Lang Huan hadn't even had the chance to change her clothes or take a sip of tea when a servant knocked her room.
"Young Master, the Duke is calling you to the study..."
Nervous, Lang Huan wondered how she should explain everything to the Duke of Huguo.
When she entered the study, the Duke was already seated. A faint smile appeared on his face.
Lang Huan stood quietly and spoke honestly. She told him everything and how the Emperor had made an unexpected offer.
With each word, the Duke's expression darkened. Finally, he slammed his palm on the table, the sharp sound rattling the tea set.
"What were you thinking, Lang Huan?! Joining an expedition to search for treasure?!" he roared, his face red with anger. "Do you think this is some kind of game?!"
Lang Huan remained calm. "His Majesty offered it himself, Father."
"Offered you a chance to die a foolish death!" the Duke snapped. "You're my only son! If something happens to you, do you think I'll ever sleep peacefully again?!"
She couldn't argue with that. Lang Huan lowered her head, lips pressed into a thin line.
Their voices carried through the corridor. Su Qing, who had just asked A Cai to prepare warm porridge for Lang Huan, paused mid-step when she heard the shouting. Heart tightening, she hurried toward the study and pushed open the door, finding Lang Huan standing stiffly while the Duke continued to scold her.
"That's enough," Su Qing said, her tone calm but cutting.
The Duke exhaled sharply. "Fine. Let him reflect on his actions in the ancestral hall."
Not long after, Lang Huan was kneeling in the cold ancestral hall, her back straight, eyes fixed on the floor.
Su Qing sat beside her in silence. For a long time, neither of them spoke. Then, in a quiet voice, she asked, "What's really going through your head? At your first banquet, I told you not to interfere. You still did. And now this—planning to run off to search for treasure?"
Lang Huan lowered her gaze and replied softly, "I'm sorry for making you worry."
Just then, A Cai emerged from behind one of the pillars, carefully holding a tray with warm porridge and pickled vegetables. He glanced nervously at Lang Huan still kneeling, then turned to Su Qing, his voice filled with concern.
"Madam… please don't be too harsh on Young Master. Maybe… maybe his brain hasn't been quite right since that childhood amnesia. That's why he thinks… in reverse sometimes."
Hearing that, Lang Huan seriously wanted to eat him alive.
Su Qing stifled a laugh, unable to hold back a small chuckle. Still, she was worried about Lang Huan's safety, but there was nothing she could do.
She shook her head, then stood and extended a hand.
"Come. Eat first. Then rest."
Lang Huan reached up and took her hand. Her knees ached as she rose, stiff from kneeling. Together, they walked toward the table. As she accepted the bowl of porridge, a faint smile tugged at Lang Huan's lips.
Su Qing watched Lang Huan quietly, her gaze soft but filled with unspoken ache. A knot tightened in her chest.
Why did you love Feng Yao? Hadn't it always been me who stayed by your side? It wasn't fair.
---
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the day to set off had arrived.
The Duke of Huguo had suggested Lang Huan take a few guards from the mansion for safety, but she declined with a calm smile.
"Master Xuankai is enough," she said confidently.
The Duke let out a quiet sigh. "Okay…" he murmured, heavy with worry.
At the front gate, the Duke and Su Qing stood with her, ready to see her off. Hoofbeats echoed from the distance as Master Xuankai approached, leading a small group. Behind him rode Wu Ming, Qiu Yue, and Xiao Bai—the white wolf—trotting beside them with practiced ease.
But Lang Huan's attention was immediately drawn to the elegant carriage behind them. She hadn't expected Feng Yao to come and see her off.
The Eldest Princess stepped down gracefully with A Li's help—but what caught Lang Huan off guard was her attire. She was dressed in men's clothing.
Lang Huan nearly burst into laughter but held it in. With so many eyes watching, she allowed herself only a small smile.
The outfit couldn't quite hide the curve of her figure—or the shape of her chest. Where on earth was she planning to go, dressed like that?
Duke of Huguo and Su Qing quickly bowed in greeting to the princess.
"Your Highness," Duke of Huguo said politely, though there was a hint of awkwardness in his tone. "Thank you for your care toward Lang Huan, but there's no need to go through the trouble of coming all the way here."
He clearly felt uneasy. The growing closeness between Lang Huan and the Princess had already drawn attention, and they weren't officially engaged.
"I didn't come to send her off," Feng Yao replied casually. "We're departing together for Mount Bai Yuan."
Lang Huan turned to her in surprise, walked closer, and whispered, "Your Highness said that place is dangerous. Are you joking about your own safety?"
"Ahem," Master Xuankai cleared his throat from atop his horse, reminding Lang Huan to be respectful to the Princess.
Lang Huan pouted and stayed quiet, holding back her words.
Both Duke of Huguo and Su Qing were visibly shocked. Su Qing couldn't hold back any longer and raised her voice slightly.
"This is inappropriate, Your Highness. You and Lang Huan have no relationship, yet you're often seen together If the Emperor or court officials hear of this, it will spark rumors—and damage your reputation."
The Eldest Princess gave Lang Huan a slight push and stepped forward with authority, positioning herself directly in front of Su Qing.
Feng Yao raised an eyebrow and let out a cold snort. "What's appropriate or not is for me to decide."
From inside her cloak, she pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it calmly to the Duke.
Lang Huan bit her lower lip. What was she doing? She had just spent a whole week being punished harshly by her father for agreeing to go to Mount Bai Yuan.
"We're bound by a work contract," Feng Yao said firmly. "This time, I'll be supervising Lang Huan personally."
The Duke unfolded the paper, and his face darkened as he read the contents. Beside him, Su Qing's hands curled into fists. This woman clearly doesn't care about her threats at all.
Sensing the rising tension, Lang Huan moved without hesitation. She grabbed Feng Yao's hand, and before anyone could react, scooped her up into her arms and carried her straight back into the carriage— to stop her from saying more and making things worse.
Startled, Feng Yao let out a small yelp and instinctively pinched Lang Huan's ear in protest.
"Aw—!" Lang Huan winced and gave her a sheepish look.
"Sorry, Father!" she called over her shoulder, already climbing into the carriage. "We really have to go now, or we'll be late. The Emperor is waiting!"
She threw an apologetic smile at the Duke before disappearing behind the curtain.
Inside, Feng Yao sank into the cushioned seat, glaring at her with irritation.
"Qiu Yue," she said lazily, "go retrieve the contract. Just in case someone gets any clever ideas about tearing it up."
Qiu Yue, hearing the command from within the carriage, dismounted her horse and walked toward the Duke to retrieve the paper.
Moments later, the carriage rolled forward, followed by the riders. They left behind Duke of Huguo and Su Qing, both standing frozen in place.