Suzhen was alarmed. Fortunately, they were some distance away, so Lian Yu couldn’t hear what Leng Xue was saying. She immediately pulled away: “Leng Xue, you all go in and rest first. We’ll talk about anything later—I need to help Sixth Young Master.”

But Leng Xue refused to let go. After being confined by the Six Doors for several days, he was already full of cold anger. For Suzhen’s sake, he didn’t want to cause more trouble, only looking for an opportunity to secretly escape.

Tieshou and Zhuiming had been secretly instructed by Wuqing to watch Leng Xue no matter what. Discovering his departure, they had also followed.

Now seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Tieshou, usually silent and taciturn, also grew angry: “Leng Xue, you’re perfectly fine as a constable but choose to be a deserter instead. What do you mean by constantly doing strange things to Huaisu! Huaisu is a man—are you mad?”

As he spoke, he reached out to pull Leng Xue away.

Leng Xue’s eyes blazed with fury as he said harshly: “My business with her is none of your concern.”

“Leng Xue, let go!” Suzhen was suffocating with frustration, gritting her teeth as she whispered. Lian Yu had already turned to look their way, and the vendor’s attitude had surely already displeased him. Now with this scene…

Her heart pounded with alarm and anger. Indeed, she saw Lian Yu’s gaze settle on her momentarily before his expression changed. He set his purchase back on the stall: “I’ll say this one last time—I only want fresh ones. Please don’t refuse, young man. Qinglong, come out and wait for the food.”

The vendor, seeing his suddenly cold expression—still the same appearance as before, but now radiating an indescribable aura of noble coldness, as if killing were merely a casual nod—knew this person’s background must be significant. Immediately terrified and pale-faced, he bowed his head: “Yes, yes, I’ll do it right away, young master… please wait a moment, just wait a moment.”

Still trembling as he spoke, a figure suddenly appeared before him. Looking up, he saw Qinglong’s sword at his waist and immediately collapsed to his knees in terror.

Other customers, seeing this scene, no longer dared purchase anything, retreating to the side, only daring to secretly watch this excitement, wondering about this handsome blue-robed man’s background and what he intended to do.

Lian Yu strode to Suzhen’s side. He stared at Leng Xue, his gaze cold as frost, saying only two words: “Let go.”

Leng Xue knew he should release her, but Lian Yu’s possessive look deeply wounded him. That night in the palace—had this man done anything to her? Had he kissed her, touched her body?

Something surged from his heart and lungs to his throat, making even breathing difficult. He did release his grip, but with a “swish” drew his sword, looking fiercely at Lian Yu: “You have supreme power, but that doesn’t entitle you to one person’s dependence. I won’t let you touch her again.”

Lian Yu’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his voice so low it seemed to emerge from a cold cellar: “Regardless of what status I, Lian Yu, hold, she and I have pledged this life.”

“Touch?” He gave a contemptuous laugh, his eyes full of pride: “More than touch—since she has pledged herself to me, she is mine, and can only be mine for this lifetime.”

As he spoke, Xuanwu led men rapidly appearing from behind. Dozens of guards had in an instant surrounded everyone completely.

Seeing the approaching warriors, all fierce and armed with swords, the surrounding spectators retreated even further, some hurrying away to avoid trouble.

Tieshou and Zhuiming had long been stunned, staring at Suzhen with strange expressions.

Leng Xue’s temper was provoked. He laughed coldly: “Fine, however many come, I’ll face them all.”

He held his sword horizontally, glaring defiantly, showing no fear whatsoever.

Suzhen was greatly alarmed: “Leng Xue, are you mad? I told you, we are only…”

Lian Yu glared at her fiercely, silencing her, then commanded in a deep voice: “Xuanwu, take the others away. Even if we’re to compete, it’s a matter between him and me alone.”

Xuanwu nodded, having the men withdraw slightly, but the guards still kept their hands on their sword hilts, ready to strike.

Leng Xue, seeing this, was somewhat surprised and smiled coldly: “Your Majesty has courage. Then please proceed. If you lose, please remember the proper relationship between ruler and subject.”

But Lian Yu didn’t step forward. Instead, he grasped Suzhen’s hand: “She is not an object, much less a wager. Since you’ve been disrespectful to her, this fight is set. But even if I lose, I will never let go. Unless I… die.”

Suzhen hadn’t expected that even when fighting with someone, this person would be so… well, thorough in his thinking. Saying that losing wouldn’t count.

However, that phrase “unless I die” struck deep into her heart.

She also knew Lian Yu was extremely enraged. He wouldn’t even look at her, but his five fingers gripped her hand tightly, fierce and tense, just temporarily restraining himself from action.

She wanted to clarify things, but the two moved like lightning. She only felt a flash before her eyes as Lian Yu drew Xuanwu’s sword and was already fighting with Leng Xue.

Xuanwu said nothing, his eyes sharp as an eagle’s, ready to act the moment the situation turned dangerous.

Zhuiming and Tieshou finally understood what was happening. In their extreme nervousness, Zhuiming looked at her, stammering: “You and His Majesty… how did you become his ‘favorite’?”

Suzhen had no time to mind what he said. She knew Leng Xue’s martial arts were extraordinarily high and feared he might injure Lian Yu. But she saw the two suddenly separate—Lian Yu’s shoulder was bleeding, but Leng Xue’s arm was also cut. Leng Xue’s expression was uncertain as he looked at his torn sleeve, seemingly also surprised. Xuanwu’s gaze darkened as he moved to attack Leng Xue, but Lian Yu shouted: “Xuanwu, you may not interfere.”

Leng Xue laughed coldly, and the two were instantly locked in combat again.

Suzhen hadn’t expected someone of Lian Yu’s status to trade injury for attack, leaving Leng Xue no advantage. Her heart pounding with fear, she leaped into the fighting circle without thinking. Both men were startled and simultaneously withdrew their swords. Lian Yu stepped forward, embracing her and protecting her behind him.

Leng Xue roared angrily: “Li Huaisu, are you insane?”

Suzhen shook her head: “Leng Xue, he and I have indeed pledged this life. I still say the same—you will always be my best brother, my family.”

Leng Xue’s eyes dimmed as he stared at her. The sword in his hand slowly lowered. The anger, pain, and helplessness in his eyes caused Suzhen equal distress, her hands trembling slightly. But she heard a mocking laugh beside her ear as Lian Yu swept her up, carrying her through street after street until they reached a secluded back alley behind someone’s house, where he finally stopped and pushed her inside.