Feng Xun's gaze softened unconsciously when he saw Ye Lingyue.

"These two are my good friends, Ye Lingyue and Lan Cai'er. Ling Yue, Eldest Miss Lan, this is Boss Feng, the leader of the Northwest Trading Team, and this is Xue Hongyu, the deputy leader of the Blood Blade Mercenary Corps Group that will escort the Northwest Trading Team to Xixia Plain," Feng Xun introduced everyone to each other.

Ye Lingyue and Lan Cai'er greeted Boss Feng.

However, when greeting Xue Hongyu, the latter's gaze was quite hostile, especially upon seeing Ye Lingyue, Xue Hongyu said something in a cynical tone.

"So this is the 'famous' Princess Ye, I've long looked forward to meeting you."

The Mercenary Corps was also very well-informed, especially an established group like the Blood Blade Mercenary Corps, which heard every kind of rumor about the second daughter from the Lan Residence in the Xia Capital recently.

Especially those saying she lived a promiscuous life, having dalliances with numerous Princes and Princely Heirs, which made many unmarried women in and outside of the Xia Capital green with envy.

Xue Hongyu, twenty years old and still unmarried, aimed high, determined to find a man with both talent and good looks.

Having encountered Feng Xun, even though she was unaware of Feng Xun's true identity, she recognized from his conversation and demeanor that he was a highly desirable match.

Xue Hongyu thought that with her looks and tactics, being close at hand on the journey, she would surely win Feng Xun's favor.

But who knew that Ye Lingyue would appear out of nowhere.

Anyone with a discerning eye could pick up on Xue Hongyu's tone. Upon hearing this, Lan Cai'er became unhappy and retorted sarcastically.

"Blood Blade Mercenary Corps Group? I've never even heard of them. The Northwest Trading Team is well-known within the country, at least if they were hiring a Mercenary Corps, they should have picked a more reputable one."

"Some clueless person—Blood Blade is one of the big Mercenary Corps in Daxia," responded Xue Hongyu, catching the bait.

The two women started bickering before even setting off, exchanging words without yielding to each other.

"Ladies, it's about time to depart. However, we are short of carriages in the caravan, so the two misses will likely have to ride horses along the way," Boss Feng, sensing the tension, quickly stepped in as the mediator.

All seemed either wealthy or of noble status. Boss Feng had heard of Ye Lingyue's name; surely the other miss must be the Eldest Miss Lan from Lan Residence.

He heard that this one was not someone easy to provoke either, having ranked tenth in the Imperial Examination and bold enough to challenge even the Crown Prince.

"I can ride a horse, but my sister must ride in the carriage. Let's do this: Sword Slave, you ride with me on horses, and Ling Yue will ride in the carriage with Young Master Feng," Lan Cai'er, always sprightly and clever, had already noticed that the woman named Xue Hongyu harbored feelings for Feng Xun, and thus took aim at Ye Lingyue.

Not realizing her own mediocrity, she dared to compare herself with her beloved Ling Yue.

Being someone who clearly distinguished between love and hate, Lan Cai'er would lift those she liked to the heavens, and if she disliked someone, she could hardly wait to crush them like an ant, immediately and utterly.

Seeing that she was displeased with Xue Hongyu, she intended to make it difficult for her. With just a few words, she pushed Ye Lingyue and Feng Xun into the carriage, leading Sword Slave on horseback alongside the carriage, squeezing out Xue Hongyu, who ended up far behind without any chance to get close to Feng Xun.

Regarding Lan Cai'er's almost childish behavior, Ye Lingyue felt helpless, while Feng Xun just smiled. After all, in his eyes, aside from Ye Lingyue, all other women were merely strangers.

However, Lan Cai'er's arrangement was nevertheless considerate.

Although Ye Lingyue owned a Red Horse, since she had grown up in the plains of the south, she was really not used to long horse rides.

Feng Xun's body was not suited for prolonged jolting as well.

The Northwest Trading Team's carriages were meticulously crafted, not large, but very comfortable.

At first, Ye Lingyue felt awkward sitting with Feng Xun, but fortunately, Feng Xun was very good at conversation. Perhaps to prevent Ye Lingyue from feeling bored, he began to tell amusing stories about the northwest, and Ye Lingyue listened with great interest.

As the journey progressed into the latter half, the shaking of the carriage lulled Ye Lingyue into slumber without her noticing.

She slept until dusk was approaching, and when she awoke, she heard a rustling sound by her ear.

Opening her eyes, Ye Lingyue saw that she was draped in a man's clothing.

The clothing carried Feng Xun's unique and refreshing scent, and most of her body was resting on Feng Xun's shoulder. With a rigid posture, Feng Xun leaned against the wall of the carriage, holding a book in his hand.

The setting sun cast its slanted rays through the carriage window, outlining Feng Xun's profile in a golden glow, his eyelashes, even his pupils, turned golden. He was so stunningly beautiful he seemed not of this mortal realm.

For a moment, Ye Lingyue was transfixed, forgetting to move.

She had unexpectedly slept leaning on Feng Xun for an entire day, much to Ye Lingyue's embarrassment. She quickly got up.

Realizing the person next to him had stirred, Feng Xun turned to look at Ye Lingyue and smiled gently.

"So, you like to talk in your sleep."

"What did I say? Why didn't you wake me up?" Ye Lingyue reproached and took another look at Feng Xun, secretly hoping she hadn't said anything inappropriate.

"Nothing of importance, something about money... alcohol," Feng Xun chuckled. "You wouldn't expect it, but it turns out you're quite the money lover and a lush."

"You're the one who's a money lover and a lush," Ye Lingyue frowned, her face expressing disbelief.

Feng Xun lowered his gaze. Indeed, Ye Lingyue had mumbled some things in her sleep... those words... nevermind, in the future, he wouldn't allow anyone to hurt her again.

Ye Lingyue struggled to stand up, only to realize that she had slept for so long that her body had gone numb. Trying to get up, her knees buckled, almost causing her to fall inside the carriage.

Feng Xun caught her in time, then raised his hand and gently slipped off her shoes, massaging her numb feet.

His slender fingers, through the soft fabric, touched her ankle, causing both Ye Lingyue and Feng Xun to shiver simultaneously. An indescribable sensation of tingling swept to the bottom of their hearts.

"There's no need, I... I can do it myself," Ye Lingyue said, her face flushed with embarrassment, her hands and feet in disarray as she pushed Feng Xun's hands away.

How embarrassing it was for her to trouble Feng Xun, who was unwell, to take care of her.

Oddly enough, although Feng Xun had been pampered and privileged, he seemed quite adept at taking care of someone when needed.

"There's no need to force yourself; you've been asleep for half a day, and your limbs are numb. Get out of the carriage first and stretch a bit," Feng Xun suggested and, regardless of Ye Lingyue's refusal, lifted her from the waist.

Upon getting out of the carriage, Ye Lingyue noticed that the trading team had already stopped.

Everyone was busy taking inventory and organizing supplies.

It was obvious that Feng Xun, not wishing to disturb her sleep, had chosen not to disembark earlier.