In the cold moonlight, the frost-white blade pointed at Li Yao Ying, glinting coldly.

Li Xuanzhen stood on the stone steps, while Yao Ying stood before them.

Only a few steps separated them.

The man’s sword needed only to advance slightly more to break the young lady’s delicate skin.

Yao Ying slowly raised her eyes, a trace of a smile crossing her face.

“Does Brother Changsheng want to kill A’Yue?”

She asked softly, with her dark hair and rosy complexion, her long lashes fluttering, and eyes like autumn waters.

As a child, she had liked to look up at people this way, blinking her large, elongated eyes. Delicate as carved jade, perfectly rounded and polished, she was like a luminous pearl emitting a gentle glow. When she acted coquettishly, her curled lashes would flutter lightly, each movement like a flutter against one’s heart.

When she looked over with her smile, few could refuse her requests.

So when she had smiled and called him Brother Changsheng, asking him to make her a clay figure, he had nodded in agreement.

Yet that clay figure had been a gift she intended for Li Zhongqian.

Li Xuanzhen’s wrist trembled slightly. Moonlight cast a faint shadow over his face, making his emotions unreadable.

Zheng Biyu looked confused.

The name “Brother Changsheng” was familiar to her.

Li Xuanzhen’s courtesy name was Zhang. Lady Tang, fearing he wouldn’t survive childhood, had given him another name for good fortune: Changsheng Nu.

Previously, only Lady Tang had called Li Xuanzhen this. After Lady Tang was gone, only Zhu Lvyun could use this childhood name.

How did the Seventh Princess know Li Xuanzhen’s childhood name?

Zheng Biyu hesitated, saying: “Da Lang…”

Before she could finish her words of dissuasion, Li Xuanzhen’s face darkened as he said coldly: “All of you, leave.”

Zheng Biyu’s brows furrowed tightly. She looked back at Yao Ying, seeing her calm composure. Though increasingly puzzled, she kept her expression neutral as she led the palace servants and eunuchs away.

The evening breeze gently buffeted the bamboo lanterns beneath the corridor, their hazy halos swaying lazily.

Yao Ying stepped forward.

The sword tip was barely half a finger’s width from her cream-like neck. She could almost feel the blade’s fierce killing intent, thirsting for blood.

Her eyes showed no fear as she lifted her skirts, not blinking, continuing forward.

Li Xuanzhen gripped his sword tightly, staring down at her, motionless.

Yao Ying stepped onto the stone stairs.

With a clear ring, just as the blade was about to kiss her neck, Li Xuanzhen suddenly withdrew his sword, stepping back. The sword tip scraped across the ground with a harsh sound.

He remained silent, averting his gaze as he threw down the precious sword.

“Don’t call me that.”

Li Xuanzhen said coldly.

Yao Ying stared at the sword lying like scattered snow in the lantern light, lost in thought for a moment before changing her address: “Eldest Brother.”

Li Xuanzhen’s expression remained cold.

Yao Ying changed it again: “Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Li Xuanzhen still didn’t acknowledge her. After a silence, he asked: “Why did you want to see me?”

Yao Ying said with certainty: “The news Xie Chao brought back – the Eastern Palace must have heard it already.”

Most military commanders came from humble backgrounds, and Li Xuanzhen was exactly who these commoner officials eagerly pledged loyalty to. Nearly half the major generals had fought alongside him, maintaining close contact with the Eastern Palace. No battlefield intelligence could be kept from them.

When Yao Ying had sought help from various quarters without any response, it must have been because the Eastern Palace had spoken first, so no one dared extend aid to her.

Li Xuanzhen remained silent.

Yao Ying knew this was his admission and clenched her fingers.

The Eastern Palace indeed knew Li Zhongqian was now surrounded. Sending rescue troops couldn’t be delayed any longer.

Li Xuanzhen gave a mocking half-smile, saying sarcastically: “Seventh Sister wants to beg me to save Li Zhongqian? Don’t waste your breath.”

Asking him to save Li Zhongqian was like a fool’s dream!

In fact, not only would the Eastern Palace not help, but they planned to use this opportunity to eliminate a future threat permanently.

Even if Li Yao Ying brought out that clay figure, he still wouldn’t help save the son of his enemy.

“I know Your Highness certainly won’t agree.”

Yao Ying’s voice was dry, her expression calm as she said word by word, “So let’s make a deal. You send the Flying Cavalry to rescue my brother, and I will marry into the Yelu tribe in place of Princess Fukang. How about that?”

The Flying Cavalry only followed his orders.

The night breeze stirred, making the bamboo lanterns’ light dance.

Li Xuanzhen’s pupils contracted as he looked down at Yao Ying, his expression showing shock, anger, and hatred.

“What right do you have to make deals with me?”

He turned his face away, as if in disdain.

“I understand. Your Highness hates my mother and my brother. You believe my mother forced Lady Tang to her death. You once said you wanted my mother to taste the bitterness of humiliation too.”

Yao Ying lowered her head, adjusting her sleeves before kneeling stiffly before Li Xuanzhen.

The corridor’s hard, cold tiles with their Capricorn pattern felt painful through several layers of gauze and silk.

Yao Ying knelt straight up, raising her head. “I kneel before Your Highness in my mother’s place. Does this satisfy Your Highness?”

Li Xuanzhen looked at her in surprise, his expression twitching slightly.

Yao Ying remained kneeling, meeting his mocking gaze without a ripple of emotion crossing her face.

“Now can we discuss the deal?”

She asked, her tone steady.

Li Xuanzhen was silent even longer this time. He stepped forward, his cold fingers lifting Yao Ying’s chin.

His rough fingertips brushed against her skin like the back of a knife.

Yao Ying remembered how these hands had once gripped her throat, cutting off her breath, and she couldn’t help trembling slightly.

Li Xuanzhen looked down at her, his gaze ice-cold: “Seventh Sister, if you knew it would come to this, why did you choose differently before?”

Yao Ying met his gaze steadily, her expression firm, without a hint of wavering.

Just like when he had given her a choice years ago, and she had turned away without hesitation.

Li Xuanzhen’s fingers suddenly tightened: “Seventh Sister, I gave you a chance.”

Yao Ying met Li Xuanzhen’s cold stare with a slight smile. Though kneeling, her dignity didn’t diminish one bit: “Your Highness, my mother is Lady Xie, and my brother is Li Zhongqian. This will never, ever change.”

She had been born weak. Until she was three, Xie Manyu had cared for her day and night, never taking off her clothes to rest, allowing her to survive.

After age three, Li Zhongqian raised her, teaching her to read and write, saving her from the battlefield. The siblings depended on each other.

Her mother and brother were her family. She wouldn’t sever ties with Li Zhongqian to protect herself, even if doing so would thoroughly anger Li Xuanzhen.

Li Xuanzhen’s mouth twisted as he turned his back on her.

“Li Zhongqian won’t live many more days. I don’t need to make deals with you. Without Li Zhongqian’s protection, even if Pei Gong can persuade His Majesty to withdraw the marriage decree, I have ways to force you to agree to the substitution. Seventh Sister, you still have no right to make deals with me.”

Pei Gong’s method of protecting Yao Ying was an open strategy – it could only persuade the Emperor to withdraw the marriage edict, but couldn’t prevent others’ secret plans.

Now that Li Zhongqian was in trouble, Wei Ming had ways to frighten Yao Ying into agreeing to the substitution.

She was just a woman. Without her only support, she couldn’t contend with the Eastern Palace.

She had even less right to make deals with them.

Yao Ying said steadily: “Can Zhu Lvyun wait? Can His Majesty wait? And how long can the Yelu Chieftain wait?”

The wedding date drew ever closer. She had made inquiries – Zhu Lvyun spent her days crying. How could Li Xuanzhen bear to let Zhu Lvyun continue living in fear?

“Moreover, even if Wei Ming can think of ways to force me to agree, how can he ensure my willing compliance?”

Yao Ying said meaningfully, “If something were to happen to me, if I accidentally ruined my face, or if I unfortunately died… even the smallest mishap would render Wei Ming’s schemes useless. You can’t force me, and in all of Great Wei, only I can substitute for Princess Fukang.”

Li Xuanzhen’s face darkened.

Yao Ying was worried about Li Zhongqian’s safety and didn’t want to waste time arguing with Li Xuanzhen. She stood up, brushing off her skirts and sleeves: “Please have Your Highness dispatch the Flying Cavalry immediately. As long as my brother returns safely to the capital, I will keep my promise and marry in substitution. I always keep my word and won’t go back on it.”

“I’ll wait only half an incense stick’s time. If the Flying Cavalry hasn’t departed by then, no matter how Wei Ming threatens me, I would rather die than substitute in the marriage.”

Li Xuanzhen’s thick brows furrowed.

Yao Ying didn’t press him, standing aside, waiting for his decision.

A moment later, she suddenly clutched her chest tightly, her expression pained as she staggered a few steps, blood trickling from her lips.

Li Xuanzhen started, grabbing Yao Ying’s arm and forcing her to look up: “What’s wrong with you?”

Yao Ying’s face was pale, her whole body trembling. Sweat had soaked through layers of clothing, and her hair was also damp with sweat, gleaming softly in the lamplight. She looked as if she had been pulled from the water.

Li Xuanzhen half-held her, feeling her soft body rapidly growing cold, without any warmth.

“Are you ill?”

Sweat beaded on his nose as he seemed at a loss, lightly patting Yao Ying’s face.

Yao Ying’s limbs were limp as she leaned in his embrace. She raised her hand to wipe the blood from her lips, slowly lifting her face.

Li Xuanzhen looked down at her.

Yao Ying’s lips had turned black, her face completely bloodless, yet a smile gradually appeared on her lips. Even as she trembled in pain, she said: “You agreed.”

Li Xuanzhen froze.

Yao Ying’s whole body shook, her face covered in cold sweat, her teeth chattering, yet her haggard face showed the most brilliant radiance in days.

“Li Xuanzhen, you’ve already agreed to the deal.”

She could feel it – she had once again avoided Li Zhongqian’s destined death in battle, and so was punished again.

Brother had hope of rescue.

…

When Zheng Biyu next saw Li Yao Ying, she lay in Li Xuanzhen’s arms, barely breathing, her face slightly blue.

“How did she become like this in the blink of an eye?”

Zheng Biyu’s gaze toward her husband was sharp as a blade. “Did you hurt Seventh Sister?”

Li Xuanzhen shook his head, laying Yao Ying down: “I didn’t hurt her. She suddenly started vomiting blood for no reason.”

Zheng Biyu sent Li Xuanzhen away, calling urgently for physicians to examine Yao Ying.

As Li Xuanzhen turned to leave, his sleeve was caught.

He looked back.

Yao Ying gripped his sleeve tightly, her fingers white with effort. Lying on the bed, she said weakly: “The… Flying Cavalry…”

Li Xuanzhen looked at her, his face expressionless as he pulled his sleeve free.

“I’ve already sent them out.”

Yao Ying slowly closed her eyes.

The physician arrived shortly with his medicine chest but couldn’t find anything wrong. He could only prescribe some calming medicine for Yao Ying.

Zheng Biyu was extremely worried, fearing something would happen to Yao Ying, and personally watched over her.

The next morning, Yao Ying woke from her unconscious state and struggled to get up despite the physician’s protests.

She couldn’t stay long in the Eastern Palace.

Zheng Biyu had learned of the deal between Yao Ying and Li Xuanzhen. She sighed deeply as she helped her up: “Seventh Sister, have you thought this through?”

Last night, Wei Ming and Li Xuanzhen had argued.

Wei Ming was unwilling to save Li Zhongqian, but Li Xuanzhen insisted. The two had argued until late into the night.

Yet the servants at the Princess’s manor were all joyful, running back overnight to report the news. This morning, palace servants had come to say that Zhu Lvyun was willing to eat again.

Yao Ying’s face was still snow-white as she smiled bitterly: “Sister-in-law when the nest falls, how can the eggs remain whole? If Brother truly dies in the river valley, Mother and I will have no support. We’ll be meat on the chopping block – by then, I won’t even have anything left to bargain with.”

The entire Xie clan had died in battle. Without support, Consort Xie and her children would be at others’ mercy.

To protect her and their mother, Li Zhongqian had abandoned the civil path for military service, following Li De in campaigns north and south, using his fierce reputation on the battlefield to ward off evil spirits.

In these troubled times, Li Zhongqian was the backbone for Consort Xie and herself.

Without her brother, she would either have to agree to the substitution marriage or resist until death.

Since the outcome would be the same, she might as well take charge of this transaction to secure Li Zhongqian’s safety.

To save her brother, Yao Ying would sacrifice anything.

Zheng Biyu sighed softly as she escorted her from the inner court.

Li Xuanzhen had just returned from the Princess’s manor, still wearing yesterday’s clothes, his expression neither good nor bad.

He looked at Yao Ying, his brows slightly furrowed: “You’re ill. Why are you up and about?”

Yao Ying’s face was pale as she smiled weakly, “Eldest Brother need not worry. As long as my brother is safe, I will keep my word and fulfill Great Wei’s marriage agreement with the Yelu tribe. Even if I were dying, I would hold on until the wedding day.”

Li Xuanzhen’s face darkened slightly.

Yao Ying caught her breath, raising her eyes to look at Li Xuanzhen’s phoenix eyes, so similar to Li Zhongqian’s.

“Li Xuanzhen, I bowed my head to you, made deals with you, knelt before you, not because I think my mother is guilty or that we owe you anything, but because in this world of the strong eating the weak, I have no choice.”

“I never believed my mother forced Lady Tang to her death. Their tragedy was a tangle of coincidences in troubled times that couldn’t be unraveled. Second Brother is even more innocent – he never harmed you mother and son. Just because he’s my mother’s son, because he threatens your position, he’s become a thorn in your eye, suffering His Majesty’s misplaced anger.”

Li Xuanzhen remained silent, watching as Yao Ying walked away step by step, her frail figure disappearing into the deep shadows of the grove.

…

Yao Ying struggled to walk out of the courtyard.

Xie Qing hurried forward to help her into the carriage.

“My lady, shall we return to the Prince’s manor?”

Yao Ying shook her head, her voice as thin as silk: “No, we’re going to the palace.”

She would soon be married far away in the grasslands.

Once she left, it would likely be farewell forever.

Before she went, those old accounts needed to be settled, one by one.