak but held back. Ye Wu silently circulated his true qi, fully on guard.

Only I, still clueless, asked: 'Yeah, what's up?' while Wei Lingfeng remained leisurely, gazing at us.

Xin Luo pursed his lips and said: 'But isn't Wei Lingfeng the emperor of Qi Guo?'

'Cough—what?' A mouthful of food lodged in my throat, making my face flush red; I shook my hand pointing at Wei Lingfeng, coughing for a while before squeezing out: 'Cough cough! You… you're the emperor?!'

Wei Lingfeng's lips curled in a smile, his eyes full of amusement; seeing everyone beside him frozen, he kindly handed me a cup of tea to ease my breath, and said: 'Yes, I am the emperor of Qi Guo.'

'Your Majesty!' the martial subordinate exclaimed, about to step forward, but Wei Lingfeng merely waved his hand lightly, and he retreated with an unwilling expression.

I gulped down several mouthfuls of water before barely catching my breath, then glanced at Wei Lingfeng with mixed astonishment and uncertainty; he only smiled silently, making me more apprehensive, and I cautiously asked: 'You… won't kill us to silence us, will you?'

Wei Lingfeng's smile widened, he rolled up his sleeve and personally placed a dish into my bowl, gentle: 'The other dishes here aren't much, but this 'Almond Buddha's Hand' is not bad—try it.'

'Oh.' I somewhat foolishly picked up the vegetable from my bowl and took a bite: 'It's not bad.' Yet in my heart I thought: still far inferior to what Qiran makes.

'You… since you're the emperor of Qi Guo, how…' I hemmed and hawed for a while, still lacking the courage to ask why he came here to join the fun—shouldn't the emperor of Qi Guo be busy invading the borders of Yin Guo right now?

Wei Lingfeng set down his chopsticks, straightened his expression, though I felt his eyes still held a teasing smile: 'Miss Lan, since you are my lifesaver, I shall naturally repay you. As for my purpose in coming here…'

His eyes grew more amused, yet his face remained solemn: 'Let's not mention that for now. Miss Lan, do you have any requests? As long as I can fulfill them, I will certainly satisfy them.'

I tilted my head, staring at him for a while; though I was clearly starving, I now lacked the courage to pick up my chopsticks. It's not that I'm terribly afraid of him—even if he truly intended to kill us to silence us, I am no pushover that just anyone could pinch.

But the problem is his innate oppressive aura—though he smiles gently, attentively helps arrange your dishes, and constantly says he wishes to repay you, I cannot fathom whether he intends to kill me or truly repay me.

Unlike the disheveled him in the mountain cave, who though also deep, did not now completely conceal his emotions. Yet it cannot be said he is entirely different; that innate kingly aura lies hidden in his every gesture, as if his very existence is meant to embody the word 'emperor,' unchanged from start to finish. How could I have been so foolish as not to connect his identity back then?

'Miss Lan?'

I jolted, quickly regained composure, and forced a smile: 'I will certainly tell no one about today's affairs. As for repayment…' If you old brother don't come looking for trouble, I'll just say Amitabha.

Wei Lingfeng set down his chopsticks, leisurely leaned back in his chair, and smiled faintly: 'Miss Lan, if you have any requests, go ahead and speak.'

I thought to myself: but you told me to speak. I composed my expression and then gave a feigned smile: 'Fine! Then I want two hundred taels of gold and twenty of your country's circulating hundred-tael silver notes; after that we each go our separate ways—I will never say I know you, and you may pretend I don't exist. How about that?'

The side room fell into a mysterious silence for a while, until someone finally couldn't hold back and let out a pleasant laugh.

'I guessed correctly, you indeed made that request.' Wei Lingfeng struggled to suppress his laughter, staring straight at me.

Xin Hui, Ye Wu, and the others lowered their heads almost to the table, unsure whether they were stifling laughter or feeling embarrassed to have me as their master. The two civil and military generals behind them, likely having lived half a lifetime without seeing such a shameless miss, simply gaped, eyes wide, utterly astonished at worldly matters.

In fact I had given this request proper consideration; after all, I, Ye Wu, and the others will someday need to flee, and without some silver how could we support this 'household of old and young'? Anyway, since the surname Wei belongs to the emperor, and he himself insisted on repaying me, such profits are naturally not to be spurned.

If he truly meant to kill me, I would not take money and he would still kill me; if he is sincerely repaying his debt, then I would naturally… accept it with a clear conscience.

Seeing them laugh for so long, I couldn't help but feel irritated, raised my eyebrows, and said: 'Hey! Have you laughed enough? Is it really so stingy to ask for a bit of silver?'

Wei Lingfeng actually stopped laughing, put on a serious face, and looked at me: 'Since it is Miss Lan's request, I naturally agree.' Having said that, he gestured to the people behind him, and the scholarly one handed over a stack of silver notes, each indeed worth a hundred taels.

'As for the two hundred taels of gold, I don't have it on me at the moment.' Wei Lingfeng handed the silver notes to me, smiling: 'Tomorrow I'll have someone secretly deliver them to the Lan residence—how does that sound?'

'Secretly?' I stared at him, somewhat shocked—this guy is really too formidable, isn't he? From just a few of my words he deduced that I don't want the Lan household to know I have money.

'Then thank you.' I took a piece of 'Harmony Crisp' and swallowed it; leaving hungry would be too sorry to myself. I also took a small piece for Little Silver, sipped some tea, and then said: 'Thank you, Master Wei… for this meal; we'll take our leave now.'

'Wait.' Wei Lingfeng's light voice sounded just as I was pulling Xin Luo up to rise—soft and tranquil yet bearing an irresistible authority; I tightened my grip on Xin Luo's hand slightly, thinking: 'The main event is coming!'

(End of chapter)