Feng Xingzhi was a bit reluctant in his heart. It was just a medicinal herb - gathering trip, and there shouldn't be any real danger.
But with Hua Siyun tagging along, the two of them couldn't be as unrestrained as they would like.
Although annoyed, Feng Xingzhi couldn't voice his feelings. He angrily pinched his hand under his sleeve, thinking that when they got back, he must tell the Empress that it was time for Hua Siyun to get married!
Ji Yunxi didn't refuse. Although she knew that the secret guards of Dream - Flower Pavilion and those of Prince Feng's Mansion had been following them, she had just refused Hua Qi'an. It really wasn't appropriate to refuse again.
Moreover, if she refused once more, it would truly break Hua Qi'an's heart.
"Then we are really grateful for Your Majesty and the Princess's kindness."
Hearing this, Hua Siyun immediately beamed with joy. "Yunxi, we'll lead the way for you."
Saying so, she rode her horse alongside the two of them. The others dispersed in front of and behind the three, heading towards the northern valley.
"Yunxi, are you tired?"
"Brother Xingzhi, we've been on the road for so long. How about having some water?"
"..."
Along the way, Hua Siyun's little mouth never stopped. She kept caring about Feng Xingzhi and Ji Yunxi.
Ji Yunxi found this girl extremely cute.
Unlike others who liked Feng Xingzhi, although she only wanted to care about Feng Xingzhi, she was at least well - behaved. Her care was only verbal, and she never provoked Ji Yunxi.
Ji Yunxi was happy to tease her and pretended not to care.
Night fell.
In order to hurry on their journey, they didn't reach the next town and had to camp in the forest.
Feng Xingzhi immediately took off his outer robe and spread it on the ground for Ji Yunxi to rest.
Hua Siyun watched, feeling a bit envious, but the trace of jealousy in her heart faded.
Ji Yunxi happened to catch her look. After thinking for a moment, she tugged at Feng Xingzhi's sleeve. "Tell them I'm injured."
Feng Xingzhi frowned and was a bit reluctant.
"After all, she's a princess. If you only show this kind of care for me, it's hard to say that these subordinates won't be unhappy."
"…Xixi was injured a few days ago."
Ji Yunxi was helpless. This was really a concise explanation.
Hua Siyun curiously leaned forward. "Yunxi, how did you get injured? Didn't the disciple competition end already?"
At first, Ji Yunxi didn't want to say anything. But since Hua Siyun had spoken up for her on Kunlun Mountain, she might be targeted and be considered as part of Ji Yunxi's group. Telling her could also let her be on guard and prevent the person behind the scenes from harming the innocent.
After hearing this, Hua Siyun was extremely shocked. Her eyes widened, and then they were filled with anger.
"What was Zhao Qingwan thinking?! Isn't she afraid that it's not a divine object but a demonic one? And why did she attack you? If she couldn't defeat you, she should have worked harder on her cultivation. How could she be so vicious?"
Although Hua Siyun liked Feng Xingzhi and would be jealous seeing the deep affection between the two, she had never thought of using any means to harm Ji Yunxi.
Hearing Hua Siyun scolding Zhao Qingwan, Feng Xingzhi's dislike for her lessened. In comparison, the Empress's daughter wasn't really a bad person.
Everyone fell into a deep sleep, but Ji Yunxi opened her eyes. She went to a deserted corner alone and quietly summoned the leader of the secret guards of Dream - Flower Pavilion.
"Take good care of the princess on the way."
Ji Yunxi knew that Hua Siyun liked Feng Xingzhi, but she knew that Hua Siyun had a good nature. Moreover, she was Hua Qi'an's only daughter. For this reason alone, Ji Yunxi had to take care of her.
After hurrying on their way, they finally arrived at the valley.
Looking down from a high place, they were stunned by the bottomless abyss.
The valley was so deep that thick mist shrouded it, and they couldn't see what was below with the naked eye.
The leading guard said, "Miss Ji, it is said that the Fuxue Grass grows in the extremely cold snowfield. To enter the snowfield, we have to go through this bottomless canyon."
Feng Xingzhi frowned, trying hard to see what was below, but in vain.
"Sir Feng, this place never sees sunlight all year round. The sighting of the Fuxue Grass is only based on someone's testimony."
Ji Yunxi immediately looked at Feng Xingzhi, and both of them were a bit worried.
It turned out that the news about the Fuxue Grass was just hearsay.
What if they went down there and couldn't find the Fuxue Grass?
"Azhi..."
Feng Xingzhi knew Ji Yunxi's concerns. After much thought, he tightly held Ji Yunxi's hand. "Xixi, no matter what, we have to give it a try. I won't miss any opportunity."
Ji Yunxi was a bit hesitant. "But it's too dangerous down there. Otherwise, I'll..."
"I'll..."
They spoke in unison and then laughed.
Feng Xingzhi gave a gentle smile. "Let's go together."
The hesitation in Ji Yunxi's eyes was gradually replaced by determination. "Okay."
The two were deeply in love, but when Hua Siyun heard Ji Yunxi agree, she immediately panicked and subconsciously tried to stop Feng Xingzhi. "Wait! No!"
She took a big step forward and tightly hugged Feng Xingzhi's arm.
"Brother Xingzhi, you can't go! The situation below is unknown. It's so dangerous!"
Feng Xingzhi felt extremely uncomfortable. He struggled hard to free his arm. In front of Hua Siyun, he patted his arm and looked unhappy. "Princess, we've thought this through. You don't need to worry."
No matter how generous Ji Yunxi was, she couldn't stand Hua Siyun's physical contact. She obviously got unhappy, turned around, and ignored them. She packed a small bag and prepared to go down first to explore the way.
Feng Xingzhi was also packing on one side. Hua Siyun was so anxious that she paced around.
"Ji Yunxi! Are you crazy! Let's think of something else. There could be anything down there. How can you go down such a dangerous place!"
Ji Yunxi didn't answer. She took the cloak from the guard's horse.
It was prepared by Hua Qi'an, made of fox fur to help them through the snowfield. It was warm and light.
After getting ready, the two came to the edge of the cliff.
"Brother Xingzhi, you can't go. Even if someone has to go, one person should stay on top to keep watch, right?" Hua Siyun pleaded earnestly, her eyes full of expectation.
Feng Xingzhi didn't even glance at her. He just tightened his grip on Ji Yunxi's hand. "Then we'll have to trouble the princess. It's enough for you to stay on top."
After saying that, the two didn't hesitate at all. They used their light - body skills and slowly groped their way down.
Hua Siyun was furious. Looking at the guards beside her, she shouted angrily, "What are you standing there for! Go down!"
As soon as she finished speaking, several figures suddenly followed them down.
Surprised, Hua Siyun was stunned for a moment. "Who are those people?"
The head guard stepped forward. "Princess, there have been many people following us along the way. They should be Miss Ji's and Sir Feng's people."
"He just went down like that, not even caring about me at all..." Hua Siyun murmured. "It's so dangerous. And it will be so cold in the snowfield..."
"Regardless of who those people are, you all go down too. At least protect them..."