Cheng Shiyue, who had been seated at the far end of the hall, slipped out of the great hall early without anyone noticing. In a shadowed passage, he changed into his night clothes, and once again became Dark Night.
Dark Night moved lightly toward the appointed meeting point, where the Pigeon Squad’s hidden sentries were already waiting. He gave the steady hand signal for action, and a line of shadowy figures swiftly closed in on Yuhua Hall along the planned route.
Seeing the Imperial Guards standing outside the hall as straight and stiff as spears, Dark Night cursed inwardly. With the foreign delegations visiting, the main force of the Imperial Guards had all been pulled to secure the area around Yixin Hall — yet not a single guard had been withdrawn from here.
Time was short. He flicked his wrist, and a fine thread shot from his sleeve, catching the eaves of Yuhua Hall. His body arched like a wisp of smoke drifting across the gap, and in moments he had landed on the roof. Dark Night carefully lowered himself and peered through a window — A’Luo was leaning against the couch inside, with four palace attendants standing some ten paces away. He carefully drew out a bamboo tube and blew a thread of pale smoke through the gap.
Within moments, all five people inside had crumpled silently to the floor. Dark Night circled to the rear of the hall, where five Imperial Guards stood watch. At the front there were twenty. The five at the rear stood roughly ten paces apart. Dark Night calculated the timing, then flicked a pebble at the man in the middle. That guard turned his head, and the other four glanced at him in confusion. In that split second, Dark Night had already rushed forward — his strikes fell like wind, dropping two men at once, while he swept out a cloud of stupefying smoke and lunged toward the farthest guard like an arrow. The man managed only half a cry — “There’s—” — before Dark Night’s fist crashed into his throat, and the rest of the word never came.
At that moment, a squad of about ten Imperial Guards approached the front of the hall. Their leader cupped his fists toward the guards on duty. “Brothers, hard work tonight.”
The guards on duty smiled. “We’re under orders — it’s rare for you fellows to come check on us.”
Before the words had fully left his mouth, a sweet fragrance drifted to his nose. Before he could cry out, his eyes rolled back and he collapsed. This approaching squad was in fact the Pigeon Squad’s hidden agents, planted in the palace earlier for the succession struggle. An Qi gave a signal, and the squad’s hidden weapons flew out at once. After a few muffled thuds, all twenty guards at the front of the hall had fallen.
An Qi thought contemptuously — could mere Imperial Guards, however skilled, stand against the elite of the Black-Robe Cavalry?
They swiftly dragged the fallen guards aside and took up positions in front of the hall. To an outside eye, it looked as though nothing at all had happened.
Dark Night gave his men a satisfied glance, pushed open the hall doors, and stepped inside. He drew out a jade vial and waved it gently under A’Luo’s nose, calling urgently, “A’Luo! Wake up!”
A’Luo slowly came to. She opened her eyes to find a masked man in black standing before her and opened her mouth to cry out. Dark Night clamped a hand over her mouth. “I am Dark Night of the Black-Robe Cavalry. My lord has been waiting a long while — can you walk? Change your clothes and come with me!”
Black-Robe Cavalry! A’Luo’s heart leapt with joy. She took the black garment Dark Night handed her and quickly changed into it. Dark Night, still masked, took her hand. “Forgive the liberty!”
He led her out of the hall and, from behind Yuhua Hall, rushed swiftly toward the imperial garden. With her in tow, his lightness skill met not the slightest obstacle. At the palace wall, Dark Night wrapped an arm around A’Luo and leapt into the air, using the fine thread in his hand to carry them over the wall.
Below the wall, the Black-Robe Cavalry was already waiting. Dark Night cupped his fists toward A’Luo. “Travel safely.” His figure flickered and he vanished back into the palace.
From the moment he left his seat to the moment he saw A’Luo out of the palace, less than two hours had passed. Dark Night changed back into his official robes, and half a stick of incense later, Cheng Shiyue appeared near the rockery of Yixin Hall, stood for a while gazing at the moon, then walked into the hall with a smile. Seeing the guard captain, he greeted him. “Captain Zhong, hard work tonight.”
“Vice Minister Cheng, why aren’t you inside drinking? What are you doing out here?” Zhong Youshan asked with a smile.
A look of distress crossed Cheng Shiyue’s handsome face. “The envoy from An Guo seated beside me reeked of mutton — I stepped out for some air.”
Zhong Youshan couldn’t help laughing behind his hand. “Bear with it a little longer, Vice Minister — the banquet should be ending soon.”
Cheng Shiyue sighed and shook his head, smiling. “Another day, I’ll treat Captain Zhang to drinks!” And with that he sauntered back inside and sat down.
The music and dancing continued. Zili was still occupied with the envoys of the four nations. Liu Jue had already left his seat. Everything was proceeding smoothly.
Following the Black-Robe Cavalry, A’Luo rode out through the western gate of the city toward the grasslands. An hour later, under the cold, clear moonlight of the plains, two figures appeared. A’Luo’s tears began to fall before the horse had even fully stopped — a figure leapt up and wrapped her tightly in his arms. Warm lips pressed against her tear-filled eyes, and Liu Jue murmured, voice edged with pain, “A’Luo, A’Luo, I’ve come for you!”
A’Luo looked at him, moved to the heart. How could he be so foolish, taking her away like this without a thought for his father, without a thought for the rest of the household? She couldn’t say a word — her hands only gripped his clothes and refused to let go.
Time was short, and Liu Jue had no chance to speak of all that had passed. They changed horses; he held her close as Ming Yin and two Black-Robe Cavalry rode hard toward the outlying range of Yuxiang Mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, others were waiting. Liu Jue, A’Luo, and Ming Yin each mounted a fresh horse while the rest led the spent ones away. Dawn was already beginning to show at the horizon. Liu Jue looked at A’Luo with tender concern. “We’ve ridden all night — you must be exhausted?”
A’Luo’s eyes were bright, a smile on her face. “Not tired. Let’s go!”
The three of them made their way slowly around the base of Yuxiang Mountain and into the Black Mountain Forest. By now A’Luo was thoroughly worn out — from the previous night until now, they had only rested twice, for half an hour each time, pressing steadily north. Sunlight filtered down through the trees. It was already midday of the second day.
Ming Yin checked their bearings. “My lord, we’ve entered the Black Mountain Forest. We can rest a while.”
Liu Jue lifted A’Luo down, but the moment her feet touched the ground her legs gave way and she sank down. Liu Jue caught her. “You’re not like us — riding this long, your legs can’t take it.”
Only then did A’Luo notice her thighs were chafed raw and aching, her face twisting in discomfort. Liu Jue looked at her, understanding, and said gently, “Bear with it a little and it’ll pass.”
Ming Yin brought out dried rations and water. After they ate, A’Luo finally asked, “Can we really get away?”
“One day at a time,” Liu Jue answered quietly. “I won’t let you stay shut up in that palace any longer.”
Ming Yin said in a low voice, “My lord, young miss, take care. Ming Yin will go ahead and report back to the estate.”
“Good — be careful yourself!”
Ming Yin took a share of the rations, water, and a crossbow, bowed to Liu Jue and A’Luo, and left with one horse.
“He’s going to erase our tracks. A’Luo, Father said there’s a beautiful valley in the forest — Liu Ying and Xiao Yu are already waiting there for us. Let’s go.”
A’Luo did not ask what would become of Prince Anqing for having let Liu Jue take her away, or what would happen to the household. She looked deeply at Liu Jue and broke into a smile. “Live or die, I’m with you.”
Liu Jue reached out and patted her cheek fondly. “Why didn’t you feel that way before?”
“I never realized you were this good before!”
“Actually, Zili genuinely cares for you. I really do owe him.”
“Well then, I’ll go back and be his consort!”
Liu Jue finished packing their bundle, mounted his horse, and said with a laugh, “Fine, then — I’ll go on the run alone!”
A’Luo sat on the ground glaring at him, pouting and saying nothing. Liu Jue raised an eyebrow. “I’ll give you one more chance — come here!”
She was exhausted past the point of moving, and even sitting there she had no strength left to stand. She looked up at him. “It hurts. My legs are weak, I have no strength.”
Liu Jue held back a laugh, urged his horse over, bent down, and hauled her up onto the horse. The moment her seat touched the saddle, A’Luo winced in pain. “Feeling it now? Who was that hunger strike for? Trying to guilt me?”
“I did no such thing! I just had no appetite — the palace food was fit for pigs!” A’Luo retorted stubbornly.
Liu Jue laughed heartily. “The royal chef would drop dead of fury hearing that! Let’s go!”
They traveled through the mountains all afternoon. As the sun sank in the west, Liu Jue spotted the mountain crevice his father had described. His face lit up. “A’Luo, we’ve arrived.”
A’Luo gazed at him sweetly. “How are Xiao Yu and Liu Ying doing? Shall we officiate their wedding once we’re in the valley?”
“Good!” Liu Jue dismounted, drew his sword, and led both A’Luo and the horse into the crevice. A stream flowed out from within. Once inside, the passage was wider than it had appeared from outside — enough for the horse to pass through with some effort. Far ahead, a glow of light appeared. The two of them walked slowly toward it, and after about half an hour, they stood at the mouth of the passage.
The sun was setting, bathing the whole valley in rosy light. A small lake lay at its center, its banks carpeted in green grass, wildflowers blooming everywhere. A’Luo sighed. “So there really is a paradise hidden away like this! Just like in that old film — step out of the cave and there’s a whole new world!” She suddenly cupped her hands and shouted, “Xiao Yu! Xiao Yu!”
Her voice echoed through the valley. Suddenly, two figures burst from the woods on the far side of the lake — Xiao Yu and Liu Ying. Xiao Yu waved excitedly. “Miss! Over here!”
Liu Jue smiled, leapt onto the horse, gave a soft click of his tongue, and rode around the lake toward them.
Xiao Yu threw her arms around A’Luo and burst into tears. Liu Ying, laughing, told Liu Jue how things stood. The two of them had arrived three days earlier, and once there had discovered that several wooden cabins had already been built in the woods, stocked with plenty of food and supplies — clearly the work of the past two months or so.
Liu Jue marveled that his father had somehow known this day would come, that he would one day bring A’Luo here to take refuge. He was struck with deep admiration for the old man’s foresight.
He looked up at the sky, dusk gradually settling in. Liu Jue held out a hand to A’Luo. “Let’s go home.”
A’Luo looked at him — his tender smile, his outstretched hand. This was a hand she could hold for a lifetime. She tilted her chin. “Carry me — I can’t walk anymore.”
Liu Ying led the horse away with Xiao Yu, the two of them stifling laughter.
Liu Jue sighed helplessly and crouched down. “Up you get!”
As the banquet drew to a close, Cheng Shiyue noticed a palace attendant hurrying into Yixin Hall. Zili’s hand tightened briefly around his cup, then relaxed. Not a trace showed on his face. Cheng Shiyue raised an eyebrow — the Prince of Li truly had nerves of steel.
Zili sat calmly, his gaze falling on Liu Jue’s empty seat. Well arranged, Yunzhi — he thought coldly to himself. You wanted me to save A’Luo, had her sincerely handed over to become my consort. And then, all along, you were quietly arranging men to steal her out of the palace! What do you take the royal palace for — your family’s back garden? What do you take me for — some weakling to be trifled with?
He mastered the fury threatening to boil over. The smile on his face never wavered. But Cheng Shiyue’s sharp eyes caught the stiffness, the strain, behind that smile.
Zili’s gaze shifted to Chu Nan, and he said with a smile, “Prince Pingnan is famous for his skill — I heard that in the battle at Linnan City, he was struck by Second Prince’s blade. Second Prince’s skill must be formidable indeed.”
Chu Nan smiled. “Chu Nan was merely fortunate. In truth, Prince Pingnan had already exhausted himself defending the city walls. Chu Nan deeply admires his wisdom and coordination with the loyal Duke, General Gu Tianxiang.”
Gu Tianxiang finally spoke, his tone even. “Highness leapt onto the city wall single-handedly — no need for false modesty about that skill.” All evening Gu Tianxiang had felt that Liu Jue was acting too rashly, though he couldn’t quite say why. Knowing Liu Jue’s temperament, this Chu Nan wouldn’t normally register with him at all. And Zili — it seemed almost as though he were deliberately provoking Chu Nan’s anger. He couldn’t make sense of it. He said no more and focused on his wine. The palace’s fine wine couldn’t compare to Yingxiu’s Liren Zui. He’d already brought Yingxiu back with him and was only waiting for the banquet to end to discuss marriage with his father. His thoughts drifted to Yingxiu, and for a moment he missed the stiffness in Zili’s expression entirely.
At last the banquet ended. The delegations from the four nations were seen off, and the officials dispersed one by one. Just before leaving, Cheng Shiyue quietly noticed that Zili had finally let a flicker of impatience show on his face.
Zili left Yixin Hall and went straight to Yuhua Hall. The guards and attendants, now revived, had been kneeling there for some time. At the doorway, Zili kicked one attendant sprawling; the other three kowtowed frantically. “Mercy, Your Majesty! Your servants simply fainted — we truly don’t know why!”
His personal guard, who had already carefully examined the hall inside and out and the injured guards, knelt and reported, “Your Majesty, this was the work of a skilled expert. And whoever it was clearly showed restraint, taking care not to kill.”
Zili stood silently for a moment, suppressing the urge to kill, and said flatly, “Everyone out. I wish to be alone.”
The moment they had all withdrawn, Zili swept his hand and shattered the writing desk by the window. All his fury spent in that single blow, he suddenly felt drained. Looking around the room — without A’Luo, the hall felt hollow. His heart felt hollow too.
Is this what you wanted? Does it make you happy now? Zili walked slowly to the couch and carefully picked up a few strands of hair, winding them around his finger. Black, glossy, smooth. He wound them into a small coil, carefully opened the sachet at his waist, and tucked the strands inside.
He lay down on the couch, breathing in the lingering fragrance that had not yet faded. He closed his eyes, recalling the feeling of holding A’Luo. The scent lingered on and on, as though she had never truly left. A tear welled at the corner of his eye. Zili murmured her name softly, eyes closed, reaching out with one hand — and grasped only empty air, and disappointment. “A’Luo, how could you bear to leave me alone in this palace, a solitary ruler? Though — I suppose I don’t much care for being a solitary ruler either. How much less would you?”
A’Luo, did you really just leave like that? Willing to share life and death with him, rather than stay by my side. More than three years without seeing you, and now, after only these few days, you’re gone again. How did you manage to get away? If I were cruel enough, his taking you away would only be leading you toward death! Can I truly let the two of you run off into the distance? With envoys from four nations here to pay respects, each with their own hidden agenda — where could you possibly run? Given Liu Jue’s standing, which nation would let him go free? Well — consider it a trip to clear your head. You’ll come back. I will find you and bring you back, without fail.