From the beginning of the Chengyuan era to the fifth year of Chengyuan, time passed swiftly.

Daiyue gradually went from an unknown maid to being famous throughout the realm. Huang Rang usually didn’t cultivate fine varieties much, but the seedlings she gave her were extremely perfect. Every seedling that flowed to the market could cause a scramble among the people.

Daiyue watched with alarm—these past few years, Huang Rang hadn’t put any effort into breeding matters at all. Why could she so effortlessly breed seedlings with such perfect appearance?

—Of course, she could never imagine that these things, Huang Rang had already trial-bred countless times outside the dream back then. That it seemed easy now was only because back then she had painstakingly devoted her blood and tears everywhere.

So within five years, Daiyue not only had shocking works like beam rice, she had also “cultivated” a famous tea called One Petal Heart.

One Petal Heart produced very little tea, but its sweet taste upon entering the mouth was enough to make one forget worries. Soon this tea became an object of competition among royal nobility.

She even cultivated a medicinal ingredient called bitter lotus for physicians throughout the realm, which could effectively prevent wound infection and festering. And bitter lotus had high yields, so naturally the price was also cheap. After grinding it to powder, it became a commonly stocked external injury medicine in common households.

There was also a bean variety that not only doubled the fruit yield, but its flowers, leaves, stems, and roots were all very tender and could all be used for cooking.

Such frequent breeding, and all hugely successful. Daiyue was surrounded by stars holding up the moon. Wherever she went, what awaited her were praises like ocean tides. Gradually, people all called her “Miss Daiyue.” People in the world even gave her the honorific title of Xuandu Fairy.

More and more young masters from noble families proposed marriage to her.

Of course, she was a household slave of the Huang family. Her marriage naturally had to go through Huang Shu.

But Huang Shu wouldn’t allow it. Those noble young masters could certainly offer generous conditions, but no matter how generous the conditions, they still couldn’t compare to the wealth Daiyue currently brought the Huang family.

Huang Shu wasn’t stupid. So those young masters who came to the door, one after another, were all turned away.

Daiyue had an illustrious reputation outside, but in the Huang family, she remained merely a maid. Huang Shu wouldn’t allocate farmland to her separately. She even still lived in Huang Rang’s courtyard.

Huang Rang naturally wouldn’t treat her harshly. All her food, clothing, and expenses were no different from Huang Rang’s. But Daiyue knew she couldn’t continue like this. She wanted to plan another path for herself.

Early spring of the fifth year of Chengyuan, Huang Rang was practicing cultivation when suddenly a servant came to request she go to the main hall to receive guests.

Huang Rang had no choice but to change her dress and skirt and bring Daiyue to the main hall.

Just entering the hall, she saw Huang Shu and Di Yiqiu had already seated themselves as host and guest. Huang Rang could only step forward and perform a curtsy: “Greetings to the Jianzheng.”

After several years devoted to martial cultivation, her physique was no longer as delicate as before, but rather moved like swift wind, heroic and spirited.

Di Yiqiu smiled and said, “Tenth Miss, please rise.”

Huang Rang stood and sat beside Huang Shu. Then she heard Di Yiqiu say, “To be frank, I’ve come today for another matter, hoping the family head will grant my request.”

Grant… grant request… Huang Rang’s heart jumped, suddenly remembering—in the past, Di Yiqiu had proposed marriage to her, precisely in the fifth year of Chengyuan!

Ah, could he actually be here to propose marriage to me today?! Huang Rang was immediately very conflicted. Her past self hadn’t liked Di Yiqiu’s type. At that time, she had greatly admired strength, longing for the fullest wings and the firmest embrace.

But now, Huang Rang already knew that in this world there was no such thing as the firmest and most powerful embrace.

So this time, should she still refuse?

Huang Rang’s heart wavered. After all, the Di Yiqiu outside the dream, after this proposal, had been thinking of her for over a hundred years. This devotion, one could say it moved heaven and earth without exaggeration.

Thinking of Di Yiqiu seeking medical treatment for her at White Bone Cliff, Huang Rang ultimately still softened.

It was just that she had suffered five years cultivating the martial way—she couldn’t let all that effort go to waste.

For a moment, all kinds of thoughts scattered chaotically. Huang Rang’s heart was tangled like hemp.

And just at this moment, Huang Shu also said, “Oh? Your Highness, please speak.”

Di Yiqiu said slowly, “I wish to ask the family head for the hand of…” His gaze swept over. Huang Rang quickly avoided it. Di Yiqiu continued, “Miss Daiyue as my wife. I hope the family head will grant this.”

Dai… wait, stop!

All of Huang Rang’s turmoil froze at this moment. Propose marriage to Daiyue?!

This isn’t right!

In the fifth year of Chengyuan outside the dream, Huang Rang actually hadn’t had much interaction with him. Speaking of it, they met once before each spring planting, and every meeting had Huang Shu present.

—To maintain her pure reputation, Huang Rang wouldn’t meet with men privately.

And at that time, Di Yiqiu, who wasn’t familiar with her, still chose to propose marriage to her. How was it that this time instead…

Thinking to this point, Huang Rang suddenly understood—what love at first sight was there? This dog only took a fancy to her breeding ability! Because this time the “Xuandu Fairy” was Daiyue, he naturally switched his marriage candidate!

Huang Rang, combining Di Yiqiu’s character from a hundred years later, quickly reached a conclusion—back then, he just wanted to freeload off her!

Dog! Though I’m not human, you’re truly a dog!

Wait no, if his proposal at that time was wanting to freeload, then later when she became a living dead person, why was he considerate and caring in every way? Why did he need to go to White Bone Cliff to seek medical treatment for her? And why did he painstakingly become friendly with He Shouwu?

Huang Rang couldn’t figure it out. Actually, in the world outside the dream, after she married, she lost contact with the entire world. She hadn’t even returned to Immortal Tea Town once, much less met with Di Yiqiu.

So where did Di Yiqiu’s feelings come from?

No matter where his feelings came from, anyway now she was the one being presumptuous. Cough, Huang Rang was very embarrassed. Daiyue lowered her head, but her face was full of red clouds.

Huang Shu was slightly stunned and said, “Your Highness jests. Daiyue is merely a crude working maid. How could she be worthy of you, a celestial noble of royal blood? Moreover, she has served my Ah Rang since childhood. If she were gone, my Ah Rang wouldn’t be accustomed to it. Ah Rang, isn’t that right?”

He called out loudly to ask. How could Huang Rang not understand his meaning? With Daiyue’s current status and position, she wasn’t someone who could be married off just because someone wanted to.

That’s right. With Daiyue’s current reputation, you dog can’t take her away without bleeding some. Huang Rang naturally understood Huang Shu’s thoughts and could only say, “Father is right.”

But Di Yiqiu picked up the thread of conversation, saying, “Tenth Miss? Ah, it seems to marry Miss Daiyue, I can only marry Tenth Miss together as well. If I’m to marry Tenth Miss, that would be taking the family head’s precious pearl. Then I’m afraid the entire Immortal Tea Town would have to be the betrothal gift.”

He was talking to himself. Huang Rang was already bursting with fury—do you even listen to human speech?!

But Huang Shu’s eyes lit up! If Di Yiqiu could grant him the entire Immortal Tea Town as a fief, then a mere Daiyue, or even adding Huang Rang—what was impossible?!

So Huang Shu immediately said, “For Your Highness to take such pains truly shows sincerity. Ah Rang, what’s your opinion?”

Huang Rang smiled and stood up, gracefully walking before Di Yiqiu. If before she had been disappointed and embarrassed, then now she was absolutely furious. Her vermillion lips parted slightly as she said, “The Eighty-Sixth Your Highness is truly thoughtful.” This address of “Eighty-Sixth Your Highness” made Di Yiqiu’s mouth twitch.

And Huang Rang continued, “It’s a pity that though Ah Rang is a country earth spirit, she has always admired self-reliant and independent people. Men like the Eighty-Sixth Your Highness who rely on ancestral shade to barely get by, while themselves accomplishing nothing with no achievements whatsoever—Ah Rang truly does not fancy.”

Saying this, she curtsied: “Please forgive me, Eighty-Sixth Your Highness.”

Dog! I originally wanted to be gentle with him this time, but he—does—not—deserve—it!

“Eighty-Sixth Your Highness” stood in place, mocked on the spot until his face wasn’t a face and his nose wasn’t a nose. For a moment, he was so shocked he even forgot to put down the teacup in his hand.

Li Lu was greatly alarmed and angrily said, “Bold Huang Shu! Is this how you teach your daughter? This is great disrespect!”

Huang Shu cursed even more furiously, “Outrageous! To speak such vile words in front of Your Highness! Why don’t you quickly apologize to His Highness!”

But Huang Rang’s heart was already extremely furious. How could she bother with him? She walked out directly. Daiyue looked at Di Yiqiu, then at Huang Rang. Really having no choice, she could only follow her out.

Huang Shu could only apologetically say with care, “This girl has truly been spoiled by me. Your Highness must not listen to her nonsense. Tonight I’ll definitely reward her with a beating to teach her not to speak such mad words.”

Di Yiqiu’s face was gloomy. After quite a while, he said, “It seems Tenth Miss truly has no interest in me. This matter ends here. But I greatly doubt the family head’s family instruction. In the future, it’s better we don’t associate.”

Saying this, his face full of displeasure, he turned to leave. Huang Shu quickly stopped him and said, “Your Highness, calm your anger. Ah Rang doesn’t know what’s good for her. But I see that Daiyue is quite interested in Your Highness. Why doesn’t Your Highness first take her as a concubine? As for that girl Ah Rang, I’ll discipline her well myself. I’ll definitely teach her never to dare be presumptuous again!”

Di Yiqiu snorted coldly and didn’t answer. Li Lu beside him, seeing this, said, “That’s fine too. In any case, our Highness also has feelings for Miss Daiyue.”

Huang Shu quickly said, “Your Highness, then regarding Immortal Tea Town…”

Di Yiqiu said in a deep voice, “Though your daughter lacks discipline, I am one who keeps my word.”

Huang Shu immediately showed a joyful face: “Huang congratulates Your Highness on obtaining a beautiful concubine.”

Only then did Di Yiqiu nod slightly and say, “Three months from now, I’ll come to take her as wife.”

Huang Shu, having obtained such an enormous benefit, enthusiastically saw Di Yiqiu and the others out.

After leaving the Huang family, Di Yiqiu got into the carriage. Li Lu and Baowu rode horses following. Only after the carriage moved forward did Li Lu say, “Though the Jianzheng successfully obtained Miss Daiyue this time, he’s thoroughly angered that Tenth Miss. I’m afraid this grudge is settled.”

“That’s for sure.” Baowu raised an eyebrow, pinched his voice to imitate Huang Rang’s tone, and said, “Eighty-Sixth Your Highness…”

Saying this, he burst out laughing. Li Lu quickly shouted, “Shut up! Are you tired of living?!”

Baowu quickly fell silent. But just at this moment, from inside the carriage, Di Yiqiu’s voice came: “You two like chatting so much, come in and talk your fill.”

…Li Lu and Baowu entered the carriage. Di Yiqiu specially had the coachman slow down. The two could only talk nonstop, picking nonsense to say the entire way. By the time they returned to Si Tianjian, their throats were about to bleed.

In the small courtyard, Huang Rang wasn’t just thoroughly angered. She practically wanted to skin Di Yiqiu. Fortunately, she knew this was just a dream and was too lazy to bother with this fellow.

—Devoting herself to martial cultivation was still most important. After all, in a few more months, Xie Hongchen would come to Immortal Tea Town to capture demons.

Whether her aptitude could catch his eye depended on these next few months.

Hongchen… at least we were husband and wife for a hundred years. This dream, half I’ll give to you, half I’ll give to Xie Lingbi.

Huang Rang continued her seclusion. Daiyue also peacefully awaited her marriage.

Originally everything was going smoothly. However, on this day, Eunuch Fu from Emperor Shi Wenyu’s side suddenly came to request Daiyue, wanting her to cultivate a Twin Snake Fruit tree for His Majesty. Daiyue hadn’t heard of this medicinal herb, but she still agreed at once.

—She knew Di Yiqiu was Shi Wenyu’s son. Perhaps this summons, cultivating the so-called Twin Snake Fruit was just an excuse. More likely, Shi Wenyu wanted to meet this future daughter-in-law of his.

Since she had accepted and her person was promised to Di Yiqiu, Huang Shu didn’t obstruct either. Instead, he sent people to escort her all the way to the capital.

At the time of departure, Daiyue thought for a long time but still didn’t bid farewell to Huang Rang.

She didn’t know why, but every time she saw Huang Rang, she always felt all her halos were stripped away. As if standing before this person without a thread of clothing.

In the afternoon, Huang Rang discovered the maid attending her had changed to Lanyin. She naturally had to ask, “Where is Daiyue?”

Only then did Lanyin tell her everything that had happened today. After hearing it, Huang Rang only nodded slightly and said, “Truly can’t wait even a moment.”

This matter hadn’t happened outside the dream. It must be because outside the dream she had refused Di Yiqiu’s proposal. Shi Wenyu naturally hadn’t summoned her either. Now since Di Yiqiu was going to marry Daiyue and use Immortal Tea Town as betrothal, for Shi Wenyu to summon the person to the capital to have a look didn’t seem strange.

As for what Twin Snake Fruit… who the hell knew what it was.

Huang Rang didn’t care.

She had spent many days with Di Yiqiu outside the dream, and in that kind of situation. If speaking of closeness, naturally they were close. But if speaking of love, ultimately the friendship was shallow—really couldn’t be called that.

So it didn’t hurt either.

—Dog! Daiyue has half-fox bloodline and is quite beautiful too. Then I wish you eternal romantic blessings!

In the capital, Daiyue was directly received into the palace, but didn’t see Shi Wenyu.

Eunuch Fu brought her to a small courtyard, pointed at a Twin Snake Fruit tree in a pot and said, “Miss Daiyue, His Majesty heard long ago about your excellent breeding technique. Now this Twin Snake Fruit is entrusted to your care.”

Eunuch Fu was all smiles, looking very amiable, and said, “This tree blooms once every thirty years, and bears fruit thirty years after that. The fruit seedlings are extremely difficult to keep alive. His Majesty’s intention is hoping you can shorten its fruiting period. Of course, if you can propagate it by division and planting, that would be even better.”

Daiyue looked at this Twin Snake Fruit tree in the pot and was immediately dumbfounded.

Di Yiqiu naturally knew Daiyue had been received into the palace, but it was just cultivating a fruit tree—he didn’t take it seriously.

Who knew, after just a few days, something major happened in the palace—that Twin Snake Fruit tree had withered and died.

One must know, the first lesson breeding masters learn when breeding is protection of seedlings. With precious and rare things like Twin Snake Fruit, one should be especially cautious. With Daiyue’s current reputation, to actually make such a grave error was truly shocking.

After Di Yiqiu heard the news, he immediately rushed into the palace.

Daiyue, holding that withered Twin Snake Fruit, was already trembling all over, unable to speak for a long time. Di Yiqiu could only ask, “What happened?”

“I… I…” Daiyue cried until she choked and gasped.

Eunuch Fu beside her said, “Jianzheng, this Twin Snake Fruit herb—His Majesty exhausted human effort and only found one plant! Now this this… what can be done!”

Di Yiqiu took that Twin Snake Fruit tree. Sure enough, he saw its roots had all withered to death.

He looked at Daiyue. His gaze naturally became strange.

But Daiyue grabbed his sleeve corner and sobbed, “Tenth Miss… I want to see Tenth Miss. She definitely has a solution!”

“Tenth Miss… Huang Rang?” What mystery was in this? Di Yiqiu’s brow furrowed tightly.

—No matter what mystery there was, he was in big trouble now. That woman seemed very vengeful…

Could he really have misjudged? He was screwed.

The Jianzheng’s heart felt ice cold.