Forbidden?

“Why is that?” Ziqing asked quickly.

“A hundred years ago, the Lonely Isle still fell under Nanzhao’s jurisdiction. But afterward, for reasons no one seems to know, everything related to the Lonely Isle was systematically erased. Even now, aside from a few scattered legends, no one even knows where the Lonely Isle is actually located.” the city lord said flatly.

Situ Haonan grew serious as well. “So it was the current Nanzhao royal family that destroyed the historical records?”

“Mm, many people suspect it stemmed from some grudge within the royal family itself. A hundred years ago, the Lonely Isle was actually a fairly significant power. Nanzhao has always kept itself isolated from the outside world, remaining extremely closed off—the only way into Nanzhao from the continent of Longyuan, aside from by sea, is through this very passage in Da Zhou, and the checkpoints here are extremely strict. Without an official invitation from the Nanzhao king himself, anyone wishing to enter Nanzhao must submit a formal application. Nanzhao even maintains a dedicated government office specifically for processing these applications, and the approval rate is quite low.” the city lord explained.

Before he could finish, Situ Haonan cut in, “So even a hundred years ago, outsiders never really had a clear picture of what was happening on the Lonely Isle.”

If not for Jun Beiyue’s invitation, despite being born in this region, Situ Haonan himself had never paid much attention to Nanzhao—a sweltering, humid world crawling with venomous creatures held no interest for him whatsoever. In fact, despite having grown up here, he had genuinely never once visited Nanzhao himself.

Hearing all this, the situation seemed truly hopeless. And yet Ziqing found a glimmer of hope in it, saying earnestly, “In that case, someone within the Nanzhao royal family must surely know the full story behind all of this!”

“Ha, you’re quite sharp, girl.” the city lord said, unable to help smiling.

Girl… Ziqing’s heart warmed again. No matter how strong someone might be at their core, once they encountered whatever they lacked most deep down inside, they always found themselves powerless to resist it.

“Ziqing, let me offer you a word of advice—this is a forbidden matter for the Nanzhao royal family, which means it’s forbidden for the entire kingdom of Nanzhao as well. I’d advise you to think twice before pursuing anything involving the royal family. Be careful, or this trip might see you never returning at all!” Situ Haonan’s mother warned coldly.

“Thank you for the reminder, madam. I’ll be careful.” Ziqing replied.

Yet Situ Haonan’s mother pressed further, quite seriously. “Ziqing, I’m not joking with you here. You’re representing Beiyue on this mission to Nanzhao—everything you do will ultimately reflect back on him. Don’t go stirring up trouble for him. I certainly don’t want him and Xin’er coming home to face a mountain of problems once this is all over!”

This was, quite clearly, a mother-in-law’s warning. Ziqing sneered inwardly and said, “Madam, if not through the royal family, have the two of you perhaps already found some other lead yourselves?”

What Ziqing was implying, quite clearly, was this: hadn’t they originally promised Jun Beiyue they would find the antidote within two months, which was the very condition under which he’d agreed to marry Situ Xin’er in the first place?

And now, forget the antidote entirely—there wasn’t even a single lead to speak of, and yet they still had the nerve to put on such a mother-in-law’s air?

Whether Situ Haonan’s mother caught the implication or not, the city lord certainly did. Without any attempt to dodge the point, he spoke plainly instead. “Ziqing, Xin’er is still young, spoiled rotten by her mother since childhood, with a rather difficult temperament, though her heart is genuinely kind at its core. She and Beiyue have known each other since they were children, and throughout her entire life, Beiyue has been the only man she’s ever recognized. I understand full well that the imperial family isn’t truly a home—that’s precisely why I never agreed to her marrying into it before. But then the incident at the northern frontier happened…”

Hearing this, Ziqing couldn’t hold back any longer, interrupting urgently. “City Lord Situ, the matter at the northern frontier was nothing more than malicious rumor spread with ill intent—it was nowhere near as serious as the rumors suggest. In fact…”

Just as she was about to explain, the city lord stopped her. “Ziqing, regardless of what the actual truth of the matter is, the rumors have already spread. The only way to salvage Xin’er’s reputation now is through marriage.”

The city lord paused, his tone growing heavier. “As her father, I absolutely cannot allow my daughter to be the subject of gossip and finger-pointing.”

Hearing this, an inexplicable pang of bitter envy surged up in Ziqing’s heart. The image of herself being pointed at and gossiped about flashed through her mind, and once again, despite herself, she found herself thinking—how wonderful it would be to have a father like this.

She nodded and didn’t argue any further. If Jun Beiyue had rather agreed to it, rather humbly kept Situ Xin’er hidden away than confront the conflict directly, there must have been good reason for it.

At this point, the city lord finally produced a sealed letter and said flatly, “Girl, once you reach Nanzhao, find some way to make your way to the Poison Den within the Medicine Clan, and deliver this letter to the elder there. He’ll know how to help detoxify your poison. As for marrying Xin’er, that was a promise Beiyue made to me personally—there’s no need for you to concern yourself with that any further.”

Situ Haonan’s eyes widened in shock, glancing back and forth questioningly at his mother—clearly, he hadn’t known anything about this either.

“The Poison Den, what kind of place is that?”

“Medicine and poison are essentially two sides of the same coin, though distinctions still exist. The Medicine Clan primarily focuses on medicinal remedies, while the Poison Den is an independent division within the Medicine Clan specifically overseeing all manner of poisons. The elder who presides over the Poison Den holds a standing within the Medicine Clan—indeed, within all of Nanzhao—equal to that of the Medicine Clan’s own chieftain. He and I have a good relationship, and he’ll help you.” the city lord explained.

“Father, why don’t you come along with us on this trip!” Situ Haonan said quickly. That place was quite mysterious, and given Ziqing’s status, both her actions and her words would need to be handled with extreme care—it would be far more suitable for his father to make this particular journey himself.

“I was already noticed by the Nanzhao royal family a while back when I went to gather information there. Going myself now would only invite more trouble. Haonan, this trip carries both public and private significance—stay sharp, and behave yourself!” the city lord said earnestly.

Ziqing accepted the sealed letter, a complicated look flickering in her eyes. Once Jun Beiyue woke up, would he really still have to marry her?

Seeing that Ziqing had accepted the letter, Situ Haonan’s mother finally spoke up as well, just as bluntly as before. “This lead cost us nearly half a month of effort to obtain, and we very nearly lost our lives searching for it in Nanzhao. The elder at the Poison Den is certain to have a way to cure that seductive incense poison of yours, so don’t worry. Ziqing, though Beiyue hasn’t woken yet, we’re practically family already, and some things are better said sooner rather than later, so I’ll just come out with it now…”

“Wife, what’s the point of bringing that up?” the city lord interrupted.

“My lord, Xin’er’s face was slapped raw at the northern frontier! If I don’t say my piece clearly now, who’s to say she won’t suffer even more grievances down the road!” Situ Haonan’s mother said, displeased. The matter of the seductive incense had been settled purely for Jun Beiyue’s own dignity—now that it was resolved, she naturally intended to settle the score with Han Ziqing over how she’d treated Xin’er!

“Face slapped raw?” the city lord started in shock. “What happened?”

“Ask her yourself!” Situ Haonan’s mother said, displeased.

“Han Ziqing, is this true? How could you do such a thing! What right did you have to strike her? Not even I, her own father, have ever raised a hand against her in her entire life!” the city lord scolded furiously—how fierce he’d suddenly become!

“She deserved it!” Ziqing shot back reflexively, just as fiercely.

“You!” Situ Haonan’s mother immediately slammed her hand on the table and stood.

“Han Ziqing, if you don’t give me a proper explanation for this, don’t blame me for disregarding Jun Beiyue’s face in this matter!” the city lord said, his voice turning suddenly cold.

Situ Haonan panicked, about to try to smooth things over, but Ziqing stood up first and said earnestly, “City Lord Situ, it was your own daughter who provoked me for no reason, tried to steal something from me, insulted me, and struck my own sister—that’s why I struck back.”

“That’s just her temperament! And you think that gives you the right to lay hands on her? And to think you call yourself a princess consort!” the city lord scolded furiously.

Whatever warmth had been building in Ziqing’s heart went cold in an instant. Only now did she realize—the heavy, precious letter tucked in her sleeve was something she’d essentially earned through her own suffering, something Jun Beiyue had traded for with his own promise of marriage. It certainly wasn’t out of any genuine goodwill on their part!

No matter how good a friendship might be, it could never truly compare to blood ties.

If it had been she herself whose face had been slapped raw, the city lord would surely have said, well, nothing to be done, that’s just Xin’er’s temperament, let’s just let it go!

“And to think you call yourself the leader of the entire martial world—I suggest you take a good, hard look at what kind of daughter you’ve actually raised!”

Ziqing had no desire to explain herself further, saying coldly, “The matter of Situ Xin’er marrying into Prince Yao’s mansion is something Beiyue promised you both, not me. From now on, don’t bring this matter up with me again. Whatever you want, go take it up with Jun Beiyue yourselves!”

With that, she turned and immediately walked away. But Situ Haonan’s mother shouted furiously, “Haonan, stop her!”