“You’ve followed me since you were little. Today I am not punishing you on behalf of Yu Chi Mountain Villa, but on behalf of the Lin family. Soon, Elder Ying Ge will represent the Master of Yu Chi Mountain Villa and carry out the Red Plum Blossom punishment on you.”

Upon hearing this, Liu An’s body trembled violently. Among the disciples below, someone let out a gasp. Even Shen Zui Tian couldn’t help but be moved.

Lin Wan Ci’s expression remained unchanged as she lightly waved her hand. Four disciples behind her carried out a weapons rack filled with various strange and deadly implements.

I didn’t know what this Red Plum Blossom punishment was, but I was concerned about Yan Shao and didn’t want to waste time with them. I quickly said, “Wait. I don’t want to watch you carry out the punishment. I just have a few questions for her.”

Lin Wan Ci was silent for a moment, then said, “Fine!”

I walked up to Liu An, squatted down to look at her face, and asked, “What grudge do you have against me? Tell me so I can understand. Don’t keep me in the dark, alright?”

She suddenly raised her head, staring at me fiercely.

I stared back at her, insisting, “Just tell me, will you?”

Finally, her gaze dimmed as she turned to look at Lin Wan Ci. At that moment, I noticed a strange light in her eyes, suggesting some unusual emotion. This gleam disappeared instantly, making me doubt if I had imagined it.

Then I heard her voice, extremely calm.

She said, “I just hate you. No reason needed.”

I moved closer to her face, fixing my eyes on hers. “Are you sure I haven’t done anything to wrong you?”

She lowered her eyes and said through gritted teeth, “No.”

I clapped my hands together and sighed, “Everyone heard that, right? I, Rong Shu Kuang, have never done anything wrong Liu An. Yet she still wants me dead at all costs. Wan Ci, do you believe her words?”

I smiled, looking directly at Lin Wan Ci.

Her porcelain-like face blushed slightly, but she remained composed as her red lips parted. Just as she was about to speak—

I quickly cut in, “Alright. I won’t interfere with your punishment. Farewell!”

With that, I turned away without looking at them again and signaled Shen Zui Tian with a glance to leave the mountain.

As soon as we reached the door, two people blocked our way. One of them pointed at Shen Zui Tian and said, “He cannot leave.”

I turned my head to look at Lin Wan Ci.

Lin Wan Ci called out, “Step aside.”

The two slowly moved away, their faces showing obvious reluctance.

I took hold of Shen Zui Tian’s sleeve and walked out confidently.

On the way, Shen Zui Tian suddenly laughed and said, “I’ve attacked this place many times without success. I never imagined I would be invited here in such a manner today.” His tone carried a hint of self-mockery.

I remained silent.

He continued, “Lin Wan Ci’s scheming abilities are truly rare in my lifetime. If such a woman were to play with political power, few in the world would be her match.”

I still said nothing.

When we were almost at the bottom of the mountain, he suddenly stopped walking.

I turned to look at him. The young man’s face was bathed in moonlight, handsome and beautiful, truly an unparalleled beauty.

I couldn’t help but be captivated.

He looked at me and smiled, “Rong Shu Kuang, this might be the last time we meet.”

In the moonlight, his smile seemed to carry a hint of melancholy.

I felt my heart race, inexplicably frightened: Here it comes, please don’t say anything awkward.

I cleared my throat and said, “The wind is strong, and you’re injured. Let’s hurry down the mountain.”

He smiled without speaking.

I felt strangely embarrassed that we would find ourselves in such a situation today.

He seemed to want to say something but ultimately said nothing.

I was worried about Yan Shao but didn’t want to rush him down the mountain, so I could only feel anxious inside.

Finally, he said, “You go down first. I have something to take care of.”

I was startled and exclaimed, “You’re injured, don’t do anything rash. This is Yu Chi Mountain Villa’s territory.”

He didn’t answer, just looked at me quietly, his eyes deep and inscrutable. Suddenly, he smiled faintly and said, “We were never meant to walk the same path. You should go down now.”

I thought for a moment and said, “Alright. Take care of yourself.”

I flew straight down the mountain slope, running quite far before looking back. I saw him still standing on the mountain, his figure as straight as a jade tree in the wind, his clothes fluttering like an immortal.

For ten years after that, he kept the oath he made to Yan Shao, never setting foot in Central Plains again.

Ten years later, in the ninth year of Xuande, he helped his father ambush Arughtai of the Tatars. At the beginning of the Zhengtong era, they eliminated the Xian, Yi, An, and Le princes, unifying the Mongol Empire. In the fourth year of Zhengtong, he succeeded in his father’s position and was titled Prince Huai, the Grand Preceptor. In the fourteenth year of Zhengtong, he launched a major attack against Ming, capturing the Ming Emperor Yingzong at Tumu Fortress, and his iron cavalry directly threatened Beijing, but was later repelled by Yu Qian and negotiated peace with Ming. He died of illness at forty-seven. Some said he died from excessive drinking and womanizing, while others said it was from a relapse of his old chest ailment.

When I returned, Yan Shao hadn’t come back yet. Feng Ming wasn’t dead or immobilized; he had just gone to bed early for once, and the intruder’s lightness skill was too high to wake him. Dudu Niao was still awake, sitting under the crab-apple trellis in the backyard, lost in thought with his chin propped on one hand, holding a pale white pear blossom, looking like a lovesick youth.

I asked curiously, “What are you doing sitting here?”

He didn’t look at me but sighed deeply, “We’re leaving Jinan tomorrow. It will be difficult to see Miss Wan Ci again.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and laugh, “I have a method. It may not let you see Miss Wan Ci every day, but it’s certainly better than sitting here pining for her.”

He was overjoyed and asked, “What method?”

I smiled and said, “First, tear your clothes, then take a broken bowl and sit at the front gate of Yu Chi Mountain Villa. If Miss Wan Ci comes out, you’ll have an eight or nine out of ten chance of seeing her.”

His eyes lit up as he slapped his thigh, “Right, that’s a great idea! Why didn’t I think of that?”

I was flabbergasted! This child was probably going crazy.

I sighed helplessly and was about to turn and go to my room.

Suddenly he called out, “Wait, wait!”

I was startled.

He looked at me strangely, came over, and circled around me, examining me from front to back, left and right for a long time. Then he asked, “Miss Rong, what happened to you? You’re all dirty and covered in mud. You didn’t…”

He suddenly stopped speaking, as if shocked and covered his mouth.

I frowned and asked, “What?”

He looked around furtively with a crafty expression, then leaned close to my ear and whispered, “You haven’t done anything to betray Master Chu, have you?”

I was speechless, wanting badly to slap him flying.

But before I could act, his entire body had already flown out, landing far away with a thud, crying out in pain.

“I warn you, stay away from Shu Kuang in the future.”

Yan Shao stood in the moonlight, his white clothes as pure as snow without a speck of dust. His handsome eyebrows slightly furrowed as he coldly told Dudu Niao, “What are you howling about? Go back to your room now.”

Dudu Niao immediately stopped his cries. He got up without even brushing off the mud and obediently went back to his room.

Hehe, how rare—this boy was afraid sometimes.

I turned to look at Yan Shao, tentatively asking, “You seem to be in a bad mood tonight?”

He glared at me.

I was startled. Could there have been a change with Prince Han?

He suddenly let out a scornful laugh and said, “This boy is getting more and more unruly. He needs to be properly disciplined. I see Hong Yu can’t control him at all.”

I nodded repeatedly in agreement, but he suddenly changed the subject, “And you also need some proper discipline.”

I protested, “Hmm, what did I do wrong?”

He said nothing but turned his head and looked at me sharply for a while, then said, “Covered in mud, hair disheveled, the mud on your back collar is heavy, there’s an abrasion on the inside of your left wrist. Hmm, another accidental fall?”

I just smiled. I hadn’t planned to tell him about tonight’s events. It would be troublesome if it caused another conflict with Yu-Chi Mountain Villa.

He continued, “There are even tear stains on your front collar. That’s unusual. I know you appear gentle on the surface, but inside you’re a woman who would bleed but not cry…”

I let out a dry laugh, feeling guilty as I said, “You flatter me.”

He crossed his arms and said with a half-smile, “Why don’t you tell me what happened?”

I smiled apologetically, “This matter has been resolved. If I tell you, you promise not to get angry?”

He replied impassively, “That depends on what it is.”

I cleared my throat and said, “It was like this: I was sleeping in my room when, in a haze, someone immobilized me…”

I gave a general account of what happened, glossing over the part about Shen Zui Tian.

After listening, he frowned in silence.

I tried to sound casual, “Lin Wan Ci has already punished Liu An. I think she must have had some grudge against Rong Shu Kuang. Anyway, we’re leaving here tomorrow to return to Moulie Mountain…”

“We’re not going back to Moulie Mountain anymore,” he suddenly said.

“Ah!” I was startled, “Why? Is Prince Han making things difficult for you?”

He smiled and said, “Not at all. But he has implored me to find Emperor Jianwen’s treasure for him.”

“Does this count as continuing to help him rebel?” I asked.

“No,” he shook his head and said, “I’ve already explained the detailed rebellion plans and arrangements to him. The treasure matter is something he asked me privately.”

I felt a bit angry and said, “Once the treasure is in his hands, won’t he just use it for rebellion? Besides, the treasure shouldn’t be given to him at all.”

“Hehe!” he laughed, “He is of royal lineage, a member of the Zhu family. Why shouldn’t the treasure be given to him?”

I was annoyed and blurted out a principle, “This is ill-gotten wealth seized from the common people. It should be distributed to the masses.”

He laughed heartily. “Who would dare take items from the palace?”

I was speechless.

He laughed again and said, “Shu Kuang, this isn’t your dynasty after all. Things can be imagined and discussed, but not acted upon. Alright, let’s not argue about this anymore. Come, let’s go take a bath.”

As he spoke, he reached out his hand.

I ignored him and said, “You’re breaking your promise.”

He sighed and said, “Shu Kuang, I know you’re worried about me. Because you’ve known the outcome of the rebellion from the beginning, you’ve always harbored a strong sense of unease. Although you haven’t said it, I’ve always known.”

He came over and took my hand, saying softly, “As the Emperor’s death approaches and many situations intensify, you’ve become increasingly worried. You don’t sleep soundly at night, do you know that?”

He touched my face and smiled, “I don’t want to make you worry like this. That’s the real reason I gave up on the rebellion. Because of you, I’ve become cautious. I too fear failure now. Before, I didn’t care, but it’s different now. With you by my side, I can’t act recklessly.”

I looked at him, feeling a lump in my throat and tears welling up.

He continued, pleading, “Trust me, I have nothing to do with the rebellion anymore. Helping him find the treasure can be considered compensation, I suppose.”

I wiped my tears on his sleeve and reluctantly said, “Alright.”

Before I could finish, tears streamed down my face unstoppably.

He held me and teased, “I just praised you for bleeding without crying, and immediately you’re flooding with tears…”

I was moved beyond words and could only hold him tightly.

After a while, he said, “Are we going to stand here all night to sleep?”

Only then did I let go of him.

He deliberately sighed and said, “Do you know your clothes smell terrible? Good thing my martial arts are profound, otherwise I would have been suffocated just now.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, and we went hand in hand to wash up and go to bed.

The next morning, before I got up, I heard Dudu Niao’s voice shouting something about Miss Wan Ci. He spoke so quickly and urgently that I couldn’t make out what he was saying, and then suddenly there was silence.

Could it be that Lin Wan Ci had come?

I quickly dressed and went out toward the front. Before I got there, I saw Lin Wan Ci standing in the courtyard, wearing an ordinary pink dress. Her every movement carried an indescribable, captivating charm that seemed completely natural.

I couldn’t help but sigh deeply: Truly blessed by the Creator.

“Master Chu, I’ve come specifically today to apologize,” she said.

Yan Shao stood at the entrance, his face expressionless as he said calmly, “What does Miss Lin have to apologize for?”

Lin Wan Ci said, “I failed to properly manage my subordinate, who disturbed your esteemed wife…”

“Disturbed? Was last night’s incident as simple as a disturbance?” Yan Shao smiled faintly and said, “Miss Lin, I’m very curious why your subordinate wanted to disturb Shu Kuang?”

I was also curious, so I leaned against a pillar and quietly waited for what would come next.

Lin Wan Ci smiled bitterly but showed no panic. Her clear eyes, like autumn waters, fixed on Yan Shao as she said, “This matter concerns Master Chu as well. I’m not afraid to offend Master Chu today, so I’ll speak frankly. When my father fought with Master Chu in Taiyuan that day, he was badly defeated. This was arguably the most severe blow Yu Chi Mountain Villa has suffered in a hundred years. Because of this, some disciples in our house inevitably harbored resentment…”

She paused, not continuing, but her meaning was clear. Yan Shao remained silent.

She suddenly changed her tone and continued, “Of course, if they dared to have any intentions toward Master Chu, it would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—seeking their destruction, with no one else to blame. Such disciples who don’t know their limits, even if a hundred of them died, would not be a loss for Yu Chi Mountain Villa…”

Yan Shao said impassively, “I hurt Miss Lin’s father, yet Miss Lin not only harbors no resentment but also prevents her disciples from seeking revenge. This is truly puzzling.”

Lin Wan Ci’s expression remained unchanged as she became serious and said, “Sir is mistaken! I do hate you, but hatred cannot solve problems, nor can it make Yu Chi Mountain Villa stronger. I hate you, but I can’t oppose you. So, I can only put my hatred aside. Moreover, the current situation is like an approaching storm—a critical moment of life and death for our house. At such a time, calmness is especially needed. I will not allow anyone to act rashly, regardless of who they are—disobedience means death!”

Her voice was pleasant and gentle, yet her words were so resolute and ruthless that they sent a chill down one’s spine.

After speaking, she turned her head and gave a slight signal to those behind her. Two disciples immediately brought forward a stretcher covered with white cloth. From its appearance, it seemed to be carrying a person.

“Last night, our servant Liu An offended your esteemed wife. Our house has already punished her according to our rules. Now I hand her over to you, sir. Whether she lives or dies is entirely up to you.”

I remained silent.

Yan Shao didn’t look at the stretcher. After a moment of silence, he smiled and said, “Miss Lin has indeed spoken frankly. With Miss Lin in charge, I believe Yu Chi Mountain Villa will certainly weather this storm. As for this person—since Miss Lin has already punished her, please take her back.”

Lin Wan Ci bowed in gratitude and said, “I saw the carriage in front of sir’s door when I arrived. May I ask if sir is planning a journey?”

Yan Shao nodded.

She smiled like a midnight orchid blooming. “What a coincidence. I also have to take a trip these next few days.”

Yan Shao let out a soft “oh,” and said with little interest, “I wish Miss Lin a pleasant journey.”

Lin Wan Ci didn’t say more, smiled, and took her leave.

“Failing to manage her subordinate?” As I watched Lin Wan Ci leave, I leisurely walked to Yan Shao’s side and asked, “Do you believe her words?”

“With so much drama put into it, I have to believe it,” he sighed with feigned helplessness, then teased me, “It’s rare to see you up so early.”

“Life is all about sleeping,” I casually quipped.

He smiled without speaking, took my hand, and went straight to eat breakfast. Then our group left the city by carriage. The planned route was to take the carriage to Jining, then take the waterway from Jining to Yangzhou and on to Nanjing. I rarely had the chance to travel by boat, which made me extremely excited.

We hired a boat in Jining, but it was already evening, so we stayed overnight. Not in a hurry to eat dinner, Dudu Niao insisted on visiting the night market. Feng Ming, who usually appeared so mature, also gradually showed the liveliness of youth, making the entire day unexpectedly lively.

My enthusiasm for traveling by water had diminished by half by the afternoon of the second day on the boat. The scenery on both banks was certainly not bad, but not as beautiful as shown in TV dramas. As the days entered May, the weather eagerly turned hot. The wind that blew in our faces carried a salty, fishy smell that made me nauseous.

Early on the third morning, soon after the boat set off, Yan Shao suddenly received a letter from a carrier pigeon. After reading it, he frowned in silence.

I smiled and asked, “What’s making you unhappy?”

He glanced at me and handed over the letter.

I took it and looked, immediately frowning. He laughed, “What kind of expression is that?”

I said coldly, “Why would they inform you of this news?”

He smiled and said, “Force of habit.”

I was immediately speechless.

He held my hand and kissed it lightly, smiling at me. I immediately surrendered and let it go. After a moment of silence between us, I suddenly became curious and moved closer to ask, “Strange, how exactly did you carry this out?”

He smiled and said, “Nothing special, just methods used by predecessors—placing spies throughout the capital, then analyzing and filtering out valuable information to make final judgments.”

I continued to ask, “Then according to your original plan, what would you do when the time comes?”

He parted his lips slightly and said, “Immediately raise an army to attack Beijing.”

I let out a small cry, “History records that Prince Han feared the Three Great Camps and didn’t dare to send troops, thus missing a golden opportunity.”

He raised his eyebrows and smiled, “The Three Thousand Camp is mostly composed of surrendered Yuan soldiers who are brave fighters. They served the Ming dynasty largely for money, and several of their leaders accepted large gifts from Prince Han. The Divine Mechanism Camp appears fierce but is cumbersome. Only the Five Armies Camp is truly elite. Prince Han’s ragtag group absolutely cannot engage them head-on, but he could send martial arts experts to secretly take the heads of their commanders…”

I pouted and snorted, “That’s too despicable. It’s not honorable—”

He sneered and lightly tapped my head, “Saying foolish things again! Rebellion was never an honorable matter, especially when two armies face each other with lives at stake.”

I argued unreasonably, “Anyway, I believe history cannot be changed. He is destined to be a failure, even if life begins anew. He would still find another way to become a failure.”

He burst out laughing. “Heavens, what theory is this? You mentioned it before. Right, a fatalist!”

Just then, the boat rocked, and I suddenly felt nauseated. I felt something rising from my stomach.

Yan Shao frowned and asked, “What’s wrong?”

I took a deep breath and shook my head, “I probably ate something bad last night.”

Hearing this, he clapped his hands lightly and smiled, “That dish you invented last night was quite good. What was it called? Raw fish slices? Why not have Dudu Niao catch a couple more fish, and you can make it for them again tonight…”

I immediately started coughing and said, “It has nothing to do with the raw fish slices. Maybe it’s a stomach ache.”

He raised an eyebrow slightly, in a very doubtful tone: “Stomach ache?”

I quickly nodded. “I used to get stomach aches frequently…”

He leaned over and took my hand.

Suddenly I felt nauseated again and hurriedly said, “Move away quickly!”

He frowned slightly and said, “Don’t move—”

Before he could finish, I vomited bitter fluid onto the corner of his clothes.

He froze, staring at me in shock.