Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack-Chapter 1297 - 1277: Gold Scale City

Finally restored, Luo Qianqian was allowed to leave the inn. They hadn’t moved into the Hua Family residence. It was the first time Luo Qianqian stepped out in so long, and she couldn’t help but praise repeatedly as she looked at the grand and magnificent buildings, the wide and bright roads, and the dazzling palace. After a day’s walk, they had only covered a third of the way from the inn along the central road. Even though the distance covered wasn’t far, the palace ahead was already blindingly bright.

"Is this truly the city-state of Shangwen?" Luo Qianqian looked incredulously at the dazzling palace in front of her and swallowed hard only after seeing Huangfu Yihui nod: "If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be easily invaded by other countries? After all, one shouldn’t flaunt their wealth so openly! This is pure extravagance!"

Huangfu Yihui laughed lightly: "Perhaps the phrase ’one person ascends to heaven, and all followers rise too’ would be appropriate here?" His eyes wandered to the snacks in front of them, uninterested in the distant palace.

Compared to such golden and shiny architecture, he preferred the architectural style of the Nine Heavens Pavilion, which seemed more artistic.

Luo Qianqian pondered for a moment, then understood Huangfu Yihui’s point and nodded, still looking confused: "If that’s the case, why is this still a small country? The most renowned in the Northern Region is still the Haan Family, isn’t it?"

"It’s just a disciple. The country’s survival is due to the reputation of the sect. If not, wouldn’t the Snow Palace have acted already?" Huangfu Yihui was calm, pointing at the snacks by the road: "Want to buy some to try?"

Luo Qianqian glanced over and shook her head repeatedly: "If you want to eat, I have some from the Nine Heavens Pavilion. I’m quite particular about my food..."

Having grown accustomed to exquisite snacks, she simply couldn’t stomach those dry things that tasted like chewing wax.

"Alright then." Seeing her reluctance, Huangfu Yihui relented. After all, he had already finished eating. Space was limited, and it was quite impossible to carry too much food, but he yearned for the Nine Heavens Pavilion’s offerings.

Yan, leisurely swaying to the side, said nothing. The three of them wore large bamboo hats, staying low-key. Huangfu Yihui did so due to his identity, Luo Qianqian to protect against the sun, and Yan? Simply for uniformity.

If separated, they could easily find each other, despite the fewer people than expected. They could see where the others were at a glance without worrying.

After buying some items, they headed back, finding nothing to endlessly explore. As it was getting late, the stalls started packing up.

"Yan, can we discuss something?" Luo Qianqian looked expectantly at Yan, who was eating, and took out several sweet potatoes. They had just bought these on the road.

"Hmm?" Yan was puzzled, looking at the sweet potatoes with confusion: "You don’t mean for me to roast them, do you?"

"Uh... not exactly. I just need your help keeping an eye on things." Luo Qianqian skillfully took out foil, wrapped three large sweet potatoes tightly, took out a metal basin, placed the prepared sweet potatoes inside, lined it with coals underneath and on the sides, added some paper, and lit it with a lighter, her eyes blinking: "Watch the fire, call me when they’re done."

Yan’s face was darker than burnt sweet potatoes.

When did he become someone who watches over roasted sweet potatoes? And now, overseeing the cooking process?

"We’ll each have one. These need to be roasted thoroughly, so they’re soft and delicious, not any worse than what you’re eating now." Luo Qianqian chuckled, seemingly noticing Yan’s displeasure, and tempted him.

Huangfu Yihui, on the side, smiled subtly. Luckily, he was of no significant use. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

However, because Luo Qianqian claimed they tasted better than what they were currently eating, they paid extra attention, even putting aside what Yan was holding.

Luo Qianqian silently returned to her bed to rest. This was her room, with a chair holding the basin, two others occupied by people, and the last one piled with coals; she wouldn’t fight for a seat.

"Shiqi, it’s about ready," Huangfu Yihui’s voice came from the other side, but received no response, prompting him to cross the screen in confusion, only to see Luo Qianqian already asleep on the bed, her little face rosy, the sight leaving him helpless.

"Shiqi is asleep, and it looks like she’s sleeping deeply." Huangfu Yihui shrugged, watching Yan working on the basin, the fire already gathered away by Yan.

"Asleep?" Yan was stunned, put down the small wooden stick he was holding, bypassed the screen, walked to Luo Qianqian’s side, and tightly furrowed his brow: "Who is it?"

Though she looked deeply asleep, Luo Qianqian was actually unconscious.

"What’s wrong?" Huangfu Yihui was taken aback.

"Someone drugged her." Yan took a deep breath, casually took out a small jade bottle and was about to open it when he paused, seeing a glint of silver near Luo Qianqian’s pillow, his expression turning serious.

Sweeping her up in his arms, he said, "Hold this," passing something over to Huangfu Yihui as if it were a relay, Huangfu Yihui’s expression growing grave—what was going on?

Yan bent down, picked up the three silver needles beside the pillow with a handkerchief. The tiny silver needles were hardly noticeable. If not for catching a glint at a certain angle, he wouldn’t have found them.

Holding the silver needles up to inspect them closely, he sniffed them slightly, frowning.

"Thousand Days Drunk."

Huangfu Yihui’s expression changed slightly: "How could it be?"

Thousand Days Drunk was a secret medicine from the Snow Palace, a high-level secret medicine. Those affected by it would remain in a drunken stupor without awakening for a thousand days, their complexion ruddy, yet maintaining life. It was a mild poison, leaving one with awareness but unable to respond. After a thousand days, one’s Inner Strength would deplete...

"Can it be cured?" Huangfu Yihui looked at Yan. Though unaware of Yan’s true identity, he knew Yan was no ordinary person. This drug unique to the Northern Region left him helpless.

"Yes." Yan nodded, his brow tightly furrowed: "But, who did it?"

No outsider could have entered the room. If anyone had, the room’s atmosphere would have changed.

"Let’s detoxify first." Huangfu Yihui took a deep breath: "It seems, we’ve been living too peacefully."

The three of them were usually together. When not, Luo Qianqian stayed in her room. They hadn’t had a chance to make a move, so they could trust each other, but others, not so much.

These others included people from the Hua Family, even Haan Yun and the little boy.

Also, the shop assistant, in this room, there was no unfamiliar presence, the only ones who could enter were these people.

Clearly, this was a premeditated harm.

Yan skillfully opened the small jade bottle he had taken out, took out a glossy pill, and placed it in Luo Qianqian’s mouth, then stopped.

"Is that it... done?" Huangfu Yihui stared dumbfoundedly at Yan.

Though unfamiliar with Thousand Days Drunk, he knew it was quite famous. Was it this simple?

"What else did you think?"