Chapter 22: (Twenty-Two) Entering Kyoto

And that bookshelf—the books upon it were the very ones people dreamed of obtaining, the kind usually impossible to find, yet here, an entire shelf of them lay before her. It was simply incredible.

What kind of immense power would it take to gather all these books together? Who exactly were this mistress and her servant?

"Miss, please have some tea." Leng Lingxue poured a cup, looked at Fei Linglong’s eyes filled with shock, smiled indifferently, and handed the teacup made of raw jade to her, speaking softly.

"Thank you. Miss, please just call me Linglong," Fei Linglong said politely. She took a small sip of the tea and discovered it was fragrant and delicious, far superior to the tea leaves in the Prime Minister’s estate. Perhaps even the imperial palace of the Ranxuan Kingdom did not possess such fine tea.

And this teacup... Fei Linglong felt the cool sensation radiating from the cup and couldn't help but examine it closely. She didn't know until she looked, but once she did, she was truly startled. This was top-grade raw jade, the very essence of what was rare in this world. Yet, such precious jade had been crafted into a teacup—it was truly a waste of a heavenly treasure.

"Then Linglong shouldn't call me 'Miss' either; just call me Lingxue," Leng Lingxue said softly, smiling as she watched Fei Linglong’s startled expressions. This daughter of the Prime Minister was truly quite interesting.

"Mm, Lingxue." Fei Linglong responded softly, smiling as she addressed her.

"The journey is still long. If you don't mind, Linglong, you can look through the books. If any interest you, feel free to take one to read." As she spoke, Leng Lingxue picked up the book she had been reading earlier and continued.

Fei Linglong, who had originally fixed her gaze entirely on the teacup in her hand, instantly raised her eyes at Leng Lingxue’s words. Her eyes shone with a brilliant light, and she cast the teacup aside; compared to the cup, books were actually what Fei Linglong loved even more.

Just a moment ago, Fei Linglong had been wondering how to ask to borrow a book, never expecting that Leng Lingxue would bring it up first. Since that was the case, she would not stand on ceremony.

As the sun dipped low, the only sounds in the carriage were the soft rustling of pages and the sound of Zimei fanning the air nearby.

Just as night fell, the carriage drove into the capital of the Ranxuan Kingdom—Huanjing. It slowed to a stop in front of the main gate, which bore a plaque inscribed with the three characters for "Prime Minister’s Estate." Fei Linglong reluctantly put the book back, but Leng Lingxue watched this scene with a smile and said to her, "Since you like this poetry collection so much, Linglong, you may borrow it to read for now."

"Really? Lingxue, you’re so kind!" As soon as Leng Lingxue said this, Fei Linglong, who had already turned to lift the carriage curtain to disembark, spun back around. Her bright eyes stared straight at Leng Lingxue, her hands clutching the poetry collection—now the only copy left—tightly, as if afraid Leng Lingxue might change her mind. She quickly stepped off the carriage.

"Miss, slow down." Because she was moving too fast, she nearly tripped. Fortunately, Ling'er was quick-witted and caught her; otherwise, Fei Linglong would have had an intimate encounter with the ground. This caused Leng Lingxue to break into a charming smile.

"Oh, right, Lingxue, how should I return this poetry collection to you?" Standing steady, Fei Linglong looked at Leng Lingxue, who was peering out from the carriage curtain, and asked with a smile.

"The Lengning Prince’s Mansion." Leng Lingxue uttered the four words with a smile, then lowered the curtain. Zimei nodded slightly toward Fei Linglong before boarding the carriage. Watching the carriage depart, a flicker of doubt appeared in Fei Linglong’s eyes. The Lengning Prince’s Mansion? If she remembered correctly, there was no young lady named Leng Lingxue in the Lengning Prince’s Mansion.