Hua Zhuyu moved to the peach blossom grove, naming the courtyard “Peach Blossom Residence.” Every day she played the qin, practiced martial arts, and admired flowers – her days appeared quite pleasant. However, deep in her heart she was not at peace. There were some things she didn’t want to ask about, but she understood that those things would happen sooner or later. It was precisely because of this that she treasured their time together even more.

Having spent years on battlefields and witnessed much life and death, she knew that in such turbulent times, many things were beyond one’s control. She didn’t know which day she might die. So she treasured the warmth he gave her, and even if it was merely a flash in the pan, she cherished it deeply.

Ji Fengli was extremely good to her, going to great lengths to make her smile – it could be said he spoiled her to the heavens. He would often steal glances at her when she wasn’t paying attention, his gaze profound and burning. But when she turned around, he would nonchalantly look away. At such times, she would feel uneasy. Though she had agreed to stay in the palace, in reality she was imprisoned by Ji Fengli. Even if she didn’t want to remain in the palace, he absolutely wouldn’t let her leave. Throughout the peach grove, his shadow guards were hidden everywhere. Moreover, the little palace maid Nong Yu was no simple character either – for Ji Fengli to send her to serve, her martial arts skills were certainly formidable.

She actually wanted very much to leave the palace once. Ji Fengli seemed to see through her thoughts. The next day, Tang Yu brought several imperial guards on Ji Fengli’s orders to take her and Nong Yu out for a stroll. Hua Zhuyu was naturally delighted. Since entering the palace that day, she hadn’t seen Ping, Kang, or Tai again. An should have left with her father Hua Mu, while the other three should still be living on Anhe Lane. Hua Zhuyu wanted to take advantage of leaving the palace to see them.

Hua Zhuyu didn’t go to the suburbs for sightseeing but traveled along Vermillion Bird Avenue out of the inner city to East Imperial Street. This street was extremely prosperous with many shops. She came here not to buy things, but because there was a shop here that she had set up as a contact point with Ping, Kang, and Tai just in case. The shop was a clothing store run by a middle-aged woman. While trying on clothes, she learned from the proprietress that Ping, Kang, and Tai hadn’t contacted her for many days. She had sent people to look for them on Anhe Lane but had never found anyone.

Hearing this, Hua Zhuyu became anxious. After leaving the clothing store, she wanted to go check Anhe Lane but was stopped by Tang Yu.

“Miss Bao, when we came, His Highness specifically instructed that we must return to the palace before sunset! Miss Bao should head back now,” Tang Yu said quietly, standing five paces away from her. Tang Yu had once tried to kill Hua Zhuyu, though he hadn’t succeeded in the end. Since then, Hua Zhuyu had been wary of him, while he too remained guarded against her.

“I must go, unless you kill me!” Hua Zhuyu stared at him coldly, speaking word by word. “After all, it wouldn’t be the first time you’ve tried to kill me!”

Tang Yu’s expression stiffened, but he still said stubbornly: “If you want to go, you’ll have to kill me first!”

Hua Zhuyu was instantly frustrated and turned to walk down the street. This time she entered every shop – rouge and powder shops, pastry shops, silk stores. Each time she emerged, the guards would be carrying more items. Finally, even Tang Yu and Nong Yu’s hands were full.

“These things are all for His Highness – you absolutely cannot lose them,” Hua Zhuyu instructed lightly before quickening her pace forward.

The street market was also full of stalls selling various goods. At a stall selling bows and arrows, Hua Zhuyu unexpectedly encountered Xiao Yin. He held a selected iron-core longbow, testing it with arrows that had their points removed.

Hua Zhuyu hadn’t expected to encounter him in such a place, thinking he had already returned to the Northern Dynasty with Dan Hong. She was even more surprised that he had the leisure to stroll through street markets. She walked faster and faster while Nong Yu called from behind: “Miss, slow down!” But Hua Zhuyu didn’t listen. Behind her came the clatter of things falling as several people dropped what they were carrying and hurried after her.

“Xiao Yin, help me stop them,” Hua Zhuyu said quietly as she brushed past him. She knew it would be difficult to shake off Tang Yu and the others on her own.

Xiao Yin watched Hua Zhuyu flash past him like a swift wind, his narrow, enchanting purple eyes showing a flash of tenderness in their bright depths. His gaze lingered on her retreating figure before reluctantly withdrawing.

He suddenly turned around, his sharp gaze fixed on Tang Yu and the others, his thin lips curving in a smile that held no warmth. His four ever-present guards – Liu Feng, Hui Xue, Qing Yun, and Bi Yue – had already moved to block Tang Yu’s group.

“So it’s Master Tang – it’s been many days. I was just testing this bow. Would you gentlemen care to try it with me?” Xiao Yin called out with a laugh. As his words fell, he had already nocked several arrows and shot them swish-swish-swish toward Tang Yu, Nong Yu, and the guards.

The street market erupted in chaos as pedestrians scattered.

Tang Yu was blocked, watching helplessly as Hua Zhuyu leaped onto the rooftops and gracefully flew away using lightness skills. His heart filled with anxiety as he prepared to use lightness skills to rush past Xiao Yin. Liu Feng moved again to block his path, smiling: “Master Tang, what’s the hurry?”

Tang Yu realized Xiao Yin was determined to stop them. He gestured for Nong Yu to return to the palace to report, then turned to Xiao Yin: “Very well, since the Northern Emperor wants to test arrows, I happen to want to test my blade. Let’s have a match!” As his words fell, he swung his sword toward Xiao Yin. From this exchange, Tang Yu sensed that Xiao Yin’s power was much weaker than before. He still remembered how formidable his true qi had been that day outside Yang Pass, where he and Nangong Jue together couldn’t withstand him. But even so, he was still no match for Xiao Yin.

After only two moves with him, Xiao Yin leaped out of the fighting circle. He pursed his lips in a sharp whistle, and a high eagle cry rang from the sky. A sea eagle dove down from mid-air like an arrow from the bow, its long wings spread, tracing a beautiful arc as it landed precisely on his shoulder. He stroked the sea eagle’s head with his finger, and it spread its wings and flew away. Xiao Yin used lightness skills to follow.

The courtyard on Anhe Lane was completely quiet. The furniture inside was arranged very neatly with no signs of struggle. A chess game was still set up on the table – probably Ping and Tai playing when bored. Only one teacup sat on the table – Kang’s usual cup with half the tea still remaining.

After circling the house, Hua Zhuyu finally realized that Ping and Tai hadn’t returned since accompanying her to the palace that day. Kang hadn’t been with Ping and Tai that day – he should have returned but was captured. Given Kang’s martial arts skills, to be taken without a fight meant he must have been poisoned.

Hua Zhuyu sat alone in the chair as silence filled the room. When they used to play mahjong together here, how lively it had been. Now this silence pressed down on her until she could barely breathe. She kept searching her mind for places they might have gone, finally concluding they would never easily abandon her and leave – something must have happened. No matter what, she had to find them.

An eagle cry suddenly came from the courtyard. Hua Zhuyu quickly left the house to see Xiao Yin standing proudly in the yard, his tall figure casting a long shadow that fell like a night demon’s domineering presence. The sea eagle perched on his shoulder – man and eagle equally proud.

“How did you get here?” Hua Zhuyu asked in surprise.

“I came to take you away!” Xiao Yin said firmly, the sunlight casting his sculpture-like profile in warm tones thin as cicada wings.

“Thank you for today! But I can’t go with you!” Hua Zhuyu said gently but with firm resolve.

“Why? Have you fallen in love with Ji Fengli?” Xiao Yin stepped forward, asking in a heavy voice. His purple eyes stared at her unblinkingly.

Hua Zhuyu nodded with a light smile: “Yes! I don’t want to leave him again!”

Xiao Yin staggered back two steps. His expression didn’t change, but deep footprints remained on the ground, showing his extremely complex emotions. He suddenly frowned deeply, clutching his chest in apparent agony.

“What’s wrong?” Hua Zhuyu’s heart jumped as she quickly went to him, supporting his swaying body anxiously.

“Poisoned!” Xiao Yin breathed heavily, his whole body burning with pain. He had been careless when fighting Tang Yu earlier and got poisoned. He had noticed then but hadn’t paid attention in his hurry to find Hua Zhuyu. He never expected this poison to be so potent.

Hua Zhuyu quickly helped him into the house and had him lie on the bed. She searched through the room and found several antidote pills among Tai’s medicines.

“These pills can neutralize most poisons – take them first to suppress the toxicity!” Hua Zhuyu said gently. She brought water and was about to help Xiao Yin up to take the medicine when a light laugh came from the doorway: “How could ordinary antidote pills neutralize Tang Sect poison?”

The carved door was pushed open as a tall figure stepped leisurely over the threshold, accompanied by wind that made his black brocade court robes flutter dramatically.

The atmosphere in the room immediately became tense, yet Ji Fengli stood by the door with hands behind his back, his lips curved in a spring breeze-like arc – he was smiling. However, this smile made her feel distinctly cold.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart chilled. She had known Tang Sect poisons were difficult to neutralize and asked urgently: “Where’s Tang Yu? Did he come?”

Ji Fengli’s gaze rested on Hua Zhuyu’s face, his expression unreadable as his narrow eyes lifted slightly: “Tang Yu didn’t come!”

“Then what do we do?” Hua Zhuyu’s eyes focused as she looked at Xiao Yin again – his face was already pale with pain, sweat covering his forehead.

Ji Fengli walked leisurely to the bedside, saying solemnly: “This king apologizes to the Northern Emperor on behalf of my subordinate. Tang Yu is used to using poison in fights and habitually used it even when sparring with the Northern Emperor. I’ve already instructed him to prepare an antidote – someone will deliver it shortly.”

Xiao Yin laughed heartily: “Your Highness needn’t be so courteous. I only hope Master Tang can prepare the antidote quickly.”

Ji Fengli nodded with a light smile: “Naturally. Once he finishes, it will be rushed here immediately. The Northern Emperor’s four guards should arrive soon. This king won’t stay – I’ll take Bao’er and leave first.”

Hua Zhuyu frowned slightly: “When will the antidote arrive? I’ll wait until it comes before leaving!”

Ji Fengli turned to look at her, his long eyes curving in an enchanting smile as he reached out to pull her into his arms, smiling at Xiao Yin: “Bao’er is so concerned about the Northern Emperor. I’ll go back immediately to urge Tang Yu – Bao’er, won’t you come see if Tang Yu has finished?”

Hua Zhuyu’s face reddened as she pushed away from Ji Fengli and smiled faintly at Xiao Yin: “I’ll return to the palace first! Take care!” With that, she quickly left the house, seeing a carriage waiting at the courtyard gate and climbing aboard.

The carriage was filled with items she had bought at the market. After Ji Fengli got in, he opened them one by one. Opening a cloth bundle revealed a child’s leather rattle drum. Ji Fengli picked it up and shook it, producing crisp sounds that made him smile: “Earlier, Tang Yu said Bao’er bought many things for me. So Bao’er didn’t just buy for me – you even bought toys for our future children.”

Hua Zhuyu leaned against the carriage wall without speaking. She had bought these things randomly to occupy the guards’ hands and wasn’t entirely sure what she had purchased – she hadn’t expected to buy a rattle drum.

Ji Fengli opened another bundle containing a red gauze curtain and two sets of clothing that Hua Zhuyu had randomly grabbed at the clothing store. Ji Fengli held up the curtain with a smile: “Oh? Isn’t this the kind of curtain newlyweds hang?”

Hua Zhuyu’s face darkened as she snatched the curtain from Ji Fengli’s hands, glancing at him coolly: “Ji Fengli, do you want Xiao Yin to die?”

Ji Fengli’s smile froze as a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes: “Why not? Bao’er, he has designs on you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had people lurking around the palace and followed you when he learned you left, pretending to encounter you by chance. He even blocked Tang Yu and rushed alone to meet you – what did he want? Was he trying to take you away?”

“Because of this, you want to kill him? He’s the Northern Emperor – if he dies in the Southern Dynasty, aren’t you afraid of renewed war between north and south? He did want me to go with him, but only out of friendship.”

“Friendship? Commander Bao killed so many Northern Dynasty soldiers on the battlefield, yet he’s still so devoted to you – truly special friendship!” Ji Fengli’s tone held unprecedented desolation, his familiar sculpted jaw tense, dark eyes narrowed with sharp light. “Fine! If Bao’er agrees to one thing, I’ll immediately have Tang Yu deliver the antidote.”

“What thing? Tell me!” Hua Zhuyu asked quietly.

“Don’t go to the Northern Dynasty with him – not in the future, not ever!” He pronounced each word in her ear like cutting gold and jade.

Hua Zhuyu pressed her lips together, not expecting Ji Fengli’s demand to be this. She hadn’t planned to go to the Northern Dynasty with Xiao Yin anyway and readily agreed: “Fine! I won’t go with him!”

“Let me ask you one more thing. Xiao Yin found me at Anhe Lane because his sea eagle led the way. How could you find Anhe Lane so quickly? You already knew this place, didn’t you?” Hua Zhuyu turned to look at him, her eyes full of sorrow.

Ji Fengli smiled slowly, narrowing his eyes: “Bao’er is indeed clever. Yes, I knew about this place days ago.”

Hua Zhuyu suppressed the anger surging in her heart, a cold smile playing at her lips. When she spoke again, her voice was very calm.

“Did you capture Ping, Kang, and Tai?”

“Yes!”

“Why did you do this?”

“To keep you here, of course!”

Hua Zhuyu fell silent.

Huangfu Wushuang had imprisoned Dan Hong in the palace for fear she would leave. Now he was doing the same. Why didn’t he trust her? Why use such methods to keep her? She had said she wouldn’t leave him.

Hua Zhuyu was somewhat angry, turning to look out the window without a word. The carriage swayed gently, moving slowly forward. A breeze passed outside the window, sending scattered petals falling like rain with rich fragrance.

The silent atmosphere in the carriage continued.

After a long while, oppressive pressure approached. Hua Zhuyu’s heart stopped as she suddenly turned back to see his smiling, crinkled eyes.

He leaned forward, trapping her between his arms as his finger lifted a strand of hair by her temple, slowly approaching her ear: “Bao’er…”

Seeing him lean close, Hua Zhuyu angrily leaned back, wanting to increase the distance between them. Seeing her retreat, Ji Fengli leaned forward even more. This continued until she could retreat no further, her back against the carriage wall, and he had successfully trapped her between his chest and arms.

Hua Zhuyu frowned at him: “Don’t get so close!”

Ji Fengli’s eyes curved, brilliant laughter filling his profound gaze.

“What are you laughing at?” Hua Zhuyu asked irritably.

“Because you’re finally talking to me.” Ji Fengli whispered in her ear, his elegant masculine scent swirling around her. After a long moment, he said quietly: “I’m sorry. I’ll release them as soon as we return to the palace. The antidote was actually sent to the Northern Emperor the moment we left. You don’t need to worry!”

Hearing this, Hua Zhuyu’s heart trembled slightly. She rose to nestle in his arms, resting her head on his shoulder as she said gently: “I said I wouldn’t leave, so I won’t. Why don’t you believe me?”

Ji Fengli’s spine suddenly stiffened, seemingly overwhelmed by her initiative. Indescribable radiance flickered in the depths of his dark eyes, bright enough to dazzle. He pulled her smoothly into his arms, leaning down to seal her lips with his.

He captured her breath, dominating her breathing. His tongue was so commanding, stirring her until she was weak and lost. She could only sink into his tender yet dominating deep kiss, floating dreamily.

The carriage stopped at the palace gate leading to the peach grove, blocked by civil and military officials. Tong Shou reported quietly outside the carriage: “Your Highness, all the officials have gathered here saying they have urgent matters to report and refuse to disperse!”

Ji Fengli’s eyes sharpened as he said gravely: “Tell them to wait in the Diligent Governance Hall – this king will come shortly.” After a while, Tong Shou reported again: “Your Highness, they refuse to leave, saying they must see you immediately.”

Ji Fengli sighed lightly, turning to Hua Zhuyu: “You go back first. I’ll get out and see what this is about.”

“Go ahead – urgent matters should be resolved quickly,” Hua Zhuyu smiled charmingly.

Ji Fengli smiled as he got down from the carriage. Hua Zhuyu lifted the carriage curtain to see the imperial road ahead filled with civil and military officials, all whispering among themselves. When Ji Fengli appeared, immediate silence fell.

“What is it? Don’t you have matters to report? Didn’t you say it was urgent? Blocking the way here – aren’t you forcing this king to see you?” Ji Fengli’s lips curved as cold amusement filled his narrow phoenix eyes.

The officials started in alarm, all prostrating themselves. One official finally said carefully: “Your Highness, this subject heard Your Highness exclusively favors one woman. Your Highness may not know this woman is the daughter of the traitor Hua Mu. Therefore, we subjects waited here hoping Your Highness would not be bewitched by this woman.”

Hua Zhuyu had been about to have the driver leave but froze upon hearing these words, cold creeping into her heart. She had never revealed the identity of Hua Zhuyu because she knew that revealing this identity would cause him great trouble and put him in a difficult position. If he protected her, he would inevitably be branded as foolish and immoral. Now that this matter was exposed, their happiness of these past days, like a flash in the pan, would probably soon be destroyed.

Ji Fengli’s smile gradually widened, so cold it gave his handsome face a startling quality: “How did you learn she is Hua Mu’s daughter?”

Hua Zhuyu’s heart jumped slightly. Ji Fengli’s expression was so calm – it seemed he had long known her identity. Yet all these days, he had said nothing.

Grand Tutor Wen stepped quickly from among the ministers, saying gravely: “Your Highness, we subjects received secret intelligence that this woman is Ying Shuxie under Hua Mu’s command and also Hua Mu’s daughter. That day, she entered the palace with her personal guards Ping and Tai. Setting aside whether she’s Hua Mu’s daughter, she was Yuan Bao, Huangfu Wushuang’s confidant who personally executed Your Highness at the execution ground. How can Your Highness keep such a woman? This woman should be executed, Your Highness!”

Sitting in the carriage, Hua Zhuyu felt her heart gradually sink upon hearing this. It seemed these old ministers were determined to kill her. She very much wanted to know what Ji Fengli would do. Would he sacrifice her for his royal power and dominance?

Ji Fengli looked coldly at the delighted court officials, his face still wearing that unfathomable smile, but his eyes suddenly turned cold as his thin lips curved proudly: “What if this king refuses?”

“Your Highness, don’t ruin the Southern Dynasty’s laws for this woman! The realm will surely fall into chaos!”

Ji Fengli’s gaze suddenly darkened as he swept his cold eyes over the officials’ faces, saying methodically: “Are you all so impatient to eliminate this king’s heir?”

The civil and military officials immediately fell silent, looking at each other with unconcealed surprise.

An heir!

Hua Zhuyu was also startled – she naturally knew she carried no heir.

“Your Highness, this woman hasn’t been in the palace long – how could there be an heir so quickly? Perhaps there’s been a mistake. Why not have the Imperial Medical Bureau’s physicians check her pulse again?” a minister surnamed Zhang said loudly.

“Oh, Minister Zhang speaks truly!” Ji Fengli raised an eyebrow lightly. Just as everyone held their breath to listen carefully to his next words, he suddenly turned and strode before the crowd, his dark red court robes flying like an angry phoenix about to soar to the ninth heaven. His phoenix eyes swept in a circle, shooting forth myriad cold lights. The western sunset seemed subdued by the murderous aura in his eyes, sinking at this moment as heaven and earth immediately darkened!

“Check her pulse? What do you take this king’s words for? Since you don’t take this king’s words to heart, why do you need this king’s word? She’s in the carriage – if you want to kill her, please proceed!” He spoke each word exceptionally clearly, biting down hard on each one like cutting gold and jade. This wasn’t the first time he had faced officials so sternly, but it was the first time he showed such cold severity before everyone. Today, he seemed not to mind letting the ministers know what kind of cold murderous intent was hidden behind his scholarly mask!

Everyone immediately fell silent as tension filled the air. All knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe. Cold sweat dripped from their foreheads to their cheeks, but no one dared wipe it away.

Seeing no one dared speak further, Ji Fengli raised his eyebrows and said slowly: “She carries this king’s child. This matter ends here. This king doesn’t want to see any more mob gatherings or disturbances. Otherwise,” he paused, saying coldly, “immediate execution without delay.” He drew out the last word, his tone showing bone-chilling coldness.

None of the kneeling ministers dared provoke him further, and thus Ji Fengli forcibly suppressed the matter of Hua Zhuyu being a traitor’s daughter.