Fu Yun Xi’s answer remained in his heart. That usually cold and distant Royal Uncle had smiled slightly, warm like melting ice spring, and said just three words: “She is good.”

Fu Yun Xi rarely praised anyone. Though these simple words said little, they contained deep affection. At the time, the Crown Prince thought his celestial-like Royal Uncle must have been bewitched, but after today’s events, he seemed to understand a little.

If nothing else, at least from the start to now, Han Yan hadn’t cried once. Her entire demeanor remained composed and at ease. In his years at the palace, the Crown Prince had seen women’s tears most often – coquettish tears, wronged tears, resentful tears, pitiful tears – but tears had never appeared on Han Yan’s face. In today’s situation, any other woman would likely have panicked. Yet she did nothing of the sort, calmly finding a hiding place. Being with her seemed to make even him become more steady and composed.

He couldn’t help but look at Han Yan. Her hair had become disheveled in the crowd’s pushing, looking bedraggled and almost comical. Her face was fair, and viewed this way still appeared quite young – clearly an unmatured girl. Yet why did she have such profound eyes, bright like jewels but unfathomable? Even hiding in a cave, their clothes dirty and their posture awkward, she unconsciously emanated nobility. Like a born princess – calm, decisive, self-assured, distinct.

The young Crown Prince didn’t know what to say. In that moment of blank staring, this Princess Consort of Xuan Qing whom he had never carefully observed before suddenly seemed very similar to his Royal Uncle. The same untouchable dignity, the same looking down upon everyone, the same composure in the face of life and death and countless dangers.

Han Yan suddenly turned her head, making a “shh” gesture toward him, pressing her ear to the cave entrance to listen carefully to the sounds outside.

Those were… hoofbeats and people talking, but the content of their conversation made Han Yan’s heart tremble.

“The head of the Great Clan’s Crown Prince – find it and we’ll get a big reward,” came what seemed to be a middle-aged man’s voice.

“Who knows where he fled to, though the carriage is right here,” another replied rather impatiently.

Han Yan didn’t know how many people were outside, but the footsteps sounded chaotic yet somehow contained a particular rhythm, suggesting they were well-trained. She grew tense, and the Crown Prince held his breath, not daring to make a sound. The footsteps came closer and closer to their cave. In his nervousness, the Crown Prince accidentally bumped into Zhuang Han Ming, who moaned slightly as his wound was touched. In the silence, this moan seemed extremely loud. Han Yan’s heart tightened, and the Crown Prince turned his head, his eyes full of panic. The narrow cave entrance suddenly seemed crowded. After a moment’s pause, those footsteps came directly toward them.

They’ve been discovered – this was Han Yan’s only thought. If they fell into those people’s hands, none of the three would survive. Their target was the Crown Prince, and Han Yan didn’t want to die alongside him, but now she had no choice. If they were discovered… if they were discovered… She gritted her teeth, suddenly turned, and pulled off the Crown Prince’s outer robe, putting it on herself. The Crown Prince was stunned, and before he could react, Han Yan turned back to give him a deep look. That gaze held pleading – was she asking him to take care of Zhuang Han Ming? There was helplessness, and more prominently, determination. Then Han Yan rushed out. In the golden robe, with disheveled hair hiding her features and a similar build to the Crown Prince, those men saw her and thought they’d found their target, immediately giving chase.

In the cave, the Crown Prince huddled motionlessly, with the unconscious Zhuang Han Ming beside him. He bit his lip to keep from crying out, his heart inexplicably aching terribly.

On the eastern mountain of the city, Han Yan had once loved playing here and was very familiar with every plant and stone, giving her a natural advantage in the terrain. Whether because the pursuers were unfamiliar with the area or were truly foreigners, they found themselves led on a wild chase by Han Yan, who deliberately chose corners and rocky areas, managing to buy some time.

She was now passing through a grassland. The area was very flat, and the armed men rushed forward, seemingly about to catch her, but Han Yan cleverly dodged. However, she suddenly felt her body sink, realized something was wrong, and instinctively tried to break free, only to find herself sinking further.

It was a swamp.

Han Yan looked back. The men stared at her in horror, suddenly confronted with their powerlessness against the swamp – something they’d never encountered before. Han Yan’s long hair covered the sides of her face; they could only see her fair chin slightly raised, her lips curved in a cold, mocking smile. This Great Clan’s Crown Prince seemed far more troublesome than they’d imagined.

Another group quickly caught up from behind. Han Yan immediately ran forward, though she knew this was merely a delaying tactic. When she reached a cliff edge, she stopped.

Behind her was a deep abyss – there was nowhere to retreat. She slowly turned around, gripping her last plum blossom dagger.

Only now did she see that these men were indeed not from the Central Plains, but likely Xi Rong people. The Xi Rong didn’t recognize the Crown Prince; they only saw Han Yan in the golden princely robes and couldn’t see her face clearly, so they mistook her for the Crown Prince.

Han Yan stood silently, motionless. She didn’t flee in panic or beg for mercy. Instead, she slowly raised a smile. Like a cornered beast preparing for its final strike.

This made those before her hesitate to act rashly. This Crown Prince was too cunning – they’d already suffered losses at the swamp. Now that the Great Clan’s Crown Prince showed such a smile, who knew what tricks might be planned? Though eager to act, none dared to step forward.

One against seven – Han Yan silently calculated. No matter what, she had no chance of winning. But these people would not let her go.

Finally, one of the men couldn’t hold back any longer. With a roar, he lunged at Han Yan. Unable to dodge in time, she was caught. The man grabbed her throat and arm, leaving her no room to escape, holding her like a chicken.

“Is this all the Great Clan’s Crown Prince amounts to!” Pleased at subduing his target so easily, the man laughed triumphantly. Han Yan hung her head, her slender arms hanging limply.

“Haha, look at this royal Crown Prince, such delicate skin! These arms are whiter than our Xi Rong women’s!” He reached to brush aside Han Yan’s messy hair, then froze upon seeing her face.

The man gulped when he saw her true face: “This Crown Prince looks like a young lady. It would be a waste to just kill…” His words turned crude as he reached for his belt.