Feng Yao didn't respond right away. Instead, she looked at the desk and said quietly, "Bring me the black wooden box."
Lang Huan stood up without question, took the box from the desk, and sat back down on the stool beside Feng Yao. Carefully, she opened the lid and took out a rolled-up piece of old sheepskin. The smell of aged leather filled the room.
Feng Yao gently unrolled the map on the table.
An ancient map stretched before them—its black ink faded by time, yet the lines of mountains, valleys, and strange, cryptic markings remained clear enough to trace.
"Master Xuankai spent years studying this map," Feng Yao said, pointing to one area. "He and Gao Fei once journeyed there, but they could only make it this far."
Her finger landed on a strange symbol.
"Baiyuan Mountain," Lang Huan murmured.
Feng Yao nodded and began to explain.
"Baiyuan Mountain—is located in the far north, in one of the most remote regions of the land. From afar, it looks peaceful. Its peak is always covered in snow, like a mountain frozen in time.
"But behind those quiet slopes and the silent pine forests lies something deadly."
Her voice lowered.
"There's a huge chasm there. Locals call it the 'Sky's Mouth.' It's an enormous open pit, nearly a hundred zhang (330 meters ) across—and no one knows how deep it goes. Thick white mist hangs above it all year long, hiding the bottom from sight. Even when people drop stones into it, they never hear them hit the ground. It's as if the earth itself swallows them whole."
Lang Huan felt a chill crawl up her spine.
"Villagers say the chasm is alive," Feng Yao continued. "At night, they claim you can hear whispers... and sometimes screams—voices calling from the depths. Old monks call it the gate to the underworld. They say it's where restless souls gather, guarding secrets buried long ago."
Lang Huan swallowed hard. Feng Yao noticed and gave a short laugh.
"There's more," she said. "Winds inside the chasm can rise without warning. Strong enough to pull a grown person off the edge and drag them down. Many who've gone there have disappeared. Not a single one ever came back."
Her smile slowly faded, replaced by a cold, serious look as she turned to Lang Huan.
"What's wrong? Are you getting scared now?" she asked. "That's strange. I remember you looked very brave when you agreed to the Emperor's offer."
Lang Huan let out a breath. "It's not fear," she said softly. "I just don't want to die for nothing." Then she gave a sweet smile. "I haven't even married Your Highness yet."
Lang Huan looked at the map. "Where exactly is it hidden?"
Feng Yao's eyes sharpened. "According to legend, the treasure lies deep within the tomb of a forgotten emperor. No one has ever reached it."
Then her voice dropped and laced with anger.
"Forget the treasure… it's buried too deep—in earth and in blood. What I want now is to destroy Baiyuan Mountain—and bury those greedy old men with it. Their lives have brought suffering to the people of Great Qi.
"No," Lang Huan replied softly, but her tone was steady. "Let me try. In a place that dangerous, there's no guarantee anyone will survive either. Not even your enemies."
Feng Yao's eyes narrowed. "Why are you so stubborn?"
Lang Huan didn't look away. "You always said I lacked real life experience. So let me gain it—on this journey."
She took a breath and continued, "If you want revenge, let me be the one to do it. Let me be your sword. Just… wait for me to come back. Wait for me to marry you."
Feng Yao didn't speak right away. She just looked at Lang Huan—earnest, determined, her words pressing against the walls of Feng Yao's guarded heart.
Finally, she let out a long sigh.
"…Fine," she said. "But promise me—don't take any unnecessary risks. I'm not asking you to be a hero. If it gets too dangerous, walk away. Just get out and stay alive."
Lang Huan smiled faintly. "I promise."
"Take Master Xuankai with you," Feng Yao added, her voice quiet but firm. "You'll need someone who knows how to read that map."
She picked up the rolled sheepskin map and handed it to Lang Huan.
But just as Lang Huan reached out to take it, Feng Yao's gaze turned sharp.
"If you don't return," she said, "I'll marry someone else. And I'll forget you completely."
Lang Huan froze for a second. The weight of those words hit her like a stone to the chest.
"I will come back!" she said fiercely, standing up. "You can threaten me all you want—but whoever marries you… I'll kill him."
A flicker of amusement passed through Feng Yao's expression. Her gaze shifted, and she turned her head slightly to hide the faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
The threat had worked—and they both knew it.
---
Even after Lang Huan had left, a quiet unease lingered around the Eldest Princess like mist on a cold night. She sat in silence for a while, her fingers resting lightly on the edge of the table. Then, absentmindedly, she turned her head.
"A Li," she said softly. "Call Qiu Yue for me."
Moments later, the shadow guard appeared, silent as ever. She knelt.
"Your Highness."
Feng Yao didn't waste words. "Qiu Yue, the Emperor and the others are heading to Baiyuan Mountain next week. Is everything in place?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Qiu Yue replied without hesitation. "The plan is ready."
Feng Yao's brow furrowed with determination. "I'll be taking command personally. There will be some changes."
Qiu Yue's eyes widened. For a brief moment, her calm expression faltered.
"Your Highness… Are you planning to go yourself?"
Feng Yao didn't answer right away. She rose from her chair and walked slowly to the window, her eyes fixed on the far northern sky.
"This matter is too dangerous," she said quietly. "And precisely because of that, I can't let Lang Huan face it alone—especially not with those sly old foxes."
Sometimes, Lang Huan was too naïve—too impulsive. How could Feng Yao possibly stay calm knowing she was out there with her father and brother?
Qiu Yue's heart skipped a beat. She had served Feng Yao long enough to know how cautious and calculating the Eldest Princess was—and yet, here she was, willing to risk herself for Lang Huan. This wasn't like her at all.
"Your Highness…" Qiu Yue stepped forward, lowering her voice. "Please reconsider. Your safety is too important. If something were to happen to you—"
Feng Yao turned around, her expression calm, but resolute.
"I've made my decision."
Qiu Yue lowered her head, frustration and fear battling behind her calm expression. She had never questioned an order before—but this time was different.
In her heart, Qiu Yue swore that if Lang Huan ever dared to betray the Eldest Princess, she would kill the little duke with her own hands.
"I cannot afford to lose either Lang Huan or Great Qi," Feng Yao said softly.
In this world, only Lang Huan had ever truly loved her. Her mother was gone. Her father had abandoned her. Lang Huan's love and attention were the only warmth she had left—and she wasn't about to lose that too.
No matter the cost, she would protect her.
She would marry that girl—even if it went against morals and ethics. Once she conquered the world, who would dare oppose their relationship?