Twenty-one, twenty-one.

The group walked and observed, eventually returning to the ruins they had visited before. The area was scarred and desolate, with the landscape forever altered by the previous flight and destruction; every trace of vitality had long since vanished.

Jia Yu’s admiration for Kai Yang had undergone a subtle and quiet transformation, a feeling both delicate and truly wonderful.

With a crisp "ding," the Mo sword flipped, its back wedged firmly into a crevice. The sudden resistance nearly sent Hong Jun flying, dragging Qiu Yongsi along with him.

"Since the Ye family has arranged for Ye Feifan to attend the Luo family wedding in person, we cannot remain idle!" Heads of the noble clans began to reorganize their delegations for the event.

"I’m not feverish, Tao Tao. I am asking you quite seriously: what will you do?" Tao Ping asked with a solemn expression.

Su Ci and Su Qing spoke without reservation, recounting everything truthfully to Yun Xing.

Recalling the scene just moments ago, his eyes seemed clouded with mist. His noble, cold, and proud face—much like a prince’s—exuded an extraordinary air. The curve of his lips was just right, cold and sharp yet not devoid of gentleness; however, the intensity of his smile seemed to strain the wound on his temple.

"Don't!" Hong Jun was terrified; if Chong Ming had ever been handled like this in the past, a single blast of his inferno would have incinerated Chang'an.

"Are you alright?" Xiao Le and Zi Lin helped Jia Yu up, checking her grazed hands and knees.

In front of them, she never referred to herself as "the Empress," using the humble "I" instead, just so they would treat her as the spouse of an ordinary household. She spoiled them without any limits. Yun Qingqing and Shui Yu knew they had gone too far, so they stopped bickering.

Everyone nodded in succession. After such a commotion, it seemed that even if someone tried to drive them away with sticks, they would not dare to go again.

The faces of those present darkened. Having held such high hopes, the resulting disappointment was hard to bear.

Bai Yuting had not expected them to be so determined, willing to fight to the death with the resolve of the doomed.

They spent much of their time chatting, the conversation almost always revolving around Huang Xiaotian—what clothes he liked, what food he preferred.

He could no longer care about face or dignity; the pain was simply too excruciating. If this continued, he felt he would be beaten to death by this merciless monster.

As dusk fell, Liu Neng appeared like a grim reaper, his face twisted and ghastly. Carrying a lantern, he hovered in the air, drifting toward Huang Xiaotian.

Yuan Quan rushed anxiously to the source of the thick smoke, only to find a burning vehicle; there was no sign of an arsonist.

Qi Yang also rushed over to support Xu Mo, not forgetting to wave for Qin Lin to follow. They soared toward the horizon like a shooting star streaking across the silent night sky.

He nodded with a calm and tranquil smile. At the same time, he gave a light cough and lowered his voice, speaking in a magnetic tone.

"The rules of the Zhong family were set by my father. In saying this, Third Sister, are you targeting me, or are you targeting Father?" Zhong Lingyu smiled.

Xiao Rou had no other choice. She proposed a high-stakes gamble to the Xiao estate, with the venue set at the Guilang Bank. The loser would be banished from the Royal City, while the winner would seize everything the other possessed.

Director Zhang also received new information: he was being investigated as a corrupt element who had been undermining the foundations of society.

In truth, when it came to martial prowess, none of the young generals Wei Yuan knew could compare to Yang Huairen.

Stepping slowly out of the carriage, she breathed in the fresh mountain air. The golden roof of the distant royal Buddhist temple shimmered in the sunlight, as if guiding her path. Only the sight of the busy soldiers and the tents made the situation feel real.

One side faced the sun, the other remained in the shade. The warm winter light poured down, gilding her bright red wedding dress, thread by thread, against the clear, pristine sky.

"You can make time to come see me; it’s not as if we won't ever see each other again," Zhong Lingyu comforted her for quite a while.

At this moment, Cao Yunfeng, whose body was frozen by the "Corpse Technique," was lamenting his bitter fate.

The old, dilapidated camp previously built by Chu Zhangkuang was immediately replaced by this magnificent, brand-new sacred mountain camp.

"My lady, my leg is fine now." Zhou Jin hurriedly demonstrated, tossing away his cane and walking with light, careful steps.

Li Ping was left speechless. She thought less and less of this man, but unlike Wang Hua, she would not resort to screaming for a divorce.

"Let me see," the pharmacology expert adjusted his glasses, put on gloves, and picked up a ball of purple moss. After a professional examination, a look of wonder appeared on his face.

"Exactly. Our provincial capital is surrounded by villages; we could easily find a few pig farms. But raising pigs is different—it takes at least a year for a piglet to be ready for market. During that year, how are the workers at the pig farm going to be paid?"

Yang Yali’s lips twitched as she pointed at Old Man Zhou and the three children, who looked like little beggars, her eyes wide with shock.

Li Tai’s eyes lit up. Ever since Li Chengqian had appeared safely before the court officials last month, Li Tai had wanted the imperial physicians to expose the facade, but Li Chengqian had adamantly refused, allowing no re-examination.

Lin Weize agreed to stay; since he had to come back tomorrow anyway, there was no point in running back and forth.

At that moment, light shone from behind him like lightning breaking through dark clouds, as someone pushed open the doors to the screening room with great force.

"Yes!" Du He’s expression tightened. He might be marrying Princess Chengyang next year, and by then, he would have to change how he addressed the Emperor.