Everlasting Longing – Angelababy, Song Weilong

The state of the world is still uncertain, divided into the three nations of Beixuan, Xixiang, and Yannan. Beixuan people are known for their bravery and martial prowess, while Yannan boasts a prosperous economy that can rival Beixuan. Within Beixuan, five factions vie for the position of the Wolf Lord.

The death of Xuan Shu, the head of the Xuan faction, is linked to the descendants of the Hundred Crafts of Yannan, and his son, Xuan Lie, is investigating the matter. The Jun family of Yannan, as descendants of the Hundred Crafts, is also searching for the whereabouts of the crystal stones. Jun Qiluo decides to lead a caravan to Xixiang the next day, with the goal of finding the legendary crystal stones.

However, her father is deeply concerned about the journey, fearing the long and dangerous road, especially since it passes through the infamous "No Man's Land," where bandits are rampant and dangers abound. He begs Jun Qiluo to give up the trip, return to her life as a woman, and marry the man who has always been devoted to her, Shao Qimin, for a peaceful life. But Jun Qiluo has made up her mind.

She knows that as a descendant of the Hundred Crafts, her responsibility is immense—not only to forge high-quality crossbows for Yannan, but also to protect her family’s honor. She tells her father that even if she returns to a woman's life, she will still be Jun Qiluo, the heir to the Hundred Crafts, and cannot stand aside.

She is even more unwilling to see the family business fall into the hands of the second branch, fearing they will ruin it in no time. At this moment, Jun Qiluo’s third sister, Jun Jiangjuan, comes to ask if she truly plans to marry Shao Qimin. Jun Qiluo smiles and shakes her head, saying that it is just a temporary measure. Jun Jiangjuan silently agrees.

She knows that although Shao Qimin is deeply in love with Jun Qiluo, Jun Qiluo’s talents and abilities mean her future husband will not be an ordinary man. However, the second sister believes that Shao Qimin, being the only outsider who knows Jun Qiluo's true gender, is a perfect match for her. Before Jun Qiluo leaves, her father reminds Shao Qimin once again to take good care of her.

On their way to Xixiang, Jun Qiluo’s group encounters a severe horse plague, resulting in the death of many horses. At their current pace, they will not reach their destination in time. Faced with this predicament, Jun Qiluo quickly finds a solution. She notices a Beixuan caravan nearby and decides to approach them to negotiate, hoping to borrow some horses in exchange for a valuable Jun family kosi.

However, the caravan members are skeptical of her offer, not believing that such an ordinary caravan would possess such valuable kosi. To dispel their doubts, Jun Qiluo reveals that she knows of a secret path that can help them avoid danger and continue their journey safely. After some deliberation, the caravan leader agrees to her proposal. Yet, as they travel along the secret path, they are suddenly ambushed by a group of horse bandits.

During the fierce battle, Jun Qiluo keenly observes that the bandits' clothing is unusual, suggesting they may not be real bandits. Shao Qimin tries to protect Jun Qiluo and help her escape, but unfortunately, he is captured. He tenderly tells Jun Qiluo to be strong, as the Jun family needs her. When Jun Qiluo wakes up, she is filled with sorrow and helplessness.

Meanwhile, Luo Qi reports to Xuan Lie that they discovered a beautiful silk fabric on the battlefield, which is likely to be the Jun family's kosi. When Xuan Lie questions her, Jun Qiluo quickly comes up with a lie, claiming she is not part of the Jun family caravan, but rather a personal maid of Jun Feifan.

She explains that due to her mutual affection with the young master, she is pretending to be him in order to stabilize the caravan. Xuan Lie searches the caravan and finds weapons, realizing that this caravan is actually a cover for smuggling arms. However, he is still unsure which faction of Beixuan they belong to. To uncover the truth, Xuan Lie decides to release information and set a trap, waiting for the mastermind to fall into it.

Meanwhile, Jun Qiluo attempts to escape but is captured again by Xuan Lie. During the search, he discovers a Jun family merchant's token on her, placing her in even greater danger. In order to find a solution, Jun Qiluo agrees to take Xuan Lie to find Jun Feifan. Xuan Lie temporarily believes her. Jun Qiluo then proposes three conditions: ensuring her personal safety, helping to bury the deceased, and delivering the goods to Xixiang. After weighing the options, Xuan Lie considers the conditions reasonable and readily agrees to her request.

Jun Qiluo fainted due to her injuries, and after being examined by a doctor, it was determined that her condition was caused by external trauma. However, since there were no female attendants in the army, Xuan Lie had no choice but to treat her wounds himself. Just as Xuan Lie was about to apply the medicine, Jun Qiluo suddenly regained consciousness and mistakenly believed that he intended to harm her.

Seeing her reaction, Xuan Lie allowed her to tend to her wounds herself. Jun Qiluo requested to go to the riverbank to wash her wounds, assuring Xuan Lie that she wouldn't escape as the area was crowded. After considering her request, Xuan Lie finally agreed. When Jun Qiluo arrived at the riverbank, she resolutely took off her outer garments to clean her wounds. Xuan Lie, feeling awkward, turned his back and hid behind a tree to give her privacy.

However, Jun Qiluo seized the rare opportunity and quickly fled the scene. When Xuan Lie realized something was amiss and turned around to search for her, she had already run far away. Xuan Lie quickly gave chase, but Luo Qi and the others, who had noticed his prolonged absence, became anxious. They had heard of a dangerous place nearby called the "Desert of Death," which further fueled their worry. They immediately set out to search for him.

Meanwhile, Jun Qiluo and Xuan Lie had entered the desert, where Xuan Lie accidentally sank into the sand. In a desperate moment, he used his whip to catch Jun Qiluo, pulling her back, and once again, their fates were tightly bound together. Jun Qiluo and Xuan Lie woke up under the scorching sun in the desert, surrounded by an endless sea of sand. They realized they were trapped in this deadly place.

In order to find a way out, Xuan Lie had no choice but to temporarily tie up Jun Qiluo to prevent them from getting separated. However, Jun Qiluo noticed that Xuan Lie's leg was injured, and it was a critical situation. If left untreated, he might lose the use of his leg. She sincerely promised not to escape and asked him to untie her. After careful consideration, Xuan Lie decided to trust her and loosened the ropes.

Using her sharp observation skills, Jun Qiluo went out to find the necessary herbs to treat Xuan Lie's injuries. At first, Xuan Lie thought she might take the opportunity to flee, but soon, Jun Qiluo returned with the herbs and carefully bandaged his wound, an act that surprised and deeply moved him. Meanwhile, in Beixuan, He Jiyao urgently reported to King Xuan Xu about Xuan Lie's disappearance.

Luo Qi's concern prompted him to send He Jiyao ahead to report, while he continued leading the search for Xuan Lie. The timing was critical as the election of the Wolf King was approaching, and Xuan Lie's disappearance created instability in the country. Princess Xuan Qingkou, upon hearing the news, insisted on personally joining the search, despite her father’s objections. Though Xuan Xu believed her noble status should keep her out of danger, Xuan Qingkou was resolute in her decision.

On the other side, Jun Qiluo's family also learned of her disappearance, and the household was thrown into chaos. Jun Jiangjuan wanted to go search for her, but was persuaded by her younger sister, Jun Xiukun, that the journey was too dangerous. However, far away in the desert, after enduring hardships, Jun Qiluo and Xuan Lie finally saw the outline of a city on the horizon, sparking a glimmer of hope.

As they made their way toward the city, a pack of hungry wolves suddenly appeared. Xuan Lie fought to protect Jun Qiluo and was injured once again. Jun Qiluo quickly used the materials around her to craft a bow and arrows, fending off some of the wolves. But in a critical moment, Xuan Lie stepped forward and saved her from being knocked down by a wolf. Jun Qiluo, weakened by her injuries, fainted again.

Xuan Lie hurriedly carried her into the city to settle her. Soon after, He Jiyao arrived, bringing news of the king's concerns and leading a group of elite soldiers to assist in the search for Xuan Lie. With only two rooms available in the city, He Jiyao suggested sharing a room with Jun Qiluo, but Xuan Lie politely refused, insisting on personally taking care of her.

Meanwhile, Jun Qiluo's father, anxious, visited the Prime Minister, bringing a large quantity of pearls in hopes of securing his help to find his missing daughter. The Prime Minister, recalling Jun Qiluo's contributions to Yannan, agreed to assist her without hesitation. When Jun Qiluo woke up, she realized her clothes had been changed and became furious. Xuan Lie quickly explained that he had asked the kitchen maid to help with the change, assuring her that he had no improper intentions.

Jun Qiluo mentioned that although the young master was not in Xixiang, the grand merchant conference was approaching, and he would certainly appear. She suggested Xuan Lie go and search for him.

Xuan Lie's evaluation of Jun Qiluo continued to rise. He believed that the longer he spent with her, the more he could feel her unique charm, calling her an exceptional person. However, Jun Qiluo clearly told Xuan Lie that she was already married. Xuan Lie immediately reassured her that he would not disturb a married woman, but if she were a widow, that would be a different matter.

Jun Qiluo went out to talk to the innkeeper, pretending to be a member of the Xuan Clan and claiming that she had lost her documents due to a bandit attack. While Xuan Lie was focused on treating his own injuries, Jun Qiluo quietly entered the room. With a gentle smile, she offered to help. Her movements were delicate and practiced, as if she was no stranger to such tasks.

However, behind her seemingly considerate gesture, she was subtly scanning the room, trying to spot Xuan Lie's token. Meanwhile, the situation in the city was brewing with hidden dangers. The young clan leader of the Xi Clan secretly set up a deadly trap, planning to target Xuan Lie at night. Although Luo Qi and the others were outside the city, they also faced an unexpected turn of events.

They encountered a mysterious person who seemed to be involved in arms trading, but the person chose to commit suicide after being discovered to avoid revealing any secrets. On the other hand, He Jiyao discovered numerous Xi Clan spies disguised as common folk in the city and immediately reported it to Xuan Lie. Upon hearing this, Xuan Lie's expression grew serious, but he seemed to have a plan in mind.

At that moment, Jun Qiluo left under the pretext of some business and quietly approached a raw stone stall, where she had a conversation with the shopkeeper about rare minerals, subtly revealing her deep interest in Xuantie Crystal Stones. Xuan Lie suddenly realized that Jun Qiluo was no longer around. A sense of unease rose within him, and he quickly set everything aside to search for her.

In the streets, he encountered a person from the Xi Clan and urgently asked if they knew where Jun Qiluo was. The person looked confused and denied any knowledge of capturing anyone. Just as Xuan Lie was becoming frantic, he spotted Jun Qiluo in the distance. He hurriedly approached her, asking with both reproach and concern where she had been.

Jun Qiluo smiled softly and explained that she had simply turned around to find that Xuan Lie was missing, so she had been searching for him. She then proceeded to treat his wound again. When Xuan Lie wasn't paying attention, she secretly took a token from him. However, it wasn’t the clan leader's token she had hoped for, but rather a simple inn room key.

Xuan Lie noticed the small action, and Jun Qiluo quickly became embarrassed, explaining that she only intended to hang the key up. As night fell, members of the Xi Clan quietly approached. Xuan Lie knew the situation was critical and asked Jun Qiluo for a favor. When the Xi Clan members broke into the inn, ordering the men to kneel and the women to leave, Jun Qiluo blended into the crowd and managed to escape.

Xuan Lie handed her a token and instructed her to find Luo Zhizhou, explaining that every year at this time, Luo Zhizhou secretly came to Yaol City to pay respects to his mother. Although Jun Qiluo hesitated, she ultimately decided to trust Xuan Lie and set off with the token. Meanwhile, Xuan Lie and He Jiyao fought back against the Xi Clan's assault, retreating while continuing to fight. Eventually, they took refuge in an abandoned house.

The Xi Clan members set fire to the area, attempting to trap them inside. In a desperate moment, Jun Qiluo arrived with reinforcements from Luo Zhizhou, and a fierce battle ensued. Jun Qiluo rang the alarm, forcing the Xi Clan members to retreat. However, Xuan Lie and He Jiyao, having inhaled too much smoke, fell unconscious in the fire. Jun Qiluo immediately commanded the men to carry them out.

Shao Qimin met with misfortune, being imprisoned and drugged with the intention of being sold. While unconscious, he recalled memories from his childhood when he had been bullied, and how Jun Qiluo had stepped in to help him, offering him warmth and protection. Just then, Xuan Qingkou appeared, instantly falling in love with Shao Qimin and deciding to purchase him. Xuan Qingkou was particularly drawn to Shao Qimin's eyes and vowed to take good care of him.

Meanwhile, at Luo Zhizhou's residence, the maid misunderstood Jun Qiluo’s intentions toward Luo Zhizhou, speaking highly of him. Jun Qiluo then asked Luo Zhizhou to help her prepare men's clothing, planning to accompany Xuan Lie to Beixuan to search for the Xuantie Crystal Stones.

The people of the second branch were secretly discussing matters, and the son of the second branch was full of confidence, believing that since Jun Feifan was absent this year, the eldest uncle would surely come in person, and at that time, the Jun family would be under their control.

The head of the second branch harbored doubts, but his son was sure of the outcome, claiming that he had a way to ensure that the eldest uncle would come personally. Jun Qiluo expressed her desire to go to Xixiang, believing that even if she couldn't transport goods back, it would still be appropriate to make the trip to Xixiang. Meanwhile, Jun Jiangjuan tried to secretly go out but was caught by her father, who sternly stopped her.

Jun's father warned her that the border area was extremely dangerous, and he had already asked the Xiang family for help. The Xiang family had agreed to assist in finding Jun Qiluo, and the bodyguards he had hired were already on their way. Jun Jiangjuan felt dissatisfied, thinking that since Jun Qiluo could go, why couldn't she?

However, her father countered, saying that Jun Qiluo had been traveling for many years and had rich experience, while Jun Jiangjuan had never gone far from home. Jun Qiluo revealed to Xuan Lie the purpose of her trip. She had originally planned to buy incense stones in Xixiang. Upon hearing this, Xuan Lie suggested that there were incense stones for sale in Beixuan as well.

Jun Qiluo explained that if she purchased through their usual channels in Xixiang, she could get a pre-agreed low price, but if she turned to Beixuan, that discount could not be guaranteed. Xuan Lie promised that if Jun Qiluo was willing to go to Beixuan, he would ensure that she got the same low price as in Xixiang. After weighing the pros and cons, Jun Qiluo accepted Xuan Lie's offer.

Xuan Lie took Jun Qiluo’s necklace as a token between the two of them. Jun Qiluo hesitated slightly, but then suggested that if Xuan Lie truly wanted to use this as a token, she should also offer something in return. She then took Xuan Lie's treasured dagger, which held great sentimental value for him, as it had been his father's heirloom. Seeing this, Xuan Lie felt reluctant but understood Jun Qiluo's intention and silently allowed her to keep it.

After arriving in Liangzhou, Xuan Lie's first priority was to pay respects to Luo Zhizhou's biological mother. Luo Zhizhou's mother was a woman from Xixiang, of low status, and was merely a concubine of the Luo family. In order for Luo Zhizhou to inherit the family business, his father had adopted him into the main wife’s household, which meant that Luo Zhizhou's biological mother could not be enshrined in the Luo family’s ancestral hall.

Luo Zhizhou deeply cared for his mother and had secretly buried her here. Xuan Lie silently expressed his gratitude, believing that it was the blessing of Luo Zhizhou’s mother that allowed him to meet Luo Zhizhou and be saved during times of danger. Xuan Lie’s purpose in coming to Liangzhou was to gain the support of the Sun family. Sun Zhaomin, the princess of Liangzhou, had been saved by Jun Qiluo during a time of crisis.

This year, Liangzhou had suffered a drought, and the birthday banquet for the madam had been canceled. Xi Clan's Xi Zhangkun, who had a familial connection with Madam Sun, brought food supplies to Liangzhou to help relieve the immediate crisis. As the only daughter of the Sun family, Sun Zhaomin had always carried the heavy responsibility of protecting Liangzhou. She had trained diligently in martial arts, and the spear she chose was exceptionally heavy.

Jun Qiluo deeply resonated with this, as she had also experienced the unfair treatment of women in society. Sun Zhaomin had long been aware of Jun Qiluo's true identity. Xuan Lie aspired to become the Wolf King, not only for power but also to uncover the truth behind his father’s murder by the heir of the Baigong clan. Back then, the former king and the queen dowager had classified the incident as an accident to stabilize the situation.

Now, the king had promised Xuan Lie that if he could become the Wolf King, the case would be reopened for investigation. Therefore, one of Xuan Lie’s key objectives during this trip was to gain the support of Lord Sun. Meanwhile, Jun Qiluo’s father had an audience with the king, expressing concern over Jun Feifan's disappearance. He believed that Jun Feifan, being so familiar with the routes, would not have gotten lost.

In secret, the second branch was scheming, delighting in the thought that once Jun Qiluo couldn’t return, the Jun family would fall into their hands. As night fell, Shao Qimin seized the opportunity, quietly taking out his weapons, intending to deal with the two human traffickers. All of this was witnessed by Xuan Qingkou, who had been secretly observing from the door.

Shao Qimin arrived with a sharp sword in hand. Xuan Qingkou pointed out that the two individuals were human traffickers, deserving death for their crimes. She reassured Shao Qimin that he would not harm her. Despite the lawless nature of the area, Xuan Qingkou believed the situation needed to be properly handled and set fire to the house, burning it down. Luo Zhizhou gently handed Sun Zhaomin an exquisite sachet, a gift specially prepared for her by Madam Zhang.

Sun Zhaomin accepted the sachet, her eyes lighting up with delight. She carefully examined the finely crafted item from afar, her heart filled with gratitude. In Beixuan, such sachets were rare treasures, only found in the bustling regions of Yannan. Madam Zhang, knowing her fondness for such items, never missed an opportunity to bring her surprises from distant places. Standing nearby, Xuan Lie quietly observed the scene, already formulating a plan in his mind.

He spoke slowly to Sun Zhaomin, saying, "To truly govern Liangzhou, martial skills alone are far from sufficient. " Sun Zhaomin nodded slightly in agreement but showed a trace of confusion. She admitted that she had pondered the matter deeply the previous night but still couldn’t come up with a solution.

Noticing her expression, Xuan Lie smiled faintly and mentioned Jun Qiluo—the young lady of the Jun family in Yannan, who was not only of noble birth but also skilled in embroidery. He suggested that if Sun Zhaomin could learn embroidery under Jun Qiluo’s guidance, she could promote the craft in Liangzhou, providing the people with a livelihood and a path to prosperity. Sun Zhaomin’s eyes lit up at the idea, agreeing that it was an excellent plan.

Sun Zhaomin returned home with an array of Beixuan delicacies, stepping into Jun Qiluo’s residence with great enthusiasm. She eagerly introduced the various specialties, her words filled with pride and affection for her hometown’s flavors. She sincerely invited Jun Qiluo to try each dish, hoping to foster a closer bond between them. Jun Qiluo responded with a warm smile but gently expressed her preference for lighter flavors, noting that some of the stronger-tasting Beixuan dishes might not suit her.

Sun Zhaomin, understanding this, immediately selected a bowl of milk porridge, confidently claiming its delicate and mild flavor would be to Jun Qiluo’s liking. Changing the topic, Sun Zhaomin finally revealed the real purpose of her visit—she hoped Jun Qiluo could teach her embroidery skills to aid Liangzhou’s development. Jun Qiluo, though understanding her request, took a moment to consider it. Later, Jun Qiluo visited Xuan Lie and praised his idea of using embroidery to promote development.

Seizing the opportunity, she proposed her own condition: she wished to use this chance to facilitate trade between Beixuan and Yannan, establishing the Jun family business in Beixuan. Xuan Lie readily agreed, promising to share the profits from the embroidery industry, and they reached an agreement. Shortly after, Jun Qiluo and Sun Zhaomin partnered to open the Silver Embroidery Workshop, which quickly drew public attention.

While some criticized the timing—arguing that opening an embroidery workshop during a food shortage was inappropriate—Jun Qiluo addressed their concerns by emphasizing the trade opportunities and the promise of earning wages. With Xuan Lie’s strong support, the workshop began operating smoothly, marking a new chapter in the collaboration between Beixuan and Yannan. As the Silver Embroidery Workshop gained fame, skeptics questioned its capabilities.

Unfazed, Jun Qiluo showcased an awe-inspiring double-sided embroidery piece, her exceptional craftsmanship earning unanimous praise from all present. Numerous merchants placed orders, eager to acquire her work. Xi Mo reported this success to Xi Zhangkun, his heart filled with displeasure. However, Xi Zhangkun remained calm and confident, appearing to have a plan in mind. Elsewhere, Xuan Lie and Jun Qiluo discussed the three Jun siblings.

Jun Qiluo jokingly described the second young lady’s exceptional embroidery skills and the third young lady’s lively and playful nature, often seen joking around with their eldest brother yet always showing her care for her sisters. Suddenly, trouble struck the Silver Embroidery Workshop. A seamstress fell ill due to exposure to infected animal fur used in the fabric. Xi Zhangkun seized the opportunity to accuse Jun Qiluo, but Xuan Lie stood up for her, dismissing the accusations as utterly absurd.

However, the treatment for the seamstress required ginseng, which had been completely bought out in recent days. Determined, Jun Qiluo promised to find ginseng and ensure timely delivery of the orders, ultimately convincing the merchants with her sincerity. Jun Qiluo and Xuan Lie searched all the pharmacies, only to be told that ginseng was sold out everywhere. They decided to venture into the mountains to harvest wild ginseng themselves.

After enduring many hardships, they finally found a plant, only to be ambushed. They narrowly escaped falling off a cliff, but the ginseng they had gathered was stolen.

Xuan Qiluo and Xuan Lie, unable to return, found a cave where they could take shelter from the wind and rain. For Xuan Qiluo’s safety, Xuan Lie volunteered to stay outside the cave while she rested inside, and they spent the night there. When Xuan Qiluo and Xuan Lie returned, they looked exhausted but determined. They admitted they had done everything they could to find the medicinal plant, *xuan shen*, but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful.

Just then, Xi Zhangkun entered with a mocking smile, ordering his men to bring in a box of *xuan shen*. He claimed that he had solved their problem by purchasing the batch from elsewhere. Xuan Qiluo smirked inwardly but remained calm. She slowly revealed part of the truth: “If these *xuan shen* were indeed purchased by you, Xi Zhangkun, then why does the one we picked yesterday, which was later stolen from us, appear among your supply?

” She motioned for several apothecary owners to step forward. They all confirmed that Xi Zhangkun’s people had been aggressively buying up all the *xuan shen* in recent days. Next, several individuals were brought forward to testify that Xi Zhangkun had not only hoarded medicinal supplies but also ordered them to plant contaminated items in Silver Embroidery Workshop in an attempt to tarnish its reputation.

The truth became clear to all, and Xi Zhangkun’s face turned ashen, while Xuan Qiluo and Xuan Lie looked on silently with the air of victors. Lord Sun expressed his intense anger and disappointment at Xi Zhangkun’s actions. He sternly rebuked Xi Zhangkun for harming the people of Liangzhou, calling his behavior lawless. Knowing he had no defense, Xi Zhangkun left in disgrace. Lord Sun then invited Xuan Lie over to express his deep gratitude.

He thanked Xuan Lie for stepping up and resolving the crisis for the people of Liangzhou. Humbly, Xuan Lie replied that it was simply his duty. Changing the topic, Xuan Lie asked Lord Sun about the scene he had encountered at the time of his parents’ deaths, particularly if anything unusual had been found. Recalling the events, Lord Sun mentioned discovering a mysterious emblem. Due to the chaos at the time, he hadn’t spoken of it.

He handed the emblem to Xuan Lie and vowed to fully support his quest to claim the title of Wolf Lord. Back at his residence, Xuan Lie showed the emblem to Luo Qi, who immediately recognized it. Luo Qi remembered seeing a similar emblem, albeit only half of it, on the body of someone who had taken poison to commit suicide. Realizing the emblem might hold a critical clue, Xuan Lie decided to seek Xuan Qiluo’s help.

He approached Xuan Qiluo, asking her to embroider the design as a gift for Luo Qi’s birthday. Xuan Qiluo readily agreed, but Xuan Lie observed her reaction carefully and doubted she knew the emblem’s true meaning. Meanwhile, Shao Qimin took Xuan Qingkou to a gambling den. Xuan Qingkou, confident in her gambling skills, kept losing.

Frustrated, she suspected foul play and, with Shao Qimin’s help, seized the den’s money, distributing part of it to beggars before fleeing when the den’s enforcers arrived. Jun Yujue planned a banquet for the Prime Minister but was met only by the Prime Minister’s trusted aide. Jun Yujue, eager to please, hinted at his desire to replace Jun Feifan. Meanwhile, Sun Zhaomin reluctantly bid farewell to Xuan Qiluo’s group, inviting her to stay.

Sun Zhaomin’s parents thought it inappropriate to openly recruit talent in Xuan Lie’s presence, but Sun Zhaomin insisted that, as the future clan leader, she needed to gather capable individuals. Upon arriving in Beixuan, Xuan Lie escorted Xuan Qiluo to her residence and summoned servants to attend to her needs. Xuan Qiluo noticed a young woman standing silently at the doorway and chose her, finding her more composed than the others.

The head maid explained that the woman, named Dong Yin, was of mixed Beixuan and Yannan descent and was only allowed to do lowly tasks like cleaning latrines. Surprised by the discriminatory practice, Xuan Qiluo expressed her disapproval. Xuan Qiluo noticed Dong Yin’s attire, a traditional Yannan outfit, and learned it was her late mother’s keepsake. Xuan Qiluo praised the craftsmanship of the Jun family’s textiles from Yannan, noting how rare and exquisite they were. She encouraged Dong Yin to continue wearing the outfit confidently, without concern for others’ opinions.

Xuan Lie carefully prepared a lavish feast and invited Jun Qiluo to join him. Seeing the spread of delicacies, Jun Qiluo curiously asked if it was a special occasion. Xuan Lie smiled and explained that he simply wanted to be a good host and reassured her not to overthink it. After the meal, Xuan Lie and Luo Qi left together, as Xuan Lie expressed interest in exploring the royal city’s black market to find some rare items.

Luo Qi led Xuan Lie to the black market, but the bustling area became eerily empty upon Xuan Lie’s arrival. Luo Qi ordered the crowd to stay, while Xuan Lie asked if anyone sold red beans. Intimidated by his identity, no one dared to respond. Seeing this, Luo Qi asked Xuan Lie to step aside. Once Xuan Lie left, a shopkeeper nervously brought out the hidden red beans.

Xuan Lie later gifted Jun Qiluo a unique necklace made from Beixuan’s rare black jade and Yannan’s distinctive red beans. He personally put it around her neck, where it gleamed beautifully. Meanwhile, in the palace, Young Prince Yu and Young Prince Yi got into a heated argument that escalated into a fight. Young Prince Yu struck Young Prince Yi, who retaliated. Li Side Concubine hurried to the scene to stop the brawl.

Shortly after, the Queen arrived and sided with Young Prince Yu. Left with no choice, Li Side Concubine had Young Prince Yi apologize to Young Prince Yu. At this time, Luo Zhizhou appeared, bringing pastries from Xixiang to comfort Li Side Concubine. He promised to protect her and Young Prince Yi during the upcoming hunting event. Though Xuan Lie was the king’s favored candidate for the Wolf Lord position and his close brother, Luo Zhizhou assured her of his commitment.

Reflecting on his missed romance with Li Side Concubine, Luo Zhizhou felt a complex mix of emotions. Xuan Lie sat alone in a pavilion, holding a cup of wine and gazing into the distance. Jun Qiluo quietly approached and sat beside him. Xuan Lie shared that this pavilion was his father’s favorite place when he was alive. His father often spoke of the loneliness of power and urged Xuan Lie to self-reflect, hoping he wouldn’t follow the same path.

He recounted how his father had gifted him a golden silk armor, a cherished item from his childhood. Haunted by his parents’ deaths, Xuan Lie blamed himself, thinking that if he hadn’t taken the golden silk armor, his father might have survived. Gently comforting him, Jun Qiluo assured him that his father’s spirit would not hold him accountable. Xuan Lie then opened up, saying that since he had shared his secret, Jun Qiluo should share hers.

After a brief hesitation, Jun Qiluo revealed that she was the eldest daughter of the Jun family, not a maidservant. Xuan Lie, however, seemed unsurprised, as though he had known all along. Later, Xuan Lie invited Jun Qiluo to drink with him. Tipsy, he rested his head on her lap, murmuring about his exhaustion and wanting a moment of rest.

At dawn, Dong Yin and others came searching for them and were shocked to find Jun Qiluo nestled in Xuan Lie’s arms. Embarrassed, they woke up hurriedly, and Jun Qiluo explained it was merely an unintentional moment of reliance. Before parting, Xuan Lie gently draped his cloak over Jun Qiluo’s shoulders. In private, Dong Yin mused about the growing bond between Jun Qiluo and Xuan Lie, thinking it wouldn’t be long before she’d have to address Jun Qiluo as “madam.

” Jun Qiluo quickly denied it, clarifying that she and Xuan Lie were not destined to be together and asked Dong Yin to stop such talk. Elsewhere, the Xixiang delegation arrived. Hearing that Jun Qiluo had not returned, Jiang Juan worried that the second branch of the Jun family might seize the opportunity to gain an advantage. Disguising herself as a man under Jun Feifan’s name, she successfully negotiated a business deal with the Xixiang merchants, leaving them highly satisfied.

Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager summoned Li Side Concubine to discuss recent events, reassuring her that the Queen had reprimanded Young Prince Yu and urging her not to take it to heart. The Empress Dowager also treated her to Xixiang pastries and promised to find an archery tutor for Young Prince Yi during the hunting event.

Li Side Concubine saw this as a subtle warning and lamented the political scheming, feeling that if not for the Queen’s aggression, she wouldn’t have been drawn into such struggles. Jun Qiluo mentioned that she had acquired some Yannan seeds and wanted to plant them near fresh water. Hearing this, Xuan Lie offered to accompany her, as he had no pressing matters that day.

Jun Qiluo searched multiple locations but failed to find a suitable place due to temperature issues. Seeing her frustration, Xuan Lie asked about her requirements. Jun Qiluo explained that the location needed to have an ideal temperature. Xuan Lie had an idea and mentioned a hot spring that might meet her needs, offering to take her there to investigate. Xuan Lie led Jun Qiluo to the destination, where they happened upon He Woshan overseeing a mining operation.

As Jun Qiluo strolled through the area, she was thrilled to discover traces of crystal stones and felt ecstatic to have finally found what she was looking for. However, Xuan Lie dismissed the stones as worthless. Jun Qiluo suggested a bet: if the crystals proved valuable, Xuan Lie would help her mine them. Xuan Lie agreed. When they encountered He Woshan, Jun Qiluo was initially surprised, mistaking him for someone else.

Luo Qi jokingly explained that He Woshan was the twin brother of He Jiyao. Embarrassed, Jun Qiluo apologized, and Luo Qi teased her, saying that He Jiyao knew her as a woman while Xuan Lie knew her as a man, making her truly androgynous. Xuan Lie, hearing this, seemed lost in thought. The king summoned Xuan Lie and Xi Zhangkun to discuss the mine.

Previously, the king had promised to grant the mine to Xi Zhangkun, but Xuan Lie raised concerns, pointing out the unknown dangers within the mine. He suggested that He Woshan should explore it first to ensure safety before handing it over. The king accepted Xuan Lie’s proposal, prompting Xi Zhangkun to excuse himself and leave. Afterward, the king inquired about the Yannan woman accompanying Xuan Lie.

Xuan Lie candidly admitted that he hoped to use Jun Qiluo to locate Jun Feifan. The king cautioned him to act carefully. Xuan Lie assured the king that after spending time with Jun Qiluo, he believed she was trustworthy. However, Luo Qi’s earlier remarks lingered in Xuan Lie’s mind, leading him to suspect that Jun Qiluo might actually be Jun Feifan. Elsewhere, He Jiyao sought out Princess Xuan Qingkou, intending to bring her back.

Princess Xuan Qingkou gave Shao Qimin a nickname, “Qingming,” and expressed concern about him lacking the necessary travel permits for Beixuan. She handed him her token as a precaution. However, He Jiyao found this inappropriate, fearing that if Shao Qimin had ulterior motives, the token could pose a threat. Princess Xuan Qingkou asked Shao Qimin if he would ever harm her, and he firmly promised he wouldn’t. Trusting him, Princess Xuan Qingkou dismissed He Jiyao’s concerns.

At the mining site, Jun Qiluo set up a simple teaching area to train Dong Yin and other female workers in weaving techniques. She planned to use the crystals as innovative components for weaving tools. However, she found herself short on crystals, which frustrated her. Seeking answers, Jun Qiluo showed Xuan Lie a detailed drawing she had made of a unique tattoo on an old man she had encountered in the market.

She explained that she hadn’t thought much of it at the time but later realized the tattoo might hold a clue, so she recreated it from memory. Xuan Lie studied the drawing carefully but grew suspicious. He sensed that Jun Qiluo was intentionally steering him away from the mining area and became quietly vigilant. Meanwhile, in the royal palace, Young Prince Yu and Young Prince Yi were racing on horseback while the queen praised them enthusiastically.

However, Young Prince Yu fell from his horse and was saved by Luo Zhizhou’s quick intervention. The king rushed to the scene and ordered his servants to tend to Young Prince Yu. Unbeknownst to many, this event was part of a plan orchestrated by Luo Zhizhou and Li Side Concubine to create a crisis for the queen and Young Prince Yu, thereby solidifying their own standing.

Elsewhere, He Woshan informed Xuan Lie that the crystals might be forgeable into weapons, though no documentation existed to confirm this, and further research was needed. Jun Qiluo and Xuan Lie returned to the mine, but Xuan Lie grew doubtful upon seeing the unrefined crystals and considered abandoning the effort to pursue incense stones instead. However, Jun Qiluo firmly believed in the crystals’ value.

She instructed workers to grind the crystals into axles and planned to use this innovative method to refine other ores. Xuan Lie was impressed by her ingenuity and admired her determination. Just as things seemed to be progressing, the mine suddenly began to shake, filling Xuan Lie with an ominous sense of unease.

Xuan Lie and Jun Qiluo were trapped in a collapsed mine. Xuan Lie suffered only minor injuries, which were not serious, and he carried the injured Jun Qiluo out of the mine. Luo Qi arrived with a portrait of Jun Feifan, and the person in the portrait closely resembled Jun Qiluo, except for a mole near their eye. Luo Qi believed that this person was Jun Qiluo's brother.

Xuan Lie brought Jun Qiluo back to his residence, where Princess Xuan Qingkou arrived with a newly acquired slave. Jun Qiluo immediately recognized the slave—Shao Qimin. Although Shao Qimin’s life had been saved by the princess, Jun Qiluo, deeply grateful, hoped the princess would spare him. Shao Qimin had been with Jun Qiluo since childhood, quietly protecting her, and she considered him family. Princess Xuan Qingkou, however, was not so easily willing to release her favorite slave.

She proposed a hunting competition in the forest to settle the matter, and Jun Qiluo agreed. Xuan Lie began to worry, knowing that Princess Xuan Qingkou had grown up riding horses and hunting, and was an expert at both. On the other hand, Jun Qiluo, being from Yannan, was not skilled in horse riding or hunting, but she was determined to save Shao Qimin, regardless of the challenge.

Princess Xuan Qingkou, being clever, knew that Shao Qimin was skilled in martial arts but had always quietly followed her. She suspected he had another agenda and decided to add some soft muscle-relaxing powder to the incense burner, rendering him immobile. Jun Qiluo was worried about Shao Qimin’s situation, and her maid Dong Yin admired Jun Qiluo’s kind nature for caring so much about a servant. Jun Qiluo, however, had never seen Shao Qimin as just a servant.

They had grown up together and were like family to her. Despite this, Jun Qiluo was anxious because she knew that even if she won the competition, Princess Xuan Qingkou, as a royal, would likely not easily let Shao Qimin go. Xuan Lie came to visit Jun Qiluo and took her by surprise with a sneak attack. Jun Qiluo, however, was no match for Princess Xuan Qingkou in martial arts, so Xuan Lie believed she would never win.

Additionally, Xuan Lie felt a tinge of jealousy over Jun Qiluo’s concern for Shao Qimin. To ease the tension between them, Xuan Lie openly confessed that he was not the one responsible for the massacre of the merchant convoy and promised to strengthen management and assign more personnel to ensure nothing like that happened again. Xuan Lie hoped that once Shao Qimin was free from Princess Xuan Qingkou, the matter with the merchant convoy would be forgotten. Jun Qiluo agreed.

Feeling troubled by Jun Qiluo’s situation, Xuan Lie’s close friend Luo Zhizhou came to keep him company and drink. As another man, Luo Zhizhou understood Xuan Lie’s feelings and specifically reminded him not to get too deeply involved, as Xuan Lie’s legitimate wife could not be a foreign woman. Xuan Lie arranged for a letter to be sent to the Jun family, hoping to draw out Jun Feifan, but the letter was intercepted by Jun Qiluo’s uncle.

They decided to alter the letter in hopes of causing Jun Qiluo’s father to worry over his beloved daughter. The night before the hunting competition between Princess Xuan Qingkou and Jun Qiluo, Shao Qimin broke free from his restraints and went to find Jun Qiluo. He had planned to take her away from there first and then figure out a way to obtain the mysterious Xuan Iron Crystals they needed.

However, Jun Qiluo was not willing to leave without a fight. She had already found a clue and intended to compete with Princess Xuan Qingkou, as she and Xuan Lie had made a pact to clear up the matter with the merchant convoy. During the competition, Princess Xuan Qingkou intentionally led Jun Qiluo into a forbidden area to shoot a fierce tiger, hoping that Jun Qiluo would meet her end.

However, Jun Qiluo quickly thought on her feet and managed to kill the tiger. Xuan Lie arrived just in time to save her from the tiger’s jaws. Jun Qiluo won the competition and successfully took Shao Qimin away from the princess. Princess Xuan Qingkou, upset by the outcome, was reminded by Luo Zhizhou not to be too stubborn. Even though her brother, the king, couldn’t control her, if the Empress Dowager found out, Shao Qimin would surely die.

Fearing her mother’s wrath, Princess Xuan Qingkou reluctantly followed Luo Zhizhou back. Jun Qiluo discovered a note that Shao Qimin had left in her room. He had gone to the northern forest in the city to keep an appointment. Jun Qiluo immediately decided to follow, instructing Dong Yin that if she didn’t return by noon, she should inform Xuan Lie. Meanwhile, Xuan Lie received an imperial summons to the palace.

Dong Yin took the opportunity to inform him that both Shao Qimin and Jun Qiluo were missing. Xuan Lie immediately set out with his men to search the northern forest. Unbeknownst to them, Princess Xuan Qingkou also arrived, knowing her slave was there, and began searching as well. When Jun Qiluo and Shao Qimin met, Shao Qimin believed that Xuan Lie had led him there, but there was nothing they sought.

In fact, everything was being manipulated behind the scenes by Luo Zhizhou, who had no intention of letting Xuan Lie appear at the hunting competition.

Xuan Lie and Xuan Qingkou were ambushed, but Jun Qiluo and Shao Qimin arrived in time to help. The enemy outnumbered them, and the four of them were no match for the attackers. Both Xuan Lie and Shao Qimin were injured, and during the fight, Xuan Qingkou stepped into a animal trap. Fortunately, Shao Qimin discovered it in time and saved her.

They made their way to a village in the mountains, where Jun Qiluo recognized from their tattoos that the people there were mountain bandits. She lied, claiming they were merchants seeking a place to stay. To lower their guard, they pretended to be two married couples. Meanwhile, He Jiyao reported back to the palace and saw Luo Zhizhou and Luo Qi. The king was already resting, and Luo Zhizhou felt it would be best not to disturb him.

He knew that Xuan Lie was in the northern forest of the city, so he decided to personally lead a search party. He asked He Jiyao and Luo Qi to prepare for the upcoming hunting competition, as Xuan Lie was the best candidate to lead the wolf pack, and he was confident he could bring Xuan Lie back. Xuan Lie had always suspected that there were clues to be found in this area.

He believed the ambush in the forest was arranged by his longtime rival, Xi Zhangkun. However, he had not expected that this turn of events would provide him with the perfect opportunity to enter the village. Jun Qiluo, however, did not share his view. She reasoned that Xi Zhangkun had no knowledge of Shao Qimin's existence. Shao Qimin had received a warning that he was in danger, so he had come to the forest without giving it much thought.

Xuan Lie, feeling jealous of the attention Shao Qimin received from Jun Qiluo, became upset. To show his appreciation for Jun Qiluo, Xuan Lie gave her a hairpin that he had crafted himself. Jun Qiluo had given up her own hairpin to the bandits earlier that day in exchange for staying in the village. To stay a few more days in the village, Xuan Lie and Jun Qiluo decided to teach the villagers how to identify medicinal herbs.

Otherwise, they would have to trade wild game for herbs when they returned to the town, which would save them a lot of effort. The village chief agreed to their proposal. Luo Zhizhou had sent people to search the mountains all night but had not found any trace of Xuan Lie and his group.

He reported to the king that he had increased the number of men searching for the princess and Xuan Lie, but in truth, he was hoping to delay Xuan Lie's return until after the hunting competition. Shao Qimin learned from Xuan Qingkou that the Xuan Iron Crystals were in Xi's territory. Since Xuan Lie had no Xuan Iron Crystals, Shao Qimin realized that Xuan Lie had deliberately kept Jun Qiluo behind.

He found an opportunity to inform Jun Qiluo and speculated that Xuan Lie’s real goal was to use her to find Jun Feifan. Shao Qimin thought that now was the perfect time to leave, and decided to part ways with Jun Qiluo and meet up at a safe location later. The upcoming merchant conference required the Jun family’s merchant license, so Jun Qiluo needed to retrieve it.

Jun Qiluo confronted Xuan Lie, hoping he would hand over the merchant license, so they could go their separate ways. As she spoke, Shao Qimin appeared behind Xuan Lie, holding a sword to his back and demanding the license. In an effort to keep Jun Qiluo with him, Xuan Lie intentionally bumped into Shao Qimin's sword, knowing that even if he got revenge for the past, he would never allow Shao Qimin to take Jun Qiluo away.

Jun Qiluo, seeing Xuan Lie injured, felt deeply saddened and stayed by his side. Although Xuan Lie’s injury was not serious, he and Jun Qiluo made a new agreement. If she could help him find evidence of Xi Zhangkun trafficking in arms, he would also help her find the Xuan Iron Crystals.

The villagers expelled Xuan Lie and his group, but from the village chief, they learned that the villagers had once been part of the army but had been framed and fallen into this situation. Xuan Lie promised that if they cooperated with him, he would ensure they could live a stable life again. Xuan Lie revealed his identity as the leader of the Xuan clan and explained that the old case was deeply related to the Xuan clan.

Helping them was essentially helping himself. The villagers' enemies were Xi Zhangkun, who had framed Xuan Lie’s father in the investigation of the arms case, leading to his death. Xuan Lie was determined to investigate this case thoroughly and avenge his father.