When Ye Qi regained consciousness, the sky was already brightening with dawn.

The room was filled with the bitter scent of herbal medicine. He struggled to open his eyes and saw a shabby ceiling, finally realizing where he was.

Wait, when did he come to Beizhai Pharmacy?

Ye Qi turned his head and was startled to discover someone lying beside him, nose to nose and eye to eye, sleeping soundly. For a moment, he almost thought he was still dreaming.

Looking more carefully, he realized she wasn’t lying on the bed board but rather half-reclining on a long bench. Because it was pressed tightly against the bed, he had almost mistaken her for sharing the bed with him.

Seeing that she had no blanket covering her, Ye Qi carefully placed his own soft blanket over her. As he moved closer, he glimpsed her lips, and in that instant, he remembered the scene in the carriage. His previously peaceful state of mind became chaotic again.

Hearing the movement, Changling yawned and sat up. Seeing Ye Qi sitting on the bed, her expression brightened with delight. “You’re awake? How do you feel?”

“I’m… I’m fine.” Ye Qi stared at her intently. “How did we end up here?”

“You don’t remember?” Changling stood up and stretched. “Last night you suddenly vomited blood and fainted, so I brought you to that charlatan Ji’s place. Seventh Uncle and the others are all waiting outside. Wait here, I’ll go call them in right now.”

“Hey, you…” He wanted to say something more, but his hand grasped at empty air. Changling had already pushed the door open and turned around to call Ji Beilan and Seventh Uncle into the inner room.

After Ji Beilan checked Ye Qi’s pulse, he huffed and glared for a moment before saying, “All the suffering you endured before—it was all for nothing after just one night.”

Seventh Uncle didn’t understand what this meant. “What do you mean? Does that mean even the bone-scraping needles had no effect?”

Ye Qi stole a glance at Changling’s expression. Judging by her reaction, she probably knew everything she shouldn’t have known. His heart sank, and he forced a laugh. “What meaning could there be? Old Man Ji just likes to joke around. Last night… I just wasn’t careful. I feel much more comfortable now.”

Ji Beilan let out a deep sigh. He was a renowned divine physician—even after treating uncooperative patients for over a decade and reaching the edge of helplessness, he was too tired to even bother with sarcastic remarks anymore.

Seventh Uncle was naturally perceptive. Seeing such a heavy atmosphere, he couldn’t help but ask, “Master Ji, are there any other methods available?”

“Everything that could be said, this old man has already said before.” Ji Beilan stood up and tidied the scattered silver needles and medicine jars on the table. “Internal power—your young marquis can’t cultivate it. Ice serpent gall bladder—can’t be found. Unless we expect an immortal to fall from the sky…”

Changling suddenly thought of something and jumped to her feet. “Master Ji, last night you said the ice serpent gall bladder requires Liku grass as a lure, correct?”

Ji Beilan replied, “Not ordinary Liku grass—it must be Liku grass cultivated with highly poisonous venomous insects…”

Changling took a step forward. “Would Concentric Gu insects count as highly poisonous venomous insects?”

Hearing the three words “Concentric Gu,” Ye Qi froze, and Ji Beilan also stared blankly. “Concentric Gu insects are one of the three great deadly poisons under heaven, so they’re naturally highly poisonous venomous insects… but they need to be cultivated for over ten years…”

“Eleven years—would that be enough?”

Seventh Uncle was shocked. “Miss Changting, please explain clearly. What do you mean by this?”

Changling grasped Ye Qi’s arm firmly. “Years ago, when Fu Liujing and I both climbed Beiming Peak, the herb I picked for my elder brother was precisely Liku grass.”

At that time, there were at least seven or eight plants with purple stems shaped like flower crowns growing along the cliff edge. She had only picked two or three plants. Shen Yao had said that the gu insects on Cross Cliff were placed there personally by Fu Liujing. But how could they have been certain which plant she would pick?

Changling’s spirits lifted. “Since it was a trap, to ensure absolute certainty, Fu Liujing would have definitely placed Concentric Gu insects in every single Liku grass plant.”

Ye Qi’s whole body trembled, yet he seemed somewhat incredulous. “But so many years have passed…”

Changling quickly looked toward Ji Beilan. “Master Ji, if someone placed Concentric Gu insects inside Liku grass on an ice mountain eleven years ago, would that count as the cultivation you mentioned? During this time, would the gu insects leave the Liku grass on their own?”

Though Ji Beilan didn’t understand what trap or Fu Liujing meant, hearing Changling’s question, he immediately responded, “The Liku grass on ice mountains is itself a highly poisonous herb that remains fresh for a hundred years without withering. Concentric Gu insects most love highly poisonous herbs. Once they attach to an herb, it’s equivalent to embedding into its roots. If it’s truly been eleven years, the Liku grass would already be covered with insect eggs, reproducing endlessly. How could the gu insects leave?”

Changling asked, “Where have century-old ice serpents been seen before?”

Ji Beilan got so excited he nearly knocked over his medicine jar. “According to folk historical records, aside from Tianshan, people have also seen them at Mingyong Glacier.”

“Though these two mountain ranges are one to the north and one to the west, neither is too far from Beiming Peak.” Seventh Uncle caught up with their train of thought and naturally continued the conversation. “If we depart for Beiming Peak today to obtain the Liku grass Miss Changting mentioned, then dispatch two separate groups to rush to the two glaciers—within a month, there’s not necessarily no hope of bringing back the ice serpent gall bladder.”

They had thought all that remained was to arrange funeral affairs, but suddenly there appeared a sliver of possibility for survival from a desperate situation. The breathing of everyone in the room inevitably grew heavier.

Seventh Uncle couldn’t wait any longer, wishing he could immediately sprout wings and fly to Beiming Peak. Ji Beilan also tapped his walking stick, saying he wanted to go together. Ye Qi said with both laughter and exasperation, “Master Ji, with your physical condition, by the time you reach Beiming Peak, I’ll have already kicked the bucket… This matter should be handled by people Seventh Uncle sends. You only need to explain clearly how to identify Liku grass and how to lure out the ice serpent.”

Ji Beilan nodded repeatedly. “Right, then I’ll rush to my alchemy room in Jingzhou and prepare all the other necessary medicinal materials in advance. That way, when Seventh Master obtains the serpent gall bladder, he can bring it directly there. This will avoid wasting too much time in transit.”

Changling said, “Then I…”

“You’re not going either.” Ye Qi decisively cut off her words. “This matter—Seventh Uncle will naturally find more experienced people to handle it.”

Seeing how nervous he was, Changling silently glanced at him. “Stop flattering yourself. I wasn’t planning to go anyway.”

In just a moment’s time, Seventh Uncle had already left the pharmacy with swift efficiency. Ji Beilan busied himself at the medicine furnace, brewing the life-preserving pills that would be needed over the coming period. Ye Qi changed into a set of dry, fresh clothes and had breakfast with Changling at a nearby congee shop.

Throughout the entire meal, the young marquis was uncharacteristically quiet. Changling assumed he was preoccupied with the “intimacy of flesh” in the carriage. Remembering Ji Beilan’s repeated warnings not to excite him again, she cleared her throat lightly and said, “Last night… was just an accident. You don’t need to take it to heart.”

Ye Qi softly said “Oh” without commenting further.

Changling glanced at him a few more times. She always felt that after hearing about the “Liku grass,” his expression showed little joy but instead became somewhat silent and withdrawn. She couldn’t help but find this strange. “What are you worried about?”

Ye Qi drank a few mouthfuls of congee, finding it bland and tasteless. He simply put down his spoon. “Don’t hold too much hope about the serpent gall bladder matter. Perhaps those few herb plants have already been picked by someone, blown away by strong winds, or… maybe the gu insects weren’t placed in every plant to begin with…”

He paused here, seemingly unsure how to continue.

Now Changling understood—it turned out Ye Qi had been troubled all morning because he was afraid she would be disappointed. She reached out her hand, curled her fingers, and flicked his forehead. Her fingertip used full force, making Ye Qi yelp in pain. “Ow! What are you doing?”

She met his gaze directly. “Who was it that said, even if in the end it’s all for nothing, at worst we just accept the worst outcome—why give up because of fear of disappointment?”

Ye Qi froze. Looking at her clear yet determined eyes, he felt that as a grown man, there was really no need to be so unable to let go. He immediately responded with a straight face, “Such philosophical and wise words—which great sage said them?”

Changling scoffed. “They were said by an idiot who thinks he’s dying and still hopes to deceive heaven and cross the sea. But that person talks better than he sings—when it’s actually his turn, he hesitates and looks backward, truly lacking courage and insight.”

Ye Qi rather aggrievedly rubbed his reddened forehead. “Now you’re wronging me… The reason I don’t want you to go to Beiming Peak is because I hope you can go with me to Yanling Mountain.”

This time it was Changling’s turn to be stunned.

Ye Qi said, “Didn’t we agree before that we’d go to Yanling Mountain together after the military examination?”

Changling replied, “But your current physical condition…”

Her words suddenly stopped.

Since Yanling Mountain was closely related to the Yue family’s relics, then this trip might truly uncover the mystery of that half-folded fan. If they could thereby discover Wu Run’s divine martial arts techniques… then Ye Qi’s illness…

Changling raised an eyebrow and changed her tune. “If we just leave like this, aren’t you afraid those surnamed Shen will become suspicious?”

Ye Qi smiled slightly. “Do you know why I insisted on competing with Minister Fu at the martial arts banquet? According to the rules, newly appointed military jinshi must accept official positions assigned by the court. But if we use preparing for a wedding as a reason, we can naturally leave Jinling for a period of time.”

Changling hadn’t expected him to think so far ahead. “Even if it’s to prepare for a wedding, why must we leave Jinling?”

“I’m the head of the He family. My marriage must have my great-grandfather’s approval, but my great-grandfather is far away in the Jiangling fief. Surely we can’t expect the old man to personally come to Jinling?”

Changling nodded thoughtfully. “But if we just go to Yanling Mountain like this, aren’t you afraid that when Jing Wuwei finds out, he’ll make trouble for us?”

“As for that…” Ye Qi tilted his head and grinned at Changling. “Naturally someone will help share our worries.”

Changling asked curiously, “Who?”

Five days later, Fu Yangui received intelligence that Jing Wuwei had made some movements with his southern border military forces.

Shen Yao’s hand trembled for a long time as he gripped the secret memorial, so angry he nearly overturned the desk in the imperial study. “I should have known earlier that Jing Wuwei has the ambition of a wolf—he’s long been unable to sit still. I just didn’t expect him to make a move so quickly…”

“Your Majesty, please calm yourself.” Fu Yangui raised his sleeve. “Jing Can has only mobilized tens of thousands of troops—perhaps it’s just needed for military affairs in the southern cities. He may not necessarily have treasonous intentions.”

“If he wanted to mobilize troops, why didn’t he report to me first?!” Shen Yao said, “There are currently no conflicts in the southern border. Could he possibly claim ‘a general in the field need not accept all commands from his sovereign’?”

Fu Yangui seemed reluctant to speak. Shen Yao asked, “What does Minister Fu want to say? Speak freely.”

“This subject has already established defensive lines in advance in Ganzhou, Chenzhou, and Pingzhou. Even if General Jing truly makes unusual movements, we have sufficient time to resist. However… if the He family and Jing family join forces, this matter will become difficult.”

Shen Yao’s brow furrowed slightly. “I know Marquis He’s character very well. If he wanted to rebel… he would have done so long ago…”

Fu Yangui lowered his eyes. “Your Majesty must not forget—just a few days ago, Marquis He competed in martial arts with this subject for the sake of Miss Jing. If the Jing and He families truly form a marriage alliance and plot together for the realm, what would be impossible?”

Shen Yao was alarmed. “Then… in Minister Fu’s opinion, what should I do?”

“This subject needs some time to make arrangements. But before that, Your Majesty must do two things. First, before the Martial Arts Assembly, you absolutely cannot allow Jing Wuwei and Marquis He to leave Jinling.” Fu Yangui enunciated each word. “Second, issue an edict canceling the marriage between the Jing and He families.”

When the palace eunuch brought the imperial edict to the Jing residence, Jing Wuwei said with great surprise, “My daughter has already accompanied Marquis He to Jiangling to pay respects to Old Master He. They departed yesterday. To suddenly cancel the marriage now is rather… Well then, I’ll personally go retrieve them.”

The eunuch quickly said, “This matter doesn’t require General Jing to personally set out. His Majesty has other important tasks requiring General Jing to remain in Jinling. His Majesty will dispatch others to retrieve the marquis.”

Fu Yangui rode through the night at breakneck speed, racing along the road toward Jiangling. He rode two horses to death and finally caught up with the He residence’s carriage procession three days later.

However, when he lifted the carriage curtain, he discovered that those sitting inside were neither Ye Qi nor Changling.

Seventh Uncle respectfully bowed to Fu Yangui. “Our marquis’s old illness suddenly relapsed. He had no choice but to change course to Lingbao Pavilion for treatment. Miss Jing naturally accompanied him. If the minister is anxious, he might check Lingbao Pavilion. If you rush there now, you might still catch them.”

Only then did Fu Yangui realize he had fallen for a diversion tactic.

In the end, he was still a step too slow.

And he had absolutely no way of knowing their whereabouts.

At the same time, a thousand miles away, a man and woman each rode a horse, leisurely galloping through mountains and rivers.

“I’m guessing… Jing Wuwei is probably blocked inside Jinling City by Shen Yao right now, unable to leave.” With a piece of foxtail grass in his mouth, Ye Qi laughed. “As for Fu Yangui… he’s definitely exhausted half to death, then furious half to death.”

“I still don’t understand how you knew Shen Yao would directly issue an edict canceling the marriage between the two families.”

“Because Jing Wuwei accepting me as his ‘son-in-law’ is itself a crisis for the Shen dynasty. Fu Yangui will definitely obstruct this matter, and the most direct method is to make an issue of the Jing and He families.” Ye Qi said, “But once we leave Jinling a step ahead, they’ll have to prevent ‘the Jing-He alliance’ by doing everything possible to stop Jing Wuwei from leaving the city.”

Changling suddenly understood. “No wonder! At the martial arts banquet, you first rambled on and on about so many things—it turns out you were deliberately provoking Fu Yangui, making him propose the martial competition for marriage himself?”

“You finally figured it out!” Ye Qi said smugly. “Don’t you suddenly feel that I’m resourceful, brilliant, handsome, and practically an immortal descended from heaven…”

Seeing Ye Qi swinging his riding whip in carefree delight, Changling couldn’t help but mock, “Blood-Spitting Immortal, you’re riding so fast—are you rushing to be reincarnated?”

Ye Qi suddenly leaned his body closer. “Don’t worry, I take the medicine pills Old Man Ji gave me on time every day. Even if you try to take liberties with me again, I can handle it now.”

With that, he rode ahead a step, successfully dodging Changling’s deadly horizontal kick.

He said, “Yanling Town is just ahead. Before nightfall, we should be able to have a bowl of hot soup.”

Under the setting sun, two figures rode swiftly toward the winding high mountains.

Yanling Mountain lay ahead within sight.