Right—where’s Aunt Qing Feng Yuelian? Where did she slip off to, like a breeze through reeds?

She… left first. Once the dust settled, my aunt said she had other matters, and didn’t linger to watch the embers. With these two pillars by my side, there’s nothing to worry about.

Ah… Aunt really trusts the two ladies, laying that trust down like a teacup on a quiet table.

Qianya stayed silent, her gaze cool as winter glass; Yuqiu lifted a helpless hand, like a leaf in late autumn.

Don’t look at me like that. I’ve grown fond of this little one. She’s worked in my shop for months. I don’t want someone snatching her away and locking her in a little dark room, like a kitten boxed up.

Qianya shot her a glare, sharp as an icicle. For someone your age to think such shameless things—truly brazen.

We should head out soon… staying here invites trouble, like storm clouds rolling over the ridge.

Xuanxiao followed Dreamsound’s line of sight, then glanced at Bai Zhi, thought flickering like a thin ribbon of light.

Hey, hey—no matter what, I’m this country’s empress, right? A disaster breaks, and I rush in like thunder. Isn’t that normal?

Aunt Yuelian didn’t need to run. There’s more than one ice dragon here this time. Even if those people want to harm you, Dreamsound, we won’t fear them—our cold is a glacier against their straw huts.

Xuanxiao pumped her little fist, a spark of frost popping in the air.

Among the ice dragon clan, adulthood means ninth-rank strength. For highborn dragons, their floor is most races’ ceiling—mountains to hills.

Dreamsound felt the weight first, tiredness pooling like rain in a gutter, then she shook her head. That’s not what I’m worried about… Xuanxiao, I’m just a bit worn out. I want to go back and rest.

She looked around, mind drifting like mist, and froze when she saw Linyue Yao. Um… you’re Shengsheng’s former mother, right? Sorry… for stealing your child.

Linyue Yao blinked, confusion fluttering like startled sparrows. Huh? Isn’t Xiaohan… your child?

Eh? I…

You two, hush! Xuanxiao stepped in, cutting the awkwardness like a fan through smoke. Sister Yao, did you forget what I told you about Innate Divine Spirits?

Innate Divine Spirits… Right, Xiaohan is one. Linyue Yao touched her forehead, fingers cool as dew, feeling a pinch of unease.

But… then why, the first time I met Xiaohan, did she… he look a bit like Miss Qingyu Mengyin?

How would I know! Maybe they were born with a mother–daughter resemblance, like paired petals on the same branch.

Dreamsound’s eyes lit, lamps catching flame, and she nodded hard.

That’s enough. If you’re leaving, hurry up. I still have weeds to pull and messes to sort. Bai Zhi sounded weary, like a farmer after a long rain.

Aiya—this is the burden of being an empress! So, little Bai Zhi, work hard. I’ll sip tea and smile, watching you hustle like it’s an evening opera.

Ow! Yuqiu clutched his head like a drum hit too hard. Qianya! You hit my head again! Don’t you know smacking someone’s head stunts growth?

Have you grown at all in these hundreds of years? Qianya’s laugh and sigh braided together, like smoke and sunlight.

After this, I should leave too. That Vampire… he’s a half-dead wreck; killing him will be easy. When this mess ends, I’ll finally clean out the empire’s piled-up trash—like clearing rot from the riverbank.

Pfft…

So which idiot are you mocking? Qianya’s temper flared like a sudden squall. She pinched Yuqiu by the scruff, as if grabbing fate by the neck, and lifted him one-handed.

Ow, ow, ow…

While they bantered, Dreamsound watched Linyue Yao for a moment, her heart settling like snow. Then she stepped forward. Miss Linyue Yao, thank you for caring for Shengsheng all these years. She drew an ice-crystal flower from her space ring, a fragile bloom of frost, and—reluctant as a winter parting—offered it.

What is this…?

It’s important. Someone gave it to me a long time ago. I was too dense… after all these years, I never figured out what it truly does. I mostly used it as a convenient freezer for drinks. When I wear it, I can guide a thread of ice-element power. I think you might understand its real meaning.

If Yanfengle were here, he’d yell, Holy—this is just a carnation carved from ice!

Linyue Yao accepted the flower with careful hands, like catching a drifting snowflake. Thank you. I’ll treasure it. And… please be kind to her. Don’t let this child be hurt again.

Mm! Dreamsound nodded, firm as a vow carved in stone. I swear on my life.

Don’t—don’t fling curses like that. I’m afraid this little terror will get mad next time and tear your house down like a typhoon. Yuqiu’s mouth twitched.

Pfft…

After a few soft exchanges, Dreamsound and the others prepared to leave, while Qianya made ready to return to the Duskmoon Empire.

So…

This empress… is truly miserable. Bai Zhi stared at the transparent barrier caging Heavenly Melody Academy, a glass dome over song, and sighed.

Life’s not easy—cue the cat-sigh.

An empress by title, yet living like a corporate drone, slogging year-round. Running everywhere for every crisis, mopping up after a mischievous daughter and a sister born to stir trouble—like chasing spilled ink across a floor.

Sigh… say more and it’s all tears, a monsoon behind the eyes.

How do I open this barrier again? Tch—like prying an oyster shell with bare fingers…

Boom!

From the north of Starfate City, a thunderous blast rolled in, like a mountain splitting.

Who’s starting trouble now—trying to rip this shabby city apart? Wait… that aura—Xuewei?!

Damn. Bai Zhi’s face drained, pale as ash, and she sprinted north like a storm wind.

…

At Starfate City’s north gate, Dreamsound had just cleared the walls and was about to ride off on Xuanxiao when a gray streak dove at her, ash lightning tearing the sky.

Xuanxiao, fall back!

Can’t, no time! Dreamsound-jie, get off me first—don’t let them hurt Tangxue!

Mm… Dreamsound shoved aside guilt like sleet off a cloak. She cradled Tangxue and retreated.

If she read the wind right… the attack was aimed at her.

And she was right. The gray stream twisted midair like a hawk, broke off from the dragon’s back, and lunged straight at Dreamsound.

Gray, soaked in death. Not the folks the Faerie Queen mentioned—by this arc, she just wants me dead. Panic flared, then resolve iced over. No way to dodge… I’ll have to take it head-on.

Dreamsound’s gaze tightened, a lake freezing in a breath. She conjured a giant hand of water and slapped it toward the gray blaze, a tidal palm surging.

The hand, packed with her vast mana, touched the gray light and burst apart, foam and shards flying. In that shattered spray, she finally saw the attacker’s face—

You?! Her pupils shrank, sharp as pinpoints in night.