Luoshen ran breathlessly to the main gate. Just as she turned around the spirit wall, she immediately saw the scene outside the door.

Tonight the river surface was shrouded in a layer of faint, moist white mist that had crept onto Bailu Zhou. The front gate stood open, and the lanterns hanging high at the entrance cast dim light under the shroud of cold fog.

Li Mu stood beneath this dim light outside the gate, his figure like a silent pillar in the misty night.

Luoshen didn’t know why she had been so agitated just now – upon hearing he had come, her mind went hot and she had rushed straight out like this.

Perhaps it was being tense all day, then being disturbed and upset by that terrible news like a thunderbolt, when she suddenly learned he actually hadn’t gone to that appointment at all, her whole person relaxed abruptly, causing such loss of composure?

Luoshen realized her behavior was somewhat improper and hurriedly stopped, standing beside the spirit wall.

Having run all the way here, she now stopped and couldn’t help panting, her chest rising and falling slightly. In her hesitation, before she could decide whether to continue forward or immediately turn back, Li Mu had already seen her. His figure moved as he stepped across the threshold and strode toward her.

Luoshen had no choice but to stand still.

He stopped before her, with the distance of one person between them, looking at her.

“I’ve returned.”

He said with a smile, as if he had only just left yesterday.

“Yesterday I heard from your father that you’ve been ill these past days. Is your health recovered now?”

On Bailu Zhou there were crowds of servants, and Luoshen rarely had moments alone. But living here, she still often felt a sense of emptiness and desolation.

Especially on such winter nights shrouded in faint river mist.

But at this moment, his voice was very warm, and his gaze upon her contained smiles as well as deep concern.

Luoshen’s face quietly grew somewhat warm. She lowered her eyes, staring at the hem of his robes, and made a sound of acknowledgment: “Already recovered.”

A moment of brief silence.

Though she lowered her gaze, she could still feel his eyes upon her, and only then realized she had rushed out wearing only the middle garment she wore indoors.

Even worse, a chill came from the sole of her right foot, making her realize her shoe had come off while running, and she was now standing barefoot on the ground.

Luoshen was immediately greatly embarrassed. She didn’t feel cold, only wanted to return quickly.

“I’ll go back to my room first…”

She mumbled this sentence and turned hurriedly to leave, but suddenly felt warmth on her shoulder. Looking back, she saw Li Mu had actually removed his outer robe and come over to drape it over her shoulders.

His clothing was very large, thick and warm, seemingly filled with the heat from his body. As it fell upon her shoulders like a cloud, it enveloped her entire person.

Luoshen froze again.

Li Mu shook his head, his eyes full of smiles as he looked at her, as if she were still just a rash child.

He helped adjust the clothing for her, then his gaze moved past her shoulder as if seeing something. He walked over, picked up the soft-soled slipper she had lost while running, and returned. Crouching before her, he gently grasped her right ankle with one hand, lifting it slightly, then helped her put the shoe back on.

Behind them came a flurry of footsteps.

A’Ju was plump and couldn’t run as nimbly as Luoshen. She finally caught up here, saw that Li Mu had indeed come, and that the young mistress was not only wrapped in his clothing but he was actually crouching down, seemingly putting her shoe on for her. She abruptly stopped.

The maids also caught up and, seeing this scene, looked at each other without anyone daring to speak.

A’Ju’s expression seemed like an overturned sauce shop, with mixed flavors.

“Young mistress, come back—”

She covered her aching stomach from running and extended her arm as if to pull her back.

Li Mu finished putting on her shoe and released her ankle.

But her skin seemed to still retain the feeling of his palm’s touch.

Warm, with a slight roughened sensation.

Suddenly hearing A’Ju’s voice in her ear, Luoshen immediately came to her senses. Not only her face but even her earlobes burned, and as if pricked by a needle, she nearly jumped up and stepped back.

A’Ju quickly took the opportunity of greeting Li Mu to stand before Luoshen, separating the two.

“Why does Li Langjun only come now… The Eldest Princess was waiting all day…”

She panted while speaking.

Li Mu nodded slightly but didn’t respond, his gaze only falling on Luoshen’s face behind her.

“I have something I want to tell her.”

A’Ju was about to speak when Luoshen already nodded: “Come in.”

A’Ju’s forceful intervention finally rescued Luoshen from her earlier embarrassment. Having composed herself and seeing he indeed seemed to have something to say, she naturally wouldn’t refuse.

A’Ju opened and closed her mouth.

With the Eldest Princess absent and the two still being legitimate husband and wife, let alone speaking a few words – even if they wanted to share a room right now, as long as the young mistress nodded, she couldn’t stop them no matter what. Seeing Luoshen turn to go inside with that Li Mu following, she quickly sent someone to pursue the Eldest Princess while hurrying to follow herself.

Luoshen led Li Mu to where she lived, taking him to the flower hall and asking him to wait briefly. She then returned to the bedroom, changed clothes, combed her hair, put on shoes and socks, looked in the mirror to ensure everything was proper, then personally took the outer garment he had given her and returned to the flower hall.

Luoshen had everyone wait outside while she entered, returned his clothing to him, and thanked him.

Li Mu smiled, took it, but didn’t immediately speak. His gaze fell upon her again as if lost in thought.

Luoshen felt uncomfortable under his gaze again. Remembering he had asked about her illness immediately upon arrival, though by observation he looked perfectly fine without any problems, she felt she should also inquire after him in return. So she asked in kind: “You won a great victory, very impressive. Were you injured before? Is everything well?”

Li Mu was startled, not expecting her first words to be this question.

Meeting those bright eyes of the young woman looking at him, in a moment of confusion, his mind conjured the image from that wedding night long ago when he undressed and revealed his scarred back to that woman – those other beautiful eyes that had shown unconcealed shock and heartache.

She was still herself. At this moment, these familiar beautiful eyes still looked at him the same way.

But in these maiden’s eyes, he could no longer taste that feeling that had once made his heart soften at first sight, even willing to offer everything for her.

Last time the arrow that hit him had penetrated his armor and entered his flesh. Fortunately the arrowhead was blocked by his ribs and didn’t penetrate deeply into his organs, but it had also cracked one rib.

Such an injury was only minor for him. After healing until now, there was no serious problem and his movements were all normal. Only occasionally when exerting force, it still ached faintly.

Li Mu came back to himself and smiled: “I’m fine, wasn’t injured.”

Luoshen nodded solemnly: “Good that you’re unharmed…”

“Father said you would come today. I originally thought you’d come during the day… You must have had other matters that delayed you?”

She actually wanted to ask what exactly was going on between him and that Zhu Jiyue, but restrained herself and only probed with this sentence.

After asking, she secretly glanced at him.

His brows moved slightly, his gaze falling on her face again.

“A’Mi, are you willing to return with me now?”

He didn’t answer her question but asked one in return.

Luoshen was stunned.

“It’s like this. I want to ask you first. If you also want to stay home for some more days, I’ll come later, after I finish with this busy period, to fetch you after the New Year. If you’re willing to return to Jingkou with me, I’ll take you away.”

Luoshen was dumbfounded.

What did he mean by this?

Could it be that he knew about her mother’s attitude toward his mother when she went to Jingkou to fetch her, was tired of her obstruction, and now having been promoted to an official position with busy affairs, didn’t want to spend more effort fetching her back, so was deliberately saying he was asking her own opinion?

Deep in her heart, a trace of shame and grievance slowly welled up.

Previously it was he who had schemed and insisted on breaking up others’ engagements to marry her. Now after only two or three months, having been promoted to just General of the Guards, was he already beginning to find her burdensome?

She suddenly stood up, lifting her proud little chin.

“You go busy yourself with your affairs! I don’t need to trouble you to fetch me again. Living at home is very good! It’s getting late, I’m returning to my room. Do as you please.”

After speaking, she turned to leave.

Li Mu reached out and grasped her arm from behind, gently pulling her back so she involuntarily turned toward him again.

He looked at her with a smile, his eyes seeming to hold helplessness, saying: “Don’t let your imagination run wild! I want to fetch you back immediately. But your mother won’t release you, and if you yourself are unwilling to return, I don’t want to force you too much, so I came to ask your opinion first. If you’re willing to come with me, I’ll wait for your mother to return, explain things clearly to her, and take you away.”

He patiently explained.

Luoshen immediately felt better and also felt somewhat embarrassed, saying nothing and lowering her gaze.

“A’Mi, are you willing to come with me?”

His voice sounded in her ear again.

What to do?

Go with him, or continue living at home?

Luoshen suddenly felt confused, even faintly panicked.

She truly didn’t know herself…

She stood before him, head lowered, motionless.

“I understand. Then I’ll stay and wait for your mother to return.”

After a moment, his voice sounded in her ear again.

Luoshen slowly raised her eyes.

He was looking at her with a smile.

He had already made the final decision for her.

…

The private ferry crossing leading to Bailu Zhou had a row of flat buildings where guards were stationed along with horses for their use.

The carriage A’Ju had arrived in was stopped here.

Xiao Yongjia, hating that oxen ran too slowly, had them change to a double-horse team. After assembling the people and horses, she got in the carriage and with a single command, they rushed at full speed toward Qingxi Garden.

The carriage jolted violently, sometimes bouncing so much that Xiao Yongjia could barely remain seated.

But she felt none of this.

Her only feeling was uncontrollable rage filling her heart.

That day when she went to the temple to pray for her daughter’s blessings, afterward feeling tired, she went to rest in the cloud chamber in the rear hall that belonged exclusively to her.

This wasn’t the first time. What she hadn’t expected was that shortly after lying down, a beautiful young man emerged from the depths of the inner room.

What this meant and who had arranged it, Xiao Yongjia naturally understood clearly.

She had swept her sleeves and left, afterward driving all the people inside away, but that breath of anger in her heart still hadn’t dissipated even today, and thinking of it still made her feel furious and humiliated.

An inexplicable anger in her heart, mixed with a certain desolation that no one could understand, had lingered in her mind all these days.

In others’ eyes, just how pitiful was she, Xiao Yongjia, that even that old hypocrite would presumptuously arrange such a scene for her!

This alone would have been enough. What she never expected was that the slut Zhu Jiyue despised her to such a degree that she dared reach her hand toward her own son-in-law!

And that Li Mu – she indeed hadn’t misjudged him. His lowly birth aside, with such character, he had actually earned away her daughter.

What a fine thing Gao Qiao had done!

This was actually good.

Old grievances and new hatred – tonight she’d settle them all at once, then completely end this ridiculous marriage for her daughter!

“Faster!”

She lifted the curtain and shouted outside again.

With a “crack,” the driver whipped the horses’ backs hard.

On the empty suburban road of Jiankang’s winter night, this party rushed whistling toward the eastern suburbs.

…

At the end of the xu hour, on the carriage road outside Qingxi Garden in the eastern suburbs, it was dark as a ghostly realm. Only the eerie red light from two lanterns before the main gate at the road’s end gave off a strange seductive feeling, drawing night travelers toward it.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves approaching from far to near broke the surrounding tranquility.

A man rode alone to the garden gate, dismounted and knocked. The gatekeeper who had been waiting there opened the door to greet him, took the invitation he handed over, saw it was correct, and out of curiosity secretly glanced at the visitor, couldn’t help being surprised.

The man smiled at him, as if to let him see more clearly, even bringing his face closer.

The gatekeeper was startled and quickly averted his gaze, not daring to look carefully anymore. He led the man toward the secret depths inside, puzzled in his heart.

He didn’t know what had stimulated his mistress – why this time did this guest have such an ugly, teeth-jarring appearance?

Muttering to himself but not daring to show it on his face, he quickly led the man to a high pavilion hidden among trees in the rear courtyard, bowed, respectfully invited him inside, then not daring to linger, turned and hurried away.

The man surveyed his surroundings, then strode confidently inside, clattering up the high building and pushing open the slightly ajar door before him, stepping inside.

Inside was an ornate room with luxurious furnishings rivaling a pearl palace. Behind layers of brocade curtains, a crystal screen could be faintly seen with a feast beyond it. At one end of the table sat a long sword with a jeweled scabbard, at the other end were exquisite delicacies, but no one was visible nearby.

The room was very quiet and dimly lit, with only a lotus lamp burning on a floor lotus lamp stand in the corner by the entrance. The air was filled with an intoxicating rich fragrance.

The man took a breath of the fragrance and swaggered inside, sweeping aside the crystal curtain with a “swish,” sitting cross-legged behind the table and pouring himself wine. Just as he was about to bring it to his mouth, giggling feminine laughter suddenly came from behind.

“I thought you were so proper! Weren’t you eager to leave yesterday? Turns out you’re just pretending to be proper!”

A coquettish woman’s voice emerged.

A curvaceous figure in thin clothing emerged from behind layers of curtains in the inner room, came behind the man, and pressed against him.

“You rascal! Originally I looked down most on crude military men like you, but for you alone, I lost my heart early…”

Well-maintained hands also touched the man’s muscular broad back, then came around to his chest.

“I’m honored by your favor. I, Sun Fangzhi, will definitely not disappoint Madam and am willing to serve like a dog or horse!”

Accompanied by a rough voice, the man set down his wine cup, turned his face, and grinned at the woman behind him.

Zhu Jiyue suddenly saw a hairy black face covered in beard turning toward her, was badly frightened as if seeing a ghost, screamed, and staggered back several steps before falling on her bottom.

She stared in horror, pointing at this bearded black-skinned man before her, and said sternly: “Who are you? How dare you impersonate Li Mu to meet me here?”

Sun Fangzhi stripped off his upper garment and threw it on the ground, laughing and flexing his solid muscular body as he walked toward the woman on the ground.

“Madam needn’t fear! My brother Li is a family man – how could he come to an appointment tonight? He sent me to apologize to Madam on his behalf. I, Sun, originally had no other intentions, but since Madam thinks so highly of me, even if I risk my life tonight, I must satisfy Madam!”

Zhu Jiyue screamed continuously, scrambling up from the ground and grabbing a wine pot from the table to hurl at Sun Fangzhi.

“Get out—”

Sun Fangzhi stopped and patted his chest, making thumping sounds.

“Though I haven’t married yet, I’ve had several lovers, and every one who used old Sun was satisfied! My physique, which you just felt, surpasses my brother Li!”

“Get out—get out immediately—someone—someone—”

Zhu Jiyue’s face turned red then white, white then red, her voice nearly breaking. But those servants, knowing their mistress had good business tonight, had all tactfully gone off to slack, so despite this commotion, not a sound came from outside.

Sun Fangzhi flew into a rage, suddenly changing face, and slammed the wine table with such force that he actually split it in half, wood chips flying everywhere as cups, plates, and the precious sword all fell to the ground in chaos.

“You woman! How unreasonable! I only came to deliver a message, but you came up and seduced me, stirring up my desires! Now you’re disgusted that I’m not as handsome as my brother Li? What do you take me for?”

When had Zhu Jiyue ever seen such a fierce demon? Frightened pale, she no longer dared make a sound.

“Forget it, forget it. I’ll leave, how unlucky!”

Sun Fangzhi returned to his agreeable face, bringing his hairy head close again.

“If Madam gets lonely next time and wants to try me, just call for me.”

Having said this, he picked up the clothes he’d removed, put them back on, then left Zhu Jiyue behind and strode away.

He followed the original path out the main gate. The gatekeeper was surprised to see him emerge so soon after entering and couldn’t help glancing down at him.

Sun Fangzhi, embarrassed and angry, roared once. The gatekeeper was frightened and didn’t dare look again, quickly seeing him out.

The door closed behind him. But Sun Fangzhi didn’t immediately leave, stopping behind nearby vegetation.

In less than half an incense stick’s time, the rumbling of hooves and wheels came from the end of the carriage road, and soon that party of people and horses arrived nearby.

Sun Fangzhi quickly mounted his horse and rode toward the approaching group.

The driver saw someone riding toward them and cracked his whip to signal the other party to make way. Seeing the other wouldn’t yield, he had to stop the carriage abruptly and angrily said: “Who are you? Why don’t you make way quickly?”

Sun Fangzhi said with a grin: “I’m the brother of the newly promoted General of the Guards Li Mu. General Li received an invitation from the master here inviting him to a banquet tonight. Since he went to Bailu Zhou tonight to fetch his wife, how could he come here? So I came to decline on his behalf. I just came out and was heading back to the city.”

Xiao Yongjia, sitting in the carriage, heard every word clearly.

Not only did her anger not decrease by half, it blazed even more fiercely and could no longer be contained.

Never mind about herself! Zhu Jiyue actually dared to truly reach her hand toward her daughter’s husband!

She got off the carriage and without a word, strode quickly toward that gate glowing with red light ahead.

Sun Fangzhi had thought that after hearing his words, knowing it was a misunderstanding and hearing that Li Mu had gone to Bailu Zhou tonight, she would immediately turn around. But unexpectedly she still wanted to go inside. He watched helplessly as she came to that gate and raised her hand to grasp the door knocker.

Clang, clang.

The iron ring made two crisp knocking sounds.

The gatekeeper inside heard the noise and opened the door again. By the lantern light, he saw a finely dressed woman standing outside the door this time. Recognizing that Xiao Yongjia had come, he was greatly shocked. Unwilling to let her enter but not daring to close the door and refuse her, he froze in the doorway, momentarily not knowing what to do.

“Where is that slut Zhu Jiyue? Take me to her!”

Xiao Yongjia stared coldly at the gatekeeper, speaking word by word.