“When you tricked me into agreeing before, you never said you’d be taking away a living person.”

Yu Lingxi was truly anxious; Ning Yin’s action was far too outrageous.

However, on second thought, if he weren’t outrageous, he wouldn’t be Ning Yin.

“Who says the thing I cherish can’t be a living person?”

Ning Yin’s eyebrows and eyes were filled with pleasure as he said softly, “How could I be at ease if my treasure isn’t by my side?”

Though Yu Lingxi knew Ning Yin’s voice was extremely bewitching when coaxing people, when she heard the word “treasure,” her face still uncontrollably heated up, her snow-white cheeks showing an enticing light crimson.

She supported herself on the side of the chest to sit up, and as if to cover her embarrassment, gently rubbed her neck: “Making it like a coffin, you frightened me.”

But Ning Yin said: “If it were a coffin, it would be too small, unable to fit two people.”

Yu Lingxi was puzzled.

Ning Yin stretched out his hand to pat the spot beside her, saying leisurely: “If it were a coffin, I should also lie here.”

His expression was natural, making it difficult to tell if he was joking or truly thinking this way.

“Talking nonsense again.”

Yu Lingxi suppressed her suddenly racing heart and held the edge of the chest to stand up.

Although the chest was large, it was still somewhat confining for an adult woman to lie in.

Yu Lingxi felt her legs go numb and fell back powerlessly, blinking her eyes, not moving for a while.

Yu Lingxi was placed on a soft couch, finally having a chance to observe her surroundings.

The room was large and elegantly decorated, but not the brothel she had visited last time. From downstairs, she could faintly hear voices and the sounds of carriages and horses passing by, so they must still be in the marketplace.

“Where is this?” she asked, supporting herself on the bed.

“An inn.”

As he spoke, Ning Yin sat beside her and reached out to grasp one of her ankles.

As his warm palm touched her, Yu Lingxi instinctively shrank back.

Ning Yin glanced at her sideways, and she obediently relaxed her body, blinking at him with a smile.

Only then did Ning Yin lower his gaze, pushing up her skirt hem slightly, gently pressing and kneading her well-proportioned calf to ease away that unbearable numbness.

“What happened to your hand?” Yu Lingxi noticed two circles of bandage wrapped around the knuckles of his left hand.

Ning Yin glanced at it, appearing unconcerned.

Yu Lingxi felt somewhat distressed, her voice much lower: “Be more careful in the future. Injuring your hand is a serious matter.”

“Don’t worry, it doesn’t hinder me from attending to the young lady,” Ning Yin said.

He massaged slowly and attentively, his eyelashes half-lowered, casting a very light shadow in his eyes, making his nose appear straighter, his lips thinner, his features deep and handsome.

Ning Yin finished with the left leg and switched to the right, even taking interest in grasping Yu Lingxi’s snow-like slender ankle, weighing it as if amazed that one hand could easily encircle it.

Seeing his eyes grow increasingly dark with interest and his fingers gradually moving upward, Yu Lingxi felt a slight tickle and hurriedly withdrew her foot, lowering her skirt: “That’s enough.”

Ning Yin looked at his empty palm, rubbing his fingertips together as if feeling the lingering soft warmth, clicking his tongue in dissatisfaction.

Yu Lingxi pretended not to notice his mood, moved her hands and feet slightly, and let out a light groan: “At a time like this, you’ve brought me out. The Yu household must be frantic.”

“They won’t be anxious.”

Ning Yin placed his hand on his knee, saying casually, “I’ve already had someone leave a message for your father, informing him.”

What a way to put it—”informing him.”

Yu Lingxi widened her eyes slightly, took a deep breath, and finally sighed helplessly in resignation.

She could already imagine her father and brother’s complex emotions upon seeing Ning Yin’s message that acted first and reported later.

Yu Lingxi knew that Ning Yin must have arranged everything for her, able to protect her completely. But what about her father and brother?

She didn’t know how much of Ning Yin’s plan would consider her father and brother’s family. Hastily escaping couldn’t change the Yu family’s situation.

But…

Yu Lingxi looked at Ning Yin, who was calmly making tea on the couch, gradually softening her gaze: but the present moment was too beautiful, beautiful enough to make one greedy.

After pondering for a moment, she smiled faintly: “Ning Yin, let me write a family letter to my father and brother.”

At least let her family know she was safe and sound now.

She would say it was her own willing choice to leave with Ning Yin.

This way, her father and brother would not blame Ning Yin and could continue the two families’ secret plan with peace of mind.

……

The Yu mansion was indeed in turmoil.

Hearing Qingxiao’s hurried report that the second miss had been missing for an hour, Yu Tuan immediately mounted his horse and returned home without a word.

Just as he reached the gate, a porter carrying a load carelessly bumped into him, secretly slipping him a note.

Yu Tuan only dared to open the note after returning to the mansion, his brow furrowing more as he read.

On the night they revealed the Seventh Prince’s identity, he had said to this calm and inscrutable young man: “…At this point, whether I am truly supporting Your Highness or have sheltered you by coincidence is no longer important. All I seek is self-preservation. If Your Highness can promise to protect the Yu family’s safety, apart from my family members, I can give Your Highness anything.”

At that time, the Seventh Prince stood with his hands behind his back, looking at him, and only asked one question: “What if what I want happens to be one of your family members?”

Yu Tuan was shocked, remembering his bright, carefree youngest daughter.

He had thought the Seventh Prince would give up this idea in light of the Emperor’s bestowed marriage, but unexpectedly, he acted first and reported later, directly taking Suisui away.

His actions were bold and unconventional, neither entirely righteous nor evil. It was hard to tell if this was a blessing or a curse.

Lady Yu still didn’t know about this matter, thinking her daughter had gone to the Western mansion to play with her daughter-in-law.

Yu Huanchen, seeing his father’s deep, knotted worry, calmly reassured him: “Father, please be at ease. Suisui is not someone who doesn’t know the importance of things. She surely knows what to do. I will announce externally that Suisui is learning the ways of being a wife with Wan’er, focusing on cultivating virtue, and not seeing outside guests. No flaws will be exposed in the short term.”

Yu Tuan threw the paper into the lamp cover and lit it, sighing heavily: “That’s all we can do.”

But they both knew this was only an expedient measure for the “short term.” Once the Emperor’s marriage edict was set, Suisui would have to appear in person to receive it.

This was undoubtedly a sword hanging over their heads, not knowing when it would fall.

……

Yu Lingxi finished writing her family letter and had just blown the ink dry when she heard a knock on the door.

A young man of average appearance pushed open the door, wearing an unremarkable short brown upper garment. Seeing the beauty by the window blowing dry the ink, his eyes showed obvious amazement before he bowed with clasped hands: “The master told me to ask the second miss if the letter is ready?”

Ning Yin had instructed earlier that someone would come to collect the letter once it was written.

Yu Lingxi nodded, folding the letter.

She looked at the man in front of her, feeling somewhat familiar, and asked: “What is your name? I seem to have seen you before.”

“The second miss has good eyesight.”

The young man stepped forward, took the letter with both hands, and tucked it into his bosom, smiling to reveal a set of white teeth: “This humble servant is named Chen Feng. Previously I sold grapes outside your mansion and had the honor of briefly passing by the second miss once.”

With this reminder, Yu Lingxi did recall.

So those sour grapes Ning Yin often ate were from this man’s hands.

No wonder Ning Yin’s intelligence was so swift and accurate!

“Ning… where is your master?” Yu Lingxi asked.

“In the next elegant room discussing matters.”

Chen Feng said, “The master said that if the second miss is bored, she may walk around, but must wear a veil.”

Yu Lingxi shook her head: “No need, I’ll wait for him.”

Chen Feng smiled, bowed once more, and withdrew, closing the door.

Yu Lingxi went from initially sitting and waiting to lean on the couch, not even aware when she fell asleep.

In her daze, she heard the door open, then Ning Yin’s casual voice: “That old palace maid, arrange everything carefully.”

“Already arranged according to Your Highness’s deployment. There will be action within these two days.”

Another honest voice responded.

Leisurely footsteps approached; Ning Yin seemed to discover the lightly sleeping girl on the couch. When he spoke again, his voice was much gentler: “Get out.”

Yu Lingxi felt the mattress sink beside her and slowly opened her eyes.

“Poor thing, waited until she fell asleep,” Ning Yin looked at her with a smile.

Yu Lingxi’s sleepiness immediately dispersed. She blinked her eyelashes and said: “I knew you had important matters to arrange, so I entertained myself for a while.”

She turned over to get up, a strand of temple hair that had been pressed loose falling limply by her ear.

Today, between lying in a chest and taking a nap, her hair bun was all disheveled. She simply removed her pearl hairpin and hair band, letting her three thousand dark strands fall like spilled ink down to her waist.

Ning Yin looked at her smooth black hair, his eyes also seeming to be tinged with ink color. He reached out to take a strand of her soft hair falling across her chest, held it to his nose, and gently sniffed.

Then he moved down, his thin lips touching the ends of her hair.

Even though he was kissing hair that had no feeling, Yu Lingxi felt as if her breath had been seized, inexplicably heating up.

She pulled her hair back and stood up, saying: “I’ll go comb my hair.”

Yu Lingxi rarely combed her hair and didn’t have hair oil or other items. After struggling for a long time, she still hadn’t managed to bind a proper bun.

Ning Yin dragged a chair over, and sat cross-legged by the window, watching with interest as she combed her hair in front of the mirror. When he finally couldn’t bear to watch anymore, he gave a very low, muffled laugh, stood up behind her, and took the comb from her hand.

The slightly yellowed copper mirror coated Ning Yin’s face with a layer of warmth, showing an unprecedented calm gentleness.

His long, fair fingers moved through her cool hair. The cold white of his fingers contrasted with the intense black, strand by strand, unhurriedly combing through to the bottom.

Yu Lingxi’s mouth curled upward as she watched her hair obediently gathering into a bundle in his palm, then tied with a ribbon. Her whole body felt as warm and comfortable as if soaked in hot water.

Ning Yin held her chin, looking at her in the mirror, and after a while made a “tsk” sound, seemingly not quite satisfied.

He put down the comb and said slowly: “When the hairpin is polished, I’ll bind a more beautiful bun for the young lady.”

“What hairpin?” Yu Lingxi asked.

Ning Yin didn’t answer, only gesturing with his eyes toward the veils, masks, and other items on a tray to the side, saying: “Let’s go out for a walk.”

Since he invited me, it must be safe.

Yu Lingxi accordingly took a light crimson veil to cover her face, thought for a moment, then also selected a black patterned half-mask, saying to Ning Yin: “Come here.”

Ning Yin raised his eyebrows slightly, but ultimately bent down, lowering his head, and moving his body a bit closer.

Yu Lingxi then stood on tiptoe and tied the half-mask onto his face.

Stepping back to look, she saw the black half-mask covering his cold, dark eyes, revealing only his mouth and lips and the clean outline of his jaw. With his black hair and light clothes, he had an indescribable air of nobility and handsomeness.

Yu Lingxi was momentarily dazed before curving her eyes into a smile, saying: “Let’s go.”

Only upon leaving did she discover that this inn was very large.

The front courtyard housed merchants and unmarried minor officials, while the rear courtyard was more quiet and spacious. A large area of hills, pools, and pavilions divided the courtyard into numerous small, non-interfering zones.

The sky was clear with a bright moon and a few stars. Lanterns hung under the eaves, making it as bright as day.

Yu Lingxi walked alongside Ning Yin through the winding corridor and couldn’t help asking: “This place is quite busy. Why didn’t you choose a more secluded location?”

Staying here, what difference was there from exposing one’s identity?

Ning Yin’s eyes under the mask holes narrowed slightly, and he moved the corner of his mouth: “Bustling naturally has its advantages.”

“What about that tall person carrying a heavy sword?” Yu Lingxi asked again.

There was not a single person protecting Ning Yin now, and she was genuinely concerned.

Ning Yin glanced at her sideways, saying calmly: “He has his mission.”

Yu Lingxi gave a low “Oh,” not knowing what he was planning again.

Ning Yin’s thoughts were unfathomable. Ordinary people might only worry about not revealing their identity too early, but he had certainly already calculated how to counter-attack after exposure.

So she didn’t worry excessively.

Ning Yin stopped walking and reached out to hook Yu Lingxi’s hair ribbon that was dancing in the wind.

Twisting it slightly, he raised his lips and asked: “Why aren’t you continuing to interrogate me?”

Yu Lingxi also stopped, standing shoulder to shoulder with him in the lamplight.

Like countless times before, intimate and trusting.

“Then… how do you plan to settle me?”

Yu Lingxi lowered her eyelashes, leaning against the carved railing, saying lightly, “In the current tense situation, you can’t possibly hide me openly.”

Ning Yin looked at her for a long time, drawing an “Oh” in realization: “So the young lady is asking me for a commitment.”