Jing Cheng didn’t answer. Instead, he simply put down the tea cup he had just sipped a few times. The man took something out from inside the wide sleeve of his hanfu robe and tossed it directly toward Jing Yanxi. Jing Yanxi swiftly caught the item his father had thrown and immediately unrolled the pale yellow paper scroll, reading the contents that made his chest feel like it was about to explode. “Declaration Letter,” Jing Yanxi began reading. “I, as the head of the Jing Family, with full authority over all family decisions, hereby declare that I will send my firstborn son to serve under the Zhao Family as a young hostage for ten years. I relinquish all responsibility over Jing Yanxi, my son, to the aforementioned family and will not interfere in any matter concerning the young hostage for the next ten years.” “Father, what is this? This isn’t right! How could you do this to me?” Jing Yanxi immediately threw the paper onto the table, then began pacing back and forth, confused, ang

Jing Yunxi lowered her head. Her hands unconsciously gripped the edge of her red sash. The girl felt deeply guilty about the whole situation. After all, it was her guards who had killed all the snakes belonging to Jing Ling and Hua Fei. “I’m actually the one at fault for this. I’m the reason they failed to qualify for the poison class advancement.” Jing Yunxi bowed her head even lower. Jing Yanxi glanced sideways at his sister, feeling annoyed. Even though he had intercepted Jing Ling and Hua Fei, he hadn’t killed a single snake. “That foolish girl is nothing but trouble!” Jing Yanxi cursed inwardly. Fortunately, Elder Luo spoke up immediately. “Madam Yue, on behalf of the entire Jing Family, I sincerely apologize for everything that has happened. Master Jing Cheng didn’t intend to avoid coming himself, but he had something urgent that needed his attention. Therefore, he asked me to come in his place.” Jing Yue folded her arms across her chest. “Oh, so you’re saying the matter wi

Her eyes, blurring Jing Yunxi’s vision. She could only wipe them away silently in a voiceless cry. Her tears fell and shattered like her hope to meet Hua Fei, the one she adored. ‘This sorrow feels like an endless nightmare in the dark of night. This longing is more bitter than bile. Yet the wall between us is so strong and arrogant.’ Jing Yunxi wept quietly in her heart as she walked under the cruel gaze of Jing Yue behind her back. Meanwhile, behind another wall, Hua Fei stood tall like a frozen statue. There was a trace of disappointment on his handsome face, along with helplessness. In the end, he could only lower his head in sadness. Beside Hua Fei, a man in a blue robe gently patted his shoulder. “There are things more important than a woman, and you must be able to choose between them.” “Ah Fei understands, Uncle.” Hua Fei gave a faint, bitter smile. “Prepare to leave,” Hua Yan said as he walked away. “Yes, Uncle.” Hua Fei responded with a respectful bow even though his u

Hua Lin busied himself loading dried food and snacks into his bag. The sweet aroma of honey and the sharp tang of spices filled his nose, bringing a comforting sensation amid the chaos of preparation. He added one more bottle of honey before pausing, eyeing the bulging pouch. “Ah, this might be too heavy,” Hua Lin thought as he scratched his head. There was a sense of reluctance in reducing even a few items. His eyes kept drifting toward the pile of his favorite snacks, making it hard to part with any of them. But… what if they laugh at me later? he murmured inwardly, before finally lifting the entire load with a satisfied smile. But if I cut down my supplies, I’d regret it. Hua Lin scratched his head again despite it not itching. What now? What if they make fun of me? Ah, whatever. What’s the point of worrying about that? Better safe than sorry, Hua Lin thought as he hoisted his belongings. Besides, we’ll be riding in a carriage. What’s there to worry about? Alright then. Won’t

"Then I’ll push him to agree!" Mu Lei suddenly declared firmly. Mu Lei was an outsider who had once been saved by Hua Yan during the bloody tragedy of the Mu Tribe five years ago, when a rebellion broke out between the "dirty clothes" and "clean clothes" factions within the tribe, nearly costing him his life to be beheaded. However, it seemed the gods had sent Hua Yan just when his life was hanging by a thread. He narrowly escaped death at the sword of Mu Yan, the Mu Tribe’s traitor, all thanks to Hua Yan’s help. Since that day, he vowed to dedicate his life to repaying the man who had saved him. Even though Hua Yan had long since freed him and never brought it up again, Mu Lei stubbornly insisted on serving as Hua Yan’s guardian, as well as his family’s. "Very well. We’ll see," said Elder Hua Lei this time. Everyone could only hope that Hua Yan wouldn’t mind the security preparations they had made this time. Meanwhile, over at Hua Lin’s courtyard, the young man looked extremely