Seeing everyone from Xiao’an downward looking over, Feng Suzhen smiled slightly. “A wife follows her husband. I naturally obey him. A calamitous demon who ruins the country? If he wants to fulfill this, I’m not unable to bear it.”

Lian Yu seemed not to have expected his little wife to be so compliant today, and a trace of brightness rarely appeared on his cold brow.

Xiao’an didn’t know whether to be angry or not. Supported by Hong Gu, she stood there when suddenly a soldier hurried in. Seeing Lian Yu, he reported, “Master, Zhuque Envoy requests Seventh Master to go to Guard Leng’s place. This Guard Leng has had an accident.”

Lian Jie was startled, but Feng Suzhen had already broken free from Lian Yu’s hand and rushed out in panic.

Arriving at Leng Xue’s residence, the courtyard was completely quiet. Feng Suzhen rushed into the room in a few steps. Xiao Zhou stood with her back to her, and she could vaguely see someone lying on the bed.

“What happened to Leng Xue?”

Feng Suzhen spoke in a trembling voice.

Xiao Zhou turned around, her furrowed brow not yet relaxed.

Without waiting for her to speak, Feng Suzhen had already quickly walked to the bedside. On the couch, Leng Xue lay unconscious, his chest covered in black blood, with bloodstains still seeping from the corners of his mouth.

“What happened?” Feng Suzhen asked loudly.

“He has Quan Feitong’s poison in his body that hasn’t been neutralized. Now, I’m afraid the poison has taken effect. But when I check his pulse, I can’t determine the depth or severity of the toxin.”

Xiao Zhou’s voice came from behind, carrying confusion and heaviness.

Feng Suzhen hadn’t responded when a gust of wind came from beside her. Lian Yu and Lian Jie approached. Lian Yu pulled Feng Suzhen into his arms and to one side, while Lian Jie sat down and personally checked the pulse.

“Don’t panic. Nothing will happen.” Lian Yu comforted softly. Her hands were ice-cold, making him involuntarily furrow his brow.

Feng Suzhen said nothing, only watching Lian Jie intently.

Lian Jie didn’t dare be negligent and quickly examined him. After a long while, his conclusion was almost the same as Xiao Zhou’s. It appeared to be poison taking effect, but he completely couldn’t determine the depth or severity.

“Can you two cure this poison?” Lian Qin stepped forward.

Before the two could speak, Feng Suzhen spoke first with a bleak voice, “If they could cure it, they would have cured Leng Xue long ago. Why wait until now?”

Lian Qin spread his hands and fell silent.

“The one who tied the bell must untie it. Susu, write a letter and I’ll have someone immediately deliver it to Quan Feitong.” Seeing her pale face, Lian Yu gripped her shoulder.

“No, Lian Yu,” Feng Suzhen raised her head from his embrace, her gaze slowly falling on Leng Xue.

“I must secretly make a trip to Shangjing. I understand Quan Feitong’s character too well. If he says I must go ask in person, then I must definitely make the trip myself. Who knows how long Leng Xue can hold on? I must set out immediately.” She said.

“Absolutely not!”

Lian Yu almost immediately opposed, his brow showing a trace of severity. “The capital is dangerous. I won’t let you return.”

“Right now, the most dangerous place is the safest. Li Zhaoting won’t think I could possibly return one day.”

“Besides, he…” Speaking of those three words, Feng Suzhen was somewhat evasive. For the two of them, this was taboo.

“That bit of feeling he has for me is ultimately just desire when he couldn’t obtain me. Rest assured. In this world, only you think of me constantly.” She said.

“Then why do you still want to go back?” His sharp gaze wandered over her face, listening to her string of flattering words, then coldly interrupted.

“Lian Yu, I must go back. Leng Xue once caused your ‘death’ through an unintentional mistake, and I hated him for it. But no matter when, he was wholeheartedly devoted to me. We’ve been together since childhood. He accompanied me to Shangjing and has walked with me until today. He is my brother.”

She also looked at him, speaking word by word.

With such a gaze, Lian Yu knew he couldn’t make her stay. The person on the couch wasn’t someone she loved, but was the person she valued most. This person had never been absent from her journey, unlike him.

Such a person, not a lover, yet worthy of any repayment.

He had no reason to stop her.

“I’ll accompany you—”

“No, I’ll just take Leng Xue on the road. If you’re worried, I’ll also take Zhuque and Bai Hu.”

She gently interrupted him.

“You’re the commander. Time should never be wasted on the road. Do what you should originally do. Perhaps this is fate. Since becoming your wife, I’ve never formally asked you for anything, except this once.”

She looked at him with determined, resolute eyes.

Lian Yu felt as if pincers were gripping his flesh and tearing it apart from his body in all directions. The pain was so intense he couldn’t even cry out, but he finally gave a low laugh and said “alright.” A gentleman’s word, harder to retrieve than a four-horse team.

The next morning, a carriage and several fine horses stopped at the valley exit.

Leng Xue slept unconsciously in the carriage. Lian Jie and the other, along with the four great guards, consciously retreated behind the bushes.

Dawn light first broke through the cloud layers, and in the distance there were even fragrant bushes connecting to the sky – a day with decent weather.

In the morning light, Feng Suzhen held the still-sleeping Lian Xi, reluctant to let go. After a long time, she lowered her head and gently kissed her daughter’s cheek, then restrained the trembling in her heart and handed the child to the man opposite her.

Lian Yu gestured, and Qilin stepped forward to take the child, then immediately disappeared.

In the wilderness, Lian Yu’s dark eyes showed coldness.

He didn’t extend his hands, so Feng Suzhen took a step and threw herself into his embrace.

The broad, warm embrace, the light pine-like scent – everything made her heart race and palpitate.

“Hold me,” she murmured in his arms.

He didn’t respond.

His hands hung motionless at his sides.

Feng Suzhen’s heart ached, and she tightened her arms, using all her strength to hold him tight.

“Lian Yu, I… I’m leaving.”

Her eyes moistened. Not daring to stay longer, she bit her teeth and withdrew her fingers one by one.

Wheels turned. In the carriage, Tie Shou sat beside her, Xiao Zhou opposite, and Leng Xue still slept in the center – completely different from the journey several years ago. Feng Suzhen stared at the carriage wall for a moment, then suddenly pulled open the curtain.

A group of riders emerged from the mountains, led by Bai Hu, about fifteen or sixteen riders in all, dressed as merchants, martial artists, and common people. They secretly followed behind the carriage, responsible for protecting her.

Far behind, Lian Yu’s features had become blurred, but his bearing seemed unmoved. He was turning to take Lian Xi from Qilin’s hands and striding away.

Feng Suzhen wanted to cry, but her throat choked up and she couldn’t squeeze out a sound. She only heard something pattering urgently onto the window frame.

Seven days later, Shangjing.

As Feng Suzhen had predicted, there were no special checkpoints to examine her. Hanging high at the city gates were portraits of the Lian brothers, Xiao’an, and others. It seemed the emperor in Shangjing knew that Lian Yu’s resurrection was something that would disturb people’s hearts, so only information about the others was publicized.

Of course, for caution’s sake, they still disguised and changed their appearances, but since they were all young women and the guards were scattered and disguised among the crowd, they entered the city easily.

The carriage headed toward the Quan residence, but inside the carriage, Feng Suzhen suddenly said, “Change course to the Chao residence.”

Xiao Zhou and Bai Hu were stunned. Just as Bai Hu was about to ask, Feng Suzhen looked over. “Li Zhaoting often visits the Quan residence. It’s more appropriate for us to arrange a meeting through Chao Huang.”

“You’ve reminded me well.” Xiao Zhou nodded, showing agreement.

Arriving at the Chao residence, Feng Suzhen quickly wrote a calling card in the carriage, with only the character “Feng” above and below.

Bai Hu got out of the carriage, and soon a house guard approached to inquire, “Who seeks an audience?”

“A friend has come from afar, an old acquaintance of General Chao. If General Chao is in the residence, we’ll wait outside. If not, please give him this card and say we await at the Scholar Inn.” Bai Hu smiled slightly and handed over the card.

“The master is indeed present, but this card is so simple. I don’t know the lady’s master’s name…” The guard took the card with displeasure on his face.

“Your master will know,” Bai Hu said.

The guard looked puzzled but didn’t neglect his duty and immediately went to report.

Soon, urgent footsteps sounded, and Chao Huang appeared at the residence gate wearing only inner robes. He had clearly been resting and hurried over upon receiving the report.

Seeing Bai Hu, his eyes, already showing surprise, became even more shocked.

“Follow me.” He coughed lightly and then said.

The carriage entered through the back courtyard and passed through several courtyards before stopping at one place.

Xiao Zhou helped Feng Suzhen out of the carriage. Seeing her, Chao Huang’s expression still showed disbelief. “You’re indeed still alive, but why did you return to the capital? Why come to find me?”

Feng Suzhen surveyed her surroundings. This should be Chao Huang’s residential courtyard.

“Could you have someone take my people to the front hall for tea? I have a favor to ask and would like to speak privately with General Chao.”

Chao Huang glanced at the carriage and nodded, beckoning to the steward behind him.

“Madam,” Bai Hu was puzzled, but Xiao Zhou pulled her away. “Come, let Madam discuss with the general.”

Seeing the two leave, Chao Huang slowly asked, “What does Magistrate Li seek from me…”

“I came for one person.” Feng Suzhen also said slowly.

In the guest hall.

The steward brought the two over, and soon servants brought tea.

After drinking a few sips of tea, Bai Hu couldn’t sit still and suddenly stood up. “Why won’t Madam let us accompany her? Isn’t it just to find Quan Feitong to save someone? Could there be words we can’t hear?”

“She has her own judgment.” Xiao Zhou frowned slightly, then said, “After Madam finishes her business, you’ll escort her back.”

“What about you? Why aren’t you escorting her? Where are you going?” Bai Hu asked strangely.

“I’m following my master’s orders to handle some matters in the martial world.”

“What matters—”

She hadn’t finished saying “matters” when her body began swaying.

“There’s medicine in this tea!” She was both surprised and angry.

Xiao Zhou had also been affected, feeling dizzy and using her hand to support herself on the table as she stood. “It’s all my fault for being too careless. There’s medicine in the tea water. I should have been able to taste it, but I never thought to guard against Chao Huang. No, I must go save… Huaisu.”