She climbed up, and he gently lifted and carried her on his back, then commanded Xuan Wu and Qing Long: “Take the north gate route, passing through all paths. Relay my oral decree—have the imperial guards secretly seal the roads.”

Everyone stared dumbfounded, but since this was a matter of willing parties, who could interfere?

The two immediately used their lightness skills to depart. Ming Yanchu held an umbrella over Suzhen’s head, and Lian Jie and others followed.

At the fifth watch, the sky was pitch black and boundless.

Several eunuchs carried lanterns in front as the group walked through the snow, which fell like fluff, swirling inside and outside the vermillion palace walls on both sides, covering everyone.

Xuan Wu and his companion quickly returned, quietly following behind.

Suzhen drowsily rested against Lian Yu’s shoulder, vaguely catching a faint scent of blood, assuming it came from her own wounds without thinking much of it.

“You said…” his voice suddenly rang out unexpectedly.

“Mm?” she responded casually.

“You said, if I hadn’t chosen Aluo initially, what would we be like now?” His voice was slightly low.

“Don’t know. We’d probably go our separate ways. My family’s matter would still be there—neither of us could change that.” She was somewhat drowsy, but answered without much thought.

After hearing this, he remained silent for a long time. She thought he had nothing else to say when his voice rose again.

“Even if I weren’t with Aluo, it still wouldn’t be possible, would it?”

“Or do you think, as long as I could do something for you, you might give me a chance…”

Toward the end, his voice became increasingly hoarse, so much so that she could barely hear clearly. Yet she still heard it, though she wished she hadn’t, as sharp emotions inexplicably surged in her heart.

She simply pretended not to hear, and to prevent hearing him say more or wanting him to say more, she began humming a tune.

How could he abandon Aluo for her? Even if he was momentarily impulsive now, how could she accept?

She knew that Aluo’s resurrection and her letter had made him feel guilty to some degree.

Even leading him to say he wanted to keep her.

But what use did she have for this guilt-ridden, compensatory love?

Besides, between the two of them, even without Aluo, what could happen? She was truly tired, indifferent, dead at heart.

He walked increasingly slowly, his breathing becoming somewhat labored.

She knew that with his martial arts and physical strength, this shouldn’t happen. Was he doing this deliberately?! That emotion in her heart swelled: “What exactly do you want? If you’re not sincere about seeing me off, just let me walk myself. I don’t want to stay here anymore, not at all.”

Though her tone was calm, her voice had already turned cold.

“The snowy roads are slippery, so I’ll walk faster now,” he quickly responded without temper.

Suzhen closed her eyes and said nothing. He indeed walked much faster, but his breathing became increasingly heavy. She suddenly thought of something—how foolish she was to be misled by him like this! Thinking that since they’d done everything before, and she couldn’t walk now anyway, what harm was there in letting him carry her? Such intimate contact would naturally be awkward with other men, but surely this palace had sedan chairs and carriages, female officials and guards?

Yet he deliberately spoke up, offering this solution, and in her confusion she didn’t think much of it. In his eyes, might this have taken on another meaning?

“Put me down. Have Xuan Wu drive a carriage to escort me from the palace,” she slowly spoke with insistent tone.

He said nothing, only adjusted her slightly slipping body, steadying her firmly with both hands, gave no answer, and continued walking forward.

Suzhen’s anger was completely provoked by his attitude. She said coldly: “I said I want to get down, I want a carriage, and I’ll wait right here! If you refuse, I’ll walk out myself.”

She suddenly raised her voice, startling everyone. They all stopped and looked at the two in bewilderment.

But Lian Yu still didn’t put her down. “Li Huaisu, can’t we really talk once more—”

Before he finished, she kicked his leg and struggled and hit him, wanting to get down.

“Magistrate Li… don’t, His Majesty still has wounds…” Xuan Wu’s expression changed slightly, and Ming Yanchu anxiously dropped his umbrella, repeatedly trying to dissuade them, but Lian Yu silenced him with a glance. Lian Jie and Zhu Que, being observant, already detected something wrong with Lian Yu’s condition. Zhu Que gave Xuan Wu a questioning look, and Xuan Wu frowned deeply, shook his head, made a gesture, and first retreated dozens of steps away.

Seeing this, everyone silently followed and withdrew.

Meanwhile, Lian Yu had put Suzhen down, but he didn’t immediately order Xuan Wu to prepare a carriage—he just looked at her.

She left him and supported herself against the wall, warily retreating several steps.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, landing in her hair in patches, dyeing her black hair half white.

How she wished she could turn completely white-haired at once.

His brows furrowed tightly as he stared in a daze.

“Where will you go after leaving the palace?” he asked.

“Where I go has nothing to do with you,” she answered indifferently.

“Will you return to Quan Feitong’s side?”

He was surprisingly persistent. Something churned in Suzhen’s heart, so she simply closed her mouth again and only looked at him coldly.

“Give me a chance, please. There won’t be Aluo anymore. Let me compensate you, let me love you, just like before. As long as I can manage it, anything is possible. Li Huaisu, give me a chance—I only ask for one chance. If you feel I’m not doing well enough, then leave, alright?”

He stood several steps away from her, smiling at the corners of his lips, pleading in his eyes, yet embedded with a chilling aggressiveness. His hands were slightly raised, gripping his waist, veins bulging like cords, as if he were desperately controlling himself from rushing forward and forcibly keeping her at all costs!

Seeing him like this, Suzhen’s anger finally surged like towering waves!

“Go to hell! Lian Yu, damn you! The emperor’s word is bond—you promised to let me go.” She leaned against the wall and roared at him angrily. “Give you a chance, then have you cast me aside again? What right do you have to treat me this way? Fine, forget about family revenge—I’ll just settle accounts with you about Aluo. When you were together, did you ever think of my pain for even a moment? Thanks to you, I’ve tasted every kind of suffering. I don’t want compensation, I only ask to be spared. Lian Yu, I no longer love you. How ridiculous would it be for you to make me stay with someone I no longer love!”

“I don’t care what happens between you and Gu Xiluo. I don’t want you anymore—I fucking don’t want you anymore! Whatever happens between Quan Feitong and me is our marital affair and none of your business! If you block me again, I’ll kill myself right here in this palace to accompany you.”

She deliberately emphasized the words “marital affair,” satisfied to see his expression change as he retreated a step. She mockingly curved her lips and walked forward supporting herself against the palace wall.

Lian Yu also detested going back on his word. The moment he agreed to let her go, he had truly considered letting go, finding Aluo, making things clear—even more, he wanted to see her off with a pure identity, as someone no longer emotionally entangled with Aluo.

But from the moment he carried her on his back, he knew, very clearly knew, that he couldn’t let go.

He could let go before because he could still suppress it, because he believed the three-year pact meant they would have chances to reunite, even if he would die by her hand then. But from learning of her feelings, knowing she hadn’t considered hatred more important than his life, all his self-control collapsed and scattered, utterly defeated.

He narrowed his eyes watching her retreating figure. In an instant, countless approaches flashed through his mind, just like in every battle of the power games before.

He couldn’t be too hasty, couldn’t force her anymore, couldn’t let her completely despair of him. He absolutely couldn’t let her be with Quan Feitong, absolutely couldn’t let Quan Feitong touch her, absolutely couldn’t lose her again!

He would first heal both their wounds. Not to mention the capital was at the emperor’s feet—the entire Great Zhou was his realm.

He wanted her, and she shouldn’t expect to go anywhere!

A voice in his heart was saying.

This voice was calm, scheming, cold and predatory, and unkind.

“Li Huaisu, I apologize. I’ll have Xuan Wu escort you. You have wounds and can’t walk far,” he caught up to her, maintaining distance.

Suzhen pressed her hand against her side wound, looking suspiciously, her eyes still full of wariness. But seeing him slightly lower his gaze, he truly seemed to lack that ruthless edge she’d glimpsed moments before.

She stared at him, and he let her look. After a while, she finally breathed a small sigh of relief and nodded. But as her spirit relaxed, her body also slid down.

Only then did Lian Yu’s expression change. Regardless that she might press on his wounds, he quickly caught her.

Xuan Wu and others, seeing the situation was wrong, rushed over. Lian Jie also didn’t avoid suspicion and immediately grabbed her wrist to check.

“How is she?” Lian Yu asked in a deep voice.

“The injuries are quite severe, and she’s suffered emotional distress, but there shouldn’t be life-threatening danger. Sixth Brother, please don’t worry,” he immediately replied.

Lian Yu nodded, his brow relaxing slightly. Xuan Wu, remembering they had mentioned him earlier, inappropriately interjected: “Master, should this subordinate escort her from the palace?”

“Mm, since she wants to leave the palace, let it be as she wishes. However, I will also leave the palace, neglect court affairs, and be a foolish emperor for some days.”

At these words, everyone stared in astonishment. Lian Yu was a standard workaholic.

“It would also be perfect timing to let those with ulterior motives make preparations and rise up earlier. Besides the imperial throne, I’ve never thought I must obtain anything else in this life. Having been a good big brother and good master for so many years, I’m tired too. Since she’s determined I’m a bad person, and I’m not really a good person anyway, why not be thoroughly bad? You all go prepare to leave the palace with me.”

By his ear, she only heard him speak calmly, but every word was filled with an almost dangerously certain determination.

He lifted her with some effort and walked forward.

Leaving several people behind looking tragic and indignant. Xuan Wu spoke first: “What good master? Before I graduated, various intensive training nearly didn’t… kill me with practice.”

Zhu Que and Qing Long immediately nodded in agreement. Lian Qin also muttered: “Since childhood he knew how to win hearts, making Seventh Brother and me not compete with him for the throne.”

Lian Jie rolled his eyes: “If you don’t compete, I’ll compete.”

Ming Yanchu was extremely anxious: “You only care about your own amusement, but this person still has wounds. Though not as dangerous as before, they’re still serious, and being pressed by Magistrate Li like this…”

“No wonder I noticed his walking posture was wrong earlier!” Lian Jie frowned. “What happened? He’s the master of Great Zhou—if one hair is moved, the whole body is affected. Xuan Wu, how are you serving as his personal guard?”

Xuan Wu shrugged: “If you want to blame someone, blame him for looking like a playboy but working like a model worker. Look at what he hasn’t experienced these years—hasn’t he endured every time? How could I have performed well?”

Lian Xin sat on her bed, not even changing clothes, staring blankly at the sky turning white. Her eyes were swollen like walnuts.

She wanted to go to the palace, to see Wuqing. Wuqing, temporarily staying at the Prime Minister’s mansion, must have already received news from Quan Feitong and would be very upset, right? But she also needed comfort—how could she comfort him? She irritably wiped her face and finally crawled out of her brocade quilt.

“Master, His Majesty has sent an edict. Eunuch Ming is waiting in the main hall,” her personal palace maid hurriedly entered to report.

Lian Xin sneered: “Won’t see him. From now on, I won’t receive any of my sixth brother’s edicts or oral commands. If he’s unhappy, let him execute me. I’ll go find Li Huaisu and make a ghost couple in the underworld.”

“This…” Her palace maid listened in stunned silence. “Didn’t you say Magistrate Li is a girl…”

“So what?” Lian Xin glared at her. Just as she was about to get up and dress, her gaze fixed on one spot and she flew into rage: “Ming Yanchu, what audacity! You dare enter my boudoir without permission! Fine, you came at the right time. If I don’t deal with you today, my name isn’t Lian Xin!”

“This slave greets the Princess,” Ming Yanchu, who had suddenly burst in, showed no fear. Even amid her shouting, he approached directly, leaned close to her ear, and quickly said a few words.

The news was too sudden and unexpected. Lian Xin sprang up, her head banging against the bed frame with a “thud.”

This time Suzhen was again awakened by medicinal scents, and something constantly rubbing against her face. Soft and fragrant, with a pleasant aroma.

“Little Lian Xin?”

She smiled slightly, propping herself up to sit. The person beside her bed reddened her eyes, withdrew her playful hands from Suzhen’s face, took a small blanket to cushion her back, and grasped her hand: “I thought you were dead.”

As she spoke, she threw herself into Suzhen’s arms and burst into tears.

Suzhen’s cold heart from before losing consciousness was instantly softened. She patted her back: “Look, I’m fine. Though your sixth brother isn’t a good person, he still remembers some loyalty and spared my life. I’m fine—don’t cry anymore.”

“Sixth Brother,” Lian Xin said hatefully, “he’s a bad person, but at least he has some self-awareness, knowing you hate him to death, so he asked me to take care of you—”

Suzhen was slightly stunned, looking around. This was no longer the palace setting or the emperor’s bedchamber, but an elegant woman’s boudoir, though not Lian Xin’s residence either. The furnishings weren’t luxurious at all and didn’t seem to be in the palace.

Her heart lifted with joy—Lian Yu hadn’t been too despicable after all.

But she quickly asked: “Lian Xin, where is this place?”

Lian Xin, remembering Lian Yu’s previous words, rolled her eyes and said: “I don’t know where this is either. We rode in carriages for three or four days to get here. It’s a small town near the capital. Sixth Brother said the scenery here isn’t bad, suitable for your recovery. If you want to stay a while after you’re better, that’s fine too.”

Suzhen nodded: “That’s quite nice.”

But Lian Xin immediately shook her head: “What’s nice about it? He came too—right next door!”

She spoke while stealing a glance at Suzhen, indeed seeing the woman who had been observing her surroundings change expression.

She immediately felt her heart jump to her throat, only hearing Suzhen ask: “What does he want?”

Though the voice was light, it was full of anger.

Having been repeatedly instructed, she didn’t show timidity and quickly smiled: “Susu, don’t worry. I’m here, and besides, my sixth brother is seriously wounded and recovering too. He won’t annoyingly appear before you anymore.”

“He’s injured?” Suzhen was stunned again.

Lian Xin nodded: “I heard Ming Yanchu and them say he went to break up with Gu Xiluo and stabbed himself to repay her debt, then was also stabbed by Gu Xiluo’s maid. He could only endure it to avoid owing her too much. Serves him right, doesn’t it? You’re ignoring him now too, so he’s definitely losing out—it really delights me! He’s my brother, but he deserved it.”

“He probably wants to win you back, but don’t pay attention to him.”

Suzhen listened, lowering her eyes in silence for a moment before quietly asking: “Is the injury severe?”

“Quite deep, but he has a pile of wounds on his body. There’s an old scar on his stomach—I saw Seventh Brother treating him, and he was semi-conscious, calling out that it hurt there. So this injury probably isn’t too bad. Though deep and he lost a lot of blood, it’s not too serious, right? Otherwise how could he complain about other places hurting?” Lian Xin shrugged.

Suzhen said nothing. Lian Xin watched her expression but couldn’t read much, then said: “You absolutely mustn’t soften and go see him.”

Suzhen looked up and shook her head: “I won’t. I won’t even stay here long. I’ll leave in a couple days when I’m better. How he is has nothing to do with me.”

“He instructed Seventh Brother and them before taking to bed that as soon as you’re well, you can leave anytime. He said he just wanted to see with his own eyes that you’re recovered before he can rest assured, so he came along. He probably knows you really dislike him and doesn’t dare forcibly detain you anymore. For this alone, it wouldn’t hurt to recover properly before leaving.”

Suzhen was noncommittal: “We’ll see.”

Lian Xin didn’t say more: “Good. If you want to leave, I’ll accompany you anytime and escape together.”

Suzhen smiled and ruffled her hair: “Why would you run away? If you disappear, your mother won’t turn the entire palace upside down?”

“I’ll just go out and play with you for a while—I’ll come back,” Lian Xin said carelessly.

Suzhen liked this carefree girl. After thinking, she said: “If you go see him, tell him to go back. Palace conditions are better—there’s no need to stay here. With him here, I can’t be comfortable either. Why suffer needlessly?”

Lian Xin felt both joy and worry—joy that she finally mentioned Lian Yu, worry that her attitude remained firmly resolute. But regarding Lian Yu matters, she remembered his words to only touch lightly each time, so she still smiled: “Fine, let’s not worry about him for now. Let me change the medicine on your back first. Since we came out secretly this time, the inner guards brought plenty of supplies but no rough maids. So this princess must personally take action.”

Suzhen didn’t stand on ceremony with her, turning her back. Lian Xin was clumsy, sometimes applying too much pressure, filling the air with her apologies and Suzhen’s pained groans.

The door opened a small crack, barely noticeable. Someone outside quietly watched, brows deeply furrowed.

After finally applying the medicine, Lian Xin was also sweating from exertion. She went to the table to fetch porridge, soup, and medicine, busily attending to Suzhen. Afterward, she excitedly climbed onto the bed to whisper with Suzhen.

“Where do you plan to go after you recover? Will you return to civilian life or… look for Quan Feitong?”

After waking up, Suzhen hadn’t had time to properly consider this question. She had once told that man full of dark schemes that she hoped in the next life they could meet earlier and feel like old friends at first sight. But this lifetime wasn’t over yet.

Being reborn without memories was different from retaining them.

Perhaps, though she had anticipated it and knew he would certainly bide his time, in her heart she still longed for someone who would risk everything for her in times of crisis.

She didn’t know if she would return to him. Perhaps wandering like duckweed for the rest of her life was her future, but she didn’t want Lian Xin to get into trouble following her, so she said: “I will go, so you should obediently return to the palace then. I’ll find ways to visit you.”

“Liar,” Lian Xin wailed. “You definitely won’t come find me again…”

The two talked for quite a while. Suzhen made promises to her, but being still very weak, she gradually leaned against Lian Xin’s shoulder and fell asleep again. Lian Xin stuck out her tongue, carefully moving her to the pillow, then tiptoed up to fully open the door.

The person at the door had never left. Lian Xin went out, and he quickly entered, walking to the bedside to sit down. Like Lian Xin, he removed his boots and got under the covers, lifting the person who had drunk medicine laced with sleeping draught into his arms.

The bone-deep pain from pressure on his wounds made him frown slightly, but the satisfaction of being filled by the person in his arms made him completely comfortable, even somewhat restless…

“Prime Minister…” She was semi-conscious, and though he had stood outside for a long time with his body ice-cold, she instinctively sensed the cold and couldn’t help calling out the name of the person she had been “thinking” of during the day.