Lin Shaoci wants me to go with him, Feng Tingxie wants me to get that list, Chu Tianyao deceived me, but he is my husband… Heaven knows! I even sought him out as a bodyguard intending to escape, only to deliver myself straight into the tiger’s mouth!

The more I thought about it, the more furious I became. I tossed and turned before finally falling asleep. Between dreams and wakefulness, I felt some kind of strong sixth sense—a deep gaze was watching me.

I practically sprang up, my upper body straight as a line. Before I could speak, someone covered my mouth.

I opened my eyes wide. His white hair was distinguishable even in the darkness—like a spell, reminding me that he had once been as gentle as water, seeping in bit by bit, destroying the walls around my heart that I had thought were cold and impenetrable.

“You—” I couldn’t speak.

He pressed me down, forcefully kissing my lips, his silver hair cascading down like a deluge covering heaven and earth. Shamefully, I couldn’t resist his passion.

I bent my knee and kicked at his vulnerable spot. He grunted in pain and raised his head in anger. I glared at him without fear.

His eyes were as bright as brilliant stars, eventually softening as he gently stroked my hair and said leisurely: “So even when you’re angry, you’re still so beautiful.”

I immediately collapsed: “What exactly do you want?”

He sighed softly and said gently: “Alright. I apologize.”

I pushed him away and turned my back to him. This arrogant pig, saying “I apologize” as if bestowing a great favor upon me. Does he expect me to kneel and thank him for his divine grace? To hell with that!

“Shuang—” he slipped under the covers and reached out to embrace me.

That voice was almost like a spoiled child’s plea. My whole body trembled. I turned to glare at him, hardly believing my ears.

“I missed you,” he clung to me.

Heavens! I immediately softened. Such a proud and aloof person, who almost had everything, yet his emotions were so unpredictable. But I wasn’t about to let him off the hook. “Hmph! You weren’t like this that day.”

His gaze grew profound again. “In my entire life, I’ve never begged anyone to speak to me.”

“Ha! I’m truly honored!”

“Are you? I can’t tell.” He kissed me again, like a punishment.

After a long while, he raised his head, breathing slightly, “We’re returning to Cangzhou tomorrow.”

“Hmm, why?” I couldn’t quite come back to my senses.

“I can’t let others keep holding my woman!” His tone sounded jealous.

My God, I closed my eyes, covered my forehead with my hand, and couldn’t help but laugh.

He moved his leg angrily, and I immediately shuddered.

“Why such a rush to go back? Has something happened?”

He snorted, “You were about to run off with someone. Isn’t that enough?”

I widened my eyes, “Ah? You were spying on me?”

He didn’t answer, just held me tightly, his warm breath blowing directly on my face. My whole body grew hot, and I couldn’t be bothered to pursue the matter further.

When I opened my eyes in the morning, that fellow had already vanished without a trace. Sigh! Appearing and disappearing like a ghost—heaven knows how he got in.

I sat dumbfounded for a while, almost suspecting it was a dream, then suddenly felt regretful—I’m so useless, forgiving him so easily.

I sighed, pulling the blanket over my head. Soon after, there was a knock at the door.

“Manor Lord,” said Lan Zixu, “Are you awake?”

“What is it?” I peeked my head out.

“Chu Tianyao’s carriage is waiting for you outside.”

Ah, he came so quickly? I got up, dressed, washed up, and went out.

Lan Zixu and the others were all waiting in the main hall, except for Lin Shaoci. Feng Ming stood upright in the hall, his blue robe like jade. Upon seeing me, he sighed with relief.

“Where is Chu Tianyao?” I asked directly.

“The master is waiting for you in the carriage.” He was polite as always.

I looked around at everyone and said: “Well, I’m leaving then. Please give my regards to Shaoci.”

Lan Zixu nodded, saying meaningfully: “Take care, Manor Lord.”

I understood, waving my hand in feigned nonchalance. Since he came to pick me up, I’d better take this opportunity to bow out gracefully.

Just as I lifted the carriage curtain, a hand pulled me inside, and I fell into his embrace.

I blurted out: “In broad daylight, show some respect!”

Before he could speak, I heard Feng Ming outside drawing in a sharp breath.

He looked at me with a solemn face and deep gaze. After a moment, he whispered in my ear: “Next time in public, don’t speak to me like this.”

I suddenly found it amusing: “Egomaniac.”

He glared at me helplessly, casually arranging my hair. “Hair disheveled, what kind of appearance is this?”

“Haha, anyway, someone likes it.” I shifted my position a bit.

“Sharp-tongued,” he sighed.

My heart trembled, suddenly remembering Feng Tingxie’s parting words to be careful around Chu Tianyao. Not just him—almost everyone had warned me that he was a great demon, unpredictable in his moods, killing people as easily as crushing hemp. Yet now, he sat beside me, his smile warm and kind, his eyes overflowing with tolerance and pampering, calm and composed, silent as a mountain, showing no trace of violence or cruelty.

“What are you thinking about again?” He wrapped his arm around my waist, feigning anger.

“Nothing!” I smiled, somewhat guiltily.

He suddenly grew serious: “Don’t think about him!”

I was puzzled: “Which ‘him’?”

“Playing dumb.” He snorted coldly, “Besides Lin Shaoci, who else could it be?”

His tone was full of jealousy. Heavens! If anyone ever tells me again that he’s a devil, I’ll slap them. He’s a perfect husband.

I stared at him with wide eyes, wanting to laugh, but a sudden tenderness flowed through my heart like water.

I couldn’t help myself—I leaned over and kissed his face.

He was slightly startled.

I smiled: “Silly, I was thinking about you.”

He asked: “What about me?”

“I was thinking…” I looked at him, not knowing how to phrase it.

“Say it quickly! Otherwise, I’ll spank you.” He was brimming with smiles as he exerted a little pressure, and I fell onto his lap.

“I was thinking, why does everyone say you’re a devil who kills without blinking an eye?”

His clear eyes suddenly became profound: “Oh, then in your eyes, what kind of person am I?”

I stroked his silver-white hair, saying leisurely: “Hmm, you are the clouds in the sky, ever-changing; you are the water of the sea, inclusive and vast; you are the wind, a mystery…” I spoke smoothly, becoming increasingly fanciful, “You are trees of blossoms, you swallow chattering between the beams, you are love, warmth, hope, you are April in the human world!”

He didn’t speak, just stared at me dumbfounded, with some inexplicable sparks flickering in his eyes.

I gently tugged at his hair, teasing: “Dazed with happiness? Never heard such brilliant flattery before?”

He suddenly said softly: “You are my dream, Shuang. I truly can’t believe that I have you.”

My whole body trembled. I could hardly believe such words would come from his mouth. I felt like I was going to faint. No wonder Auntie Qiong Yao likes fainting so much. When happiness is too great, it does make one dizzy.

I ordered him: “Lower your head!”

He was startled.

“I said lower your head.” I smiled like a delinquent girl, “Quickly, I want to reward you.”

He lowered his head as told—perhaps the first time in his life that he obeyed a woman.

I immediately kissed his lips.

A faint blush spread across his face, like an inexperienced youth.

We didn’t return directly to Cangzhou but took a detour to Le’an, the fief of Prince Han, Zhu Gaoxu.

Once Yan Shao arrived in Le’an, he went straight to Prince Han’s mansion. Every night when he returned late, I would be fast asleep, and by the time I woke at dawn, there was no trace of him.

It was March of the Hongxi era in the Great Ming Dynasty. Time was pressing, and I needed to get that list as soon as possible.

But I didn’t know where exactly he had hidden this list. Logically, such an important list should be carried on his person, but I searched through all his clothes and study without finding it. Perhaps it was in Cangzhou?

Speaking of which, being a thief isn’t a job anyone can do, especially stealing from the person you love who lies beside you. The intense guilt is truly deadly—even now I can feel my heart pounding like war drums shaking the ground.

My feelings were conflicted. Subconsciously, I didn’t want to find that list. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t know what to do.

To steal or not to steal?

If I stole it, regardless of whether I could safely escape or whether he would forgive me, I would never have the face to see him again in this life. In the years to come, I would inevitably live in perpetual remorse, growing old in loneliness and solitude. I had finally fallen in love with someone, and I didn’t want it to end in desolation.

If I didn’t steal it, how would I account to Yu Chi Manor? With the imperial court pulling strings behind the scenes, if I didn’t act, the court would move against Yu Chi Manor. Since I occupied Rong Shukuang’s body and her identity with its responsibilities, I couldn’t completely disregard them.

Moreover, what he was doing was treasonous rebellion.

With so many professions in the world, why did he have to choose this one? Thinking back to our time at Li Lake, he had compared himself to Fan Li, but Fan Li helped Goujian restore his state—this was rebellion, a capital offense.

Such a transcendent person, he couldn’t possibly fail to see through the vanity of fame and power. Why did he want to do this? I had to find an opportunity to ask him.

One night, half-asleep, I sensed him sitting beside the bed. I continued to pretend to sleep, waiting for him to wake me, but unexpectedly he let out a soft sigh and walked out again.

So late, where was he going?

I thought for a moment, then got up and quietly followed him out to a secluded courtyard. A faint light glowed through the paper window.

A woman’s voice said gently: “Let me help you undress.”

He gave a low acknowledgment.

The room fell silent. After a while, the woman spoke again: “How do you feel?”

He didn’t respond.

I stood in the courtyard as the ethereal moonlight poured down, feeling a chill throughout my body. I recognized this voice—she was the woman from the inn that night.

“For a mere Rong Shukuang, why should you…” The woman’s voice held an inexplicable grievance.

He coldly interrupted her: “Don’t let her affect your emotions. Do what you need to do.”

I immediately trembled with anger. Just as I was about to burst in and catch them in the act, a hand silently reached out from behind and rested on my shoulder. It scared me so badly my soul nearly left my body, and then I was lifted into the air, quickly carried away by that person.

By now I was beyond fear, feeling only the eruption of rage—a hot current flowing through my limbs and meridians.

That person carried me to the front hall before releasing me.

As soon as my feet touched the ground, I turned and slapped him across the face. After the slap, I froze.

“It’s you—”

Feng Ming glared at me, his eyes emitting a beast-like glow.

I angrily said: “What are you trying to do?”

He gradually regained his composure. “Please return to your room to rest, madam!”

“You dare to control me?”

“I wouldn’t dare!”

“Then step aside.”

“The master instructed that no one is to disturb him.”

“Why can’t anyone disturb him?”

“The master instructed that madam should not know.”

He was truly honest. I laughed in extreme anger: “I insist on disturbing him. What will you do?”

His eyes tightened: “Please forgive Feng Ming for being disrespectful!”

I sneered and strode back the way I came.

He suddenly moved to block my acupuncture points. Without even looking back, I instinctively countered with a palm strike. He retreated several steps, his face showing an inexplicable surprise.

As I struck out with my palm, the hot current in my body became increasingly chaotic, like a flash flood beyond control. I couldn’t help but let out a “Wa” and spat out a mouthful of blood. In an instant, countless streams of hot energy surged upward, a bloody rush pouring from my throat. My vision immediately darkened, and I lost consciousness.

In my hazy consciousness, I vaguely heard light songs and laughter, with an elusive fragrance that seemed both near and far.

My mouth felt parched. I struggled to open my eyes and hazily saw a white figure standing by the bedside.

I reached out to pull at his clothes, calling: “Give me some water.”

The person didn’t move, seemingly asleep.

I weakly dropped my hand, struggling to sit up. My legs felt as if they were filled with lead, immovable. I could only let out a long breath.

The person suddenly awoke: “Shuang, you’re awake?”

I stared blankly at his face. “Xiao Xie!”

“It’s me!”

He bent down, full of concern, “How do you feel?”

“I want some water.”

He immediately poured a cup of water for me to drink.

“What happened to me?”

“Your true qi suddenly recovered but was temporarily out of control. There’s nothing serious now.”

I looked around the room. “Where is this place?”

His face reddened slightly. “A brothel.”

I was surprised and laughed: “Since when did you develop this interest?”

He glared at me, smiling bitterly.

I said: “How did you end up here? Did you find your sister?”

He nodded, “She went beyond the passes with her master. I received a pigeon message from Young Master Lin, so I came to Le’an to find you. I was sneaking into Chu’s residence at night when I saw you confronting Feng Ming…”

I remained silent, then thought to ask: “Strange, the cold energy in my body was removed long ago. Why has my true qi only recovered now?”

His expression changed, and he suddenly turned away.

I asked puzzledly: “What’s wrong?”

After a long silence, he took a deep breath and said: “You’ve been poisoned.”

I was stunned. “Ah! When did this happen? Why didn’t I feel anything…”

“Your true qi never recovered. Apart from the cold energy from the Profound Ice Cold Jade Palm, part of the reason was poisoning. The poison was temporarily suppressed by the cold energy from the Profound Ice Cold Jade Palm, so it didn’t manifest. Now that the cold energy is gone, your true qi has recovered, and the poison has activated with it…”

Could I have been poisoned before I was injured?

I was bewildered and cautiously asked: “Was it in Suzhou… Is this related to Miss Feng…”

His face turned ashen. “Yes, it was Jing Li who poisoned you.”

My mind heated up. I wanted to curse but suddenly felt an inexplicable desolation.

“Is there an antidote for this poison?”

He shook his head, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“What kind of poison is it?”

“I don’t know. It was given to her by her master.” He held my hand and knelt. “Shuang, I’ve failed you.”

I remained silent. The room was quiet. The sounds of singing and flirtatious laughter drifted in, making this enclosed space feel even more deathly still.

After a long while, I asked: “How much longer can I live?”

“I don’t know!” His voice was like a thorn in his throat.

I let out a long breath and smiled: “Then I should enjoy myself while I can. Come, help me up. Let’s go outside for a walk.”

He looked at me, motionless.

I called again: “Help me up.”

He stood up. I grabbed his arm but suddenly felt something warm and sticky on my fingertips. Looking down, I saw a large patch of blood seeping through his snow-white garment.

I was shocked and immediately let go. “You’re injured?”

He didn’t answer, his face expressionless.

I pressed him. “What happened? Who hurt you?”

“It was me!” Someone at the door coldly said.

The curtain moved without wind, accompanied by a series of crisp sounds. Feng Ming walked in slowly. With each step he took, the killing intent in the room grew.

Feng Tingxie stood motionless. His sword lay diagonally on the edge of the bed—a black scabbard with a snow-white handle.

He suddenly said: “The one who tried to assassinate my master in Nanjing that day—was it you?”

“Yes!” Feng Ming admitted frankly.

I was startled, then suddenly realized. Yes, apart from that bastard, who else would dare to attempt assassinating the Crown Prince?

“Very well!” Feng Tingxie grabbed the sword handle and said coldly, “Today, either you die or I perish!”

“Then you are certainly going to die today!”

A woman trailing gorgeous robes entered the room like a colorful butterfly, more beautiful than peach blossoms yet cold as frost. Her bright eyes didn’t look at Feng Tingxie but fixed firmly on me. I stared back at her. With her translucent skin, dark eyebrows, and vermilion lips, she was truly a beauty beyond compare.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became stagnant and oppressive, ready to explode at any moment.

Feng Tingxie laughed heartily, “How fortunate Feng is, to have the world-famous ‘Phoenix Song and Dance’ both attacking at once.”

“Enough talk.”

A green light suddenly appeared between the woman’s long, white fingers, shooting like cold lightning directly toward Feng Tingxie’s eyes.

Feng Tingxie drew his sword and blocked it horizontally. The beam of green light suddenly split into countless star-like points, flying rapidly throughout the room. One point sped toward my forehead. Feng Tingxie and Feng Ming both shouted in alarm, leaping to intercept it.

In that moment of crisis, I pinched my fingers together, and the green light vanished in a flash. Looking closer, it was a green silver needle as thin as a hair.

Feng Tingxie looked at me, then suddenly turned and said, “To avoid harming the innocent, let’s change locations.”

Feng Ming nodded.

Feiwu coldly said: “Why bother with such complications!”

Feng Ming said in a deep voice: “Be careful not to harm the madam—”

“She looks perfectly fine to me!” Feiwu looked at me and sneered, “You believe the surname Feng’s excuse to escape?”

I asked Feng Ming: “Why do you want to kill him?”

Feng Ming’s face was expressionless. “I’m following orders!”

I called out, “Why would he do this?”

“Those who sneak into the Qiuzhen Pavilion at night must die!”

“Let me plead for him!”

Feng Tingxie suddenly said: “Shuang, am I, Feng Tingxie, someone who fears death?”

I glared at him fiercely. What a stubborn fellow—a true hero knows when to retreat from immediate danger!

I said to Feng Ming: “He entered there because of me. If you spare him, I’ll explain to Yan Shao. He certainly won’t blame you—”

“Rong Shukuang, you think too highly of yourself,” Feiwu snorted coldly. “Once the master’s order is given, it cannot be changed.”

I ignored her and fixed my gaze on Feng Ming. “Is that so?”

He looked directly into my eyes: “Yes!”

“Fine!” I nodded, supporting myself as I stood up, and resolutely said: “If you want to kill him, you must kill me first.”

“Shuang! This has nothing to do with you!” As Feng Tingxie spoke, his body suddenly shot out like an arrow leaving a bowstring. The white figure streaked through the air like a bolt of lightning. Feng Ming and Feiwu rose together in pursuit, not letting up.

I was so anxious that my whole body broke out in sweat. I collapsed to the ground, struggling to stand up, and stumbled in the direction where the three had disappeared. I don’t know how much time passed before I finally found a silver needle in a quiet alley. Walking a few more steps, I discovered a small pool of blood, dripping to the end of the alley, where a corner of white clothing was visible from the wall.

“Xiao Xie!” I screamed in anguish and rushed over.

“Shuang!” A pair of white, slender hands caught me around the waist.

I looked up at him and said coldly: “Let me go.”

He said gently: “Come back with me.”

I struggled with all my might. Whether I was suddenly filled with strength or he wasn’t using his full power, I broke free and rushed to the corner of the alley—I stared blankly for a long time before finally screaming.

He embraced me at the right moment, sighing softly: “This is the last scene I wanted you to see.”

I have no recollection of how I got back. My mind was completely imprinted with Feng Tingxie’s face.

That face was once so handsome—dark eyes, a straight nose, crimson lips, like a work of art. Now it was shattered, breaking into countless fragments flying chaotically before my eyes.

I couldn’t believe this was real. That lovely Xiao Xie, the Xiao Xie who would blush at the slightest provocation, was truly dead. I had nightmares night after night. Chu Tianyao watched over me, saying nothing. I couldn’t forgive him. He was a devil, a devil who killed without blinking an eye.

“It’s been three days. You should at least eat something,” his tone was almost pleading. “Even if you want to curse me or hit me, you should have the strength, right?”

I remained wooden and silent.

He was quiet for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said: “Look, your martial arts have fully recovered. You are a martial arts prodigy. In a few more years, you’ll be able to defeat me. Then you can kill me to avenge him, alright?”

I could hardly believe that even now he still had the mood to make such playful remarks.

I looked at his smile and felt an unprecedented terror.

“They were right. You are a devil.”

His gaze changed, and he tightly pressed his lips together.

I cried out: “I want to go back. I want to return to Yu Chi Manor and never see you again.”

He let me struggle out of bed. As I opened the door, he suddenly spoke: “What about that list? Don’t you want it anymore?”

I was completely stunned, turning back in shock: “You knew?”

He walked over and sighed lightly: “I said before, in this world, there is nothing that I, Chu Tianyao, don’t know.”

“Then why did you still marry me?” I asked. “Why didn’t you kill me?”

“Because I couldn’t bear to.” He reached out to stroke my hair.

“You are a devil.” My voice was barely audible, almost to myself. “A devil.”

“And to you?” He looked at me, gently asking in return.

I was stunned. True, he did seem to have some genuine feelings for me.

After a long while, I finally said: “Why are you helping Prince Han?”

“Helping?” He laughed. “You think I’m helping him?”

“Aren’t you?”

He sighed deeply. “Shuang, you still don’t understand me. I just think this is an interesting and challenging matter.”

I stared in disbelief. Interesting? Challenging? He was aiding Prince Han’s rebellion just because of personal preference? Heavens, this man truly was insane.

“You’re mad. You’re truly mad.”

“Then stop me.” He smiled. “Be good and eat, then you’ll have the strength to find the list.”

“You—” My whole body trembled. Suddenly, I cried out with all my might: “You killed Feng Tingxie just to leave me with no way out.”

“No!” He shook his head. “Shuang, this has nothing to do with you.”

“Then why did you—”

He interrupted me, saying coldly: “Anyone who enters the Qiuzhen Pavilion cannot continue to live in this world.”

I suddenly laughed coldly. “You think I don’t know the names on that list?”

“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow.

I stared at him, enunciating each word: “At least one.”

“Tell me,” his face was expressionless.

“Zhang Fu.”

His gaze instantly became unfathomable as he quietly looked at me for a long time before saying: “You’re tired. Rest.”

[According to the History of Ming, Prince Han’s rebellion involved sending people to Beijing to recruit Zhang Fu as an inside connection, but he suddenly defected at the last moment.]