"Why...why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

Suddenly being carried away, Ji Fanya was so startled that he quickly reached out and hugged Zhan Wushuang's waist tightly, scolding her with lingering fear.

"Okay, I'll be more careful next time."

Zhan Wushuang's answer was perfunctory, but she was thinking to herself, "If I remind you, there might still be a chance for you to hug me on your own initiative."

So even if there is a next time, of course I won't tell you in advance.

Before long, the two arrived inside the imperial city.

Although Zhan Wushuang's identity has not yet been revealed, Jun Feijue and his companions, under the Empress's authorization, have unimpeded access to and from the palace.

The Empress is currently in seclusion, so Zhan Wushuang went directly to Feng Jun's palace.

"Wushuang, why are you back?"

Upon seeing Zhan Wushuang's sudden return to the palace, Feng Jun was somewhat surprised, but mostly delighted. He immediately took her hand and asked, "Did you come back specifically to see your father?"

"Um."

Seeing the expectant look in Feng Jun's eyes, Zhan Wushuang couldn't bear to tell the truth and could only nod.

“Great! Some new food just arrived at the palace today. Why don’t you eat with us?”

Upon hearing this, Feng Jun was overjoyed and showered her with concern, leaving Zhan Wushuang no chance to tell the truth.

In the end, he could only talk for a long time before explaining his purpose when the time was right.

“Mysterious stones? These are easy to find. Father has plenty of them.”

Upon hearing this, Feng Jun immediately ordered someone to bring over a small box without saying a word. "Is twenty mid-grade Xuan Stones enough for you?"

"Cough, that's enough, you don't need so much."

Seeing Feng Jun's nonchalant expression, Zhan Wushuang couldn't help but ask, "Father, where did you get so many mid-grade Xuan Stones?"

"Well, these are all gifts from your mother over the years."

Feng Jun shrugged and said quite naturally, "I'm currently stuck at a bottleneck, and the Xuan Stones aren't very useful to me right now, so I'll just give them all to you."

"Father, what is your current cultivation level?"

Upon hearing this, Zhan Wushuang's initial excitement instantly subsided, and he inquired with concern.

"Seventh level of the Heavenly Profound Realm".

Feng Jun sighed and said, "It's been four years, and there's still no sign of a breakthrough."

"Father, don't be discouraged. You are still young, and you will definitely have another chance."

Seeing Feng Jun's dejected look, Zhan Wushuang quickly spoke up to comfort him.

"Hahaha, silly child, don't worry, your mother is even more anxious than you, and is already looking for all kinds of rare and precious herbs for me."

Seeing Zhan Wushuang's concerned expression, Feng Jun felt a warmth in his heart. He reached out and patted her head, saying, "I'm very happy that you've returned safely. Nothing else matters."

In fact, Feng Jun himself knew very well that Zhan Wushuang going to be a hostage had always been a knot in his heart, which was why his cultivation had not progressed at all in the past four years.

Now that Zhan Wushuang has returned and his inner knot has been untied, a breakthrough is only a matter of time.

But Zhan Wushuang didn't know any of this, and of course, Feng Jun wouldn't tell her either.

He didn't want Zhan Wushuang to feel guilty.

"That's true. With the Empress Dowager around, I was indeed worrying for nothing."

Zhan Wushuang trusted and admired the Empress quite a bit, so he was immediately relieved. Then he asked, "By the way, Mother, do you have a small kitchen here?"

"Yes, I do. What's wrong?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Jun asked in confusion, "What would you like to eat? Father, please have someone prepare it."

"No need, I'd like to cook something myself and borrow your small kitchen."