Suzhen forgot how she walked out from the crowd, only remembering the conversation she had with Leng Xue at that time.

She asked him, “Did Father only arrange for me to escape? Are the other corpses real?”

Leng Xue replied with a hoarse voice: “The old fox somehow managed to negotiate with the executioners for two lives. He said he was certainly doomed to die.”

“Why wasn’t it Mother and Brother? Father loved Mother the most, and Brother is the eldest son and legitimate heir of the Feng family…”

“Madam said she naturally wanted to accompany your father. Hong Xiao was willing to take your place. Your brother refused to let me replace him, saying the executioners would probably not spare both children of the Feng family. If he and you escaped together, it would only increase your danger. Zhen’er, they all loved you most. You were the first person they considered, so no matter what, you must live on.”

Father, Mother, and Elder Brother were all dead. Hong Xiao had died in her place. Suzhen’s mind churned chaotically with Leng Xue’s words. When she regained consciousness, she had already been brought back to the inn by Leng Xue.

She drew the precious sword from Leng Xue’s waist and pointed it coldly at him.

“Zhen’er…” As if unable to see the gleaming sword tip, Leng Xue walked toward her step by step, his expression so hatefully resolute.

“Don’t you dare call my name!” She stared at him with hatred, growling in a low voice: “I could have clearly rushed back. It was you, it was you… Get lost! Otherwise, I’ll kill you!”

“Your Feng family still owes me years of wages. I’m not leaving.”

Leng Xue’s eyes had also reddened, but his voice remained calm, each word as cold as usual yet resounding like a vow.

She reached into her bosom without a word, but saw Leng Xue remove something from his waist and slowly raise it.

It was her money pouch!

He gave a hoarse laugh and slowly said: “You’re now penniless. Either you kill me, or I’ll follow you forever.”

Her heart filled with bitter anger. Gritting her teeth, she thrust the sword backward, pressing it against his neck. He still didn’t move, not even trembling once, only gazing deeply at her.

Suzhen smiled bitterly. No matter how much pain and anger she felt, could she really bring herself to do it? How much of her desire to drive him away was truly to prevent him from meeting his death? She, the real young lady, had not yet been brought to justice. Once discovered, it would be a capital crime. How could he escape?

However, while she could still rely on hatred to support herself moments ago, now she could no longer sustain it. Her vision went black and she collapsed to the ground.

Before parting, everyone’s voices and faces seemed still to echo in her ears. Feng Meiren, how much effort did you all put in to perform a scene of final separation like a stage opera?

As if, when the curtain fell, they could laugh and frolic again.

As if they had never left.

Leng Xue was right—indeed, not one person in their Feng family was normal, not even her maid Hong Xiao. She was a little orphan whom their family had only raised for about ten years, who had only played with her for about ten years, yet she was willing to die in her place.

Why kill them?

Prince Jin’s old faction?

From her earliest memories, Father had been a teacher in the county, running a small academy, law-abiding and well-behaved.

When Prince Jin’s rebellion failed years ago, his wife, children, household servants—everyone without exception was executed.

Even if, in history unknown to her, her father had indeed been part of Prince Jin’s old faction, having since retreated to the countryside and lived peacefully among the people, all past matters had long become like passing clouds. His words and actions made her firmly believe he harbored no rebellious intentions. Why, based on mere suspicion, would they bring up old matters again? Why wouldn’t they spare the Feng family a way to live?

When Leng Xue, his face greatly changed, embraced her, Suzhen trembled all over. The pain was so extreme she couldn’t even cry. She bit her teeth and used her last bit of strength to say: “Leng Xue, check out of the room. If you insist on following me, then protect me to the capital.”

Leng Xue was startled. “What do you want to do?”

“Take the imperial examination to become the top scholar!”