Pre-Mission

Feng Yao waited for a long time, but Lang Huan remained silent. Annoyance started to rise, and she turned around, ready to leave. However, just as she took a few steps, a warm hand suddenly grabbed her wrist. Startled, she lost her balance before she could react.

"Ah—!"

In an instant, Lang Huan pulled her close, catching her in her arms. Feng Yao's face turned red immediately. Without a word, Lang Huan lifted her effortlessly and placed her on the round table behind them.

"I don't like her," Lang Huan said calmly, her voice firm. "Why should I like her?"

A small smile appeared on Lang Huan's lips as her gaze softened. "If I had to like someone…" She paused for a moment before continuing, "I would like Your Highness."

Feng Yao's face turned even redder, whether from shock or embarrassment.

Lang Huan didn't look away. Her clear, honest eyes held no trace of teasing—she was serious. She liked Feng Yao. However, she didn't want to overthink this feeling. There was no need to force it, no need to rush. She would let things flow naturally.

Feng Yao snorted, "sweet talker! I'm not some young lady you can fool with pretty words," she scoffed, looking at Lang Huan with clear doubt.

Lang Huan simply chuckled and looked at Feng Yao gently before saying, "I'm sorry… Please don't be mad at me, Your Highness."

But then, her expression grew more serious as she returned to the previous topic. "After I fell into the cliff, I couldn't remember killing the soldiers. Ruochen was the one who told me."

She lowered her head, sadness clouding her eyes. "I don't want anyone to see me as a cold-blooded killer, especially you, Your Highness."

Feng Yao saw the sincerity in Lang Huan's eyes, though she only half-believed her. She didn't want to prolong the issue, especially with the Jade Flower kidnapping case still unresolved.

"Is your hand still itching?" she asked, changing the subject.

Lang Huan blinked, just realizing it. "Oh… no, it's not itchy anymore."

Feng Yao crossed her arms. "That's a wound medicine developed by my apothecary. If you weren't needed to solve the kidnapping case, I would have chopped your hand off."

Lang Huan pretended to look in pain. "Are you sure, Your Highness? My hand actually hurts a lot right now."

Feng Yao was unconvinced. "Impossible." She reached out, intending to unwrap the bandage and check.

Before she could touch it, Lang Huan quickly pulled her hand away. With a playful smile, she said, "Give me something sweet, and it won't hurt anymore."

Feng Yao raised an eyebrow. "What do you want? Dessert? Cake?"

Lang Huan shook her head.

"Then what?"

Leaning in, Lang Huan closed the distance between them. With a mischievous smile, she whispered, "Give me a kiss."

Feng Yao's face darkened immediately.

Seeing that she was about to turn into the ruthless princess again, Lang Huan panicked. "I was just joking!"

To calm her down, Lang Huan gently helped Feng Yao off the table. However, the princess's expression remained serious, the anger in her eyes unwavering.

Bowing respectfully, Lang Huan suggested, "You should rest, Your Highness." Then, she turned around and started walking away. But after a few steps, she suddenly stopped, glanced back, and smirked.

"Your Highness, are you sure you don't want to kiss me?"

Feng Yao grabbed a teacup from the table and threw it at her. "Get out!" she shouted.

Lang Huan burst into laughter, dodging the cup just in time. She ran out of Feng Yao's room as fast as she could before the princess got even angrier.

---

The date for the auction banquet was approaching, and Qiu Yue reported that fifty soldiers from the Azure Falcon Army had been stationed near Shang Yue Forest. Everything was in place.

"Take Lang Huan to coordinate with them," Feng Yao ordered, handing over the military token. "And... let Ruochen escort me to Tao Xing Temple. Find another guard to protect Lang Huan—someone with a fierce temper, unfriendly, and with an intimidating face."

Qiu Yue was slightly confused by the request but nodded in understanding. "Understood, Your Highness."

As Feng Yao prepared to leave for Tao Xing Temple to pray, the day was serene, with snow gently falling and covering the ground in a thick layer of white. The peaceful scene mirrored the calm mood of the princess. She wore a simple yet elegant white dress, paired with a white fur cloak that enhanced her graceful appearance. Her long hair flowed freely down her back, framing her face, which radiated tranquility.

Lang Huan walked toward Feng Yao, halting a few steps away before stopping in front of the princess. Her face showed clear concern. "Why must Your Highness leave the city when I have an important mission tomorrow?" she asked, her voice full of worry.

Feng Yao smiled softly. "Don't worry, everything will be fine. We will meet again," she reassured, her eyes filled with unwavering confidence.

She then gently took Lang Huan's hand, checking to see if the wound had healed properly. "Remember, you promised to bring victory," she said, her voice full of hope. Her smile was as bright as the morning and as warm as the snow that fell gently around them.

With that, Feng Yao stepped into the carriage, followed by A Li and Lin Ruochen.

Lin Ruochen couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She suspected that the Princess might already know what she was hiding, which would explain why her mission had suddenly changed.

The luxurious carriage, pulled by eight strong horses, was heavily guarded by the Azure Falcon Army as it slowly moved away from the princess's mansion. As it passed through the streets, people stopped and stared in awe. The noblewoman inside was none other than the Eldest Princess of the Great Qi.

---

Qiu Yue introduced Lang Huan to a new guard, Wu Ming, a tall and muscular woman. Lang Huan considered herself quite tall for a woman, but this woman was even taller than her. A deep scar on her face and her fierce expression made her look intimidating. Lang Huan leaned towards Qiu Yue and whispered, "Is she really a woman?"

Qiu Yue stifled a laugh before nodding. "Wu Ming was personally chosen by Her Highness to protect you. Don't be fooled by her appearance—her martial arts skills even surpass Ruochen's."

That night, after receiving the military token from Qiu Yue, Lang Huan and her group set off for an inn at the edge of Luo City. Hidden within the inn was a spacious secret basement. There, Commander Chang and his soldiers were already waiting. As soon as they saw Lang Huan holding the military token, they immediately knelt with deep respect, "General Ye."