Actually, she knew of a method to keep snow lotus from withering—using ice and snow as a container. The moment the snow lotus was picked, it would be immediately placed in the container and frozen. As long as the container didn’t melt, the snow lotus would naturally not wither. However, this was not something her current identity should know, so she didn’t mention a single word about it.

Li Shimin said gently: “I once tried to draw it myself, but unfortunately my artistic skills were insufficient. I couldn’t even draw its current budding state properly, let alone when it blooms. I was just thinking about requesting a skilled artist in Honghua Prefecture, and then I encountered you in the back garden. With the skill you displayed when drawing Jiang Caiping just now, I believe you’re capable of capturing the beauty of the snow lotus in bloom. Please, Miss Meixue, do me this favor.” As he spoke, he actually bowed to Yunyi with cupped hands. Yunyi quickly stepped aside: “Second Young Master, you’re going to be the death of me.”

Seeing that Li Shimin still maintained his bowing posture, she hesitated: “I only fear I’ll disappoint Second Young Master.”

Li Shimin said seriously: “You won’t. I believe you’re the most suitable artist.”

Yunyi said helplessly: “Very well, I’ll do my best. If there’s anything drawn poorly later, please forgive me, Second Young Master.”

Her words brought joy to Li Shimin’s face, and he bowed again: “Thank you, Miss Meixue.”

Yunyi returned the courtesy and said gently: “Second Young Master treats Miss Changsun so well. When you two marry in the future, I believe you’ll surely be a loving couple, growing old together.”

“Thank you for your auspicious words.” Li Shimin smiled: “While the snow isn’t too heavy yet, let’s hurry up the mountain. Otherwise, the path will become difficult to traverse.”

“Mm.” Yunyi tightened her cotton coat and was about to step forward when a black fox fur cloak was already draped over her shoulders. Yunyi hurriedly said: “I’m not cold. Second Young Master, you should keep it yourself…”

“Wear it. It’ll probably be even colder up on the mountain.” Having said this, Li Shimin tied the horse’s reins to a tree and led the way up the mountain. Seeing this, Yunyi could only tighten the cloak and follow behind him.

As the mountain grew steeper and with wind and snow hitting their faces, the mountain path became increasingly difficult to traverse. Yunyi accidentally stepped on a loose rock and nearly tumbled down. Fortunately, she reacted quickly and grabbed onto a nearby stone in time. Even so, her left ankle still sent a sharp pain through her.

Li Shimin heard her cry of alarm and had already turned back to her side, asking with concern: “How are you?”

Yunyi frowned: “I think I’ve twisted my ankle. Second Young Master, how much farther is it to the snow lotus?”

Li Shimin raised his hand to shield against the oncoming wind and snow: “Not far now. About another cup of tea’s time and we should reach it.” He said: “Let me help you try to see if you can walk.”

Yunyi nodded and stood up with his assistance, but as soon as she took a step, she sat back down again, shaking her head: “It’s no good. The moment I put weight on it, it feels like many needles are stabbing me. It really hurts too much to walk.”

Li Shimin pondered for a moment: “There isn’t much path left anyway. Let me carry you up.”

Yunyi quickly shook her head: “Second Young Master has a noble body. How can you carry me? Besides, the mountain path is treacherous. What if I drag you down and you get hurt too? Perhaps…” She gritted her teeth and struggled to stand up by supporting herself against a nearby tree: “Let me try again!”

“You’re already injured now. If you force yourself to walk, you’ll only worsen the injury. If it leaves lasting damage, that would be troublesome. Big brother, he was…” Li Shimin stopped speaking and bent down: “Hurry up and get on. Don’t delay.”

Seeing that Yunyi was still hesitating, he chuckled: “Don’t forget that I practice martial arts. A bit of mountain path won’t trouble me. No need to worry.”

Seeing him say this, Yunyi could only fearfully climb onto his back, letting him carry her up the mountain. Yunyi wrapped her arms around Li Shimin’s neck, a cold light flashing in her eyes.

She had indeed twisted her ankle, but it wasn’t serious enough to prevent her from walking. The reason she deliberately exaggerated her injury was to trick Li Shimin into carrying her.

An extremely sharp dagger was quietly waiting in her right sleeve. At this position and distance, she was confident she could kill Li Shimin before he could react!

Heaven has a path you refuse to take, hell has no gate yet you insist on barging in. Today, she would first kill Li Shimin to comfort Moping’s spirit in heaven!

As for the escape plan afterward, Yunyi had already thought it through. She needn’t worry about being exposed by the Li family. In fact, among the entire Li household, Li Shimin was the most difficult to deal with. Once he was dead, she believed her future actions in the Governor’s mansion would be much more convenient.

Thinking this, her arm moved slightly, and the dagger silently slid toward her palm. Yet Yunyi’s body remained so soft, giving no hint of the approaching slaughter.

Just as the dagger was about to fall into her palm, Li Shimin stepped on a bronze fragment. Although it was covered with mud, one could still see that the upward-facing side was polished very smooth. By its appearance, it should be a damaged bronze mirror.

The moment the bronze fragment was stepped on by Li Shimin and stood upright, Yunyi distinctly saw a human shadow flash across the mirror. She hurriedly looked back, but behind them was quiet, with nothing but snowflakes dancing everywhere in the sky and on the ground.

Strange, had she seen things?

No, she hadn’t been mistaken. The bronze mirror had indeed reflected a human figure. Someone was following behind them, deliberately concealing their tracks. If not for accidentally stepping on the bronze mirror, she would still be in the dark.

Afterward, Yunyi looked back several more times. Although she still didn’t see any human figures, on the last look, she caught sight of a corner of clothing exposed behind a tree trunk. Who was it? Who exactly was secretly following them, and what was their purpose?

Li Shimin felt that Yunyi kept looking back and turned his head: “What are you looking at?”

“I’m looking at the path we just walked. The snow is getting heavier and heavier now. I’m afraid the mountain path will soon be covered with snow, and then I don’t know how we’ll get down.”

Li Shimin’s lips curved in a gentle smile: “Since I brought you up the mountain, I’ll certainly bring you down safely. No need to worry.”

“Mm.” Yunyi responded and said no more, carefully pondering the identity of the person behind them. Hiding their head and showing their tail, they probably weren’t good people. Could it be Li Yuan’s enemy, seeing Li Shimin going out alone and wanting to take advantage of the opportunity to harm him?

It should be exactly that. For Li Yuan to reach his current position, he must have made quite a few enemies. Those who wanted the Li father and son dead weren’t limited to just Father Emperor. Li Shimin was also careless, leaving the mansion alone without even bringing his trusted aide Duan Zhihong—it was practically seeking death!

Yunyi’s lips curved in a cold smile as she slowly retracted the dagger that had slid to her wrist. Since someone else was doing the job, she didn’t need to act personally. Returning to the Governor’s mansion would naturally be even less likely to arouse suspicion.

The mountain path was rugged and difficult to traverse. Even Li Shimin, with his martial arts background, couldn’t help but pant slightly. He hoisted Yunyi, who had slipped down a bit, back up and pointed to a rock wall ahead: “Do you see it? It’s right there.”

“I’m fine, Second Young Master. Please watch your step.” Just as she finished saying the last word, Yunyi suddenly shivered.