At midnight, Qun Qing couldn’t sleep and heard distant commotion.

Then the meditation chamber door was pounded loudly. Qun Qing rose and dressed. Zheng Zhiyi also woke. “What’s all this noise in the middle of the night?”

A Jinwu Guard’s voice came from outside. “Reporting to the Crown Princess, Consort Lü interrogated the spies and learned that Xianyou Temple has two thousand-year-old ancient trees with hollows inside. The spies left messages in these tree hollows…”

“Be brief,” Zheng Zhiyi interrupted.

“On the way here, only Miss Qing dismounted from the carriage and approached one of them. Please have Miss Qing answer a few questions.”

“How outrageous!” Zheng Zhiyi was about to scold them, but the Jinwu Guard showed no courtesy. “Consort Lü has ordered this. Please accommodate us, Crown Princess.”

Seeing that Qun Qing had already put on her shoes, Zheng Zhiyi grabbed her. “Should I call the Crown Prince?”

“It’s late. No need to disturb His Highness. If this servant hasn’t returned within an hour, then inform His Highness.” As Qun Qing spoke, she opened the door.

Qun Qing always had her own ideas. Zheng Zhiyi had no choice but to relent and instructed a young maid to drape a cloak over her.

Just after Qun Qing left, a cloaked woman entered the meditation chamber with a chill. Zheng Zhiyi thought Qun Qing had returned, but when the woman removed her cloak, she was startled. “How is it you?”

The woman had a sweet appearance with a charming small mole beneath her eye. It was Baoshu. “This official Meng Baoshu disturbs you late at night because there’s an important matter to report to the Crown Princess.”

This person had previously relied on her position to bully others at Princess Bao’an’s residence. Zheng Zhiyi had no good impression of her and tried to drive her away. “What matter requires you to sneak around in the middle of the night? Can’t it be said during the day? Get out. Wait for Miss Qing to return before speaking.”

Baoshu knelt and wouldn’t rise. “It concerns Miss Qing and the Crown Princess’s interests. Please hear what I have to say first, then decide whether to call her.”

Late at night, the cold wind was fierce.

Qun Qing followed the Jinwu Guards toward the valley. When they reached a fork and were about to descend the slope, their group was blocked by Zhu Su standing in the middle of the path.

Zhu Su bowed. “The Chief Clerk says he will question Miss Qing himself. Please accommodate us, Lady Consort Lü.”

The Jinwu Guards exchanged glances, but knowing that Consort Lü and Prince Yan’s mansion had close relations, there must have been some discussion. After negotiating, they descended into the valley. Zhu Su walked a few steps and turned sideways. “What is Miss Qing looking at? Why not follow quickly?”

Qun Qing gazed at the gathering of lights in the valley, then looked ahead to see the winding mountain path extending upward, dark tree shadows swaying. She said, “Lady Consort Lü and the others should be in the valley.”

Consort Lü was merely a palace consort with limited experience. Qun Qing was confident she could handle her. But Lu Huating was different.

Zhu Su said, “The Chief Clerk said the valley is a dead end. Above is the path to life.”

This was forcing her to go up.

Cold sweat seeped from Qun Qing’s entire body. “Is Lord Lu above?”

In this desolate mountain shadow, if someone wanted to make a person disappear without a trace, he might not even need to appear personally, thus avoiding any guilt.

Zhu Su rather admired Qun Qing now. For a woman, her vigilance was heavier than theirs as shadow guards. “Why ask that?”

Qun Qing said, “Only by seeing Lord Lu is there a path to life.”

Immediately, she heard a voice fall like cold jade. “If you want to see me, what are you dawdling for?”

Then a broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted figure appeared on the mountain. He held a lantern, his garments floating in the slight breeze. Lu Huating looked down at her, the corner of his mouth lifting playfully. “What does the young lady fear? Do you fear I’ll kill you?”

Strangely enough, upon seeing him, Qun Qing’s anxious heart settled back into her chest.

Lu Huating wasn’t as cold and ruthless as she had just imagined.

This subtle difference was like that embrace on the horse—like warm water dripping into a pool, rippling outward in circles.

Only Qun Qing couldn’t sense the ripples when tense.

A meeting meant there were words to say. As long as they could talk, negotiation was possible.

Qun Qing approached. Lu Huating’s smiling dark eyes narrowed slightly. Her lips were pale, fine sweat already forming on her forehead—she was truly afraid.

For some reason, her wariness and fear didn’t please Lu Huating. Instead, it felt like a bone caught in his throat. He said calmly, “Come inside and warm yourself by the fire, young lady.”

Because of the cold dampness, a fire burned inside the cave. Lu Huating swept his robe aside and sat down, carelessly poking the fire with a branch. After a moment’s hesitation, Qun Qing spoke. “Back then, with Master Zengjia… he attacked first, didn’t he?”

Qun Qing saw Lu Huating’s hand pause. In the firelight, his finger bones were startlingly beautiful. “Is this important?”

“If you killed a high monk without reason, it would indeed be a grave transgression. But the Chief Clerk seems very reluctant to discuss this matter. Those who are utterly vicious don’t think they’re wrong. Only those who regret, who are conflicted, dwell on it and develop sensitivities.”

Qun Qing said, “If he attacked first and you were only protecting your own life—since it was an act of survival in humble circumstances, with much helplessness—I won’t use this matter to threaten you.”

“You think you understand me well?” Lu Huating raised his eyes to look at her. Within them, it seemed a raging fire had burned through, leaving behind scorched embers. “Young lady pretends to be soft-hearted but has never shown mercy.”

Qun Qing said, “I have principles. When I say I won’t, I won’t.”

“You think I invited you here because of Master Zengjia?”

Then what else?

Lu Huating smiled. “I fear dark, narrow places. I’m asking the young lady to keep me company.”

Qun Qing felt the fire was making her perspire.

“I’ve said what I came to say to the Chief Clerk. Before leaving, I instructed the Crown Prince—if I don’t return within an hour, he’ll come looking.” As Qun Qing spoke, she gathered her skirts and stood.

Who knew Lu Huating would immediately rise as well. He pressed his folding fan against Qun Qing’s neck, pushing her back against the cold rock wall. With the fan against her throat, Qun Qing paused under the overwhelming sense of pressure, then calmed herself.

“Young lady isn’t allergic to me anymore?” Lu Huating’s gaze was like a blade, roaming over her pale face.

Her calm expression unsettled him. He applied more pressure with his hand. For many days she had been avoiding him, like trying to cup water in one’s hands—impossible to grasp or hold. Only now, pinned beneath his palm, could he finally breathe.

Qun Qing’s long lashes trembled as she tried to invoke his fear. “I’ve also learned some medical arts. The Chief Clerk fears dark, narrow places—most likely a psychological condition. Perhaps you were once confined in a similar place…”

But Lu Huating remained motionless, only gazing at the hidden button on her collar beneath the fan handle.

He suddenly reached out and tore that hidden button off.

A chill on her neck—Qun Qing’s entire body stiffened. But he had used force, pressing the fan against her artery, causing temporary blood rush to her head.

This crimson hidden button fell into his palm. Lu Huating gazed at his palm, feeling the emotions that had surged like a rising tide these past days strangely and slowly recede.

Then his five fingers closed, about to crush the button. Qun Qing quickly said, “Don’t crush it!”

“Why not?” Lu Huating’s brow paused as he stared at her, demanding. “Because there’s poison inside? Crushing it could kill someone?”

Qun Qing’s eyes showed slight alarm. Lu Huating’s folding fan slid upward, forcefully lifting her chin as he gazed resentfully at her flushed cheeks. “Qun Siji, between you and I, a mortal grudge remains unpaid. If you think you can escape easily, I’m afraid that’s impossible.”

This long-absent form of address reached her ears like a thunderbolt. Qun Qing’s gaze flickered.

Lu Huating knew she had also been reborn, bearing the hatred of being killed.

But this wasn’t caused by her. Since heaven had given Qun Qing a second life, there was no reason to return it. No one could take it away.

She asked, “How do you want revenge?”

Lu Huating smiled. “I want the young lady to be unable to live or die.”

“Isn’t that exactly how the Yearning Inducement feels when it takes effect?” Qun Qing said. “If the Chief Clerk will speak reasonably with me, I’ll tell you how to resolve it.” When she came, her sleeve happened to contain medicine pills.

But Lu Huating remained unmoved.

“After so many years, even if it’s like a maggot in the bone, I’ve grown accustomed to it. I’m in no hurry to remove it. Besides, the young lady has only said fragments. You said I need to find the person who created the curse to resolve it.” Lu Huating said slowly, “Right now I’m more interested in knowing—who gave you the Yearning Inducement, and why are you looking for them? A relative, or a lover?”

Not wanting to implicate her mother, Qun Qing didn’t answer. Only hearing the word “lover” felt jarring. “That was something I made up to deceive you.”

“So it really is a lover.” Lu Huating continued, “Director Lin of the Ministry of Rites has both talent and appearance. The young lady must have been childhood sweethearts with him to have arranged a marriage. I wonder where this person ranks among the young lady’s lovers?”

“Lin Yujia counts as having both talent and appearance?” Upon hearing this, Qun Qing raised her lashes and carefully swept them over Lu Huating’s face, seeming puzzled. “I think the Chief Clerk surpasses him by far.”

If he could humiliate her, she could naturally humiliate him back.

The two faced each other in the dim firelight, their breathing seeming to pause for an instant. Then Lu Huating looked at her and said, “Lin Yujia said he had a marriage agreement with you. I’ve been investigating—the Lin family and the Qun family never had contact. Moreover, Qun Qing entered the palace as a servant when she was a child. There’s no reason anyone would have arranged a marriage. You are not Qun Qing.”

“Young lady, using someone else’s identity and face to enter the palace—what is your purpose?”

He had indeed been investigating her! Qun Qing’s lashes trembled. “A childhood marriage agreement, a verbal promise—you actually believe Lin Yujia’s words?”

Lu Huating said with certainty, “A survivor of the Chu Kingdom, the Princess’s lady-in-waiting. Young lady, you hate and fear Third Brother so much that in both lives you wanted to kill him. It wouldn’t be enough if it were merely for others. The night Chang’an fell, you were in Qingjing Temple. Thirty-two corpses in Qingjing Temple—I personally laid them to rest and buried them.”

His gaze fell on her earlobe. “Behind the young lady’s ear, there’s still a vermillion mark I made with my own hand. I just don’t know—how did you return from death?”

As if someone had peeled away her skin to look directly into her bones, Qun Qing gazed at him coldly. “What does the Chief Clerk mean by saying all this?”

“If I told you that the person who killed in Qingjing Temple that night wasn’t Li Huan, would the young lady believe me?” Lu Huating said.

Qun Qing froze.

For a moment, restless emotions rose in her heart.

It was already difficult enough to suppress her desire for revenge against Li Huan. If another person suddenly appeared, and she was about to leave the palace, possibly never learning the truth, it would become a thorn embedded in her heart.

Not to mention Lu Huating was skilled at manipulating people’s hearts. There was another possibility—as Li Huan’s protector, he was deliberately saying this to confuse her.

Yet even with the risk of exposing her identity, she couldn’t help but ask, “If not Li Huan, then who? Prince Zhao is lame and short in stature. The Crown Prince’s build matches, but he can’t even ride a horse. Is it Yingsu?”

“It’s not Yingsu.” Seeing she appeared unaware of the details, Lu Huating’s eyes showed slight disappointment. “So the young lady was indeed in the temple that day.”

“Whether I’m Qun Qing or not, like what you just said, is all hearsay without proof.” Qun Qing said, “I’ll pretend I never heard the Chief Clerk’s words today.”

“Young lady doesn’t trust me?” Lu Huating gazed at her.

Qun Qing suddenly thrust her hand into his right sleeve, fumbling in the pouch for a moment before pulling out a cloth-wrapped package of osmanthus candy. Lu Huating’s expression changed immediately, cold light shooting from his eyes.

“The sugar the Chief Clerk gave me last time—the cloth wrapping had crude stitching, not from a wine house. After returning, I asked A’Jiang. This is the kind of food southern mothers sew and carry for their children. The Chief Clerk entered court as an official. Observing your careful planning at every step, it seems you don’t seek to rise above others but rather to take revenge on the Meng family?”

Qun Qing’s eyes flickered with firelight as she opened her palm, revealing the ram’s-head sachet. “You and I each have a path we must personally verify and walk to completion. Would you waver because of others’ idle words?”

Lu Huating gazed at the ram’s-head sachet lying in her palm. After a long while, he smiled slightly. “I would not.”

Even the firelight seemed to grow quieter.

Qun Qing steadied her emotions. “Give me a way out. Be careful not to alarm His Highness.”

At the mention of Li Xuan, the tumultuous waves in Lu Huating’s heart rose again. He only said lightly, “Listen.”

Qun Qing heard a familiar voice coming from nearby. “Liu Niang, Liu Niang?”

Lin Yujia was wandering outside, keeping his voice extremely low. Instantly, Qun Qing’s blood rushed to her head.

“Did you hear?” Lu Huating said. “Young lady’s fiancé has arrived.”

“I didn’t arrange to meet him.”

Lu Huating said, “I arranged it.”

As he spoke, he took out a paper note from his sleeve.

Qun Qing saw her own handwriting and letter-writing habits on the note, imitated to ninety percent accuracy. Her heart thundered.

“Nan Chu wraps paper notes in wax pills and uses trained larks to transmit messages. I wrote a note for the young lady, and Director Lin kept the appointment.” Lu Huating gazed at her coldly. “Young lady has merely relied on there being no evidence. Now evidence has come to your door. I must win or lose within three rounds. I have no more patience.”

Qun Qing’s heart lifted.

If he arrested her today and extracted the Yearning Inducement’s cure through harsh interrogation, it wouldn’t be impossible for him—in fact, it would be more expedient.

“What do you want?” she asked.

Lu Huating said, “I want the young lady to make a choice between me and the Crown Prince.”

Qun Qing didn’t understand his meaning. “What happens if I choose you? What happens if I choose the Crown Prince?”

“Choose me, and I’ll go out now and arrest Director Lin. The evidence will only reach my hands and won’t alarm others.” Lu Huating said. “If you choose the Crown Prince, I’ll hand both the young lady and Director Lin over to Consort Lü. The Crown Prince is not a good master. If the young lady insists on following him, sooner or later you’ll die at my hands. Better to find release sooner.”

Qun Qing didn’t speak for a long while.

Though called a choice, there was really only one path—to choose him, to hand her weakness over to him.

But what she didn’t understand was why Lu Huating would go to such great lengths yet lift his hand high only to bring it down gently, merely wanting leverage. If she were in his position, would she still leave someone free when she could directly throw them in prison?

Unless it was like a cat playing with a mouse—only then would one repeatedly let them go.

Thinking of this, her emotions surged beyond control. She raised her eyes to look at him, light flashing in them. “Does the Chief Clerk greatly enjoy the feeling of toying with others?”

As these words left her mouth, Lu Huating’s lips curved upward, his dark eyes gleaming with light. Unable to control himself, he used the fan to caress her pale neck, applying slight pressure, watching her expression struggle. “Indeed, no one struggles more beautifully than the young lady.”

Qun Qing grasped the fan handle.

Her slender fingers exerted force, wresting his fan away and throwing it into the fire with a backhand motion.

“I choose neither.” Qun Qing said expressionlessly. “I choose myself.”

Lu Huating gazed at the remains in the fire, calming for a moment, deeply surprised. “How do you choose yourself? I’d like to see.”

“Step back,” Qun Qing said.

Lu Huating retreated two steps. Qun Qing pushed him back two more steps until he was completely hidden in the darkness, unable to hear voices from outside. She walked out.