Feng Xiyan gasped. "Bold!" the Eighth Princess cried, pointing her sword at Lang Huan like she was the real threat.
Before Lang Huan could say another word, Feng Yao reached up and twisted her ear sharply.
"Ah! Why does Your Highness love pulling my ear so much? This isn't a pig's ear!" Lang Huan laughed as she rubbed her ear.
Feng Yao knew Lang Huan was doing it on purpose—teasing her in front of her sister. Then, she tiptoed… and planted a quick kiss on Lang Huan's cheek.
"Happy now?" she asked, her voice trying to sound stern, but the blush on her face betrayed her entirely.
Lang Huan was still rubbing her poor ear, her grin widening like a fox.
Just as the playful moment lingered, a sudden growl shattered the calm.
One of the lions, its golden mane bristling like flames, lunged toward the Eighth Princess with terrifying speed.
"Ahh!" Feng Xiyan screamed.
The lion lunged, its claws outstretched, jaws wide open in a deadly roar.
Lang Huan's body reacted before her mind could catch up. Her eyes narrowed, flashing a brilliant blue. Her boots struck the ground hard, propelling her forward like a streak of lightning.
She twisted midair and threw a powerful kicked the beast square in the chest, sending it flying backward with a yelp It landed hard, leaving a deep dent in the earth. The lion whimpered in pain, dazed, before scrambling to its feet and retreating with a low, fearful growl.
Lang Huan landed softly, dust curling around her. She turned her gaze to the remaining lions, her eyes glowing a fierce, cold blue, like a predator's. A wild, beast-like aura radiated from her body.
The lions, perhaps sensing the shift in power, slunk away, tails tucked between their legs. They retreated and running off.
Feng Xiyan's face remained pale, her mind still reeling from the lion's attack. Unconsciously, her gaze lingered on Lang Huan.
Wei Yanzhou, seeing the danger had passed, quickly approached Feng Xiyan and checked on her anxiously. But Feng Xiyan ignored him, leaving Wei Yanzhou behind as she turned her attention to Lang Huan.
He struck the tree beside him in frustration. "That bastard's always getting in the way of my business!" he muttered under his breath, glaring in the direction Lang Huan had gone.
The eldest princess still sulking, said nothing and walked away, leaving Lang Huan behind.
Lang Huan, unwilling to let her go, immediately chased after her with light steps, her laughter ringing in the air.
"Hey, my dear princess, don't run so far!" she called out playfully. "I heard… there's an eight-headed snake in this forest~"
"Shut up!" Feng Yao snapped, but her steps faltered.
Lang Huan grinned, satisfied with her own lie.
Not wanting Feng Yao to go any farther, Lang Huan quickly closed the distance between them, hugging her from behind with a strong grip—half-lifting her off the ground.
"Let me go!" Feng Yao struggled.
"Don't run again," She pulled Feng Yao toward the nearest tree, pinning her gently against the trunk, as if refusing to let the princess slip away. Lang Huan's breath warm against Feng Yao's cheek.
Feng Yao bit her lip. "You bullied me…"
Lang Huan let out a low chuckle, her voice deep and teasing. She leaned in, her gaze tender as she brushed her fingers lightly across Feng Yao's cheek.
"How could I bully you?" she murmured. "I love you to the moon and back. There's nothing going on between me and Feng Xiyan."
Meanwhile, Feng Xiyan had followed them and was now hiding behind a tree. The eldest princess… is jealous…?
She had never imagined her cold and vicious sister could have feelings for Lang Huan. Now, curiosity burned in her chest—what kind of person was Lang Huan, who could make her sister fall so deeply in love?
Lang Huan pulled Feng Yao into her arms, holding her tightly as if she never wanted to let go.
Feng Yao no longer resisted. Lang Huan knew—her anger had started to fade.
Slowly, Lang Huan lowered her head, brushing her lips softly against Feng Yao's neck, breathing in the sweet and warm scent of her skin. That familiar rose scent—soft and comforting—always calmed her heart.
Feng Yao closed her eyes, her breath trembling.
"Are you still angry, Your Highness?" Lang Huan lifted her head slightly.
Feng Yao opened her eyes, a pout forming on her lips. "Angry. Who told you to leave me so early in the morning?"
"Then I promise I'll stick to you all the time, like a little kitten. Meow… meow…" As she spoke, she nuzzled her head gently against Feng Yao's neck, making soft purring sounds.
Feng Yao burst out laughing, unable to hold it in.
Lang Huan laughed too, pulling Feng Yao back into her arms, holding her so close it felt like their hearts were beating as one.
Hidden behind the tree, Feng Xiyan, who had been listening to their entire conversation, her face burning red, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.
Unintentionally, her foot stepped on a dry twig, snapping it with a loud crack.
Lang Huan, whose sharp ears had noticed Feng Xiyan's presence all along, grinned and raised her voice, calling out, "Let's go. This place isn't safe."
She glanced in the direction of the sound, her smile sly, as if speaking to someone unseen.
"There's a little ghost who loves eavesdropping," Lang Huan added, her voice dripping with mischief.
Feng Xiyan, hidden behind the tree, turned an even deeper shade of red, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and shock.
Lang Huan then bent down, offering her back to Feng Yao.
"Come, Your Highness, I'll carry you back to the tent."
Feng Yao climbed onto Lang Huan's back, her arms wrapping around Lang Huan's shoulders. As they walked away, Feng Xiyan could only stand behind the tree, watching them silently.
---
By the time they returned, everyone was already prepared to set off. Lang Huan, instead of getting on the carriage, only helped Feng Yao climb inside, then mounted Xiao Bai, casually riding alongside Master Xuankai's horse.
"Master, can you not stare at me like that all the time?" Lang Huan asked, glancing up at him with that sly, signature smirk.
Master Xuankai snorted, his expression turning stern. "Bah, you little brat! All you do is flirt with women. If I had known you'd harm Her Highness with your sweet words, I should have killed you when you were a child."
Lang Huan burst out laughing, delighted by the sight of Xuankai's face turning red with anger. "Old man, you know nothing about love…"
Before Xuankai could retort, the Eight Princess approached on her horse. Unlike her arrogant demeanor earlier this morning, her expression was soft, her voice warm as she spoke.
"Thank you for helping me," she said sincerely.
Lang Huan paused for a moment, then smiled. "There's no need to thank me."
"Ahem…" Master Xuankai cleared his throat, reminding Lang Huan.
Lang Huan's smile faded slightly as she glanced toward the Eldest Princess's carriage, afraid Feng Yao might get jealous again after seeing her talking with Feng Xiyan.
She quickly nudged Xiao Bai away from the Eight Princess and moved closer to the carriage.
Feng Xiyan watched the subtle retreat with a quiet chuckle, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. She could tell—this man was afraid of her royal sister's jealousy. And that, somehow, made her all the more intrigued by Lang Huan.