The cannon fodder heiress trembled with fear after being recognized as a member of her family.

The sound of horses' hooves grew closer, shattering the peaceful atmosphere inside the carriage.

After finishing her snack, Han Cuiyin quickly drank the water that Luo Jingqian handed her and finally managed to rinse her mouth.

"Is someone chasing us?"

The sounds outside grew increasingly urgent, and she could hear them clearly.

Those who came for Princess Changyun should not be from the Grand Princess's residence, so they must be from the Luo family.

Luo Yuan and Princess Changyun left one after the other on the night of the palace banquet. Could something have happened?

The thing on Mo Changdao's body was eyeing Luo Yuan covetously, as if it wanted to devour him whole.

"The eldest son of the head steward of the Luo family! What is he doing here?" Luo Jingqian had good hearing and recognized the voice. "Mother, has that person been bothering you again these past few days?"

On the night of the palace banquet, the Grand Princess's entourage was stopped. Fortunately, her uncle was there, otherwise, who knows what might have happened.

He wouldn't be at ease about his mother's safety until the powerful demon inside his father was removed. The demon was quite strong, so he didn't dare to make any rash moves.

He couldn't quite figure out what his mother was thinking; she seemed heartbroken, yet not completely devoid of feelings.

Princess Changyun's face turned cold. "What are the Luo family doing here again? It's a good thing your sister and the others went to Qingshuang Mountain with your maternal grandmother, otherwise, I don't know how much trouble the Luo family would have caused us while I was away!"

Over the years, even the deepest affection between husband and wife has been completely worn away by that family.

She had a bad marriage, but fortunately, she had her family's support, and she was able to live a carefree life with her children after the divorce.

If it weren't for these children, Princess Changyun would really not want to associate with this family.

The subsequent pretense and evasiveness served as a reminder of her past misery.

"My lord, someone from the Luo residence has arrived. Should we wait or hurry?" Qingshan had also noticed the man and horse, who were only a few dozen meters away, and came over to ask. "Should I send them away?"

"Don't worry about it, just let it be. If he can make it, he can listen; if he can't, it's just bad luck," Luo Jingqian said casually, his voice unchanged.

His face was hidden behind a mask, so others couldn't see his features, but Han Cuiyin knew he was angry.

When he got angry, his voice didn't change, but his aura changed, and he exuded a coldness that Han Cuiyin couldn't ignore.

Red Fir sensed the dangerous aura emanating from Luo Jingqian, and Red Fox dared not stay between the mother and child any longer, quickly moving to Han Cuiyin's side for protection.

Han Cuiyin's head started to ache inexplicably, and an image of an abandoned temple flashed through her mind, showing her leaning against a half-masked person.

"Cuiyin, are you alright? Did I scare you?" Luo Jingqian suppressed his icy aura, looking at him helplessly.

Even when he was angry, he would still keep an eye on Han Cuiyin's situation.

The moment she frowned, he knew something was wrong.

"It's nothing! I've been having headaches lately, and some images just flash through my mind. I'll feel better after a rest."

After she left the pass, this happened more and more frequently, especially when she was with Luo Jingqian, whose emotions swayed her.

"Qingshan, slow down. If we can't reach the post station in time, let's rest in the wilderness."

He gave a casual order, and the carriage slowed down.

Luo Jingqian then sat down at Han Cuiyin's feet, placed his hands on her temples, and gently massaged them.

His phoenix eyes were fixed intently on Han Cuiyin's face. Their eyes met briefly before looking away, and Han Cuiyin felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Looking up, Princess Changyun was already gazing out the window, seemingly oblivious to the two of them. The red fox had also snuggled into her arms, its three tails swaying back and forth near its eyes.

Han Cuiyin's cheeks felt hot, but fortunately her face remained dark, so others couldn't tell.

Just as she tried to break free, Luo Jingqian's hand held her tightly, and she couldn't break free at all.

How embarrassing! A thousand-year-old monster blushed under the gaze of a mere brat. Qingyun will surely laugh at him when she finds out.

Han Cuiyin was lost in thought, and Luo Jingqian was also distracted. Neither of them noticed a ball of light disappearing into Han Cuiyin's clothes.

Their speed slowed down, and the Luo family's men eventually caught up with them.

"Princess!" The man defeated the guards and stopped the carriage. "Princess, return to the capital immediately! The Duke's life is in danger; he keeps calling for you while unconscious!"

This man is the eldest son of the chief steward of the Luo family. He also came from a military background and had only retired from the border two years ago.

When this person returned, Luo Yuan originally wanted to settle him in the Duke's Mansion, which is now the Princess's Mansion, but Princess Changyun disagreed.

The head steward of the Luo family was an old man who served General Luo, and he treated Madam Luo better than Luo Yuan.

Because of this relationship, Princess Changyun did not like this family.

In the past, her three children would never receive a smile from the steward when they returned to the general's mansion. Now that they thought of her, she was not going to be the one to take the fall.

Her private army wasn't something just any Tom, Dick, or Harry could command.

From then on, he became enemies with the Luo family's chief steward.

The fact that this person is trying to stop us today, is it the second wife's idea again?

Princess Changyun's voice came calmly from the carriage, "Let me ask you, am I a physician?"

The man standing beside the horse stiffened. "No! It's just the Duke—"

“This princess has severed all ties with the Duke of Dingguo and has no connection with him whatsoever. What does his situation have to do with this princess?” Princess Changyun’s hand stroked the fur of the redwood tree, and the speed of her touch increased involuntarily.

Sequoia: You're angry, why are you taking it out on me? My hair!

"But...but the Duke forbids the Second Madam from getting close. His memory seems to be distorted, stuck on your birthday five years ago. After briefly waking up, the Duke injured the guards in the manor, and it was only after the Imperial Preceptor Mo knocked them unconscious that things calmed down. However, he has been unconscious ever since, and apart from calling for you, he hasn't eaten or drunk anything. I'm afraid..."

Everyone in the carriage understood what the Luo family meant.

Luo Jingqian looked at Princess Changyun and said, "Mother, you can decide for yourself. I will support you."

Hearing Mo Changdao's words, he wasn't in a hurry, but his mother might waver.

"Let's continue on our journey! This princess and the Duke of Dingguo have parted ways amicably. Our fates are in the hands of heaven. His wife is the one who will worry about his life and death. Let's not entangle ourselves in this and cause gossip in the future."

Princess Changyun recalled her birthday five years ago, and the slight worry that had just arisen vanished.

Qinghe asked the person coming to step aside, and the procession continued forward.

Han Cuiyin asked telepathically, "Should I give him some pills?"

Luo Jingqian shook his head and did not agree.

"Princess Changyun, how heartless you are! Don't even think about returning to the Luo Manor..."

Despite the man's angry curses, the group quickened their pace.

The slight unpleasantness he brought was forgotten by them once they arrived at the post station.

Princess Changyun had been traveling all day, and even sitting in the carriage felt like her body was about to fall apart, so she went to bed early.

The Luo family member returned the way they came, not daring to stop, and unexpectedly encountered another group along the way. It was night, so for safety's sake, they rested with them and would continue their journey at dawn the next day.

The next day, just as the Luo family was about to set off, they were stopped by a pretty young woman.

"Give this pill to your Duke Dingguo; it might save his life. He'll need to do me a favor then." Han Yueshi tossed a porcelain bottle to the man and got into the carriage without looking back.