Left Prime Minister Ji Fengli taking a wife was a major event for Yang Pass residents – in fact, it should have been a major event for the entire Southern Dynasty. But what puzzled Yang Pass residents was that the Left Prime Minister’s wedding was extremely low-key, with news barely spreading.

Residents speculated that perhaps because the Left Prime Minister had previously declined Emperor Yan’s bestowed marriage, claiming he didn’t wish to marry before age thirty, the ceremony was kept so quiet.

People were indescribably envious of the woman the Left Prime Minister would marry. What kind of woman could make the incomparably graceful Left Prime Minister break his own vow!

The Yang Pass prefect had originally offered to vacate his residence, but Ji Fengli politely declined, only purchasing a temporary dwelling in northern Yang Pass – quite modest. However, this night it was decorated with red and green, looking renewed and joyous.

For Ji Fengli’s wedding, Hua Zhuyu originally didn’t want to attend. Moreover, Ji Fengli hadn’t sent her an invitation at all, though commanders from other battalions had all received invitations. But even without an invitation, she still came.

She came not for anything else, but for Jin Se.

Jin Se was her good sister. Jin Se was still concealing her true identity because of her. If Jin Se resumed her identity as Northern Dynasty princess, her wedding would certainly be very grand with many relatives seeing her off. But now, only Hua Zhuyu came to see her off.

At dusk, Hua Zhuyu arrived with several other battalion commanders at the entrance to Ji Fengli’s temporary residence. Tang Yu was greeting guests at the entrance and was obviously startled seeing Hua Zhuyu.

Today, for the Left Prime Minister’s wedding, those coming to congratulate weren’t wearing military uniforms. On battlefields, identical uniforms and caps made everyone look like they were cut from the same mold. Now, having shed military uniforms, each displayed their unique bearing.

Today Hua Zhuyu wore a smoke-colored light robe she had specially bought from a ready-made clothing shop in Yang Pass. Since it wasn’t custom-tailored, though the length fit her slender frame appropriately, it was rather loose, making her appear even more upright and ethereal like bamboo. Dim light and shadow swayed and fell on her shoulders, making her entire being appear noble as a dustless bright moon, yet cold as lonely frost.

Tang Yu stared blankly at Commander Bao, who wielded long spears, transformed into an elegant young master, feeling quite stunned. Only when Hua Zhuyu smiled and passed by his side did he remember that the Prime Minister had specifically instructed not to send Commander Bao an invitation. But since she had come, he couldn’t very well drive her out.

Hua Zhuyu followed several people through the lantern-hung courtyard, slowly arriving at the inner hall. The hall was already full of people, mostly generals from the military camp.

“This general congratulates the Prime Minister on his wedding!”

“Congratulations to the Prime Minister, felicitations to the Prime Minister…”

Several commanders loudly offered congratulations.

Hua Zhuyu’s eyes wandered, and in the crowded hall filled with shadows, Left Prime Minister Ji Fengli’s outstanding standing figure came into view.

A bright red auspicious robe swayed with rich, bright ethereal light under the lamps, brilliantly dazzling as if it could burn her eyes. Across the bustling crowd, as if separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, Hua Zhuyu and Ji Fengli’s gazes touched, then like dragonflies touching water, quickly turned away.

“Congratulations, Prime Minister!” Hua Zhuyu called out loudly, lowering her lashes as she sat with several commanders at seats below.

Ji Fengli smiled elegantly and composedly.

The auspicious time hadn’t arrived yet, and people in the hall were all busy. With drums and music resounding and voices clamoring, Hua Zhuyu suddenly felt dizzy with an uncomfortable stuffiness in her chest. She silently squeezed out from the crowd, not looking back at that figure in red auspicious robes.

She left the wedding hall and breathed deeply. The fresh air in the courtyard somewhat relieved the oppression in her chest. She passed through the courtyard hung with red lanterns and happiness characters, slowly walking toward the entrance.

Hua Zhuyu walked slowly through the streets outside. From the neighboring eaves suddenly came three long and two short low bird calls. She frowned slightly, went back to lead her horse, rode from the alley onto the main street.

Post-war Yang Pass was still somewhat desolate. Only one tavern on the main street had its doors open. Hua Zhuyu rode over, handed her horse to a servant, and quickly went upstairs to a private room. She ordered a pot of clear tea and hadn’t sat long when a figure quietly sat before her. The person before her was Ping in military uniform.

“How did you come? Is there urgent business?” Hua Zhuyu asked with furrowed brows. Unless there was urgent business, he wouldn’t easily come to see her.

Ping nodded with a serious expression, reaching into his robe to pull out a letter and hand it to Hua Zhuyu: “Just received this. I immediately rode here urgently. We probably can’t stay here anymore.”

Hua Zhuyu took the letter, unfolded it, and read carefully in the tavern’s dim candlelight. Her breathing gradually became stagnant, her fingers holding the letter trembled uncontrollably, and her face instantly became pale as snow.

She couldn’t quite believe the letter’s contents, yet had to believe them. Wasn’t this exactly what she had long suspected? When finally confirmed, why did she suddenly not dare believe it?

Why?

Every word in this letter seemed to chisel directly into her heart, making her numb with pain and ice-cold throughout. “We’ve investigated so long without news. How was this discovered this time?” Hua Zhuyu gripped the letter, forcing herself to stay calm as she slowly asked.

“Dan Hong discovered it. She…” Ping hesitated, his long eyebrows deeply furrowed, a trace of sorrow crossing his dark eyes.

“What happened to Dan Hong?” Hua Zhuyu narrowed her phoenix eyes and asked coldly.

“She originally hid her identity to enter the palace selection, then became a palace maid. I thought she would remain a palace maid. But recently, to uncover the truth, she approached Emperor Kang Huangfu Wushang and became his consort. Once when she accompanied Emperor Kang to Emperor Yan’s study, she stole that informant letter we’d been investigating. That letter was written extremely obscurely. It took An a long time to finally discover it indeed came from someone under the Left Prime Minister.” Ping spoke word by word quietly.

Though Ping’s voice was extremely light, each word rolled over Hua Zhuyu’s heart like thunder.

Dan Hong became Huangfu Wushang’s consort, Dan Hong stole that informant letter, Dan Hong…

Hua Zhuyu sat on the stool feeling cold throughout, her heart churning like stormy seas, unable to calm for a long time. She had never imagined that Dan Hong would ultimately sacrifice her chastity for her sake. Originally, knowing Dan Hong had entered the palace selection, she had planned to have Huangfu Wushuang choose her to preserve her purity, but unexpectedly Huangfu Wushuang had problems and later she herself was in danger. But no matter what, she had never expected Dan Hong would…

Hua Zhuyu slowly closed her eyes. All around was deathly silence. Before her eyes passed endless blood – so red, red with desolate sorrow.

After a long time, she slowly opened her eyes. Before her were candle shadows swaying in the wind. She raised her sleeve and placed the letter over the candlelight, slowly igniting it.

The flame’s bright light illuminated traces of coldness and blood in her clear eyes – coldly beautiful and mysterious yet chilling.

She reached forward and grasped the sword hilt at Ping’s waist. Tonight attending the wedding banquet, she hadn’t brought weapons. She slowly drew the sword. The cold blade emerged from its sheath, the sharp edge piercing air with a sound like grieving spirits’ wails. Seemingly shaken by this wail, snow suddenly fell from treetops outside the window, scattering with cold.

“General, An asks in the letter how the war situation here actually is. It seems the capital doesn’t know we’ve defeated the Northern Dynasty. Ji Fengli has probably suppressed news of the great victory.” Ping said quietly.

Hua Zhuyu nodded and narrowed her eyes: “This shows he can’t completely control the court situation. There are still one hundred thousand capital garrison troops in the capital, and he doesn’t control half that military power.”

“General, why don’t we send the news back?” Ping thought for a long time before saying.

Hua Zhuyu nodded: “No rush yet. Tonight, I still need to take someone away.”

“Who?” Ping asked quietly, puzzled.

“Jin Se!” Hua Zhuyu said casually.

“Who is she?” Ping only knew Hua Zhuyu was Ying Shuxie but didn’t know she was Hua Mu’s daughter Hua Zhuyu, so naturally knew nothing about Jin Se.

Hua Zhuyu frowned: “She’s Rong Si, Ji Fengli’s bride-to-be. She’s my old friend. Since Ji Fengli is so despicable, I can’t let her marry him.”

Ping nodded gravely. He always spoke little and never asked much about things Hua Zhuyu was unwilling to discuss. Regarding her decisions, he only obeyed.

“How to rescue her? Today they’re marrying. That residence is full of military camp generals. Even if we brought the Orphan Army to charge in, it would be difficult to rescue someone from under their noses.” Ping asked worriedly. This time in the military, not only was he secretly hidden, but some Orphan Army soldiers were also present.

Hua Zhuyu pondered for a long time, slowly returning Ping’s precious sword to his waist. She slowly stood and said casually: “The only plan now is to steal the bride!”

“Steal the bride? How?” Ping was startled. How to steal? Wouldn’t this be even harder than secretly kidnapping someone?

“You needn’t worry. I’ll go myself.” To avoid suspicion, she could only steal the bride. Because previously on the battlefield, she had desperately rushed to save Jin Se regardless of life and death, so some in the military camp already suspected she liked Jin Se.

Thus, if Ji Fengli married Jin Se and she went to steal the bride, it wouldn’t arouse suspicion.

Of course, Hua Zhuyu didn’t expect to actually steal Jin Se from Ji Fengli’s hands. She only hoped Jin Se would understand her intentions from her bride-stealing action and refuse to marry Ji Fengli.

That would be best.

Night deepened. In Ji Fengli’s temporary residence, silk and bamboo wedding music played continuously.

Hua Zhuyu wore Ping’s sword at her waist, walking on red carpeting toward the wedding hall. The continuous wedding music was particularly grating to her ears. The omnipresent happiness characters seemed to have transformed into endless blood color flowing toward her.

The wedding hall was full of shadows and joyous voices. The wedding officiant’s ceremonial calls passed through the crowd, reaching Hua Zhuyu’s ears.

“The auspicious time has arrived. Please let the newlyweds bow to heaven and earth…”

“First bow to heaven and earth… husband and wife…”

“Wait!” A cold voice suddenly rang out outside the wedding hall – very light yet very sharp. The officiant’s ceremonial calls immediately seemed strangled and could continue no more.

Everyone was shocked.

All the clamorous voices and music seemed to vanish instantly, even the air seeming to solidify. Everyone looked toward the sound to see Hua Zhuyu walking slowly on red carpeting with measured steps.

Brilliant, bewildering lights in the wedding hall illuminated her slowly approaching figure.

She wore a long smoke-colored robe, her satin-black hair bound with a matching silk ribbon. Plain robes couldn’t conceal her clear, outstanding radiance.

Night wind blew, scattering snow from trees onto her wind-billowed garments, seeming to shroud her in faint mist. She walked slowly from the mist, her clear pupils flashing sharp waves. Her lips bore a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, beautiful yet dangerous like poppies.

“Commander Bao, what are you doing?” Wang Yu hurriedly stepped forward, asking somewhat puzzled.

Hua Zhuyu stopped, her eyes sweeping the hall as she smiled charmingly: “Master comes to steal the bride!” Her words were light, but the uttered words carried seductive magnetism and heavy pressure.

The already silent wedding hall became even quieter. Everyone seemed stunned, taking a long time to react. Commander Bao actually came to steal the bride? To compete with the Prime Minister for the bride! Even more shocking, some knew Hua Zhuyu was a eunuch – even eunuchs came to steal brides?

How could this not be shocking!

“Is Commander Bao drunk? Haha, well, if you’ve had too much, go sober up. Someone, take Commander Bao away!” Wang Yu hurriedly called people to take Hua Zhuyu out.

Hua Zhuyu smiled coldly. Her hand under wide sleeves had already grasped the sword sheath at her waist, slowly drawing it out bit by bit. She pursed her lips and blew lightly on the sword: “General Wang, have everyone step back. My sword doesn’t want to see blood.”

Wang Yu was immediately stunned. If originally he thought Hua Zhuyu was joking, now he clearly knew she was serious.

“All step back!” Ji Fengli’s voice came from within the wedding hall.

Everyone hurriedly stepped back. In the wedding hall, a pair of newlyweds in red as fire appeared before Hua Zhuyu. A large red silk ribbon tied in a concentric embroidered ball connected the newlyweds.

Ji Fengli held one end of the silk ribbon, standing tall in the wedding hall. Dim light made his perfect profile like ice carving. She met his sharp, cold gaze and suddenly smiled, her autumn water pupils curving as her eyes fell on Ji Fengli with sparkling light.

“Prime Minister, forgive the offense!” She held the precious sword, saying with a smile.

Ji Fengli narrowed his phoenix eyes, staring at her with cold, stern gaze. His lips slowly showed a trace of smile lines, but his pupils showed no hint of mirth.

“Actually, saying I’m stealing the bride isn’t accurate. I think everyone has already guessed that your bride-to-be is my beloved. Moreover, you don’t know – we were engaged years ago. So tonight I come only to reclaim my own bride-to-be.” Hua Zhuyu smiled gently with a soft voice, but her ending tone lightly rose, clearly provocative.

Her words made the already oppressive wedding hall even more silent. Originally she was stealing the bride, but now it seemed like Ji Fengli had stolen her wife.

“Commander Bao, even so, you can’t steal the Prime Minister’s bride. Please return quickly.” The wedding officiant again tried to persuade Hua Zhuyu.

Hua Zhuyu raised her eyebrows, holding the precious sword as she slowly passed through the crowd toward the newlywed couple, walking until she stood before Jin Se.

The wedding hall was so quiet that even breathing couldn’t be heard. The surrounding atmosphere was so coldly condensed with countless gazes fixed on her. Under everyone’s stare, Hua Zhuyu smiled faintly and grasped Jin Se’s slender hand, leaning down. Her thin lips lightly brushed the red wedding veil on Jin Se’s head as she said low and intimately: “Come with me!”

Her tone, expression, and even movements when speaking were so extremely gentle, but in everyone’s eyes this became intimate. People in the wedding hall couldn’t help gasping – it seemed this Commander Bao really was the Prime Minister’s wife’s lover. But Commander Bao’s courage was truly too great.

Hua Zhuyu smiled lightly. She saw the pearl and gold thread tassels hanging from the wedding veil embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in water tremble slightly. Jin Se raised her sleeve to remove the veil.

Ji Fengli suddenly reached out, grasping Jin Se’s wrist and wrapping her hand in his palm, pulling her to his side.

“Since you’ve come to steal the bride, you should know what ‘steal’ means!” Ji Fengli narrowed his long phoenix eyes, unknown emotions surging within like dark clouds before a storm, growing denser.

Hua Zhuyu raised her eyebrows: “I naturally know!”

“Know?” Ji Fengli slightly curved his lips, his gaze even sharper: “If so, excellent! All of you withdraw!” Ji Fengli suddenly raised his hand, wide sleeves flowing like fire, making his black hair like ink and face like jade.

The generals still stood stunned, unwilling to leave. Ji Fengli suddenly snorted coldly, kicked up a chair with his foot. A gust of wind swept past as the chair smashed toward the wedding hall entrance.

People had never seen Ji Fengli so angry. Frightened out of their wits, they rushed from the wedding hall, not daring to linger even in the courtyard, passing through the courtyard trees and exiting the gate entirely.

“Si’er, you go down first!” The sharp coldness in his phoenix eyes instantly transformed into elegant smile as he lowered his head to speak quietly to Jin Se beside him, his voice rich and gentle.

Xu’er, who had been supporting Jin Se, was about to help her leave.

Hua Zhuyu stepped forward, reaching for Jin Se’s arm: “You can’t marry him! Come with me!”

However, before her fingertips could touch Jin Se’s garments, a gust of wind struck. Ji Fengli’s plain fan bloomed like udumbara before Jin Se, blocking Hua Zhuyu’s outstretched hand.

Hua Zhuyu stopped and slowly withdrew her hand. She stepped back, slowly caressing the precious sword in her hand. The clear, water-like blade was reflected in misty red by the wedding candles and red silk in the hall.

“What are you doing?” Jin Se finally couldn’t bear it, yanking off her wedding veil to reveal her complexly emotional face, asking tremblingly.

“Xu’er, take the lady away!” Ji Fengli’s gaze remained fixed on Hua Zhuyu as he spoke to maid Xu’er without turning his head.

Jin Se looked at Hua Zhuyu with complex emotions, then said to Ji Fengli: “Prime Minister, I can go down, but you two absolutely cannot fight. I won’t go with her, but tonight’s wedding also ends here. Is that acceptable?”

Hua Zhuyu’s heart shook. Didn’t Jin Se understand her meaning? Perhaps she understood but simply didn’t want to go with her. But if she remained by Ji Fengli’s side, even without marrying him, it would undoubtedly be dangerous.

“I’ve decided. None of you need argue anymore!” Jin Se reached to remove the phoenix crown from her head. Perhaps because her emotions were too turbulent, her hands trembled slightly, unable to remove the crown. Seeing this, Xu’er stepped forward to help her slowly remove the crown and place it on the wedding hall table.

“Si’er withdraws first.” Her gaze flowed from Hua Zhuyu’s face to Ji Fengli’s. On her lightly powdered face floated a wispy smile – very weak and faint, as if it would scatter with the wind.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart immediately tightened. She couldn’t help stepping forward. Though she had thousands of words, she couldn’t speak them in front of Ji Fengli.

Jin Se slowly bowed to Ji Fengli, then quickly withdrew from the wedding hall with Xu’er.

Both watched Jin Se’s graceful departing figure before simultaneously withdrawing their gazes.

The wedding hall instantly fell silent.

Silence – suffocating silence…

She stared into his eyes.

Deep as midnight, black enough to make hearts tremble, no longer showing any gentleness or composure, but raging anger. On the bright red auspicious robe, those gold thread embroidered patterns were like flames in his eyes, burning her vision.

Standing in the joyous wedding hall, Hua Zhuyu’s eyes showed that day’s bloodstains under Liang Prefecture’s execution platform. She unconsciously gripped the sword sheath, letting it press painfully into her palm.

“Ji Fengli, I hope you’ll let Si’er leave with me!” Hua Zhuyu suppressed the surging waves in her chest, speaking coldly.

“Why?” Ji Fengli spoke quietly, stepping forward.

Hua Zhuyu instinctively stepped back and said coldly: “You know!”

Ji Fengli stepped forward again, asking: “Know what?”

Hua Zhuyu stepped back again, her body against the table behind her with nowhere to retreat. She simply sat on the table, smiling coldly: “Ji Fengli, I said long ago, I like her…”

Ji Fengli suddenly threw back his head and laughed, interrupting Hua Zhuyu’s words.

Why? His reason for marrying was only to escape from this forbidden absurdity, but why wasn’t even this allowed? He stared at Hua Zhuyu, anger gradually fading from his eyes, leaving only boundless pain.

He suddenly leaned forward, bracing against the table, encircling Hua Zhuyu in the small space before his chest, looking down at her. In his deep, dark ink pupils flashed a bright light like a needle piercing Hua Zhuyu’s eyes.

Hua Zhuyu turned her head aside. Ji Fengli’s water-cool, smooth brocade sleeve brushed her cheek. Her heart immediately jumped as she said coldly: “Ji Fengli, you said we’d duel. Are you afraid…”

The remaining words were instantly drowned in his beautifully curved lips. This happened swift as lightning – she was suddenly kissed by him. Like being struck by thunder, Hua Zhuyu froze, never imagining Ji Fengli would kiss her when she was a man.

The soft, warm sensation on her lips spread through her entire body like electric current. After momentary shock, Hua Zhuyu realized his lips seemed unsatisfied with this instant’s contact, wanting to deepen the kiss. Like being suddenly stung, without thinking, she opened her mouth and bit down hard. A bloody scent immediately filled both their mouths. Ji Fengli seemed unwilling to release her. Hua Zhuyu used all her strength to strike his chest while using the recoil to quickly lean backward.

With a tremendous crash, the table shattered on the ground, and Hua Zhuyu’s body fell backward with the table.

Ji Fengli touched his pushed chest, staggered two steps, then steadied himself. He was stunned for a moment, stepping over the table to help Hua Zhuyu. Hua Zhuyu suddenly rolled, lightly pressing her palm to the ground and springing up gracefully, landing steadily. She turned, her knife-like gaze sweeping toward Ji Fengli as she said coldly: “Get away! Don’t disgust me!”

Ji Fengli’s steps suddenly stopped. If before the wedding hall was merely silent, now it was deathly still. This deathly atmosphere was like a bowstring stretched to its limit, seeming about to snap instantly.

Ji Fengli looked at Hua Zhuyu, his heart like a calm lake with a giant stone thrown in, instantly churning with muddy waves.

In his ears, for some reason, rang an admonition from years past: “Love is most harmful. Only the heartless and emotionless can achieve great things! Remember this, remember this!”

Remember this, remember this!

These words seemed to echo in his mind, constantly reverberating. Remember! But he had forgotten, so that now he was no longer himself, tortured by an impossible emotion as if he’d become a different person.

His beautiful pupils slightly narrowed. The surging waves in their depths gradually became a deep pool, so profound that one could no longer see his emotions. His lips lightly curved in a mocking smile.

He stepped back several paces, supporting himself against the table behind him as he stood tall.

“Good! Didn’t you want to steal the bride? If you defeat me today, I’ll allow you to take Rong Si away. Otherwise, you leave the military and never appear in this Prime Minister’s sight again.” He spoke lightly, but his tone carried decisive killing intent without hesitation.

“It’s settled!” Hua Zhuyu said coldly, quickly walking out of the room.

Though Hua Zhuyu had no confidence in defeating Ji Fengli, the hot blood surging in her chest urged her to try.

The courtyard was equally silent. On nearby rooftops, shadowy figures could be vaguely seen moving. Those attending the wedding feast didn’t dare stay in the courtyard, so they hid in the distance to quietly watch the situation.

The courtyard’s dead trees were hung with red lanterns, their alluring red light making the courtyard bizarre and beautiful as a dream.

Hua Zhuyu raised a sword gleam. Snowflakes fell on the two-inch-wide bright blade, immediately melting into water droplets flowing down the sword.

Cool night wind filled her smoke-colored robe, fluttering fiercely. More and more snowflakes fell, sword light flashing among the flying snow.

Flying snow and soaring sword qi – dense sword nets covered the sky as they enveloped Ji Fengli.

Ji Fengli stood there. Though light and shadow swayed everywhere, all brightness seemed to gather in his eyes. He suddenly smiled casually, seeming to gather all worldly splendor. His plain fan snapped open. Instantly, fan shadows were everywhere, blocking all of Hua Zhuyu’s real and feinted sword strikes.

Killing intent slowly spread between them.

Hua Zhuyu’s sword strikes were fast, fierce, and accurate, thrusting toward Ji Fengli one by one.

Ji Fengli’s gaze in her approaching sharp sword light was frighteningly cold.

They fought dozens of moves. Ji Fengli swept with his fan. Hua Zhuyu dodged and thrust with her sword, but it suddenly stopped mid-strike, becoming an incomplete move. The sharp sword remained suspended in mid-air as Ji Fengli had already dodged, circling to her front with his plain fan pointing directly at her chest.

At the fan’s front, each black gold fan bone extended a sharp dagger. A row of daggers made the entire fan surface larger. Without these daggers, this fan couldn’t have reached her. Without these daggers, her sword would have struck his chest first. But now, those daggers precisely pressed against her chest – a little force could pierce her garments and penetrate her chest.

Hua Zhuyu’s spine grew cold with rising chill.

She had never imagined Ji Fengli’s fan had such mechanisms. Even facing such a powerful enemy as Xiao Yin, he hadn’t revealed this move.

She looked up to find behind the sword light, Ji Fengli’s moon-bright eyes flowed with elegant yet indifferent smiles. Ji Fengli seemed to have returned to their first meeting – no matter how she tried, she couldn’t see through his emotions. Perhaps from being by Ji Fengli’s side too long, seeing his wind-like gentleness, she had forgotten what kind of person he really was.

Scientific examination success at fifteen, Left Prime Minister at eighteen, decisive on battlefields, strategically planning in court – how could such a person’s martial arts be so easily seen through by her?!

Since seeing his contest with Xiao Yin, she had thought she could exchange hundreds of moves with him, but unexpectedly was defeated within a hundred moves. It seemed he was even more formidable than she imagined. Tonight, he obviously didn’t want to spar with her extensively, so he impatiently used the fan’s mechanisms.

“You – are – defeated.” Word by word slowly emerged from his mouth, chillingly intimidating.

Hua Zhuyu smiled lightly, her brilliant smile finally becoming a sigh. She had ultimately lost!

“Fine, I admit defeat!” Defeated by his hand, she admitted defeat. But someday, she would surpass him! From Jin Se’s reaction tonight, she knew she probably couldn’t take Jin Se away. Since this was Jin Se’s own choice, forcing her probably wasn’t good. With things at this point, she would leave herself.

Ji Fengli smiled faintly, bewitchingly graceful under glazed lights, slowly withdrawing his plain fan. With a soft sound, all daggers on the fan returned to position. That fan painted with udumbara, plain and white, was like its owner at this moment – elegantly harmless.

“You may leave. From now on, never appear in this Prime Minister’s sight again, or else…” Ji Fengli slowly closed the folding fan, the remaining words scattered in the wind.

“Or else, either you die or I perish, right?” Hua Zhuyu continued Ji Fengli’s words, saying casually: “I await that day!”

She sheathed her precious sword with a clang, glanced back once at the brilliantly lit room, then turned and left without looking back.

Northern frontier snow fell overwhelmingly in the night. The ground already had accumulated snow that now grew thicker. The streets were cold and empty. Hua Zhuyu rode through street after street to an inconspicuous small inn.

She looked back at the road she’d come from and slowly entered the inn. She met with Ping on the second floor, carefully planning before deciding to rush back to Yu Capital overnight. Though Ji Fengli had indeed spared her, she couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t change his mind and send people to pursue her.

She vaguely sensed Ji Fengli might already suspect she was Ying Shuxie. Previously not killing her might have been from valuing talent or wanting her to lead troops against the Northern Dynasty. Now with fighting ended, not leaving might be dangerous.

But Jin Se!

Thinking of Jin Se, her heart ached again.

Jin Se’s feelings for Ji Fengli were probably deeper than she had imagined.

In the night, on the cold, empty official road, two fine horses galloped through snow, startling birds from roadside trees to fly high.