Heavy rain poured down, the sky so dark one could barely discern the path ahead. Disorderly wild grass rushed at her face like wild beasts.

Ruo Chan’s breathing was rapid, carrying the scent of rust.

Perhaps from the cold, or perhaps from being held too tightly, Li Zhang in the swaddling clothes let out continuous cries. However, the crying was drowned beneath the sounds of rain and gasping, growing weaker and weaker.

Ruo Chan clenched her teeth. Without the wet nurse at her side, the infant could hardly endure hunger and thirst. She couldn’t produce milk and could only request some rice gruel.

Seeing the upturned eaves of a mountain temple, Ruo Chan used all her strength to climb upward.

Due to the extreme weather, there were no worshippers in the temple. The door was slightly ajar. A young monk glimpsed her drenched like a drowned rat, holding swaddling clothes, and immediately let her enter without asking why. Two plainly dressed young monks took Li Zhang from her, rewrapping him in dry old clothes, while another went to cook rice gruel.

Ruo Chan removed her wet clothes herself, trembling all over as she warmed herself by the brazier. Two sparks leaped out like fireflies. She paused for a moment, her small face ghostly pale, as she dusted her lapels.

She suddenly remembered Qun Qing had once said one could seek shelter in temples when leaving the palace.

She didn’t know when she had actually taken it to heart.

Ruo Chan deliberately shifted her thoughts away, but was immediately forced into cold sweat by a stabbing pain in her lungs. She secretly reached inside her cloak—when she withdrew her fingertips, they were covered in blood. Outside the bitter wind and rain raged. If she went out running again, she would likely lose her life.

It was also fortunate that the foolish emperor back then was superstitious about gods and Buddhas. Even in this desolate wilderness, one could find temples with monastics who wouldn’t interrogate women and children about their credentials. If not for this, she couldn’t have been revived from death.

Thinking of this, she almost showed a hint of a smile.

The crying of Li Zhang beside her gave Ruo Chan a sense of security, but the gaze of the young monk holding Li Zhang wasn’t on the child’s face. He kept glancing at her from time to time, seemingly unable to hide his nervousness.

After being looked at like this several times, Ruo Chan’s hand shaking off water droplets suddenly stopped. She stood up, wanting to take back the child. But the young monk retreated several steps, making her grab at empty air.

Behind him in the inner hall, Ruo Chan saw human figures.

Several people in red robes stood in the inner hall. These people possessed powerful internal energy and hadn’t leaked even a trace of sound, making the entire temple appear deathly silent as if empty.

Ruo Chan’s pupils contracted slightly. After weighing her options, she turned and fled madly. Before she could exit the temple, four more people entered, intercepting her moves and striking her down to the ground, nearly shattering the floorboards. Li Zhang’s crying filled the temple.

Several breaths later, Ruo Chan was dragged out the door by several death warriors. The clothes on her body no longer showed their original color, and due to intense pain she couldn’t speak, her wrists twisting slightly.

She looked across to see lanterns and horses and men gathered by the mountain walkway on the opposite bank, as if they had been waiting for a long time. The person at the front sat mounted on horseback, features like cold jade, gaze like lightning, seeming able to pierce through this cold night and split her in two.

Lu Huating had pursued her.

Despair and fear surfaced in Ruo Chan’s eyes. The next moment, the bell hammer struck her back, containing force to shatter internal organs. Ruo Chan immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Yet she still hadn’t died, only pain spreading to her fingertips, nearly driving one to distraction.

“My lady wanted to hide and protect you, but you struck first.” Lu Huating’s eyes held a slight smile. After a long while he asked: “Ask her how to cure the poison.”

After several strikes, cold sweat poured down Ruo Chan’s head like rain. Blood gushed from her mouth and nose. The two monks, seeing this scene, were frightened into constant pleas for mercy.

“This poison…” Ruo Chan’s hair was disheveled, appearing deranged. She actually began laughing with a cackle. After a long time she said to Lu Huating: “…needs no cure. I saw elder sister was too tired, so I let her have a good sleep. You just need to go back and watch over her.”

“Deliberately provocative, not a true word from her mouth—truly ‘Heaven.'” Zhu Su said to Lu Huating.

Lu Huating said nothing.

Unable to get an answer, the death warriors struck Ruo Chan’s spine several more times. Such torture was absolutely beyond what ordinary people could endure, yet Ruo Chan only laughed. A secret guard, indignant, shouted up the mountain: “Madam showed you mercy! She guessed your identity but didn’t expose you, otherwise you’d already be dead! It’s true the two nations are enemies, but beneath identities we’re all flesh and blood. Can you betray her so unflinchingly?”

Ruo Chan’s already closed eyelids, hearing the word “betray,” slowly opened again, as if hearing something extremely amusing: “Betray… I will never betray her. I was born for her—how could I betray her? She was the one who first betrayed our master. Among us, anyone could betray the master, but not her!”

“Why can’t she?” Lu Huating pressed.

“She and I, our identities were never the same…” But Ruo Chan didn’t continue explaining. Her gaze scattered, her breath like gossamer: “Me? An orphan girl without father or mother—isn’t it natural for me to do this blood-licking work?”

“I’m just very curious what makes her stronger than me, why I should die for her… Who knew she would insist on trusting me, even wanting to act as an elder sister, when clearly her sisters… could never possibly be me.”

Thus in Qingxuan Pavilion they met. Qun Qing turned around, for the first time removing the clip from her nose, causing her heart to startle.

Having performed an absurd beginning, she could only continue this play.

“All her movements, you reported them to Zen Master?” Lu Huating’s voice pulled her back to this rainy night.

Ruo Chan smiled: “Of course I did before, all the way until Old Lady Xue’s prescription… Zen Master found it strange, didn’t understand what elder sister was actually doing, but I knew…”

She was diligently serving, saving people, earnestly living her life.

But she alone didn’t walk that pre-arranged path full of danger and killing.

Every time, Qun Qing protected her from behind, until she almost became immersed in the role, even pointing out a path to success she couldn’t possibly take.

“Choosing this kind of life is truly strange…” Ruo Chan sneered coldly.

But having walked it once, she understood. Who wouldn’t covet this bright path, who could turn back to walk the cold single-plank bridge again?

A soft sound—Ruo Chan looked down and saw the whisk at her waist had fallen into the mountain ravine, disappearing in an instant.

She first startled, then actually showed dimples in a smile.

She had once sworn before Qun Qing never to betray her in this lifetime. Now, it was merely the time for fulfillment.

Her wrists turned slightly, her whole body contracted. With a crisp tearing sound, she actually broke free from the death warriors’ restraints. That small figure instantly threw herself off the cliff. In the death warriors’ hands remained only a strip of clothing.

Lu Huating gazed at the cold rain on the empty peak.

Zhu Su said: “Letting her commit suicide was too easy! We haven’t even asked how to cure Madam’s poison.”

“She vomited black blood—signs of poisoning. It seems Nan Chu also has methods to control spies. For someone who long ago placed life and death outside consideration, such torture is useless.” Lu Huating said.

“True. But her words earlier were cryptic and mysterious, not seeming like she hated Madam to the bone. Hopefully she held back. This subordinate will immediately search everywhere for famous physicians.” Zhu Su said, “Fortunately we intercepted the Imperial Great-Grandson and didn’t cause a great disaster.”

Lu Huating fixed his gaze on Li Zhang wailing loudly in the death warrior’s arms across the bank, appearing deep in thought.

“Throw Li Zhang down.”

Zhu Su almost couldn’t believe his own ears. When he reacted, he had already slid from his horse to kneel on the ground: “Master, this is the Imperial Great-Grandson! We subordinates, as subjects, truly cannot, cannot…”

“This child is the Crown Prince’s bloodline. If not eliminated, he will certainly cause chaos in the future. Even raised at Their Majesties’ knees, when grown, if incited by those with designs, rifts between them are hard to avoid. You don’t understand—His Majesty is suspicious, and will grow increasingly so. Dying tonight is Li Zhang’s best outcome.”

“No, Master. You must consider yourself…”

Lu Huating sat mounted on horseback, silent for a moment, then raised his hand to make a gesture toward the opposite bank.

The monks were agitated, but unfortunately were blocked inside the temple unable to rescue, and could only watch helplessly as the swaddling cloth wrapping Li Zhang was blown by wind into the mountain ravine below—

It wasn’t yet time for morning court. Li Huan was already dressed and sitting withered in the Zichen Hall waiting for daybreak.

Lu Huating knelt before the desk: “Because this subject failed in his guardianship, the Imperial Great-Grandson was abducted by a Nan Chu spy. This Nan Chu spy, deranged and vicious, when cornered on the mountain by this subject, actually jumped off the cliff holding the Imperial Great-Grandson, causing the Imperial Great-Grandson’s death.”

“Do you know how many people are outside that door? They’re waiting for it to open, waiting for morning court, waiting to impeach you severely!” Li Huan cursed. “Qilang, do you know you’re finished, Qilang!”

Facing such fury, Lu Huating remained silently speechless.

“Why did news of the Imperial Great-Grandson’s death spread overnight for everyone to know?” Li Huan asked.

Lu Huating: “This isn’t bad news for the current war situation, is it?”

Li Zhang was driven to death by a Nan Chu spy—the matter was settled. From now on the rebel faction had no legitimate cause and could no longer rebel under the banner of installing the Crown Prince’s bloodline. Borrowing troops from Nan Chu would furthermore incite the people’s fury, thus providing more justification to dispatch troops to suppress the rebellion.

“Even if this matter was the Nan Chu spy’s doing, the Imperial Great-Grandson’s death involved your pursuit and pressure—you cannot escape culpability. You originally had a hundred methods to save him… A civil official able to drive the Imperial Great-Grandson to death, simply rivaling the treacherous ministers and cruel officials of previous dynasties.” Li Huan looked at Lu Huating. “You tell me yourself. What crime should I assign you so people won’t think I’m showing favoritism?”

Lu Huating said: “Strip of office and title, throw into the imperial prison—best to show severed robes and broken righteousness, only then dispelling others’ doubts and better displaying Your Majesty’s clear judgment.”

“Severed robes and broken righteousness… Who told you to do me this favor? Do you think you’re very good at reading people’s hearts?” Li Huan laughed coldly once, demanding: “To prevent me from punishing Qun Qing, you could actually go this far. Sometimes I truly don’t know—are you helping me, or knowing I intended to bestow you scarlet robes, deliberately destroying your own reputation?”

“Your Majesty speaks too heavily. Since this subject serves as an official, naturally I wholeheartedly serve Your Majesty.” Lu Huating said.

“Then why do you act thus?” Li Huan said. “I formed an alliance with the Kingdom of Liuli because of the deposed Crown Princess. Having just formed the alliance, letting the deposed Crown Princess learn of her child’s death—aren’t you afraid she’ll be heartbroken and break the treaty?”

“It won’t affect the alliance.” Lu Huating’s expression didn’t change. “Because the one who died was the Imperial Great-Grandson. The deposed Crown Princess’s own child still lives. Sent by carriage and boat, in just a few days mother and son can be reunited.”

Hearing this, Li Huan startled, forcefully striking the desk, his fingers clenching again.

“You really have become too presumptuous!”

Lu Huating smiled slightly.

In his mind, he recalled Li Zhang freezing and starving in the night, quite pitiable. Crying, the already sparse few wisps of infant hair were hastily shaved off. Right there in that mountain temple he became a monk, disguised as a young novice, and took a boat across the bridge.

“If this action can exchange for peace in the war situation and spare the palace from succession struggles, this subject doesn’t care about posthumous reputation.” Lu Huating said.

He glimpsed Li Huan’s expression like ice and snow melting in spring, slowly lowering his long lashes.

That he could sacrifice himself to ensure Li Huan’s political situation ran smoothly gave Li Huan tremendous shock. Li Huan had never received parental favor in his lifetime. If someone could fully support him, even willing to sacrifice themselves, this sentiment was heavy enough for Li Huan.

With this favor, Li Huan would only have gratitude toward him, no more suspicion. Serving as a minister in the future, he wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of his previous life. Even if returning to commoner status, it could exchange for his and Qun Qing’s safe departure from the palace.

Thinking of Qun Qing, Lu Huating’s expression froze for a moment before pulling back his thoughts.

Recalling the battle reports delivered one after another from outside when entering the palace, Lu Huating’s gaze swept over the stacked battle reports on the desk: “What of Yunzhou?”

Li Huan said hoarsely: “The new Yunzhou Administrator had his throat pierced by the rebel faction’s flying arrows. The city gates opened wide. Yunzhou City has fallen—several thousand died. Elder Sister rallied the remnant troops and retreated to defend Jinling.”

No wonder Li Huan’s complexion had looked so terrible all night.

“Yunzhou has been prosperous since ancient times. Jinling is furthermore strategically important with roads leading in all directions, controlling water and land passes. The city gates and passes, high platforms constructed layer upon layer—it’s the symbol of the southern capital.” Lu Huating said. “With Yunzhou fallen, Nan Chu’s momentum surges. If they capture Jinling as their capital, henceforth money, goods, and troops can be supplied via waterways. Nan Chu’s restoration can be put on the agenda.”

“Yunzhou’s fall is all the Meng family’s fault for eating it away until it was riddled with holes when they controlled it.” Li Huan said heavily. “I also know Jinling cannot be lost, but now our forces are all at the northern frontier battlefield. Relying on those remnant troops, who knows how long they can hold.”

Lu Huating said: “This subject requests to go to Jinling to assist Princess Danyang.”

Li Huan looked at him in astonishment: “That’s the front line. You don’t necessarily have to do this.”

“Sanlang should know this subject’s abilities as a military strategist. Even with only remnant forces, I can turn beans into soldiers. The northern frontier battlefield is at a stalemate. We can concentrate forces there to avoid being attacked from north and south, falling into Nan Chu’s plan of division and disintegration.”

Lu Huating continued: “Already bearing the crime of causing the Imperial Great-Grandson’s death, rather than being thrown in prison as a useless person, better to go where I should go. If this subject unfortunately dies, it’s a worthy death. If I can achieve merit, I can be pardoned and have something to answer to Your Majesty.”

Having spoken to this point, Li Huan looked at him, speechless for a long while.

He understood better than anyone that the two of them had many times exchanged military merit for survival, for honor—this indeed was the best method.

But he also understood that after all, blades and swords have no eyes. Today they faced each other calmly, but it might be their last meeting.

“Your health is poor—don’t force yourself… I’ll assign people to go with you.” Li Huan instructed, then said: “I already know about your lady’s matter. The Empress is searching everywhere for famous physicians. Rest assured.”

Lu Huating interrupted him: “This subject has another request.”

“Speak.”

“Depart in six days. This subject wishes to bid farewell to my lady.”

—

When news of the Imperial Great-Grandson’s death spread, the court was like oil droplets splashing into boiling water. Outside the Chancellor’s residence, heavy troops also stood guard, but inside was completely quiet.

Occasionally physicians came and went. After taking Qun Qing’s pulse, they all wiped sweat and shook their heads—no one dared guarantee anything. A voice murmured: “This is soul-departure syndrome, isn’t it?”

“What is soul-departure syndrome?” Unexpectedly Lu Huating asked.

A maid at the side said: “In this servant’s hometown there’s also this saying—it’s when the soul drops out. If one can hold a ritual to call the soul back, the person will live. Otherwise they’ll never wake.”

Before finishing, she was shooed aside by Juan Su with “Bah bah bah”—”What ritual? Can witch doctors and their ilk be trusted?”

Even Old Lady Xue and Physician Li were visibly haggard.

Qun Qing’s cheeks had changed from the rosy color of days ago to pallor like faded flower petals.

Lu Huating gently caressed her face, requested a bowl of warm sugar water, and used a soup spoon to gently drip it into her lips, immediately using a plain handkerchief to catch the sugar water that flowed out, speechless for a long while.

His luggage for traveling to Yunzhou was extremely minimal—packed into just one trunk.

“Master cannot overwork. Such day and night worry may harm your body. Moreover, the Yunzhou war situation is precisely dangerous. If Master goes alone, how will you account to Madam when she wakes?” Juan Su saw him reading battle reports through the night under candlelight and couldn’t dissuade him.

The yellow incense grass burning in the censer had become so intense it was almost choking.

Lu Huating finished reading the last page of battle reports, stuffed it into the wooden trunk, and heavily closed it. Then he returned the blade to its sheath on the rack.

Before taking two steps out the door, he forcefully gripped the doorframe and vomited blood onto the fallen leaves, shocking Juan Su speechless.

The Longing Attraction poison had clearly spread beyond the bone-gnawing pain.

However, Lu Huating glanced at it, then bent his finger and indifferently brushed across his lips, only leaving a splash of vivid color on his lips, as if this body had nothing to do with him at all.

In that hazy dreamscape, the young woman sitting quietly on the bed embroidering suddenly pricked her own finger.

Qun Qing never cried out in pain. She swiftly moved her finger away, inwardly cursing her mistake while staring dazedly at the blood-colored peony slowly spreading across the white embroidered cloth.