FM - 6

Chapter 06: “Sweetheart, Don’t Let Anyone Bully You Anymore”

Zhen Ning descended from the flower fields on the back mountain in the evening. As winter approached, it was already dark by six o’clock. The day had been overcast, and thick fog blanketed the mountain trails. By the time she reached the bottom, her waterproof coat was damp from the mist.

The head housekeeper of Fanlu Manor, accompanied by two maids, waited under the porch. Seeing Zhen Ning approach, they greeted her: “Miss Shu.”

Noticing the housekeeper’s hesitant expression, Zhen Ning asked: “What is it?”

The housekeeper hesitated before replying: “Miss Jiang Mo Ya is here at Fanlu and wishes to see you.”

Zhen Ning froze for a second. She had no desire to deal with this young woman, but it seemed there was no way to avoid the encounter now.

Zhen Ning quickly poured herself a cup of coffee to warm up. She had spent the afternoon outdoors helping workers prepare the flower seedlings for winter, enduring hours of biting wind that left her cheeks flushed and cold.

Sipping her coffee, Zhen Ning calmly asked the maid: “Where is she?”

Her composed demeanor earned the admiration of the seasoned housekeeper who had served the Du family for years. The maid replied: “In the studio of Lady Jenny, the former master perfumer, located in the back garden.”

Zhen Ning nodded. That was where the previous master perfumer worked, and it included a small aromatherapy treatment room. Occasionally, Zhen Ning used it to provide soothing aromatherapy treatments for the elderly female staff and relatives of the household.

Setting down her cup, Zhen Ning sighed inwardly. It seemed her good mood for the day was about to be ruined. As the housekeeper followed her toward the back garden, she kindly reminded her: “I’ve already called Mr. Sisan to return.”

The maid led her into the inner aromatherapy room. Purple silk curtains cascaded to the floor, the lighting dim, and a faint aroma mingled with the warmth in the air.

Zhen Ning spotted Jiang Mo Ya sitting on the sofa, dressed in a luxurious satin slip dress. A maid was gently applying essence lotion to her freshly painted red nails.

Zhen Ning stood in the room as the maid curtsied and exited.

Jiang Mo Ya withdrew her hand from the table and glanced at Zhen Ning with an appraising gaze. Her sultry eyes held a calculating edge: “So you’re the new master perfumer His Highness hired?”

Zhen Ning nodded.

Jiang Mo Ya continued: “Do you know who I am?”

Zhen Ning maintained her composure: “Miss Jiang is well-known throughout Candor. Who wouldn’t recognize you?”

Jiang Mo Ya said dismissively: “Perfect. Then, Miss Shu, would you mind giving me a foot massage?”

Zhen Ning paused, her face betraying nothing: “I’m sorry, Miss Jiang, but I’m a perfumer, not a masseuse.”

Jiang Mo Ya’s expression darkened: “Such high-and-mighty airs? Jenny used to massage my feet all the time—her skills were impeccable.”

Suppressing her emotions, Zhen Ning kept her tone even: “I apologize, but I’m not familiar with the working methods of the previous master perfumer.”

Jiang Mo Ya pressed further, her words laced with insinuation: “Miss Shu, are you refusing?” Zhen Ning replied flatly: “My apologies.”

Jiang Mo Ya tossed aside the scented towel in her hand, abruptly standing up. Her tone turned sharp: “Let me remind you, Miss Shu, that you’re nothing more than a worker in Fanlu. If you think you can win His Highness’s favor—”

Had she not been caught in this situation, Zhen Ning might have laughed: “Miss Jiang, you’re overthinking things.” Jiang Mo Ya locked eyes with her, her voice cutting: “What exactly is your relationship with His Highness?”

Zhen Ning gritted her teeth: “He’s my employer, Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Mo Ya pressed on relentlessly: “Are you telling me there’s absolutely nothing between you two?” Zhen Ning responded coolly: “Nothing at all, Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Mo Ya trusted her intuition—women’s instincts were rarely wrong. But faced with such audacity, she was seething, itching to slap the other woman.

Kicking off her slippers, Jiang Mo Ya placed her feet on an embroidered stool, a cold smile playing on her lips: “If you claim to be so pure and hold the position of master perfumer, then naturally you must perform the duties expected of one. Miss Shu, if you please.”

Zhen Ning remained still.

Jiang Mo Ya glanced toward the door and called out casually: “Miss Shu?”

At that moment, two tall women entered, grabbing Zhen Ning’s shoulders and attempting to force her to kneel on the carpet.

Zhen Ning reacted with extraordinary agility. As they approached, she swiftly blocked their hands, countering with an elbow strike to one’s chest while simultaneously hooking her leg to trip the other. Within seconds, she had deftly retreated several steps away.

The two newcomers exchanged surprised looks. Such reflexes and combat skills were far beyond ordinary people.

Taking advantage of the moment, Zhen Ning assessed them—they wore black uniforms and appeared to be Jiang Mo Ya’s bodyguards.

Jiang Mo Ya nodded, issuing an order: “Teach her a lesson.”

Two more guards entered. Realizing the situation was turning dire, Zhen Ning bolted toward the door, landing a punch on one guard’s jaw and using her elbow to break free from another’s grip. She lunged for the door handle, only to find it locked. Backing against the door, she frowned: “Miss Jiang, leave some room for dignity.”

Jiang Mo Ya’s voice dripped with aristocratic arrogance: “Bring her to me.” Zhen Ning fought barehanded against four opponents, holding her ground for nearly twenty minutes.

When she was finally subdued, her arms pinned behind her back and brought before Jiang Mo Ya, even Zhen Ning felt a surge of anger toward herself. Life at Fanlu had grown too comfortable—it was making her complacent.

The guards forced her to kneel, but Zhen Ning resisted, biting her lip to endure the pain as a kick sent her sprawling to the ground. Tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

Jiang Mo Ya sneered, her fury palpable: “The bite mark on His Highness’s lip days ago—wasn’t that your doing? And you dare talk to me about purity? I’m his fiancée! You’re neither a servant nor family. What kind of respectable lady lives in a man’s home when he has a fiancée?”

Zhen Ning’s eyelid twitched slightly, her face paling. Jiang Mo Ya wasn’t wrong—she was indeed Du Boqin’s officially announced fiancée, and it was her right to assert dominance in Fanlu.

The weight pressing down on Zhen Ning’s shoulders felt unbearable.

Jiang Mo Ya glared at the woman before her, fuming. How dare Du Boqin treat her like this? She came from a respectable background, supported his career wholeheartedly, and catered to his every whim. Yet here he was, openly keeping a mistress in his estate before their marriage!

She couldn’t afford to let this go—if she didn’t resolve it today, she’d lose all standing.

Jiang Mo Ya scrutinized Zhen Ning: “I hear you’re not from Moxia. Clearly, your upbringing doesn’t match that of a proper lady.”

“Miss Jiang—” Zhen Ning lifted her head defiantly, smirking provocatively: “And your behavior now—is it truly honorable? His Highness is merely engaged to you, Miss Jiang. Be careful; you might not end up as the Duchess of Candor after all.”

Enraged, Jiang Mo Ya lunged to grab Zhen Ning’s hair: “Who gave you the audacity to speak to me like that?”

Zhen Ning dodged effortlessly, mockingly remarking: “The citizens of Moxia should see their beloved future queen behaving like this.”

Jiang Mo Ya screamed in anger: “Who do you think you are!”

With a sudden movement, she overturned a burning oil lamp on the table, splashing the scalding liquid toward Zhen Ning. Though she twisted her body desperately, the grip on her shoulders held firm. Summoning all her strength, she tried to evade, but the hot cup struck her shoulder, leaving a searing burn on her neck.

Pain shot through her, igniting a fire within. Despite her inherently gentle nature, years of rigorous training had forged her into someone who never backed down. Kicking the fallen lamp, she sent it flying, scattering its contents across the room.

Jiang Mo Ya shrieked, clutching her face.

---

That day, Sisan was stuck in traffic while running errands in the city when he received an urgent call from Fanlu. He immediately instructed the driver to head back. As the car pulled into the garden driveway, he saw the estate ablaze with lights. A maid rushed to him, calling anxiously: “Mr. Sisan!”

Jumping out of the car, Sisan hurried toward the house, maintaining his composure: “Where’s Miss Shu?”

The maid stammered: “In the back garden—”

Without pausing, Sisan crossed the hall: “Where is His Highness today?”

A maid emerged from the back garden: “Mr. Sisan! There’s fighting inside! Miss Jiang brought her bodyguards!”

Sisan’s expression darkened: “Call His Highness immediately!”

Passing through the rose bushes in the European-style courtyard, now stripped of their blooms, he saw the estate guards standing rigidly outside. A group of maids huddled nervously near the door, whispering among themselves. Upon seeing Sisan, they scattered respectfully.

Sisan moved to enter, but a maid blocked his path: “Mr. Sisan, Miss Jiang is having a spa session. Gentlemen aren’t allowed inside…”

Sisan hesitated, forced to stop.

Suddenly, the door burst open. Zhen Ning stepped out, her disheveled appearance illuminated by the soft glow of the corridor light. Spotting the gathered servants, she paused.

Sisan took in her rumpled clothes, dripping shoulder stained with oil, the strong scent of essential oils filling the air, and a faint scratch on her face. He quickly spoke to calm her: “Miss Shu—”

Zhen Ning looked at Sisan, her face expressionless: “Mr. Si, I don’t want to stay here. Please let me leave.”

Sisan hesitated, stalling: “Miss Shu, you...”

Zhen Ning ignored him and walked down the steps toward a car parked on the driveway.

At that moment, a guard approached: “Miss Shu...”

Without showing any emotion, Zhen Ning sized him up briefly before stopping in front of the car.

The guard stepped forward respectfully: “Miss Shu, if you wish to leave, please instruct the driver—ah!”

In the split second when he was within arm’s reach, Zhen Ning swiftly delivered an elbow strike to his chest. As he recoiled, she deftly unholstered his sidearm.

Pointing the gun at the surrounding guards, she shouted fiercely: “Back off!”

From behind, Sisan urgently called out: “Andy, retreat!” The guard hastily backed away.

Turning around, Zhen Ning fired several shots into the car door, the deafening blasts triggering the vehicle’s alarm system. She kicked open the door, slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and skillfully removed the safety catch before tossing the gun out the window toward the guards.

Slamming the door shut, she floored the accelerator, and the car sped off.

Fearing she might crash, Sisan shouted frantically: “Old Ai! Stop Miss Shu’s car!”

The chauffeur waiting in another car scrambled to obey, turning the wheel sharply to block the driveway. Seeing the oncoming collision, Zhen Ning gritted her teeth and pressed the accelerator even harder!

Terrified, Old Ai relied on years of driving experience to swerve just in time. At the last moment, Zhen Ning jerked the steering wheel, narrowly avoiding a head-on crash. The rearview mirrors shattered as the luxury sedan she drove careened off the road, plowing through flowerbeds and scraping against marble columns. The impact sent a thunderous boom reverberating through the night.

Despite the chaos, Zhen Ning’s driving skills were impeccable. Though her body jolted violently, her hands remained firmly gripping the wheel, the seatbelt holding her securely in place.

Even Sisan was stunned by her reckless determination.

Zhen Ning yelled at him: “Call the checkpoint to let me through—or I’ll ram my way out!” With that, she slammed the car into reverse, creating a large dent in the front bumper.

Before her words faded, the car had already roared out of the garden driveway. Zhen Ning raced down the dark mountain roads like a bat out of hell. True to form, the guards didn’t dare stop her. She drove straight out of the estate, with a trailing vehicle following closely behind.

After taking several sharp turns, Zhen Ning managed to lose the tail car and pulled over on a quiet street. She quickly dismantled the tracking device from the car and abandoned it by the roadside.

Hailing a taxi, she directed the driver to the Royal Polo Club, where she found Xiang Jiashang.

Xiang Jiashang was sulking in his private booth, drinking alone. When a waiter tentatively informed him that a Miss Shu was looking for him in the lobby, he dropped his glass and rushed out. Spotting Zhen Ning, he beamed as though she were a gift from heaven: “Darling! Oh—what happened to your face?”

Zhen Ning calmly patted his shoulder: “The taxi outside—could you settle the fare?”

Xiang Jiashang grinned: “Of course! Wait here for me!”

As he headed out, he cheerfully instructed his bodyguards: “Keep an eye on her, keep an eye on her.”

He returned less than two minutes later, ushering her into the booth and pulling out cotton swabs and antiseptic.

Gently dabbing at the minor scratches on her face, Xiang Jiashang frowned: “What happened? Did you get into a fight with a dog?”

Zhen Ning chuckled softly.

She said: “Jiashang, you’re really cute.”

Xiang Jiashang sighed: “I’ve been telling you to leave Du Boqin for a while now.” Zhen Ning shoved him playfully: “Enough talk, pour me a drink.”

Glass after glass of fine wine flowed down her throat, gradually warming her spirits and lifting her mood. Time blurred, and soon Zhen Ning felt light-headed, the pain fading into oblivion.

Suddenly, the heavy gilded door of the booth was flung open, slamming against the wall with a loud bang.

Zhen Ning turned sluggishly to see a tall man standing in the doorway, clad in a black trench coat. His handsome features were pale as snow.

Xiang Jiashang raised an eyebrow, smirking as he greeted: “Boqin.” Du Boqin strode in: “Jiashang, thank you for today.”

Bending down, he gazed intently at Zhen Ning for a moment before saying: “Come home with me.”

Zhen Ning laughed faintly: “Home? Where is home for me?” Du Boqin softened his tone: “Let’s go back and talk.”

Unexpectedly, Zhen Ning challenged: “Jiashang, dare you kiss me?”

Xiang Jiashang grinned mischievously and leaned in, planting a loud kiss on her lips.

He declared: “Boqin, sorry, but Zhen Ning wants to stay with me tonight.” Du Boqin fixed his gaze on Zhen Ning, warningly calling out: “Shu Zhen Ning!”

Zhen Ning smirked at Xiang Jiashang, mischief dancing in her eyes: “Again.”

Delighted, Xiang Jiashang moved closer once more.

In an instant, Du Boqin yanked Zhen Ning to her feet, glaring at Xiang Jiashang: “Try that again if you dare!”

“Sweetheart, no one can force you to do anything,” Xiang Jiashang stood up, grabbing Zhen Ning’s hand, his smile unwavering. “Boqin, what gives you the right to interfere?”

Du Boqin’s face darkened: “Jiashang, this is your final warning—she belongs to me.”

Xiang Jiashang sneered: “She belongs to you? And what exactly are you keeping her at Fanlu for? As a maid, a mistress, or the laughingstock of all Candor?”

Du Boqin’s brows twitched slightly, replying coldly: “Mind your own business.” Xiang Jiashang suddenly exploded in anger: “What gives you the right to keep her away from me? She’s a girl I met on my own. Do you know how I met her? Last May, I saw her crying on Linyin Avenue!”

Zhen Ning, alarmed, tried to intervene: “Hey, Jiashong!”

Under the dim lights, Xiang Jiashang’s mocking grin twisted with cruel satisfaction: “Boqin, remember where you were then? You and your fiancée were parading down the streets in your carriage!”

Du Boqin’s expression froze in shock as he stared at Zhen Ning: “You were in Candor then?”

Zhen Ning took a step back, crossing her arms defensively: “He’s lying—it never happened.”

Du Boqin’s heart trembled violently, a sharp pain piercing his lungs. Struggling to breathe, he sucked in a deep breath and stepped forward, scooping Zhen Ning into his arms. Her feet left the ground, and her first instinct was to kick him: “Let go!”

Unyielding, Du Boqin carried her out without hesitation.

Behind them, Xiang Jiashang hurled a glass against the wall: “She was crying on Linyin Avenue! That day, everyone along the Christ River was laughing—everyone except her! She cried and cried! Du Vol, you don’t deserve her love! You’re not worthy of how much she loves you!”

Du Boqin faltered for a moment, his grip tightening protectively around her. He paused but didn’t turn back, clenching his jaw silently as he strode out.

Zhen Ning struggled feebly in his ironclad hold, her drunken haze making her movements sluggish. Du Boqin roughly dumped her onto the backseat of the car. Dizzy and disoriented, she collapsed onto the plush leather upholstery, groaning softly.

As she raised a hand to press against her throbbing temples, Du Boqin’s cool lips descended upon hers.

His kisses were possessive, desperate, and tinged with heartbreak—as if repeatedly confirming her existence.

---

After leaving the conference hall, Du Boqin received Sisan’s report and immediately headed to the estate. Midway, he got a call informing him that Zhen Ning had left the premises. Following the tracker installed in the escort vehicle, they eventually discovered the tracking system disabled. The entire security team scoured street by street until they found the abandoned car. Upon arriving, Du Boqin saw the battered wreck and grew even more anxious, especially after hearing she might be injured. For hours, he braved the biting wind, consumed with worry. To his surprise, he finally found her in a bar, her cheeks flushed, eyes sultry, flirting with a notorious playboy.

Pain seared through Du Boqin’s chest, but beneath his anger lay a deeper fear—the fear of losing her. It overwhelmed him completely.

Zhen Ning clumsily tried to push him away.

Unmoved, Du Boqin enveloped her in his presence, his scent overwhelming her senses. She felt dizzy until his cool touch grazed her back, snapping her halfway out of her drunken stupor.

Zhen Ning turned her head: “Let me go.”

Du Boqin’s hand traced her spine gently, but his voice was icy: “What? Shouldn’t I touch you?”

Zhen Ning glanced at him, her gaze cold and disdainful: “Get off me!”

Du Boqin pinned her arm, pressing her firmly against the leather seat: “If you returned the engagement ring, why did you come to Candor?”

Zhen Ning turned her face away, silent.

Du Boqin forced her chin back, compelling her to meet his eyes.

Suddenly, Zhen Ning laughed bitterly: “Your Highness, how could I understand how blind I was back then without seeing it with my own eyes?”

Du Boqin froze for a second: “You regret it?”

“More than anything,” Zhen Ning spat venomously, recalling Jiang Mo Ya’s malicious actions earlier. Each word cut like a knife: “Had I known the next candidate would be so low-class, I would never have accepted your proposal!”

Zhen Ning tried to push open the car door.

Du Boqin lunged forward and pinned her down.

The two struggled fiercely inside the car. Du Boqin managed to grab her arms several times, but she always wriggled free. No matter what he did, he couldn’t calm her down. In the dim light, his hand accidentally caught the fabric of her silk blouse, and with a sharp rip, half of her top tore open, revealing her smooth, flawless skin glowing like polished jade.

Instantly, Zhen Ning sprang up like a coiled spring. Du Boqin quickly grabbed her shoulders with both hands. They glared at each other, panting heavily for a long moment before Du Boqin suddenly leaned down and bit her earlobe fiercely.

Zhen Ning was pressed back against the seat, her shoulder painfully digging into the armrest. Her face pressed against the leather upholstery, breathing in its clean scent.

The car fell silent for a while, until suddenly, Zhen Ning screamed: “I curse you to hell!”

But Du Boqin only gazed into her eyes and smiled faintly, an air of indifference about him. After enduring for so long, Zhen Ning finally let out an uncontrollable moan.

Casually, Du Boqin leaned down and kissed her forehead, teasing her: “Much better now.” Zhen Ning abruptly slapped him across the face, gritting her teeth.

Du Boqin lowered his head and kissed away the tears on her cheeks.

Zhen Ning’s consciousness began to slip into unconsciousness, hearing faint echoes growing dimmer by the second. Du Boqin rested his head against her chest, murmuring deeply like the ocean: “I love you.”

The pitch-black bulletproof glass sealed off everything from the outside world. It was just him and her, falling into a dark paradise.

---

At a little past four in the morning, the eastern horizon was still a deep, inky black. Fanlu Manor lay silent, save for the faint glow of lights in the kitchen where the head chef had risen early to inspect the fresh ingredients delivered that day.

The distant hum of approaching vehicles broke the tranquility.

The ornate gates of the manor swung open, and one car after another drove in. Lights flickered on in the portico and hallways.

The night-duty attendants emerged from their quarters, and soon Sisan appeared from the main hall. The driver opened the car door, and Du Boqin stepped out, carrying someone in his arms. Zhen Ning lay unconscious in his embrace, wrapped in his overcoat. Whether she was asleep or passed out, it was unclear. Du Boqin’s expression remained blank as he strode toward the hall with determined steps.

From afar, Sisan saw him carrying someone who appeared to be Miss Zhen Ning. He felt slightly reassured—until he noticed her disheveled short hair and lifeless form curled in his arms. Du Boqin looked pale and utterly exhausted, his shirt crumpled like dried seaweed.

Sisan had never seen him in such a disheveled state. Quickly dismissing the servants who moved to follow, he approached: “Your Highness—”

Du Boqin paused upon seeing him, his voice weary: “No need for anyone. Everyone, leave.” Carrying her into the room, he gently laid her on the bed. She lay there amidst the plain silk bedding, tear-streaked face and delicate shadows beneath her long lashes.

Du Boqin fetched a towel and knelt by the bed, carefully wiping away the bloodstains on her face. Suddenly, Zhen Ning twitched slightly, as if in pain.

Turning her face toward him, Du Boqin’s complexion paled further as he suppressed a sharp intake of breath.

Under the bright overhead light, he finally saw clearly the burn on the left side of her neck—a large, angry red welt. Due to the delay in treatment, blisters had formed, many of which had burst during their earlier struggle, oozing fluid and exposing raw flesh.

After tucking her in, Du Boqin rushed out of the room, nearly stumbling at the doorway. Sisan stood guard at the second-floor landing and hurried over when he heard the commotion. Seeing Du Boqin’s face, he was startled: “Your Highness, what happened—”

Medicine was quickly brought, and Sisan called the doctor from the corridor. Zhen Ning woke up in pain.

Du Boqin was applying medicine to her wound, his brows furrowed deeply. He asked: “Does it hurt?”

Zhen Ning didn’t move an eyebrow: “Why don’t you try?”

Without a word, Du Boqin gently touched her forehead.

Zhen Ning fell asleep again.

She drifted in and out of consciousness, vaguely aware of people coming and going.

At one point, she heard Dr. He Meinan’s impatient voice addressing someone beside the bed: “Leave, leave, stop asking. I’m a respiratory specialist—I don’t know when she’ll wake up or how serious it is! Didn’t my dermatologist tell you? Once the fever subsides, she’ll be fine. Wound infections cause fevers—it’s normal. Why does she have bruises all over her body? Soft tissue injuries will naturally cause pain.”

Later, someone lifted the gauze to examine her neck and shoulder wounds, their tone turning grave: “Take her to the hospital for debridement. The infection hasn’t improved—it’s worsening.”

Zhen Ning was admitted to the hospital, where she slept soundly for a full day and night. When she awoke, daylight streamed through the window. Her limbs felt weightless—the effect of painkillers. Seeing no one else in the room, she drifted off again.

When she woke next, it was nighttime. This time, the pain in her wound was intense. Du Boqin sat by her bedside.

She glanced at him—he wore a brown cashmere sweater, his jaw cleanly shaven, his face unusually pale but no less handsome.

His voice was low as he asked: “Are you feeling any better?” Zhen Ning nodded.

They sat in silence for a while before Du Boqin said: “There won’t be a next time.”

Zhen Ning raised an eyebrow: “What do you mean?”

Her anger hadn’t abated: “What won’t happen again? Your fiancée summoning me, or what happened in the car?”

The fever’s aftereffects made her speak too quickly, and she began coughing violently. Du Boqin brought a glass of water to her lips.

After swallowing a few sips, Zhen Ning thought bitterly how unpleasant it was to be sick—it even made yelling difficult.

Du Boqin sat by her bed, head bowed, silent for a long while before softly saying: “I’m sorry.”

Then he abruptly stood and walked out.

Zhen Ning watched his retreating figure. As he turned to open the door, she thought she must be delirious from the fever because she swore she saw a faint redness in his eyes, a glimmer of unshed tears.

---

Two days later, Zhen Ning was moved out of intensive care, finally free of the monitoring equipment. Resting in bed, a guard entered to report: “Miss Shu, you have a visitor.”

Zhen Ning was stunned. Aside from her cousin Ji Xuan’s family, she had no relatives or friends in Moxia. Who could it be?

The next moment, a familiar voice echoed from the doorway: “I’m her family. Who do you think you are to stop me?”

Zhen Ning leapt up in excitement, wincing as the movement tugged at her wound. She shouted joyfully: “Third Brother!”

Feng Ze pushed past the guards and entered the room.

Zhen Ning sat pitifully on the bed, extending her arms toward him.

Feng Ze’s heart ached as he rushed over, pulling her into a tight embrace. After a long while, he reluctantly released her, frowning: “Why couldn’t Big Brother reach you these past few days? Why are you in the hospital?”

Zhen Ning’s initial joy quickly turned to alertness: “How did you find me?” Feng Ze examined the wound on her neck: “What happened here?”

“Did you contact Big Brother’s people in Candor?” Zhen Ning whispered urgently, alarmed. “You’ll get him killed!”

“He’s safe for now,” Feng Ze assured her, though his focus wasn’t on this topic. Seeing her evade his questions, he reached for the medicine on the bedside table.

Zhen Ning grabbed his hand: “It’s just a burn. I’m fine.”

Feng Ze’s eyes narrowed suspiciously: “How does one accidentally burn their neck? What happened?”

Zhen Ning knew that if her third brother found out, this wouldn’t end well. She quickly tried to placate him: “Nothing happened. How long are you staying in Candor, Third Brother?”

Feng Ze wasn’t fooled. His expression hardened: “Don’t change the subject.” Zhen Ning shrank back, silent.

Feng Ze patted her head and walked toward the door. Zhen Ning panicked: “Hey, where are you going?”

“Your brother will be back soon.”

A soft “ding” sounded as the elevator doors opened at the corridor’s corner. Du Boqin stepped out and saw a young man emerging from the doctor’s office. At the same moment, their eyes met.

Though they had never met, both instantly recognized who the other was.

Inside the room, Zhen Ning waited anxiously for Feng Ze’s return. Suddenly, the usually quiet corridor erupted in noise, followed by hushed male voices.

Straining to listen, Zhen Ning hastily grabbed her coat from the bedside, the IV line tangling around her arm. Ignoring the pain, she ripped off the tape on her hand just as Feng Ze’s furious roar echoed outside: “Bastard!”

Rushing out of the room, she saw Du Boqin standing by the elevator, surrounded by grim-faced guards. Yisha blocked Feng Ze, who was red-faced with rage, desperately trying to break through.

Feng Ze’s combat skills were renowned in the Feng family. Even against Yisha, he held his ground. As Yisha threw a punch, Feng Ze sidestepped and delivered a powerful kick to his abdomen.

Yisha stumbled back half a step, creating a gap. Feng Ze immediately charged toward Du Boqin.

Two of Du Boqin’s bodyguards leaped forward like wolves. Feng Ze countered, sending one flying with a punch, but a heavy blow landed on his side. Pain shot through his ribs, and before he could react, he was slammed against the corridor wall.

Breathing heavily, Feng Ze leaned against the wall, glaring fiercely at Du Boqin, who remained motionless in the distance. With a swift motion, Feng Ze reached into his pocket.

At the same moment Feng Ze raised his hand, the guards immediately noticed. Yisha shouted a warning, but before anyone could react, a slender figure darted forward like lightning. In an instant, she rushed in and tightly embraced the man leaning against the wall, her arms swiftly wrapping around his waist.

The guards skidded to a halt in front of them.

Zhen Ning felt dizzy from running so fast and called out anxiously: “Calm down!”

Feng Ze struggled slightly in her tight grip: “Little sister, let go.” Zhen Ning’s eyes brimmed with tears as her elbow pressed against the hard object inside his pocket. She shook her head desperately: “Don’t be reckless!”

Feng Ze looked at her, his voice choked: “Is this how you’re being bullied? Is this how you want me to watch you suffer?”

Zhen Ning tried to deny it, but the tears spilled first. Du Boqin saw this and pushed past the guards to approach.

Feng Ze suddenly pulled Zhen Ning into a tight embrace, glaring at Du Boqin with a chilling tone: “My little sister—since childhood, if she doesn’t want something, no one has the right to force her.”

Du Boqin’s face was half-lit by the dim corridor light. Hearing these words, he lowered his head and nodded silently. Zhen Ning still clung tightly to Feng Ze’s arm, pleading tearfully: “Third Brother, don’t act rashly.” Feng Ze gazed into her tear-filled, shining eyes and abruptly grabbed her shoulders, quickly kissing the corner of her lips.

Instinctively, Zhen Ning pushed against his shoulder: “Third Brother, are you crazy?”

Feng Ze held her firmly, making her unable to move. For the first time, Zhen Ning felt panic. Her third brother had always treated her like a spoiled child, but now she saw raw desire—a man’s overwhelming passion for a woman.

Du Boqin couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

But just then, Feng Ze released her, calling out anxiously: “Zhen Zhen?”

The doctors and nurses who rushed over surrounded them. Zhen Ning’s head lolled back weakly, her eyes closed, and she fainted.

---

When Zhen Ning woke up, she was back in her hospital room. Her eyes fluttered open, and she saw Du Boqin sitting beside her bed.

“Where’s my third brother?” she asked.

“He’s already left the country,” Du Boqin replied. Zhen Ning continued to stare at him.

Suppressing his irritation, Du Boqin said helplessly: “I didn’t harm him.”

That night, Feng Rong called her: “Your third brother nearly destroyed my office when he returned. He ordered me to bring you back immediately.”

“Little sister, is he bullying you?”

Zhen Ning replied: “Big Brother, I’ll handle this myself.”

---

In the conference hall attached to the Defense Minister’s office in the Tan Guang Building, a ministerial meeting had just concluded. Secretaries were busy collecting documents from the round table.

When Du Boqin returned to his office, he saw Xie Zi chatting with his beautiful secretary outside.

Seeing him approach, Secretary Annie stood up and opened the door for him. Du Boqin sat behind his desk and gestured: “Have a seat.”

Xie Zi waved the file in his hand and went to sit on the nearby sofa.

Du Boqin quickly signed several documents before sitting on the sofa opposite Xie Zi.

Secretary Annie brought in coffee.

Xie Zi opened his notebook and began reporting: “After our destroyer entered, fishing boats still blocked the area near the North Cheli Gulf oil fields. Our ships can only patrol the periphery.”

Du Boqin took the document and skimmed through it: “Monitor those fishing boats first. There should be very few actual fishermen among them.”

Xie Zi acknowledged. “Prince Geoffrey remains the same?”

“The Xiang family controls the prince; he’s unlikely to change course.”

“If the Kalah Palace doesn’t publicly support us, reclaiming North Cheli will lack popular backing.”

Xie Zi leaned forward slightly: “What’s your plan?”

Du Boqin set down his coffee cup and casually replied: “If we can’t get this king’s support, we’ll replace him with one who does.”

Xie Zi understood and murmured: “Princess Liana will soon come of age.”

Du Boqin pondered: “After the visit ends, have Annie arrange a dinner. I need to meet with General Jiang Wei.”

Xie Zi straightened up solemnly: “You still intend to dissolve the engagement? You know I strongly advised against it.”

Du Boqin nodded calmly: “Last time, I sought your opinion. This time, there’s none—it’s already decided.”

Xie Zi earnestly said: “Your Highness, personally speaking, you didn’t need to make this so complicated.”

Du Boqin remained unmoved: “Check my schedule and see when it’s best to announce it.”

True to his reputation as the Chief Military Advisor to the Defense Minister, Xie Zi’s expression didn’t change: “Let me convene the staff and legal team for further discussion.”

Du Boqin said: “Thank you for your efforts.”

Xie Zi added: “This may affect your personal reputation.”

Du Boqin dismissed it lightly: “I don’t live with my personal reputation.”

Knowing he’d overstepped, Xie Zi still couldn’t resist asking: “Though I’m your subordinate, frankly, Miss Jiang’s devotion to you is admirable. If a woman loved me like that, I wouldn’t dare betray her.”

Du Boqin, lighting a cigarette, looked up at him calmly. His demeanor was serene, the calmness of someone ready to bear all consequences: “I can only disappoint one person, and I’ve made my choice.”

Xie Zi nodded and left.

As Xie Zi rose to leave, he hesitated by the door and finally asked: “Boqin, is it because of the lady at Fanlu?”

Xie Zi, a frequent visitor to Fanlu Manor, had seen the rumored mysterious woman a couple of times. He didn’t find her exceptionally beautiful, just very aloof.

Du Boqin’s gaze returned to his documents: “Go attend to your duties.”

---

Zhen Ning returned to Fanlu from the hospital and rested indoors for a few days until her injuries healed. One afternoon, after returning from the flower fields on the back mountain, she asked Sisan: “Why hasn’t Miss Jiang been coming to Fanlu lately?”

Sisan turned pale.

He knew well that the lady of Fanlu wasn’t someone to be trifled with. The last time Miss Jiang came, they had caught her off guard and outnumbered her, yet it still ended in chaos. If she came again, he’d lose his mind.

Sisan quickly changed the subject: “When the first snow falls, Fanlu prepares for hunting. Would Miss Shu be interested in training the hunting dogs?”

Zhen Ning seemed intrigued: “Sure, can I join?” Sisan quickly replied: “If your health allows horseback riding.”

Zhen Ning happily responded: “Absolutely no problem.”

After waiting for over two weeks, Candor finally received its first snowfall at the end of December. The ski slopes at the northern Plantation Ski Resort accumulated twenty centimeters of snow. City residents flocked there with sleds and dogs, causing massive traffic jams on the highways.

After the snow, Fanlu’s servants trained hunting dogs in the backyard lawns and shrubs. The young aristocrats of Candor enjoyed hunting, and Fanlu Manor hosted at least one annual hunting gathering for these old families’ descendants. This tradition started with Du Boqin’s grandfather—the founding hero of Moxia, who loved leading his generals to practice riding and shooting in Fanlu’s forests. These generals later became prominent families in Candor, and thus the annual equestrian hunting event was passed down.

Everything at Fanlu followed the old customs. Du Boqin, busy with official duties, rarely involved himself in daily matters, so Sisan usually oversaw preparations. Zhen Ning joined them for a while during the day, but Sisan didn’t let her stay in the snow too long and urged her back inside.

On Saturday afternoon, Zhen Ning returned from outside and saw luxury cars parked in the yard. Sisan approached: “Miss Shu, you left early today. I didn’t have time to tell you—today is Fanlu’s hunting day.”

Zhen Ning had gone out early to visit a folk perfumer in a small town outside Candor with her cousin Ji Xuan. She asked: “Isn’t His Highness still on a business trip?”

Sisan replied respectfully: “Whether His Highness returns or not, Fanlu’s hunting proceeds as usual.”

In the afternoon, the driver drove deep into the hunting forest of the Fanlu Mountains along winding roads.

Deep in the woods stood a two-story wooden cabin covered in thick snow. Due to the dim forest light, the lamps under the eaves glowed. Loud conversations and clinking glasses echoed from within.

Fanlu’s workers unloaded prey from the horses in front of the house. Grooms carried rifles to clean on the steps. Zhen Ning mingled among Fanlu’s retainers, sitting at a small round table in the corner with a group of men. A gentleman beside her politely handed her a glass of wine. Zhen Ning thanked him and sat quietly holding the drink. The men soon resumed their lively discussions. Occasionally, elegantly dressed women passed by, whispering curiously and disdainfully upon seeing Zhen Ning in the corner.

Suddenly, someone squeezed next to her: “Hey, sweetheart!” Zhen Ning turned to see Xiang Jiashang.

This time, Zhen Ning genuinely smiled: “Hi.”

Xiang Jiashang admired her outfit—thick leather-effect jeans, an outdoor snowproof jacket, a checkered sweater, suede boots with chunky heels, and a riding hat. She was bundled up snugly, exuding a charming tomboyish style.

Xiang Jiashang was delighted, as flamboyant as ever. With his usual exaggerated gentlemanly flair, he kissed the back of her hand and loudly praised her: “You remain as beautiful and captivating as ever.”

The people around them burst into laughter.

The men of Fanlu were well aware of Xiang Jiashang’s history of sending flowers to pursue someone at Fanlu. Combined with his reputation for being carefree and unrestrained, even a few of Fanlu’s male stewards raised their glasses to him with smiles: “To the unparalleled hero of Candor!”

Xiang Jiashang didn’t hesitate, grinning as he drank the toast.

The guests had already galloped through the forest earlier that afternoon, returning with a good haul. Now they were drinking and smoking in the hall while maids bustled about with large trays of food. Silver platters were piled high with bread, wine, charcoal-grilled veal steaks, and steaming puddings.

The door to the cabin opened again.

The seated guests glanced toward the entrance. The lively chatter instantly died down, and soon the men stood up.

The master of Fanlu had arrived, escorting Miss Jiang Mo Ya, who wore a floral-patterned tiered skirt and a black hat on her arm.

Zhen Ning glanced over. Du Boqin wore khaki cold-resistant pants, a smoke-gray flannel shirt, a short brown tweed jacket, and a pair of lightweight boots—a quintessential Edwardian hunting ensemble. He looked perfectly matched with the elegantly dressed Jiang Mo Ya by his side.

Zhen Ning sneered and averted her gaze.

The seated men greeted Du Boqin and Jiang Mo Ya as they entered.

A moment later, Zhen Ning noticed two men walk in. The first was Xie Zi, followed by an older man carrying a brown briefcase—Mr. Fang, the financial steward of the Du family. Xie Zi stood behind Du Boqin and addressed him: “Your Highness.”

Seeing Xie Zi, Du Boqin nodded at him, then leaned down to say something to Jiang Mo Ya.

Jiang Mo Ya giggled and nodded.

Du Boqin rose and walked toward a quiet room nearby, its light glowing softly—it might have been a temporary office.

Xie Zi didn’t follow him inside but instead courteously extended his hand to guide Jiang Mo Ya to her seat.

In the center of the room was a horseshoe-shaped long table, now filled with young nobles, noble ladies, and a few aristocratic wives accompanying their husbands from prominent families across Candor.

“Oh, who is this?” A lady stood up, pretending to fetch wine, and approached the small table where Zhen Ning sat. “Only the most prestigious families of Candor are invited to Fanlu’s hunt. His Highness must have lost his mind—when did such third-rate riffraff start sneaking in?”

Zhen Ning kept her face cold and ignored her.

“A low-born woman who somehow climbed her way up to His Highness—how shameless,” the noblewoman said, linking arms with her companion as they both laughed behind their hands. Zhen Ning pressed her hand against her knee, rubbing it harshly.

Seated at the far end of the table, Jiang Mo Ya heard the commotion in the corner, turned her head, and smiled smugly.

Zhen Ning abruptly stood up.

Dressed in her androgynous style, she held her glass menacingly and stepped forward forcefully, startling the noblewoman into retreating.

Zhen Ning glared at her fiercely but chose not to engage further. Instead, she turned and strode directly toward Jiang Mo Ya: “Miss Jiang.”

She slowly surveyed the room, and the conversations at the table ceased.

Zhen Ning’s voice rang out clear and loud: “Miss Jiang, all of Candor is talking about how you bravely rushed onto the battlefield during the southern campaign to save His Highness after he was injured. Is this true?”

Jiang Mo Ya lifted her chin proudly: “Of course.”

“Miss Jiang, you weren’t the first responder to His Highness’s injury. I remember last year during an interview, you admitted to being afraid of blood and fainting at the sight of it. You didn’t even touch his wound, did you?” Zhen Ning smiled sweetly as she moved closer, suddenly raising her voice. “His Highness wasn’t saved by you! You didn’t pilot the rescue helicopter—you bribed the officer who flew it. After returning to Candor, you fabricated a false love story and promoted it to the media. Does everyone here know that?”

The crowd froze momentarily, their faces reflecting astonishment, suspicion, confusion, and even suppressed glee. Though outwardly composed, they couldn’t resist whispering to their neighbors.

Jiang Mo Ya flushed red: “Nonsense!”

Zhen Ning fixed her gaze on her: “Miss Jiang, are you deliberately exaggerating your bravery and achievements to gain public support?”

Jiang Mo Ya’s eyes reddened with anger: “Who gave you the right to speak here? Throw her out! She’s a vicious woman trying to ruin my reputation!”

Zhen Ning wasn’t letting her off the hook: “Why doesn’t Miss Jiang answer my question directly?”

Xie Zi intervened, standing in front of Jiang Mo Ya: “Young lady, Fanlu has always maintained strict rules. How dare you behave so rudely? Miss Jiang will be the future mistress of Fanlu.”

Xiang Jiashang immediately stood up to shield Zhen Ning: “I’ve always wanted to ask about Miss Jiang’s heroic deeds. Chief of Staff, have you seen any evidence?”

Xie Zi replied firmly: “Of course—the military has an investigation report.”

Xiang Jiashang raised his voice: “Why don’t we show it to everyone here?” At this point, the guests couldn’t help but exchange whispers.

“Enough! Sisan, escort her back to the estate.” Du Boqin emerged.

Jiang Mo Ya turned to see him, tears streaming down her face. Du Boqin extended his arm and gently pulled her close.

Xie Zi, sitting near Zhen Ning, stood up gracefully but with a hint of impatience in his tone: “Miss Shu, please come with me.”

After coffee and rest, the guests began heading outside to ride again. Du Boqin drank half a cup of coffee before accompanying Jiang Mo Ya out.

The driver brought them down to the hunting grounds.

Du Boqin escorted her to the checkpoint of Fanlu Manor. Jiang Mo Ya suddenly said: “Boqin, promise me you won’t make any public statements about us.”

Du Boqin nodded.

In the distance, the Jiang family car had already entered the driveway.

Jiang Mo Ya carefully adjusted her leather gloves, then smiled up at him: “My father knows—I’ve always loved you. But being your companion... it’s lonely.”

Du Boqin opened the car door for her, replying gently: “Mo Ya, what you love are the titles, not the real me.”

Jiang Mo Ya froze, said nothing more, got into the car, and waved goodbye. The car drove away.

Du Boqin stood by the road. The sun was nearing the mountaintop, its golden rays casting long shadows on the snow-covered ground. He suddenly recalled Sisan mentioning that Miss Shu, living in the estate without family or friends, must also feel lonely.

He tilted his head slightly, pinching the bridge of his nose, and let out a bitter smile. No matter whom he married, he would never be a satisfactory husband.

Finally, the guard approached to report: “Your Highness, it’s time to return.”

---

Du Boqin went looking for Zhen Ning.

But Zhen Ning hadn’t returned to Fanlu Manor. The servants informed him that the second son of the Xiang family was accompanying her on a hunt in the woods. Du Boqin found her in the northern forest of the hunting grounds, indeed with Xiang Jiashang. Both had loosened their reins, allowing their horses to wander leisurely. Xiang Jiashang was speaking to her, leaning so close that his head nearly brushed against her hair.

Du Boqin spurred his horse forward. The purebred Arabian leapt effortlessly over a ditch, and he reined it to a halt before them. Turning to Zhen Ning, he commanded: “Come back with me.”

Mounted on her horse, Zhen Ning sat upright, her expression icy: “Back where? I have nowhere to go. Isn’t your precious fiancée firmly controlling every mountain path in Fanlu?”

Xiang Jiashang immediately chimed in: “I believe what Zhen Ning said. I think Mo Ya lied.”

Du Boqin lost all patience for politeness and issued a direct order: “Please leave Fanlu, Young Master Xiang.”

Yisha led the guards to surround him.

Xiang Jiashang shrugged, turned his horse around, and casually tossed his long-barreled hunting rifle aside. Zhen Ning reached out and caught it deftly.

“Sweetheart, don’t let anyone bully you!” He blew her a kiss before the guards dragged him away.

Du Boqin’s face darkened slightly: “If you had differing views about the Tumu Forest incident, it also concerns me. Why didn’t you come to me directly?”

Zhen Ning lifted her chin defiantly: “I didn’t want to meddle in your affairs. But if she doesn’t provoke me, she’d better stay out of my way.”

Du Boqin sighed: “You should keep a lower profile in Fanlu. Stirring up trouble like today only invites misunderstanding from those unfamiliar with you. Mo Ya has maintained a good public image—you publicly challenging her makes others misjudge you.”

Zhen Ning snapped impatiently: “Does Your Highness think I slandered her out of revenge?” Du Boqin’s face remained cold: “Frankly, I’m not sure.”

Zhen Ning suddenly threw her head back and laughed hysterically, tears spilling from the corners of her eyes: “How alike you two sound! Your Highness, she loves you so deeply—why don’t you marry her? You’ve been engaged for two or three years; why haven’t you tied the knot yet? You might as well get married tomorrow!”

Du Boqin was furious: “No need for your concern—I’ll decide when to marry!”

“Your Highness, please excuse me. This vile estate, filled with shameless and hypocritical men and women, makes me sick.”

“And who is more genuine? Xiang Jiashang?”

“Precisely.”

“Then I’m sorry, Miss Shu, but aside from this evil estate, you have nowhere else to go.” Du Boqin’s face turned ashen. “Take her back.”

The guards surrounded her horse. Zhen Ning, enraged, swiftly raised the hunting rifle in her hands, aiming it directly at Du Boqin.

In an instant, multiple dark gun barrels were pointed at her. Du Boqin bellowed: “Shu Zhen Ning!”

Zhen Ning shouted back: “Order your guards to stand down!”

Du Boqin frowned: “Yisha, lower your weapons and step back.”

Obedience was a soldier’s duty. Yisha reluctantly lowered his gun, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on Zhen Ning.

Suddenly, Zhen Ning swung her rifle. Du Boqin leapt off his horse, and almost simultaneously, two guards lunged forward to shield him.

Gunfire erupted.

Du Boqin shouted anxiously: “Damn it, let her go!”

Splinters of branches and bark scattered as bullets ricocheted through the air. In the distance, several wild pheasants flapped their wings and flew away.

Zhen Ning’s rifle was aimed deep into the dense forest.

At the sound of gunfire, the guards dragged her off her horse and pinned her to the muddy ground. Her hair fell over her forehead, obscuring her vision, and shadows danced before her eyes.

The guards hesitated for a moment before pulling her up. Her hat had fallen off, half her face smeared with mud, sand in her mouth. She spat, then slammed the rifle onto the ground. Without sparing a glance at the people opposite her, she turned and sprinted down the mountain path.

---

After finishing his work for the day, Du Boqin hurried home.

The weather was pleasant. The light snow that had been falling for two days had stopped, and the setting sun bathed the courtyard in golden light. The white statues beside the garden fountain glowed faintly under the warm hues.

The driver parked the car on the garden path. As Du Boqin entered the hall, a servant approached to take his coat. Yisha was outside, directing the changing of guard shifts.

The maids waiting by the porch curtsied deeply. Du Boqin’s expression relaxed slightly, though fatigue lingered. He asked: “Where’s Zhen Ning?”

The maid replied respectfully: “Miss Shu went to the flower fields on the back mountain this afternoon.”

Du Boqin glanced at his watch—it was nearly seven o’clock. He instructed: “Call the workers at the flower field and ask them to bring her back.”

Frowning, Du Boqin stepped into the main house. His chest had been aching inexplicably during the afternoon meeting. He pressed his throbbing temples.

Lately, he’d been overwhelmed with work, and Zhen Ning seemed to be clashing with Jiang Mo Ya. His nerves had been stretched taut without a moment’s rest. Now that things had temporarily settled, exhaustion washed over him in waves. Returning home, he realized he could barely stand.

He sat on the sofa, sipping water, when Sisan walked in with unusually hurried steps.

Sisan stopped before him: “The workers at the flower field say Miss Shu isn’t there.”

Du Boqin paused mid-motion while loosening his tie: “Is she in the lab? Go check.” Sisan looked doubtful: “I just sent someone to look—she’s not there.”

A sudden jolt of alarm shot through Du Boqin. His face paled as he quickly stood: “Check the estate’s surveillance system—I’ll go to her room.”

Before his words faded, he bolted up the stairs.

Du Boqin yanked open the master bedroom door. The lock was intact. In two strides, he reached the bedside drawer and opened it—her passport was still there. He had kept her identification documents and travel permits locked away, so she hadn’t taken them.

Du Boqin turned and entered her room. Her coin purse was gone, along with a set of lightweight cold-weather gear and a pair of rugged hiking boots.

Standing in the empty room, he glanced around. On the second floor, apart from Zhen Ning’s room, his master bedroom was always heavily guarded. Since his office and meeting rooms were on the first floor, the second-floor study was merely a library and smoking lounge. Zhen Ning occasionally went in to borrow books. The door to the library was slightly ajar.

He kicked the door open and immediately pulled open the second drawer of the bookcase—sure enough, it was empty.

Du Boqin’s face turned as pale as winter frost. At that moment, Sisan reported from outside: “Your Highness—”

Du Boqin gripped the doorknob, his voice low and strained: “Notify all department heads in the estate. We’ll meet in the hall.”

Ten minutes later, Du Boqin stood rigidly in the center of the hall. Sisan led a line of subordinates, standing silently to one side.

“The estate’s surveillance system malfunctioned briefly at around 1 PM today. It lasted only thirty seconds, so the guards didn’t report it immediately.”

“Miss Shu’s phone is powered off. Satellite tracking shows her phone is still within the estate. A maid just found it in the first-floor dining room. Our monitoring system detected that she made a call from her room phone to the Feng family this morning. It lasted forty-three seconds. Here are the detailed call records and audio logs.”

“One water bottle and some biscuits and cheese are missing from the kitchen.”

“According to Old Ge’s report, Miss Shu casually asked about the paths on the back mountain several times during conversations.”

Du Boqin stood motionless, listening to the reports. His face was pale, his brows furrowed, and he remained silent.

The head of security on duty that day felt deeply guilty. He pressed his hand against the holster of his gun, his face full of shame: “Your Highness—”

Du Boqin’s voice thundered like a storm: “Get out!” Sisan immediately waved: “Everyone, return to your duties.”

The group filed out, leaving only Sisan and Yisha in the vast hall.

Yisha stepped forward to report: “Miss Shu’s movements in the flower fields on the back mountain are usually extensive. She might have climbed over the fence.”

Sisan added: “From my observations, Miss Shu has excellent wilderness survival skills. She likely plans to hike out of Fanlu Province from the back mountain and rendezvous with those waiting for her.”

Du Boqin’s mind raced, his words decisive and rapid: “Call customs immediately. Strictly monitor all entry and exit points in the capital. If she’s found, prohibit her departure. Send someone to retrieve radar surveillance footage of this area from Tan Guang. Carefully examine all suspicious aircraft that appeared over Fanlu between 1 PM and 7 PM today. My sole order—ensure her safety at all costs. She took one of my handguns, a Glock 17, using 9×19mm Para rounds. The magazine holds twenty bullets, fully loaded…”

Du Boqin’s urgent speech paused as he choked on a cough, his body trembling slightly. He hastily grabbed the desk to steady himself, nearly collapsing.

Sisan rushed forward: “Your Highness?”

Du Boqin, his face deathly pale, snapped: “Go now!” Yisha took off running.

Du Boqin pressed his chest, gritting his teeth as he drew a deep breath. He strode toward the door. Sisan followed, reporting: “Old Ge is waiting in the courtyard. He’ll guide us.” Du Boqin nodded, already striding down the steps. Yisha opened the car door.

To the west of the villa, the remnants of the sunset painted the sky blood-red. Night was approaching.

As darkness fell, the snow-covered roads became impassable. Sisan had already ordered a guard to bring a massive jungle SUV to wait by the porch. Once Du Boqin got in, the vehicle sped through the dense forest, jolting violently. After about twenty minutes, thick shrubs blocked all paths. Guards followed Du Boqin on foot through steep terrain for a long stretch before finally spotting bright flashlight beams in the distance. They saw guards searching for tracks in the woods. Farther ahead, near a cliff, stood a towering barbed-wire fence illuminated by a blinding searchlight, turning the snowy forest into daylight.

This was the edge of Fanlu Manor—a remote, uninhabited expanse of dense forest deep in the Fanlu Mountains. No human presence, no civilian satellite signals, no navigation systems. Alone in such a wilderness during winter, if caught in an avalanche or lost, the inevitable outcome after a long, freezing night would be a nameless corpse in the mountains.

Du Boqin stared grimly across the cliff. The undulating mountains were shrouded in darkness, save for the faint glow of snow-capped peaks.

Sisan stood beside him, busy receiving updates and relaying them: “Based on the analysis of traces left behind, these are highly likely Miss Shu’s tracks.”

Sisan reviewed incoming information: “The footprints are covered by snow, but judging by the freshness of broken branches, she passed here around 5 PM.”

A guard crouched in the snow with a flashlight, extracting samples. He interjected: “There are very few tracks, and they show signs of tampering. Whoever we’re tracking has advanced counter-surveillance skills. Most clues have been deliberately obscured.”

Du Boqin stood on the snow, staring at the jagged hole beneath his feet—just wide enough for a person to crawl through, forcibly cut through the fence. Suddenly, he kicked the fence in a burst of fury.

Snow cascaded down from the wires, and the alarm on the wall screeched piercingly.

The group stood frozen in silence.

At that moment, the distant roar of engines broke the stillness. Everyone turned to look. Under the searchlight, military-green trucks sped toward them across the ravine. Soon after, rows of figures emerged from the forest, moving swiftly like leopards. From afar, they saw Yisha leading Lulu at the front, followed by a small team of dozens, all clad in camouflage fatigues.

The team halted before Du Boqin. The tall, muscular leader stepped forward, saluting crisply: “Sir!”

Du Boqin’s face had regained its cold composure, his entire presence exuding an icy sharpness. He nodded briefly at the subordinate before him and stepped back.

The small military unit came fully equipped with tools. Two soldiers immediately began dismantling the barbed-wire fence while a team prepared to track along the escape route.

Within two minutes, the narrow gap had been widened into a larger passage.

Du Boqin removed his tie, intending to go through himself. Sisan stopped him: “Your Highness.”

Sisan took a few steps closer and whispered in a voice so low only the two of them could hear: “I know you’re worried about her, but it’s not appropriate for you to go. Look at the special forces behind you—handpicked and trained by your own hand. Leave it to Yisha.”

Du Boqin felt a low, rolling hum in his ears, making it hard to clearly hear Sisan’s words. Gritting his teeth, he straightened his back, gripping the fence as he pressed his fingers to his temples. With a strained cough, he managed to say weakly: “It’s in your hands.”

“Yes!” At his command, Yisha immediately released Lulu’s leash. The dog shook itself energetically, barked loyally at Du Boqin, then leapt forward like a speeding bullet. Once the finest military service dog, Lulu charged into the snowy forest.

In the blink of an eye, the elite squad disappeared into the dense snow-covered woods. Du Boqin stood motionless where he was.

After a long moment, he turned to see the group of flower-field workers standing silently on the icy ground. Coming back to his senses, he waved his hand, his voice faint: “Sisan, let them return to rest.”

Sisan dismissed the drivers and servants who had followed from the estate.

Night deepened further. At high altitudes, the snow remained unmelted, and temperatures plummeted rapidly after sunset. A guard handed over cold-weather combat gear, which Sisan draped over Du Boqin.

The two exchanged a glance, their expressions resigned. They both knew that if she wasn’t found, this entire team wouldn’t be returning tonight.

An hour later, Yisha finally transmitted the first update. Sisan answered the satellite phone and handed it to Du Boqin.

Du Boqin listened for two minutes, but his expression didn’t improve. No good news—they hadn’t found her yet.

The biting wind howled through the trees. The flattened ground they had just trampled began to freeze again, forming thin layers of ice. It had been two hours since the special forces left this spot.

Du Boqin still stood by the fence at the cliffside, his posture as upright as a pine tree, almost frozen into an icy statue.

Fortunately, headlights appeared in the distance. The driver had brought the car around from the other side of the hill.

Sisan murmured softly: “Your Highness, get in the car—it’s too cold out here.”

Du Boqin glanced back. Just then, the phone in a guard’s hand rang again. Setting aside everything else, Du Boqin reached out to answer it, frowning deeply as he concentrated. This call lasted longer. As he stood there, his strength wavered. He swayed slightly, bracing himself against the car window.

Sisan opened the car door. Du Boqin closed his eyes and collapsed weakly onto the seat.

This time, the news was positive. Yisha had discovered her tracks near the glacier along the Sumi River.

From noon, when the sun was brightest, until nearly midnight, she had trekked alone under such extreme weather conditions—through dense forests and icy plains, covering at least 60 kilometers. That was equivalent to the intensity of a field training exercise for regular troops.

Crossing the Sumi River would lead her to roads and villages. She’d succeed.

The surge of anger made his heart race. Though still angry, he felt an inexplicable mix of emotions. He hadn’t expected her to possess such tenacity.

The car’s heater was set to maximum warmth, but breathing became difficult. His body, nearly frozen in the cold wind, slowly regained sensation, and the sharp pain in his chest grew more real and intense. Du Boqin pressed his hand to his chest, unable to suppress the intermittent coughs any longer.

The howling wind carried fine snowflakes, roaring past in waves. It was bitterly, unbearably cold.

---

Zhen Ning trudged step by step through the snow, sweat seeping thinly from her back, steaming briefly before cooling. Her limbs were numb, but sheer willpower kept her dragging herself forward.

After escaping Fanlu Manor at noon, she followed her planned route, swiftly crossing a forest. Initially, her energy was high, and visibility clear. But as night fell, passing through an icy, dried-up river beside the woods, her vision began to falter. The shoreline was rocky, thick snow blanketing the valley. Zhen Ning struggled between jagged stones and soft snow, falling countless times. Her teeth chattered uncontrollably. The endless night stretched on, and worse, she seemed lost.

Fear crept into her heart—she might die here.

She stopped, sitting behind a rock to block the wind. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her water bottle. Kept close to her chest, the water hadn’t frozen.

As she swallowed a sip, she sensed something unusual behind her.

In the deathly silence of the icy wilderness, a faint sound emerged—steady, slightly labored breathing, carefully controlled. It was… another person.

Zhen Ning slipped her hand into her pocket, quickly drawing her gun.

Cautiously crawling through a crack in the rocks, she peered out and saw a man standing in the snow.

He wore camouflage fatigues and a cold-weather hat, frost coating his brows.

Damn it—Du Boqin’s men had found her.

The man spoke toward her direction: “Miss Shu, you won’t make it out like this. Before you freeze to death, come with me.”

Zhen Ning gripped the gun tightly, gritting her teeth: “Draw your weapon!”

The man raised his hands, walking toward her gun: “His Highness ordered—we can’t use guns.”

Zhen Ning shouted: “Back off!”

The man continued approaching: “Miss, we’ve received the same training. I won’t harm you.”

Zhen Ning stared at him, something about his words unsettling. Frowning, a sudden realization struck her: “You?”

The man hesitated for a second, then nodded.

“Why haven’t I seen you before? Take off your hat.”

“Miss, I’m an outer-court guard—I rarely enter Fanlu Manor.” As he spoke, he removed his hat.

Zhen Ning saw a young guard. Her eyes widened in disbelief. The same nose, the same eyes—she’d seen a miniature version on her beloved little girl, Eve.

Her heart trembled: “Du Boqin might already know about you. Do you realize that?” The young man smiled faintly: “At least he hasn’t acted against me yet. There’s still hope.”

Zhen Ning’s frost-covered lashes quivered: “Have you ever seen your daughter?” The young man shook his head, tears welling up as he put his hat back on.

Slowly, Zhen Ning lowered her gun. Suddenly, a faint cracking sound came from beneath the ice. The man’s face changed abruptly as he lunged forward, grabbing her hand.

Her lower body had sunk into the icy river. The young guard lay flat on the ground, straining to pull her out. Behind them, Lulu’s bark echoed—he’d picked up their scent.

A massive green military sedan wound its way down the mountain road.

The driver navigated the curves, Zhen Ning seated in the center of the backseat, flanked by two armed soldiers. Earlier, they’d forced her to change out of her frozen clothes in the car. After a grueling trek through the snow, they finally reached the road, circling back to Fanlu Manor via another route.

At a bend in the road, the driver glanced ahead, then looked back at the guard in the rear seat.

Zhen Ning gave him a puzzled look.

The driver of Fanlu gazed at a distant light in the dark mountains, uneasily muttering: “His Highness’s convoy.”

Following his gaze, Zhen Ning noticed the line of faint lights on the opposite mountain—the headlights of several cars speeding down the mountain path. In the blink of an eye, they vanished.

Zhen Ning shivered: “What’s wrong?”

The guard beside her remained impassive: “Perhaps there’s an urgent matter.”

She hadn’t slept all night. Dawn broke, revealing the first light of a new day.

Her muscles ached and stiffened from the exertion. Sitting up in bed, Zhen Ning touched her toes—they were red and swollen from the cold.

By seven in the morning, the entire estate was silent.

Last night, they’d returned her to Fanlu. Night-duty staff attended to her. Expecting a storm upon her return, Zhen Ning was surprised to find everything calm and orderly. Du Boqin wasn’t in the estate, and even the servants’ expressions were serene, as though she’d merely taken a walk in the mist of the back mountain.

At eight o’clock, Zhen Ning descended the stairs. Two black-clad men immediately rose from the living room, their demeanor respectful but tinged with tension: “Miss Shu?”

Her security level had been elevated overnight to the highest degree. Zhen Ning touched her nose and retreated to her room.

Since waking up, Fanlu Manor seemed lifeless. Its master was nowhere to be found; even Sisan was absent.

That evening, in the garden dining room, Zhen Ning couldn’t help but ask: “Where is Mr. Si?”

The servant lowered their head as they placed a steaming bowl of rich soup on the table. The white bone china, edged with a delicate gold rim, exhaled wisps of hot steam. Hearing Zhen Ning’s question, the servant shook their head: “Sorry, Miss Shu, I don’t know.”

Zhen Ning made a soft sound, her face expressionless as she silently unfolded her napkin.

That night, Zhen Ning received a call from Sisan. His usual gentle tone came through the line: “Miss Shu, His Highness is recuperating at Yin Hua Villa.”

Zhen Ning was working in the upstairs study, her pencil leaving a deep gray mark on the recycled paper. She asked: “What’s wrong with him?”

“Just routine recovery,” Sisan replied.

“Alright, goodnight.” Zhen Ning gripped the phone tightly for a moment before releasing it, exhaling deeply as she collapsed onto the sofa.

---

At the Royal Air Force Hospital of Moxia.

He Meinan stood by the ward door: “Did he summon you?” James and Xie Zi nodded simultaneously.

He Meinan was coldly dismissive: “His condition this time is quite severe. You’ll have to handle it yourselves!”

James sat on the couch, pulling up data on his laptop while teasing lightly: “Boss, I’ve heard rumors—Fanlu has been lively lately.”

Du Boqin refused to use oxygen during meetings with his subordinates, insisting the nurse remove the oxygen tube. Breathing a bit uncomfortably, he simply frowned: “Get to work.”

James, mindful of He Meinan’s words, quickly typed a few keys and turned the laptop toward him: “I found the information you requested.”

Du Boqin stared at the file on the screen: “What about the pilot who accompanied her? Is he still in Candor?”

James reported succinctly: “As soon as you assigned the task, I began investigating. He’s currently stationed on an island. After waiting several hours, we finally contacted him. Initially, he claimed he only helped Miss Jiang drag you onto the rescue plane and knew nothing else.”

“I contacted his superior and questioned him again. This time, under pressure, he admitted that when the rescue team found you, your wound had already been treated to stop the bleeding. He also confessed that the Jiang family had promised him benefits to remain silent.”

James shrugged, seeing no issue: “It’s true that Miss Jiang brought you back on the rescue plane. A little vanity is normal for young women.”

Du Boqin furrowed his brow, shaking his head: “The base doctor said if the bleeding hadn’t been stopped promptly, I wouldn’t have survived the journey back.”

James looked down at the documents in his hand, puzzled: “You want to uncover what happened back then? But it is strange. From the investigation report, aside from you, there were no other survivors on-site. If not Miss Jiang, then who could it be?”

Du Boqin pressed his hand against his forehead, his heart suddenly racing: “Investigate Shu Zhen Ning.” James was visibly startled: “What does Miss Shu have to do with this?”

Du Boqin replied: “She was near Tumu Island at the time.”

Even James paused, surprised. He had assumed it was just another scandalous tale from Fanlu Manor, but now realized it was far more complicated. Instantly alert, he said: “Give me some time.”

He hurriedly left the room.

Xie Zi knocked and entered shortly after. Du Boqin was on the phone and gestured for him to sit on the sofa beside the bed.

Xie Zi quickly understood—the person on the other end was General Jiang Wei, Du Boqin’s mentor. Upon hearing the news of the broken engagement, the general had been furious and personally called to scold him.

General Jiang Wei spoke over the phone: “I’ve heard the rumors around town. When I summoned her home, that brat ran away.”

Du Boqin held the phone silently, listening.

“Baiqin, she gained immense praise during the southern campaign, and even I’m proud of her. She’s always been spoiled since childhood. If she lied about this, it’s my fault for not disciplining her properly. My daughter has shamed our family.”

“Baiqin, are you re-investigating this matter?”

“Yes.”

“Can you preserve her reputation?”

“That wouldn’t be fair to the other person.”

General Jiang Wei stated matter-of-factly: “I can offer compensation.”

Du Boqin paused, recognizing the aristocratic tone. Suddenly, he understood Zhen Ning’s anger and despair that day at Fanlu.

After hanging up, Xie Zi stepped forward to report. Once official matters were concluded, he added: “Your Highness, the Jiang family doesn’t plan to make any public statements regarding the annulment of the engagement. They’ve left everything to the Du family, leaving the public to speculate endlessly.” Xie Zi frowned, contemplating the Jiang family’s stance, then suddenly froze. “That day at Fanlu Manor… could what Miss Shu said be true?”

Du Boqin’s expression was no better than his.

---

Zhen Ning stood on the veranda at the front gate of the estate. The snow had stopped days ago, and the weather was clear. The horizon beyond the mountains was painted with pink evening clouds.

The estate’s security was on high alert, and Zhen Ning had even lost the right to take walks in the mountains. She could only walk to the gate and sit on the steps blowing bubbles.

In the lab, she had mixed a bottle of soapy water, adding anionic surfactants and foam stabilizers, similar to the bubble kits sold in stores for children.

Zhen Ning pulled out a small wand from the bottle and skillfully blew a large bubble. A gust of wind carried it, shimmering with iridescent colors in the sunset before landing on the grass and bursting.

Delighted, Zhen Ning blew a string of smaller bubbles.

Lulu ran over from the other side of the lawn, tail wagging, and affectionately rubbed against her leg.

Zhen Ning ignored him, her face cold. That night when Lulu found her during her escape, he had barked fiercely at her. Heartbroken and desperate, she had been angry ever since.

Lulu lay down on her lap, but Zhen Ning turned away, ignoring him. Lulu whined pitifully.

Zhen Ning blew another large bubble. Through its transparent film, she saw the fortress-like black Mercedes-Benz pull into the courtyard. The driver stepped out and opened the door.

Zhen Ning froze, forgetting to continue blowing. The large bubble burst at her lips, a droplet splashing onto her mouth—it tasted salty.

Lulu barked joyfully and ran up to greet the man stepping out of the car. He wore a French-style white shirt, a dark red striped tie, and a black coat that accentuated his gaunt, pale face, almost blending with his shirt collar.

Zhen Ning blinked: “Are you sick?”

Du Boqin’s expression was irritated, but his voice was weak: “While I was gone, did you really smash up my car?”

That day, a plant was missing from the lab, and Zhen Ning wanted to leave the estate. When the guards desperately tried to stop her, she went mad with frustration. Returning to the hall, she pulled out the Glock from her pocket and stood on the porch. Du Boqin’s daily-use car happened to be parked in the courtyard. Zhen Ning fired three shots, flattening two tires. The last bullet ricocheted off the bulletproof glass, shattering a flowerpot in the yard.

Zhen Ning shrugged: “I was just playing with them.”

She wasn’t reckless with guns, and Du Boqin didn’t take it seriously, his voice hoarse: “Why are you sitting on the steps?”

Zhen Ning looked up at him: “Your head guard joked with me, saying you ordered that if I step off this threshold again, he’d break my legs.”

“He wasn’t joking.” Du Boqin scanned her from head to toe, his tone menacing: “Next time you run away, will twenty bullets be enough for you?” Zhen Ning cheekily replied: “Or maybe you could give me more?”

Du Boqin’s face paled further: “Do you have to be so unruly? An entire guard unit wasted resources searching for you!”

Zhen Ning fell silent.

Du Boqin walked into the house. Zhen Ning muttered behind him: “Your Highness, I want to go for a walk in the mountains.”

At this, Du Boqin abruptly turned: “If you dare set foot halfway up the mountain again, I’ll tie you up and throw you onto the frozen Sumi Riverbed.”

Without another word, he walked into the house.

Zhen Ning rolled her eyes and resumed sitting on the steps, blowing bubbles.