Cai Yixue’s body trembled as she returned to her room. Her face was already red with suppressed rage.

" That bastard, I swear I will kill him someday." She bit her lips till she drew blood.

Alas, she took a deep breath and calmed herself. Changing her clothes to something casual, she got into bed.

’ Strange, I wonder why my body feels so relaxed? I don’t think I am drunk?’ Cai Yixue’s perception was sharp. However, she couldn’t find anything amiss in the drink she had earlier. If not, she felt her internal qi was rather lively and rejuvenated slightly.

She got into bed to sleep. Cai Yixue felt earlier that she may stay awake all night, but now she was feeling rather relaxed, so she decided to sleep.

’ Besides, the banquet of the Governor is tomorrow. Ugh, do I really have to go there?’

Looking at the ceiling, Cai Yixue sighed. ’ Haahh, I truly miss him.’

’ Stupid husband, why can’t you be with me?’ She mumbled, ’ But then, if he is gone, it must be something important. Probably went to fill up his bag of magical items.’

Laying on bed, old memories resurfaced in Cai Yixue’s mind.

All began three years ago, when Concubine Shi came with Prince Li Yuan to the Nanhai City.

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Three years ago.

Suo Family, the City Lord of Nanhai City, hosted a great banquet. It was a total flower festival in the mountain behind his estate. Concubine Shi and her son, Li Yuan, came to visit Nanhai City.

Li Yuan was already crowned as the crown prince back then. Hence, many people thought that the struggle in the Li Imperial Family would lessen, or at least turn discreet.

However, Concubine Shi’s ambitions were grand. How can she stop before she turns every stone?

" Greetings, City Lord Suo, General Cai, and our other dignitaries."

" Greetings, Eunuch Wu." Cai Yunhai nodded as he took his seat. Along with him sat the leader of Silkward Chamber of Commerce, Lady of Phoenix Pavilion and others.

Eunuch Wu, the subordinate of Concubine Shi bowed before everyone, " My lady will be coming here soon. Please, get yourself comfortable."

" I heard they are doing a gathering in the Nanhai Mountain." The leader of the Silkward Chamber of Commerce spoke first. " The hunting competition among younger generations."

" No need to worry about that." City Lord Suo smiled politely. " The Nanhai Mountain is very safe for now. Even the Twisted Dark Forest has been recently cleared by the Cai Family’s Silver Lightning Corps."

Cai Yunhai gave a humorless chuckle as he took his wine. " Hmph, it’s just the same as treating the ailment rather than the root. Don’t forget we haven’t even explored the entire Nanhai Mountain yet."

" As long as the other realm gate remains open, monsters will be there."

" Heh, then doesn’t that shows the lack of...Cai Family’s ability? What’s the point of such military power?" A noble merchant couldn’t help but make a crude remark.

" Oh? Is that so?" Cai Yunhai paused as he looked at the man. " His Majesty declared the Nanhai Mountain as free zone and ordered the military to not to intervene. I didn’t know there is someone else who has more authority than the emperor here?"

" Yo-You!" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

The man was stunned as he realized everyone was looking at him.

" Ahem, Patriarch Cai’s words are true. I don’t think there is any reason to doubt His Majesty."

" Greetings, Concubine Shi."

A woman wearing a robe of yellow peony entered the room, with a paper fan covering her lips.

" Steward Wu, please escort that gentleman out. I don’t think he would be in harmony with this banquet."

" Yes, My lady."

" Please, Forgive me, Lady Shi." The man was horrified as he instantly knelt before Concubine Shi. " I didn’t mean to disrespect His Majesty. How dare I to blaspheme?"

However, Steward Wu didn’t listen to the cry of the man. His body moved like a breeze as he lifted the man like lifting a fruit and disappeared.

" Looks like Eunuch Wu’s martial power increased." Ca Yunhai couldn’t help but make a comment. Concubine Shi smiled as she sat gracefully, " It’s merely the reward of His Majesty."

" I am sure if General Cai returns to the Capital City, His Majesty would give you one of his cherished elixirs."

Cai Yunhai instantly understood the meaning of Concubine Shi.

Most military family already forfeited their soldiers to the Imperial Army, in exchange of wealth and titles. Concubine Shi is also insinuating Cai Yunhai regarding the matter.

" Thank you for the invitation, Concubine Shi. However, I have many works in the clan estate. Forgive me for not being able to visit the Imperial Capital."

Concubine Shi smiled, " I understand, Patriarch Cai. After all, the Cai Family has served the Imperial Family since the founding emperor."

" And, I also believe, stripping a general of his army is the same as stripping a swordmaster of his sword." Concubine Shi looked at everyone else.

" Speaking of which, I have attended this banquet to discuss a personal request of mine."

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Nanhai Mountain.

" The hunting competition has begun! As everyone can see, the young contestatants has already rushed to search for the hidden talismans in the Nanhai Mountain."

" Don’t think of it as cheating. Other than the renowned scholar Mr. Xi, who built the map, no one else knows the locations of the talismans."

" Let’s see who will be returning with the most talismans in three hours!"

" And, we found two!"

A girl smiled widely as he presented the talisman to Li Yuan.

Li Yuan smiled as he picked it, " You are certainly smart, Lady Lian. I am rather surprised how you managed to find the talisman in the shortest possible time?"

" I have noticed a pattern, Prince Yuan." Lian Luoqiu smiled.

" Oh? And what is that?" Li Yuanwas interested. Lian Luoqiu chuckled as she turned away.

" It would be disadvantageous for me if I reveal the trade secret, Prince Yuan." Lian Luoqiu grinned, " How about I be your guide?"

Li Yuan looked at Lian Luoqiu and nodded, " Very well, I won’t refuse such help."

" Huh?"

But before Li Yuan could move, she saw a lady with white robe riding past him with her horse in a lightning like speed. With a sweep of her hands, she suddenly pulled out a talisman from a rock beneath.

Without looking back, she yanked the reins and sprinted her horse again.

" That lady...Who is she? Does Lady Lian know?"

Lian Luoqiu’s face fell when she saw the trance-like look in Li Yuan’s eyes. She clenched the hem of her robe tightly, she tried best to keep her smile.

" Ah, she..."