"Alright, Grandma will head back now." Lu Nianxin said with an expectant expression, then boarded the carriage.

"You should rest early too; Grandma is looking forward to your surprise tomorrow." Lu Nianxin pulled open the curtain and said to Mu Hanyan.

In an instant, her face returned to its previous sickly state, with an appearance of weakness.

"Grandma, what’s this?" Mu Hanyan was startled, thinking the Holy Energy Divine Heart Spell hadn’t been fully broken and her health was in trouble again.

"Don’t worry, I’m just pretending. It’s possible my visit to you tonight might get noticed by Wu Tianxiong; if I don’t act sick, what if he doesn’t dare make a move?" Lu Nianxin blinked and said.

"..." Mu Hanyan was speechless.

"Moreover, Wu Tianxiong has wooed many court officials and military leaders over the years. Tomorrow might be the day they show their faces. Grandma pretends, casting a long line to snare bigger fish." Lu Nianxin added.

"Grandma, I understand." Mu Hanyan looked at Grandma, who seemed more and more like an old fox who had cultivated wisdom.

As night fell, Shangyue City remained calm, yet beneath this peace, turmoil and strong undercurrents were brewing.

Outside the city, atop Sword Sound Peak in the near suburb of the Capital, two figures stood face to face, one with a transcendent air, the other upright like a sword.

"Why approach Han Yan?" Ye Lanfeng stared directly into Fen Qianji’s eyes, exuding a heavy pressure.

"We are friends." Fen Qianji met his gaze without fear and said openly.

The clear night sky cracked with a lightning bolt, like sparks from the collision of their gazes.

"Friends?" Ye Lanfeng’s voice held no emotional tone.

"Friends." Fen Qianji’s tone was equally calm.

"If one day I find out you dare harm Han Yan, I’ll make you suffer a fate worse than death!" A sharp killing intent flashed in Ye Lanfeng’s eyes.

"Actually, that’s the same thing I want to tell you. Protect her; if you can’t, I’ll intervene." Fen Qianji said.

Both turned away at the same time, leaving themselves open to attack. If either suddenly attacked, they could heavily injure the other, even if they couldn’t kill them. But neither had any concerns, no signs of vigilance.

Perhaps because they understood each other’s identity and pride, they trusted that neither would engage in a despicable ambush. Or maybe because they shared mutual friends and cared for the same person.

With a shift of their figures, they each disappeared into the night sky.

...

A day passed quickly, and at sunset, under Zhu Xiuqing’s lead, Mu Hanyan’s group headed to the Imperial Palace for the feast.

The palace was lit and decorated festively. For commoners, today was no special day, but for the officials of Shangyue Country, the Jinlan Palace Feast between the Zue and Wu Families was undoubtedly a grand event.

As Mu Hanyan and others entered the palace, officials dressed in formal attire arrived for the feast.

Seeing Mu Hanyan, they initially showed surprise, then exchanged thoughtful glances.

When Mu Hanyan was brought back to the Capital by the Imperial City Guards, Yue Fanchen used the pretense of welcoming the Princess, just for amusement. But inevitably, it was overheard by the attentive. Plus, with Mu Hanyan residing in the Princess Mansion these days, it sparked speculation.

While common folk couldn’t uncover secrets about Mu Hanyan, these informed officials certainly harbored guesses, but dared not discuss them due to Royal Family regard.

Seeing Mu Hanyan invited to the Jinlan Palace Feast confirmed many guesses; their gazes became respectful, even slightly ingratiating.

"Who are you to attend this Jinlan Palace Feast?" An incongruous voice sounded as a young man in luxurious attire, though unable to mask a greasy and powdery demeanor, blocked Mu Hanyan’s path, his nose tilted skyward.

"Prince Huai, these are An Yun Envoys, show respect," Zhu Xiuqing stepped forward, transmitting through energy to Mu Hanyan, "He’s He Yangqiu, heir to Prince Huai."

"An Yun Envoys? The Mu Hanyan who injured Brother Jian Jue at the Sword Sound Academy contest?" He Yangqiu realized, hostility evident, indicating ignorance of the event, knowing only Mu Hanyan’s name and not her person.

"Hmm." Zhu Xiuqing nodded. Although He Yangqiu was arrogant and rude, his claim was factual.

"Mu Hanyan, such boldness, gravely wounding Brother Jian Jue and daring to attend the Jinlan Palace Feast! Truly, the Wu Family is disregarded." He Yangqiu said angrily.

"Prince Huai..." Seeing He Yangqiu’s increasing insolence, Zhu Xiuqing frowned. Despite being the Heir of Prince Anxi, he hadn’t inherited the title, holding less status than He Yangqiu, making it difficult to reprimand.

"Zhu Xiuqing, step aside! Today, I wish to see Mu Hanyan’s skills, injuring Brother Jian Jue and daring to the Zue and Wu Families’ feast, clearly disregarding the Wu Family." The young man showed no regard for Zhu Xiuqing, interrupting him and taunting Mu Hanyan.

Mu Hanyan felt both amused and exasperated; the feast hadn’t started, yet challenges were already being made. Absurdly, this challenger, only a Fifth Rank Sword Master, felt overly bold.

Could there be some hidden scheming? Mu Hanyan instinctively glanced around, finding officials shaking their heads and smirking; seeing He Yangqiu as a fool, confirming no conspiracy but mere foolishness.

"Draw your sword, I want a fair contest." He Yangqiu reached for his sword.

"Stop!" Yue Fanchen quickly approached, glaring coldly at He Yangqiu.

"Prince Huai, He Yangqiu, greets Brother Yue." He Yangqiu spoke respectfully. Though dismissive of Zhu Xiuqing, he dared not offend Yue Fanchen, partly due to Yue’s status as a prince, but mainly due to Yue’s superior abilities.

"Mu Hanyan’s invitation to the feast was the Empress Dowager’s decree; are you dissatisfied with her?" Yue Fanchen asked sternly.

"I dare not, never!" He Yangqiu shivered in denial.

Lu Nianxin once pushed through opposition with a great sword, helping the Emperor secure his throne, becoming famous in Shangyue. The mention of her sword terrified all young officials, not only Zhu Xiuqing.

"The feast will start soon, let’s proceed." Yue Fanchen, unwilling to escalate over trifles, waved and said.