“Bewitching, even now, can you not discern my heart’s intent?” Liang Xiaoke’s face was etched with frustration as he watched Yaorao ignore him completely.

Yaorao, steadfastly adhering to Ye Jingyu’s previous instruction, refused to acknowledge him, moving into the rear courtyard. Upon seeing Luo Ruofeng there, a subtle change flickered across her expression.

“This servant pays her respects to Your Highness…” Yaorao stepped forward and executed a graceful sweep of her hand toward Luo Ruofeng.

“Heh, there are no outsiders here; no need for such formality!” Luo Ruofeng smiled faintly, lightly raising his hand, yet his gaze remained fixed on Yaorao, unwavering.

Not only that, but even Xiaomuzi behind him stared at Yaorao with an expression of pure adoration; truly, her peerless beauty lived up to its legend.

Zhuge Yi Shi also looked upon Yaorao, though his eyes held not heat, but pure appreciation—the kind reserved for exquisite things.

Chi Yixiu and Hu Yanchi clearly possessed aesthetic sensibilities far different from the common man, as they remained entirely unfazed by Yaorao’s loveliness.

Ye Jingyu, long accustomed to Yaorao’s allure, naturally paid it little mind. Among those present, aside from the hip-swaying Liang Xiaoke trailing behind her, the most captivated was Lin Xiaoyi, standing near Ye Jingyu.

However, compared to Liang Xiaoke’s raw, undisguised stare, Lin Xiaoyi appeared far more timid. He would steal glances toward Yaorao intermittently, yet dared not meet her gaze directly, only managing covert peeks.

And from the corner of his mouth, a bead of crystalline saliva began to slowly trace a path downward…

“My thanks, Your Highness!” In the midst of her bow, Yaorao’s eyes had swept across everyone present. Seeing that the majority of the men were not utterly captivated by her beauty, a strange, unbidden thought crossed her mind: Had she grown old? That she couldn't even bewitch this many people?

“Yaorao, why have you come today? Is there something of importance?” Ye Jingyu was unaware of Yaorao’s inner musings; he only knew she wouldn't have appeared in person unless the matter was significant.

“Mmm…” Yaorao nodded lightly, her gaze drifting toward those standing around them.

“I have already said, there are no outsiders here. Say whatever you must directly!” Ye Jingyu understood her meaning the moment he saw her hesitation.

“It concerns news about Miss Gongsun!” Hearing Ye Jingyu’s firm words, Yaorao no longer demurred. From her rosy lips emerged those few words.

“En?” Ye Jingyu started, and Lin Xiaoyi, Hu Yanchi, and Chi Yixiu all turned their attention toward Yaorao.

“The Young Master recently tasked me with investigating the Gongsun family’s affairs. This servant specifically monitored the intelligence coming from Medicine City and discovered that six months ago, Miss Gongsun returned there. However, after that, all traces vanished. It was only a month ago that the Gongsun family head, Gongsun Sheng, was poisoned and nearly died. During their investigation, the Gongsun family captured an assailant—reportedly a woman. If this servant guesses correctly, that woman must be Miss Gongsun!” Yaorao spoke calmly, yet her words were still saturated with a seductive charm that left Liang Xiaoke and the others utterly spellbound.

The gentle rise and fall of her full, shapely chest gave Lin Xiaoyi such an urge to suffer a nosebleed that he hadn't heard a single word she’d uttered.

But upon hearing this, Ye Jingyu’s expression turned frigid, and he fell into deep contemplation.

Medicine City—it was a metropolis situated at the very source of the Tianjiang River, corresponding from afar to White Emperor City at the river’s mouth. The difference was that White Emperor City was the private domain of the Bai family, whereas Medicine City belonged to the Tianyuan Empire.

Its City Lord was an official appointed by the Tianyuan Empire, but the most powerful family in Medicine City was the Gongsun clan, who had resided there for generations, taking the duty of healing the world as their solemn vow.

They were the most renowned lineage in medicine; countless doctors and apothecaries considered the city a sacred ground.

Gongsun Xiangyi had entered Medicine City six months prior, but only made her move a month ago. Ye Jingyu didn't find this timeline unusual at all. While the Gongsun family were masters of medicine, a great clan with a thousand-year legacy could not possibly lack defense capabilities. Even if Gongsun Xiangyi possessed supreme mastery over poisons, even if she had a Saint Beast by her side, she still needed to proceed with caution against a family possessing such profound roots.

To spend half a year preparing before finally poisoning Gongsun Sheng demonstrated Xiangyi’s determination for vengeance. But to actually be captured? That seemed almost impossible. After all, she had a Saint Beast with her; even if they couldn't defeat the enemy, escaping should have been simple enough.

“How confident are you in your assessment?” After a long silence, Ye Jingyu finally spoke.

“Ninety percent!” Yaorao replied with absolute certainty.

Ye Jingyu nodded, not pressing her on the source of such confidence. Anyone capable of rising to prominence through the Hundred Flowers Sect, anyone entrusted with managing the vast intelligence network of the Flower Pavilion, was certainly no mere ornament; she must possess her own sound reasoning. As for how long had passed, Ye Jingyu gave little thought to whether Gongsun Xiangyi might be harmed; as long as Gongsun Sheng was not dead and the poison remained untamed, Gongsun Xiangyi’s life would not be in immediate danger.

“Your Highness…” Ye Jingyu turned to look toward Luo Ruofeng.

“Go. I will handle matters here in Yunjing; you have no need to worry,” having been with Ye Jingyu for so long, Luo Ruofeng knew precisely the man he was—one who would throw himself into peril for the sake of his beloved, and would rescue his subordinates with equal resolve.

“I thank Your Highness. I also ask that Your Highness look after Ling’er. This journey will be long, and I may not be able to visit her for some time. Also, Little Taotao must accompany me,” Ye Jingyu stood to thank Luo Ruofeng.

“We are brothers; why be so formal? You need not fret about Ling’er; I know what to say,” Luo Ruofeng smiled in return.

Soon, Ye Jingyu finalized the personnel who would accompany him to Medicine City to rescue Gongsun Xiangyi. Since it was a rescue mission, not an invasion, a massive force was unnecessary. Chi Yixiu, Hu Yanchi, Hu Yanmeng, Bing Ming, Liang Xiaoke, and Little Taotao would all be by his side.

As for Bieli and the others, they were all ordered to remain behind; after all, the Cloud Guards still required management, and with their current strength, they wouldn't offer much practical help anyway.

As for Lin Xiaoyi, he remained sadly behind at the manor, arduously practicing his blade techniques.

Ye Jingyu and his party departed Yunjing City that very day. Before leaving, Ye Jingyu couldn't even manage a final meeting with Luo Ling’er. She was under strict confinement, heavily guarded; even Luo Ruofeng found it difficult to see her, let alone Ye Jingyu. Little Taotao, however, bolted directly out of the Imperial Palace upon receiving Ye Jingyu’s summons…

Medicine City lay at the headwaters of the Tianjiang, situated on the border of Lanzhou—a journey of nearly ten thousand li from Yunjing. Even rushing ceaselessly, it took Ye Jingyu and his companions over ten days to finally arrive.

As they gazed upon what seemed less like a city and more like a primeval forest, astonishment spread across the faces of Ye Jingyu and the others…