Today Han Yan only brought Shu Hong with her. After bidding farewell to Chai Jing on the back mountain, they hurried back to the mansion before dawn. It was winter, the sky was dark, and Zhuang Mansion was completely silent, with only occasional faint dog barks, very discreet.

Han Yan and Shu Hong crawled out through the dog hole in the back courtyard. Just as they dusted off their clothes, they smelled a strong scent of blood. The bloody smell was almost right at their nose. Instinctively, Han Yan reached for Shu Hong, but as soon as she moved, a powerful arm restrained her from behind, and a cold blade pressed against her throat.

Shu Hong was stunned by this sudden turn of events. Just as she was about to call for help, she saw Han Yan give her a signal, and immediately closed her mouth, only watching the person holding Han Yan with vigilance.

At this moment, there was no one around, and all the maids were sleeping in the mansion. Their appearance of returning from an outing absolutely couldn’t be seen by others. Moreover, they didn’t know this person’s identity – if they angered him, losing their lives would be disastrous.

After some thought, Han Yan lowered her voice and said, “If Sir has lost his way, release me, and I will naturally guide you.”

The person pressed the knife closer to Han Yan’s throat, his voice hoarse and harsh: “Stop wasting words!”

Han Yan noticed that the closer she got to this person, the stronger the smell of blood became, and the body restraining her seemed somewhat stiff. Upon careful observation, even the hand holding the knife to her throat appeared to be trembling. Understanding the situation, she calmly said, “Sir is already injured. If not treated, it might be bad for your health.”

The person hadn’t expected Han Yan to be so bold. After a moment of silence, he said, “You’re not afraid at all.”

“We have no grievances between us, so naturally, you won’t kill me,” Han Yan smiled slightly. “I just wonder what Sir intends to do with such actions.”

The person took a breath: “Take me somewhere to hide.”

Han Yan’s heart stirred – could this person be fleeing from pursuers? If she helped him, who knew what trouble it might bring her in the future? But if she didn’t help… Han Yan glanced at Shu Hong. At this point, they had no choice but to help. She sighed inwardly and said, “Release me, I won’t call out. Just follow me.”

The person hesitated, then threatened near Han Yan’s ear: “Don’t try any tricks, or I’ll kill both you and this maid.” Seeing Han Yan remain obedient still, he gradually loosened his grip. Han Yan took Shu Hong’s hand and gestured for him to follow.

“Miss… where are we taking him?” Shu Hong asked worriedly. The man didn’t seem easy to deal with, and there were no spare rooms in Qing Qiu Yuan… Han Yan frowned: “We have no choice, we’ll take him to my room first.”

The man followed Han Yan into the inner chamber. Han Yan closed the bedroom door, and Shu Hong lit the lamp, finally revealing the appearance of Han Yan’s captor.

He was a tall, young man with handsome, imposing features and wolf-like jade-green eyes that now watched Han Yan like prey. He wore a dark robe and carried himself with great pride. Han Yan noticed his deep features were more striking than those of Central Plains people, suggesting he was of foreign descent, yet his bearing didn’t seem ordinary. The dark robe on his chest was soaked in a large patch, showing signs of wetness, but the strong smell of blood reminded everyone it wasn’t water.

This was an injured man who still appeared dangerous like a lone wolf cornered yet still possessing the power to strike back.

While Han Yan was observing him, he was also studying her. He had thought she was just a common maid, but when she led him into this room, he realized she was a young lady of the mansion. What noble young lady would sneak out in the middle of the night and return at dawn? Perhaps she was meeting a lover, he thought, his gaze becoming somewhat frivolous.

Yet he saw the girl standing in the room appeared only twelve or thirteen years old, wearing two round buns in her hair and dressed in a coarse cloth jacket and pants. Her face was pretty but not particularly beautiful, just pleasant and gentle to look at. In the darkness, he hadn’t been able to see Han Yan’s appearance clearly and had assumed from her composure that she was older. Finding instead a child who hadn’t even come of age left him somewhat dumbfounded.

Seeing his dazed expression, Han Yan had Shu Hong take him to the outer room while she changed clothes before coming out. When she emerged, she tossed him a pile of medicine: “I don’t know exactly what injury you have, but here’s all the medicine in the room. Choose what you need.”

Seeing Han Yan’s complete lack of fear, he somewhat approved of her composure, but still deliberately darkened his face and said in an ominous tone: “If you try any tricks, I’ll take your life immediately.”

Han Yan smiled at him and made a gesture: “Please proceed.”

Seeing Han Yan remained unmoved, he snorted coldly and said no more. Han Yan looked at him thoughtfully: “Sir doesn’t seem to be from the Central Plains?”

The man glanced at her and said: “Sometimes knowing too much isn’t a good thing.”

Han Yan shrugged: “I saved your life, at least let me know your name.”

“Saved my life?” The man laughed instead of getting angry: “I’m called Zhuo Qi.”

This must be a false name – Han Yan had this intuition immediately, but it didn’t matter, so she said: “When does Young Master Zhuo plan to leave?”

Hearing her words, Zhuo Qi’s jade-green eyes darkened: “Not until it’s safe.”

“Who’s hunting you?” Han Yan looked at him. Zhuo Qi’s expression instantly became very unpleasant, and he looked at Han Yan with extreme wariness: “You talk too much.”

Han Yan could only nod: “Young Master Zhuo, after you leave, you won’t bring me any trouble, will you?”

Her questions all hit key points. Zhuo Qi looked at the young girl before him with a complex expression. Dealing with her was like dealing with an adult. Every word had to be considered and weighed carefully. Though this young girl’s edge wasn’t obvious, she was like a fine sword, naturally carrying some glory.

She was truly interesting.

Like a cat spotting prey, Zhuo Qi curved his lips maliciously: “The trouble will be great…”

“In that case,” Han Yan smiled and said: “I never hesitate to eliminate those who bring me trouble.”

“How will you eliminate me?” Zhuo Qi looked at her with interest.

Han Yan smiled brightly, her gaze falling on Zhuo Qi’s newly bandaged chest.

Zhuo Qi’s expression changed: “You used poison?”

“What do you think?” She smiled like a harmless rose.

Just then, a sudden commotion came from outside. Han Yan’s expression turned serious, and Shu Hong hurriedly ran in: “Miss, it’s bad! There are many officials outside, it seems they’re searching for someone.”