Gu Nan Yi’s eyes widen, too stunned that even with his unmatched martial arts, he seemed to have forgotten what to do. The hands that were supporting her back slipped inadvertently and seemed to touch some beautiful, graceful valley. It was so smooth, like soft jade silk in his palms, passing through his very heart like slippery fish. His body seemed gripped by something, causing even his breathing to be restrained, making it become more rapid.  

Feng Zhi Wei has snapped out of her daze. Her face flashed red as she struggled to get free, but because the two of them were still chained together, the chain had tangled when they fell. The more she struggled, the closer they got. Just as she was thinking they might have to unlock the chain first, an angry, muffled shout came from above the water. That ever loyal lackey yelled in anger, “What are you two doing sneaking around underwater?” With a splashing sound, Ning Cheng had already lifted the two of them up without any warning. 

Once he got the two up, Ning Cheng looked at them suspiciously—-it was just a fall into the water, not like they fell into fire, why was Feng Zhi Wei’s face so red? And why did Gu Nan Yi suddenly turn to face the other way? Also, also, why were his fingers trembling? Did the world’s grand martial arts master suddenly come down with epilepsy? 

Guardsman Ning narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he looked back and forth between the two, pondering whether he should write a new report to his master to express the confusion he was feeling now and receive his master’s enlightened guidance. His probing, bone-piercing stare made Feng Zhi Wei, who was already feeling guilty, react with embarrassment and anger. She snapped her head around and yelled, “What are you staring at? Keep staring at me and I’ll——” 

Her voice abruptly stopped, then her face lit up with joy. Completely forgetting to keep trampling on a certain someone’s precious guard. In the distance, a merchant ship was sailing toward them. 

===========

Seeing the large ship, Ning Cheng let out a cheer, instantly also forgetting to continue probing into the strange pair. Only Gu Nan Yi was left standing on the plank, touching his lips with a sense of savoring, thinking that last night and this morning had been the happiest and most complete moments of his life. They might as well not get on the big ship. 

However, one sneeze from Feng Zhi Wei immediately made him give up the idea of staying on the boat plank. He quickly flagged down the ship. Upon inquiry, as expected, it was a merchant vessel headed for Xiliang. The three boarded the ship. Fortunately, the ship’s master was an experienced old hand and could tell at a glance from their demeanor that they were no ordinary travelers. Not only did the ship’s master refrain from asking questions, but he also, with a very attentive and eager attitude, placed each of them in their own private cabin. The route was familiar, and unlike Jin Siyu, this boat had no need to stop at every port and island to change crew, so although they had unexpectedly drifted a day on the sea, they still arrived back in Xiliang right on schedule. 

At the city gate, the first thing Feng Zhi Wei asked upon seeing the subordinate who had come to welcome them was, “What’s the current situation?” Then, mounting her horse in haste, she said, “Head to the palace first. Report to me as we go.” 

As she talked, she kicked her horse to move, but the horse didn’t budge. She turned her head in surprise and saw that someone had casually caught the horse’s rein with one hand. With just one hand, that person held the strong horse completely still. Seeing her turning her head around, the man lifted his face against the light, arched one eyebrow, and smiled, “Hey! What’s the rush? Is it because you missed me?”

The person’s voice was familiar, so familiar that it caused Feng Zhi Wei to snap her head around. As she turned, the sunlight hit her face, forcing her to squint against the brightness. 

Under the blazing sun, the man’s robe casually hung loose on him, revealing his honey colored chest. As he smiled, his brows arched like flying feathers, and his eyes glimmered like sparkling gems. 

Feng Zhi Wei let out a startled “Ah!” and almost tumbled headfirst off the horse. 

Never did she imagine that this person, who should’ve been thousands of miles away, would show up here. 

Meeting her stunned, joyous, surprised gaze, the man laughed heartily. Yet, within those dazzling eyes, an emotion flickered deep within them- a hint of weariness from the vicissitude of life, and a tide of emotion that he is desperately holding in check. 

With all those mixtures of emotions bubbling up inside him, his eyes soon glimmered faintly with tears as Feng Zhi Wei’s did. 

But he merely lifted his chin higher and looked at Feng Zhi Wei with his frank, easy smile. 

The strappling lad of the wild grassland does not shed tears of joy. 

A short distance away, the remaining seven out of the Eight Braves (Helian’s personal guards) stood grinning with their arms folded across their chests as they watched their king. Their expression were warm and full of affection. 

Feng Zhi Wei looked at every one of them, drew a breath, then jumped off the horse. Looking Helian Zheng up and down for a long moment, she finally said with a laugh, “What gust of wind managed to bring you here?” 

“The wind of the conquering king.” Helian reached out and took her horse’s reins, led it toward a quieter spot, and whispered in her ear with a laugh, “Our Wild Grassland’s Living Buddha is actually the Empress of Xiliang. How could I, the lord of the Wild Grassland, not come to guard her throne?” 

Feng Zhi Wei was a bit surprised. She had not notified Helian to get involved with this mess. After all, the distance between the Wild Grassland and Xiliang is too great. And with Helian’s status, it wouldn’t do for him to just abandon his people and come running over. If it wasn’t her who notified him, then could it be Ning Cheng? But she had never told Ning Cheng about Gu Zhi Xiao’s real identity. 

She suddenly recalled when they were drifting on the sea, there was a time she was worried about Zhi Xiao’s safety, and Master Gu had expressed that there was no need to be worried. Was it Master Gu who notified him? 

Gu Nan Yi met her gaze, slowly nodded, and said simply, “Sent letter to Zong Chen.” 

Feng Zhi Wei immediately understood. When Gu Nan Yi learned of Zhi Xiao’s identity, he wrote to Zhong Chen. Zhong Chen, fearing that she would get pulled into Xiliang’s political turmoil and would be without sufficient support, made the decisive decision to inform Helian. 

The young master too, has slowly learned to plan ahead and make arrangements. 

Another thought suddenly occurred to her, “If you are all here, what about the Wild Grassland?” 

“Empress Dowager Peony.” Helian said with a laugh, “Charmutu has already learned to walk, and she was bored out of her mind. When I said I needed to leave to attend to a matter, she insisted on coming along. In the end, I packed a bag and ran away. She had no choice but to stay home and keep watch. Don’t worry. Peony is not one to be trifled with.” 

Feng Zhi Wei smiled. Of course she knows that Peony is not someone to be trifled with. Back when the old king died and the crown prince was still away, their enemies were all watching and waiting to pounce from all sides. In such a perilous situation, she still managed to keep both the royal court and the royal army intact, then what fear would she have with an already stabilized Wild Grassland. She just wonders if she had changed the words embroidered on her underclothing that read “must surge” and “must burst forth”? 

“How is the situation now?” She saw that Helian had led her toward the west of the city and entered an inn. The inn had been completely booked out, filled inside and out with Helian’s people. With one look, she knew it was still not the right time to enter the palace yet, so she simply followed him to the study. 

“Lu Rui has made his move.” Helian said with a grin after sitting down, “But not the large-scale aiming for the king with swords and armies you imagined. The Regent has control over the military and has a widespread influence. If Lu Rui acts rashly, his chance of success is slim. In fact, Lu Rui did want to make a move on the Regent’s birthday, but the moment he made an attempt, the Regent noticed and almost wiped out all the people Lu Rui had arranged. Only then did everyone realize that Yin Zhi Shu (the Regent) was indeed not someone who could be easily dealt with.”


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ps. It’s Helian! It has obvious been YEARS since I first read this book but to this day, Helian is still my favorite male second lead in all of the stories I have read and watched. I have seen a good number of “perfect male second leads” (meaning, good looking charming second leads who loves the female lead enough that he just wants her to be happy even if he is not the one she chooses), but the love Helian has for Feng Zhi Wei is so vibrant and dazzlingly unconditional that made this character unforgettable for me. Sigh, I have to confess that sometimes I do wonder if our heroine could be happy with riding off into the sunset with Helian and Gu Nan Yi by her side. Fortunately/unfortunately, our hero would probably burn the world down before he allowed that to happen.

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