“Your Highness, Commander Qin requests an audience!” the guard announced respectfully outside the study.

In the study, Mo Xiuyao, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them, showing no trace of sleepiness. He said calmly, “Let him in.”

Soon after, Qin Feng hurriedly rushed in with Mo Hua, his face showing barely contained excitement. Mo Xiuyao had always been lenient with those close to Ye Li – otherwise, with his current temperament, Han Mingxi would have been dead long ago. Therefore, he didn’t mind Qin Feng’s lack of etiquette and asked with furrowed brows, “What’s causing such urgency?” Qin Feng couldn’t contain his excitement and exclaimed, “Your Highness, we have news of Her Highness!”

Mo Xiuyao froze, staring blankly at the candlelight before him as if he hadn’t processed what Qin Feng had said. Qin Feng grew anxious and repeated, “Your Highness, we have news of Her Highness!”

Mo Xiuyao finally came to his senses, his half-lowered eyes moving slightly as he said calmly, “Explain clearly.” Qin Feng was puzzled by Mo Xiuyao’s subdued reaction, but Mo Hua, standing behind him, clearly saw that His Highness’s fingertips resting on the table were trembling. He quickly stepped forward to explain everything. Though Su Zuidie hadn’t revealed everything under Qin Feng’s interrogation, they had learned quite a bit about Tan Jizhi, and consequently, all of Tan’s strongholds in the Northwest had been placed under Shadow Guard surveillance. However, none of them had expected Her Highness to fall into Tan Jizhi’s hands, appearing together in a small town not far from Ruyang, and successfully sending them a secret message.

Mo Xiuyao took the prescription paper, where Qin Feng had transcribed the decoded message in one corner. The message consisted of two lines of strange symbols – Mo Xiuyao had seen similar ones in Qilin’s files but hadn’t studied them carefully. He turned his gaze to Qin Feng. Finally having calmed down somewhat, though his eyes still gleamed with intensity, Qin Feng said, “Her Highness says all is well and asks Your Highness not to worry.”

“All is well… don’t worry…” Mo Xiuyao leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. After a long while, he stood up and ordered, “Send out the order – we leave immediately to escort Her Highness home.”

“Your Highness!” Mo Hua stepped forward to block Mo Xiuyao’s path, looking at him disapprovingly, “Your Highness, let us go to escort Her Highness back. You should remain in command at Ruyang. Your Highness, today is… the fifteenth…” Only then did Qin Feng remember – today was the full moon, and His Highness couldn’t move about freely. He quickly agreed, “Commander Mo is right. Your Highness, I volunteer to go escort Her Highness back!” Mo Hua stepped forward and said, “I too am willing to go!”

Mo Xiuyao waved his hand and said firmly, “Enough, I know what I’m doing. Send out the order – we leave in a quarter-hour. Qin Feng, you’ll accompany me with your men.”

Though concerned about Mo Xiuyao’s condition, the joy of Ye Li’s safety was overwhelming. After a moment’s hesitation, Qin Feng accepted the order and left. Outside the door, Zhuo Jing and others who had hurried over after receiving the news were waiting. Seeing Qin Feng emerge, they rushed forward. Qin Feng nodded to the three of them and hurried off to make arrangements. The three were stunned for a moment before their eyes lit up with wild joy. Lin Han’s eyes even reddened, though he paid it no mind, his face showing happiness unseen for a long time.

Early morning found Ye Li already up and ready. In truth, she hadn’t slept well all night. Since Tan Jizhi had taken Doctor Lin away, she hadn’t heard him return. Though she had known Tan Jizhi for only a few days, it had been enough to understand how ruthless he could be, which made her worry for the old man who had saved both her and her child’s lives. After sitting in the reception hall for a while, Tan Jizhi entered with Shu Manlin. Seeing Ye Li’s tired appearance, he smiled and said, “What’s this? Did Her Highness not rest well last night? We’re about to leave Ruyang – are you reluctant to go?” Ye Li frowned and asked, “How is Doctor Lin?”

Tan Jizhi looked surprised, looking Ye Li up and down before smiling, “So Your Highness is worried about him? Don’t tell me you’ve developed some master-disciple attachment to my father?”

Ye Li looked at him calmly and said, “Though the time was short, Doctor Lin did teach me medicine. What’s wrong with having a master-disciple relationship?”

Tan Jizhi looked at Ye Li with a strange, mocking expression, raising an eyebrow as he smiled, “Come to think of it, Your Highness doesn’t seem like someone from the royal family. Even when you can barely protect yourself, you still have the heart to care about someone you’ve just met?” Ye Li gave a cold, faint laugh and said, “Master Tan can discard twenty years of nurturing care without batting an eye – that indeed makes you seem more like royalty than me, worthy of being a descendant of the previous dynasty.”

Struck by Ye Li’s words hitting a sore spot, Tan Jizhi’s face darkened immediately. He said coldly, “Since Your Highness is ready, let’s depart.”

“As Master Tan wishes,” Ye Li said flatly.

Leaving the inn, though there were only Ye Li, Tan Jizhi, Shu Manlin, and three or four servants visible, Ye Li keenly sensed the hidden gazes following them. Though she had been confined to the courtyard these past few days, unable to go out, she had estimated that at least a dozen people were hidden just in the small courtyard where she and Doctor Lin stayed, not to mention elsewhere. If the Shadow Guards rushed in impatiently, it would be disadvantageous in such a confined space. Standing outside the inn, Ye Li looked back at the deserted, run-down establishment, still seeing no sign of Doctor Lin. Tan Jizhi hadn’t obtained the treasure he wanted yet, so he probably wouldn’t kill Doctor Lin. Ye Li could only hope so in her heart.

Mo family troops were indeed patrolling the small town, walking in pairs side by side, looking more like they were on patrol than searching for someone. Tan Jizhi naturally noticed this situation too, frowning as he gestured for Shu Manlin to help Ye Li into the carriage waiting by the roadside. Soon after, the carriage slowly began moving toward the edge of town.

Shu Manlin sat across from Ye Li, examining her with an unfriendly expression. Though Shu Manlin had often come to the small courtyard to mock Ye Li before, Doctor Lin had usually been present – this was their first time alone together. Ye Li calmly looked at the beautiful woman opposite her, wearing a faint smile. Shu Manlin’s alluring eyes narrowed as she snorted disdainfully and stared at Ye Li, asking, “Do you know who I am?” Ye Li lowered her gaze, thinking ‘I don’t want to know who you are at all,’ but said, “How would I know if Miss Lin doesn’t even know herself?”

Shu Manlin gave her a proud sidelong glance and said, “Don’t play dumb. I know you’ve already guessed my identity. Princess Consort Ding, when you were in Nanzhao, you deceived both me and that fool Anxi using your identity as Xu Qingchen’s fiancée. Did you think I wouldn’t be wary of you?” Ye Li looked up at her, smiling as she said, “Well then… what would the Holy Maiden like to say?” Compared to Princess Anxi, who was young yet capable of governing, Ye Li really couldn’t see how this Shu Manlin had any right to call others fools. Was it true that real fools always thought others were fools?

“You know what I want to say. If you’re smart, you’ll keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being unpleasant!” Shu Manlin threatened in a low voice.

Ye Li raised an eyebrow, understanding perfectly what she was referring to. So she was indeed pursuing her brother behind Tan Jizhi’s back? However, Ye Li was somewhat surprised that Shu Manlin would fear Tan Jizhi. After all, in everyone’s eyes, even with his identity as a descendant of the previous dynasty’s royal family, Tan Jizhi was now merely an imperial attendant – no money, no power, no supporters. Meanwhile, Shu Manlin was the Holy Maiden of the Southern Frontier, with status and power nearly equal to the Crown Princess of the Southern Frontier, and she had the secret support of both the King of Nanzhao and Mo Jingli. If they were conspiring together, Tan Jizhi should be the one deferring to Shu Manlin. It seemed she had indeed underestimated him based on his performance at the Imperial Tomb.

Tilting her head in thought, Ye Li smiled and said, “The Holy Maiden should know that I’m not the type to gossip about others.”

Shu Manlin gave a cold laugh and said, “It’s best that you understand. Otherwise, this young lady has plenty of ways to make you shut up.”

Looking quietly at Shu Manlin, a cold smile spread across Ye Li’s lips, “Holy Maiden… your words make me quite uncomfortable… Now, do you dare kill me? No, do you even dare lay a hand on me?” Shu Manlin’s pretty face darkened – indeed, over these past few days, Tan Jizhi had repeatedly warned her not to harm Ye Li in the slightest. Though she was displeased, she wasn’t someone who couldn’t see the bigger picture. Without having obtained the previous dynasty’s treasure, Princess Consort Ding’s value as leverage became even more important. Not only could they not harm Ye Li now, but they had to protect her – if they could safely get Ye Li out of the Mo family army’s sphere of influence, it would mean they had two pieces of leverage to use against Mo Xiuyao.

“Ye Li, don’t be too smug! One day…” Shu Manlin said through gritted teeth. Leverage would eventually lose its effectiveness, and then she could torture this woman however she wanted. Thinking of how Ye Li had caused such chaos in Nanzhao last year and her actions at Broken Snow Pass, which had almost destroyed their original plans, Shu Manlin couldn’t help but want to flay her alive and pull out her tendons. Not to mention she was Xu Qingchen’s cousin.

Ye Li lazily rested her chin on her hand and reminded her, “Holy Maiden, you should focus on the present. Who knows what will happen in the future? Of course, if you don’t mind, I wouldn’t mind occasionally letting my tongue slip and having a chat with Master Tan about what happened in Nanzhao, hmm? The untold story between the Holy Maiden of the Southern Frontier and Young Master Qingchen?” Shu Manlin’s face turned green with anger, and she raised her hand to slap Ye Li’s face, but Ye Li was faster, “Oh my?!”

Outside the carriage, Tan Jizhi, riding on horseback, quickly caught up and lifted the curtain, only to see Shu Manlin with her hand raised. He frowned in displeasure and said, “Lin’er, what are you doing? I told you not to be disrespectful to Her Highness.” Shu Manlin angrily lowered her hand, shot Ye Li a fierce glare, and muttered, “I understand.” Tan Jizhi looked at both of them with concern and warned, “We’re about to leave town, don’t cause trouble.” Then he dropped the curtain. Ye Li smiled and raised her eyebrows at Shu Manlin, who gritted her teeth and said, “Ye Li, just wait!”

The carriage was stopped at the town exit, but fortunately, it was regular yamen guards checking rather than Mo family troops, who relieved Tan Jizhi.

“Who’s in the carriage? Get out!” the guard checking at the checkpoint shouted sternly.

Tan Jizhi, wearing the disguise that made him look like an honest scholar, stepped forward and said, “Officer… what, what seems to be the matter?” The guard knocked on the carriage door and said, “Orders from above to search for spies entering the Northwest. All outsiders must be checked – have those inside come out!” Tan Jizhi put on a troubled expression and said, “Officer, please understand, my wife is seven months pregnant and it’s inconvenient. Please be considerate…” As he spoke, he discreetly slipped over two silver ingots, perfectly playing the role of a timid scholar.

Having received the bribe, the guards exchanged glances and said, “No need to get out then, just lift the curtain so we can look inside.” Without waiting for Tan Jizhi’s agreement, they suddenly stepped forward and lifted the curtain. Inside sat two young women – one with her hair done in a married woman’s style, indeed visibly pregnant. The other was a beautiful woman in blue robes who gave him a slight smile. The guard was stunned for a moment and muttered, “Such good fortune, to have such a beauty in this shabby place…”

Tan Jizhi carefully smiled and said, “Officer, may this humble scholar proceed now?”

The guard reluctantly took one more look inside before lowering the curtain and waving his hand, “Go on, go on.”

“Thank you, officer, thank you!” Tan Jizhi said joyfully, quickly signaling the driver to head out of town.

Once the carriage was out of sight, the guards’ intimidating expressions gradually faded. One asked, “How was it? Did you see clearly?” The guard who had lifted the curtain furrowed his brow and said, “It was Her Highness. She said they have many people, including some from the Southern Frontier. She told us to stay calm.”

“Damn it! To watch Her Highness pass right by us…” one of the men cursed under his breath.

A companion patted his shoulder and said, “Now that we’ve spotted them, does he think he can take Her Highness out of the Northwest? This isn’t the place to make a move. Her Highness is pregnant now and can’t move easily. That woman in the carriage is also dangerous – what if Her Highness gets hurt?”

After leaving the town, Tan Jizhi felt uneasy and ordered everyone to speed up, heading non-stop toward Flying Swan Pass. According to his original plan, there shouldn’t have been any problems. He had lurked between Da Chu and Nanzhao for nearly ten years without attracting attention from any of the nobles, including Prince Ding’s household. Moreover, he hadn’t entered the Northwest through Flying Swan Pass, so he shouldn’t have drawn Mo Xiuyao’s attention. But the sudden appearance of patrol troops in the small town gave him an unsettling feeling that something had slipped from his control. Just as he was puzzling over this, he suddenly thought of someone. His heart chilled – he could only hope that woman wouldn’t be foolish enough to reveal everything about him. A murderous glint flashed in his eyes. She shouldn’t… that woman must know that once she talked, she would only meet death. Mo Xiuyao would have her torn to pieces…

“Jizhi, can we rest for a while? I’m tired…” Shu Manlin lifted the carriage curtain, looking unwell. Having been pampered since childhood, how could she endure the carriage’s jolting? Moreover, with Ye Li’s occasional sarcastic remarks along the way, Shu Manlin finally couldn’t hold back after enduring for so long. Tan Jizhi looked at her pale face, then remembered that Ye Li was pregnant and couldn’t endure too much jolting. After hesitating, he nodded and said, “We’ll rest for half an hour.”

Shu Manlin happily exclaimed “Jizhi, you’re the best!” and jumped down from the carriage, wanting to stretch her legs. Tan Jizhi raised an eyebrow and looked at Ye Li inside the carriage, “Your Highness, would you like to come out for a walk?” Ye Li’s face was also pale, and looking even more tired from lack of sleep, she shook her head and said, “Since we’ve stopped, I’ll take a nap. Don’t disturb me.” Tan Jizhi didn’t mind – he certainly preferred Ye Li to do as little as possible. Before he could say anything else, Shu Manlin had already pulled him toward a tree, “Jizhi, come sit and rest for a while, it’s so hot. I’m so tired…” Tan Jizhi was very patient with her, saying softly, “In that case, lean on me and rest for a while.”

“Jizhi is the best.”

In the afternoon grove, horses quietly grazed on grass. Under the tree shade, a couple rested together, creating a peaceful and serene picture.

When Tan Jizhi noticed something was wrong, he suddenly raised his head, realizing the grove had become eerily quiet. At some point, a man in cyan robes had appeared at the foot of a tree not far away. His black hair was like clouds, and the silver dragon patterns on his cyan robes gleamed luxuriously in the slanting sunlight. The man was slim, his elegant face bearing a silver-white half-mask, yet still unable to hide his sickly pallor. However, even as he just stood there, merely lifting his face slightly to look in their direction, he unconsciously emanated the natural nobility of a prince that made others feel ashamed. But at this moment, what made Tan Jizhi’s heart grow cold was that the guards on alert nearby seemed completely blind to the man’s presence, as if the overwhelming pressure he felt was merely his imagination.

“Mo Xiuyao!” Tan Jizhi called out grimly, yet completely disregarding the pressure bearing down on him, he desperately lunged toward the carriage not far away.

The guards nearby seemed to finally notice the strange man in the grove and hurriedly drew their weapons to confront him.

Under the tree, the man in cyan frowned slightly, clearly displeased with the situation before him. He stepped forward, passing through the guards like flowing clouds, his wide sleeves sweeping up to create a beautiful arc of blood. Then he too moved toward the carriage. Though he had stood farther away than Tan Jizhi and his movements seemed slower, he arrived almost simultaneously. As Tan Jizhi reached for the carriage curtain, a flash of silver light slashed at his outstretched hand with an icy gleam.

Tan Jizhi gritted his teeth, “Mo Xiuyao!”

At this moment, he had no time to wonder why Mo Xiuyao was here; his only thought was that he must defeat the man before him. However, this was incredibly difficult. Mo Xiuyao was known as one of the four great masters, and today, with Mu Qingcang long gone, he was truly the greatest master in Da Chu.

When his first strike failed, Tan Jizhi leaped back quickly and shouted fiercely, “Release the arrows!”

The grove remained silent, with none of the expected sounds of arrows cutting through the air. Tan Jizhi’s expression changed slightly as he stared intently at the man in cyan before him.

Yet Mo Xiuyao didn’t even glance at him, instead turning to lift the carriage curtain behind him. Looking at the woman inside with a gentle and warm smile, he said, “Ali, I’ve come to take you home.”