This Is Not My First Time!

Xiao Yue's eyes did not leave the necklace, not even for a second. The other pieces of jewelry might be worth a thousand times more than her mom's humble necklace, but in Xiao Yue's eyes only this one necklace was priceless.

First Madam removed the necklace from the box and Xiao Yue's eyes followed it unconsciously. She held it in her palm and stretched her hand out in Xiao Yue's direction.

"I will not ask questions," she said softly, almost like a whisper. Xiao Yue's eyes darted to her face in horror.

"Truthfully, I have noticed that some things are different about you. The incident in town, your reaction, our shared taste in food, your comprehensive knowledge in medicine and poison..."

The more First Madam talked, the more cold sweat ran down Xiao Yue's spine. After Long Zhao Feng, was First Madam next to expose her true identity? What would she do if she knew who Xiao Yue really was, and what she planned to do?

The First Madam sighed when she saw Xiao Yue all tensed up.

"Take it," she said. "As a parting gift. You are leaving with Zhao Feng tomorrow."

Xiao Yue lifted her head to gaze at the First Madam.

Xiao Yue nodded and took the precious necklace from the First Madam. She pressed it against her chest and choked with sobs. It almost felt like her mother was with her. It was the only keepsake left of her mother, and now Xiao Yue finally got it in her hands.

"Thank you, Elder Sister."

First Madam waved with her hand, as if dismissing Xiao Yue's words.

"We are in actuality in-laws and not sisters, although it has not been made official yet."

Xiao Yue nodded. She did not know what else to say. A thousand thanks were left in her throat, unsaid. What she ended up saying while clutching at the necklace was "Goodbye, Elder Sister."

That was all she could say before breaking down in tears. First Madam nodded and let her go. They might not hail from the same tribe, but First Madam also knew the sentiment related to one's homeland. Besides, her tribe was still prosperously growing. Xiao Yue's was gone.

As soon as Xiao Yue stepped out of the First Madam's manor, she started to cry. Yu Fen was worried sick and could not stop talking to her.

"Young Lady why are you crying??? Was the First Madam harsh to you? Aiya, I should not have left you alone... what is that in your hands?"

Xiao Yue did not answer her.

That night, Xiao Yue wore the necklace around her neck and went to sleep while holding onto the precious gems, rolling each stone between her fingers while trying to remember which hunting season her father brought them back from. She did not remember whether she had good dreams or not, but she slept peacefully throughout the night.

The next morning when Long Zhao Feng came by the Third Madam's manor, what he saw first was the empty patch of land. He had also worked on the garden before, so naturally he felt great pity upon losing the garden. Nevertheless, it was necessary to break all ties between Xiao Yue and the Long residence. When the general entered the manor, he expected to find it empty save for Xiao Yue. On the contrary, he was received by the full staff of the manor, all kneeling on the floor and begging to stay.

"..."

Long Zhao Feng glared at Xiao Yue from behind the silver mask, but because the latter could not see it, she remained indifferent. As a result, not only Yu Fen but the whole group get to come with Xiao Yue. Long Zhao Feng rolled with his eyes behind the mask. He gave his consent begrudgingly, not without pulling on Xiao Yue's elbow, and dragged her into her now-empty bed-chamber.

Inside, Long Zhao Feng took off his mask and glared at Xiao Yue.

"Really? What are you doing?"

"I have gotten rid of the garden," Xiao Yue replied calmly. "Maids and servants are not plants. They have feelings and should not be disposed of regardless!'

Long Zhao Feng closed his eyes and rubbed at his scrunched-up brows. He seemed to be counting numbers to exercise additional patience for the silly girl who did not understand the situation.

"Fine," he said at last.

The group of maids and servants followed Long Zhao Feng and Xiao Yue outside of the manor. A group of soldiers mounted on horses waited for them just near the entrance. Long Zhao Feng did not stop where the soldiers were. Amazed, the soldiers gaped as the astounded maids and servants followed him all the way to the stables, where all the free horses were happily munching on fresh grass.

"..."

Xiao Yue turned her head to glance at Long Zhao Feng, giving him a look that more or less translated as "Are you kidding me?"

Xiao Yue was practically raised on horses. Of course she knew how to ride horses. Typical common folk, so to say her maids and servants, or even high-born ladies like Chun Ya did not know how to ride horses. As Xiao Yue expected, the crowd behind her quickly panicked.

"Aaaah, horses! HORSES!"

Their panicked reaction did not make the horses react all too friendly. Some horses that were more aggressive than the others quickly stomped their feet and neighed loudly, frightening the onlookers even more.

Xiao Yue was pretty sure that Long Zhao Feng enjoyed seeing her in the dilemma when he calmly said, "Third Madam, please help to arrange the travel."

The Third Madam thus had to give her people a crash course in horse riding, assess each of them based on talent and composure, and place two people on each horse. When they were done, the sun was already high up in the sky. And the Third Madam was the only person left on the ground. Watching her people shakily sit on the horses, she felt very anxious.

Already mounted on a horse, Yu Fen was clumsily holding onto a younger maid, who was holding the reins.

"Yu Fen, if you are scared, you can put your arms around Xiao Yang's waist! Xiao Yang, do not pull at the reins too much!"

"Y-young L-lady w-what about you?" Yu Fen asked, wrapping her arms around Xiao Yang as if holding on to dear life.

Xiao Yue looked around and indeed, not a single horse was left at the stable. She automatically went to look for Long Zhao Feng. Before she even spotted him, the man already stood behind her and lifted her by the slender waist. Xiao Yue shrieked in surprise. Long Zhao Feng sat her down on his own mount, before climbing in front of her and grabbing the reins.

"Third Madam, if you are scared, feel free to put your arms around my waist," he teased her in a low voice so that only Xiao Yue could hear him.

Xiao Yue turned bright red almost instantly. Nevertheless, she followed her own advice and put her arms around Long Zhao Feng.

The group moved about slowly, with Long Zhao Feng's soldiers galloping at the front and the maids and servants clumsily riding in the middle. Long Zhao Feng and Xiao Yue were riding at the back to make sure no one fell behind. Xiao Yue was plastered against Long Zhao Feng's warm back.

Whenever she tried to loosen her grip, Long Zhao Feng sneakily pulled at her hand and then clasped his own around Xiao Yue's hand. From the bystanders' perspective, the Third Madam sure could not get her hands off her husband!

Although the maids and servants were a little sad to leave the Long residence, when seeing the master and mistress being lovey-dovey like that, of course their hearts also felt warm and the road trip became much more relaxing.