"Why are you laughing?" Elder Su asked displeased.

Bai Yihong looked up fearlessly at him and said, "I overlook your behavior because you are an elder and a relative of my mother. But now it seems, the Jiuli people are not much different, lacking even the basic courtesy of a guest, let alone the demeanor of an elder. It turns out I was too polite."

"You..." The Jiuli people behind Elder Su were all angered in an instant, glaring at Bai Yihong, looking as if they wanted to act.

Bai Yihong sighed silently; are these his clansmen? It seems he was lucky not to be brought back back then; he obviously did not belong with them.

Fortunately, he had persuaded Lin Pinger not to come over, otherwise, she might have been terribly upset.

"Isn't what he said true? Are you here as guests or robbers? Is this how you treat a host?" Fen Jiu said unceremoniously.

Jiao Ling echoed, "Yes, let's not get impulsive. We can't let it be said that we Jiuli people are just like bandits."

Elder Su sighed, raised his hand to stop the others, and said, "Alright, don't say any more. We are here as guests."

Bai Yihong did not argue further, and took the initiative to show them the way, "Everyone, this way please, the guest rooms have already been prepared."

Elder Su shot him a furtive glance, feeling a wave of emotion in his heart; this is an honest person, it's a pity he hasn't awakened his bloodline, as it is too thin.

Marriage within the Jiuli usually results in a natural bloodline awakening, but children born from Jiuli people and outsiders are often ordinary people, who are not allowed to be brought back to the Jiuli clan.

As for children Bai Yihong may have with ordinary people, they are even less likely to awaken their bloodline, so Elder Su was skeptical of Jiao Ling's report, wondering how Bai Yihong's daughter could awaken her bloodline.

Soon they arrived at the guest rooms prepared for them; the rooms were very tidy, not luxuriously appointed but comfortable and spacious, just how Elder Su liked it.

He glanced at Bai Yihong again, recalling his earlier words, feeling somewhat awkward; perhaps he had been too harsh on such an honest person before?

As Bai Yihong bid farewell and left, Jiao Ling and Fen Jiu followed him with somewhat indignant expressions. Jiao Ling said concernedly, "Brother, don't be upset. Elder Su just speaks harshly; don't take it to heart."

Bai Yihong smiled, "I won't. I have my own life, so why care about those unrelated to me?"

Jiao Ling was at a loss on how to persuade him, but she felt at that moment her brother further distanced himself from the Jiuli clan. She felt sorry in her heart, wanting to say a few words, but what could she possibly say? He was destined not to be a Jiuli, and they probably didn't want to stay in the Jiuli clan anyway; things were fine as they were now.

Meanwhile, in another room, Elder Su sighed and addressed the people, "During our stay as guests in the Bai Family, be courteous to everyone, especially Bai Yihong. Though his bloodline hasn't awakened, he's still Jiao Ling's brother."

Everyone nodded, not daring to voice any opposition, which attested to Elder Su's strong authority within the clan.

"The Jiuli have had many offspring with outsiders over the years, and many children haven't awakened their bloodline and stayed outside. My earlier behavior was wrong; I indeed should not have spoken like that," Elder Su sighed, mentioning that the daughter of a close friend of his was similar to Bai Yihong, marrying and having children outside. Perhaps his descendants would also intermarry and have children without an awakened bloodline someday.

The others exchanged glances, surprised that someone as proud as Elder Su would admit fault, but they also knew Elder Su was a person with a clear sense of right and wrong, so such an action was in character.

...

Bai Ruozhu excitedly called Jiang Yichun onto the horse carriage, asking Little Dengdeng to create a Magic Defense Shield for Jiang Yichun to see. Although Jiang Yichun couldn't see it, he could reach out and touch it, and couldn't help but display a look of surprise. Upon learning the specific reason, he urged excitedly yet cautiously, "This mustn't be told to outsiders, and Little Dengdeng must keep it secret too."

Little Dengdeng, seeing his father's serious demeanor, asked confusedly, "Why?"

"Being so young and knowing magic is likely to evoke envy, and if others learn your mother has taught you, they might capture her to get what they lack," Jiang Yichun explained sternly, doing his best to come up with an explanation. The child was too young to understand many reasons, even if explained.

Upon hearing this, Little Dengdeng showed a worried expression, "I don't want bad people to take Mother away; I definitely won't let them know I know magic!"

Bai Ruozhu listened and smiled with narrowed eyes, her heart filing with warmth as she thought Little Dengdeng was truly filial, caring only about protecting his mother rather than his own safety upon hearing of harm.

As the family spoke, Jinglei called from outside, "Master, I have urgent news to report."

Jiang Yichun nodded to Bai Ruozhu before hurriedly jumping off the horse carriage.

In no time, he was back in the moving horse carriage.

"Ruozhu, there's a secret letter from Lou Shanglou. They've found some news about Ning Yu and Diao Bin." Jiang Yichun said, lowering his voice as he entered.

"What news?" Bai Ruozhu eagerly leaned closer.

Jiang Yichun had already destroyed the secret letter with inner strength and spoke quietly.

"It says that on the day of the palace disturbance, Ning Yu took Diao Bin and escaped. Diao Bin cried out to save her mother, causing her hood to fall off, and her white hair caught the attention of King Rui's subordinates. The two were besieged by many soldiers and horses. Fortunately, Ning Yu was very skilled and managed to break through with Diao Bin, but he was hit by a poisoned Dark Arrow, and his lips were already black when leaving the palace."

Jiang Yichun sighed, "This is what came from the mouths of those who besieged them from King Rui's side. At least ninety percent of it is true."

"What about after that?" Bai Ruozhu asked, clutching her hands tightly, wondering if Diao Bin also felt very guilty?

"King Rui failed to capture them, and the two seemed to disappear into thin air. I suspect they are hiding somewhere to recuperate. In addition, Lou Shanglou also found another piece of information: a month ago, a merchant set sail to Fusang, and his daughter had white hair. But Lou Shanglou had people check out that merchant's background, and he indeed had a daughter who developed some strange illness, making her hair fully white three years ago. Coupled with the fact that Lou Shanglou has no influence in Fusang, they can't verify if the merchant's daughter is Diao Bin."

"Fusang Country? Isn't it said to be a mythical place? How is there trade now?" Bai Ruozhu asked anxiously.

"Previously, there was little interaction between Fusang and Danliang, but half a year ago, a merchant ship came from Fusang. The leading merchant claimed his father was from Danliang, and his mother from Fusang. His wife is also from Fusang, and they were familiar with the sea routes between the two places. This information had even been reported to the Imperial Court, but before the Emperor could see them, the palace disturbance happened. Now, who knows if the merchant team has served King Rui." Jiang Yichun said.

Bai Ruozhu narrowed her eyes, "Do you remember that Dongying ninja in Guangqi Town?"

---

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