The unmasked man who appeared to be the leader was none other than Cheng Liang, the deputy general of King Xuanyuan Han of Qin. He was there on orders from his master, King Qin, to properly arrange the ambush and protection of Yi Shangyun.

"Boss, why did His Highness order us to protect a mere ugly girl from a pharmacist's family?" one of the guards asked.

"Is this something you should be worrying about? I'd like to know why." He was genuinely curious as to why his naturally cold and aloof master would fall for such a lowly woman.

The crucial point is that this woman was described as utterly despicable by everyone. Ugly, useless, a monster, and yet she was even jilted at the altar...

Over the years, so many daughters of prominent families have tried to marry into the elite, but they have all been turned away.

Cheng Liang personally and quickly arranged for the secret guards to be stationed at the Yi residence, and only after ordering the "full protection mode to be activated" did he leave to return to the Qin Prince's residence to report back.

As soon as it was light, Yi Shangyun, accompanied by Yan'er, headed to Baicaotang, located in the center of the capital. Without the help of the chip system, she had no choice but to try her luck at Baicaotang.

"Miss Yi, it's a pleasure to meet you. It's been a few days. What brings you here today? Is there something wrong with the herbs from last time?"

As soon as Yi Shangyun entered the gates of Baicaotang, Manager Xue greeted her with a smile. While speaking, he led Yi Shangyun directly to the tea pavilion on the third floor. In fact, since her last departure, Yi Junhao had specifically instructed Manager Xue to take special care of Yi Shangyun.

"Manager Xue, you're overthinking it. The herbs at Baicaotang are unmatched in Xiqin. How could anything go wrong? To be honest, my daughter has come here to ask Manager Xue for some advice, and we hope you will assist her."

Yi Shangyun said sincerely, her words full of hope that she could gain something and make the trip worthwhile.

"Miss, your words are too formal. Your father has been very kind to Baicaotang. If it is within my ability, I will certainly not refuse and will answer all your questions without reservation. But I wonder what Miss wants to ask?"

As he spoke, Manager Xue personally poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to Yi Shangyun. Yi Shangyun gracefully accepted it and glanced at Yan'er beside her. Yan'er looked bewildered and at a loss, clearly unsure of what to do.

Yi Shangyun had no choice but to come to her senses, raise her glass and thank him, "Thank you, Manager Xue."

She gently removed her veil, raised the purple clay cup, smelled it first, then took three small sips of the tea and said, "This Tieguanyin tea, freshly picked and processed this season, has an excellent aroma and flavor; truly a fine tea. The shopkeeper has such refined taste."

"Yi Shangyun said with a smile."

"Young Miss, you are so young, yet you have such a profound understanding of tea. I am truly impressed."

Shopkeeper Xue praised her, seemingly delighted to have met a fellow tea enthusiast, especially a 17-year-old girl. He couldn't help but laugh heartily with satisfaction before asking, "May I ask what business the young lady has with me?"

"Manager Xue, please forgive my bluntness, but does Baicaotang have top-grade Dendrobium officinale?" Yi Shangyun asked seriously.

“Young Miss, top-grade Dendrobium officinale is extremely precious and not easy to find. Even mid- to high-grade varieties are rare on the market. I’m afraid Baicaotang has truly disappointed you this time,” Manager Xue replied seriously.

"Has Manager Xue heard where this herb can be found?" Yi Shangyun asked, as if trying to grasp at the last glimmer of hope and get some instructions.

Shopkeeper Xue stroked his short, slightly graying beard, shook his head, and after thinking for a while, replied, "Has Miss heard of Hundred Herbs Valley?"

"I've heard of it. Could it be that Hundred Herbs Valley has medicine? However, the natural poison barrier of Hundred Herbs Valley means that no living person would ever return. Moreover, the Valley Master has a strange temper, so it might not be so easy to obtain the medicine." Yi Shangyun showed a helpless and disheartened expression.

"Young Miss, where there's a will, there's a way. Looking across the entire Western Qin Kingdom, it seems only Hundred Herbs Valley still holds a sliver of hope."

As Manager Xue spoke, he secretly glanced at Yi Shangyun's face. Young Master Yi had instructed him on many things, including this one. Yi Shangyun frowned, remaining silent and at a loss.

“Alright, if that’s how it is, then I’ll take my leave. Thank you, Manager Xue.” Yi Shangyun got up and left with Yan’er.

Just after they left, a man in purple robes with dark hair and peach blossom eyes walked out of the next hall. That's right, this man was none other than the master of Baicaotang, the Valley Master of Baicao Valley, Young Master Yi.

He had been listening to everything that was happening next door. He only appeared after Yi Shangyun left.

What happened to this girl again? Top-grade Dendrobium officinale, Young Master Yi wondered to himself.

"Miss, what should we do now? Even the largest herbal medicine shop in Xiqin doesn't have top-grade Dendrobium officinale. Is there any hope for Master and the Yi family?"

As soon as they stepped out the door, Yan'er asked. At this moment, the two of them, master and servant, were like deflated balloons, each more limp than the last.

"Yan'er, believe me, okay? I will definitely find it, I will definitely save everyone," Yi Shangyun said, turning around to comfort Yan'er.

Actually, it wasn't so much that she was comforting Yan'er, but rather that she was encouraging and comforting herself. Yan'er nodded vigorously in response.

She drifted alone in the 21st century, and now she has come to Lingkong Xiqin all alone. She doesn't know why her parents are always indifferent to her, neither close nor distant, which is not the deep affection between ordinary parents and children.

But she still had to live on, strong and resilient. Just as he believed, and would always believe, that Wei Mingxuan was still alive even though he had been missing for 13 years in the 21st century, she believed that she herself could still live in the Western Qin Kingdom, and that she would live well.

If she dies in the Western Qin Kingdom, will she also vanish into thin air in the 21st century? Wouldn't his 13 years of waiting have been in vain? No, she must live, live in the Western Qin Kingdom, perhaps even in the 21st century. Only by living will all the waiting have meaning.

The first day of the three-day agreement had passed, and she reminded herself, "It seems that my only hope lies with Baicaogu."

Back at the Yi residence, a heavy rain began to fall. But she didn't have much time left. As darkness fell, Yi Shangyun changed into a black night outfit and a white face mask, then hurriedly headed towards the foot of Baicao Valley.

Time ticked by, and she had three days to spare. Besides, all her hopes were pinned on Hundred Herbs Valley; she couldn't even imagine what would happen if there was still no Dendrobium officinale there. Thinking of this, she unconsciously quickened her pace.

The early autumn rain was still quite cold when it hit her at night, but she didn't care about her own health at all.

She soon reached the foot of the mountain. At the foot of the cliff, a river still flowed around the entire valley, acting as a natural protective barrier that made people hesitant to approach. Because of the heavy rain, the river was more turbulent than usual, with water cascading from the cliff waterfall into the river.

It was the same cliff she had climbed last time, but this time she had to go up to the semi-shaded, damp cliff opposite the sunny cliff to search for it. Moreover, the climbing height was about 1600 meters, which is exactly the peculiar growing environment that Dendrobium officinale prefers shade rather than sunlight.

"I'm sure I'll get some top-quality Dendrobium officinale," she muttered to herself.

The rain hit her face; it was so cold that she couldn't help but shiver. But she quickly took a deep breath and still managed to pinpoint a spot that would allow her to reach the other side of the valley the fastest. She threw out her climbing rope, secured it, and carefully began to climb step by step.

Because of the heavy rain, visibility was poor, and the climbing environment was extremely harsh. The rain washed over every inch of the rocks, making every step exceptionally slippery, and she could fall at any moment. Yet, she still bit her lip and climbed step by step. The heavy rain slammed into her face, making it difficult for her to open her eyes.

At that moment, at the foot of the mountain, two pairs of eyes were staring intently at her.

Prince Qin, Xuanyuan Han, and his deputy, Cheng Liang, along with their secret guards, had been lying in ambush at the Yi residence, reporting any suspicious activity to Xuanyuan Han immediately. When he received news that Yi Shangyun, dressed in black, was heading to Baicao Valley on a rainy night, he could no longer suppress his cold and indifferent nature. He led Cheng Liang in pursuit, and there they saw this scene before them.

"With this heavy rain, is this woman out of her mind?" Cheng Liang said angrily.

He was deeply impressed by Yi Shangyun's determination and perseverance. Climbing a 1600-meter-high rocky cliff in the pouring rain, searching for the divine herb in such harsh conditions—even a highly skilled martial artist would find it difficult during the day, let alone Yi Shangyun, who had absolutely no martial arts background.

Was her life really so worthless? What kind of woman was she? Xuan Yuanhan stared intently at her towering figure, lost in thought; her figure seemed so frail.

"Ah..." Suddenly, he heard a scream. He quickly came to his senses and looked over. Sure enough, Yi Shangyun's foot had missed its footing. At this moment, she was frantically waving her arms and falling upside down.

Upon seeing this, Xuanyuan Han lightly touched the ground with his foot and immediately leaped out, heading straight towards the direction where the clouds on her clothes had fallen, stretching out his arms and catching her steadily.

Their eyes met; the girl in their arms seemed dazed and frail. Both were dressed in black night clothes and wore masks, spinning in the air, drawing a perfect circle before gently landing.

As soon as they landed, Yi Shangyun fainted in his arms, her cheeks flushed. Xuan Yuanhan reached out his large, reassuring hands to touch her forehead.

"Cheng Liang, prepare the horses and return to the manor," Xuan Yuanhan ordered urgently.

Two horses, one woman, two men. On one horse, a man tightly embraces the woman in his arms, wrapping her close with his cloak as they gallop away, their figures growing smaller and smaller until they finally disappear into the rainy night...

At that moment, at the other end of the valley, another pair of eyes were taking everything in...