Chapter 2

Chapter 2

In that dream, she leaped to her feet the instant the jailer called for her.

This time, however, she hesitated, and it was Zhang Bo who bowed first, respectfully addressing her, "Miss."

"What are you still doing?"

Seeing Luo Wanqing remain motionless, Yao Zelan grew impatient, pulling her up and urging, "Hurry up."

Luo Wanqing was at a loss for words. Gazing at the man standing respectfully by the door, she felt as if she were stepping into a den of tigers.

Every detail from the dream replayed in her mind. Standing before Zhang Bo, Luo Wanqing could feel her entire body trembling slightly.

Yao Zelan, who was dragging her along, sensed her unease and turned with a frown. "Wanqing, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Luo Wanqing forced herself to calm down. Raising her eyes to meet Zhang Bo's, she suppressed all fear and cautiously echoed the response from her dream. "Zhang Bo, did Shao Yan send you? Where is he?"

"Gentleman is occupied with pressing matters and unable to spare the time. He has specifically instructed this old servant to visit Miss and Lady," Zhang Bo said, smiling as he bowed to Yao Zelan, reciting the same words that echoed in Luo Wanqing's dream. Then, turning to Luo Wanqing, he continued, "He also sends a message to Miss, hoping you will be prepared."

Luo Wanqing lifted her eyes in astonishment upon hearing this.

Without hesitation, Zhang Bo performed every action as she had foreseen in her dream. He replicated every detail, first producing a small golden bottle that fit perfectly in his palm, then a pitch-black dagger. Placing them side by side, he held them out for Luo Wanqing to see.

"What does this mean?" Yao Zelan's face clouded with suspicion, sensing something was amiss.

Zhang Bo ignored Yao Zelan, focusing solely on Luo Wanqing with a tinge of pity in his gaze. He sighed and said, "Gentleman mentioned that he has done all he could for Master's case, but the evidence is irrefutable. There's nothing more he can do. The judgment for the Luo family has been passed; Master has been sentenced to death, and the rest of the family will be exiled. The only favor Gentleman can now do for Miss is to offer you a choice. This vial contains a potent poison that will instantaneously stop one's breath without causing any pain."

Yao Zelan's eyes widened at these identical words from the dream, while Luo Wanqing gradually composed herself.

Zhang Bo extended the dagger next, presenting it to Luo Wanqing. He went on, "Or you may choose this dagger, sharp enough to cut through iron. It can serve as a means of self-defense for Miss."

Luo Wanqing remained silent, gazing at the two items, feeling the absurdity of the situation.

Yao Zelan, realizing the gravity of the situation, interjected anxiously, "Zhang Bo, what is the meaning of this? Is Shaoyan abandoning us? Zhang Bo, you must ask him to come here! If the Luo family didn't commit these deeds, there's still a chance for us! You must get him to come..."

"Miss."

Zhang Bo ignored Yao Zelan and, with a sincere tone, addressed the eerily calm Luo Wanqing, "Don't be too heartbroken. Actually, Young Master has feelings for you. He did this for your own good. He asked me to convey a message to you..."

"In his heart, even though we haven't officially wed, he already considers you his wife."

Luo Wanqing interrupted him, her voice firm. Zhang Bo was taken aback, then watched as the elegant woman lifted her gaze, her eyes seemingly smoldering with anger. She gritted her teeth and asked through clenched teeth, "He hopes that I'll remain chaste for him on this long journey to the border?"

"A-ah... Yes!" Zhang Bo nodded in shock, then puzzledly asked, "How did you know?"

How did she know?

Fear engulfed her completely, making her realize that this wasn't a dream. She couldn't help but grasp at her sleeves to restrain her intense emotions.

In that dream, she had believed those words, taken that vial of poison, and traveled a thousand miles, only to be trapped in Lingnan for life, waiting for him with her life.

She waited until her family was destroyed and she was plagued by illnesses, lingering like a vengeful spirit, yearning for the news of Jiang Shaoyan's miserable end every day and night!

But she never received it.

In her entire life, she never got the chance to see him again, not even leaving Lingnan.

"I want to see him!"

Fear and fury intertwined, spilling out in her desperate plea.

Zhang Bo gave a helpless smile, attempting to placate her further, "Miss, if the young master could come, he would have. It's just that his duties truly are pressing..."

Before he could finish, Luo Wanqing suddenly reached out and snatched the dagger from Zhang Bo's grasp.

The crowd was stunned, and the jailors instinctively drew their swords. However, before they could react, Luo Wanqing had pulled the dagger out and held it against her own throat, creating distance between herself and the others as she shouted, "Let me see him!"

"Miss."

Seeing her life on the line, Zhang Bo remained unafraid, addressing her with a mixture of exasperation and affection, like a parent dealing with a mischievous child, "Stop acting out. Put down the dagger."

As he spoke, Zhang Bo nudged the vial of poison closer, speaking softly, "If you wish to end your life, use this. It won't hurt."

"What nonsense are you talking? !"

Upon hearing this, Yao Zelan reacted, her voice laced with anger. She then turned to Luo Wanqing and said softly, "Wan Qing, don't be impulsive. It's just a man. You still have your parents, so don't do anything foolish. Give me the dagger."

"You go tell him—"

Luo Wanqing ignored Yao Zelan and stared at Zhang Bo, who remained calm. Clenching her teeth, she said, "He, Jiang Shaoyan, was rescued by the Luo family five years ago. We treated him as our own son, never showing any disrespect. I was betrothed to him through an arranged marriage. With the judgment for my family still pending, whether it's out of affection or reason, or in terms of public or private matters, he should come to see me. If he doesn't come, I'll assume he has fallen in love with someone else and feels guilty, thus avoiding me. Today, I will take my own life here to expose his shamelessness and ingratitude. Hundreds of witnesses here today will attest to it," Luo Wanqing exclaimed, raising her voice, "In the annals of history, Jiang Shaoyan will forever bear the stain of my blood. He can't wash himself clean!"

Zhang Bo's face paled upon hearing this.

While others couldn't understand the situation, he was well aware of its implications.

If Jiang Shaoyan were an ordinary person, Luo Wanqing's words would hold no weight. They might even seem illogical.

But Jiang Shaoyan was a prince.

The matter had already been reported to the capital, and many high-ranking officials in the south knew that it was unacceptable for Jiang Shaoyan not to see Luo Wanqing. Furthermore, he had already met Zheng Biyue and might marry her in the future. If Luo Wanqing were to die because she couldn't meet Jiang Shaoyan, it would undoubtedly become a massive stain for their political opponents to exploit against the Jiang and Zheng families.

After all, the Luo family had done him a favor, a fact known even to the emperor.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Zhang Bo quickly assessed that he couldn't make the decision alone. He hurriedly replied, "Miss, please calm down. I'll immediately go ask the young master if there's another way for him to come and see you."

With those words, Luo Wanqing's heart sank, knowing she had correctly gambled on the information from her dream.

"I'll give you only half an hour."

Lifting her head slightly, the edge of the blade pressed against her skin, causing blood to trickle down. Zhang Bo's expression changed subtly. He heard Luo Wanqing lower her voice, her warning barely audible to only the two of them: "Half an hour. If he doesn't come, I'll taint his reputation with my life!"

Zhang Bo was taken aback. He looked up in disbelief, unable to understand how the usually gentle Luo Wanqing had suddenly become so assertive.

Observing the determined yet slightly frenzied look in the woman before him, he swallowed hard. After a long moment, he hastily nodded, "Yes, this old servant will go and invite the young master right away."

With that, Zhang Bo signaled to the nearby prison guard and hastily turned to leave.

As soon as Zhang Bo was gone, Luo Wanqing relaxed. Yao Zelan rushed forward, grabbing Luo Wanqing's hand that held the dagger, and exclaimed anxiously, "What are you doing? Even if you're angry with him, you can't risk your own life like this!"

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing paused. She lifted her gaze to meet her mother's eyes, filled with reproof and concern. Recalling the image of her mother collapsing into her arms in the dream, her lips trembled.

After a long while, she spoke in a hoarse voice, "I'm sorry, Mother, but I have to see him."

She needed to see him.

Regardless of truth or deception, she had to see him.

If it was false, she would demand clarity.

But if it were true... if it was truly the case...

A fierce glint flickered in Luo Wanqing's eyes. Gripping the dagger in her hand, she gritted her teeth with hatred — she would personally end his life!

Yao Zelan listened to her words but failed to perceive the complex emotions beneath. She only sighed, "My child..."

She seemed to want to scold her but, remembering how deeply her daughter cared for Jiang Shaoyan, she imagined her to be devastated. Yao Zelan held back from adding salt to the wound and sternly said, "No matter what, don't do anything foolish, do you understand?"

Luo Wanqing didn't respond, merely pressing her lips together. As Yao Zelan was about to say more, Zhang Bo hurried back.

"Miss," Zhang Bo's face lit up with joy as he exclaimed, "Please, this way."

Upon hearing this, Yao Zelan froze, finding it hard to believe. "You've already asked him?"

Realizing what had happened, she suddenly erupted in anger, "Jiang Shaoyan is here?!"

"Madam..." Zhang Bo chuckled nervously, seemingly pondering how to explain the situation to the enraged Yao Zelan. However, Luo Wanqing remained calm. She placed her hand on Yao Zelan's shoulder and softly said, "Mother, don't be angry."

Turning her head, she glanced at the jailer and calmly stated, "Open the door."

The jailer looked at Zhang Bo, who nodded in response. After a moment of hesitation, perhaps considering his superior's orders, he finally unlocked the prison cell for Luo Wanqing.

Luo Wanqing closed the dagger and turned back to Yao Zelan. Gently reassuring her mother with, "Mother, don't worry. I'll be back after finding out more," she then left with the dagger in hand, following Zhang Bo.

The jailer, seemingly already informed, didn't intervene. Zhang Bo led the way, explaining as they walked, "Young Master has just arrived too. I even thought he wouldn't make it, but he managed to handle his duties and rushed here to see you. Please don't misunderstand his intentions and let his efforts go to waste..."

Luo Wanqing didn't pay much attention to these words. They were lies, and although she might have believed them before, she no longer did now.

There were inconsistencies everywhere... No, they were mere excuses.

Yet in her dream, she had accepted those excuses.

"Miss, we're here."

Stopping ahead, Zhang Bo signaled the end of their journey. Luo Wanqing paused and lifted her gaze, seeing a small room with its door ajar in front of her.

A figure sat within the chamber, their garment's edge visible to the eye.

"The young master is already awaiting you inside. This old servant shall not intrude further. Please proceed," the attendant said respectfully.

Luo Wanqing remained silent. Clenching her dagger tightly, she took a deep breath before finally stepping forward.

Upon entering the room, a chill carried with it a subtle fragrance that brushed against the tip of her nose.

Drawn by the scent, she lifted her gaze. Behind a long table, a young man sat in an armchair, dressed in a lake-blue silk robe. His hair was partially tied back with an jade hairpin, his delicate, ink-drawn brows lowered as he gazed at the teapot held by his scholarly hands.

Tea cascaded from the pot, creating a veil of vapor in the air.

"Miss."

Amidst the gentle splashing of water, he lifted his head slowly. His eyes, warm and serene, resembled an early autumn lake at dawn, shrouded in mist, reflecting her image as he softly called out, "You've arrived."