“Are you cold?” Faced with Li Shimin’s inquiry, Yunyi shivered as she replied: “Yes, some snow just fell into my collar, so I’m a bit cold.”

“Having you accompany me to these mountains in the snow is truly making things difficult for you.” He continued: “There’s a rock cave near the snow lotus where we can shelter from the wind and snow.”

“Mm.” With this soft response, their brief conversation ended and everything returned to quiet, but Yunyi’s mood could not calm down for a long time. Her eyes staring at Li Shimin’s nape held deep wariness!

She had almost fallen for Li Shimin’s trap—this person was truly sinister!

Li Shimin had always been suspicious of her, so how could he risk bringing her alone to such a deserted place? Even if he really needed her to paint the snow lotus, he should have at least brought Duan Zhihong or a few attendants, yet he brought none.

If Li Shimin were an extremely careless person, that would be understandable, but he was quite the opposite. So there was only one possibility—all of this was deliberately arranged by Li Shimin to lure her into revealing her true nature.

She just didn’t understand how Li Shimin could have arranged for someone to follow them without her knowledge, considering he hadn’t left her sight since they met in the back garden.

She remembered that apart from the gatekeeper servants, Li Shimin had only spoken a few words to Duan Zhihong. Could it be… that those words contained hidden instructions?

While she was pondering this, Li Shimin’s delighted voice reached her ears: “We’re here, this is it. Look, that’s the snow lotus I told you about.”

Yunyi suppressed her thoughts and looked in the direction he pointed. She saw a snow lotus bud about to bloom growing on a protruding rock, appearing and disappearing in the wind and snow. Though it hadn’t opened yet, it already displayed a clear and ethereal beauty that made it difficult to look away.

Li Shimin carried her to the rock cave he had mentioned earlier, crouched down to let Yunyi slowly dismount, and after helping her sit down carefully, asked: “How is it? Do you still feel cold?”

Yunyi shook her head: “The rocks on both sides of the cave can block the wind and snow, so it’s much better than before.” She continued: “Having Second Young Master carry me all the way up here was really troublesome.”

“It’s nothing.” Li Shimin caught his breath and sat down beside her: “I discovered this place last time I came. There was a large snake coiled inside then, and I nearly fell for it. Fortunately, Zhihong was quick-eyed and fast-handed, cutting through its vital spot before the snake could bite me.”

Hearing about the snake, Yunyi showed a trace of fear and carefully examined their surroundings. Seeing her reaction, Li Shimin smiled: “Don’t worry, I already checked last time. There are no offspring of that snake here—it’s very safe.”

Yunyi smiled embarrassedly. She considered herself quite brave—otherwise she wouldn’t have dared to come to Honghua Prefecture with Moping to assassinate Li Yuan. But for some unknown reason, she had been afraid of snakes since childhood. Even a thumb-sized harmless little snake could frighten her badly. So when she was in the palace, those so-called brothers and sisters would often use this to scare her. Every time something like this happened, Moping would stand in front of her, even when facing a deadly bamboo viper.

Thinking of Moping, Yunyi’s eyes stung with tears. In the future… no one would stand in front of her like that anymore.

Li Shimin said with a half-smile: “What, don’t you believe me? Don’t worry, if a snake really comes out, I’ll definitely stand in front of you.”

Yunyi quickly smiled to cover her feelings: “How could I not believe Second Young Master? I was just thinking about when this snow lotus will bloom and whether we’ll have to wait a long time.”

Li Shimin looked carefully at the snow lotus: “Although it’s still a bud, it’s grown a bit larger than when I saw it the day before yesterday, and the petals aren’t closed as tightly. It should bloom soon.” He opened the leather pouch he had been carrying and took out dry provisions and water to hand to Yunyi: “Eat something first to fill your stomach.”

Yunyi was indeed hungry. After thanking him, she took the food and began eating. Li Shimin placed the paper and brush on a rock, then also took a piece of dry provisions to satisfy his hunger. Fortunately, the wind and snow couldn’t reach this spot, otherwise the paper would be soaked by melted snow water in no time.

Li Shimin nibbled on his dry provisions while unobtrusively observing Yunyi beside him. He did indeed want to paint the snow lotus in bloom and send it to Wugou to fulfill her wish, but he was also using this as a trap, trying to lure the snake out of its hole, as he still suspected that the Meixue before him was the assassin.

He had always thought that Meixue would strike while he was carrying her, as that would be the most suitable opportunity. So throughout the journey, he had been carefully on guard, especially of the two hands wrapped around his neck. Even if Duan Zhihong hadn’t understood his meaning and followed secretly, he was confident he could subdue her. Yet there had been no movement all along, and they had arrived here safely.

Was he… being too suspicious, or was Meixue too composed?

Amid his confusion, he finished his dry provisions, brushed the crumbs from his hands, and walked to the cave entrance to quietly gaze at the snow lotus that was shy and unopened like a maiden.

Yunyi walked to his side and said softly: “Is Second Young Master thinking of Miss Changsun?”

Li Shimin smiled: “The last time I saw Wugou was last year. In the blink of an eye, it’s been over a year. I wonder how she’s doing in Zhuyuan County.”

Yunyi frowned: “Is Miss Changsun from Zhuyuan County?” She clearly remembered that the Changsun clan was a great family of Luoyang. From the Northern Wei to the Great Sui, they had produced many talented people, truly “a family that passed down nobility, a household spanning mountains and rivers,” even more prestigious than the Li family. How could they be living in some small county like Zhuyuan that she had never even heard of?

Li Shimin shook his head: “Wugou is from Luoyang, but because her uncle was demoted to serve as county registrar in Zhuyuan County, she followed him there.”

While Yunyi understood, new doubts arose: “Does Miss Changsun live with her uncle?”

“Yes, Wugou’s father passed away in the fifth year of the Daye era. Her half-brother from the same father couldn’t tolerate them and made things difficult in every way, so Uncle Gao brought them to live in his own household. They’ve been there for four years now.”

Yunyi smiled: “In that case, Miss Changsun’s uncle is truly a very good person.”

Li Shimin nodded: “Uncle Gao is indeed very good. He was also the one who arranged my engagement with Wugou. However, because my mother suddenly passed away, we must wait until the three-year mourning period is complete before we can marry.”

“Since you miss Miss Changsun so much, why don’t you personally visit Zhuyuan County?” Faced with Yunyi’s question, Li Shimin smiled bitterly: “I’d like to, but Zhuyuan County is located in Lingnan, very far from here. Moreover, the mansion just had the assassin incident, and father’s injuries keep recurring and haven’t healed yet. How could I possibly leave? That’s why I so hope you can paint the snow lotus in bloom.”