Jiang Yan stood anxiously in the tea room, his delicate brows furrowed. As soon as Jiang Xuanjin entered, he rushed forward and asked, “Uncle, has Lady Jiang Bai been imprisoned?”
Being part of the Court of Justice himself, Jiang Yan had learned of this news despite Jiang Xuanjin’s attempts to conceal it.
Jiang Xuanjin slowly took his seat, cradling a cup of hot tea. After a moment, he said, “Don’t let the old master hear of this. His health has been poor lately.”
Nodding, Jiang Yan paced back and forth, his face twisted with worry. He whispered, “I’ve always felt something was off about Lady Jiang Bai. I even warned you, Uncle. Do you remember?”
“Yes,” Jiang Xuanjin replied, lowering his eyes. Many had seen through Bai Zhujie and warned him, but he had been blind to it.
Jiang Yan fidgeted for a while before hesitantly continuing, “Father was wary of her because of what I said. That’s why he refused when she asked him to take her into the palace recently.”
Jiang Xuanjin looked up sharply. “Take her into the palace?”
“It happened a few days ago,” Jiang Yan explained, prompted by his uncle’s gaze. “She seemed worried because there was no news from you. She wanted to go to the palace to check on you. When Father refused, I think she left to ask Censor Bai for help.”
Jiang Xuanjin frowned. “But I sent word back every day while I was in the palace, didn’t I?”
Jiang Yan looked confused. “No, there was no news at all during your five days there. Why else would Lady Jiang Bai be so anxious?”
Perplexed, Jiang Xuanjin turned to Chengxu beside him.
Chengxu reported, “As you instructed, Master, I relayed messages to the palace guards at noon every day, informing them that all was well at home.”
Normally, the guards would pass such messages to those waiting outside the palace. Why hadn’t the messages been delivered? He couldn’t fathom it.
Bai Xue’s words echoed in his mind: “Who’s close enough to you to care? If His Highness hadn’t worried about you all night, who would have bothered to save you?”
Jiang Xuanjin’s fingertips twitched, his eyes darkening.
“Uncle, where are you going?” Jiang Yan called out as Jiang Xuanjin stood and headed for the door.
Without answering, Jiang Xuanjin left with Chengxu, making straight for the Bai residence.
In the aftermath of the chaos in the Imperial Study, only Ba Dezhong ng had avoided imprisonment. The Emperor had sent him back to the Bai residence to “rest well for a couple of days.”
Imperial guards were visible at the entrance of the Bai residence. After a moment’s consideration, Jiang Xuanjin led Chengxu to the side of the compound wall.
The tall, blue-gray wall was topped with greenish-gray roof tiles. As Jiang Xuanjin looked up, a flicker passed through his eyes.
Suddenly, echoes of past conversations floated through his mind:
“What a handsome young man~”
“You’re so fierce! How can you be so rough with a delicate lady?”
“If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t let this go. But seeing as you’re so charming, I’ll let it slide.”
“Until we meet again.”
He could almost see someone laughing as they got up from the ground, disappearing in a flash. Their giggles lingered in the air, mingling with the fluttering of paper money that seemed to brush his face.
Jiang Xuanjin reached out, as if to grab something, then blinked back to reality. There was nothing there.
“Master?” Chengxu asked, puzzled. “What are you trying to catch?”
Jiang Xuanjin’s eyelashes fluttered. He looked down and murmured, “Paper money.”
He recalled his first meeting with her, when the sky had been filled with Danyang’s paper money, drifting down like a heavy snowfall.
Clenching his fist, Jiang Xuanjin took a deep breath and shook his head. “Let’s go in.”
Chengxu nodded and climbed onto the roof tiles, checking that the coast was clear on the other side before signaling to his master.
This was the first time Chengxu had seen his master scale a wall. To his surprise, the usually proper and upright man moved with unexpected agility, grasping the roof tiles and vaulting over in one smooth motion.
Chengxu followed, staring at his master’s back in amazement. He had assumed his master wouldn’t know how to climb walls. Who had taught him such an unorthodox skill?
The Bai residence was eerily quiet. After a few steps, they encountered a maid carrying water. Upon seeing Jiang Xuanjin, she trembled, nearly dropping her basin as she stammered, “M-my Lord?”
“Where is Lord Bai?” he asked.
The maid, Xiyun, who served Bai Xuanji, stared at the Lord Ziyang for a moment before regaining her composure and pointing towards the study.
Jiang Xuanjin nodded and headed directly there.
The study door was closed, with no guards outside. Chengxu announced, “Lord Bai, the Lord Ziyang requests an audience.”
The murmur of voices inside ceased abruptly. After a moment, someone slowly opened the door.
“This servant… greets my Lord,” Lingxiu curtsied, trembling.
Jiang Xuanjin frowned as he stepped inside. “Why are you here?”
Lingxiu answered softly, “The master summoned me…”
Jiang Xuanjin looked at Ba Dezhong ng, seated behind the desk. The older man nodded slightly. “Indeed, I called her back to ask some questions.”
Knowing full well what Ba Dezhong ng wanted to ask, Jiang Xuanjin pressed his lips together. “Can Lingxiu provide answers?”
Nervously clutching her sleeves, Lingxiu replied, “This servant… has been by Young Miss’s side for many years. Of course I can answer questions about her.” She paused before adding, “Even if that person is no longer my Young Miss.”
Jiang Xuanjin turned to face her slowly. “You know?”
“Yes,” Lingxiu bowed her head. “I overheard her talking with Qingsi earlier. I didn’t believe it at first, but after observing closely, I realized the current Young Miss is indeed very different from before.”
“I secretly consulted a Taoist priest. He said it was a case of spirit possession. On a day with strong yang energy, we could perform a ritual to expel the ghost and bring back our true Young Miss.”
Jiang Xuanjin fingered his prayer beads, his gaze deepening. “You want the former Fourth Miss Bai to return?”
“Yes,” Lingxiu trembled violently, gripping her sleeves tighter. “The previous one is my true Young Miss. It’s not right for my Young Miss’s body to bear the consequences of this impostor’s crimes.”
Jiang Xuanjin inwardly scoffed. This was the maid she had always treated well, yet it meant nothing. The girl didn’t even consider her a true mistress.
“What is Lord Bai’s view on this?” he asked.
Stroking his beard, Ba Dezhong ng replied gravely, “Though this seems incredible, I’ve witnessed it myself. The real Zhujie could never possess such courage and strategy.”
“Courage and strategy?”
“Indeed,” Ba Dezhong ng stood up. “When we went to rescue you from the Imperial Study, I was with them the whole time. Han Xiao, Xu Xian, and the others all followed Zhujie’s plans. She even produced a military tally from somewhere.”
“I know my daughter’s character well. Zhujie is timid. Even if she had feelings for you as her husband, she would never be bold enough to attempt a rescue in such a manner.”
While Jiang Xuanjin might doubt others’ words, even Ba Dezhong ng confirmed that Bai Zhujie had gone to the Imperial Study that day to save him.
Fingering his prayer beads one by one, Jiang Xuanjin’s mind wandered.
The messages that never reached the Jiang residence, the five days of silent waiting, and the sudden rebellion – it all seemed off now that he examined it closely. He had been too shocked by Li Huaiyu’s actions to think clearly before.
Li Huailin had told him: “My Lord, there have long been those in court harboring ill intentions, waiting for an opportunity to rebel.”
He had also said: “If you don’t believe me, stay here in the Imperial Study with me for a few days.”
The young emperor, his dragon robe slightly too large, smiled with innocent dimples. Jiang Xuanjin had watched him grow up, always obedient and sensible, completely unlike the troublemaker Li Huaiyu.
However, considering Qingsi’s words and the truth behind the Imperial Study incident, Jiang Xuanjin suddenly realized Li Huaiyu hadn’t been wrong at all.
He had assumed everyone was as upright as he was, but in reality, beneath their perfect facades, they all harbored hearts he couldn’t understand.
How laughable.
“My Lord?” Ba Dezhong ng called out, concerned.
Jiang Xuanjin snapped back to attention. He nodded, “I agree with the Censor’s opinion. Li Huaiyu’s vengeful spirit lingers, but the Fourth Miss Bai is innocent. You may petition the Emperor to destroy the spirit but preserve the body.”
Ba Dezhong ng’s hand paused as he stroked his beard. “My Lord is still willing to forgive Zhujie?”
“What does this have to do with Zhujie?” Jiang Xuanjin laughed coldly. “From beginning to end, the only one who deceived me was Li Huaiyu.”
He turned to Lingxiu, “You need not return to the Jiang residence. Stay here and wait for your Young Miss to return.”
With that, he bowed slightly to Ba Dezhong ng and left.
Ba Dezhong ng watched his retreating figure with a complex expression. Once Jiang Xuanjin was out of earshot, he murmured, “The Lord distinguishes very clearly.”
The one he hated was Li Huaiyu, the one he loved was Li Huaiyu – it had nothing to do with anyone else.
From behind a large screen, Qi Han slowly emerged, chuckling softly. “The Lord has always been clear about right and wrong.”
Seeing him, Ba Dezhong ng lowered his eyes. “I’ve said what you asked. Will you spare my daughter’s life now?”
“Of course,” Qi Han bowed with a smile. “Please draft the memorial as discussed. As long as the Lord co-signs it, your daughter will live once the Princess’s spirit is dispersed.”
Ba Dezhong ng’s fingers tensed. “The Lord must co-sign?”
Qi Han nodded. That was precisely what they wanted!
The Lord had already lost much support in court due to the reopening of old cases. If he now pleaded for Bai Zhujie, there would likely be no objections when His Majesty moved against him.
Seeing Qi Han’s expression, Ba Dezhong ng understood. This elaborate charade was designed to ensnare the Lord as well.
His Majesty planned to dispose of even the Lord Ziyang, whose merits for Northern Wei were no less than those of Prime Minister Sima.
Ba Dezhong ng’s hand trembled as he gripped his brush, his heart heavy.
In the death row cell:
Huaiyu returned from Feiyun Palace, noticeably more relaxed. With a smile back on her face, she sat on the straw pile and said to Xu Xian, “It’s autumn outside now. The wind has a chill to it. After a couple more rains, it’ll start getting cold in the capital.”
Xu Xian frowned, asking, “Are you alright, Your Highness?”
“Me? Why wouldn’t I be?” Huaiyu replied. “I saw Huailin. He still acknowledges me as his sister and agreed to release you all.”
Startled, Xu Xian grabbed the bars. “What about you?”
“Oh, I’ll just stay here a few more days,” Huaiyu smiled. “It’s quite nice here, actually. The sleeping arrangements aren’t the most comfortable, but there’s nothing to worry about. It’s rather peaceful.”
Only she could say such things. Xu Xian shook his head vigorously. “I’ll stay here to guard you. I’ll only leave after you do.”
“Tsk.” Huaiyu frowned. “Have you already forgotten what I told you earlier, General?”
She had said: “General Xu, if you ever have a chance to escape, please leave the capital without looking back. Don’t do anything foolish.”
Recalling these words, Xu Xian’s face darkened. “You had this planned from the beginning, Your Highness?”
Li Huaiyu grinned mischievously. “Your Princess is the most capable person in the world. Impressed?”
Both angry and amused, Xu Xian gritted his teeth. “We are grown men! How can we let a young girl protect us?”
“Young girl? I am the Princess Danyang!” She lifted her chin proudly. “I’ve looked after the entire Chang’an Street for years, from the bun shop at one end to the silk store at the other!”
Xu Xian’s eyes reddened at her words.
Huaiyu laughed for a while, then felt a tightness in her chest. She crawled to the other end of the cell and retched.
“Should we… inform the Lord Ziyang?” Xu Xian suggested quietly. “Perhaps if he knew, things might change.”
“Lord Ziyang?” Li Huaiyu suppressed a gag and turned back with a grin. “What’s that? Is it edible? Does it taste good?”
Xu Xian choked, realizing she was truly heartbroken this time and no longer wished to be entangled with Jiang Xuanjin. He lowered his eyes and didn’t mention him again.
As autumn set in, the cell grew cold at night. Huaiyu curled up in a corner, shivering and clutching her stomach. When Xu Xian tried to request a blanket from the jailer, he was coldly rebuffed: “The Lord has ordered that nothing be given to the prisoners.”
Huaiyu, overhearing this, said nothing. She simply rubbed her arms and dozed off fitfully.
In her half-asleep state, she thought she heard the cell door open. Someone seemed to enter and lift her, placing her in a soft, warm place.
It felt like her own bed. In her dream, Huaiyu murmured and grasped at the soft cotton blanket, wrapping herself tightly.
Finally, she wasn’t cold anymore.
Jiang Xuanjin took three days of sick leave, postponing the trial of the rebellion case. Those in the know said the Lord’s heart had been thoroughly broken this time. He refused to see anyone who came calling.
“How could he not be heartbroken?” Li Huailin crouched by the pond in the Imperial Garden, lazily tossing fish food into the water. “A man who never planned to marry, who made an exception for her, only to find it was all a deception.”
“My imperial sister is truly formidable,” Li Huailin mused. “She even managed to deceive the Lord Ziyang. No wonder she was able to gradually reduce the Prince of Pingling from a powerful regent to a helpless figurehead back then.”
Liu Yunlie, still recovering from severe injuries, sat in a chair not far behind him. With a pale face, he asked, “Your Majesty still remembers the Prince of Pingling?”
“How could I forget? Tell me, how could I possibly forget?” Li Huailin’s eyes were half-closed as he violently threw fish food into the pond, startling the koi fish to scatter.
From the first day Li Shan entered the palace, he had revealed to Huailin the secret that Emperor Xiao had always concealed. Huailin hadn’t believed it at first and remained wary of Li Shan.
But Li Shan had treated him well. When there were objections to his young ascension, Li Shan stood before him protectively. When he missed his father, Li Shan would come to the Longyan Palace at night to comfort him. Even when Huailin bit, kicked, or scolded him in anger, Li Shan never got angry.
In the second year of Daxing, when he fell from a tree and bit his lip to keep from crying, afraid of worrying his sister, the Prince of Pingling came and picked him up, asking with concern, “Doesn’t it hurt?”
Of course it hurt, but his father had said that a man shouldn’t shed tears lightly.
“I’m here. You can cry if it hurts,” he had said gently, patting Huailin’s back.
Huailin had burst into tears, clutching Li Shan’s sleeve, suddenly understanding how he differed from his father.
His father favored his sister more. When she fell ill, he always stayed at Feiyun Palace. But when Huailin was unwell, only his sister stayed by his side, never his father.
His father treated him well too, but the look in his eyes when he gazed at Huailin always lacked something compared to how he looked at his sister.
That something was present in the Prince of Pingling’s eyes.
Huailin began to trust him, to accept him, to act spoiled around him like a normal child would. On days when his sister was too busy to be seen, it was the Prince of Pingling who stayed by his side.
Huailin remembered his father’s last words. He went to the secret chamber and found the Abdication Edict.
At that time, his heart had gone cold, but thinking of how good his sister had been to him, he thought abdicating wouldn’t be so bad. After all, by the time his sister’s child turned fifteen, he would have sat on the throne for over twenty years. That seemed enough.
But then, his sister killed the Prince of Pingling.
The day he received the news, Huailin stood dumbfounded under the tree outside Longyan Palace, staring at the high branches for a long time, unable to process it.
His sister had said, “The Prince of Pingling deserved to die.”
But why did he deserve to die? Huailin pondered this for a long time without understanding, all while hearing others express their awe of his sister.
“Four years of lying low, all for this day. The Princess is truly formidable.”
“How terrifying. The once-glorious Prince of Pingling, dead in four years, meeting such a sudden end.”
Four years…
Huailin slowly climbed that tree, looking down at the spot where he had once fallen, his eyes reddening.
His birth father had only been with him for four years.
“What year of Daxing is it now?” Huailin asked Liu Yunlie behind him, grabbing more fish food.
Liu Yunlie coughed lightly and answered, “The eighth year of Daxing.”
“How fitting,” Huailin smirked. “It’s been four years too.”
His sister had taken four years to kill his birth father, and he had taken four years to avenge that death.
Karma, they say. Who says there’s no retribution in this world?
“Your Majesty, about that jade pendant,” Liu Yunlie said. “Given the Princess’s cunning, I doubt she gave us the real one. Even if we smashed it and forced her to commit suicide, we can’t be sure she won’t find another way to return. So I’ve invited ten high monks. On the Double Ninth Festival, we can ensure her soul is completely dispersed.”
Huailin asked, “What about Ba Dezhong ng?”
“Prime Minister Qi has arranged everything. Lord Bai has no objections.”
“And… the Lord Ziyang?”
“The Lord seems to utterly despise the Princess now. He likely won’t object either.”
What does it feel like to be hated by someone you deeply love? Huailin had never experienced it. He looked down at the fish crowding together again to feed and chuckled softly, but his hand holding the fish food still trembled slightly.
When Li Huaiyu woke up, it was already bright outside. She clutched the blanket in confusion for a while before realizing her cell had changed.
A bamboo bed had replaced the straw pile, covered with a thick quilt. No wonder she had slept so comfortably.
Bewildered, she looked at the neighboring cell and asked Xu Xian, “Did Lu Jingxing come yesterday?”
Xu Xian shook his head.
“Then where did all this come from?” she asked, puzzled.
Xu Xian hesitated, seemingly unsure whether to tell the truth. But before he could decide, a jailer arrived.
“Meal time.”
Yesterday’s meals had been leftovers, but today was different. Huaiyu’s bowl contained meat and vegetables, with a bowl of soup on the side.
Huaiyu frowned, “Is this the last meal already?”
The jailer said nothing, leaving after setting down the food.
Staring at the white rice for a moment, Huaiyu picked it up, muttering, “I’ll have to eat it anyway. Better to die on a full stomach than an empty one.”
Huaiyu hadn’t eaten much since her imprisonment. Now, with vegetables and soup available, she quickly finished everything, then lay down on the bamboo bed to wait.
She expected someone to bring a dagger or a white silk cord soon, but after a long wait, the cell remained quiet without any movement.
As time passed, Huaiyu yawned and drifted off to sleep again comfortably.
After his three-day sick leave, Jiang Xuanjin returned to court, looking as elegant as ever, showing no signs of illness.
Li Huailin, seated on the dragon throne, smiled. “The Lord has recovered quickly.”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern,” Jiang Xuanjin bowed. “Today, I’m here to report on the case of Princess Danyang’s remaining faction’s rebellion.”
“Oh?” Li Huailin sat up straight, his eyes gleaming.
He had waited three days, providing Jiang Xuanjin with all the necessary evidence. Surely Jiang Xuanjin had realized something was amiss with the Imperial Study rebellion. Given his character, even if deceived by the Princess, he would seek justice for Bai Zhujie, Xu Xian, and the others.
If Jiang Xuanjin dared to publicly defend Danyang’s faction in court, Li Huailin would have reason to arrest him — this was his intention when he assigned the case to Jiang Xuanjin.
Besides Princess Danyang, the Lord Ziyang, appointed by the late Emperor, posed the greatest threat to the young Emperor.
Leaning forward slightly, Li Huailin eagerly watched Jiang Xuanjin, his hands clenching excitedly on his lap.
However, Jiang Xuanjin’s words were unexpected: “After thorough investigation, it’s confirmed that Xu Xian, Han Xiao, and others did indeed mobilize the imperial guards, constituting an act of rebellion.”
“I await Your Majesty’s decision.”
For a moment, Li Huailin thought he had misheard. “What?”
Was this really Jiang Xuanjin’s conclusion? How could it be? Hadn’t Ba Dezhong ng told him that those people were genuinely trying to rescue him?
Was he missing something? Or had Jiang Xuanjin been so deeply hurt by the Princess that he sought revenge?
Jiang Xuanjin calmly looked up and repeated, “I await Your Majesty’s decision.”
“My Lord,” Qi Han, unable to remain calm, stepped forward. “Is the rebellion case really this simple? I heard from Minister Liu that none of the prisoners have confessed.”
“Rebellion is a serious crime. Who would confess?” Jiang Xuanjin replied methodically. “But Your Majesty was present and knows their actions. There’s no need for further investigation.”
The trap was set, the dirt ready to fill it, yet he wouldn’t jump in? Qi Han frowned and turned to Ba Dezhong ng. “Censor Bai was also present. Do you have anything to add?”
Ba Dezhong ng stepped forward, glanced at Jiang Xuanjin, and said softly, “From what I observed, Xu Xian and the others surrounded the Imperial Study to rescue His Majesty, not to rebel.”
Qi Han nodded subtly and bowed to Jiang Xuanjin. “My Lord, hasn’t this investigation been a bit hasty?”
“Does Minister Qi suggest I should trust Censor Bai’s words and declare Xu Xian and the others innocent?” Jiang Xuanjin turned his head. “Perhaps Minister Qi would like to decide this case?”
Qi Han was stunned. Turning, he met the Emperor’s slightly reproachful gaze and quickly fell silent, retreating to the side.
“This case…” Li Huailin sighed. “We’ll discuss it further in the Imperial Study after court.”
Jiang Xuanjin looked puzzled. “The case can be decided now. Why does Your Majesty wish to discuss it further?”
The situation now seemed as if he and Qi Han were trying to save Danyang’s faction. Li Huailin felt annoyed, inwardly cursing the Lord Ziyang for being so dense. Despite being given so much evidence, he still insisted on impartially convicting them.
“We’ll discuss it further,” he said.
The court officials erupted in a clamor. Those who disliked Danyang’s faction spoke up: “Your Majesty, please don’t be soft on these remnants. The facts are clear; it’s best to convict them quickly.”
“Indeed, the Lord has confirmed it. Why is Your Majesty still hesitating?”
Having ruled for half a year, such indecisiveness would undermine the court’s confidence in him.
Li Huailin, feeling pressured, stood up and said, “If there’s nothing else, court is dismissed.”
Ba Dezhong ng had a petition for leniency in his sleeve, but with no conviction yet, he couldn’t present it. He silently retreated to his place.
The court fell silent. Li Huailin waved his sleeve. “Then court is dismissed.”
“We bid Your Majesty farewell,” Jiang Xuanjin bowed as usual at the front.
“This way, my Lord,” an attendant called as soon as they left the hall. Jiang Xuanjin nodded and followed him to the Imperial Study.
Qi Han and others didn’t follow. In the study, only the Emperor remained, kneeling at a go board on a soft couch, just like before. He placed a black stone, waiting for Jiang Xuanjin.
Jiang Xuanjin approached, bowed formally, then sat opposite him, taking the white stones.
“Does my Lord truly intend to leave my sister no way out?” Li Huailin asked softly.
Placing a white stone to cut off black’s path, Jiang Xuanjin replied without looking up, “If Your Majesty wishes to spare her, I won’t interfere.”
But he wouldn’t spare her.
“How heartless,” Li Huailin shook his head, placing a black stone. “Do you feel no guilt towards my sister at all?”
He had thought that knowing Prime Minister Sima wasn’t killed by his sister might soften Jiang Xuanjin’s heart.
However, Jiang Xuanjin’s face remained expressionless. “What I owed her, I’ve repaid in full.”
Li Huailin paused, thinking carefully. It was true, though it was more accurate to say his sister had claimed it back herself.
Fingering a black stone, Li Huailin said, “I wonder if my Lord has paid attention to the male companions in Feiyun Palace?”
“Why would I notice them?” Jiang Xuanjin lowered his eyes to place a stone.
Li Huailin followed with his move, speaking meaningfully, “There are four who entered Feiyun Palace earliest and are closest to my sister. Their names are interesting. If my Lord thinks carefully, you might discover a secret.”
Jiang Xuanjin responded coldly, “I’m not interested in Feiyun Palace’s secrets.”
“Knowing wouldn’t hurt,” Li Huailin said. “If after learning this, my Lord still wishes to execute my sister, I won’t stop you.”
The four earliest male companions in Feiyun Palace?
Jiang Xuanjin pondered these words as he left the palace. On his way to the imperial prison, after much hesitation, he asked Chengxu.
“Their names?” Chengxu replied, “Wu, Bai Ai, Qingxian, and Chijin. These four should be the earliest to enter Feiyun Palace. You had me investigate their backgrounds back then.”
Jiang Xuanjin’s hand, holding the prayer beads, tensed slightly. A flash of realization crossed his eyes, quickly concealed.
He strode into the prison, waving off the guards’ greetings, moving swiftly towards the deepest part of death row.
“We’ll have to wait two more days,” Lu Jingxing stood outside the cell, reaching through the bars to wipe dirt from her face. “At the first opportunity, I’ll get you out of here.”
Li Huaiyu docilely allowed him to clean her face, grinning, “If you can get them out, I’ll be eternally grateful.”
His clean fingers, unafraid of the grime, wiped away ash and mud, finally resting gently on her cheek. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
“It’s not nonsense,” Huaiyu said. “Lu Jingxing, if you can get them out of the capital, I’ll swear brotherhood with you before Guan Yu in our next life.”
His phoenix eyes narrowed, Lu Jingxing said irritably, “Then I won’t take them.”
“Huh?” Huaiyu frowned. “Why not?”
“If I meet you in the next life, I’ll take you straight to the altar,” he said roguishly.
Rolling her eyes, Li Huaiyu retorted, “Last time you said having feelings for me was being blind.”
“Indeed,” Lu Jingxing nodded seriously. “In the next life, I might be reborn blind.”
Kicking the bars, Huaiyu scolded, “I’m about to die, can’t you say something nice?”
“If I say something nice, will you listen?”
“Of course, who doesn’t like hearing nice things?”
“Alright,” Lu Jingxing nodded. Looking at her intently, his tone suddenly serious, “I want to marry you.”
His clear, jade-like voice carried far, the words deeply affectionate, without a trace of jest.
Black-soled brocade boots stopped at the corner of the cell. Jiang Xuanjin looked up, his gaze suddenly cold.
In his line of sight, Lu Jingxing leaned against the bars, his hand still on Li Huaiyu’s face. If not for the bars, he might have embraced her.
Li Huaiyu stammered, “You’re really saying it?”
“Yes, consider it, will you?” Lu Jingxing smiled. “Given how sincere I am.”
Huaiyu was stunned, vaguely feeling he might not be joking. Her heart tightened, and her gaze unconsciously shifted away.
To an outsider, this reaction might seem like coy reluctance.
Everyone knew the relationship between Li Huaiyu and Lu Jingxing, including him. But this was the first time he had directly witnessed such intimate affection. They truly lived up to their reputation as the “passionate couple” of legend.
His eyes darkened. Jiang Xuanjin turned and looked at the guard behind him.
The guard, terrified, hurriedly ran out and called to Lu Jingxing, “Master Lu, time’s up. Please leave.”