As night slowly swallowed the sky, the convoy of carriages came to a halt in the middle of the forest. Several tents had already been neatly set up among the tall trees.
Lang Huan tilted her head, peering out from the carriage window with a puzzled expression.
"This doesn't feel like a treasure hunt… it feels like a picnic," she muttered, shaking her head.
Though they called it a "modest convoy," the presence of the Emperor and several nobles made it clear that everything had been carefully arranged for comfort and convenience.
She finally pushed open the carriage door and stepped down lightly. Turning back, she offered her hand to help the eldest princess. Together, they made their way to Feng Yao's tent, the soft crunch of leaves underfoot marking their quiet passage.
At the entrance, Lang Huan bowed respectfully and began to take her leave, but Feng Yao's voice stopped her.
"Where are you going?" she asked casually. "Dinner will be served soon. Come in."
Lang Huan hesitated, but in the end, stepped inside. The tent was unexpectedly spacious, though simply furnished. Feng Yao removed her cloak and settled onto a pile of layered cushions.
A Li lit the oil lamp and placed several books on the low table. After making sure everything was in place, she gave a small bow and slipped out to join Qiu Yue and Wu Ming in their own tent.
Now, only Lang Huan and Feng Yao remained.
Lang Huan stood near the entrance, feeling awkward.
"This… this isn't appropriate," she said at last. "I should join Master Xuankai's tent."
Feng Yao arched an eyebrow. "Why join the men's tent? Are you a man?"
She patted the space beside her, inviting Lang Huan to sit.
"That's not what I meant. It's just… the two of us alone might cause gossip."
"Funny..." Feng Yao looked up, a playful glint in her eyes. "You didn't seem so worried about gossip this morning—when you carried me in your arms in front of everyone."
Lang Huan flushed slightly but said nothing.
Feng Yao's voice softened. "After dinner, I'll have A Li and Qiu Yue stay with us. That should quiet any wandering tongues."
Lang Huan gave a small nod and finally sat down beside her.
"Your Highness… it's strange. With so many officials had been invited, why is it only Wei Yanzhou and General Wu who came along? Are the others not interested?"
Feng Yao close the book in her hands and replied in a low voice,
"Great Qi is in turmoil, though it doesn't show on the surface. Many officials are no longer loyal to my father. They don't believe in this so-called lost treasure. If it weren't for the Duke of Huguo and the Prime Minister still backing the Emperor, a rebellion might have already broken out."
She paused, then added in a whisper,
"I've even heard rumors that some officials are trying to persuade the Duke of Huguo to seize the throne for himself."
Then, with a sly smile, she gently tilted Lang Huan's chin upward using the edge of her book, forcing their eyes to meet.
"If your father were to take the throne… you'd become the crown prince. Does that tempt you?"
Lang Huan calmly took the book from Feng Yao's hands and set it down on the table.
"No. My father has served the royal family his whole life. He's spent decades on the battlefield for Great Qi. He wouldn't betray that."
Feng Yao's smile faded into something more thoughtful. "Lang Huan, you're too naïve. Even if I haven't seen any suspicious signs from your father… people could change for power."
"I may be naïve," Lang Huan said calmly, "but you're too paranoid."
Feng Yao didn't argue. Instead, she poured a cup of tea and handed it to Lang Huan.
"I spent the first eighteen years of my life in the palace," she said, her tone turning cold. "I've seen all kinds of cruelty. How people devour each other for power and wealth."
Noticing Feng Yao's expression turning serious, she chuckled and leaned forward, aiming to steal a kiss.
But Feng Yao held up the book between them, gently pressing it against Lang Huan's lips to block the kiss, raising an eyebrow in mock sternness.
"Mind your manners."
Then she slipped an arm around Feng Yao's waist.
Feng Yao immediately slapped her hand away, giving her a warning glare— but the corner of her mouth twitched as if she were holding back a smile.
The two of them kept bickering and teasing each other like children, so caught up in their playful moment that they didn't notice A Li standing silently at the entrance, holding a tray of food and watching them with wide eyes.
After carefully placing the food on the low table, A Li quietly stepped out of the tent, not wanting to interrupt their little world. A few soft chuckles could still be heard from inside before silence gently settled in.
Outside, the sounds of the night flowed softly—the rustling of leaves, the chirping of insects. Inside the tent, the warm glow of an oil lantern cast gentle shadows on the canvas walls. The air was warm and cozy. Wrapped in blankets, everyone drifted off to sleep peacefully. Outside, the guards took turns on watch. The night passed without trouble.
---
Lang Huan woke up earlier than usual. After stretching and letting out a long yawn, she stepped out of the tent, letting the fresh morning air brush against her face. She decided to take a short walk to enjoy the quiet before the day began.
Not far from the campsite, under a tall tree, she spotted the Eighth Princess reaching up, struggling to grab something. "Need a hand?" Lang Huan asked casually.
She walked over, and with her tall figure, it was easy to pluck the fruit the princess was trying to reach. With a slight smile, she held it out to her.
To her surprise, the Eighth Princess didn't even take it. Instead, she gave Lang Huan a sharp look.
"Hmph. Sissy," she scoffed, then turned and walked away without another word.
"...Sissy?" Lang Huan echoed, stunned, as if trying to make sure she really heard that right.
And just as she was trying to process her feelings, the real storm hit.
"What are you doing?!" a loud, sharp voice rang out behind her.
Lang Huan turned just in time to see the Eldest Princess walk toward her, eyes burning with annoyance.
"You're amazing, huh? Waking up early just to flirt with another woman behind my back?" she snapped.
"I…" Lang Huan opened her mouth to explain.
"How dare you, Ye Langhuan! I'm right here and you still dare to run off to another woman? What would you do if I weren't around?" the princess shouted, then threw a warm towel at Lang Huan before storming off, her long hair flowing behind her in the morning breeze.
"I…" Lang Huan caught the towel, staring at the princess's retreating figure in disbelief.
Just as she was about to go after her, two more figures appeared from behind the tree—Master Xuankai and Qiu Yue, both glaring at her as if she'd just committed treason.
She let out a long sigh and looked up at the sky.
---
A sudden scream pierced the calm morning air.
Lang Huan's expression sharpened in an instant. She sprinted toward the sound echoing from deeper within the forest, branches snapping and leaves rustling as she moved swiftly through the trees.
When she arrived, she saw both the Eighth Princess and the Eldest Princess cornered by a group of majestic white lions. The beasts growled lowly, their golden eyes gleaming in the forest light. The Eighth Princess stood with a sword in her trembling hands.
Not far behind, Wei Yanzhou followed, breathing heavily from the run. But as soon as he saw the enormous lions, he slowed down and slipped behind a tree. His brave intentions evaporated in an instant.
Lang Huan let out a soft chuckle when she saw the two royal sisters—usually proud and composed—standing there with fear written all over their faces.
With a smooth leap and a mid-air flip, she landed right in front of the Eldest Princess. She wrapped her arms around her waist, completely ignoring the Eighth Princess and the snarling lions just meters away.
"Hehe… Are you scared?"
"No," Feng Yao replied quickly, her pride refusing to let her admit fear. She pushed weakly at Lang Huan's chest.
"Ohh, really?" Lang Huan smirked. "Then I'll just go…" she teased, pretending to step away.
But Feng Yao instinctively reached out and grabbed the collar of her robe, pulling her back sharply.
"Didn't you just say you weren't scared?" Lang Huan said with a grin. This woman's temper was already flaring so early in the morning. Lang Huan pulled Feng Yao into a gentle embrace and kissed her softly on the forehead, hoping to soothe her temper.
Feng Yao bit her lower lip. A faint blush crept up her cheeks. "Aren't you going to deal with those lions?!" she snapped, turning her glare toward the pacing beasts.
Lang Huan gave a shrug and her grin widened. "I will... but only if you kiss me first," she said, leaning in with a playful tilt of her head, offering her cheek.