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Morning light streamed across the shark-silk canopy, bathing the bedchamber in a honeyed, amber glow.
Driven by his biological clock, Feng Xiao awoke precisely on time, only to find Qian Renxue's head resting on his arm, which had already gone slightly numb.
The girl's golden hair, like seaweed, spread across the embroidered pillow, with a few playful strands wrapped around his fingertips, gently swaying with her breathing.
He gazed at her sleeping face, so close he could almost touch it—her usually taut brows were completely relaxed, the morning light gilded her eyelashes, casting butterfly-wing shadows on her porcelain-white cheeks.
Her lips still bore the rosy hue from his kisses last night, slightly parting with each breath, like cherry fruits waiting to be picked from a branch.
Feng Xiao couldn't help but trace her contours with his gaze, from her full forehead to her delicate chin.
When his eyes fell on the faint red mark on her collarbone, his Adam's apple unconsciously bobbed.
Scenes from their passionate night flashed back in his mind: she arched her slender neck, moonlight flowing like a milky way across her skin.
"Mm," Qian Renxue suddenly let out a kitten-like whimper, unconsciously burying her face into his neck.
Her warm breath fanned his Adam's apple, carrying a hint of alluring sweetness.
Feng Xiao tensed, feeling her soft body pressing perfectly against his.
He carefully brushed aside the stray hairs on her forehead, only to see those eyes, usually filled with ice and snow, slowly open.
In her newly awakened, golden pupils, a misty haze reflected two tiny versions of him.
"Morning," a nasal greeting slipped out subconsciously, and Qian Renxue suddenly froze.
A blush instantly spread from her earlobes to her collarbone; she suddenly remembered their hair was still intertwined.
Feng Xiao chuckled, deliberately brushing his fingertips across her flushed earlobe: "Who was it last night who held me and said, 'Don't go'? Hmm?"
"Th-that was sleep-talking!" Qian Renxue clutched the brocade quilt, wrapping herself in it, but revealed half of her snowy shoulder.
Suddenly noticing his darkened gaze, she fumbled to pull at the corner of the quilt, "Don't look!"
Feng Xiao suddenly leaned in, propping himself above her.
His falling hair brushed her cheek, causing the person beneath him to tremble slightly.
He deliberately lowered his voice: "Last night, the candlelight was too dim, I couldn't clearly see Her Highness's bedchamber furnishings." His fingertip traced her reddened lips, "May I take a good look now?"
Qian Renxue was about to retort when the footsteps of a passing attendant suddenly sounded outside the chamber.
Her pupils constricted, and she instinctively pulled Feng Xiao, rolling deep into the brocade quilt.
Their noses touched, and in the darkness, they listened to each other's thundering heartbeats.
"Are you nervous?" Feng Xiao whispered, taking the opportunity to lightly pinch her waist.
Qian Renxue glared at him, but held her breath when he suddenly moved closer.
Feng Xiao's lips stopped mere millimeters from hers, their warm breaths mingling: "Last night you said… Ugh!"
After a long moment, Qian Renxue abruptly threw open the brocade quilt, the blush on her face not yet faded.
With a flick of her finger, the scattered white dress on the floor flew into her hand like a living thing, and in a few turns, she was fully dressed.
Feng Xiao watched her taut profile, reaching out to tuck a strand of golden hair behind her ear, but she gripped his wrist.
"Don't talk nonsense later," she whispered, a complex glint in her golden eyes, "Don't tell Uncle She or Uncle Ci."
Feng Xiao chuckled, turning her hand to grasp her fingertips, and lightly kissed her palm: "I understand, maintain your dignity, my Highness."
Qian Renxue's earlobes flushed crimson; she flung his hand away and turned to push open the chamber door.
Feng Xiao watched her departing back, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, slowly adjusting his collar, his slender fingers smoothing every wrinkle.
When Feng Xiao stepped into the study, a strong scent of medicinal herbs mixed with a hint of blood assailed him.
She Long leaned back in a zitan wood chair, dark red seeping from the bandage on his left shoulder.
Ci Xue's condition was even more severe; his right arm hung unnaturally, his skin covered in spiderweb-like black cracks—marks of being injured by the Clear Sky Hammer.
"Young Master," the two saw Qian Renxue enter and struggled to stand and bow.
When their gazes swept over Feng Xiao, who followed her in, a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes, but it quickly returned to calm.
Qian Renxue lightly raised her jade hand, signaling them to sit, her golden eyes showing just the right amount of concern: "Little Feng informed me of the situation yesterday.
How are your injuries, Uncles?"
She Long and Ci Xue exchanged a glance, and finally, She Long slowly spoke, a hint of shame appearing on his face: "Minor injuries are nothing.
We tracked Tang Hao to a strange forest, intending to launch a surprise attack under the cover of night." His snake-like pupils contracted slightly, as if he was seeing that bizarre scene again, "Who knew that a powerful Spirit Beast resided in that forest, and it actually had quite a connection with Tang Hao."
Ci Xue took over, his voice hoarse: "When we threatened to flatten the forest, those wildly growing Blue Silver Grass finally stopped attacking." He touched the injury on his right arm, "But Tang Hao had already taken the opportunity to unleash his Spirit Avatar, and at the last moment…" He swallowed, "He used some method to shatter his sixth spirit ring."
"Shattered a spirit ring?" Qian Renxue's fingertips trembled, and the teacup clinked crisply on the table.
She Long knelt on one knee: "This subordinate is incompetent; I failed to confirm Tang Hao's life or death."
Feng Xiao lowered his gaze, hiding the sharp glint in his eyes, thinking to himself: The power of Ring Explosion is no small matter; even if Tang Hao isn't dead, he must be crippled.
Qian Renxue took a deep breath, her tightly clenched fist slowly relaxing in her sleeve: "You two Uncles originally went to hunt for a spirit ring; Tang Hao's matter was purely an accident." She stood up and walked to the window, the sunlight gilding her with a golden edge, "If he fortunately didn't die…" A cold glint flashed in her golden eyes, "I will personally end him, to avenge you two Uncles."
The two felt relieved, their hearts warmed, and just as they were about to withdraw, Feng Xiao suddenly spoke: "Senior, do you still remember the location of that forest?"
She Long took out a roll of leather map from his spirit tool, pointing to an area marked with cinnabar: "The Blue Silver Grass here is unusually lush.
I suspect…" He gave Feng Xiao a meaningful look, "Tang Hao specifically came here, he must have a purpose."
When Feng Xiao took the map, his fingertips lightly caressed the marked area.
Qian Renxue glanced at his action, a thoughtful expression flashing in her eyes.
Feng Xiao gazed at the cinnabar-marked location on the map, a deep light flashing in his eyes.
He thought to himself: Tang Hao is probably at the end of his rope right now, and Tang San's bloodline awakening has been interrupted.
Under the pursuit of She Long and Ci Xue, there's no way they could return to the waterfall where they cultivated.
This is the best time to seize that wild Spirit Bone.
As the saying goes, if Heaven gives and you don't take, you'll suffer for it.
He lightly stroked his chin, his expression as calm as water.
Since he had chosen to stand with Spirit Hall, he should maximize his advantage.
"If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave first," She Long's hoarse voice interrupted his thoughts.
Qian Renxue nodded slightly: "Thank you for your hard work, Uncles."
After the two left, only they remained in the study.
When Qian Renxue turned, the sunlight streamed through the window lattice, dancing on her golden hair: "Little Feng, what are you thinking about so intently?"
Feng Xiao put away the map, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Just thinking about what Tang Hao and his son's purpose was in going there."
Qian Renxue snorted coldly, her fingertip tapping crisply on the tabletop: "No matter what their intentions are, that forest will be guarded day and night from today onwards."
"Mm," Feng Xiao suddenly leaned in, whispering in her ear, "But Xue'er, are you free now?"
His warm breath fanned her ear, and Qian Renxue's fair cheeks instantly flushed crimson.
She frantically took half a step back: "You, what do you want to do?"
Looking at her annoyed expression, the smile in Feng Xiao's eyes deepened.
He deliberately drew out his words: "To take you to Nuoding City, perhaps there will be an unexpected surprise."
"Nuoding City?" Qian Renxue's voice suddenly rose, then she realized her lapse in composure, and the blush spread from her cheeks to her neck.
That place she had secretly investigated countless times, that small city that recorded all of Feng Xiao's past…
Seeing that she was overthinking again, Feng Xiao didn't expose her, only playfully performed an exaggerated knight's bow: "My Highness, could it be that you don't dare to go?"
"Who, who doesn't dare!" Qian Renxue grabbed the light gauze shawl from the table, a stubborn light flashing in her golden eyes, "Let's go now!"
The sun set in the west, and twilight gradually deepened.
After Qian Renxue finished her political affairs, she changed into a simple, elegant moon-white dress, her golden hair loosely tied with a silver hairpin, losing some of the sharpness of Spirit Hall's Young Master, making her look more like a young lady from an ordinary noble family.
She stood on the official road outside Heaven Dou City, gazing at the distant continuous mountain shadows, a rare hint of anticipation in her brows.
Feng Xiao slowly approached, leading a snow-white horse, its mane gleaming like silver satin in the setting sun.
Seeing Qian Renxue lost in thought looking into the distance, his lips curved slightly, his voice carrying a hint of playfulness: "What, my Highness… nervous?"
"Who, who's nervous?" Qian Renxue suddenly snapped back to attention, a flicker of panic in her golden eyes, then she forced herself to calm down and glared at him, "I just didn't expect…" Her voice gradually lowered, "That one day I would be traveling with you like this."
The smile in Feng Xiao's eyes deepened, but he deliberately didn't point it out.
Qian Renxue looked at the magnificent white horse in front of her, suddenly realizing something was off: "Wait… why are we riding horses?"
"This?" Feng Xiao suddenly leaned closer, his warm breath brushing her ear, "Of course, it's because I want to spend a few more days on the road with my Xue'er." His fingers lightly tangled in a strand of her golden hair, "And…"
He suddenly put his arm around her waist, and amidst Qian Renxue's soft cry, lifted her onto the horse's back, then deftly swung himself onto the horse, completely encircling her in his embrace.
Feng Xiao's palm was warm and strong; she instinctively held onto his shoulder, her nose filled with the faint scent of pine from him, her heart inexplicably quickening a few beats.
"…this way I can still hold my Highness." His voice carried the pleasure of having succeeded, "Isn't it wonderful?"
Qian Renxue's earlobes instantly turned blood-red; she lightly slapped Feng Xiao's chest, not too hard: "You only use your wits for things like this!"
Feng Xiao chuckled, enduring the blow, but his arms tightened around her: "Wrong…" He suddenly lowered his voice, his lips almost touching her burning earlobe, "My thoughts… are far more than Her Highness can imagine."
"Hold on tight," Feng Xiao chuckled, raising his whip to urge the horse forward.
The magnificent horse neighed, galloping away into the twilight.
Qian Renxue's long hair flew in the wind, golden strands occasionally brushing Feng Xiao's cheek, causing a slight tickle.
She wanted to create some distance, but the horse's bumpy ride forced her to cling tightly to his clothes, her entire body almost pressed against his.
"You did this on purpose?" she gritted out in a low voice.
Feng Xiao's lips curved upwards: "Of course."
Qian Renxue feigned indifference with a soft hum, but secretly curled the corners of her lips where no one could see.
The night wind brushed her cheeks, but it couldn't disperse the strange warmth in her heart.
Feng Xiao's chest was pressed against hers, every rise and fall of his breath clearly perceptible, and even the unintentional touch of his fingertips when he occasionally adjusted the reins felt like it carried a burning temperature.
"Hold tight," his whisper in her ear caused a slight shiver, but her arms honestly wrapped around his waist.
This feeling of being cherished was so new—as the Young Master of Spirit Hall, she was accustomed to being revered, but she had never experienced such blatant favoritism.
Even for the most ordinary journey, he found ways to make her feel his intentions.
Nuoding City was still far away, but Qian Renxue suddenly found herself looking forward to the surprise hidden in this ordinary small city.
Perhaps it was because there she would see a side of Feng Xiao she had never known, from his youth, or perhaps it was simply because this was their first journey together to a distant place.
The clatter of hooves echoed, like a rhythm in her heart.
She quietly held him a little tighter, allowing herself to sink deeper into that warm embrace.
Ten days later.
The night wind was cool, and the trees along the official road rustled.
Feng Xiao suddenly slowed down, whispering: "Xue'er, look over there."
Qian Renxue followed his gaze, seeing the faint outline of a small city between the distant mountains, its scattered lights like fallen stars.
"Nuoding City," Feng Xiao's voice held a hint of nostalgia, "It's been almost five years since I've been back."
Qian Renxue gazed at the ordinary small city, a strange emotion suddenly welling up in her heart.
She had read about everything concerning this city countless times in intelligence reports, but now, standing here for real, everything felt different.
"What exactly do you want me to see by bringing me here?" she asked softly.
Feng Xiao didn't answer immediately, only gently squeezed her hand: "You'll know after dawn."
As night deepened, their figures gradually merged into the outline of Nuoding City.
The next day, before the morning mist had fully dispersed, Feng Xiao led the horse onto a side road.
He didn't rush to find the waterfall near Saint Spirit Village, but instead took Qian Renxue back to Ting Quan Village.
On the dew-damp country path, the outline of a village gradually appeared.
Amidst the curling smoke from chimneys, Feng Xiao's steps suddenly became lighter, even his back exuding a sense of relaxation she had never seen before.
"Ting Quan Village," he turned, the morning sun just touching his brow.
Qian Renxue looked at the scattered thatched houses before her, the smoke weaving into soft gauze in the morning light.
Her fingertips brushed the fence covered in morning glories, her voice unconsciously softening: "Is this your village?"
Feng Xiao's gaze slowly swept over the everyday scenes of the village—the wooden bucket swaying as a woman drew water from the well, the dust kicked up by children chasing each other in the distance.
He gently nodded, the morning light casting tiny golden shadows on his eyelashes: "But…" The smile that bloomed on his lips was incredibly gentle, "Now it's theirs."
A piece of willow catkin floated down with the wind, landing precisely on his shoulder.
Qian Renxue was about to reach out to brush it away when he suddenly gripped her wrist.
His eyes, transparent amber in the backlight, clearly reflected her slightly dazed face: "Xue'er…" His calloused thumb stroked her wrist, "Now, you are my only home."