"Do you feel better?" Feng Yao's voice startled Lang Huan, pulling her out of her daze.
"Yeah… Sleeping helped. Fighting the serpent and dealing with Lang Ruhua drained my energy," Lang Huan said, using the excuse before Feng Yao could ask further.
"Your Highness… I want to ask your opinion about something."
Feng Yao raised a brow, a soft chuckle escaping her lips when she saw the rare seriousness in Lang Huan's eyes. "What is it?"
"Since my martial arts were taught by Lang Yuyan… but she's nowhere to be found now… may I ask her twin sister to become my master?"
Feng Yao, who was calmly pouring tea, paused briefly. "Hmm… I don't think that's a bad idea. Master Xuankai's personality definitely wouldn't suit you."
She took a slow sip, then set the cup down with a soft clink, her eyes warm with quiet confidence. "Then tomorrow, you can ask her to meet me."
Lang Huan blinked in surprise. "Really?" She hadn't expected it to be this easy to convince Feng Yao.
"Of course," Feng Yao said, resting her chin on her hand. "But are you sure she can teach you properly? I don't want you turning out like her… kidnapping innocent virgin girls."
Lang Huan's eyes widened. "Your Highness… please, do I look like someone who would do that?"
"Who knows? What if she passes on her demonic techniques to you?" Feng Yao replied casually as she moved closer, sitting beside her on the bed. "Qiu Yue wants to take Xiao Lan along tomorrow."
"That's rare. Qiu Yue actually caring about someone else," Lang Huan murmured in surprise. "When I arrived, Xiao Lan's mother had already passed away. If she sees Lang Ruhua tomorrow…"
Lang Huan's stomach tightened, but Feng Yao's next words made her exhale in relief. "It wasn't her who killed the woman. Qiu Yue said it was the village chief."
Still… it was all connected to Lang Ruhua, Lang Huan thought to herself.
"Are you not happy? Don't you know Xiao Lan admires you so much?" Feng Yao's voice carried a teasing edge, her gaze narrowing slightly as if testing her.
Lang Huan let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Are you jealous? She's only fifteen."
"Fifteen is a suitable age for marriage, and you're not much older than her."
"Your Highness… don't joke like that. You know I love you. Besides, I'm a woman—and Xiao Lan's not really my type," Lang Huan said, rubbing the back of her neck with an awkward smile.
"Then tell me… what kind of woman is your type? I'm curious about your taste."
Feng Yao tilted her head slightly, raising one eyebrow as a soft light shone in her eyes. There was a ten-year age gap between them, she really wanted to know—what kind of woman could capture Lang Huan's heart?
Lang Huan's lips curved into her signature teasing smile.
"I have a heavy taste… I'm not interested in younger girls. How could they compare to Your Highness?"
Her voice dropped into a husky whisper as she leaned in.
Lang Huan closed the distance, kissing her deeply. Her hands gently guided Feng Yao back onto the bed, the sheets rustling beneath them. The kiss deepened, their breaths mingling, hearts pounding in perfect rhythm as their tongues tangled in a slow, intoxicating dance.
---
The next day, Lang Ruhua arrived on horseback, wearing a silk veil that couldn't conceal her beauty and charm. Her black hair flowed freely down her back, unbound by any hairpin.
The moment Xiao Lan saw her, anger flared in her chest. Her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Even though the woman's hair was no longer silver, Xiao Lan instantly recognized her as the mountain god who had kidnapped the virgin girl.
If she hadn't caused it… My Mother would still be alive. She was ready to rush forward, but Qiu Yue grabbed her arm firmly.
"Don't," Qiu Yue warned in a low voice, her eyes flicking toward the Eldest Princess standing calmly nearby. She knew Feng Yao's intention—to have Lang Ruhua become Lang Huan's master. Though it felt strange to her, it wasn't her place to speak.
Feng Yao's favor toward Lang Huan was absolute—and even if Xiao Lan hated Lang Ruhua, there was nothing she could do.
Lang Ruhua dismounted and walked forward, her long robe flowing like rippling silk. When she stood before Feng Yao, she bowed deeply.
"Long live Your Highness, the Eldest Princess Zhao Yi," she said with elegance. Even after living in seclusion for so many years, she still knew the name of Great Qi's Eldest Princess well.
Seeing the sincerity in Lang Ruhua's gesture, the eldest princess reached out, lightly holding her hand to help her rise. "There's no need for such formality," Her voice carrying an undercurrent of authority.
Lang Ruhua straightened, her veil hiding most of her expression, but her proud aura was impossible to ignore.
Feng Yao studied her carefully, her sharp eyes catching every detail. From what Qiu Yue and Lang Huan had told her, this woman was not ordinary. To maintain such youth, beauty, and vitality after a hundred years… there could only be one explanation: a mastery of profound and rare martial techniques, albeit ones that came with a price.
"I've heard everything from Lang Huan," Feng Yao said calmly "She wishes to take you as her master. I wonder… would Miss Lang be willing?"
"Your Highness, Lang Huan is my twin sister's disciple—and my sister has gone missing—I will fulfill her duty in her place."
Feng Yao's face was partly veiled, but the faint curve of her crescent-shaped eyes revealed her quiet satisfaction at that answer. She turned slightly toward Lang Huan, who looked tense and uneasy.
Lang Huan silently praying that Lang Ruhua would behave and not cause any unnecessary trouble.
Then Lang Ruhua spoke again, "Your Highness, this journey to Baiyuan Mountain will be dangerous. Since I am now Lang Huan's master, I will go as well. The more strength we have, the sooner and safer we can reach our goal."
"Very well. Then, ride with me," Feng Yao replied generously, as A Li motioned for the guards to take Lang Ruhua's horse.
Lang Ruhua handed her reins to one of the guards. As she and Feng Yao prepared to board the carriage, the villagers rushed over, their faces glowing with gratitude. They bowed deeply, showering Lang Huan with praise for slaying the eight-headed serpent.
Lang Huan gave them an awkward smile, sneaking a quick glance at Lang Ruhua— Thankfully, none of the villagers had ever seen the so-called Mountain God, so they never suspected anything.
The villagers brought baskets of food for the journey—dried meat, fresh fruits, even handmade pastries. A few middle-aged women went further, enthusiastically suggesting that Lang Huan marry their daughters. Apparently, they believed the young man came from a wealthy, promising family. Soon, a group of young women swarmed around her, giggling and eagerly introducing themselves.
"Ahem!" A Li's voice cut through the noise. Lang Huan turned her head and stiffened. Both the Eldest Princess and Lang Ruhua were watching her with murderous eyes.
When one bold young woman reached out to touch her arm, a small stone flew out of nowhere and hit her foot, making her stumble with a sharp yelp. Lang Huan didn't need to guess who did it. Feng Yao's jealousy was understandable. But Lang Ruhua? Why was she joining the fun?
"Still not getting in the carriage?" the Eldest Princess snapped her out of her thoughts. Lang Huan quickly followed them and climbed into the carriage. Sitting across from the two women felt like being trapped between fire and ice.
As the wheels rolled and the carriage swayed gently, Lang Huan watched the two women converse with ease. Lang Ruhua, having lived for centuries and born of noble blood, spoke with a grace and wisdom that even Feng Yao found engaging.
Seeing no trace of hostility, Lang Huan finally exhaled in relief and slipped out quietly, mounting Xiao Bai to ride alongside, leaving the two women alone inside.
Once the curtains settled and silence returned, Feng Yao turned her gaze toward Lang Ruhua, "If Miss Lang doesn't mind, I would like to see your face."
Lang Ruhua removed her veil. Light spilled across her features—delicate, refined, and breathtaking. The lack of jealousy in Feng Yao's gaze made something tighten in her chest. For a moment, she wondered what lay beneath Feng Yao's own veil. Yesterday, she hadn't seen clearly enough.
Her curiosity didn't escape Feng Yao, who reached up and slowly removed her veil as well. When Lang Ruhua saw her face clearly for the first time, she couldn't hide her admiration. She loved beauty—and here was a beauty that could silence the world.
Hmmph.. The little monkey is really lucky, Lang Ruhua thought with a long, quiet sigh as her amber eyes lingered on Feng Yao. "Your Highness truly deserves the title of the most beautiful woman in Great Qi,"
"I should say the same, Miss Lang. Your grace and beauty truly live up to your reputation."