After nightfall, Li Wu, his two brothers, and Xiao Hu — who had changed back into men’s clothing — needed to hurry back to Bailing Plain.

Shen Zhuxi accompanied them all the way to the city gate. She gazed at Li Wu with reluctance, and after reminding him of every possible reminder she could think of, she hesitated for a long while before finally summoning the courage to speak the words she had buried deep for so long:

“His Majesty has only just ascended the throne — his position is still weak. Wherever it is within your ability to help him, could you… try to support him?”

The moment the words left her mouth, her face burned with embarrassment.

Li Wu’s current standing had been obtained under the Zhenchuan Military Commissioner Li Qia’s wing — and Li Qia had already become a ghost beneath the floodwaters. Li Wu himself was barely managing to hold his own position; how could he support the Yuanlong Emperor in the midst of this turmoil?

“Never mind — what I just said…”

Before Shen Zhuxi could finish speaking, Li Wu had caught her hand. His manner was casual, but his tone carried a genuine sincerity: “Of course I’ll help my own family — even if you hadn’t said it, I would have done it. Put your mind at ease.”

Shen Zhuxi was deeply moved. She swallowed the tightness rising in her throat and tried hard to open a smile toward him:

“Li Wu, thank you.”

“…Still so formal?” Li Wu looked at her with the white of his eyes.

Shen Zhuxi’s face grew even hotter, and in a voice as small as a mosquito she said: “Hu— Husband, thank you…”

“With that smile from just now.” Li Wu fixed his burning gaze on her.

“They’re all waiting — hurry along now…” Shen Zhuxi’s face flushed red as she gave him a light push.

Xiao Hu and the two brothers were waiting outside the city gate, with four fast horses beside them, while Mei Niang and two household guards stood waiting not far away under the eaves of a shop. With so many people waiting, Shen Zhuxi felt all the more bashful and at a loss.

“I’m waiting too,” Li Wu said, refusing to let it go. “You smile, I’ll go.”

Shen Zhuxi had no choice but to do as Li Wu asked, and did her best to smile up at him.

“Husband…”

The “thank you” following it had not yet left her lips when Li Wu suddenly turned around and strode toward Li Kun and the others waiting outside the city gate.

“Going now!” Li Wu raised his right hand and waved it behind him without turning around, calling out in a loud voice: “Wait for your husband to come back — I’ll take you out to eat and drink well!”

Shen Zhuxi couldn’t help but laugh, and the hand hidden in her sleeve could not help but lift, swaying in small arcs before her chest — silently answering the gradually receding Li Wu.

She watched Li Wu’s retreating figure and said softly: “Waiting for you to come back…”

Li Wu walked up to Li Kun and the others and took the reins Li Que handed him. Li Que glanced at Li Wu and mounted his horse without a word. Xiao Hu glanced at Li Wu, gave a light squeeze of the horse’s belly, and moved ahead.

Only Li Kun stared straight at Li Wu and grinned: “Brother is embarrassed… gone red in the face…”

Li Wu raised his hand and landed a smack right on Li Kun, who was right beside him: “So you’re the only one who can speak?!”

Li Kun’s smiling face collapsed into a crying one; he muttered a rambling stream of complaints and lowered his head to mount his own horse.

Li Wu, astride his horse, turned to look back once more — just in time to catch Shen Zhuxi’s wave.

He broke into a candid, free-spirited smile and called out in a loud voice: “I’m going! Wait for me to come back!”

The vigorous, bright voice carried far through the night air. Shen Zhuxi, her face flushed, raised her arm high and waved it with force.

Li Wu laughed once more, pulled up the reins, and pressed his heels firmly against the horse’s belly: “Go!”

After watching Li Wu and the others disappear into the distance, Shen Zhuxi turned and walked toward Mei Niang as the city gate soldiers slowly drew the gates closed.

Mei Niang came toward her holding a lantern. Shen Zhuxi was just lifting her eyes to smile at her when a figure in pure white stepped out from the alley beside them.

The night wind stirred the veiled hat on her head; her slender waist beneath the white gauze looked like a delicate willow branch.

Shen Zhuxi started, instinctively halting her steps.

The woman stopped in front of her.

“Madam!” Mei Niang darted in a single bound to stand before Shen Zhuxi, blocking her like a mother hen protecting her chicks. The two household guards also stepped quickly to the front and watched the uninvited visitor with alert eyes.

If it had been a strong man, Shen Zhuxi would have had reason to be afraid — but the woman before her was slight and delicate. Never mind Mei Niang and the two robust household guards — Shen Zhuxi felt that even she herself was considerably more capable than this woman.

She looked at the woman before her with puzzlement and was just about to ask who she was when the other party removed the veiled hat from her head.

A face as fresh and beautiful as a lotus emerging from clear water appeared in the night.

The strikingly lovely woman sank into a full, graceful bow before her, speaking word by word:

“This commoner, Zhu Sha, pays respects to Your Highness.”

Mei Niang and the two household guards were completely at a loss, exchanging baffled glances with one another.

Of the only two people who knew the truth, Shen Zhuxi stood frozen to the spot, her heart in a panic — she wished with all her might that Li Wu, who had only just passed through the city gate, could somehow instantly appear back at her side.

In her panic, she was nearly looking for a crack in the ground to hide herself in, yet on the surface she still managed to look quite surprised and composed as she said: “Miss, I think you have the wrong person?”

The person before her was completely unfamiliar; Shen Zhuxi searched her memory to the utmost and could not find a single recollection connected to her.

Could she be some young lady from a noble family who had accompanied her elders into the palace to pay respects and, by some fortunate chance, had once seen her true face?

The woman smiled gently and slowly rose from the ground.

Her gaze fell on Shen Zhuxi from start to finish, treating the Mei Niang and two household guards beside her as invisible air.

“Perhaps I have the wrong person,” Zhu Sha said with composure and a smile.

“You… what is your connection to the person you mistook me for?” Shen Zhuxi asked, her heart caught in her throat.

“If Madam is willing, perhaps you might come to where I am staying for a cup of tea,” the woman said in a soft voice. “Perhaps our questions could both find answers there.”

Zhu Sha bowed a greeting, turned, and walked back into the only teahouse in the alley whose lights were blazing and whose doors stood wide open. She stopped at the teahouse entrance, turned around, and seeing that Shen Zhuxi had not moved a single step, smiled: “This is Xiangyang City — it is within a hundred paces of you. The city garrison is still patrolling the city wall, and one cry from you would bring countless soldiers pouring out…”

The lanterns under the eaves were brilliant and bright. The firelight swept over the perfume pouch and handkerchief at Zhu Sha’s waist, and the fine embroidery was bathed in light — every thread vivid and lifelike.

“What do you have left to fear?”

Zhu Sha smiled, turned, and walked into the teahouse.

That arrogance Zhu Sha concealed beneath her deferential posture gave Shen Zhuxi a vague and instinctive feeling — every part of the situation before her had been carefully designed by this woman.

She had prepared many reassurances on all sides, all to dispel her hesitations, so that she would walk into that teahouse and speak with her.

“Madam, this woman is acting so mysteriously — let’s hurry and go!” Mei Niang tugged at her sleeve in unease.

But Shen Zhuxi could not move her feet from this spot.

This woman knew her identity, and that meant she held her in the palm of her hand.

Li Wu had already galloped away — she could not count on Li Wu to drop from the sky and solve this threat for her.

Running away would be useless.

The Yuanlong Emperor was right there on Bailing Plain. If Zhu Sha were to make this known — no one would escape unscathed.

What to do? What to do?

Shen Zhuxi’s heart burned as though on fire, with Mei Niang still urging her from beside her.

A thought struck her in her haste: “Mei Niang — go to the garrison office right now, make up some reason or other to stay there. If I haven’t come out in the time it takes to burn one incense stick, immediately tell the captain the truth and have him bring soldiers at once.” When Shen Zhuxi finished speaking, she looked at the two household guards. “You two will come with me.”

Seeing her resolute, Mei Niang cast three glances back at every step she took and ran toward the city gate guard post not far away.

Shen Zhuxi walked toward the teahouse in the alley with her two guards.

“You two…” she murmured a brief instruction. The guards exchanged a glance, then nodded with grave expressions.

She left the two men at the brightly lit teahouse entrance and walked alone into the wide-open shop door.

The teahouse was hung all over with lanterns; even the dust in the corners was fully exposed. Zhu Sha sat alone at the square table in the center, setting down a cup of clear tea trailing wisps of steam, and smiled: “Your Highness, please sit.”

Her expression held not a trace of hesitation — she was not testing but knew with certainty who Shen Zhuxi was.

Shen Zhuxi looked around the teahouse and could find no third person.

“…What is Your Highness looking for?” Zhu Sha smiled. “There is no third person here — but the shop owner’s family is sleeping in the back courtyard. If I were to cry out and make a scene, things would go in a direction Your Highness would not wish.”

She saw straight through Shen Zhuxi’s intentions and kept firm hold of the upper hand.

Shen Zhuxi forced herself to appear composed as she asked: “Who are you?”

Zhu Sha lowered her eyes and said softly: “This commoner, Zhu Sha — a wandering entertainer, a life no more stable than duckweed.”

Shen Zhuxi continued to watch her with wariness.

If she were merely a kept entertainer, why would she recognize her?

“Though Dragon Well tea is fine, it truly cannot compare to the century-old tea trees the young master went to great expense to procure for Your Highness.” Zhu Sha sighed as she released the teacup and slowly rose to her feet. “Such a pity… the Da Hong Pao tea the young master specifically sought for Your Highness waited a full year without its intended recipient and has become forgotten old tea with no one to ask after it.”

The words “young master” rang like a thunderclap, shattering every last defense Shen Zhuxi had.

She looked at Zhu Sha slowly rising to her feet, the alarm crowding her throat leaving her unable to utter a single word. She gripped her fists with all her strength, doing everything she could to hold back the spreading fear.

“Your Highness need not be afraid. As I have already said, I am nothing but a wandering entertainer — a life like reeds by the roadside, lowly as duckweed. I bear no ill intentions toward Your Highness, nor can I compel Your Highness to do anything.” Zhu Sha looked up at Shen Zhuxi and said warmly, “Zhu Sha swears on her life — seeing Your Highness regain freedom, I am happier than anyone.”

Zhu Sha’s words left Shen Zhuxi bewildered.

“…You are not here to capture me and bring me back?” she said, dazed.

“Zhu Sha herself is also caged — why would I bring Your Highness back to suffer?” Zhu Sha said.

“Then you…”

“Zhu Sha came to Xiangzhou together with the young master. Meeting Your Highness was entirely by chance.”

“Fu Xuanmiao is in Xiangzhou too?” Shen Zhuxi’s face went pale.

Zhu Sha glanced at her, and the suspicion in her eyes quickly transformed into understanding. She said with unruffled composure: “The young master is right now at Bailing Plain, less than a hundred li from Xiangyang County. Your Highness was unaware — which means…”

Zhu Sha paused, and let the remaining words fall gently: “Someone has deliberately withheld the news from Your Highness.”

Shen Zhuxi felt the ground under her feet suddenly become burning hot. Learning that Fu Xuanmiao was right there on Bailing Plain, she wanted to fly to the ends of the earth to take refuge — but then, the moment she thought of Li Wu, both her feet were nailed firmly to where she stood —

Li Wu! Li Duck! Li Rotten Wretch!

He thought hiding it from her would do him some good?! He had been right under Fu Xuanmiao’s nose the whole time, being all warm and affectionate with her — did he think his life was too hardy and needed to find a rock to bang it against?!

Shen Zhuxi wanted nothing more than to seize him by the duck-neck right this instant and shriek accusations at the top of her lungs — but in front of Zhu Sha, who was observing her every expression, she had to keep her agitation concealed.

“My fault for being too focused on news of His Majesty.” Shen Zhuxi forced a smile.

The unspoken implication being: who did Fu Xuanmiao think he was?

The smile on Zhu Sha’s face trembled slightly. She drew a deep breath and said: “…Were that not the case, I would not have presumed to stop Your Highness. It is only that Your Highness’s present situation is truly far too dangerous. Even for the sake of those Your Highness holds dear, Your Highness ought not expose yourself so carelessly.”

Zhu Sha’s words were very reasonable — but how could Shen Zhuxi stay cooped up at home for the full twelve hours of every day? Even if she could endure it, one thing after another outside kept forcing her out the door to take charge of the situation —

“Li Wu came from humble origins; that he can serve today as a regional official assisting His Majesty is surely due to Your Highness’s direction?” Zhu Sha’s expression was full of sincerity, her words seeming as though they were weighing the considerations on Shen Zhuxi’s behalf. “If Your Highness wishes for Li Wu to remain and continue assisting His Majesty, you should all the more stay at the rear. The moment the young master or His Majesty discovers Your Highness, no matter how capable Li Wu is, it will be impossible for him to remain at His Majesty’s side.”

“Your meaning is… I should live apart from Li Wu, in two different places?” Shen Zhuxi said in surprise.

“Your Highness and Li Wu living apart in two places both lowers the risk of Your Highness being discovered, and in the event Your Highness’s identity is exposed, allows room to maneuver and find a way out. As long as Your Highness is careful and does your best to conceal the fact of your marriage, should you be brought back to the palace in the worst case, you could still protect Li Wu and the others.”

…Her plan truly could be called safe.

Only — Shen Zhuxi had never, until now, directed her thoughts toward leaving Li Wu.

To use separation as the price for safety — was it worth it?

The answer was undeniably yes.

Yet Shen Zhuxi still resisted the parting.

Zhu Sha bowed her head, exposing the smooth nape of her neck, her posture one of deference as she said: “Zhu Sha’s standing is humble — if Your Highness does not disdain her, Zhu Sha is willing to lend Your Highness a helping hand.”

“…How would you help me?”

Zhu Sha drew a brocade pouch from within her sleeve.

“Inside are several property deeds in Guizhou, travel permits with false identities allowing passage through various regions, and a detailed map from Xiangzhou to Guizhou.” Zhu Sha held out the brocade pouch and looked at her. “Guizhou is far from the center of the conflict, reasonably prosperous, and not too far from Xiangzhou — correspondence takes only half a month’s time. For Your Highness, it should be the best choice.”

Shen Zhuxi’s gaze fell on the brocade pouch, and an expression of hesitation and indecision appeared on her face.

Zhu Sha said: “If Your Highness intends to leave, the sooner the better. In five days, Zhu Sha will be leaving Xiangzhou with the young master. By then, there will be more than just Zhu Sha among those around the young master — I am willing to conceal things for Your Highness, but others may not necessarily be willing.”

The time it took to burn one incense stick had already passed, yet from Mei Niang’s direction there was still complete silence.

After a long silence, Shen Zhuxi reached out and accepted the brocade pouch.

“I will leave as soon as possible. Thank you, Zhu Sha.”

Zhu Sha smiled: “To be of help to Your Highness is a blessing of three lifetimes for Zhu Sha.”

Shen Zhuxi had the brocade pouch in her grip — the hand she moved to draw back was caught in a reverse hold by Zhu Sha.

She felt the slight and delicate frame contain strength she could not have imagined. Shen Zhuxi no longer felt that she herself was more powerful than this woman —

Shen Zhuxi was gradually coming to the realization that without a teapot close at hand, she could not overpower anyone.

Zhu Sha looked at her with a smile and said softly: “Your Highness truly intends to leave?”

“Of course…” Shen Zhuxi forced herself to appear composed.

“But why do I have the feeling that the moment Your Highness steps through that door, the brocade pouch will be tossed by the roadside and you will make your escape?”

The night wind swept over the wild grass outside the door, making a rustling sound. A small cat’s cry sounded from behind the wall — some wild cat, it seemed, was padding along the base of the wall.

“I won’t — as if!”

Shen Zhuxi wrenched herself free with force, snatched up the teacup from the table, and hurled it straight at her. Zhu Sha’s expression changed drastically; she instinctively squeezed her eyes shut and dodged. Shen Zhuxi seized this opening and sprinted with all her might toward the outside of the teahouse.

“Attack!”

The sound of the teacup shattering and Zhu Sha’s voice — mortified rage barely contained — rang out at the same moment.

A powerful sense of crisis sent a chill down Shen Zhuxi’s spine. She had no time to think, and flung herself headlong down from the steps.

After one thorough face-first fall, a trembling arrow shaft pierced the earth right in front of Shen Zhuxi’s eyes.

At the same moment, countless fully armed civilians poured out from the darkness, and in the blink of an eye Shen Zhuxi was encircled in a ring of protection. Mei Niang, eyes filled with tears, threw herself forward and hurriedly helped her up from the ground.

“I… before I even reached the city gate, someone knocked me out from behind… it was Old Hu who saved me…” Mei Niang said, her face full of shame as the tears streamed down.

Having no time to attend to the pain on her body, Shen Zhuxi gripped Mei Niang’s hand tight and softly reassured the girl — who had not yet reached fourteen — “It’s all right. You did very well…”

Hu Yishou walked out of the darkness holding his pipe, standing before a vast array of archers poised to strike, and looked with an unruffled expression at the seven or eight black-clad figures emerging from the teahouse.

After exhaling a smoke ring slowly, Hu Yishou said without haste:

“The west side of the city is the territory Li Wu handed to me, Hu Yishou. Before you came looking for death, did you not investigate thoroughly?”

Shen Zhuxi stood behind Hu Yishou, still shaking from the lingering fear of that arrow — which had nearly struck her in the back.

Running away would be useless.

Since running away was useless, then she should turn around and go on the offensive!

Zhu Sha had specifically mentioned the city gate garrison just now — not because she was confident they would not come to blows, but because she had been deliberately steering her toward seeking help from the garrison.

Shen Zhuxi had thought of a backup plan, and sent one of the household guards beside her to seek help from the Hu family gambling house not far away.

It had originally only been meant as an extra contingency — she had not expected that contingency to truly prove useful!

Two groups of archers faced each other in a standoff, war at the point of ignition.

Zhu Sha stepped to the threshold of the teahouse, watching Shen Zhuxi — sheltered behind everyone — without blinking. The forced warmth and gentleness she had put on to persuade others gradually stripped away from her face.

“Could Your Highness tell me?” she said. “When did you begin to suspect?”

Just as the woman had shed her disguise, Shen Zhuxi too exchanged her naïve and guileless expression for a new one.

She looked at the other party with full wariness and said: “…It was your perfume pouch and handkerchief that gave you away.”

“The same needlework — I have only seen it on one other person —” Shen Zhuxi stared at her and spoke word by word: “You are Yu Feng’s sworn sister — the one who truly wants to be rid of me!”