On the snow-covered ancient road, an eight-horse carriage made of rosewood with thick brocade curtains raced forward frantically. The Western Frontier blood horses from the Western Desert occasionally kicked the accumulated snow to the sides. The driver wore a thick cotton coat, his eyebrows and eyes covered with frost, his cheeks red from the cold, and even his gaze seemed frozen by this deadly weather.

Wu Daoye lifted a corner of the curtain, his long narrow eyes half-closed. The howling north wind whirled up the snow on the ground, spinning it in circles. Li Xian rode protectively beside the carriage, shouting, but his voice now sounded as thin as a mosquito’s buzz, almost indistinguishable.

“Sir!” Li Xian shouted, “The snowstorm is too fierce! Please return to the carriage!”

Wu Daoye shook his head, his young face appearing somewhat grave. He looked up and called out loudly: “How much time do we have left?”

“Two hours.”

Wu Daoye’s brows furrowed tightly, an ominous premonition slowly rising from the depths of his heart. The words his master had said before he left echoed once more in his mind. If everything was true as his master had predicted, the Prince of Yan’s family might face a great calamity this time.

“Li Xian,” Wu Daoye said solemnly, “take the eighteen Yan guards and go ahead first. You must deliver the message to the Hostage Residence. If the situation becomes unfavorable, don’t fight recklessly. Try to contact Lady Yu and lie low, waiting for me to enter the city. You must keep track of the young master’s whereabouts and ensure his safety.”

“I understand!” Li Xian acknowledged, saying: “Please be careful too, sir. I’ll go ahead now.”

With that, he waved to the eighteen Yan guards and galloped away.

Wu Daoye watched as Li Xian and his men gradually disappeared into the snowstorm. He lowered the curtain, leaned back against the carriage, and exhaled deeply.

Hopefully, they would still be in time.

At this very moment, at the martial grounds beside the White Willow Temple in Zhen Huang City, the shadow guard Yan Seventeen from the Hostage Residence had just stopped Yan Xun’s warhorse, anxiously saying: “Commander Song of the Front City Xiao Qi Army has surrounded the Hostage Residence with his troops. The eldest son of the Zhuge family, Young Master Zhuge Huai, has also brought the Zhuge family’s troops to the Zhuge villa. Now, they’re all heading this way.”

Yan Xun frowned and asked in a deep voice: “Why is the Xiao Qi Camp getting involved? Did the Zhuge family notify the Council of Elders so quickly?”

“Young Master!” Feng Mian called out loudly as hoofbeats rapidly approached from behind. The young page boy looked somewhat panicked, anxiously saying: “The people behind us are catching up!”

Yan Xun’s expression remained calm as he turned to ask: “How many? Are they Zhuge Yue’s men?”

“No,” the child’s hood was covered with snow, and as he spoke excitedly, the snow fell in flurries: “They’re Wei family men. I saw with my own eyes that Wei Shuye was leading the team.”

“The Wei family?” Yan Xun’s eyebrows knitted together as he said solemnly: “Since when did the Wei family join forces with the Zhuge mansion? Moreover, how could they have notified and mobilized the Wei family troops so quickly in such a short time?”

He looked down at Chu Qiao sitting in front of him and frowned: “Girl, have you offended someone from the Wei family?”

Chu Qiao’s brows furrowed as her small face contemplated seriously before she shook her head firmly, saying: “No.”

“That’s strange then.” Yan Xun murmured, his expression calm as he concentrated on thought.

Chu Qiao turned back to look at the young man’s handsome brows, saying: “One must take responsibility for one’s actions. This is my own business, Yan Xun. You don’t need to get involved.”

Yan Xun was taken aback. Though the child still had the face of a young child, her demeanor and tone were so serious and calm. He became momentarily distracted and replied incongruously: “Girl, I’m very curious about you. Until you tell me the truth, I’m reluctant to let you be captured like this.”

Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow, her tone steady: “Mountains don’t change, and waters flow forever; we’ll surely meet again someday. Besides, it won’t be easy for them to catch me. I’m alone, a small target, easier to escape. As for you, your identity and status are what they are. I don’t want you to be implicated innocently.”

Yan Xun’s eyes were like torches, looking at her with intensity. Chu Qiao nimbly dismounted, not at all hindered by her small stature. After getting off the horse, she looked up at him and said: “Yan Xun, I’m leaving now. Although our status and positions differ, you’ve helped me several times. I’ll remember this kindness in my heart. If there’s an opportunity in the future, I’ll certainly repay it in full.”

Yan Xun smiled faintly without speaking. Chu Qiao noticed his strange expression and although somewhat suspicious, didn’t dwell on it. Time was pressing, and she couldn’t afford to be indecisive. Things had gone a bit out of control—not only had Zhuge Yue unexpectedly appeared, but the Wei family and Xiao Qi Camp troops had also been alerted, making the situation far more complicated than anticipated. However, in a city as vast as this, she was still confident she could hide safely.

The child crouched down, tightening her clothes, taking a final look at the somewhat dazed Yan Xun before turning and running swiftly toward the open street.

Suddenly, the sound of hoofbeats arose behind her. Before she could turn to look, Chu Qiao’s small body was lifted. Yan Xun’s laughter warmed the air behind her: “I don’t believe I can’t protect one little girl. Come, let’s return to Yan Bei tonight! I want to see what the Wei family and the Xiao Qi Camp generals can do!”

With that, he whipped his horse hard and galloped toward the city gate!

“Young Master!” Feng Mian and Yan Seventeen exclaimed in shock, both calling out at once.

“Seventeen, go back and prepare the troops to escort this young master out of the city.”

Through the blizzard and howling north wind, over a hundred horsemen thundered down the long street, waking half of Zhen Huang City’s citizens from their beautiful dreams. Yet no one cared what had happened that night; they simply carefully shut their doors and windows tight, deeply fearing becoming innocent victims.

Yan Xun reined in his warhorse, raising his hand to stop his Yan guards. The young heir lifted his chin slightly, coldly eyeing the dense ranks of officials and soldiers opposite. Yan Seventeen rode forward, shouting: “We are the Prince of Yan Bei’s men. Who are you people, and why are you blocking our way?”

“I am the junior general of the Xiao Qi Camp’s North Court, under orders to seal this road.”

A deep voice sounded from the opposite side. Yan Xun frowned and called out loudly: “This young master carries a sacred edict from Sheng Jin Palace. Who dares to block my way?”

“What a coincidence,” a somewhat effeminate voice slowly responded. The voice wasn’t loud, but in the stillness of the night, for some reason, it was particularly grating, carrying a bone-chilling coldness. A man in deep blue brocade robes with white jade fur slowly emerged from behind the crowd. His white horse was like snow, and torches burned high. The man smiled lightly and said slowly: “Prince Yan, what a coincidence indeed. I also carry a sacred edict from Sheng Jin Palace. Tonight, no one is allowed to leave the city. Anyone who violates this—”

The man deliberately paused, his gaze sweeping over Yan Xun before he smiled faintly and uttered three words: “Will be executed.”

“Wei Shouyou?” Yan Xun raised an eyebrow, his voice involuntarily rising a pitch. Chu Qiao positioned a horse length behind him, frowned, and urged her horse forward a step. Yan Xun’s hand, holding the whip, inconspicuously moved across to block the child’s path, protecting her behind him. Chu Qiao, dressed in Yan guard attire, felt a warmth in her heart. She looked up at Yan Xun’s straight back, and although the young man didn’t turn his head, a sense of warmth slowly spread through her, particularly precious in such a cold deep night.

“Besides, if I remember correctly, the sacred edict the young master carries permits departure tomorrow morning, correct?”

Yan Xun laughed lightly, raising his eyebrows: “This young master misses his mother and wishes to leave the city tonight.”

“Filial piety is admirable, but surely the young master needn’t be in such a rush?”

“You make me laugh, Wei gongzi. Yan Xun is young and willful. Once I decide on something, I want to do it immediately, or else I can’t sleep well.”

“Is that so?” Wei Shouyou’s tone was soft as he smiled lightly: “In that case, Prince Yan may have to suffer insomnia tonight.”

“The young master Wei is being far too bold!” The young page Feng Mian stepped forward, his clear voice shouting sternly: “Never mind now, even in normal times, our young master can go out of the city to hunt whenever he wishes. Who would dare to stop him? Young master Wei, blocking our way like this, whose authority are you relying on?”

“I rely on the authority of Sheng Jin Palace!” A deep voice suddenly sounded from behind. Yan Xun and his group immediately turned their heads to see two groups of troops approaching in a grand procession. Wei Shuye wore green fur, his expression cold. Zhuge Huai followed beside him, his face no longer showing his usual warm smile, but rather like solid ice, revealing no emotion.

“By imperial edict, the Prince of Kangqin of Yan Bei has colluded with Shang Shen rebels, harboring ill intentions and plotting rebellion. Wei Shuye, junior general of the Wei family, is specially ordered to detain Yan Xun, son of the Prince of Kangqin, and deliver him to the Court of Judgment for custody.”

As soon as these words fell, flashes of silver suddenly lit up as countless swords and sabers were unsheathed. The Yan guards were greatly alarmed but immediately moved forward as one to protect Yan Xun.

“Hey!” Chu Qiao drew the crossbow from her waist and moved closer, positioning herself at Yan Xun’s right side: “Looks like they’re coming for you.”

Yan Xun’s expression of shock and anger gradually faded, leaving only suppressed fury and calm composure. Hearing her words, he didn’t turn to look at the child but continued to stare straight ahead, saying in a deep voice: “I’m sorry for involving you.”

“It’s alright,” Chu Qiao smiled lightly: “One good turn deserves another. After this battle, we’ll be even.”

The night was dense, and killing intent surged. On the main street of Jiu Wai, the scent of blood began to slowly dissipate once more.

In the northern wind’s howl on a snowy night, swords and sabers weep blood when killing.