In the room, Qi Man rested her chin on one hand, gazing at the chess pieces on the board before her. The black and white stones seemed randomly scattered across the crisscrossing paths, yet Qi Man watched with great interest. During her many years in the Great Jin Dynasty, she had learned many customs of the Jin people, such as playing chess for self-cultivation. This was undoubtedly an excellent method – so much so that during all those years in the Minister’s household, she hadn’t revealed a single flaw.

But today was somewhat different.

Someone suddenly entered from outside, walking with bold, swift strides like the wind, not even bothering to knock. The movement was extremely rude, appearing somewhat rashly defiant. Qi Man looked up to see a man in gray robes that dragged to his feet approaching from outside. His face no longer bore the usual mask, revealing half a face that was uneven and rough, paired with those eerie azure eyes – a particularly ugly sight.

That was Yuan Chuan.

Qi Man looked at him leisurely, showing no surprise, even smiling slightly as she said: “So this is what you look like. No wonder you wear a mask.”

Her tone was calm, yet seemed to carry a sharp mockery that made listeners feel uncomfortable. But Yuan Chuan obviously didn’t notice this. He simply walked forward step by step, his voice cold: “The Saintess is dead.”

“Oh.” Qi Man reached out to pick up a chess piece, pondered for a moment before placing it down, saying only: “I said long ago that she was rash by nature and spoiled, not knowing her place. Sooner or later she would cause trouble and lose her life.”

“She was killed by Xuan Li.” Yuan Chuan stepped forward, continuing: “You knew all along that Xuan Li would kill her. No, you did it deliberately, didn’t you?”

“I did it deliberately?” Qi Man seemed to hear something amusing, saying lightly: “Why would I deliberately kill her?”

“You’re a former dynasty princess. The Southern Frontier fell because of you. With the Saintess present, your status was greatly diminished – you were no longer the princess who could command wind and rain. The Saintess never got along with you. If you wanted to completely control the Southern Frontier, the Saintess was your stumbling block. You wanted to eliminate her.” Yuan Chuan said: “You had long seen that imperial edict. You knew it was wrong, but you didn’t tell the Saintess. You even deliberately let her burn the edict because you knew that once the matter was exposed, the angry Xuan Li would definitely kill the Saintess. This was all your conspiracy!”

Yuan Chuan finished speaking in one breath, then stared fixedly at Qi Man. Those azure fox-like eyes were now filled with venomous hatred – clearly, he now wished the woman before him dead. He had carefully thought through the key points and found Qi Man most suspicious. Dan Zhen and Qi Man stayed together – how could Qi Man not know what Dan Zhen was doing? Since she knew, why didn’t she remind Dan Zhen even once, leading to Dan Zhen’s death at Xuan Li’s hands?

Hearing this, Qi Man laughed softly. She moved her gaze from the chess board to Yuan Chuan’s face, examining him carefully as if meeting him for the first time, then spoke unhurriedly: “After all these years, I never understood how Dan Zhen, with her temperament, could accomplish so much and even negotiate with Xuan Li. So there was a clever one hidden by her side. You’re quite right – I do deserve some credit for this matter. But you’re wrong about one thing: I didn’t scheme this deliberately. I merely went with the flow. I never opened that imperial edict and had no idea what it contained.”

Yuan Chuan said nothing, the anger on his face not diminishing at all.

“When Dan Zhen burned the edict, I received the news too late. The edict was already destroyed – what was the point of pursuing it further? I didn’t know much at the time either. Later, when the real edict appeared, I knew Xuan Li would definitely come demanding the other edict. But that edict was destroyed in Dan Zhen’s hands, so Xuan Li would certainly vent his anger. Dan Zhen was too arrogant. You indulged her in everything, making her somewhat ignorant of her place, thinking this was still the Southern Frontier where everyone revered her. Little did she know that in the eyes of Great Jin people, she was just an ant-like existence. Such a temperament would sooner or later bring disaster to the Southern Frontier. Better to let her suffer at Xuan Li’s hands and learn some lessons.” Qi Man sighed: “I just didn’t expect that edict to be Xuan Li’s succession decree. Dan Zhen burned Xuan Li’s succession decree – no prince would spare the person responsible. Dan Zhen dying at Xuan Li’s hands doesn’t surprise me. This was the price she had to pay.”

Yuan Chuan looked at her, his words full of gritted teeth: “So you’re saying you bear no fault at all?”

“Not exactly,” Qi Man smiled slightly: “But ultimately, I merely went with the flow. The real scheming behind this wasn’t from my hand. Since you’re her loyal servant, you should understand who was really pulling strings behind this matter.”

“It was Jiang Ruan.” Yuan Chuan said through clenched teeth.

“Correct,” Qi Man nodded: “I do somewhat admire her. From the moment she fell into our hands, she performed this entire act just to achieve everything that’s happened now. Look at the situation now – without deploying a single soldier, she made the Southern Frontier lose a Saintess. Tell me, should this debt be settled with me?”

“You… weren’t you supposed to protect her?” Yuan Chuan was first confused, then his expression became wary: “Why would you want her life?” Since Qi Man and Xuan Li were allies, and Xuan Li wanted to use Jiang Ruan to negotiate with Xiao Shao, they would surely need to ensure Jiang Ruan’s safety beforehand. But Qi Man’s words just now seemed to show no concern for Jiang Ruan’s life or death. Wasn’t she worried about being unable to explain to Xuan Li if something happened?

“Xuan Li and I were never truly allies,” Qi Man said lightly: “Moreover, Jiang Ruan and I have some personal grudges. Since you’re not afraid to die, you can conveniently help me resolve this grudge. Why would I stop you? But I am curious – are you afraid to die?”

The meaning was almost naked obvious. If Jiang Ruan died, Xuan Li would surely take Yuan Chuan’s life for ruining his plans. Though Qi Man had grudges with Jiang Ruan, she wouldn’t sacrifice her own life for Jiang Ruan’s sake. This was a gamble – Jiang Ruan on one end, one’s own life on the other. Qi Man felt Jiang Ruan’s stakes weren’t high enough, but Yuan Chuan thought they were.

Yuan Chuan said: “I only want to avenge the Saintess.”

“In that case,” Qi Man smiled: “Go do what you want to do. I won’t stop you.”

Yuan Chuan looked at Qi Man and sneered: “Then I thank the Princess.” With that, he turned and left. He harbored hatred for Qi Man too, though not as much as for Jiang Ruan. Qi Man had merely gone with the flow, but Jiang Ruan was the mastermind behind everything. Moreover, when Dan Zhen was alive, she had wanted to kill Jiang Ruan. Now that Dan Zhen was gone, killing Jiang Ruan himself would fulfill one of her wishes.

Qi Man watched Yuan Chuan’s retreating figure, her smile gradually fading. How much of what she’d just said was true and how much false? Jiang Ruan was indeed the orchestrator of the entire affair, but she hadn’t merely gone with the flow. She had guessed early on that the edict wasn’t so simple – not because of anything else, but intuition. After all, she’d dealt with Jiang Ruan for a long time in the Minister’s household. The more Jiang Ruan had to hide, the more flawless she appeared on the surface. But being abducted was already an abnormal event. Qi Man had guessed Jiang Ruan must have some plan, and perhaps that edict had some peculiarity too. She said nothing because she also wanted Dan Zhen dead.

Only with Dan Zhen dead would the Southern Frontier’s future royalty have only her as the legitimate princess. Only she could be the noble, inviolable royal person.

As for Jiang Ruan, Qi Man slowly curved her lips upward. Why did she hope for her death? Probably because if Jiang Ruan died, that woman’s son would feel heart-wrenching pain. She knew how much Xiao Shao cherished his princess consort. The agony of losing one’s beloved – she wanted to revenge herself on Prince Hongxi and Xiang Xiao Yuan, making their son taste this feeling too.

Qi Man didn’t notice that the mute maid sweeping the floor in the room had a moment of frozen expression on her downturned face, before resuming her usual slightly foolish, timid demeanor and retreating from the room with dirty water.

Jiang Ruan sat on the couch, hiding the pregnancy-stabilizing pills in her sleeve. These days, the mute maid had brought many such pills. Since they didn’t attract attention, they were convenient to hide. She was gradually becoming certain that the mute maid truly meant her no harm and had been helping cover for her all along, preventing others from discovering her condition. Jiang Ruan was already several months pregnant and beginning to show significantly. Even with such obvious signs, no one had discovered her pregnancy – proof of how seamlessly she and the mute maid cooperated. The mute maid also consciously added nourishing things to Jiang Ruan’s meals, though she did so discreetly.

She had just arranged her sleeves when she saw the mute maid enter with a basin of clean water, immediately closing the door and pretending to wash her face. Jiang Ruan leaned against the innermost couch. Even if someone looked from outside the window, with the mute maid so close to Jiang Ruan, no one could see the maid’s open mouth. Whenever the mute maid had something to tell Jiang Ruan, she used this method.

“Yuan Chuan wants to kill you.” The mute maid whispered close to Jiang Ruan’s ear: “Qi Man has also acquiesced to it.”

Jiang Ruan was slightly startled, then said: “As expected.” Yuan Chuan’s feelings for the Southern Frontier Saintess had always been unusual. Once he discovered she was the mastermind behind everything, he certainly wouldn’t let it go. But that even Qi Man had acquiesced surprised Jiang Ruan somewhat. She’d thought the alliance between Xuan Li and Qi Man was quite solid, but apparently not entirely. Or perhaps put another way, Qi Man’s main goal in destroying the entire Great Jin Dynasty was still to avenge the past. What she hated most back then was Xiang Xiao Yuan. Xiao Shao was Xiang Xiao Yuan’s son – she would willingly do anything that could cause Xiao Shao trouble.

Jiang Ruan pondered silently. Qi Man’s patient, formidable methods made people always overlook her identity, thinking she was a ruthless Southern Frontier person with strong strategic vision. But they forgot she was also a woman, and women dealing with matters of the heart always lost some rationality.

“You’re very dangerous now. How can I help you?” the mute maid asked.

“No need to worry. At worst, I can tell those guards outside that Yuan Chuan wants to kill me. Those guards are all Xuan Li’s people, ordered to protect my safety. If they knew Yuan Chuan intended to harm me, they would certainly fight to protect me.” Xuan Li still wanted to use Jiang Ruan to negotiate with Xiao Shao. Such a valuable bargaining chip naturally wouldn’t be destroyed by Yuan Chuan. So these people were all sent by Xuan Li to protect her safety. If Yuan Chuan really made any move, she could naturally borrow these guards’ power.

“The worst method?” The mute maid seemed to understand Jiang Ruan’s meaning somewhat. After thinking carefully, she still didn’t quite understand and asked: “Do you plan to use this worst method?”

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “Of course not. Though this method could protect my safety temporarily, it can’t guarantee it forever. Moreover, my body is showing more and more, and if I stay here much longer, they’ll discover it sooner or later. Given Xuan Li’s nature, it would undoubtedly increase his leverage. What’s more, I fear he might do something harmful to the child. In this matter, I can’t gamble.”

“Then what do you mean?” The mute maid was somewhat puzzled.

“Those guards and Yuan Chuan have completely opposite purposes. I want to use their conflict to find the right opportunity to escape in the chaos. Xuan Li will act soon. Once he begins, he’ll bring me out as leverage. After that, it will be harder than ascending to heaven for Yuan Chuan to kill me, so he’ll definitely act within these two days. When that time comes, you’ll do this…” She leaned over and whispered a few words in the mute maid’s ear. After hearing them, the mute maid looked at Jiang Ruan with shock: “This is too risky. If you fail… you must think about the child in your belly…”

“Precisely because I have a child in my belly,” Jiang Ruan frowned at her, her tone becoming serious: “Yuan Chuan is extremely cunning. My pregnancy will be discovered sooner or later. Yuan Chuan hates me to the bone and is already prepared to die together. Once he knows I’m pregnant, he’ll only think of more vicious methods. I’m not afraid to face him alone, but I must protect my child. The plan I just told you is dangerous, but it’s still much safer than staying under Yuan Chuan’s nose. In this matter, success means my fortune, failure means my fate. I cannot let Yuan Chuan know I’m pregnant. Do you understand?”

The mute maid looked at Jiang Ruan. These days, she had seen this woman calmly strategizing, making Southern Frontier people turn against each other without deploying a single soldier, causing that lofty Saintess to die at Xuan Li’s hands. She was indeed a formidable woman. But at this moment, mentioning the flesh and blood in her womb, the worry on her face was undisguised. Yet when speaking of her plan, her decisiveness made everyone feel her inner determination.

Women become vulnerable when they become mothers, but they also become strong when they become mothers. The mute maid said: “I understand. I’ll help you. But please remember our agreement – after this succeeds, you must kill Xuan Li.”

Jiang Ruan nodded.

Just as they finished speaking, someone entered from outside – none other than Yuan Chuan. The mute maid, with her back to Yuan Chuan, looked up at Jiang Ruan with some unease. Jiang Ruan lowered her eyes, signaling her to relax and leave quickly. Yuan Chuan wouldn’t act now anyway. With Xuan Li’s people outside, even if he wanted to act, he would certainly first lure Xuan Li’s people away.

The mute maid quickly tidied up her cloth and soap, carrying the water basin as she retreated. Yuan Chuan slowly approached, stopping before Jiang Ruan with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes: “Princess Consort, long time no see. You look more plump indeed – your mood must be quite good.”

Jiang Ruan looked up at the man before her. He had already removed his mask. This mask had once been very important to him, always worn on his face. Now even the mask was removed – had he truly become indifferent to everything? Or was he without hope for life?

Jiang Ruan withdrew her gaze and smiled slightly: “Just cultivating body and mind.” After pregnancy, the body naturally became more plump – unavoidable. Though the small belly could be hidden with loose clothing, the face couldn’t be concealed. Fortunately, Jiang Ruan had been rather thin before, and it had only been a few months, so it wasn’t particularly obvious. She just looked more rounded, not excessive.

Yuan Chuan sneered again, his tone full of venom: “What makes the Princess Consort so happy? Because your scheme succeeded and you killed the Saintess?”

“Did I kill the Saintess?” Jiang Ruan tilted her head slightly, seeming to ponder carefully: “Let me think. At most, I concealed information about the edict and gave you false information. I never intended to take your Saintess’s life. Your Saintess is dead – did I kill her?”

“Silver tongue.” Yuan Chuan seemed to hear a joke. His posture was somewhat stiff, the crisscrossing scars on his face appearing particularly eerie due to his angry expression. Yet those red lips still curved upward, making him look at first glance like a life-demanding evil spirit: “Do you think this can cover up the fact that you killed someone? This was all planned by you. Do you think you can escape unscathed after killing the Saintess? Do you think your husband will come save you? He won’t. You won’t live to see that day.”

Jiang Ruan laughed lightly: “Envoy, you needn’t try to intimidate me. What I’ve lacked least in this life is being intimidated. Rather than intimidation, I’d prefer to see what actual action you take. Of course, that’s not what I want to say. Actually, I’m somewhat curious – though I schemed against your Saintess, this matter wasn’t without room for recovery. Wasn’t it Xuan Li who personally killed her? Why is the enemy you seek me rather than him? Why should I pay with my life rather than Xuan Li? Is it because you know your abilities can’t match Xuan Li’s? You claim utmost loyalty to your Saintess, but even revenge requires picking and choosing. When facing an enemy beyond your ability, you simply ignore them? Don’t you think you’re being hypocritical? Your loyalty is just for show because you lack even the courage to avenge her.”

Yuan Chuan was stunned. Though he had told himself from the start that nothing this woman said was true, when she spoke these words, he couldn’t help but agree from his heart. He had no way to kill Xuan Li. Xuan Li was surrounded by skilled guards, and Qi Man wouldn’t permit it. So even knowing Xuan Li had personally killed Dan Zhen, he could do nothing. Jiang Ruan’s words were like a muffled hammer, striking at the truth he’d never dared face. He was a cowardly weakling who lacked even the courage to avenge Dan Zhen.

Yuan Chuan felt his heart and veins splitting apart. A great sense of self-loathing surged over him, even making him think it would be better to just follow Dan Zhen in death. But after a moment, he recovered from these emotions, his gaze falling on the smiling Jiang Ruan before him. His heart couldn’t help but gasp.

This woman… was too terrifying. She actually wanted to make him develop self-loathing thoughts. She was guiding his thinking – she was a master at manipulating hearts. She was too frightening. For a moment, Yuan Chuan’s mind held only shock at this woman.

He steadied himself and said: “Do you think saying this will make me transfer all my hatred to Xuan Li? Do you think I’ll start loathing myself? You’re just talking nonsense. This whole thing was your fault from beginning to end! Even if Xuan Li struck the killing blow, it was because he fell into your trap! Everything was calculated by you – you’re the real murderer. If anyone should pay with their life, it’s you first!”

Jiang Ruan shrugged: “What a pity.” She didn’t say what was pitiful, but Yuan Chuan knew in his heart – she was pitying that her guiding words had ultimately been seen through by Yuan Chuan. Yuan Chuan was furious beyond measure, but he couldn’t act at this moment. Outside were all Xuan Li’s people – doing so would only alert the enemy.

He looked Jiang Ruan up and down again, his gaze lingering for a moment on Jiang Ruan’s somewhat plump face, before dropping an ominous statement: “I hope you can remain this lucky.” He turned and left.

After Yuan Chuan left, Jiang Ruan finally frowned, placing both hands on her small belly, pressing her lips tightly together. For once, her usually smiling face showed some gravity. There was no time left.

…

That night, flames suddenly shot skyward from a corner of the temple, and a woman’s voice cried out: “Yuan Chuan, what are you trying to do? Someone come!”

The voice was familiar – it was Princess Consort Jiang Ruan of Prince Jinying’s household. The towering flames rose from the ground. Being a wooden temple, it was almost immediately engulfed halfway. Most eerily, the guards at Jiang Ruan’s door showed no movement, as if dead. Only a few temple people hiding elsewhere heard the sound and were shocked by the blazing fire. A gray-clothed figure came running in the darkness, looking at the burning flames with shock and uncertainty. This person was Yuan Chuan. He had indeed planned to act today, but just as he’d found a way to knock out the guards at the door, this fire had started. Yuan Chuan almost immediately thought this must be one of Jiang Ruan’s schemes.

Just now, a woman had cried out from within – undoubtedly Jiang Ruan. With Jiang Ruan inside this room, she naturally had no chance of survival. Yuan Chuan looked at the flames before him. He didn’t know where the fire had started, but it was about to consume the entire room. The room where Jiang Ruan was located was quite remote. If not for his plan to act at midnight today, this place might have burned to ashes without anyone knowing.

The woman’s screams continued from within. Yuan Chuan heard them clearly – Jiang Ruan couldn’t possibly escape. But Yuan Chuan felt a strange suspicion arise in his heart. In all their confrontations, he had never gained any advantage over Jiang Ruan. Could this be another of Jiang Ruan’s schemes? How could Jiang Ruan willingly die in this fire? Yes, every time she seemed to face hopeless situations, she could turn danger into safety. Even this seemingly inescapable fire might be a deliberate scheme on her part. Once this thought took root, Yuan Chuan’s suspicion grew stronger. No matter how fierce this fire, he had to see Jiang Ruan die inside with his own eyes to be satisfied. He needed to see her alive or see her corpse – without confirming Jiang Ruan’s death, he couldn’t rest easy.

Once Yuan Chuan thought this way, he steeled his heart. Even facing the blazing fire, he charged in without hesitation. His subordinates outside, busy fighting the fire, were all shocked by this scene and tried to dissuade him. But how could Yuan Chuan listen? He was now single-mindedly wanting Jiang Ruan’s life, already prepared to die. Why would he care about fire or anything else? As long as Jiang Ruan died, he’d willingly sacrifice his life.

Yuan Chuan plunged into the sea of fire without hesitation. Upon entering, he immediately felt the scorching heat hitting his face, hot air burning toward him. Flames spread everywhere in sheets. With each step deeper, he could feel his hair and skin burning a bit more. The smell of burning flesh entered his nostrils, but Yuan Chuan paid no attention and continued inward. Once the room caught fire, it was impossible to distinguish the original layout – he couldn’t tell where anything was. He could only hear Jiang Ruan’s soft crying from deep within the room and followed that sound.

Yuan Chuan wasn’t afraid of perishing in the fire himself. As long as he could watch Jiang Ruan die, what did mutual destruction matter? But he wondered why Jiang Ruan was in such a deep part of the room. Hadn’t she thought of fleeing outside? Yuan Chuan’s heart jumped, and his pace quickened. The deeper he went, the fiercer the fire became. Yuan Chuan’s hands were burned with blisters, but he ignored them completely. Finally, in a corner, he saw Jiang Ruan curled against the wall.

Jiang Ruan was still crying softly. Yuan Chuan’s heart relaxed, and he smiled viciously: “Jiang Ruan, go to hell and pay your debt to the Saintess!”

After he spoke, Jiang Ruan still seemed oblivious, continuing to cry softly. Yuan Chuan was startled, suddenly feeling something strange. How could Jiang Ruan keep crying? This woman’s tears were rarer than stones. This was… wrong! He suddenly rushed forward, ignoring the burning beam blocking his path, grabbing Jiang Ruan’s hand and dragging her entire person before him.

“Jiang Ruan” wore her usual clothes, crying softly, her face blackened by smoke. But her features were still distinguishable – that wasn’t Jiang Ruan at all, but clearly the mute maid!

“I’ve been tricked!” Yuan Chuan cried out in dismay. He didn’t have time to wonder why the mute maid could speak or why she was helping Jiang Ruan. His heart now held only regret – this was all a trap set by Jiang Ruan. Using his hand to knock out the guards outside, then setting the room ablaze with the mute maid crying inside. Everyone knew the mute maid couldn’t speak, so they’d assume it must be Jiang Ruan inside. If he didn’t suspect and didn’t enter to look, the mute maid would sacrifice herself, everyone would think the corpse was Jiang Ruan’s, helping Jiang Ruan escape. If he suspected and entered to look… The mute maid suddenly leaped up, grabbing his arm tightly, her face showing an eerily strange smile: “I didn’t expect you’d actually come in. Perfect – I’ve gained something too. Since you wanted her to accompany you to hell, why don’t you accompany me to hell instead!”

This was her purpose. As long as Yuan Chuan entered, she’d drag him down together in mutual destruction. This way, people outside wouldn’t know the situation inside and wouldn’t discover Jiang Ruan was fake. The real Jiang Ruan had already escaped! What vicious intentions!

Yuan Chuan sneered: “Are you Xiao Shao’s person?”

“Wrong,” the mute maid also smiled: “I have irreconcilable hatred with Xuan Li. Since you’re his ally and a Southern Frontier savage dog, I must have my revenge!” After speaking, she hugged him even tighter. A large burning piece of wood fell down, sparks splashing all over Yuan Chuan.

At this moment, the fire around them was already massive, and the house was about to collapse. Though Yuan Chuan’s situation looked perilous, his expression became increasingly vicious. He had originally wanted Jiang Ruan’s life, but now Jiang Ruan might escape to safety. How could he be willing? Even in death, he wouldn’t be willing!

Yuan Chuan sneered, feeling his limbs tighten. He discovered the mute maid had somehow used some kind of clasp to fasten her arm to his. The mute maid had been in this place for a long time, inhaling much smoke and dust. She was already on her last breath, and this action had exhausted all her strength.

Yuan Chuan smiled cruelly: “In that case, I’ll send you on your way!” He decisively drew a serrated curved knife from his waist and severed the mute maid’s arm with one stroke. The blade’s edge was coated with something unknown – many tiny egg-like things quickly crawled out and entered through the mute maid’s severed arm.

“These parasitic insects are quite precious. You’re getting a bargain. Enjoy yourself.” Yuan Chuan was also badly injured, his steps unsteady, his entire body burned and oozing blood and pus. He immediately headed outside. The mute maid screamed, covering her severed arm. More painful than the severed arm were the countless parasitic insects beginning to enter her body. The feeling was like ten thousand ants gnawing at her heart – truly unbearable for ordinary people.

The mute maid’s screams echoed through the sea of fire. She thought that actually, Jiang Ruan hadn’t asked her to do all this – only to hold out for a little time. She had willingly done this herself, wanting to buy Jiang Ruan more time. Helping Jiang Ruan was helping herself. Even feeling such great pain now, she didn’t regret it – as long as she could have revenge.

When Yuan Chuan emerged from the fire covered in blood, everyone outside was shocked. His clothes had burned to charcoal, and there wasn’t a patch of intact skin on his entire body. Everywhere oozed dark yellow pus, emitting the smell of burned flesh that was nauseating. His already ugly face was now even more burned away in large patches, pink skin exposed outside – truly horrifying. Even his usual subordinates couldn’t help stepping back.

Qi Man stood among the crowd, looking at Yuan Chuan indifferently: “How did it go?”

Yuan Chuan sneered. The guards outside the room still hadn’t awakened – he’d given them a full dose of drug, never expecting to trap himself. If these people hadn’t been drugged unconscious now, catching the fleeing Jiang Ruan shouldn’t have been difficult. He walked outside with a grim expression: “She escaped. Now, pursue!”

…

In the mountain wilds, on the pitch-black mountain path with no firelight visible, Jiang Ruan rode her horse at full speed. She couldn’t light a torch, or it would attract Yuan Chuan’s people. She didn’t know the mute maid’s current situation. Originally, she’d wanted the mute maid to leave with her, but the mute maid said she was staying behind for revenge. Unable to persuade her, she could only let her be. She didn’t know how long the mute maid could deceive Yuan Chuan. Yuan Chuan was clever and would probably pursue soon.

Jiang Ruan was very anxious. She hadn’t expected this place to be so far from the capital and so desolate. For miles around, there was no human habitation and no place to hide. She didn’t know if the child in her belly could withstand such violent jolting. She had swallowed many of the pregnancy-stabilizing pills the mute maid had given her, hoping to safely get through today.

But this was unfamiliar territory after all. Jiang Ruan didn’t know where she was going. Just as she was thinking of continuing forward, she heard chaotic sounds behind her. Turning to look, she saw a large stretch of torchlight approaching. The lead rider on horseback – who else could it be but Yuan Chuan?

They’d caught up!

Her heart tightened. Yuan Chuan had pursued so quickly – perhaps because they didn’t need to worry and could carry torches? Jiang Ruan no longer cared about her condition. She drew a dagger from her sleeve and without thinking stabbed it into her horse’s rump. The horse, in pain, broke into a mad gallop. This temporarily widened the distance between her and Yuan Chuan’s group.

This horse was the best one Jiang Ruan had chosen from the stable and ran quite fast. But under such violent jolting, Jiang Ruan’s lower abdomen began to ache faintly. She silently cursed inwardly, immediately placing her hand over her small belly, trying to calm the child within. But the pain only increased – the faster the horse ran, the more she suffered.

Yuan Chuan, following close behind, naturally noticed Jiang Ruan’s strange posture. After watching for a while, a thought suddenly arose in his mind. He couldn’t help remembering why Jiang Ruan had kept a white dog during that period – the dog ate much but stayed thin. Combined with Jiang Ruan’s increasingly plump face, he was almost certain. He shouted excitedly: “Catch her! She’s pregnant! She can’t run fast!”

Jiang Ruan’s heart jumped – cursing that Yuan Chuan had discovered it. Now she absolutely couldn’t let Yuan Chuan catch her. Yuan Chuan hated her so deeply that if he caught her, the first thing he’d do would be to kill her child. She steeled her heart and ran even faster. But Jiang Ruan overlooked that traveling in these wild mountains in pitch darkness was already difficult. Such headlong charging was extremely dangerous. Focused on escaping and desperately trying to shake off Yuan Chuan, she didn’t realize Yuan Chuan was deliberately driving her toward a dead end.

A cliff loomed ahead, towering into the clouds. What might have been beautiful scenery in daylight was now pitch black, concealing the thousand-foot drop below. Jiang Ruan couldn’t see clearly and didn’t even know when she’d approached it. She only felt her body suddenly lighten as her horse whinnied and they both plunged into the boundless abyss.

Yuan Chuan’s vicious laughter and the sound of reining in his horse seemed to echo faintly in her ears: “I told you I’d send you on your way!”