Standing with Jiang Tao was an old woman dressed in loose black robes.
Her hair was white, and her face was covered by a black scarf, but even with her face hidden, one could see that it was scarred.
It wasn't Long Xinghe, because this face was truly injured, not disguised.
Feng Wuya stared intently at her face; the aura just now had truly felt similar.
But he hadn't expected that upon approaching, the old woman seemed startled and hid behind Jiang Tao.
That cowering posture held no trace of Long Xinghe.
His eyes were filled with despair.
"Your Highness, you... you mustn't stare at her like that, you'll frighten her," Jiang Tao said quickly.
Feng Wuya only then noticed he had been too intense. He quickly withdrew his gaze and said faintly, "My apologies."
But this person was not among his retinue. Where did this old woman come from?
"May I ask who this is..."
"She is Granny Jiang, a skilled herbalist. Madam invited her back specifically to prepare Your Highness's medicine."
Jiang Tao stepped forward, blocking Feng Wuya's view, completely shielding Granny Jiang from his gaze.
"Your Highness, Granny Jiang... her face was injured when she was young. She... doesn't like to interact with people much."
Feng Wuya could understand Granny Jiang's mindset. Disfigured and so ugly, she naturally wouldn't want to interact with others, fearing their discriminatory glances.
But just now, he had truly felt that the old woman's aura was...
Never mind, how could that be?
"My apologies, Granny Jiang, I meant no offense. It's just... I mistook you for someone else."
"Your Highness mistook her for someone?" Jiang Tao asked, slightly surprised. "Who did Your Highness think she was?"
Feng Wuya paused for a moment, unsure how to answer the question.
After a while, seeing that Granny Jiang seemed impatient and about to leave, he finally looked at Jiang Tao.
For what felt like the umpteenth time, he tentatively asked, "Did Miss Long... truly return to Tengbei?"
Granny Jiang, lost in thought, retreated further behind Jiang Tao.
Jiang Tao quickly replied, "Of course, it's true. However, Your Highness, please rest assured, this subordinate will escort Your Highness until you find Master Wuchenzi's location."
Feng Wuya felt a pang of disappointment.
He inexplicably glanced at Granny Jiang again: "Granny... where do you live?"
"With this subordinate," Jiang Tao said softly. "Your Highness, Granny Jiang has just arrived and is not yet accustomed to the rules. Please do not mind her. I will take Granny back to rest now."
After saying this, she bowed to him and left with Granny Jiang.
Because she wore loose clothing, Feng Wuya couldn't discern Granny Jiang's figure.
However, looking at her, she didn't seem like an old woman, but her head of white hair and her disfigured face...
It evoked a sense of pity.
Jiang Tao didn't stop and returned to the sleeping quarters with Granny Jiang.
Jiang Tao walked to the door, and after confirming Feng Wuya was not following, she closed the door and returned to Granny Jiang's side.
"Master, do you really... not plan to reveal yourself to him? But this subordinate sees that Your Highness has been thinking of you."
Granny Jiang, standing by the table, stiffened slightly.
"With my appearance, tell me, how can I reveal myself to him?"
Granny Jiang removed the black scarf from her face, turned, and looked at Jiang Tao, a desolate smile gracing her lips.
"If it were you, would you be willing to reveal yourself to him, to let him see you in this state, neither human nor ghost?"