The horsewhip was gripped in Ning Yin’s palm. Yu Lingxi tugged at it forcefully, but it didn’t budge even slightly.

“Let go!”

Yu Lingxi glared at him with wet, reddened eyes, locked in a confrontational standoff.

Instead of loosening his grip, Ning Yin tightened it, wrapping his arm around the whip twice to secure it.

“Young Miss is delicate; strike again and your hand will be ruined,” he said.

His expression was somber, yet his voice was remarkably gentle. “However many lashes remain, I’ll take them in your place.”

As he spoke, his wrist flicked, and the whip slipped from her grasp, coiling like a black snake around his sinewy, muscular forearm.

Having lost her weapon, Yu Lingxi’s palm burned with pain. The two lashes she’d already delivered had drained all her strength.

“I won’t hit you,” she said.

She still stood straight, her lips pressed together as she said, “If you don’t understand why the whip fell, what use is accepting punishment? It will only encourage you to redirect your anger onto others.”

Ning Yin looked at her for a while before saying, “I did nothing wrong.”

“Your past experiences were difficult. If you acted in self-defense, I certainly have no right to criticize you. But now, you’re merely satisfying your desires, enjoying the pleasure of orchestrating a cruel killing.”

This Ning Yin was just like in her previous life—the slightest displeasure, and he would kill with bloody ferocity.

Today he might kill Xue Chen, but tomorrow it could be her father, her brother, or any innocent person in the world.

“So, does the Young Miss intend to report me?” he asked.

With Ning Yin’s unhinged viciousness after revealing his true nature, neither path would work.

Yu Lingxi understood clearly that once she had decided to take him in, she needed to accept the inherent risks and consequences.

If she abandoned him at the first sign of difficulty when things didn’t go as planned, how would she be any different from those hypocrites who only cared about power and status?

“I will tell everyone that you appeared here tonight because I was concerned about Second Young Master Xue and sent you ahead to deliver a message. No one was present during our conversation, and none of the servants know about it.”

After a pause, Yu Lingxi told the stubborn, black-hearted young man before her, “You now have two choices. One is to return to the estate with me, and the other is to use your usual methods—kill everyone present to silence them.”

Ning Yin’s eyelashes trembled as he suddenly looked up.

Before him, the young woman stood drenched and cold, yet her eyes showed an unprecedented stubborn calmness.

“If you choose to kill, start with me,” she said. “Otherwise, as long as I have breath in my body, I won’t let you harm a single hair on anyone around me.”

Ning Yin laughed, laughing like a madman, but still a handsome madman.

There wasn’t even a trace of cruelty visible in his eyes as he said with refined courtesy, “The Young Miss has torn through the paper window. Aren’t you afraid?”

“Yes, I am afraid.”

When life and death are at stake, how could one not be afraid?

But Yu Lingxi understood Ning Yin. If he truly intended to kill and silence witnesses, he wouldn’t waste time asking so many questions.

Earlier, when she was drowning in the lake, Ning Yin had the opportunity to kill her. He wouldn’t even have needed to act personally. He could have simply watched coldly as she drowned, just as he had with Xue Chen. Within half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she would have drowned.

That way, no one would have known he was here.

But Ning Yin had jumped in and pulled her from the bottom of the lake.

Yu Lingxi decided to gamble once more. After all, the little madman loved to gamble with lives, didn’t he?

She even stepped forward, then another step forward. Her wet clothes clung to her graceful figure, and water dripped from her hair onto Ning Yin’s deerskin boots, spreading dark wet marks.

In her previous life, when she had nothing, she had still managed to survive for a long time under Ning Yin’s unpredictable violence. In this life, with everything at her disposal, was she afraid of dealing with Ning Yin, who had yet to reach his full potential?

The lantern swayed slightly, and the two shadows on the wall, one tall and one short, nearly overlapped.

Both were soaked in lake water for half a day, and even their breaths were damp.

As Yu Lingxi raised her head and looked up, Ning Yin’s hand holding the whip suddenly tightened, his knuckles turning somewhat white.

“Now, will you kill me?” she asked.

Resisting the urge to shrink back, she gazed at Ning Yin’s cold, pale face just inches away and repeated, “Will you kill me?”

Ning Yin half-lowered his eyes to meet her gaze but didn’t move.

After what seemed like an eternity, Yu Lingxi nodded in understanding. “Good. Now I’m going back to the estate.”

Ning Yin didn’t stop her.

“Do you want to come with me?” Yu Lingxi asked.

Ning Yin just looked at her, silently assenting.

Yu Lingxi could see her small reflection in Ning Yin’s eyes.

She stubbornly kept her eyes open until she confirmed that the young man truly had no intention of leaving. Only then did she step back and turn to board the carriage.

As she climbed into the carriage, her peripheral vision caught a glimpse to the side. Ning Yin hadn’t left, nor had he made any other dangerous moves.

Yu Lingxi knew then that, at least for now, she was safe.

Cold. And pain.

After her forced composure dissipated, the suppressed cold and pain rushed back, invading her entire body.

She took a cloak from the carriage and wrapped it around her shivering body, leaning wearily against the carriage wall.

Opening her palm, she saw two red, swollen whip marks crossing each other, with hints of fresh blood seeping from the purplish-red broken skin.

Her nose stung with emotion. Yu Lingxi gently touched the broken skin on her palm, biting her lip to remain silent. In both her past and present lives, even at her lowest points, she had never suffered such severe physical pain.

But she didn’t regret the harsh lashes she had delivered. Those two strikes had awakened her.

She had once been hopeful but had forgotten that an extremely distorted personality couldn’t possibly be formed overnight.

She could no longer separate the madman from her previous life from the young man of the present. Ning Yin was Ning Yin.

To deal with Ning Yin, she had to be even more extreme than he was.

Back at the Yu Estate, her parents had already heard about Xue Chen falling into the lake, causing another commotion.

After changing into dry clothes, Madam Yu held Yu Lingxi’s hand to apply medicine, frowning with distress at the red swelling on her precious daughter’s palm.

Yu Lingxi’s thoughts settled as she lay on the table, blinking at Madam Yu. “It was too dark in the lake, and I accidentally injured myself. Don’t worry, Mother, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Madam Yu, with tears in her eyes, stroked her young daughter’s hair.

Her daughter had always been frail and delicate since childhood, crying even at the slightest bump. But since waking from a serious illness last autumn, she had matured considerably overnight.

Though only fifteen or sixteen years old, she displayed a gentle resilience beyond her age, which made people worry about her even more.

“You’re still so reckless,” Madam Yu said.

She gently wrapped the bandage and held her daughter’s fingertips in her palm, suddenly sighing, “If only there could be someone warm-hearted, someone we know well, to protect you for life, then I would be satisfied.”

“I don’t want anyone to protect me. I just want to stay with Father and Mother,” Yu Lingxi said.

She understood Madam Yu’s implication and, after a while, spoke lightly but firmly, “Mother, I only have sibling feelings toward Second Young Master Xue, not romantic ones.”

After Yu Lingxi left, Madam Yu sat alone in the hall for a long time.

Until a warmth settled on her shoulder—General Yu’s large hand embraced her, his stern face showing a touch of tenderness. “My dear, what are you thinking about?”

Madam Yu came back to her senses, relaxing her brow with a smile. “I was thinking about how our daughter has always been delicate and frail, yet she dared to jump into the cold pool to save Second Young Master Xue.”

Speaking of this, General Yu also gave a slight sigh. “I also hadn’t expected Suisui to go to such lengths for Xue Chen.”

“But just now, Suisui said that she only feels sibling affection for Second Young Master Xue.”

Madam Yu was troubled. “What do you think is really on her mind?”

“One thing is certain: that Xue Chen is a sincere young man,” General Yu said.

After contemplating for a long time, he continued in a deep voice, “With the Eastern Palace now watching us like a tiger eyeing its prey, we really can’t delay any longer.”

Their daughter’s lifelong happiness was being forced into a hasty decision due to pressure from the Eastern Palace—equivalent to a high-stakes gamble.

Madam Yu sighed. “If only Suisui could have a truly love-matched husband. As long as he would risk his life to protect her and keep her safe, I wouldn’t mind if his family background wasn’t prestigious.”

“It’s useless to think about that now. When choosing between two evils, marrying our daughter to someone who truly loves her is better than to someone who doesn’t,” General Yu consoled her. “Go to sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll take Suisui to the Xue household to see their attitude before making any decisions.”

…

The next day, Yu Lingxi prepared medicinal gifts and accompanied General Yu to the Xue household.

Since Xue Chen’s fall into the lake was related to her, and the families were old friends, she was obligated to visit him.

As she went down the steps to leave, she instinctively extended her right hand, intending to hold onto an attendant’s arm to board the carriage.

However, a glimpse from the corner of her eye caught a familiar arm wearing a cowhide wristband.

Following the arm upward, she met Ning Yin’s strikingly handsome face.

It was as if last night had never happened. He still stood calmly at the bottom of the steps, ready to assist her coming and going.

Yu Lingxi’s fingertips hesitated, then naturally switched to her left hand, holding onto Qing Xiao’s arm instead.

Her left hand, which had endured two lashes the night before, was now wrapped in rough white bandages, a stark contrast to her previously fair and delicate hand.

Ning Yin’s eyes darkened. The shadow of the whip from the night before seemed branded in his heart, the image of her trembling, broken palm impossible to dismiss.

But Yu Lingxi didn’t say a word to him. She silently held another man’s arm to board the carriage and departed without a sound.

He slowly lowered his arm and stood there for a long time.

Still angry, it seemed.

At the Xue residence, Yu Lingxi had just stepped down from the carriage when she encountered an old acquaintance at the front gate.

The Xue household steward bowed apologetically. “I’m sorry, Miss Zhao, but our Second Young Master is still ill and cannot receive visitors.”

Zhao Yuming, appearing quite concerned, took two packages of medicinal herbs from her maid and handed them to the Xue household steward. “In that case, please have the steward deliver these to the Second Young Master.”

Turning to see Yu Lingxi, Zhao Yuming paused momentarily, then averted her gaze and greeted, “Uncle, Cousin Lingxi.”

After a brief encounter, the Xue household steward respectfully invited the Yu father and daughter inside.

As the beast-headed gate of the Xue residence closed before them, a maid from the Zhao household spat, “Those snobs! Why do they get to go in?”

Zhao Yuming stared at the closed door for a long time, frowning. “Hong Zhu, don’t talk nonsense.”

The Xue residence was vast. The main hall lacked gaudy decorations or colorful carvings, appearing simple and dignified. In reality, every beam and pillar was made of the finest wood. This single main hall alone was worth the price of an entire mansion of other noble families.

Exquisite paintings and calligraphy adorned all four walls, exuding the fragrance of ink and showcasing the magnificent style of a centuries-old prestigious family.

“Second Sister!”

A few suppressed coughs came from outside the hall. Xue Chen, hearing that the Yu father and daughter had come to visit, had hurriedly thrown on an outer robe and rushed over.

Xue Chen was still ill, his complexion somewhat haggard, but he remained handsome and refined.

Perhaps because he had come in haste, his hair was unbound, with only a bamboo-green ribbon loosely tied at the ends, giving him the air of a gentle scholar. With a smile, he asked, “Where is General Yu?”

“He’s discussing matters with your father and told me to look around on my own,” Yu Lingxi said.

She stood up, gathering her thoughts before asking, “Is Brother Chen all right?”

She was referring to last night’s fall into the lake.

“I swallowed too much water and was dizzy all night, but I feel much better now that I see you,” Xue Chen replied.

The more magnanimous he was, the more guilty Yu Lingxi felt.

“I’m sorry, Brother Chen,” she said, her voice lowering.

She continued earnestly, “If not for my burden if I hadn’t arrived late, you wouldn’t have encountered such things.”

Xue Chen was momentarily stunned, then softened his expression. “It has nothing to do with you, Second Sister. Don’t blame yourself.”

He covered his mouth with his fist and coughed lightly before continuing in a slightly hoarse voice, “Actually, I’m grateful you were late last night and didn’t run into those villains. If you had also been in danger, I would have regretted it for life.”

It was a sentiment Yu Lingxi couldn’t bear.

As she contemplated how to politely decline his affections, Xue Chen noticed Yu Lingxi’s bandaged left hand and froze. “What happened to your hand?”

Yu Lingxi shook her head, hiding her hand behind her back. “It’s nothing.”

“Was it injured while saving me?” The concern in Xue Chen’s eyes was evident.

Perhaps from too much anxiety, he suddenly began coughing violently. The servants quickly brought tea to ease his breathing, and it took a while for him to recover.

Despite his severe illness, he remained gentle and sincere, always considering others. Looking at his weakened state, Yu Lingxi tried several times to speak but closed her mouth awkwardly, unable to find the right moment to express her prepared refusal.

Upon returning to the General’s mansion, a fine drizzle had started again.

Just as she bent to exit the carriage, a dark blue oiled paper umbrella slanted over, shielding her from the slanting rain.

Yu Lingxi lifted her dress and head, meeting Ning Yin’s rain-soaked gaze.

She pressed her lips together, then stepped onto the footstool and jumped down, taking shelter under the paper umbrella held by Hu Tao.

The faint feminine fragrance lingered briefly under Ning Yin’s umbrella before slipping away completely. With a gust of wind, it vanished without a trace.

Yu Lingxi didn’t look back to see Ning Yin’s expression but knew he had probably been standing in the rain for a long time.

She wouldn’t hurt Ning Yin to vent her anger, but she also couldn’t forgive him so easily. Otherwise, tasting sweetness, he would only become more aggressive next time.

Ning Yin had only promised not to kill her.

But what Ning Yin didn’t know was that using deception and exploitation against those who treated him well was itself a pain that cut to the heart.

These were things he needed to understand gradually on his own.

Even if he understood just a tiny bit, this high-stakes gamble would have a faint glimmer of hope, enough to sustain her determination to proceed according to plan.

After several days of dampness, the rain finally stopped.

The air regained its pleasant dryness—it was a rare clear day.

There had been no movement from the Eastern Palace, though it was unclear whether this was good news or the calm before a storm.

Yu Lingxi had a moment to catch her breath and guessed that after these few days of respite, the little madman’s extreme temperament should have calmed down.

Probably, maybe, perhaps… she could have a proper conversation with him.

So she dismissed her maids and went to the back courtyard.

Just as she turned around the covered walkway, she saw Ning Yin in a dark-colored martial robe standing at the steps. With his hands behind his back, he was looking up with interest at a magnolia tree in full bloom in the courtyard.

White magnolias bloomed above his head and fell at his feet, like clouds and snow, framing the silent young man in a natural painting.

For a moment, Yu Lingxi seemed to return to her previous life, when the Regent with a lame leg had also stood under a flowering tree.

Under that tree lay thick, fresh blood, nourishing a tree of brilliant pink radiance.

Yu Lingxi steadied herself and walked quietly toward him.

Without turning around, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, Ning Yin said coolly, “So the Young Miss is willing to acknowledge me again?”

Indeed, he didn’t even bother to disguise his coldness and sharpness anymore.

Hmm, a familiar tone from her previous life.

However, the young man before her lacked the experience of the Regent from her previous life.

“What are you looking at?” Yu Lingxi stopped beside him as the magnolia fragrance permeated her heart, pure and clean.

Ning Yin curved his lips in a smile devoid of warmth. “Watching a show.”

Yu Lingxi was puzzled. Following his gaze, she immediately fell silent.

What show?

It was a black snake as thick as a child’s arm, lurking in the flowers, its head raised and tongue flicking, preparing to hunt an unsuspecting gold-threaded oriole.