"You don't believe me."

Ji Ningzhao realized that the one supporting her was Ying Chongyun, but right now she no longer had the strength to care about such details. The pain in her chest surged like a rising tide, nearly causing her legs to buckle and sending her to her knees. She could only grip Ying Chongyun’s hand in return, clinging so tightly that even he felt the bite of her desperate strength.

Ying Chongyun had no idea what was wrong with her, but seeing Ji Ningzhao in such agony that she could barely stand, her forehead slick with cold sweat, he simply swept her up into his arms.

“Doctor, could you please give us some medicine? We’re in a hurry to leave,” Zeng Qing urged once more.

“Let go of me! I’m just following orders, let go…” The officer twisted furiously, trying to break free from the hands restraining him.

It was already July. In the south, the first rice harvest was in, which was why Feng Fei wondered if Nuannuan’s family had sent her some grain. Of course, what everyone really hoped for was dried seafood, since living deep in the mountains made such delicacies a rarity.

Meanwhile, more than ten miles from the golden pillar of light, a dozen supremely powerful figures stood upon the clouds, gazing distantly toward the radiant column.

“At this time of year, the scenery in the capital can hardly compare to the poetic charm of the southern riverlands. Even the climate cannot rival the gentle warmth of these watersides.”

Still, the exaggerated talk of “one sip and you’re out” left her uncertain of the truth.

Ye Bulai indeed returned her phone. But as Yan Ye saw the fifteen hundred yuan just transferred out on WeChat, her heart sank. That morning, he’d confiscated all her funds, leaving her with only two thousand yuan, and now another fifteen hundred was gone. He was cutting off all her resources.

So, they planned to amuse themselves with Lin Feng; after all, there were still a couple of hours until sunset, when the Gate of Light would open.

“In fact, we don’t know what you’re talking about. We’ve never tried stinky tofu or durian, so we can’t even imagine what that tastes like,” Chen Xunyang replied with a cheerful smile.

Among the group was a round-faced, big-eared youth—none other than Zhu Shaojing, the prodigy of the Hundred Absolutes Ranking, who had been wounded by Lin Feng the previous day.

Faced with the officer’s frenzy and interrogation, Mu Mumu remained utterly composed; her cool, beautiful features betrayed not a trace of panic, only an excess of calm.

Ding Ning listened with admiration, though she knew Su Xiao’s own life had been difficult as well. The only difference was that Su Xiao had a good mother, one who shielded her from the storms, raised her to adulthood, and provided a nurturing environment that allowed her innocence to flourish.

She reached out to wipe the blood from her forehead, but instead smeared her own blood across her face.

She wanted to speak, but seeing Duan Xun and Leng Shuang squatting and deftly skinning the wolf, she thought better of it. Instead, she crouched down and, knife in hand, searched the wolf’s body for a starting point.

Although Lin Xue’s injuries weren’t serious, her reputation had nearly been ruined by the two of them. Thinking of this, Yu Min’s gaze grew all the more furious.

Now, knowing that her return was a sign of filial piety, he was overjoyed and waited at the gate with his people, eager for their arrival.

Above the island, two green lanterns hung high, glowing like a pair of pupils, gazing toward the approaching starship.

He knew better than anyone how difficult this path would be and never expected it to be accomplished overnight.

His subordinates dared not voice their anger; after all, she was the Princess Consort of Jing. She had to act to prevent certain troubles from taking root.

She was both the Heir’s wife and a healer of exceptional skill, making it hard for her to refuse such calls for help. But without others interfering, she found she had much more freedom to act.

This was why Marquis Sui’an, even knowing that Changning held the imperial edict, still chose to protect Chu Chengyan, helping him travel south, establish a new court, and ascend the throne.

“If anything gets eaten, let it be me. I’ve got enough meat on my bones—unlike you, who are all skin and bones, not even enough for that cat demon to pick her teeth with,” Zhu Lin said.