Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Jiang Pengji treated her friend Feng Ji and his friend to a dinner at her place. Audience members were getting bored since she behaved so well and stayed at home.

It felt abnormal that the host was finally acting civilized and serious compared to her daily disturbing actions.

It would be delectable if there were delicacies shown on the screen, even if they couldn’t be reached by the audiences. However, the food dishes seemed too plain to excite the audience’s appetite.

Xie Huangdou: “The era the host is in seems quite far behind in their food development. I lost my appetite just by looking at the food.”

Xiang Guazi: “I was expecting some dazzling food like the ones in the animations that make you excited after just a taste. I must be overestimating the food now.”

Ma Shugao: “Please at least try to not serve this shabby food to your guests if you cannot afford those special-made delicacies.”

Gai Jiaofan: “A cheap meal from a shabby restaurant would be better than what the host serves to her guests.”

Jiang Pengji felt like she was being wronged because it was not within her reach.

It’s not bad to have food to serve. How dare I be fastidious about what we have?

She liked that way better than when she took flavorless nutrient solution day after day. There were some tastes in it, at least.

Nonstop complaints from the audience members in the stream rooms filled her ears. Most complains were about the food quality, the limited varieties, and the lack of spices in the food. How was a normal person able to eat?

Clearly, as the “normal people,” Feng Jin and Han Yu found the Liu’s preparation of the food exceptional.

Everyone was disgusted and urged the servants to get rid of the dishes.

Jiang Pengji looked at Feng Jin and asked, “When does Wuma Jun plan to take off?”

Han Yu had a flash of astonishment in his eyes. If his memory was correct, Feng Jin never talked about the purpose of his visit with Jiang Pengji.

Jiang Pengji had somehow figured it out and was bidding farewell to him. It had happened multiple times to Feng Jin and he no longer felt shocked.

“Should be tomorrow, as we planned.”

Feng Ji understood too well about Wuma Jun’s intentions. He was so eager to find a shortcut to be successful and obtain the instant benefits. He had “earned” Liu She’s support, which meant that he had an unlimited food supply. At the current period of time, food supply was valued more than anything in the world. This privilege would help him be mentally settled and relaxed.

If Wuma Jun happened to receive support from the Wangs in Langfang, and he convinced them to give him assistance in gaining access to the throne, then he would own the whole Dongqing Dynasty.

Jiang Pengji spoke dismissively, “This quickly? Wuma Langjun must have a short fuse to be so desperate to leave.”

“For his life and future, it does make sense to be hot headed.”

Feng Jin could never forget how many assassins had gone after them on their way to Hejian County. He was not the only one who couldn’t forget––Wuma Jun couldn’t either because his life was also at stake. He would end up dead if he was not going to fight for the throne.

It was not questionable for Wuma Jun to have ideas like such as an emperor’s son. But what a shame that he was so narrow-minded.

So what? What was going to happen after he seized the throne? The three ethnicities from the North Border would give up on invading Dongqing? The other four countries would cease their coveting of Dongqing?

The most vital question was: Was Wuma Jun capable of suppressing those aristocratic families that were strengthening more and more to the point that, eventually, no one would be able to stop them?

Supposedly not. Wuma Jun would not choose to go for the Wang’s if he was that astute.

Once the Wang’s gave their support to Wuma Jun to take down the regime, Wuma Jun would turn into a puppet emperor automatically. There was no reason for the aristocratic families to restrain themselves.

Dongqing had to bind the aristocratic families and prevent them from expanding uncontrollably if Dongqing planned to have longer years of existence.

Feng Jin had no right to blurt that out and he could only bury the idea deep inside.

Even though the separation was coming, it didn’t affect either Feng Jin or Jiang Pengji much. They had never been the pretentious kind and they kept having fun.

It would only be temporary, after all; it was not like separation forever with death.

There would be less joy for the reunion, especially in another town, if there was no saying goodbye.

On the way back, Han Yu took a glimpse of Feng Jin with slight concern. “You are not happy.”

Feng Jin shut his eyes and said, “The present circumstances are not optimistic… I have no idea how many more times we can do things like this freely, like today…”

“Why?” Han Yu didn’t get Feng Jin’s frustration. “Even if we end up being drawn into turmoil, it might be an opportunity for you to use your gifts and intelligence. That Liu Langjun is not average, either. It’s very possible that you and him… might mutually assist each other in the future.”

It would be a different story if they had different people to swear fealty to.

Feng Jin’s lips shivered in response to Han Yu’s theory. Deep in his mind, he knew Han Yu and Jiang Pengji were the same.

They were both the restless, enjoying making trouble type.

The Dongqing royal family going downhill was the truth, but it hadn’t run to its demise quite yet.

The two of them were already picturing the chaos of the world, which was not nice to the royal family at all.

All that glittered was not gold. It would be seen just like that in the aristocat’s eyes. All the fame and power would be gone in a second.

The next day, Jiang Pengji had an early morning to send Feng Jin off at Fengyu Pavilion.

The weather started to turn warm but there was some chilly breeze blowing through people’s clothes and it made some noise every now and then.

She gazed at him and waved goodbye from afar. She began to feel sentimental.

“Who knows when we are going to meet next?” And if they would still be friends, or if they would be opponents.

Jiang Pengji set aside her emotions, put her fingers to her lips, and whistled for her horse. Dabai came running towards her.

“Let’s go!” She mounted the horse and grasped the reins in her hands. The wagon train became a distant dot and she couldn’t see Feng Jin at all.

Dabai neighed at her and cantered to the city gate.

Ever since she intercepted and ambushed the assassins that belonged to the Meng’s, she fell in love with the feeling of a galloping horse.

“Second Langjun, those craftsmen are here waiting for you.” The porter affably went to take over her reins as soon as she got back.

Jiang Pengji had an ugly and indifferent look until she heard that the craftsmen were there. Her eyes started to shine with excitement, which made others feel delighted. “Those craftsmen––where are they? Take me to see them.”

Feng Jin was her first friend since she had arrived in the current world; therefore, he meant a great deal to her. She felt gloomy about him leaving Hejian County even if she didn’t talk about it or show it. Her emotions couldn’t compare to the other important affairs she was dealing with.

The porter smiled with squinting eyes and nodded at her. “They are just waiting at the house. You don’t need to rush.”

Jiang Pengji didn’t listen to his words. She strode in and all the servants moved out of her way.

She gave orders to the servants to save her time. “Don’t worry about bowing, just mind your own business.”

She noticed that the craftsmen in sackcloth had been sitting for a while. She opened the door swiftly, but not roughly.

“Cut the crap. Just tell me what stage we are at in completing the work on my crossbow.” She took a seat and told the craftsmen to ignore the formalities.

The craftsmen looked at each other and picked one of them to represent the group. “We did it.”

A smile spread across her face. Her eyes were radiant and lit up the whole room.