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After lunch, the two of them sat and talked with Lu Shan Chi for a while longer. Seeing that it was getting late, they said their goodbyes. Perhaps it was because of the cold wind on the mountain, but on the way back, Yan Chu’s illness flared up. Seeing her face turn pale and her body become as cold as ice, Xiao Qi’s heart was filled with anxiety. He could only hold her tightly in his arms and ordered the driver to hurry up while also sending someone on horseback to go ahead and fetch an imperial physician.
Finally, the carriage sped into the city, and the residence was in a flurry of activity again.
Yan Chu said, “You don’t need to be so anxious, I’m fine.”
Xiao Qi said coldly, “It’s one thing to be willful, but it’s another to debase yourself. Do you know that harming yourself is also harming me?”
“Harming you in this way would be a bit presumptuous,” Yan Chu said with a hint of amusement. “I’m afraid even my death might not be enough to hurt you...”
Xiao Qi abruptly stopped walking. “Xiluo!”
“Are you really not suspicious of me regarding General Qin Chuan’s death?”
“It’s precisely because I trusted you and lowered my guard that I let him escort the diplomatic mission,” Xiao Qi said in a low voice. “The incident where Princess Pingyang fell into the water was also your doing. I thought you just wanted to cause a little trouble to make me look bad, but I didn’t expect your goal to be... I’ve checked, and those assassins were not from the Mu Feng Kingdom. Was it you? Will you tell me the truth?”
Yan Chu said, “You’re already suspicious of me. What I say won’t matter, will it?”
Xiao Qi stared into her eyes. “As long as you say it wasn’t you, I’ll believe you.”
Yan Chu closed her eyes. “Think whatever you want.”
Xiao Qi stood there for a long time, sighed softly, and continued to carry her toward the Maple Garden.
By nightfall, Yan Chu’s body finally had a hint of warmth. Xiao Qi sent the physicians away and personally watched her take her medicine and eat bird’s nest soup. Seeing her indifferent expression, Xiao Qi was hesitant to speak. In the end, he just ordered the maids to take good care of her and left the Maple Garden to rest in his study.
Not long after he left, a servant brought in three pots of chrysanthemums. They were fresh and vibrant in red, white, and yellow.
Yan Chu looked at the blooming white chrysanthemum in the middle, smiled, and nodded for it to be left. She had the maid move it outside and then instructed Hong Ye, “You’ve been busy all afternoon. Tell them all to go and rest.”
Hong Ye agreed, carefully put down the bed curtain, and then took a lamp and went to the outer room.
In the darkness, Yan Chu lifted the quilt and meditated.
When General Yue was alive, he once told his beloved daughter, “There’s a reason why your Uncle Lu Shan hasn’t married. He had a childhood sweetheart, a cousin named Bai Ju, who died in the war. That’s why he joined the army. No one knows about this except me.”
Lu Shan Chi was a famous general, not a reckless man. How could an outsider understand the sense of familiarity a family member feels when they see a woman who looks so much like Yue Xiluo? He must have been curious, even if he didn’t think too much of it at first. But when she deliberately mentioned Bai Ju today, he finally realized something.
She had indeed chosen a “day” to see him. The first time was on the ninth day, and the second time was on the twelfth. The twelfth day of the ninth month was the anniversary of that Bai Ju girl’s death. And today was her birthday.
Coincidentally, the day after was the death anniversary of the deceased Yue Xiluo. After all, the “Princess Consort” was still officially a dead person. According to the rules of the Yan Kingdom, since the residence now had a mistress, a memorial ceremony should be held. Those in the clan who wanted to curry favor went to the ancestral hall early, and the matter unexpectedly became a big deal. It was not convenient for Xiao Qi to bring this up with Yan Chu, so he had to go with the flow and discuss it with Liuyu. Who knew that Liuyu would feign illness early in the morning and refuse to get up? Xiao Qi was so angry that he stormed off again. Yan Chu’s injuries were severe, so it was only natural for her to stay in the residence and rest in bed.
A fire suddenly broke out near the wall. Two guards fell to the ground, blood gushing from their throats.
“Dying for him, dying for him,” Yan Chu put away her knife, leaned over, and closed the eyes of the two guards. “I owe you. When I become a ghost in the underworld, I will repay you a thousand times over.”
Everyone was innocent, and everyone was hateful. The revenge was endless.
Someone on the wall said, “A woman who is so seriously injured has actually escaped the residence. Big brother will regret his carelessness.”
“It’s not carelessness. He didn’t expect anyone to know the fire therapy technique, so he probably finds it hard to believe that I escaped on my own,” Yan Chu said. “He could avoid seeing Yue Xiluo’s memorial tablet for a hundred years, but he can’t avoid it this time. So many eyes are watching. Who knew that Qin Chuan Liuyu would be so blinded by rage that she wouldn’t even pretend to be virtuous? No one is there to act out this deep love scene with him.”
At this point, she laughed. “In any case, watching a group of people busy themselves with my death anniversary is a feeling that’s hard to describe.”
Xiao Yan was lying on the top of the wall, lightly propping his face with his finger. “There are countless secret guards in the residence. How do you plan to get out?”
“With my current ability, it’s not that difficult to get out,” Yan Chu said mockingly. “This is the advantage of hiding one’s strength. My brother once told me that men like weak women, so I never dared to show my martial arts skills too much in front of Xiao Qi. It’s a pity that Qin Chuan Liuyu was even weaker and more likable to him. Now, a hundred years have passed, and a person’s martial arts skills can improve a lot.”
“You often go to see Xi Ling Feng Qi. Wouldn’t it be easier to escape then?”
“I don’t want to get the Eternal Realm involved again.”
“You’re too polite, Master,” Xiao Yan looked at her. “He’s very generous with you. No matter how much you owe him, he won’t make you pay it back.”
Yan Chu said, “I’m not as thick-skinned as you.”
Xiao Yan said, “Is it because he’s not a good person?”
Yan Chu said, “What do you know?”
“I don’t know,” Xiao Yan shook his head. “But the fact that he can understand me and use my weaknesses to threaten me means that only an evil person can truly control an evil person. Doesn’t Master understand this?”
Hearing this absurd theory, Yan Chu laughed in spite of herself. “I forgot. When have you ever said anything normal?”
“Actions are more useful than any theory.” Xiao Yan flipped off the wall, took the dagger from her waist, and walked away.
Yan Chu pursed her lips and followed him.
With her current ability, it wasn’t too difficult to break out of the residence, but after the treatment, she had lost too much energy. It was best to save as much energy as possible because there were many times when she would need it.
The cold dagger became like a toy in his long hands. It was hard to see how he moved, but it was as simple as cutting tofu. He walked forward elegantly, and in his wake, more than a dozen bodies fell silently to the ground.
When they reached the back wall, Xiao Yan held the dagger to a guard’s neck. “I’ll give you a chance. How can you make me spare you?”
The guard’s face turned pale. After hesitating for a moment, he finally gritted his teeth and said, “This subordinate will tell the Prince that Miss Yan Chu was kidnapped by people of unknown origin.”
Xiao Yan praised him. “What a perfect lie. That’s all loyalty is.”
The guard’s expression changed. “You...”
“You betrayed your master, and I broke my word. Is there anything wrong with that?” Xiao Yan threw him aside and casually kneaded the dagger into an iron ball before giving it back to Yan Chu. “Master, let’s go. This apprentice will wait for you to come back.”
Seeing the guard fall to the ground as if he had lost his bones, Yan Chu sighed. “You shouldn’t have toyed with him.”
“No matter what, the outcome won’t change. Will Master spare his life?” Xiao Yan pulled her hair and left.
Yan Chu smiled at his back. “Thank you.”
On the long street, an ordinary carriage with red wheels sped by, with two mounted guards in front and behind. However, there were too many such official carriages in the capital, so it didn’t attract much attention.
At the city gate, a guard blocked their way with his weapon.
A guard stepped forward and showed his waist token. He said coldly, “This is Prince Nan’s carriage. Get out of the way!”
The guard immediately bowed and made way.
The carriage left the city smoothly. Inside the carriage, Prince Nan sat peacefully, his smiling eyes revealing an endless charm that completely concealed his shrewdness and authority.
Across from him, Yan Chu was carefully examining a fiery red jade pendant. The pendant was carved with a phoenix and was a token given by the late emperor to the princes. It carried the aura of the fire spirit, symbolizing the noble status of the Yan Kingdom’s royal family.
Yan Chu glanced at him sideways. “This is such an important jade pendant. You gave it away without asking for a reason. Don’t you feel bad? The journey to the Fire and Wind Marsh is dangerous, and there might be unexpected things that happen. You still have a chance to change your mind.”
Prince Nan said, “I never thought of taking back something I’ve given away.”
Yan Chu said, “Such a huge gamble?”
“You’re wrong if you think I’m gambling,” Prince Nan said. “The reason I’m willing to give it away so easily is that I don’t need it. This item is a symbol of the royal family. Everyone in the Yan Kingdom wants it, but I never did. If I can use a useless item to save the life of a useful person, why wouldn’t I?”
Yan Chu clapped her hands lightly twice. “You truly are Prince Nan.”
Prince Nan held her wrist. “I never thought of taking back something I’ve given away.”
Yan Chu smiled. “You personally sent me away too. I’m well aware of your principles of choice and sacrifice.”
“I have no regrets,” Prince Nan said calmly. “I love beautiful women, but your value goes beyond just being a beautiful woman. The nine Yue army divisions. You only need to win over three for me. How confident are you?”
Yan Chu said without hesitation, “At least three divisions, possibly five.”
Prince Nan did not show much joy. He nodded. “In that case, I look forward to your return. The Fire and Wind Marsh is close to the Mu Feng Kingdom and is very dangerous. Do you want me to send people to help?”
Yan Chu thought for a moment and shook her head. “Xiao Qi might order a strict search at the checkpoints. A large group of people would only be a hassle.”
“That’s fine,” Prince Nan had already anticipated this answer. “Be careful.”
Yan Chu scoffed, “Three divisions of the Yue army are enough to earn your concern?”
Prince Nan let go of her hand, his expression unchanged. “Whether I have the Yue army or not, this world is mine to win. I will also eventually take back the person I gave away. If you feel sorry for yourself, you can go back to being a beautiful woman and wait for me to take you back to my bed.”
Yan Chu also knew she had misspoken. She lifted the curtain and looked out the window. “General Qin Chuan is dead. Qin Chuan Liuyu will not let this go. Her people will definitely be looking for me everywhere.”
“A woman’s revenge,” Prince Nan frowned slightly. “You are still a woman to be so obsessed with these things.”
“A woman’s revenge is something you just need to satisfy,” Yan Chu said decisively. “In three hours, I will arrive at the Yongrong River at the foot of Xiu Mountain.”
With that, she pushed open the door and jumped out of the carriage.
After leaving Prince Nan, Yan Chu went directly to the Eternal Realm. She learned from the envoy Lan that Xi Lingjun had left early that morning. When she asked about Fu Lian Wan Yu, she was told that she had also gone with him. Yan Chu did not mention a single word about her escape from the residence. She first went to the snow cave to feed the flowers, then said goodbye to the envoy Lan and went to the Yongrong River alone.
At the foot of Xiu Mountain, in the west wind, the Yongrong River was clear and rippling, and from time to time, a sad goose flew away into the distance.
Noticing a movement, Yan Chu flew to the side to avoid it. “You’re here?”
The sword’s momentum was like a swimming dragon, carrying firelight across the sky, imposing and powerful. Her toes stepped on the waves, and with a loud sound, the river water was lifted, forming a high wall of water! In a short time, a few people were cut down and fell to the ground, and the rest were all shocked.
Yan Chu held her knife and smiled. “You didn’t expect a seriously injured person to have such abilities, did you? This is the price of underestimating your opponent.”
The person in the lead came to his senses. “Retreat! Retreat quickly!”
The beautiful smile turned cruel. Yan Chu said coldly, “Since you’ve seen the truth, how can I let you go back?”
It didn’t take much effort, and more than a dozen bodies lay on the ground. They all had multiple stab wounds, some light and some heavy, making for a gruesome sight. With the collapsed rocks and soil around them, it looked as if a fierce battle had taken place. Yan Chu carefully checked each body to make sure they were all dead. Then, she straightened up and quickly cut two small pieces of cloth from her sleeve with her knife. She dipped them in some blood and casually threw them onto a low branch by the river.
Qin Chuan Liuyu was hell-bent on avenging her brother. When she learned of her whereabouts, she didn’t tell Xiao Qi. What a brainless woman. Since Yue Xiluo could escape from the Prince’s residence, how could these few secret guards deal with her? Xiao Qi’s people would also be led here. When he saw this scene and the bodies of the Qin Chuan clan’s secret guards, what would he think? Qin Chuan Liuyu could forget about being affectionate with him ever again.
After doing all this, Yan Chu was thinking of leaving quickly when a carriage appeared out of nowhere, stopping by the river on the main road. The plain-colored curtain was lifted by the wind, revealing a pair of cold eyes inside.
Yan Chu was a little embarrassed to be caught at this moment. For some reason, she felt that all her schemes and calculations were childish and insignificant in front of him.
“Xiao Qi’s people will be here soon. Get in.”
At the residence, Xiao Qi looked at the pieces of cloth from the sleeve that the guard had presented to him, and his expression was extremely grim.
It was indeed the fabric from her sleeve. The bloody stains confirmed what had happened. She was already injured and had fought against so many people alone. She was clearly fighting for her life. The beautiful and vibrant woman from back then, his wife, was now covered in wounds and struggling to survive in his eyes.
After a while, Xiao Qi waved his hand, ordering the guard to retreat. He clenched the fragments and walked quickly toward the back courtyard.
Liuyu was standing at the garden entrance. When she heard that Yue Xiluo had gone out of the city alone, she was overjoyed. She immediately sent the secret guards from her brother’s faction to intercept and kill her. But she hadn’t heard back from the secret guards for a long time. She was already anxious, so she was even more surprised to see Xiao Qi suddenly arrive and took two steps back.
Xiao Qi stopped in front of her and asked, “Didn’t you say you were sick? How are you up?”
Liuyu retorted, “Yue Xiluo isn’t dead, so I don’t need to be hypocritical and hold a memorial ceremony for her.”
Xiao Qi threw the fragments in front of her. “It was you.”
Liuyu was shocked when she saw them and turned away. “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”
Xiao Qi said, “Those secret guards are from the Qin Chuan clan. General Qin Chuan is no longer here. Who else can command the secret guards under him? Besides you, who else knows the layout of the secret guards in the residence and could easily have someone kidnapped?”
Liuyu was stunned for a moment and then said angrily, “She’s missing! Why are you so suspicious of me? She ran away on her own. How can you blame it on me!”
Xiao Qi said, “How can a serious injury be faked? How could a person with a serious injury escape from the residence?”
Liuyu said, “She’s the best at using tricks and schemes. There’s nothing she can’t do!”
Xiao Qi said, “Who is the best at using tricks and schemes? How many things have you done behind my back?”
Liuyu was furious. “How can you be so suspicious of me? She’s very intimate with your brother. Who knows if your brother was charmed by her and took her out of the residence!”
Xiao Qi was enraged. “Xiao Yan and I are brothers. What right do you have to say such a thing!”
Liuyu was also angry. “You believe them but not me?”
“How can I believe you when you’ve done so many things behind my back!” Xiao Qi suppressed his anger. “Even if you’re not lying, how do you explain those secret guards under General Qin Chuan?”
“So what if I sent them? She killed my brother, so she deserves to die!” Since she was exposed, Liuyu simply admitted it. “She left the residence after killing people, and you still want to protect her! Fine. Since you care about her so much, go and find her! I know you’re tired of me. I’m leaving!”
The beautiful memories were gone. The past humility, gentleness, and reasonableness were all gone. All that was left was irrationality and viciousness. The woman in front of him had become so unfamiliar. He had felt guilty about her, afraid that she would feel guilty about the mistake from back then, so he had indulged her everywhere. But it turned out she had never felt guilty.
Xiao Qi felt exhausted and said with a bitter smile, “I get tired of you threatening to leave all the time. It turns out I was wrong. Qin Chuan Liuyu, was our relationship just a game to you?”
“You...” Realizing something was wrong, Liuyu tried to explain. “That’s not what I meant...”
“Whatever you say.” Xiao Qi turned and walked away.
“Xiao Qi!” Liuyu panicked and hugged his waist. “Believe me, please? I just said something wrong. I care about you...”
Xiao Qi gently pried her hands off and left without looking back.
Liuyu fell to the ground in despair, muttering, “This is your plan, Yue Xiluo. You want to get revenge on me and make me lose him. You can’t! You can’t! He loves me...”
The head guard was waiting in the corridor. When he saw Xiao Qi, he reported, “My Prince, we have searched up and down the Yongrong River, but we haven’t found anything.”
Xiao Qi was silent for a moment and said, “There’s no need to look anymore. Perhaps she has already left.”
Liuyu must have been the one who ordered the secret guards to pursue her, but knowing Liuyu’s personality, she wouldn’t have had the guts to do it in the residence. Besides, she wanted to avenge Qin Chuan Liulin, so she should have killed her, not kidnapped her.
If she wasn’t kidnapped, there was only one other possibility—she escaped on her own.
Xiao Qi’s face was ashen.
Was she still going to continue? The cold poison was eating away at her body, and her sword wound had not healed yet. She was risking her life!
The head guard, trying to guess his thoughts, cautiously said, “Should we send people to all the checkpoints...”
“No need,” Xiao Qi raised his hand to stop him. “Order the secret guards to keep an eye on the movements of the generals.”
The head guard immediately understood. “Understood, my Prince.”
Meanwhile, Yan Chu and Xi Lingjun were already far from the capital. The carriage drove on its own, very smoothly. There was no coachman, and through the window, the trees and mountains on both sides kept receding. Several luminous pearls were embedded in the carriage ceiling, making it bright. The wide robe was spread across the carriage, looking simple and elegant, like the owner sitting across from her.
However, only Yan Chu knew whether he was a reclusive and desireless hermit.
Yan Chu thought to herself that since Fu Lian Wan Yu had come out with him, she wondered where she was now...
Just as she thought of this, she heard his voice, “Wan Yu is in the Ice Kingdom.”
Yan Chu was startled that he had read her mind and smiled awkwardly. “Even if she were here, how would I dare to make a move in front of you, Xi Lingjun?”
“I, however, can’t guarantee that she won’t make a move on you,” Xi Lingjun reached out and placed his hand on her wrist. “The external injury has healed, but you misused the fire therapy technique, which caused your old injuries to flare up. You will eventually have to face the consequences.”
There was a hint of concern in his warning for some reason. Yan Chu was stunned and didn’t know what tone or expression to use to respond. She just whispered a thank you.
Xi Lingjun said, “It was Xiao Qi’s carelessness that you were able to leave the residence so easily.”
Yan Chu didn’t know if he had seen through her hidden strength. She could only nod in agreement. “I was lucky to have Xiao Yan’s help.”
Xi Lingjun said, “Xiao Yan?”
Yan Chu’s heart sank. She had said the name impulsively. It was true that panic could lead to mistakes. So, she carefully added, “The Lord’s personality is strange. I had to use the ‘Cold-Inducing Needle’ to threaten him.”
Her deliberate attempt at detachment made her intentions of protecting him even more obvious. Xi Lingjun said calmly, “It must have taken a lot of effort to control him.”
Who could threaten Xiao Yan? It was true that the more she said, the more she would make a mistake. Yan Chu became even more anxious and did not dare to argue further. After a long time, she said, “Don’t worry, Xi Lingjun. Even if I were willing, the Lord might not find this broken body appealing.”
Xi Lingjun said “hmm” and then said, “Very good.”
He raised his hand and presented her with a familiar jade bottle. It was the same medicine that the envoy Lan had brought last time.
Yan Chu hesitated. “I already owe you too much, Xi Lingjun...”
Xi Lingjun said, “Don’t try to anger me. You can’t bear the consequences.”
Yan Chu was startled. “Is that a threat?”
“Yes,” Xi Lingjun said. “If I wanted to, everything you’ve done would be meaningless.”
He flicked the cork open, and a fragrant aroma filled the air. A green pill rolled out of the jade bottle and into her mouth. In just a moment, Yan Chu felt the cold energy in her body recede significantly, and a warmth gradually grew in her dantian.
Yan Chu probed, “Your protection of Princess Fu Lian seems to be limited.”
“How can you tell?”
“I almost killed her, and you didn’t punish me.”
Xi Lingjun glanced at her sideways. “What are you trying to say?”
Yan Chu said, “Since she is not that important to you, I want to know if there’s a possibility of another deal?”
“If you want to kill her now, I won’t agree,” Xi Lingjun paused. “Do you enjoy making deals with me?”
He said the question, which was almost flirtatious, as if it were a casual remark. Yan Chu didn’t know whether to say yes or no. She lowered her eyes and feigned calmness. “No one would refuse to gain benefits from a deal.”
Xi Lingjun said, “Hmm, I like that very much.”
Yan Chu’s face suddenly turned red. She changed the subject. “Where are you going, Xi Lingjun?”
“The Fire and Wind Marsh,” Xi Lingjun said. “You can ask to come with me.”
The biggest problem on this journey was the checkpoints. Traveling with him was undoubtedly the safest option. Not only were his Daoist techniques superb, but who would dare to search his carriage?
However, the word “ask” made his meaning clear. He was not helping her unconditionally.
“I said there would be a next time,” He added when she didn’t answer right away. “For you, there’s no difference between one time and two times.”
Yan Chu’s face immediately turned pale. After a long time, she said, “You’re right, Xi Lingjun.”
As soon as she finished speaking, he...
...revealing a faint pink scar. It was a freshly healed wound that was a result of her insufficient cultivation of the fire therapy technique.
Xi Lingjun frowned slightly, and his finger caressed the scar. The scar gradually disappeared.
Pure energy flowed into her body, gentle yet with a hint of a burning sensation. Yan Chu bit her lip tightly, her body stiff. The torment she had endured that night still left her with a lingering fear. She was prepared to endure it again.
He lowered his head, his long hair falling like an ink waterfall, covering the sides of her face.
His long index finger pried her teeth apart and entered her mouth.
“You’re not afraid of torture, but you’re afraid of me?”
His thin lips curved slightly, a small curve that still showed a hint of coldness in his smile. Yan Chu was momentarily stunned. When she was called back to reality, she couldn’t help but want to close her mouth, but was stopped, letting out a muffled sound.
The carriage swayed. The action was still dominant, but it was no longer so unbearable.
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