Chapter 31: Returning with a Full Harvest

Clutching a bag brimming with gold, silver, and jewels, I stepped across the threshold of my home. I could not contain my excitement; it felt as though my blood was surging through my veins. I was finally wealthy, and at last, my father’s illness could be treated! Tears welled in my eyes, but not wishing to worry my father and sister, I quickly wiped them away, putting on a relaxed façade as I called out toward the door, “Yameng! Dad, I’m home!”

…

The first class from the Naval Academy had graduated successfully, but faced with the cutting-edge warships, the unique challenges of the sea, and the sailors they would command for the first time, they still needed a three-month adaptation period.

Xiaoyao stood anxiously by his master, nerves taut, until the orb of light shattered and Xiuyuan descended from the heavens, landing firmly upon the ground.

Wu Xuanming could feel the hostile stares; he understood Wang Qingfeng had made a grave misstep, but whether he could extricate himself from this crisis remained uncertain.

Watching as Sun Yuman drank bowl after bowl of fierce liquor with utter disregard for her surroundings, her face etched with sorrow, Qingyun could not help but feel sympathy. “Friend, it seems as though something weighs upon your heart?” Without waiting for permission, Qingyun sat directly across from her.

When the door to the infirmary was opened, a glass container, coffin-like in its form, was revealed. Within lay the empress’s jade-like body. The three old generals gazed longingly for a while before stepping forward, each one gently brushing his hand across the glass, as if caressing the body within.

Ordinary families rarely ventured out, and after seven or eight in the evening, no one from outside the city was permitted entry.

“Alliance Leader, I am but a simple man,” Yu Shun spoke respectfully, “With war looming so near, and the enemy clear while we remain in shadow, this matter must be considered at length.”

“It’s all right. I believe Xuanming will give me a chance at rebirth. Even if I die from poison, I have no regrets,” Wang Qingfeng replied. If he could not prolong his life, he would rather die early than linger in agony.

The scholar said, “There are still so many stories! I only ever heard the old folks mention them, but never in such detail as you. All right, one day I will certainly return home and travel.” With that, he hung up the phone.

Su Ming, oh Su Ming, what did you do to Miss Moyu that made her love you so deeply? And what spell have you cast on me, that I cannot retreat in the face of hardship—willing even to dash myself against the flames, without regret?

Such thoughts made Wu Yuxin restless. She had always yearned to control her own fate, and just as it seemed within reach, Xiao Yu’s blossoming talent was making it ever harder for her to break off the engagement.

“Not exactly peaceful,” Old Madam Huang sighed. “They were building houses in a hurry, working late into the dusk, then starting again at first light each morning.”

Though Gu Yunjin was accustomed to Jiang Muyuan’s constant busyness, for some reason, today the news left her with a vague sense of unease.

At that moment, a mass of green vapor materialized in Zhen Mixian’s palm, and from within it, five sharp spikes shot out, targeting the five approaching poisonous insects.

Deflated, Wu Chen leaned against the green bamboo behind her, turning her head slightly to gaze at the room aglow with lantern light. She sighed deeply, her expression complex.

Lu Yunchen’s voice rang out—it was obvious he had been watching Xiao Yu all along. Seeing Xiao Yu’s actions, he immediately stepped forward, his eyes and demeanor betraying a need to humiliate Xiao Yu as though only that could ease his resentment.

Beside him, An Yang regarded the hopeful Devourer Tiger and doused his expectations with a cold remark, quashing his joy in an instant.

Zhen’er, afraid he would overheat, hurried over with a palm fan, sitting by the bed to gently cool him, brushing several stray locks from his forehead as she did so.