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

He changed into a tight-fitting, jet-black outfit.

Zhao Huining walked to the bedside and stared at Jiawan, who had fallen asleep after being given medicine.

Her eyes were deep, and she squatted down.

She reached out and tucked the blanket around Jiawan.

In order to successfully put Jiawan to sleep tonight, Zhao Huining had devised a very elaborate plan.

The Miao people are indeed among the best at using poison, but they are still slightly inferior to the pharmacological interactions recorded in the medical books of the Imperial Medical Academy.

Everyday food, incense burned in the house, flowers planted in the courtyard, and sweet and savory snacks can all benefit from a little bit of medicinal herbs.

Then you can achieve your goal.

This tactic was originally popular in the imperial harem. Zhao Huining was well aware of these methods from a young age, but she had no intention of using them.

I just felt that was too disgusting.

Now that the die is cast, she has no choice but to resort to this desperate measure.

Zhao Huining simply stared at Jia Wan, tracing the stray strands of hair at her temples with her fingers.

If Jiawan hadn't been so young and naive, she might not have succeeded if she had encountered a cunning and shrewd fox.

Just as the wrist was about to be withdrawn.

Jia Wan unconsciously raised her hand and grasped Zhao Huining's wrist, gently hooking her fingers and pulling her down.

She murmured, "Ah Ning, could you...read that Han Chinese storybook...to me again?"

My thoughts were instantly pulled back to a bright and sunny afternoon by that sentence.

...

At that time, Zhao Huining was busy searching for a prescription to induce cold poison, while Jiawan sat opposite her with a smile, fiddling with a few small insects placed in a bamboo tube.

"Ah Ning, what are you looking at?"

"Your Han Chinese books are like blank pages to me. I found these things on them, but I can only use them as book legs."

"It's so incredibly boring."

The little insect was poked and knocked to the ground, its four legs flipped upwards, looking as if it were begging for mercy.

Jiawan didn't tease her any further. She pressed her palm against her cheek, her fingers adorned with beautiful silver ornaments that swayed slightly, making a clinking sound.

"Why don't you read it to me, Aning?"

Looking down at the utterly boring content written in the medical book, Zhao Huining did not refuse Jiawan's unreasonable request.

She put the medical books aside.

He told Jiawan all the popular folk tales about the Green Snake, the White Snake, and the scholar.

That day, Zhao Huining originally thought that Jiawan, who kept saying she was sleepy, would soon stop, but she never expected that Jiawan would stay awake until the end.

"Ah Ning, don't you think it's a bit too abrupt for the White Snake to fall in love with the scholar?"

"To me... the Green Snake and the White Snake are a better match."

Listen to her rambling on and on, asking a whole host of questions.

Zhao Huining simply turned the book upside down, her fingertips resting on the spine, and said helplessly, "That's how the person who made up the story wrote it. If you're not satisfied, I'll teach you to read, and you can write your own book."

Upon hearing that she had to study hard and practice calligraphy, Jiawan's expression turned as if she had eaten something bitter and wanted to spit it out immediately.

She said dejectedly, "I can read your Han Chinese characters, but... I'm not very proficient at them."

"Ah Ning, don't underestimate me."

Zhao Huining discreetly put the book away and quietly replaced it with another one.

She was indeed "guilty" and didn't want Jiawan to find out that she was planning to contact Yuwei to leave the village.

"Alright, I'll tell you a few more stories. Listen carefully."

"Stop messing with those bugs."

Hearing Zhao Huining say this, Jiawan smiled, a rare occurrence. She leaned closer, but still felt it wasn't enough, so she moved her bamboo chair next to Zhao Huining and listened intently.

The book they received in return was a proper storybook, a collection of short stories.

Zhao Huining picked out a few seemingly harmless stories and read them to Jiawan.

The afternoon passed by leisurely.

...

There was a long silence.

Zhao Huining held her breath.

She still held Jiawan's slender wrist with her fingertips and put her hand down.

Turning her head, Zhao Huining resolutely intended to push open the door and leave, but she turned back halfway.

He tucked Jiawan's exposed arm back in and covered it with the blanket.

After inspecting the house again, no hidden dangers were found.

Only then left.

The chilly night wind made her robes flutter. Zhao Huining's expression was cold and stern. She lowered her eyes and stared at her slender fingers, pondering her unusual behavior just now.

Is it because of the habit formed from spending so much time with Jiawan?

That must be the reason.

Otherwise, how could she possibly feel even a trace of pity for those who enslaved her?

When Yin Huaixi arrived at the meeting point, her heart was pounding. She saw Zhao Huining looking down, seemingly lost in thought, so she walked over and poked Zhao Huining's shoulder with her finger.

I only poked it once.

Zhao Huining, for some unknown reason, turned around and pinned Yin Huaixi against a pillar. Her hand moved with the speed of an eagle's claw, almost choking Yin Huaixi until she couldn't breathe.

"Feed...it's me."

"I'm not from this Miao village..."

The words were spoken intermittently.

By the light of the candle in the distance, Zhao Huining was able to see Yin Huaixi's face clearly.

She immediately released her grip and whispered, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

His neck was choked until it turned bright red and bled.

Yin Huaixi pressed her fingertips to her aching neck, panting heavily.

Now that she has to rely on Zhao Huining to escape, she won't vent her anger now, even if she is angry.

"It's...it's alright."

"While this Miao village is in chaos, let's hurry and get going. Otherwise, by the time those guards realize what's happening, it will be too late if we haven't gotten out by dawn."

Knowing that we cannot linger any longer.

She gave a soft "hmm".

Zhao Huining looked back at the deep mountains and forests, tightened her pack, and led the way.

Not daring to relax for a moment, Yin Huaixi followed closely behind. She stared at Zhao Huining's steps and knew that this person must have studied the illusion set up by Fengming Mountain.

Half of the vague worry in her heart subsided, and Yin Huaixi's eyes were filled with hope.

She... should finally be able to escape this awful place this time!

...

The main hall was brightly lit.

Sang Che, pale as a ghost, had one leg crossed over her shoulder, one hand resting on the armrest of her chair, her long, black hair still braided into several braids and draped over her shoulder.

With hazy eyes staring at the large group of people below the seat, she smiled weakly, her face showing signs of illness.

The Miao people, armed with curved knives, lay prostrate on the ground.

His voice was sincere, and he loudly admonished him.

"Holy Maiden, we have received news from the High Priest that the court's lackeys are currently outside Phoenix Cry Mountain, and a great battle is imminent."

"We urge the Holy Maiden to evacuate first, and earnestly hope she takes good care of herself! We can discuss future plans later!"

Knowing what these people meant, Sang Che shook her head and raised her hand.

A blue butterfly flew over from outside the hall, hovering directly over the heads of the Miao people before gracefully landing on its owner's fingertip.

"I still have things to take care of, so I can't leave now."

"If you are so concerned, then move the other innocent villagers of Fengming Mountain out. This matter has nothing to do with them."

Sang Che's orders were completely different from those of the High Priest, leaving the kneeling man in a dilemma.

He opened his mouth to offer advice.

Sang Che, sitting on the throne in the main hall, was dissatisfied. Her brows were furrowed, showing her displeasure.

"My mind is made up, and no amount of persuasion will change my mind."

"I have one more person to see; I need to take her back to Miao territory."

Stand up.

The silver bells on Sang Che's indigo dress jingled as she stepped out, surprising everyone. It seemed that the Holy Maiden's eye ailment was not so serious after all!