After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

Lingshui City was completely silent.

Only the night watchman remained, banging his gong in the street.

A woman in black stood in the pavilion, her fingers clicking on her prayer beads. Beside her stood a black-clad guard with a sword, his hands clasped in a fist salute.

"My lord, that woman's behavior is suspicious. I have already sent men to keep an eye on her as you instructed, without alerting her."

The woman in black nodded.

"I am aware of this matter. Send someone to write a letter and send it back to the capital as quickly as possible."

The guard in black bowed and respectfully replied, "Yes."

After the person left.

The woman in black looked up at the moon, clutching her prayer beads as she began to ponder.

The Miao people must have sensed something when they entered Lingshui City. What were their intentions?

A night breeze swept across the pond, rustling the autumn leaves. The woman in black put away her prayer beads.

She turned around and said to the dark figure in the corridor, "Now that you're here, there's no need to hide. Just tell me what you have to say."

Yin Qingyue was exposed in front of everyone. She frowned and walked out from behind the pillar.

"What did you find out?"

The woman in black made no attempt to conceal anything.

They demonstrated the attitude expected of allies.

"A Miao woman has entered Lingshui City. I have already had a painter draw her portrait overnight, and I plan to send it to my master as fast as possible."

Yin Qingyue clenched her fists and strode to the woman in black. Her sachet swayed slightly and her thin skirt fluttered.

"Why not just capture her and interrogate her about her purpose in entering Lingshui City without any reason?"

The woman in black chuckled softly.

"Didn't the Second Miss deal with the Miao people before? Neither of us could defeat that woman."

"I'll have to send my elders; they might have a solution."

"What you don't know is that she is still able to handle two puppets controlled by Gu worms with ease. No matter how many people you or I send up, we will only be left to feed her."

"Her skills are exceptional, even within the Miao region..."

Upon hearing the word "puppet".

Yin Qingyue's expression changed slightly. She asked, "Do those two puppets have any distinctive facial features?"

I know she was worried about her sister.

The woman in black said, "Don't worry, it has nothing to do with your sister."

"I already had people investigate. Those two puppets were merchants who left the city not long ago. It's quite a coincidence... These two have a history of shady dealings, but they weren't bold enough to take the Silver Moon River route."

"They were following the proper proper channels, Lord Yin, tell me, how did they get arrested?"

Yin Qingyue blurted out instinctively, "Was it those Miao people who did it near the city?"

The woman in black nodded.

"That woman is incredibly skilled, but she's all alone and has no inside help to communicate with her. She can only use such methods to gain the qualification to enter Lingshui City."

Yin Qingyue: "Aren't you afraid this is a trap?"

The woman in black laughed: "That's why I didn't alert them. Otherwise... did you think I would let go of such an opportunity to curry favor with my master?"

"Once my master replies, I will know what to do. Whether to monitor the Miao woman or capture her alive, I will have a plan."

Yin Qingyue didn't say anything more this time.

This person came from the capital on horseback, so he must have a way to deal with the Gu worms.

...

Seven days later.

The carriage bumped along the way, and Yin Huaixi was drowsy, her head resting against the window.

The wheels rolled over the pebbles, causing the car to sway, and Yin Huaixi's body leaned uncontrollably against Sang Che's shoulder.

My shoulders felt slightly heavy.

Sang Che could sense the fragrance emanating from Yin Huaixi entering her nostrils, captivating her soul.

Yiyun and Acai, who were accompanying them, had already learned their lesson. They looked at each other, not daring to make any move.

Without the Holy Maiden's permission, who would dare to get close to her, let alone use her as a pillow to sleep on!

"Once you leave this road, there should be plenty of places to eat and drink for travelers on both sides. Go down and rest, and give them some extra money so they can cook you some good food."

Sang Che knew the terrain of Lingshui City like the back of her hand. She knew very well how long it would take to get from outside the city to inside, and she would probably have to stay outside again tonight.

"Yes."

"Holy Maiden, we'll take care of it right away."

The carriage stopped.

Yiyun and Acai lifted the curtain and went out, leaving only Yin Huaixi and Sang Che sitting inside the carriage. The carriage stopped swaying, and Yin Huaixi followed her body's instincts and fell asleep completely in Sang Che's arms.

Her forehead gently brushed against Sang Che's indigo dress, making the silver ornaments glow hot.

His deep and shallow breaths seeped through his clothes, spreading to every inch of Sang Che's skin, and his fingers couldn't help but trace the outline of Yin Huaixi's ear.

Sang Che gazed at his beloved's sleeping face with a hazy, dreamlike gaze.

In the past few days, the high priest has sent her many letters, all urging her to reconsider.

Sang Che only replied to one or two letters occasionally, which was enough to keep the old high priest from having any inappropriate thoughts.

If he truly shares the same goal as the Miao King, this is the situation Sang Che least wants to see.

"Waaah..."

Unsure of what she was dreaming about, Yin Huaixi mumbled incoherently. Sang Che, intrigued, tilted his head and pressed his ear close to hers.

She didn't control her strength well.

In that instant, his ear pressed directly against Yin Huaixi's wet lips, and a tingling sensation spread through him.

"Ah Che..."

The murmur became clearer, and Sang Che didn't expect that Yin Huaixi was calling her name.

"Yes, I'm here."

A subconscious response.

Sang Che's fingers unconsciously covered Yin Huaixi's waist, wanting to straighten her up, otherwise she would suffer when Yin Huaixi woke up.

The aroma of roadside stalls wafted from outside the carriage, and as Yin Huaixi took a breath, images of plump roast ducks danced in her mind.

The enticing aroma made Yin Huaixi take another deep breath.

She opened her mouth to bite, her teeth grinding against the soft skin. Yin Huaixi thought it was a dream, but with that force... a big mark was left on Sang Che's face.

Sang Che did not push Yin Huaixi away from his outrageous behavior, letting Yin Huaixi do whatever he wanted.

"Holy Maiden, we've brought the goods back!"

Excitedly reaching out to lift the curtain, Yi Yun paused, then swiftly lowered it, standing outside the carriage, dumbfounded.

The scene from just now was still in her mind, making Yiyun bite her lip in frustration.

"What's wrong? Why aren't you going in?"

Just as A-Cai was about to lift the curtain that Yi-Yun had lowered, Yi-Yun grabbed her arm.

"Don't go in yet... the Holy Maiden has urgent matters to attend to..."

Hearing the two whispering outside the carriage, Sang Che put his arm around Yin Huaixi and gently shook her.

"Huaixi, get up and eat."

Hearing Sang Che's voice, Yin Huaixi opened her eyes. She looked up and realized that she had fallen asleep in Sang Che's arms without even realizing it.

There were still marks on Sang Che's cheeks and jaw that she had left without her knowledge.

The bite was quite forceful, and Yin Huaixi quickly reached out to wipe the water off Sang Che's face with her palm, then chuckled slightly, a little embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, Che, I didn't mean to, I was just sleeping too soundly..."

Hearing her mumble an apology, Sang Che reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder, saying softly, "It's alright, Huai Xi."

I like you this way.

Yin Huaixi: "?"

Unlike Yin Huaixi, who was completely baffled, Sang Che was thinking about how soft Yin Huaixi's lips had been when she touched them.

It makes you want to eat it in one bite.