Huang Rang had just walked out of the imperial palace when Huang Yang came up to meet her.

“Mother!” He was still holding the medicine that Qiu Shengbai had prescribed earlier, clearly having waited here for a long time.

Huang Rang asked, “Why are you standing guard here?”

Huang Yang said, “I heard His Majesty summoned Mother, and I… I felt uneasy. Thinking that Mother was unwell, I brought a carriage and came to wait.”

Huang Rang looked him up and down.

In the dream world, time had passed so quickly that she hadn’t even been able to properly observe this child.

The Huang Yang of now had shed his childhood appearance and become a handsome young man.

“Why is Mother looking at me like this?” Huang Yang’s expression was strange. The Huang Rang of the past always loved to play and banter with him—she was not a strict mother. But at this moment, her expression was clearly too melancholic.

Huang Rang asked, “Little Spicy, do you have any troubles?”

Huang Yang said, “No. Why is Mother calling me Little Spicy again? My name is Huang Yang!”

He greatly disliked Huang Rang’s habit of casually giving nicknames. Huang Rang said, “Why not? How could anyone in this life have no troubles at all?”

Huang Yang helped her onto the carriage, then drove it himself toward the Bureau of Astronomy.

“But I was originally just an insect on a tree. Because I encountered Father, I had this miraculous fate. I have Mother who helped me transform into human form, and Father who taught me to forge magical artifacts. The troubles of ordinary people are, in my eyes, wondrous delights I could never have hoped for before. How could I consider them troubles?”

He spoke earnestly, and Huang Rang fell into even deeper silence.

“Is Mother asking this because you have some troubling matter?” Huang Yang suddenly asked.

This question struck Huang Rang like a blow, making her chest feel heavy with discomfort.

“I was just thinking about what you said just now.” She murmured. Huang Yang had said that the troubles of ordinary people were already wondrous delights beyond his reach. And for herself, wasn’t it the same?

Should she really break the dream and return to that body that was like a prison?

No…

She truly never wanted that again.

Huang Rang sat in the carriage as it drove steadily toward the Bureau of Astronomy.

At the Bureau of Astronomy, Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen entered together.

Almost simultaneously, Huang Rang lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down from the carriage.

The Director instinctively stepped forward several paces, taking his wife’s hand to help her down.

Sect Master Xie’s brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

Huang Rang took Di Yiqiu’s support as she descended, then turned back to see him and couldn’t help but pause.

Only then did Xie Hongchen bow slightly and say, “Miss A Rang, it’s been a long time.”

Huang Rang returned the courtesy and said, “Sect Master Xie’s distinguished presence truly brings glory to the Bureau of Astronomy.”

Xie Hongchen disliked such formality from Huang Rang. It made him feel they had become extremely distant. Meanwhile, the Director said, “Where did you go? Why are your hands so cold?”

As he spoke, he half-embraced Huang Rang and walked through the door.

Xie Hongchen followed closely behind. Huang Yang said sourly, “If this son wasn’t his own flesh and blood, it would be strange. Can’t even easily get a look, huh?”

Only then did Di Yiqiu glare at him and say, “Shut up.”

Huang Yang was born with an itch for mischief—he had to be scolded by Father before he was satisfied. Looking disgruntled, he handed the carriage to a servant, then took out the medicine Qiu Shengbai had prescribed for Huang Rang and went to brew it himself.

Di Yiqiu embraced his wife and brought Xie Hongchen all the way to the study.

Xie Hongchen stared at the hand around Huang Rang’s waist, finding it unbearably offensive. He said, “Could the Director first remove his hand so we may discuss proper business?”

Di Yiqiu snorted coldly and seated Huang Rang behind the desk. Huang Rang ignored these two bickering—some people seemed born incompatible.

She asked, “Why is Sect Master Xie with my husband?”

The words “my husband” were at least somewhat appropriate. Only then did Di Yiqiu say, “Recently, I reviewed case files and discovered many more strange cases over these years. It’s as if someone is deliberately creating mortal resentment. I suspected Xie Lingbi had escaped, so I went to Yuhu Xuanzong to verify. A Rang, I suspect… besides Xie Lingbi, there are others in this world practicing demonic arts.”

Huang Rang’s heart skipped a beat. Xie Hongchen said, “My master has already been punished—absolutely true without any falsehood. If there are still others practicing demonic arts, who could this person be?”

He looked at Huang Rang and said, “Miss A Rang has mentioned strange dreams to me more than once. Does the young lady know the reason behind them?”

Both their gazes converged, making Huang Rang want to avoid them.

Sinking into the dream felt so wonderful—why break it?

Her gaze fell to the ground. After a long while, she said, “Once, I gave my husband a tea needle. Does my husband still remember?”

Di Yiqiu suddenly recalled. He drew the transparent tea needle from his sleeve and said, “My wife instructed me not to lose it, so I have kept it with me always.”

Xie Hongchen’s gaze focused as he saw this tea needle, body like cold ice, perfectly transparent and flawless.

He took it in his hand and observed it for a long time, saying, “What is this thing?”

Di Yiqiu said, “It’s a very strange magical artifact. The incantations on it have much in common with the Soul-Binding Bone-Setting Needles.”

Xie Hongchen examined it repeatedly but could not discern its mysteries for the time being.

Huang Rang’s words were shocking: “Right now, we are all within a confusing dream. If this object melts, the strange dream will awaken.”

As her words fell, the entire world seemed to freeze for a moment. A servant entering to serve tea had not yet placed the cups on the table when he stopped in a strange posture.

Both Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen sensed the abnormality and suddenly stood up. But then the servant continued serving tea, and time in the world continued to flow.

Huang Rang waited until the servant left before saying again, “And this needle was given to me by a gray-robed Daoist when I entered the dream.” She turned back to look at Di Yiqiu and said, “Not long ago, I saw this Daoist with my own eyes. He is… the current Emperor, Shi Wenyu.”

Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen remained silent for a long time.

After a while, Xie Hongchen said, “But Shi Wenyu has mortal bones and roots, with no visible cultivation.”

Huang Rang then said, “Today, I discovered something very coincidental. And just as I discovered this, His Majesty summoned me.”

Di Yiqiu’s heart jumped as he asked, “What did he say? Did he make things difficult for you?”

Huang Rang shook her head and said, “He tried his utmost to persuade me not to break the dream.”

Xie Hongchen was stunned and said, “Not to break the dream? Could it be that outside the dream, there is something unsatisfactory?” Huang Rang looked at him. Xie Hongchen met her gaze and said, “Otherwise, why would Miss A Rang hesitate so?”

This person was truly perceptive.

Huang Rang said, “Outside the dream, Sect Master Xie was possessed by Xie Lingbi. And the demonic arts Xie Lingbi practiced greatly increased in power after obtaining Sect Master Xie’s body. We were no match for him. My husband was gravely wounded protecting me.”

She spoke word by word, describing the tragic state outside the dream.

Yet she alone did not mention herself.

Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen frowned. If this had been in the past, the two would certainly not have believed it.

But at this moment, their minds were shaken, and they actually began to ponder this bizarre matter.

Di Yiqiu asked, “Earlier, my wife said you discovered something very coincidental. What was it?”

Huang Rang had nothing left to hide. She said, “I discovered that texts record Yinian Shenbu entering the tower three times to subdue demons. And when I entered the dream, His Majesty was also standing atop a nine-story tower, bestowing upon me the dream-entering tea needle. In the palace, no builder can be found for Yuanrong Tower. Isn’t this suspicious?”

“Yuanrong Tower…” Xie Hongchen suddenly stood up and said, “We must make a trip to the palace and see what has actually happened!”

Di Yiqiu frowned and pondered for a long time before asking Huang Rang, “How many times has my wife entered the dream? How does one break the dream? After the dream awakens, what impact is there on the world outside the dream?”

Huang Rang answered, “This is the Third Dream. After the dream awakens, people who had already died begin to reappear in the world. I always feel that the world outside the dream has been damaged.”

Of Di Yiqiu’s three questions, she had answered two.

Xie Hongchen said, “Di Yiqiu, time is of the essence. We must immediately search Yuanrong Tower.”

Di Yiqiu said, “He is after all the reigning Emperor. Even if we must search, it should properly be me who goes.”

Xie Hongchen naturally objected. He said, “How can you know the depth of Shi Wenyu’s current power?” Di Yiqiu was about to argue back, but Xie Hongchen immediately followed with, “What if he truly practices evil arts and possesses you? What would you have Miss A Rang do then?”

Di Yiqiu fell silent.

Xie Hongchen stood up and said, “The matter is urgent—don’t be stubborn. Rest assured, if I verify that Shi Wenyu has no connection to demon and ghost books, I will also handle it properly and absolutely not affect the court’s dignity.”

Di Yiqiu turned back to look at Huang Rang.

Huang Rang’s heart was filled with inexpressible worry. Even if Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen joined forces, she was not optimistic.

Just at this moment, Huang Yang brought in a bowl of medicine.

“Mother, the medicine is ready,” he said casually.

Di Yiqiu asked with concern, “What happened? Why must you take medicine?”

Huang Rang touched Huang Yang’s head and said, “Just a slight cold, nothing serious. Let’s go. I’ll accompany you to Yuanrong Tower.”

All three walked out the door together. Suddenly, Huang Rang turned back. She walked before Huang Yang, picked up the medicine he had brewed, and slowly drank it down sip by sip.

The medicine was very bitter, yet the smile on her face was extremely gentle.

Little Spicy, wasn’t meeting you also a romantic and wondrous delight?

Huang Rang placed the bowl back on the table, looked at Huang Yang again, and instructed, “Go do what you most want to do. When I return, tell me about it, all right?”

Huang Yang scratched his head and laughed, “Then this child will go find Zhu’er. She’s the disciple of Junior Supervisor Zhu Xiang and very pretty. Tomorrow your son will bring her back for Mother to see, all right?”

Huang Rang smiled and said, “All right.”

Having answered, Huang Rang turned and followed Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen toward the imperial palace.

Di Yiqiu suddenly asked, “My wife, outside the dream, are we also husband and wife?”

Huang Rang fell silent. Xie Hongchen quickly sensed this silence. A trace of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and his entire person seemed exceptionally relaxed. He said, “It seems the Director’s situation is merely a beautiful dream.”

The Director laughed coldly, “Still better than some people who are lonely even in their dreams.”

Sect Master Xie responded with a cold snort.

Though the two bickered, they hurried all the way to the imperial palace. From beginning to end, Huang Rang did not mention the pregnancy. She had already experienced too many partings and reluctances. Why make the people in the dream suffer along with her?

Inside the imperial palace, all was peaceful and quiet.

Di Yiqiu brought Xie Hongchen inside, only going through simple questioning—he had always had the privilege to enter and exit the palace.

The three proceeded unobstructed all the way to Yuanrong Tower.

The nine-story tower was like a giant beast, silently looking down upon them.

Xie Hongchen said, “A Rang, stay outside the tower. We will go inside to observe.”

Huang Rang did not agree and said, “The three of us advance and retreat together.”

Below the tower, the guards had already become alert and asked, “Has the Director come with His Majesty’s summons?”

Di Yiqiu looked at Xie Hongchen. Xie Hongchen slowly nodded. Both struck simultaneously. The guards below the tower only had time for one shout before being imprisoned within sword light.

Xie Hongchen left behind a sword formation, easily trapping this wave of palace guards.

Then the two stepped into the tower.

Huang Rang found it strange—all of this was proceeding far too smoothly to be normal.

Naturally, Xie Hongchen and Di Yiqiu did not dare be careless either. The two led the way, following the tower’s path upward, directly to the ninth level. Huang Rang followed behind them, seeing everything in the tower as usual. The murals on the walls were menacing with bared fangs and brandished claws, as if they might come alive at any moment.

Atop the ninth level of the tower, Shi Wenyu still sat behind a curtain as always.

From the incense burner before him, wisps of fragrant smoke rose.

“You did not heed my words.” He sighed softly. “What a foolish child.”

Huang Rang remained silent. After a long moment, she said, “Yes.”

Shi Wenyu unhurriedly added a spoonful of incense to the burner and said, “Little girl, the Soul-Binding Bone-Setting Needles have no other solution.”

Huang Rang froze. Shi Wenyu turned around and, through the semi-transparent curtain, looked at her.

He slowly asked, “So, even if these needles can never be removed, you would still oppose me?” His voice contained a smile, yet within that smile was killing intent. “Ten years of imprisonment is not enough for you to taste the full suffering of this punishment. So are you willing to be punished forever, neither living nor dying?”

Huang Rang stood across the curtain from this person, feeling her own insignificance before him.

This person was like a deity, looking down upon the mortal world. The joys and sorrows, loves and hatreds of ordinary people were all within his single thought.

Huang Rang met his interrogation and after a long while finally responded, “That depends on what Your Majesty actually intends to do.”

Shi Wenyu was slightly stunned. Huang Rang said, “Having experienced three dreams, I have understood one principle. The common people of this realm, the living beings of this world, should be respected, not toyed with by anyone.”

“Toyed with?” Shi Wenyu laughed lightly. “That’s an excellent way to put it. I like it very much.”

And while he was speaking, Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen flanked him from left and right. The two almost simultaneously rushed toward Shi Wenyu, preparing to capture him first and discuss later.

These two coordinated seamlessly—this matter should have been certain.

But… they passed through Shi Wenyu!

Shi Wenyu was clearly sitting behind the curtain, burning incense and sitting upright.

Yet Xie Hongchen and Di Yiqiu simply could not touch him.

He was like only a shadow.

Huang Rang was briefly stunned, but she immediately understood!

“You… you are not within this dream!” Huang Rang stared at the incense Shi Wenyu was using and said sharply, “This incense… is Divine Immortal Grass! And in this dream, I never cultivated any improved variety of Divine Immortal Grass! You are outside the dream!”

Shi Wenyu laughed lightly, “Three foolish children. You know nothing about demon and ghost books or Yuanrong Tower, yet you presume to try capturing me.” He looked at Di Yiqiu and said, “Especially you, my child. You have truly disappointed me!”

With that, he raised his hand, and Eunuchs Fu, Lu, Shou, and Xi came up from below the tower.

The four surrounded Xie Hongchen, Di Yiqiu, and Huang Rang, trapping them in the tower.

All three felt their hair stand on end!