With the troops deployed, Zili set out for Feng City with ten thousand personal guards in haste. That night, the column made camp on the grasslands to rest. Zili left his tent and stood alone beneath the stars, hands clasped behind his back, gazing up at the cold, glittering sky. A gentle smile touched the corners of his eyes and mouth — that night he had secretly slipped into the Chancellor’s residence and brought A’Luo out here to camp on the grasslands, the sky had been just as hazy with stars then, the wind carrying just such a chill. This stretch of grassland still held so much of their laughter and conversation.
Three years now. Was she well? When she’d first run away, an irrepressible joy had welled up in his heart — he had only hoped Liu Jue wouldn’t find her, only hoped he himself could reach her first and keep her safe by his side. But she had still been sent back to Feng City by Liu Jue. A’Luo, will you marry him? A dull ache spread through his chest, a thread of resentment brushing past his heart. Zili’s gaze drifted toward the depths of the grassland, where the tall grass lay in shadow, endless and boundless — like every night plagued by nightmares, walking alone through darkness with no lamplight, forced to keep moving forward without knowing when he would finally make it through this road swallowed by an absence of light.
Anye had been standing there for a while now. Prince Li, in white mourning robes, stood elegant and melancholy in the cold wind, an aura of kingliness radiating faintly from him, as though in this whole expanse of heaven and earth, he alone reigned supreme. Every time Anye came, it always happened to be at a moment when the Fourth Prince’s mind was adrift, letting him slip in unnoticed. Anye sighed softly. “Such stars tonight are not the stars of yesterday — for whom do you stand in the wind and dew at midnight?”
A jolt ran through Zili’s heart — this time he hadn’t sensed even a trace of warning. The gentle smile at the corner of his mouth had already faded. “Every time you come, have you timed it precisely?”
Anye cupped his fist in salute. “The old Prince asked Anye to deliver a message — please, Your Highness, be sure to have a duel with the young master. The reason, well — word is the Chancellor’s Third Young Lady has declared she’ll marry no one but Your Highness. The old Prince says that in three years Your Highness never once returned to Feng City to see his consort, so surely his heart must belong to someone else — after all, what man wouldn’t fight for the one he loves? Even the Queen and the Crown Prince would be glad to see it happen.”
Zili turned abruptly, a mocking look flashing in his eyes. “Prince Pingnan is willing to let her take such a risk? So that’s the extent of his regard for her. A duel, is it? Hmph — that suits me perfectly!”
Anye admired the old Prince from the bottom of his heart — one arrow, felling who knew how many birds at once. His eyes, visible above his mask, blinked. “The young master doesn’t know the truth of it — Your Highness, please go easy on him! Anye takes his leave!”
Zili stood stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help laughing aloud. “Liu Jue, you’re in for it this time — this king knows the truth behind it all, and you’ve been kept completely in the dark!” His thoughts turned — A’Luo, do you know, or don’t you? Do you — do you truly have me in your heart? At the thought, hot blood surged through him, and he longed to see her that very instant.
Feng City was under full curfew, with soldiers sweeping street after street, alley after alley, each district closing in like a tightening net. The proprietor of Suxin Studio was frantic with worry. Ever since A’Luo had walked into the shop and shown him the jade pendant Zili had given her, he’d understood how important this person was to his master. But now the city gates were sealed and officers patrolled every street — how was he supposed to get the Third Young Lady safely out of Feng City? His master, without word from him, must be worried sick as well. There was nothing for it now but to hide her.
A’Luo mused idly to herself — it seemed that no matter which shop Zili owned, this jade pendant worked like a diamond membership card, free food and drink, impeccable service. The only downside was that her palate had gone bland from days of vegetarian fare; she regretted setting up this vegetarian restaurant in the first place! She wanted meat, lots of meat! Why hasn’t Liu Jue found this place yet — what a pig-brain! She snickered, recalling the way his face had gone iron-blue with rage. She dipped her chopsticks in tea and drew a pig’s face on the table, muttering to herself, “I’m no actor — you can’t make me laugh, you know. I’m scared of pain, don’t hit me.”
She sighed, propped her chin on her hand, and gazed out the window. How much longer until this struggle for the throne settled down?
Footsteps hurried up the stairs, and the proprietor said anxiously, “Third Young Lady, the soldiers are coming, quickly, follow me!”
A’Luo, dressed as a man, hurried downstairs with the proprietor and into the back courtyard’s firewood shed. He moved aside a stack of firewood to reveal a small hidden chamber. A’Luo slipped inside. The chamber was dim, with only a faint sliver of light filtering down through a translucent tile in the roof. A’Luo lay down on the bed and strained her ears to listen to what was happening outside.
Soldiers poured into Suxin Studio, and the proprietor put on a fawning smile. “Officers, this humble shop has always obeyed the law.” As he spoke, he pressed a gold ingot into the hand of the leading officer.
The officer tucked the gold into his sleeve but still waved his hand. “Search it thoroughly, don’t miss a single spot!”
The proprietor kept smiling, thinking this was just going through the motions before they’d wrap up quickly — but to his alarm, the soldiers searched with unusual thoroughness. His heart began to tighten with tension. His hand dropped, and a short blade slid soundlessly out from his sleeve.
Before long, the soldiers reported finding no one. The proprietor let out a breath of relief and, all smiles, saw the officers out. Just as he was about to close the shop door, a cavalry unit came riding up outside. Liu Jue, having listened to the soldiers’ report, looked up at the Suxin Studio sign, thought for a moment, and dismounted, walking toward the shop. “Bring out whatever specialties you have. This king wants to sit and rest a while.”
The proprietor was startled, but plastered on a smile. “Your Highness, the staff have all been given the day off these past few days — as you can see, there’s no business today.”
Liu Jue smiled faintly. “Go check the kitchen and see what you can make. Just have some wine ready!” With that, he walked straight into the shop.
The proprietor hastily agreed and turned toward the kitchen, groaning inwardly — of all the times for this man to show up, why now.
Liu Jue looked around Suxin Studio, remembering how A’Luo had come here to teach Zili’s chef how to cook. He sighed softly, his heart stirring, and glanced sideways at the proprietor’s retreating back. After a moment’s thought, with a single glance, the Black-Robe Guard’s Dark Squad who had accompanied him quietly dispersed into the shop. Before long, Xuan Yi came down from upstairs and murmured something in Liu Jue’s ear.
Liu Jue let out a cold laugh, went upstairs, kicked open the door of a private room, and walked to the table. On the table sat a cup of cold tea dregs, and faintly visible on the tabletop, in the not-yet-dried tea stains, was a drawing of a pig’s face. He had just come back downstairs and sat when the proprietor brought out the wine and dishes, saying with a smile, “This humble one’s skills can’t compare to a proper chef’s — I hope Your Highness won’t mind making do.”
“The whole city’s under curfew, business must be hard to come by!” Liu Jue asked idly.
“Your Highness understands — what business could there be with things like this? With the King’s passing, Feng City is forbidden from song and merriment, so this shop gave the staff time off.” The proprietor spoke carefully.
“Not a single customer these past few days?”
“Ah, with soldiers patrolling everywhere, who would dare go out? I imagine things won’t liven up again until after the enthronement on the eighteenth of the third month!”
Liu Jue said “Oh” and his eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp glint. “Then who was drinking tea in that private room?”
The proprietor answered calmly, “This humble one watches the shop — I drink tea myself when there’s nothing to do.”
Liu Jue suddenly struck out with his palm. The proprietor reflexively dodged, realizing he’d been found out, and with a flick of his hand, a short blade thrust toward Liu Jue as he tried to rush outside. In a flash of dark shadows, the Black-Robe Guard had already surrounded him completely. The proprietor sneered coldly. “Prince Pingnan’s eyes are as sharp as fire, this humble one admires you. Truth be told — she’s already been sent away.” As he spoke, he had already begun fighting, trading blows with the men.
Xuan Yi laughed lightly, his long sword flashing like snow-light; in the blink of an eye he had broken through the proprietor’s guard, his sword slicing into the man’s thigh. The proprietor gritted his teeth and fought on with reckless desperation, blood streaming from his wound, his eyes turning bloodshot. At last, his strength gave out and he collapsed. He laughed loudly. “Master — this unworthy one has not failed your trust!” And with that, he severed his own life’s pulse and died on the spot.
The onlookers were stunned — Prince Li’s subordinates were this fierce, unafraid even of death. Such discipline spoke volumes for how tightly his household was run!
Hearing the sounds of fighting inside, the soldiers outside gathered around as well. Liu Jue turned a cold glance on the squad leader who had earlier reported nothing amiss and said in a low voice, “Tear this place apart and search it.”
Before long, soldiers poured into the back courtyard. A’Luo heard the sound of firewood being tossed and overturned outside, and her heart sank. It’s finally come. She straightened her clothing, flexed her fists, and hid herself beside the door, waiting.
Suddenly a startled cry rang out: “There’s a hidden door here!”
A’Luo closed her eyes, then opened them again with a resolute expression. She pushed the door open and rushed out, her fists and feet showing no mercy, felling several soldiers inside the room in an instant. Fighting her way out of the firewood shed, she found the courtyard filled with Black-Robe Guards in dark-green soft armor. She drew a deep breath, turned her head, and her eyes met Liu Jue’s. Some unreadable emotion flickered in his eyes; a mocking smile touched the corner of his mouth. “Did you think you could still get away?”
“Whether I get away or not, what business is it of yours? I haven’t broken any law — I just wanted to come here for a bite to eat!” Seeing him, A’Luo’s heart pounded rapidly, but her face wore an air of utter indifference.
The veins on Liu Jue’s face bulged, and he laughed with bitter desolation. “Ha ha, none of my business? My own consort!”
“I haven’t married you yet — and now I’ve changed my mind. I’ve never seen anyone as shameless and clingy as you. Hmph!” A’Luo’s heart ached even as she thought, curse that old fox — you’d better know your own son’s temper. Putting me through all this, I’m suffering enough as it is.
She really was taken away by Liu Fei’s men. She really still has Liu Fei in her heart! A piercing pain gripped his chest like a hook dragging back and forth, so painful he could barely straighten up. Liu Jue tilted his head back and laughed in furious agony. “Who do you think you are? You think you can trample on my household’s dignity so freely? Say you won’t marry me and just not marry me? And you even tried to elope with someone? Dream on!”
A’Luo stood there defiantly. “Beat me to death, I still won’t go back with you! If you’ve got any nerve, come at me without using your qinggong, without pressure points!” She struck a fighting stance, looking down on him with contempt.
Liu Jue shouted furiously, “Everyone, stand down!” With that, he truly did engage her without using qinggong at all. A’Luo, light and nimble, dodged his attacks swiftly, and the two of them exchanged some ten rounds of blows before her strength began to fade. A blow landed on her back, and Liu Jue’s backhand strike sent her sprawling to the ground.
A’Luo cursed inwardly — damn, his hand is heavy, I nearly passed out from that. Gasping for breath, she struggled to rise from the ground. Liu Jue looked at her, her expression so stubborn, strands of loose hair drifting by her ear — yet somehow he couldn’t bring himself to see her as pitiful even now. All these years of deep affection poured out on her, and it was like snowflakes falling into a river, melting away without a trace. To think he had cherished and protected her like a treasure held in his palm, and this was how she repaid him! Was her heart made of iron? No — harder than iron, colder than ice. Nothing but ruthlessness and betrayal ran in her veins! Fury churned and radiated from Liu Jue, his face grim as a wrathful god, a thick, unyielding coldness pooling in his eyes.
A’Luo flinched under the weight of his aura, her heart aching unbearably; she turned her face away, unwilling to look at him any longer. A gust of wind rushed past her ear, and her hands were suddenly bound behind her back by Liu Jue. He tied them tightly; A’Luo bit her lip and said nothing. Someday, she thought bitterly, even if you beg me, I won’t pay you any mind!
His face iron-dark, he scooped A’Luo up and carried her out of Suxin Studio. Just as he mounted his horse, a squad of guards came hurrying up from the opposite direction, led by the commander of the East Palace guards. He said with a smile, “The Crown Prince has heard that the Chancellor’s Third Young Lady has been rescued. He requests that Prince Pingnan bring the Third Young Lady into the palace.”