Chapter 108: Leaving Tian Dou, A Letter and Gift for Qian Renxue

In Tian Dou City, the streets were bustling with activity, filled with carriages and people. 

In front of the Ye Family Clinic, two carriages stood parked. Though slightly worn, their exteriors had been meticulously cleaned. 

Zhu Fan and Ye Renxin sat on the steps in front of the carriages, quietly conversing in low tones. 

Zhu Fan wore a smug expression, while Ye Renxin looked utterly astonished. 

"A cat girl? Can she really have a head bigger than that? No wonder you were so anxious before…" 

"Shh! When we return to Star Luo, I'll introduce her properly to you, Elder Ye. I guarantee you'll be satisfied." 

"No need, no need… Alas!" 

Ye Renxin let out a melancholic sigh, his sorrowful tone enough to break the hearts of those who heard it and bring tears to the eyes of those who saw it. 

Zhu Fan was momentarily stunned, then patted Ye Renxin's shoulder sympathetically. "Time spares no one. Even the sharpest swords are sheathed in the face of worldly troubles. Elder Ye, please take heart…" 

Step, step, step…

At this moment, the sound of footsteps approached. 

Hearing the footsteps, both men immediately looked up. 

'Ahem, ahem~'

Seeing who it was, Ye Renxin quickly cleared his throat and composed himself. "Lingling, is everything taken care of?" 

"Mm-hmm." 

Ye Lingling nodded. "Grandpa, everything is settled." 

"That's good." 

Ye Renxin's lips curled into a gentle smile as he lovingly gazed at his granddaughter. 

Meanwhile, Zhu Fan's gaze fell curiously on Li Zhizhao, who stood beside Dai Chengfeng. 

Noticing the man's ragged clothes, disheveled appearance, and the bloodstains running from his knees to his pant cuffs, Zhu Fan couldn't help but ask, "Chengfeng, who is this?" 

As he spoke, Zhu Fan instinctively narrowed his eyes… 

He felt as though this figure seemed strangely familiar. 

"Uncle, this is Li Zhizhao." 

Li Zhizhao quickly bowed respectfully. "Li Zhizhao, commander of a thousand soldiers of the Star Luo Empire, greets Lord Zhu Fan." 

"Li Zhizhao?" 

The name instantly triggered a memory in Zhu Fan's mind—the young, passionate soldier from Wuan City whom his nephew had promoted to commander just before their departure. He suddenly understood. 

Curious, he asked, "Li Zhizhao, why have you come to the Tian Dou Empire?" 

Dai Chengfeng shook his head slightly, an involuntary flicker of anger flashing in his eyes. "It's a long story." 

"Listen, Uncle…" 

"I see Elder Dugu Bo hasn't arrived yet. Why don't you take him to bathe and change his clothes first? You can ask him about it later." 

"Alright, leave it to me." 

Upon hearing this, Zhu Fan, still brimming with questions, patted Li Zhizhao's shoulder and gestured for him to follow. 

Soon, the two departed. 

At this point, Dai Chengfeng turned to Ye Renxin. "Elder Ye, I still have one last matter to attend to in Tian Dou City, but it won't take long…" 

"When Elder Dugu Bo arrives, we'll set off." 

With that, Dai Chengfeng didn't elaborate further. Amid the curious gazes of Ye Renxin, Ye Lingling, and Dugu Yan, he turned and hurried away. 

The direction he headed toward appeared to be a delicately decorated jewelry shop at the corner of the street… 

About half an hour later— 

"I imagine Qian Renxue, that little angel, will be quite surprised, right?" 

Dai Chengfeng stepped out of the jewelry shop, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. 

Meanwhile, back in front of the Ye Family Clinic— 

Li Zhizhao had already freshened up and returned to the carriages. 

Zhu Fan, however, stood with a darkened expression, stepping forward to greet Dai Chengfeng. "Chengfeng, you're back." 

"Li Zhizhao…" 

Seeing Zhu Fan's grim expression, Dai Chengfeng understood that his uncle must have already learned the full story. 

Reaching out, Dai Chengfeng gently patted his uncle's arm, offering a comforting smile as he preemptively interrupted, "Uncle, I understand. This matter isn't over yet." 

"For this, they must pay back tenfold!" 

A cold glint flashed in Dai Chengfeng's eyes as he spoke with unwavering resolve, leaving no room for doubt. 

"Mm!" 

Zhu Fan nodded firmly, his eyes also filled with murderous intent. 

An hour later, Dugu Bo, clad in a black robe, finally appeared at the mouth of the alley. 

With that, all personnel were assembled. 

Rattle, rattle…

Soon, the two carriages slowly began to move. The wheels rolled over the stone-paved road, emitting a muted sound. 

The carriages departed from the southern gate of Tian Dou Imperial City, heading toward Jialing Pass. 

---

In front of the Crown Prince's residence in Tian Dou City, twilight cast a golden glow over the towering gates as dusk approached. 

A little girl dressed as a beggar stood timidly at the entrance. 

Her clothes were tattered, her hair disheveled, and her face smeared with dirt. 

The guards at the gate looked at her with disdain, their brows furrowed as they shouted loudly, "Where did this little beggar come from? Go beg somewhere else!" 

The little beggar flinched, but thinking of how she would soon no longer have to go hungry, she nervously swallowed her saliva. 

Then, in a small voice, she spoke: 

"A… a big brother named Dai Chengfeng told me to give this to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe." 

As she spoke, she carefully took out an exquisite brocade box and an envelope from her chest, holding them with both hands. 

"Dai Chengfeng?" 

The guards frowned upon hearing the name. They were mere soldiers and had no idea who Dai Chengfeng was. 

However, looking at the delicate brocade box in the little girl's hands, it clearly wasn't something a beggar could possess. In the end, they dared not delay. 

After all, if they failed to report it and it turned out their Crown Prince truly knew Dai Chengfeng, they would be the ones to suffer. 

"Wait here. We'll go and report this." 

With that, the guard took the brocade box and letter from the little girl and hurried inside the residence. 

The Crown Prince's residence was adorned with intricate carvings and paintings. 

In the master bedroom

'Xue Qinghe' lay listlessly on an ornate bed, utterly bored. 

For some reason, ever since returning from the Ye Family Clinic that day, she had lost interest in everything around her. 

Even after finishing piles of tedious and complicated tasks, she would often find herself spacing out involuntarily. 

At this moment, a respectful voice came from outside the door. 

"Your Highness, there's a little beggar outside. She says a man named Dai Chengfeng asked her to deliver a brocade box and a letter." 

"The box appears very exquisite, not something a beggar would typically possess. I didn't dare make a decision on my own and came to report to Your Highness."

The previously lethargic 'Xue Qinghe' instantly perked up upon hearing the report, her eyes flashing with curiosity and excitement she couldn't suppress.

A letter and brocade box from Dai Chengfeng?! 

She quickly composed herself, cleared her throat, and called out loudly, "Bring it in." 

Soon, the guard carefully entered with the letter and brocade box, presenting them respectfully before retreating. 

Inwardly, the guard sighed in relief. 'Thank goodness our Crown Prince knows Dai Chengfeng. It's a good thing I didn't act rashly.'

Meanwhile, Qian Renxue's gaze was filled with curiosity as she stared at the letter and box on the table, her eyes clouded with confusion. She muttered softly, "Dai Chengfeng actually sent me something voluntarily? Did the sun rise in the west today?"

"Could it be a trap?"

But after only a brief moment of hesitation, she ultimately decided to open the letter.

"I wonder what you're up to, little tiger…"

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