Ultimately, Ye Lingyue decided to go to Dan City with Lan Cai'er, leaving Yan Che in Xia Capital.

After all, Yan Che was a man, and there had already been many unfavorable rumors about Ye Lingyue; she did not want to cause any more trouble.

As for Lan Cai'er, she had always wanted to visit the northwest region.

Lan Cai'er and Ye Lingyue, who co-founded the Drunk Immortal Inn, had stabilized their business, so even if they were not present, it wouldn't be a big problem, and the inn would still generate a good income daily.

From childhood, Lan Cai'er aspired to be a soldier who could fight in battles, but since Daxia did not have formal military units for women and only female Alchemists could enter and leave the military camps, and Lan Cai'er did not have the innate talent for alchemy, she could only envy others.

This time, although going to Dan City was not exactly being in a military camp, it was quite close, and it gave Lan Cai'er a chance to somewhat fulfill her desires.

"Cai'er is right, it would be too lonely for you to travel alone. Having Cai'er accompany you, we would feel more at ease," Lady Lan also agreed to let Lan Cai'er go to Dan City.

As for Lan Yingwu, being in an official position, he considered matters more thoroughly than Lady Lan.

He knew well that this assignment was no coincidence.

With so many Alchemists in the Imperial Hospital, the specific choice of Ye Lingyue suggested a deeper intent.

One reason was that Hong Fang and Chou Alchemist among others wanted to use this opportunity to harm Ye Lingyue, hoping for her demise in a foreign land.

Another reason was that Emperor Xia was facilitating this move, considering it in light of the Sixth Prince.

Due to the Noble Marquis's opposition, including Hong Fang, the matter of Empress Liu adopting Ye Lingyue as her foster daughter had stalled, and the Sixth Prince's affection for Ye Lingyue remained unabated.

Despite the Empress Dowager and Empress Liu finding numerous notable women for him, he insisted on marrying none other than Ye Lingyue.

Upon learning this, Emperor Xia was somewhat helpless and began to believe the rumors about Ye Lingyue earlier.

He deliberated and simply decided to send Ye Lingyue away, hoping that over time, the Sixth Prince's affections would fade.

The interplay of these factors led to Ye Lingyue's journey to Dan City.

After receiving the Imperial Decree, Ye Lingyue took it and went to the Imperial Hospital.

"I only learned today about you becoming the Master Alchemist in Dan City. It's my fault; previously when Emperor Xia summoned me and specifically inquired about your performance at the Imperial Hospital, I reported honestly, and it seems he was already testing the waters then," Alchemist Mei was full of self-reproach.

"Alchemist Mei, don't worry. Whether it's alchemy here at the Imperial Hospital or there in Dan City, it's all the same. While I'm away, if you encounter anything, you can discuss it with the Deputy Chief. If she shows any disrespect, inform me immediately. The trip to Dan City may not be as dreadful as you think," Ye Lingyue had her own plans.

This time, by going to Dan City as the Master Alchemist—a fourth-grade official compared to her current fifth-grade official post at the Imperial Hospital or the nominal third-grade title she received when she was made a Commandery Princess—the position of Master Alchemist of Dan City was a real substantive role.

It came with real authority, and if she could fulfill her duties well, it was very likely that upon her return to Xia Capital, she could be further rewarded.

After settling her affairs at the Imperial Hospital, Ye Lingyue began preparing for her journey to Dan City.

Just before departure, Ye Lingyue recalled that the route to Dan City coincidentally matched the route of Feng Xun returning to Beiqing.

"Ling Yue, since it's like this, we might as well start off with Prince Feng," Lan Cai'er eagerly suggested at her side, fearing that Ye Lingyue would disagree, and she had even taken the liberty to inform Feng Xun.

Ye Lingyue, with no better option, could only agree to set off together with Feng Xun two days later, headed towards the northwest of Daxia.

Two days later, after settling her affairs in Xia Capital, Ye Lingyue sent a letter specially to Marquis Wu's Mansion, informing her mother Ye Huangyu that she would soon be heading to Dan City and would not return to Xia Capital for a short time, advising Ye Huangyu not to worry.

After everything was properly arranged, Ye Lingyue, along with Little Zhiyo and Little Wuya, set off with Lan Cai'er to the departure point previously informed by Feng Xun.

Feng Xun was following a trading team which was named Northwest Trading Team, belonging to the Northwest Commerce of Daxia.

The predetermined departure location for the trading team was Luoye Creek on the outskirts of Xia Capital. By the time Ye Lingyue arrived, Feng Xun and Sword Slave had already been there for quite some time.

"Young Master Feng, I genuinely apologize; I previously thought you were only bringing one servant, so I only prepared one carriage," said the leader of the trading team, known as Boss Feng, who dealt in north-south goods trading.

The trading team was traversing from Daxia to Beiqing, carrying precious medicinal grass, ores, and jewels only available in the Southern Country.

Boss Feng was not very clear about Feng Xun's identity; he only knew that Feng Xun was the Young Master of Fengming Manor, and Sword Slave was his servant.

Since Feng Xun had only notified Boss Feng at the last minute about having two companions accompanying him, the trading team had insufficient carriages.

"If Young Master Feng doesn't mind, you could share a carriage with me and my father; our carriage is quite spacious."

Before Boss Feng had finished speaking, a delicate voice was heard as a female warrior clad in red approached.

This red clothed female warrior was stunningly beautiful, with fiery red lips and eyes full of charm and passion. She was tall and well-proportioned, her curves were enticing in her close-fitting wolf skin treasure armor.

As she walked past, the male members of the trading team couldn't help but gulp down their saliva.

Due to the valuable goods being transported and the recent unrest in the northwest region, Boss Feng had spared no expense in hiring a well-known mercenary corps from Daxia.

Anyone who was a warrior wouldn't be unfamiliar with the mercenary corps.

In Daxia, if warriors don't join specific sects or factions, they have a few career options: joining the army to pursue a career, serving as bodyguards for nobles and wealthy merchants, or becoming mercenaries.

This female mercenary, named Xue Hongyu, was in the prime of her youth. Her father was the commander of the Blood Blade mercenary corps in Daxia, and she herself was a high-level practitioner in the Great Primordial Dan Realm.

This trip to the northwest was under the protection of Xue Hongyu and her father, Captain Xue Hongyu.

Upon seeing Feng Xun, Xue Hongyu showed great interest in him, offering warmth and courtesy even before their departure.

"Miss Xue, thank you for the kind offer, but my two friends and I can share one carriage," Feng Xun politely declined Xue Hongyu's invitation.

Sword Slave chuckled beside him; indeed, the prince was quite popular.

"Lord, Miss Ye and the others have arrived."

Clattering of hooves—

Suddenly, the sound of galloping horses was heard, and two graceful figures halted swiftly in front of the trading team like a gust of wind.

At this, Xue Hongyu looked up.

She saw two young women riding on horses, sprinting towards them.

One of the women on the right resolutely rode a famous steed, the Red Horse, while the spirited woman on the left was on a military horse.