“Hehehe, how about this—if my formula works for you, remember to give Ying Bai a chance.”

“Hmph… we’ll see what he’s capable of.”

“Also, from now on you’ll become the first VIP member of my women’s marketplace. You can try all the new clothes, jewelry, and beauty products in my store first, and showcase them at important occasions anytime.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I’ll explain later. Just understand these are all things that can make you more beautiful.”

“Deal!”

The two women smiled at each other again. Jing Hengbo began writing prescriptions, recommending several simple anti-acne methods to Jade Queen. Acne was actually a minor issue, but Jade Queen had been caring for it improperly and had excessive internal heat, making the situation severe. Jing Hengbo told her to first calm her mind and body, abstain from alcohol, eat light foods, and after washing her face, apply ice towels, while consuming fresh milk, yogurt, and green tea powder for conditioning.

If the effects weren’t good, she naturally had further methods for treatment.

Jade Queen took the prescription with satisfaction. To reciprocate, she also inquired about Jing Hengbo’s skin condition. Jing Hengbo showed her those formulas she had won gambling. She had discussed these with Yelu Qi before—though Yelu Qi was learned and accomplished, he said many medicines in these formulas were unheard of and he couldn’t determine if they were dangerous, advising her not to try them lightly. Jing Hengbo was unwilling to give up and seized the chance to consult Jade Queen.

Looking at the formulas, Jade Queen said: “These prescriptions could be worth their weight in gold, but could also be worthless.”

“Oh?”

“The formulas are real, but very difficult to realize.” Jade Queen pointed at the prescriptions. “Many medicines here are only found in Shang Kingdom’s medicine marshes. Not ordinary marshes either—they must be from one of the three great pools in the royal capital to possibly produce them. Most medicines here are the premium grade that bloom once every ten years. This Purple Orchid Vine alone grows in Lanchi within the royal garden atop Danxia Mountain in the royal capital. Its efficacy is extraordinary—it can almost revive the dead and mend bones, with immediate effects on internal injuries, external wounds, chronic illnesses, and deadly poisons. Every time these medicines mature, from Dige to various nations and tribes, people are sent to Shang Kingdom to compete in bidding, often causing bloodshed. It even once led to conflicts between two nations. That’s just one ingredient. Then there’s Crystal Silk, Sky Beans, Yellow Blood Grass… tsk tsk, which one isn’t a rare treasure that makes Shang Kingdom corner the market and nobles from all nations fight over? These treasures—people consider themselves blessed by ancestors to obtain even one, yet your formula has seven or eight, just for facial application, not life-saving. Who gave you this formula? This is truly harmful—if the Great King of Shang Kingdom saw this, he’d definitely kill you in anger first.”

Jing Hengbo drew in a sharp breath, finally understanding why those consorts hadn’t taken these prescriptions seriously. They had the formulas but almost no possibility of realization.

“No way,” she touched her face, saying fiercely, “I’ll steal them if I have to!”

“Purple Orchid Vine should mature in about a month. Shang Kingdom’s triennial ‘Flower Gathering Festival’ will therefore begin. Shang Kingdom has already widely distributed invitations, inviting dignitaries from various nations and tribes to appreciate flowers. Appreciating flowers is false—competing for goods is true.” Jade Queen produced a red silk invitation and waved it.

“What do you want this for?” Jing Hengbo asked strangely.

“This isn’t just for your face cream.” Jade Queen said irritably. “It has miraculous effects for martial artists—it can treat all meridian damage, internal energy blockages, qi deviation, and meridian ruptures. Not to mention its foundation-strengthening and energy-cultivating uses. If a young person can use Purple Orchid Vine as a base, they’ll never worry about internal qi deviation their whole life. This queen wants to obtain some for Wuse.”

Jing Hengbo’s heart stirred.

Qi deviation? Internal energy blockages?

Gong Yin’s problem seemed to be exactly this type.

His internal energy was chaotic, scattering like sharp swords. He explained it as qi deviation. Regardless of whether it was or not, this Purple Orchid Vine was so miraculous that it would definitely benefit his body.

Gong Yin’s internal energy condition had always been a shadow in her heart. She always felt Gong Yin wasn’t telling the truth, but with such bodily conditions, she didn’t understand medicine, and if Gong Yin wouldn’t tell the truth, she couldn’t make him see a doctor, so she’d never get the correct answer.

Shang Kingdom was called the medicine nation, rich in various medicines and home to the most and strongest doctors. In that place, her face had hope, and Gong Yin’s physical condition might also find a solution.

“Give me this invitation. I’ll be responsible for finding you a Purple Orchid Vine,” she said with a shameless smile.

“That won’t do.” Jade Queen immediately tucked away the invitation. “This is the most noble royal invitation—not only can you participate in precious medicine auctions, but within Shang Kingdom you receive VIP treatment and priority purchasing rights for many medicines. I’m keeping this for important use, can’t give it to you.” After speaking, afraid she might snatch it, she said she needed to rest and hurriedly ran off with Yu Wuse.

Jing Hengbo watched her flee in panic, then glanced at Ying Bai, chuckling and grinding her teeth.

Ying Bai suddenly shivered.

…

That afternoon, the Seven Kills returned from various parts of Yi Kingdom. Not long after, Jing Hengbo received secret news that Gong Yin had already left.

This news left her melancholy for a long time. Though she had sensed Gong Yin’s departure early on, she still wanted to abandon everything and follow him back to Dige.

But there were still important matters she couldn’t let go of, so she could only comfort herself that Dige couldn’t be without its ruler—Gong Yin had to return. It was good he wasn’t here; if he were, her plan to steal medicine from Shang Kingdom would be affected.

Pacing alone on the rooftop, constantly gazing toward Dige’s direction, she regretted not saying more during their parting, regretted not having time to make him dragon underwear, regretted not checking his physical condition, worried he was traveling hastily without eating or sleeping well, worried his clothes were too thin, worried he’d encounter obstacles returning to Dige, worried something had already happened in Dige… Her worries tangled into a mess, so she had to stay on the rooftop blowing in the wind.

Standing high, she could see far. She saw seven figures sneakily appearing below, watched them huddle together whispering, then scatter.

Jing Hengbo smiled slightly, gripping the railing, waiting for a good show.

From her angle, she could see Jade Queen’s temporary palace quarters had extinguished their lights.

On the wall behind Jade Queen’s quarters, black shadows seemed to repeatedly look up—undoubtedly the wife-pursuing commander Ying Bai drinking nightly on the wall.

The night was quiet, but suddenly there seemed to be a young man’s alarmed cry.

Ying Bai immediately sprang from the wall, looked around to identify the direction, then plunged into the darkness.

Jing Hengbo smiled again.

Concern leads to chaos.

After a while, a large mass moved quickly over, looking from afar like a giant centipede.

With moonlight casting slanted shadows, careful observation revealed it seemed to be seven or eight people carrying someone, rapidly walking toward Jade Queen’s quarters.

Jing Hengbo smiled even more smugly.

Commander Ying was taken down quite quickly.

This was willing participation on both sides.

The seven figures carried Ying Bai, climbed over Jade Queen’s quarters’ back wall, found the queen’s bedchamber, opened the back window, “Heave ho!” Seven arms threw in unison—a beautiful airdrop.

A scream.

Then a thunderous crash, as if the bed had collapsed.

Seven comedians laughed heartily. Someone flashed into the room and brought out a pile of clothes.

Someone whistled and shouted: “Old Ying, no need to thank us—this is what we should do!”

Someone yelled: “Seize the moment, quick battle—make another little one and Jade will be yours!”

The room was completely silent. The queen didn’t scold, Ying Bai didn’t protest. In the darkness, except for that scream, nothing seemed to happen.

Jing Hengbo smiled on the rooftop.

Going with the flow.

She smugly touched her chin, thinking that with Ying Bai’s personality, drinking on someone’s wall every day—when would that end? This old lady was kind-hearted and helped him out.

Sometimes love required more than lukewarm water—you had to play rogue. When it came to playing rogue, who was strongest? Daimao Seven Kills shocked the great wilderness.

She cackled happily on the rooftop, not noticing a figure flash from the palace wall shadows below.

Yu Wuse crouched by the palace wall, darkly watching the queen’s bedchamber.

With such commotion, everyone was playing dead. He didn’t want to play dead but had to—bursting in now would get him killed by his mother.

Ugh, why should that drunkard get such a bargain!

Young Prince Yu was full of unwillingness and resentment—he hadn’t finished testing him! The heartless drunkard’s punishment wasn’t complete! Making his mother suffer so many years, making them mother and son endure such hardship—just drinking on walls for a few days, having some useless friends pretend to toss him through a window, and it was over?

Where did this leave the queen’s dignity? Where did it leave him as prince?

Yu Wuse ground his teeth, staring at the giggling Seven Kills, then looked up at Jing Hengbo smiling on the rooftop, silently baring his teeth at her.

Jing Hengbo suddenly felt cold, hugging her arms and looking around, finding nothing.

It was improper to keep watching, so she reluctantly sighed and returned to the palace to sleep.

As soon as she left, Yu Wuse flashed from the palace wall shadows, blocking the Seven Kills who still wanted to eavesdrop.

“Do you want this?” He spread his palm, revealing an invitation.

The red silk and gold-embossed invitation was exquisite. Seven lovers of pretty, colorful things were immediately attracted.

“What is it? Is it fun?”

“The most beautiful beauties, the most powerful medicines, the highest-level hospitality, the most noble status.” Yu Wuse used the seductive tone learned from Black Water Queen. “An invitation from Shang Kingdom, the medicine nation, for the triennial ‘Flower Gathering Festival,’ inviting great wilderness kings, nobles, and martial arts leaders throughout the realm. Gathering flowers—gathering the essence of medicinal herbs and the elite of humanity. Invited distinguished guests will be admired by all beautiful young ladies of Shang Kingdom, seduced by all mature beauties, and might even marry a princess or two…”

Six hands reached out in unison: “Give me, give me, give me!” in a chorus.

The one who didn’t reach out was Yi Qi, stroking his chin and murmuring: “Would Bobo let me take concubines…”

Si Si said sinisterly: “First you have to marry Bobo.”

“That’s no problem. Ah, taking two little wives home to wash Bobo’s feet would be nice too.” Yi Qi raised his hand. “Give me, give me!”

“There’s only one invitation, only for the most excellent and noble person.” Yu Wuse looked troubled.

Then he didn’t need to be troubled.

The Seven Kills started fighting.

The invitation bobbed up and down in mid-air while seven people fought in a pile below. For the Seven Kills, who would fight over who could pee farther when they had nothing else to do, “who’s most excellent and noble” was a major topic worthy of a good fight that could keep them busy for the rest of their lives.

Yu Wuse crossed his arms, moved away from the battlefield, chuckling coldly as he waited. As expected, after a quarter-hour, the seven comedians’ fight affected Jade Queen’s bedchamber. With a crash, someone demolished the chamber, causing Jade Queen to emit another angry scream.

Yu Wuse shrugged on the rooftop—sleeping well, dear father? I heard getting interrupted halfway through is the greatest torture for a man. Hope you can handle it.

Then he came down from the rooftop, bringing a pot of his best home-brewed wine to find Yelu Qi.

Walking, he muttered: “Too bad that legitimate adulterer isn’t here… but this one has good relations with her too… mess with him… mess with him.”

He stood before Yelu Qi’s door with wine, not knocking, but crying “wuu wuu wuu.”

The door opened. Yelu Qi stood in the doorway—long hair loose, the elegant man in black robes casually crossing his arms, looking at Yu Wuse with interesting eyes.

Meeting this gaze, Yu Wuse felt intimidated. He wasn’t very familiar with Yelu Qi, having only met him today, but seeing he had good relations with Jing Hengbo. Looking at this person now with three parts elegance at his lips, seeming to smile yet not smile, the clever little prince immediately felt he’d chosen the wrong target—this person wasn’t easy to deal with.

He knew about Yelu Qi. Besides loving wine-making and fine food, Prince Jade also enjoyed studying contemporary famous figures’ legendary stories, collecting their portraits and deeds. The two great state preceptors, Yu Bai and Jin Shu, Daimao’s Sixteen Gangs, dignitaries from various nations and tribes—he was very familiar with them all.

But having come this far, he had to steel himself. As someone ruthless enough to stab even Brocade Guards, Yu Wuse always believed there was no courage that couldn’t be broken, no person who couldn’t be brought down.

Yelu Qi didn’t speak, so Yu Wuse had to. Not speaking, he first opened the wine pot and took a gulp himself.

Yelu Qi watched him with interest. What did this little brat want?

“Nothing much to say,” Yu Wuse raised the wine pot toward Yelu Qi. “I’m in a bad mood and want someone to drink with me. Brother, will you accompany me?”

Yelu Qi had never called anyone brother and had never been called brother by anyone. He found it even more interesting, his lip-corner smile deepening. “There are plenty of people in this palace who can drink with you.”

“This is Yi Kingdom’s royal palace, not my Jade royal palace.” Yu Wuse shook his head. “Or would you have me drink with those seven weirdos? Forget it—I don’t want to wake up with my bones dismantled by them.”

Yelu Qi laughed, accepting the wine pot. Yu Wuse immediately attentively offered a wine cup.

The cup was warm, smooth jade, soft as flower petals to the touch, a beautiful lily design. The craftsman’s skill was truly excellent—no matter how you looked at it, it seemed like a real lily flower.

Yelu Qi couldn’t help praising: “Truly worthy of a prince from the jade nation. Even a casual wine cup has such exquisite jade quality.”

Yu Wuse familiarly pulled him to sit on a soft couch, pouring wine and chattering endlessly about “those unspeakable things between my mother and father.” While talking he sighed, while sighing he drank. Before Yelu Qi had even taken a sip, he had consumed most of the pot. He was completely a depressed youth going mad from mother-love complex, watching his mother about to be stolen away.

Yelu Qi didn’t interrupt or agree, just smiled while holding the wine cup, turning the lily-shaped, lily-like warm white jade cup toward the lamplight. Thin yellow light fell gently and transparently on the cup and his fingers, spreading a hazy glow. The lines in that glow were exquisitely beautiful.

This lazy, elegant beauty created a quiet power in the space. Yu Wuse soon felt he was talking too much, his voice echoing too noisily in the empty room. He resentfully stopped and got up to leave.

By now he was half-drunk. As he swayed getting up, something dropped from his chest with a “plop”—red silk with gold trim, fragrant and eye-catching.

He seemed unaware, lifting his leg to leave. Yelu Qi called out, pointing at the ground: “Your invitation fell.”

“Don’t want it!” Yu Wuse kicked the invitation away resentfully. “Shang Kingdom sent us three invitations—one for mother, one for me, one for the general who will marry mother. Consider it an invitation for our family of three. Hehe, now it looks like this husband will need replacing. I refuse to appear in Shang Kingdom as a family of three with Ying Bai and my mother—I can’t afford that embarrassment!”

Yelu Qi’s eyes flashed. He naturally knew the importance of Shang Kingdom’s Flower Gathering banquet invitations. Previously in Dige, he had also received invitations and would go no matter how busy, because many things at the Flower Gathering were truly important for martial artists. Moreover, with famous figures from various nations and tribes gathering, there would spontaneously be various private transactions, obtaining many things normally impossible to see.

Now he needed to make the trip even more, because he didn’t know how Yelu Inquru’s situation was and needed to find life-extending medicines for his sister.

“Brother, if you need it, take it.” Yu Wuse hiccupped, saying carelessly: “Anyway, I’m not going with them…” He picked up the invitation and handed it to Yelu Qi.

Yelu Qi stared at the invitation, suddenly smiled: “I do need this. Thank you. When I return from Shang Kingdom, I’ll definitely bring you body-strengthening medicines.”

“Then thank you, brother.” Yu Wuse looked at Yelu Qi, grinning: “Or maybe brother can thank me now, for instance…” He suddenly fanned the invitation, smiling: “Sleep for me to see?”

As the invitation fanned, the white jade lily cup in Yelu Qi’s hand suddenly floated up light as a flower petal, passing over Yelu Qi’s nose.

Clearly just paper lightly fanned couldn’t possibly move the cup in Yelu Qi’s hand, yet the cup was now truly soft as a dream, drifting over Yelu Qi’s mouth and nose.

The lamplit scene was beautiful yet eerie—a mysterious-faced youth fanning a bright red invitation, a snow-white cup floating like a lily over the enchanting man’s nose, his falling posture also slow and graceful, like sinking into a beautiful dream.

Yu Wuse clutched the invitation, smiling as he watched Yelu Qi collapse.

“You’re very clever, completely undeceived. You didn’t drink, didn’t get close to me, but your eyesight still isn’t enough…” he said with a grin. “That cup looks very much like jade, doesn’t it? Too bad it’s not—it’s lily. Dream-entering lily from Jade valleys, whose pollen can make people sleep and dream for long periods. After special treatment, it becomes hard as jade and can be made into cups. In wine or water, it softens and lightens after half an hour, releasing pollen. See, I lightly fan my invitation and it flies, you breathe in the pollen—isn’t it wonderful?”

Yelu Qi slept quietly with peaceful features. Yu Wuse said somewhat reluctantly and enviously: “I only have one dream-entering lily, wasted on you. This thing supposedly makes you have beautiful dreams, all matching your heart’s deepest desires. Pity I can’t enter your dreams to see what beautiful dreams you’re having—probably jade halls and golden horses, ruling the world, haha.”

He laughed heartily, stretched satisfyingly, kicked Yelu Qi, and snorted: “Don’t blame me for attacking you. I’m getting revenge on Black Water Queen. Who told her to meddle, matchmaking Ying Bai with my mother? She matchmakes my mother, I’ll kidnap her friend. I see she values you quite highly, so it’s you.”

He bent to carry Yelu Qi on his back, picked up the invitation and stuffed it in his chest, muttering: “Who wants to give you such a precious thing? This prince is keeping it to trick people.”

He calculated—he had two invitations: one was his own, right here, and one for that “future royal husband” General Wang. Of course, neither Jade Queen nor her son took this “royal husband” seriously. The invitation was never given to him and had been stolen by Yu Wuse long ago, just now given to the Seven Kills to fight over as a diversion.

One invitation left—let Black Water Queen compete with his mother, let them fight. The fiercer they fought, the more awkward Ying Bai’s position between them. Still thinking of reconciliation? Reconcile with a ghost.

He left a note on the desk: “Meddling brings consequences. Want to save him? Break up the marriage quickly.”

He wasn’t afraid of Jing Hengbo knowing he did it. He hadn’t killed or robbed anyone, just took her friend for a beautiful dream. Black Water Queen had saved his life—even if she meddled in his family affairs, he wouldn’t make things too difficult for her. Just a small punishment.

Whether to accept Ying Bai as father was his decision. Regardless, it couldn’t be so unclear—who would compensate for his and his mother’s suffering and dignity?

The awkward adolescent boy snorted heavily, saw no one outside, shouldered Yelu Qi, and quietly left the hall.

Once outside, his own guards took over. He made an inquiring gesture; they responded with “ready” gesture.

The Seven Kills were still fighting over “who’s most excellent and noble,” attracting all the palace guards. Yu Wuse calmly stuffed Yelu Qi into a soft sedan, climbed in himself, and left the palace.

Yi Kingdom’s royal palace was now under Jing Hengbo’s control. As Jing Hengbo’s most honored guest, Yu Wuse naturally faced no obstruction.

He left the palace smoothly. Outside the palace walls were Jade royal armies. He easily left the city, where prepared carriages waited outside.

Yu Wuse had people carry Yelu Qi into the carriage. Inside were brocade bedding, soft cushions, fruits, snacks, books, and games—everything for comfortable, non-boring long-distance travel. Clearly the careful arrangement of someone who pursued enjoyment.

He boarded, and the carriage raced lightly across the plains toward Shang Kingdom.

He wanted to visit Shang Kingdom. He was very interested in that legendary “BIUBIU” nation. He’d heard that though it was somewhat smelly—visitors had to bring extended, thickened masks—the water, soil, and medicines were very nourishing, and the young ladies were all fair and tender…

The carriage raced along the road. For him, Yi Kingdom was now completely accessible. At this speed, they could reach Shang Kingdom in four or five days.

Yu Wuse calculated the journey, thinking of dawn tomorrow—Black Water Queen and his mother’s faces, plus that cheap father who had to stop halfway through—he couldn’t help chuckling.

Laughing, he pillowed himself on fruits and snacks, falling asleep. For some reason, he felt especially drowsy, unable to wake up. Sometimes when extremely hungry, he’d groggily wake and grab fruit to chew. The fruit tasted strange too—no longer sweet like before. Some were sour, some astringent, some had no flesh, just pits that crunched in his mouth. He was somewhat angry—he’d clearly instructed his guards to carefully select all food, choosing the best. How were they using inferior goods? But desperately thirsty and hungry, he had to gnaw even the pits. Sometimes forcing his eyes open, he could vaguely see blurry lamplight with a shadow in front, leisurely reading while seemingly eating something. But this shadow was illusory and swaying, and soon he’d uncontrollably sink back into sleep.

He slept and slept and slept, feeling his bones stiffening and body numbing, but still had to sleep. Even when urgently needing to relieve himself, he’d get off the carriage in a daze. Seeing his condition, the guards dared not disturb him.

After sleeping unknown how long, guards came knocking on his carriage door: “Your Highness, we’re almost at Shang Kingdom’s border. What you said earlier…”

He’d previously said to abandon Yelu Qi when nearing Shang Kingdom, letting Black Water Queen search foolishly. Now approaching the border, the guards sought his opinion.

A muffled “Mm” came from inside, thick with sleepiness. The guards dared not disturb further, quietly withdrawing.

Yu Wuse was still dreaming—a group of girls surrounding him flirtatiously, each wearing little and exposing much, their skin glowing white as snow. Pinching them felt soft, smooth, and cool…

Cool…

Why so cold?

He suddenly opened his eyes. First, he saw the carriage’s lamplight still burning.

Second, he saw the mountain of food had diminished by more than half.

Third, he saw someone smiling at him kindly and gently, asking like a morning greeting: “Awake?”

Yu Wuse blinked—why was Yelu Qi awake?

Also, why wasn’t he waking up?

Only then did he feel aching all over, limbs numb. At first thinking he was poisoned, he later realized it felt like poor blood circulation from lying too long. As the numbness gradually passed, he felt distinct cold, and looking down, his eyes went black.

All his clothes were stripped off!

No wonder it was so cold! Even his dreams felt cool!

Yelu Qi ate his golden coconut dates, read his books, wore his cloak, waved his invitation, smiling as he said: “Thanks for accompanying me all the way. I’m about to go to Shang Kingdom. Now, farewell.”

“Why didn’t you…” Yu Wuse struggled to open his mouth to ask clearly, but his eyes went black as a large sack covered him. He was then lifted, heard the carriage window opening, and wind immediately rushed in fiercely. He shivered in the thin sack, freezing.

“Spare me, I was wrong…” Seeing the bad situation, he quickly begged for mercy.

Unfortunately, that person outside was gentle in appearance but sinister inside, naturally unmoved by pitiful pleas. He heard a light laugh, then “swoosh”—his body flew up and out the carriage window.

Flying out the window, he heard guards loudly cheering: “Your Highness’s arm strength grows ever more impressive!”

Yu Wuse felt like crying…

“Bang.” Next moment he landed in bushes. Sharp thorns pierced through the sack, immediately pricking him all over. He cried out “ah ah,” hoping those guards would recognize his voice, but in the dark wilderness, sounds from inside the sack couldn’t carry. He heard hoofbeats departing without pause.

“Ahhhhh—” The little prince roared with grief and indignation from inside the sack.

…

In the carriage, Yelu Qi lay comfortably eating and reading, his lip-corner smile unchanged.

He thought Yu Wuse was quite good—when he was sleepy, a warm pillow was delivered. Now he could go to Shang Kingdom, avoid travel hardships, and make Jing Hengbo worry a bit. If nothing unexpected happened, she should pursue to “rescue him.”

Sigh, Jing Hengbo was always worrying and bustling about for that person. It should be his turn once, right?

He felt slightly guilty about whether Jing Hengbo would worry, but wouldn’t waver. At worst, he’d compensate her later. He’d been looking for chances to “compensate” her anyway.

Yu Wuse was talented, but to really defeat him, he needed ten more years of training.

As former State Preceptor of the great wilderness, how could he not know various nations’ local products and specialties? How could he not know that Jade Tribe’s little prince loved studying poisonous flowers and strange plants? That lily cup’s design was ingenious and natural—craftsmen couldn’t carve to this degree. Due to medicinal treatment, it had a faint strange smell. Though Yu Wuse tried masking it with wine, it couldn’t fool him. Holding it, he immediately knew something was wrong.

Ahead, they were about to pass Shang Kingdom’s checkpoint, with soldiers calling for them to halt.

He smiled, drawing out the invitation, flicking it with long fingers. The crisp sound made him show an enjoying expression.

…