◎Don’t Touch Her, Give Her to Me◎

When these words came out, everyone was stunned.

Luo Wanqing seemed frightened by him, trembling once, and hastily gripped Zhang Yiran’s clothing tightly.

Zhang Yiran noticed and quickly comforted her, saying softly, “Miss, don’t be afraid. His Highness is scolding the criminals.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu finally came to his senses.

The person before him was extremely similar to Luo Wanqing, but there were some differences upon closer inspection.

Luo Wanqing had almond-shaped eyes, gentle and dignified, carrying the natural poise of a lady from a great family. But the person before him had eyes that were somewhat more elongated than Luo Wanqing’s, and when she lowered her gaze, she carried a few traces of the cold clarity of frost on pine trees. Moreover, her expression was timid and cowardly, her whole body curled up, clearly from a humble household.

Even so, this face was ultimately too similar to Luo Wanqing’s. Watching her huddle timidly beside Zhang Yiran, Li Guiyu felt several traces of uncontrollable anger.

Elder Zhang, beside him, was also startled upon seeing Luo Wanqing’s face. He understood Li Guiyu’s temperament too well, so he immediately turned back and said to Li Guiyu: “Your Highness, I fear there’s deception here.”

Li Guiyu remained silent. He brushed aside Elder Zhang, who was blocking him, stepped down from the carriage, swept a glance at everyone who had been startled by him, and came before Luo Wanqing.

As soon as he approached, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but retreat toward Zhang Yiran.

Li Guiyu’s movements paused.

He raised his eyes, looking coldly at Luo Wanqing.

Luo Wanqing seemed frightened, looking up at Zhang Yiran with a trembling voice seeking help: “Sir…”

“Don’t be afraid,” Zhang Yiran also sensed that Li Guiyu’s emotional state was wrong. The woman before him seemed to regard him as her only support. He was somewhat unaccustomed to this, but thinking that this woman had just been kidnapped and rescued by him, it was natural for her to now view him as a lifeline. He comforted her softly: “This is the Third Prince. He’s a good person and won’t do anything to you.”

With that, Zhang Yiran looked up at everyone and said coldly, “Why don’t you leave quickly? Must you wait to be bound and taken to the authorities before you understand the gravity?”

The group said nothing. Both sides stared at each other. Zhang Yiran’s whole body was tense, gripping Luo Wanqing’s arm tightly, protecting her fiercely.

The human traffickers held their knives but looked up at Li Guiyu.

Li Guiyu knew they were waiting for his attitude. He moved his gaze from Luo Wanqing and pointed to the old woman standing on the carriage, saying gently: “This prince does not wish to cause trouble. These two are my guests. You may leave.”

Hearing this, the old woman understood Li Guiyu’s meaning. She looked unwillingly at the corpse on the ground, gritted her teeth, and bowed respectfully: “We did not know this was Your Highness’s carriage. We have disturbed Your Highness. This old servant will immediately take people and leave. We hope Your Highness will forgive us for that person’s sake.”

“If that person doesn’t pursue it, I naturally don’t mind.”

Li Guiyu’s expression was peaceful: “I won’t see you off.”

Hearing this, the old woman quickly called her people and turned to leave.

Luo Wanqing hurriedly said, “There are still people in the carriage.”

Zhang Yiran immediately shouted upon hearing this: “Leave the carriage!”

The old woman turned back and glared viciously at Zhang Yiran, then looked at Li Guiyu, gritted her teeth, had people leave the carriage, and turned to depart.

After the carriage was taken away, Zhang Yiran breathed a sigh of relief and quickly turned to look at Luo Wanqing, examining her up and down: “Miss, are you alright?”

Luo Wanqing nodded, appearing frightened, and said hoarsely: “Thank you, young master, for saving me. For this life-saving grace, I have no way to repay. This humble woman…”

“Miss,” Li Guiyu interrupted her words. Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran both looked up to see Li Guiyu standing to the side, smiling gently: “Are you alright?”

Hearing Li Guiyu’s voice, Zhang Yiran suddenly remembered and quickly said to Luo Wanqing: “Miss, you’re thanking the wrong person. Tonight, it wasn’t I who saved you. If it had been only me, I’m afraid both of us would have died here.” With that, Zhang Yiran looked toward Li Guiyu and introduced: “You should thank His Highness instead.”

Luo Wanqing turned her gaze over. A pair of eyes brimming with tears, marked with bloodshot traces, with slightly upturned corners that carried unconscious charm, examined Li Guiyu for a moment, then gently lowered her head and said respectfully: “Thank Your Highness.”

“When you thanked him, it was ‘no way to repay,'” Li Guiyu seemed to be joking, his voice slightly cool. “When you thank me, it’s just ‘thank you’ and that’s it?”

Luo Wanqing’s body stiffened. Zhang Yiran paid no special attention to their exchange, only saying to Luo Wanqing: “Are there other people? I’ll go take a look.”

“Yes.” Luo Wanqing seemed afraid to meet Li Guiyu’s gaze, hastily moving away and quickly saying to Zhang Yiran: “Sir, this way please.”

With that, Luo Wanqing pulled Zhang Yiran’s sleeve and left, leading him to the carriage. Li Guiyu coldly watched Luo Wanqing’s hand pulling Zhang Yiran’s sleeve, and followed the two forward.

Zhang Yiran opened the carriage to see a cartload of unconscious people, frowned, and said disapprovingly: “To do such things! Miss,” Zhang Yiran turned to look at Luo Wanqing, “could you come with me to report this to the authorities?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing showed a troubled expression, hesitating: “Sir, my mother is ill. I originally came to the Eastern Capital to get medicine. Now my heart is concerned about my mother—I cannot wait even a moment longer.”

Speaking of mothers, Zhang Yiran thought of his mother at home and quickly said, “Then you must return first. Only, in the middle of the night…”

“How about this?” Luo Wanqing looked hopefully at Zhang Yiran and immediately said: “Let His Highness report to the authorities, and you escort me home?”

When these words came out, everyone present was stunned. Zhang Yiran looked up at Li Guiyu standing beside them. Li Guiyu, seeing Zhang Yiran’s gaze, smiled gently: “Master Zhang, I can only help this far.”

Zhang Yiran understood Li Guiyu’s meaning. These human traffickers must have backing behind them. Li Guiyu rescuing them was already a kindness. As a prince who had just returned to the palace, it was natural that he wouldn’t want to offend people.

“Then…”

Zhang Yiran looked at Luo Wanqing beside him, thought for a moment, and hesitated: “Could Your Highness send someone to escort this young lady home? She has a seriously ill mother at home who cannot be delayed. In the middle of the night, I’m also uneasy.”

“Your Highness.” Elder Zhang, beside them, immediately stepped forward upon hearing this, trying to remind: “Your Highness, you’re in a hurry to return to the palace.”

Li Guiyu said nothing. He quietly looked at Luo Wanqing.

Actually, he knew that in the middle of the night, a woman so similar to her appearing was most likely a trap.

However, for some reason, looking at this woman’s face, watching her pull Zhang Yiran’s sleeve, he couldn’t even move his gaze away.

His heart was restless and agitated, wishing he could cut off that hand.

How dare she?

How dare she use that face to touch another man?

Li Guiyu controlled his gaze on Luo Wanqing, turned to smile at Zhang Yiran, and said gently: “A small matter. You go report to the authorities. I’ll personally escort this young lady.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised.

She hadn’t expected Li Guiyu to agree so easily. This matter was a trap, yet Li Guiyu was also taking the bait?

Elder Zhang beside them also felt something was wrong and quickly said: “Your Highness…”

“You escort Master Zhang back with the men.”

Li Guiyu raised his hand, stopping Elder Zhang from speaking. Under Elder Zhang’s shocked gaze, he said calmly: “Wait at the Eastern Palace gate.”

Elder Zhang was startled, then seemed to understand something and said respectfully: “Yes.”

After arranging everything, Li Guiyu turned to ask an attendant for a lantern and looked at Luo Wanqing: “Miss, where is your home? I’ll escort you there.”

Luo Wanqing hesitated and glanced at Zhang Yiran. Li Guiyu seemed unable to tolerate that glance and smiled: “Miss, I’m the one escorting you. You needn’t look at Master Zhang anymore, right?”

“Your Highness speaks truly,” Zhang Yiran also felt this was inappropriate and quickly comforted Luo Wanqing: “Miss, go with His Highness. You’ll be fine.”

Through this journey of contact, although he couldn’t fully understand Li Guiyu’s depths, he was someone with ambitions for the court. Such ambitious people wouldn’t allow themselves to leave stains on their reputation over a woman.

Zhang Yiran glanced at Li Guiyu without leaving traces, then added: “Miss, where do you live? Tomorrow, I’ll come to check on you.”

His return visit would be a kind of guarantee for Luo Wanqing’s safety.

If Li Guiyu truly did something and Luo Wanqing was harmed, he would pursue it to the end.

This was a silent warning. Luo Wanqing understood, and her eyes couldn’t help but show gratitude as she said gently, “I live at the foot of the mountain in Liu Family Village. Only my family remains there.”

“Good, I’ll come tomorrow.”

Zhang Yiran agreed.

Li Guiyu chuckled softly and only said, “Master Zhang, rest assured. I will safely deliver the young lady.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran also felt somewhat embarrassed and said respectfully: “Thank Your Highness for your understanding.”

With that, Zhang Yiran bid farewell to the two, leading people with the carriage and taking the others away.

Li Guiyu took a lantern from his guard, turned to look at Luo Wanqing, and said gently: “Miss, shall we go?”

Luo Wanqing bowed to Li Guiyu, then pointed out the direction.

Li Guiyu held up the lantern and led the way, guiding her into the forest. Luo Wanqing followed behind him as they walked forward together.

The forest was full of weeds. Li Guiyu broke off a tree branch and walked ahead, clearing the weeds for Luo Wanqing. As he walked, he said: “What is the young lady’s name?”

“Qingqing.”

Luo Wanqing looked at his back and unconsciously touched the Qianji bracelet on her hand.

She knew she couldn’t kill him.

Coming to the Eastern Capital, studying in the Supervision Department these days, she had deliberately learned about him.

Li Guiyu had inherited the teachings of the Sword Saint since childhood and was a natural genius at swordplay. Before he was sent as an envoy to the Northern Rong, he was already a first-class master in the martial world.

In the past, when she was in her boudoir, she didn’t know his true depth. But now that she practiced martial arts, she understood that under Li Guiyu’s hand, being able to preserve her life would already be good—attempting a sneak attack would give her no chance of victory.

Moreover, with his current status as a prince, if she killed him, she would certainly die.

Her family members were still in Xiang Sizi’s hands. She couldn’t be so rash.

But looking at his back, she couldn’t help remembering the past. Those memories gnawed at her, making her blood boil. She wanted to rush forward and use the dagger he had given her to stab him over and over, making him beg her, making him apologize, making him kneel on the ground and plead for forgiveness from her father’s spirit in the underworld.

Her killing intent was somewhat uncontrollable. She dared not look anymore and lowered her head to watch her feet.

Fortunately, Li Guiyu had his back to her and seemed not to notice, only saying gently: “Qingqing? It’s a good name, somewhat similar to my old friend.”

“An old friend?”

Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes, controlling her tone to sound like an ordinary woman from a hunter’s family, with some curiosity: “My name is similar to Your Highness’s old friend?”

“Not just the name.” Li Guiyu chuckled softly and said slowly: “Your appearance, voice, and figure are all extremely similar. How much effort would it take to cultivate someone like you?”

These words made Luo Wanqing’s expression turn slightly stern, realizing that Li Guiyu should be aware of her identity.

This wasn’t surprising. With Li Guiyu’s suspicious nature, suddenly encountering a woman so similar to Luo Wanqing, it would be strange if he didn’t suspect.

She didn’t care and feigned confusion: “What is Your Highness saying?”

“But you’re still different from her.” Li Guiyu continued speaking to himself, walking on the path Luo Wanqing had indicated, as if reminiscing: “She was very obedient. She wouldn’t speak to other men like this, nor would she pull others’ sleeves.”

Hearing “pull sleeves,” Luo Wanqing’s heartstrings trembled.

She suddenly realized what Li Guiyu was talking about.

That was several years ago. She had just come of age, and Li Guiyu wasn’t yet like later, when no emotions could be read from him.

At that time, a childhood playmate came to see her. He said she used to like pulling his sleeve when they were young, and asked her to pull it once more. She playfully tugged at it. Jiang Shaoyan, who was following behind her, saw this but said nothing. However, the next day, he no longer wore wide sleeves and didn’t speak to her proactively.

At first, she didn’t notice anything unusual. Later, when she discovered it and didn’t know the reason, she asked him in confusion why he was ignoring her. He said coldly, “This subordinate is Miss’s guard. Miss gives orders, and the subordinate carries them out. How is there any matter of ignoring or not ignoring?”

With that, he was about to leave. Luo Wanqing, in her anxiety, reached out to pull him, and this pull caught his hand. Jiang Shaoyan looked up in surprise. Luo Wanqing, having caught hold of him, blushed but didn’t let go.

Jiang Shaoyan’s face turned red when she touched him. He wanted to pull his hand back, but was afraid of hurting her. Red-faced and gritting his teeth: “Let go!”

“I won’t.” Luo Wanqing saw no one around and pursed her lips: “I won’t let go until you stop being angry.”

Jiang Shaoyan, being held by her, couldn’t let his anger subside or rise, and after holding it in for a long time, he finally said in a muffled voice: “Then you’re only allowed to pull my sleeve alone.”

Luo Wanqing was startled upon hearing this, then understood the reason.

She felt a little happy in her heart, but didn’t dare show it on her face, so she said softly: “Alright.”

Hearing this, Jiang Shaoyan’s expression relaxed somewhat. He saw the young lady look up at him, gentle with a trace of shyness, smiling: “From now on, I’ll only pull yours alone.”

That was Jiang Shaoyan.

The young Jiang Shaoyan seemed like a different person from Li Guiyu.

Thinking of these past events, Luo Wanqing found it somewhat mocking. She pretended to know nothing, lowered her eyes to hide her cold expression, and only asked: “This old friend must have loved Your Highness very much?”

Li Guiyu’s tone softened somewhat as he said quietly: “Mm.”

“Then, where is this young lady now?” Luo Wanqing continued asking. Li Guiyu’s footsteps paused.

The two stood at the edge of the dense forest. Not far away was the small house where Xie Heng had prepared his ambush. Luo Wanqing stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Li Guiyu, turned her head, and like an evil spirit crawling from hell to claim lives, said gently: “Such a good person—Your Highness would cherish her well, wouldn’t you?”

Li Guiyu couldn’t speak. He held the lantern, looking at the woman before him with shock and uncertainty.

Too similar.

His breathing became rapid.

The person before him had shed her earlier timid appearance and was looking up at him with clear, bright eyes, saying gently: “Why doesn’t Your Highness speak?”

Li Guiyu dared not make a sound. He felt as if he were dreaming and feared that if he opened his mouth, the dream would shatter.

How could she possibly be here?

How could she still be smiling and talking to him like this?

She was dead. Her memorial tablet was still in his mansion. If she were alive, if she had returned, how could she possibly stand before him so gently, smiling and talking to him?

It was an illusion.

A fraud.

His reason told him so, making him desperately control his emotions and swallow down that word “Miss.”

He stared at Luo Wanqing and said hoarsely: “She’s dead.”

“Dead?” Luo Wanqing’s eyes showed regret. “What a pity that such a young lady who cherished Your Highness is gone. But don’t worry, Your Highness—though this young lady has left, there are still many people around Your Highness.”

No, there aren’t.

Li Guiyu was utterly alone.

“They will be like this young lady, caring for Your Highness, loving Your Highness.”

Li Guiyu’s breathing became rapid.

Her words seemed to remind him, to curse him.

No—no one would ever treat Li Guiyu like she did again.

His mother despised him, his father had so many sons that he didn’t care about him at all, his brothers viewed him as an enemy, and everyone around him wanted something from him.

Never again would there be someone who would ask nothing of his birth, nothing of his background, and love him so wholeheartedly.

“In the future,” Luo Wanqing smiled, her sincere eyes full of expectation. Though it was a blessing, it sounded like a curse: “Your Highness will certainly not experience hatred without result, seeking without obtaining, loneliness without companionship, suffering for life.”

These words made his heart tremble violently. His pupils contracted sharply, and he couldn’t help but suddenly strike at her, grabbing for her throat!

Sensing Li Guiyu’s attack, Luo Wanqing’s expression turned stern. She raised her hand to block Li Guiyu’s movement, and the Qianji bead curtain in her hand suddenly unfurled—over a hundred pear blossom needles shot out!

Li Guiyu’s sword at his waist emerged like light and shadow, rapidly grinding down the needles in the air while striking directly at Luo Wanqing’s face.

Luo Wanqing used the Qianji bead chain to entangle the sword tip and retreated quickly, her long hair scattering in the wind, revealing her cold and resolute countenance.

Under the moonlight, that woman, beautiful as crystal glass, had a cold expression, like an unsheathed sword illuminating the room with clear light.

Li Guiyu’s sword energy surged powerfully. Luo Wanqing abandoned the bead string, drew her waist chain, and with a surge of internal energy, the waist chain transformed into segmented soft sword sections. Like a spirit snake coiling around Li Guiyu’s long sword, it then struck like a serpent’s tongue, abandoning attack and defense.

The two exchanged moves back and forth for only moments before Luo Wanqing began to feel strained. Just as she was about to grit her teeth and force an aggressive attack, a gentle call suddenly came from not far away: “Xiniang.”

At the same time, a stone flew straight toward Li Guiyu!

The stone struck almost simultaneously with the voice reaching Li Guiyu’s face. Li Guiyu quickly retreated half a zhang and deflected the stone. Luo Wanqing simultaneously touched her toes to the ground and retreated to where the voice came from.

Li Guiyu dodged the stone and settled, only then noticing that at some point, a young man had appeared standing under a tree not far away.

He wore white robes embroidered with cranes and a black cloak, his hair half-pinned with a single jade hairpin. On his pale, slender wrist hung a bead bracelet identical to the one Luo Wanqing had just used, and his expression was cold and indifferent.

Many people emerged from the surroundings. Luo Wanqing knelt on one knee and respectfully called out: “Young Master, the person has arrived.”

With that, Luo Wanqing stood and retreated behind Xie Heng.

Xie Heng’s gaze followed her, falling on the wound Li Guiyu’s sword wind had inflicted on her.

The wound was on her neck—bright red blood dripping down her jade-white neck. Xie Heng’s gaze darkened. He hesitated for a moment, then finally pressed back his sleeve and raised his hand, seeming about to touch her wound. At that instant, Li Guiyu suddenly raised his voice: “Don’t you want Baili?”

Everyone paused. Xie Heng turned his gaze toward him to see Li Guiyu looking at Luo Wanqing, saying coldly: “Don’t touch her. Give her to me.”

With that, Li Guiyu looked at Xie Heng and said seriously, “I’ll return Baili to you.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Xie Heng: “Zhuque, I don’t like what he’s saying. Slap his mouth.”