The convoy rarely had the chance to spend a full night resting at an inn, but early the next morning, Yingzi delivered an urgent dispatch!

“Your Highness, the Second Prince really has been chafing at the bit—the moment he arrived at the third western city, he immediately started clamoring to lead troops!” Yingzi reported excitedly.

Jun Beiyue, still drowsy with sleep, raised a cup of tea to rinse his mouth while reviewing General Baihu’s confidential report. With Jun Beichen having just arrived at the third western city, the moment had come for the city to open its gates and welcome Xijing’s Wild Wolf Army through!

But exactly how this “welcome” should be staged—that would prove to be quite the entertaining scheme!

Just as Jun Beiyue pondered this, Chu Feiyan came down the stairs, dressed elaborately as always. Even though she didn’t dare provoke him directly, she still hoped that man might glance her way at least once.

Watching this man from a distance, an overwhelming surge of bitter jealousy welled up within her, so sharp it made her palms ache!

This man—even sitting so casually, every gesture, every movement carried an irresistible charm, an inborn masculine dominance combined with the natural dignity of royalty!

Her lifelong wish, since childhood, had been to stay by his side as a delicate, dependent little bird, needing to worry about nothing at all, simply watching him every day, basking in his affection!

Chu Feiyan couldn’t help but stare, momentarily frozen on the staircase. At that same moment, Ziqing descended from the opposite staircase, once again dressed in sleek black combat attire, capable and composed.

Yet, precisely this kind of woman—the moment she approached Jun Beiyue, he immediately swept her into his arms, seating her on his lap, drawing her close against him!

“Look, good news!” Jun Beiyue said with a smile.

“Mm, the southern border gate is just ahead—time to set out. I… can’t wait.” Ziqing’s final words dropped to a near-whisper, well aware that Chu Feiyan was watching and listening nearby!

Jun Beiyue affectionately smoothed her bangs, examining her closely, gently caressing her forehead. “No scar left at all, very pretty. Hongyi told me you look lovely in Nanzhao-style dresses—I’ll personally help you pick one out when we get there.”

Yet Ziqing suddenly felt a jolt of alarm—this man’s tongue was sharp, but his hands were even sharper!

If he kept touching her like this, the secret hidden on her face would be in serious danger!

She subtly eased his hand away, saying flatly, “I’m hungry.”

“Yingzi, pass the word—prepare to depart once breakfast is finished!”

With that, Jun Beiyue rose, carrying Ziqing toward the inn’s dining hall. Ziqing hastily wrapped her arms around his neck, protesting helplessly, “I can walk, really!”

“You can walk, but this king enjoys carrying you,” Jun Beiyue said with a grin, clearly in good spirits. Soon, the two figures, wrapped in obvious affection, disappeared around the corner!

Ziqing, helpless, found Jun Beiyue continuing the earlier subject regardless. “You’ll surely look most beautiful in Nanzhao’s long dresses.”

Ziqing’s eyes darkened slightly, though she still smiled faintly. “What good is beauty? What matters most in a woman is her inner character, isn’t it?”

“If she possesses both, that’s perfection—like, for instance… Great Zhou’s own Princess Yao,” Jun Beiyue teased.

Ziqing’s heart sank slightly, though she still forced a smile. “Princess Yao is actually quite plain-looking. Prince Yao flatters her too much.”

“Silly girl, if you’re plain, then there’s no beauty left in this world at all.” Jun Beiyue laughed happily, and soon the two figures vanished entirely around the corner.

Meanwhile, Chu Feiyan couldn’t help but sniffle, tears welling in the corners of her eyes, wishing desperately she could rush forward and drag Han Ziqing down—yet she didn’t dare take even a single step forward!

She touched the scar on her own forehead—the one Han Ziqing had inflicted had long since healed, but the one Jun Beiyue had caused had actually left a permanent scar!

“Alas! As the ancients say, a warrior dies for one who truly knows him; a woman adorns herself for one who delights in her!”

Chu Feiyan startled, spinning around abruptly to find a scholar-dressed man standing behind her, unnoticed until now. Though dressed as a scholar, his robes were white as snow, carrying an otherworldly, refined air.

“Who are you?” Chu Feiyan demanded immediately, rising to her feet with a cold challenge.

She hadn’t avoided Jun Beiyue and Han Ziqing’s notice—did that mean she’d avoid anyone else’s as well?

“Ah… me? Just a pitiful soul, that’s who I am!” Baili Weisheng sighed dramatically, and the moment he opened his mouth, all his otherworldly, immortal-like charm evaporated instantly, leaving Chu Feiyan finding him rather tediously old-fashioned.

“Who exactly are you? I haven’t seen you before,” Chu Feiyan asked suspiciously. Confined to her carriage day after day, how could she possibly know what had been happening outside?

Baili Weisheng sighed once more, world-weary. “Alas, I’m Princess Yao’s friend—a very, very good friend, you understand?”

A friend?

Chu Feiyan grew immediately suspicious, lowering her voice. “If you’re her friend, why aren’t you with her?”

“Alas… Prince Yao is right there, isn’t he? I’ve already told Ziqing this myself—though there should be proper distance maintained between men and women, our friendship remains entirely within the bounds of propriety! I know she’s already a married woman, and I must remain scrupulously honorable!” Baili Weisheng said with an entirely earnest expression!

Chu Feiyan seemed to understand something now, saying immediately, “What exactly are you looking for from Han Ziqing?”

“I… I… I…” Baili Weisheng stammered on and on, unable to finish, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

Chu Feiyan grew even more suspicious, lowering her voice. “Tell me, I won’t repeat it to anyone.”

“It’s really nothing much, just wanting to spend a few days catching up with Ziqing—we haven’t seen each other in so long. But she’s so busy, and about to head off to Nanzhao besides. Nanzhao isn’t a place just anyone can casually visit!” Baili Weisheng said, looking thoroughly pitiful.

Chu Feiyan couldn’t help but smile inwardly. “Young master, no worries at all—just travel with me, and I’ll simply say you’re a friend of Xichu!”

Baili Weisheng immediately waved his hands. “No, no, no, such a false friendship simply wouldn’t do—it would violate proper etiquette!”

“How would it violate etiquette? Didn’t the ancients say all within the four seas are brothers?” Chu Feiyan immediately countered!

Baili Weisheng thought about this very seriously for a long moment before finally looking up. “Still, it wouldn’t work. Ziqing would…”

“Would what? I’m the Princess Imperial of Xichu, soon to be Nanzhao’s primary consort! If I say you’re my friend, then you’re my friend!” Chu Feiyan said with a cold snort.

“But…” Baili Weisheng still seemed conflicted.

“No more ‘buts.’ It’s decided—from now on, you’re my friend, and you’ll travel with me to Nanzhao!” With that, Chu Feiyan reached out to grab Baili Weisheng’s hand, but he skillfully dodged aside!

Even as he dodged, he muttered without context, “But Ziqing will be disgusted with you!”

Chu Feiyan froze for a moment, then slowly raised her hand to strike him—yet Baili Weisheng paid no mind, muttering to himself, “If I’m seen with you, Ziqing will be disgusted with me too, and I’ve only just barely managed to earn a little bit of her favor.”

Hearing this, a complicated flicker crossed Chu Feiyan’s eyes, and her raised hand ultimately fell back down without striking!

She was now certain—this pedantic scholar clearly had some romantic interest brewing with Han Ziqing!

Suppressing her fury, Chu Feiyan said coldly, “Then think it through carefully. The southern border gate is just ahead—once we pass through, specially assigned attendants will take you away, and even if you wanted to cling to Han Ziqing, you wouldn’t be able to. Nanzhao truly isn’t a place anyone can simply enter as they please!”

Hearing Chu Feiyan’s words, Baili Weisheng hesitated, glancing at her, and Chu Feiyan immediately pressed further, “Become my friend, and I’ll simply remove one of my guards from the roster—you’ll have a spot then, how about it?”

Baili Weisheng lowered his head, a flash of cunning crossing his eyes, before finally, reluctantly, agreeing. “Very well then. Princess Imperial, you truly are a kind person.”