Chapter 110

Chapter 110

◎ Li Guiyu's Confession ◎

Luo Wanqing listened to their conversation. She wanted to ask more questions, but since Cui Heng had interrupted, it was clear he did not want her to continue. Thus, she had to suppress her curiosity and wait for Cui Heng and Xie Minsheng to finish their farewell before following Cui Heng out the door.

As soon as they stepped outside, Luo Wanqing was about to speak: "I..."

"You finally came out!"

Before she could finish, Cui Heng and Xingling, who were waiting at the door, immediately approached. Luo Wanqing stopped mid-sentence. Cui Heng glanced inside and asked curiously, "What did he keep you for?"

"It's not important."

Xie Heng did not answer him. Seeing others around, Luo Wanqing did not press further. She only heard Xie Heng say, "Where is Xie Qing?"

"I sent him away," Cui Heng scanned the surroundings and lowered his voice, "Let's go back to the courtyard and talk."

Xie Heng nodded, and the four of them returned to the courtyard together.

Luo Wanqing remained silent all the way. When they arrived back at the courtyard and closed the gate, Cui Heng immediately looked at Xie Heng and asked the question that puzzled Luo Wanqing as well: "Is Zhao Bing in the Supervision Division?"

Xie Heng did not speak, only pouring tea and instructing Xingling beside him, "Xingling, fetch some meal boxes from the kitchen."

Xingling bowed her head and softly replied, "Yes."

After Xingling left the room, Cui Heng frowned, "Do you really need to be so cautious with her?"

"Rules are rules; she's not ready to hear this yet."

Luo Wanqing also received her mission from the secret chamber; he could not make an exception for Xingling.

Cui Heng understood Xie Heng's point and did not argue further. He simply said, "Alright, explain to me what's going on with Zhao Bing."

Xie Heng handed the tea to Luo Wanqing and then pushed another cup toward Cui Heng, saying casually, "He's here with me."

"Did you falsely report his death?" Cui Heng frowned.

Xie Heng responded, "Yes."

"Why?"

"The Eastern Palace's Six Armies gained fame through the battle at Yu Guan, and there's old enmity at Qingyun Ferry. Shouldn't I ask him about it?" Xie Heng answered calmly, leaving Cui Heng speechless.

After a moment, Cui Heng said, "So you've been watching him all along? You went through all that trouble with the Northern Fourth Army and the Eastern Palace's Six Armies just for this?"

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing glanced at Cui Heng. His expression unchanged, he said, "Partly."

"So you already knew from Zhao Bing that the victory at Yu Guan was claimed using civilian corpses. That's why when you heard the Northwest soldiers talking about distributing clothes, you figured out everything and realized they were from the Wang family?"

"Yes."

Having clarified the situation, Cui Heng fell silent. It seemed he was struggling to accept it. After a long pause, he said, "How dare they."

"Why not?"

Xie Heng sipped his tea, "They won, didn't they?"

The concubine became the empress, the prince became the crown prince, and the obscure commander became a high-ranking official after the battle at Yu Guan, controlling the Eastern Palace's Six Armies. The Wang family rose to become the most powerful clan in the court.

They won so completely; faced with such grand glory and wealth, how could they not dare?

Cui Heng understood Xie Heng's point and listened quietly without speaking.

After a while, he suppressed his emotions and spoke as calmly as possible, "Xie Minsheng seems off. Tomorrow, he might try to take those people down with him. Should we leave any survivors?"

"Today, you found Fang Hu's family and captured Zhao Zhuang. Inform Xie Minsheng and send them both off Liufeng Island. Tomorrow, Zhuque should bring people in," Xie Heng added, "Don't send them too early; avoid alerting anyone. Wait until dawn approaches."

"Understood." Cui Heng nodded.

Xie Heng thought for a moment and continued, "Li Guiyu is still on the island. They must have discussed a backup plan with Xie Minran and are hiding, waiting for him to appear. Everyone needs to be careful today. Avoid being alone in places with few people, especially blind spots of the watchtowers."

"I understand." Cui Heng stood up, "If there's nothing else, I'll go find Fang Hu's family and see if there are other civilians to evacuate from the island."

"Good." Xie Heng nodded, "Go with Xingling."

"Alright."

With that, Cui Heng turned and left.

Once Cui Heng was gone, Xie Heng turned to look at Luo Wanqing.

Luo Wanqing gazed at him and suggested, "I want to ask Zhao Zhuang again."

Cui Heng did not respond immediately. Luo Wanqing explained, "Today, Zhao Zhuang said Jiang Fengwan died..."

"Does it matter?"

Cui Heng looked at her, and Luo Wanqing was taken aback. Cui Heng turned to look out the window, deliberately slowing his voice, "Everyone's medicine is running out. Prepare new doses for everyone. I'll go find the Love Seeds first. Don't wander around. After you get the medicine back," he paused and then looked at her, "don't leave this courtyard."

Luo Wanqing's expression turned serious, realizing Cui Heng did not intend to let her pursue the matter.

She did not understand why he was stopping her. Seeing her silence, Cui Heng pressed, "Can you do that?"

"Alright."

Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes and nodded.

Hearing her agreement, Cui Heng's expression softened slightly. He stood up and said, "Then I'll be off."

"Hmm."

Luo Wanqing did not see him off. Cui Heng walked out by himself, then suddenly paused and turned back after a moment of thought. As if joking, he said, "Speaking of which, although it's fake, tomorrow will still be my first time getting married, Xiniang," Cui Heng's eyes held a glimmer of anticipation, "prepare well."

Luo Wanqing was taken aback by his words. Cui Heng smiled and turned to leave.

Luo Wanqing stood there for a long while before she realized that Cui Heng actually had some expectations for the next day.

It seemed like he truly cared about the wedding tomorrow.

But Luo Wanqing hesitated to believe that he genuinely cared.

After all, this was just a ruse to get onto Xueling Mountain, and someone like Cui Heng should understand that clearly.

Moreover...

Zhao Bing was not dead.

Luo Wanqing recalled how Zhao Bing, the leader of The Eastern Palace's Six Armies, was stopped by Cui Heng during her rampage from Purple Clouds Mountain to the imperial court and thrown into a river.

She had always assumed he was dead, as the Supervision Division had reported it that way.

But he wasn't dead.

And Cui Heng never told her.

She had always believed that Xie Heng wanted to kill The Eastern Palace's Six Armies to dismantle the Wang family's control over the army, and that Cui Heng wanted to do so to avenge the ambush at Qingyun Ferry.

However, now she realized that her assumptions were too simplistic.

Cui Heng wanted The Eastern Palace's Six Armies because they were once the guards of Yu Guan. His interest in them was never coincidental.

He and Xie Heng were so similar, like top chess players whose moves you could never predict. When you thought a move was aimed at capturing a certain piece, you would later find out that their true intention was much broader.

He was far more complex and had deeper schemes than she had imagined.

Why, then, did he refuse to let her ask about Li Guiyu and her father?

Was it jealousy?

Or... something else?

Luo Wanqing couldn't figure it out, feeling overwhelmed with questions.

Everyone had always said that the item was in her father's possession, but why was it ultimately found in the mechanism hub on Liufeng Island?

What was the relationship between her father and Liufeng Island? Did her father ever visit Liufeng Island?

Did that item really have anything to do with her father?

Everyone assumed it did because her father's movements were unusual and he happened to be in Jiangnan at that time. But now it seemed that Liufeng Island was built with the involvement of Xiangsizi, who took the item from Zhang Qiuzhi and placed it in the mechanism hub with Xie Minsheng. Her father was never involved. So what was the connection?

Why did her father need to come to Jiangnan?

And Li Guiyu...

Why did Li Guiyu kill her father? Why did things end up this way?

These questions needed answers, and she must ask them.

She couldn't be like Zhang Jiuran, seeking revenge blindly.

If Cui Heng didn't want her to go, she wouldn't confront him directly. She would ask herself.

But Cui Heng was right; time was tight tomorrow, and she needed to prepare the medicine first.

Luo Wanqing decided to head to the pharmacy to collect the medicine.

The Supervision Division's usual medicines were for injuries and poisons. Although not as specialized as those made within the division, they were sufficient for field use.

She collected the common medicines, ground them into powder, made them into pills, and bottled them. By the time she finished, it was already midnight.

A light rain fell, yet Cui Heng and the others had not returned. The small courtyard was empty and eerily quiet.

Seeing everything prepared, Luo Wanqing took an umbrella and stepped outside.

Upon opening the door, she noticed that every courtyard along the path had red couplets and lanterns hanging from the trees. Liufeng Island was festively decorated, looking particularly joyous.

But with the light rain and no one around, the festive atmosphere felt somewhat desolate.

Luo Wanqing stared at the red couplets for a moment before remembering her purpose and immediately headed towards where the guards lived.

She asked around and learned where Zhao Zhuang was, then rushed over.

Zhao Zhuang was changing shifts and hurried back through the rain. As he entered the alley, a gust of wind from a blade greeted him. Luo Wanqing pushed him under the eaves, hiding in the blind spot of the watchtower, and coldly said, "Officer Zhao, I forgot to ask you a question today."

Zhao Zhuang, pressed against the blade, breathed heavily and hastily replied, "M... Miss, please ask."

"Do you know someone from the border?" Luo Wanqing asked, lifting her gaze. "His name is Luo Qushu."

******

Li Guiyu rested in a cave, slowly opening his eyes upon hearing the commotion below.

This was the place they had agreed upon with Xie Minran to hide, unknown to Xie Minsheng. Last night, he had Wang Yunzhi find Xie Minran to discuss a contingency plan. If Xie Minsheng woke up, they would wait here until Xie Minran recovered.

Everything proceeded as planned, except for his injury.

Feeling the wound in his abdomen, Li Guiyu still felt the pain.

It was as if burned by fire, a lingering, searing ache that persisted in the wound.

The person outside the cave handed a message to Wang Yunzhi. Li Guiyu glanced at her and propped himself up to sit, looking at Liufeng Island festooned with lanterns. He couldn't help but say, "What are they doing?"

"Preparing for a wedding banquet."

Wang Yunzhi spoke calmly.

Hearing this, Li Guiyu frowned and immediately asked, "Wedding banquet? What wedding banquet?"

"News from the island," Wang Yunzhi handed him the note, pondering, "The item is in the core hub of Liufeng Island. The Phoenix Feather Hairpin is in Ji Ruifang's possession. The fastest way to reach Ji Rui Palace is to get permission to ride the Sky Elevator. They are planning a fake wedding to infiltrate Ji Rui Palace."

"Who with who?" Li Guiyu stared at Wang Yunzhi.

Wang Yunzhi paused, lifting her gaze to meet his, her eyes filled with a hint of mockery: "Do you even care?"

"I'm asking who," Li Guiyu's tone carried a warning.

Wang Yunzhi didn't bother to elaborate further, saying directly, "Obviously, Xie Heng and Liu Xiniang."

Li Guiyu's expression changed instantly. Wang Yunzhi glanced at him, then turned away, speaking calmly, "Don't think about it; it has nothing to do with you. Since you chose to return to East Capital, you should know that everything related to Luo Wanqing is no longer your concern."

Li Guiyu held the note, momentarily speechless.

Wang Yunzhi looked down the mountain, speaking lightly, "One cannot have everything. Since you didn't want to stay in Yangzhou, don't always dwell on the past. If you truly wish to serve the Wang family, they will not mistreat you. But from now on," she glanced at him, "forget the past. Treat Jiang Shaoyan as if he were dead. Wanting everything makes you look desperate; you must let go of something."

Li Guiyu remained silent, listening to Wang Yunzhi, his breathing becoming rapid.

Seeing the situation, Zhang Bo hurriedly said, "Your Highness, I'll help you rest."

He gave Zi Tang a meaningful look, and both quickly came over to support Li Guiyu into a small side cave for rest.

As soon as Li Guiyu sat down, he urgently looked at Zhang Bo, saying, "She's getting married."

"That's fake," Zhang Bo immediately comforted him, earnestly adding, "Your Highness, it's just a temporary measure. It's all fake!"

"It's Cui Heng!" Li Guiyu exclaimed, his wound suddenly bleeding again. He stared at Zhang Bo, anxious, "She killed me for him. Zhang Bo, it's Cui Heng; they're getting married tomorrow!"

Zhang Bo was momentarily speechless. Zi Tang whispered, "Zhang Bo, His Highness might still be delirious."

"Your Highness," Zhang Bo looked at Li Guiyu, feeling sorrow.

He knew too well about Li Guiyu and Luo Wanqing.

Having grown up with Li Guiyu, he had followed him to Jiangnan, hiding his identity within the Luo family for Li Guiyu's sake. He understood Li Guiyu's feelings better than anyone.

Seeing the rare pleading look in Li Guiyu's eyes, he knew what Li Guiyu wanted. Yet, he could only take out some Wu Shi Powder, saying softly, "Have a little more, sleep, and tomorrow Xie Minran will wake up according to plan."

Li Guiyu looked at Zhang Bo, dazed, then turned his head.

Staring at the Wu Shi Powder, he seemed lost.

"Your Highness," Zhang Bo cautiously offered the powder, "Have a little, please?"

"Do you know what you're saying?"

Li Guiyu stared blankly at Zhang Bo, who paused. Li Guiyu reminded him, "If I use it again today, I might die."

"Your Highness worries too much," Zhang Bo quickly said, "This time, I had the Wu Shi Powder purified specifically for you. With your constitution, taking a bit more should be fine."

"Should be? What does that mean?" Li Guiyu insisted, then realized, "Why am I using Wu Shi Powder?"

"Your Highness!" Seeing Li Guiyu's mind was unclear, Zhang Bo immediately said, "The greater cause is paramount. A mere Luo Wanqing is insignificant. You must not risk yourself. Follow the plan. You are destined for greatness, and we have followed you thus far. Please do not disappoint us!"

Li Guiyu remained silent, scanning the uneasy looks around him. None of them approached to take the Wu Shi Powder from Zhang Bo.

In that moment, he suddenly remembered how Luo Wanqing had firmly refused the Wu Shi Powder in prison.

He knew that if Luo Wanqing were here, she would take the powder.

Whether it was Luo Wanqing or Luo Qushu, they would never give him such a thing.

They would only give him a mooncake during Mid-Autumn Festival, telling him not to force himself. They were like a clear moon, always hoping he would walk the right path.

He had never felt so lucid.

What was he seeking?

What was he doing?

Dragon and phoenix posture, ascending the throne, avenging wrongs, reaching the pinnacle—were these important?

Thinking of the tomb-like Wang mansion, the heavy rain on the day Luo Wanqing's death was announced, the couple running hand-in-hand through the streets of East Capital, and the mooncake Luo Wanqing gave him on Mid-Autumn night.

If he had never experienced it, perhaps he could endure. But having walked this path, how could he let go?

If he let go, even if it were a poisoned mooncake,

he would lose it forever.

Li Guiyu slowly smiled.

"I understand," he said, as if making a decision, softening his voice, "I won't use the Wu Shi Powder. Let me rest alone for a while."

Seeing Li Guiyu calm down, everyone exchanged uneasy glances but did not move.

Li Guiyu's face hardened, and he sternly shouted, "Leave!"

Hearing his angry tone, everyone immediately retreated.

Once they were gone, Li Guiyu gripped his sword and hastily rose.

Miss.

He covered his wound and rushed into the rain.

His mind was focused on one thing.

He couldn't let her go through it again.

Miss.

As he sprinted down the path, Luo Wanqing pressed her blade against Zhao Zhuang's neck and reminded him, "Have you heard the name Luo Qushu at the border?"

"I have!" Feeling the blade cut into his skin, Zhao Zhuang hastily replied, "I've heard of him."

"What did he do?"

Luo Wanqing sensed something, as Zhao Zhuang tried to recall everything he knew: "He... he was very skilled. His archery was excellent; he killed several enemy commanders and was highly regarded."

"Anything else?"

"Anything else... anything else..."

Zhao Zhuang continued to rack his brain when suddenly he remembered, "He killed Jiang Fengwan!"

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing tightened her grip on the knife and demanded, "Say that again?!"

"He..." Zhao Zhuang spoke in fear, trembling, "He... he shot Jiang Fengwan."

"Why?" Luo Wanqing couldn't understand, speaking urgently, "Why kill him? Didn't Jiang Fengwan save Li Guiyu and bring him back to the city? Why would he kill him?"

"I don't know."

Zhao Zhuang shook his head frantically, "I don't know either. I only know that the enemy tortured the prince for three days, but he didn't say a word. General Cui wouldn't open the gate. The enemy might have lost interest and said they would kill the third prince as a sacrifice if the gate wasn't opened. That's when Jiang Fengwan suddenly came out. He alone rescued the third prince. When General Cui saw this, he quickly opened the gate. General Cui personally went out to escort the third prince back into the city, while Jiang Fengwan held off the enemy until the last moment."

As Zhao Zhuang spoke, a hint of pity appeared in his eyes: "After the third prince entered the city, he wanted to go back and save Jiang Fengwan, but he was too badly injured, and everyone stopped him. Jiang Fengwan was not far away, kneeling and begging General Cui not to close the gate. But everyone was afraid," Zhao Zhuang struggled to continue, "everyone was afraid of what might happen. Everyone wanted to close the gate, but General Cui was still hesitating. And then..."

"Luo Qushu shot Jiang Fengwan."

Listening to Zhao Zhuang, Luo Wanqing suddenly understood.

Why Li Guiyu wanted to kill his father so much.

Why he never regretted it and never thought he was wrong.

"And then?"

She spoke with difficulty, and Zhao Zhuang whispered, "Then, the third prince fainted. After that, I'm not sure. I hurried back to inform the Wang family. Before leaving, I heard that the third prince wanted to kill Luo Qushu, and Luo Qushu was demoted back to the East Capital. After that, I don't know."

Luo Wanqing remained silent, unsure of what to say, feeling as if her heart were submerged in quicksilver, suffocatingly painful.

She tried to control her emotions and asked with difficulty, "What else?"

"Nothing else!"

Hearing this, Zhao Zhuang immediately waved his hands, "Really, nothing else. I'm not familiar with him. Sir, I've told you everything I know. Please spare my life..."

Luo Wanqing stared at him without responding.

Zhao Zhuang was almost in tears, "Sir..."

Hearing his sobs, Luo Wanqing finally reacted.

"Go."

Knowing she couldn't get more information, Luo Wanqing had no intention of making things difficult for him.

She moved the blade away, and Zhao Zhuang stumbled off.

After Zhao Zhuang left, Luo Wanqing stood alone in the alley, unsure where to go.

It was her father who had killed Li Guiyu's master first.

She stepped out from under the eaves, feeling the fine rain pricking her face.

For some reason, she recalled a year when she and Jiang Shaoyan had argued, and Jiang Shaoyan knelt outside, refusing to see her. Her father walked in and tried to persuade her.

"Wanqing, Shaoyan is a good boy. Forgive him."

"He's had a hard time," her father's words echoed in her ears, gently patting her shoulder, "but he's a good person. If he goes too far in the future, forgive him if you can."

Forgive him.

But how could she forgive him?

What he did was far more than just going too far.

He was not the child Luo Qushu saw; he was even more ruthless and decisive than Luo Qushu imagined.

Gripping the knife, she walked out of the long alley, feeling someone blocking her path.

She looked up and saw Li Guiyu standing not far away.

Dressed in black, he stood in the rain, the fine rain soaking his clothes, clinging tightly to his body, reminiscent of the way he used to wear his armor.

They silently faced each other, and Luo Wanqing, seeing his expression, knew he had been there for some time.

He must have heard everything.

None of them spoke for a long time. Finally, Luo Wanqing said calmly, "My father always told me that you were a good person, someone I should be considerate towards, someone I should treat well and spend time with. I always felt he favored you too much, but I believed he was right. In my heart, you have always been a good person. Then I realized that the Jiang Shaoyan of the past was even better than I thought."

Li Guiyu's eyelashes trembled as he spoke hoarsely, "Miss..."

"You were willing to give up your own honor for the country and become a hostage. You could remain silent in the face of humiliation to uphold the dignity of the nation. From the past until now, no matter what you did, my father always firmly believed that you were the prince who went to the border for the sake of the country."

"Stop it..."

"So I don't understand," Luo Wanqing stepped forward, staring at him intently. "I can't comprehend how such a good person could do this. Why would you betray my family, force my father to his death, leave me in prison without a care, watch my family be exiled, and not say a word even if they died. I don't understand. I'm not satisfied. I climbed step by step, enduring pain and hardship, just to stand before you. I wanted you to regret, to know you were wrong, to kneel at my father's grave and apologize. But then they tell me it was my father who killed your master—"

Luo Wanqing paused, struggling to hold back her tears: "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

She couldn't help but say, "If you had told me sooner, I might not hate you so much. Now you make me feel like a clown. What were you hiding from me? Afraid I'd be hurt?"

"No." Li Guiyu interrupted her, looking at her earnestly. "I want you to hate me."

Luo Wanqing paused, suddenly realizing something.

She looked at Li Guiyu, his eyes red and staring at her with a hint of obsession. He commanded, "I want you to hate me, to always care about me, to put me first, never to love anyone else, to hate only me forever. Hate me as much as I hate you."

Luo Wanqing listened to his words, looking at him in disbelief.

In an instant, she remembered that he had never directly told her he liked her.

But he had said countless times that he wanted her to hate him, always emphasizing that she should remember him, care about him.

"Do you want hate?"

She blurted out.

Li Guiyu remained silent, and tears fell from his eyes.

Luo Wanqing understood instantly, speaking in disbelief: "You want love."

Li Guiyu covered the wound she had given him, unable to respond.

"But I can't give it."

Realizing what Li Guiyu wanted, Luo Wanqing laughed, speaking vengefully, word by word: "You killed my father, destroyed my family, forced me to this point. How could I possibly give you love?"

"It's possible." Li Guiyu smiled despite her words, speaking desperately. "It is possible."

Luo Wanqing frowned, looking at him in confusion: "What?"

"See," Li Guiyu spoke calmly and gently. "Your father killed my master, the only person who unconditionally cared for me. Just outside the city gates, three paces away, my master was almost here—"

Li Guiyu paused, then his lips trembled as he laughed bitterly: "Yet I still love you."

Luo Wanqing widened her eyes, shocked.

She watched his tears fall as he cried and laughed, saying, "Do you know why Luo Qushu knew who I was and what I intended to do, yet still adopted me?"

Without waiting for her answer, he continued, "Because he thought he could move me, so he placed me near you. He wanted to use you and your family to corrupt me, defeat me, thinking that way he could give you a chance to live."

"You think that of him?"

"Isn't it true?" Li Guiyu sneered. "Otherwise, why would he save me, his enemy? Because he knew he could change me. I knew his plan, so every day I spent with you, I told myself never to let him succeed."

Li Guiyu's voice grew more agitated: "I must always remember what he did, make him suffer, make him despair, make everyone related to him experience the pain I endured. So I should have killed you, hated you, made you fall into hell with Luo Qushu. I should have done this, but I couldn't!"

He moved closer, his tear-filled eyes barely able to see her, and confessed openly: "When you died in Ling Nan, I died once. When you came back, I suffered a thousand deaths. Seeing your wounds, I felt pain; seeing you practice martial arts, I felt regret; seeing you play the zither, seeing you become a different person, seeing you grow distant from me, I felt fear and panic. I couldn't kill you, hate you, or love you, knowing it was wrong but still wanting to do it. Now I accept it."

Li Guiyu stared at her intently: "Since I can continue making mistakes, why can't you?"

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing suddenly realized what he meant.

She looked at him in disbelief: "Are you mad?"

Li Guiyu lowered his gaze, meeting her eyes, and smiled like a cornered beast: "Miss, we can't escape each other. I can't run, and you can't hide. Let's continue making mistakes together."

He paused, looking at her and recalling their engagement ceremony and the wedding dress he saw in her room.

He looked at her under the street filled with red decorations and lanterns, asking abruptly: "Shall we get married?"

As he spoke, he felt like a butterfly released from its box, fluttering its wings lightly.

No regrets, no hesitation. As the words left his mouth, he knew it should have been this way all along.

He should have admitted that mistakes were mistakes, and it didn't matter.

He loved this person, even if it was a calculated love, even if she was his enemy, he still wanted to love her.

Li Guiyu's eyes sparkled, as if he had finally found a way out: "Let's pretend the past doesn't exist. I'll help you kill Zheng Pingsheng, clear your father's name, and ask the emperor for permission to marry. I can bring back your mother, brother, sister-in-law, and Wen Shui—" Li Guiyu smiled. "I'll take good care of them. We can celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival together every year, Miss, and you'll give me a mooncake. I'll become the emperor, and you'll be the empress—"

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was stunned, instinctively rejecting: "Impossible."

"It's okay."

Seeing her shock and fear, he suppressed his heartache, forcing a smile, as if he didn't understand why she refused, and said urgently: "If you don't like it, it's fine. I won't ask for these things. I can go back to Jiangnan, just like before. I'll be Jiang Shaoyan, the Jiang Shaoyan who belongs only to you."

"Impossible!"

"Miss!" Seeing Luo Wanqing keep denying it, Li Guiyu raised his voice, his eyes full of past memories and pleading. Luo Wanqing was momentarily stunned.

In that moment, she saw not Li Guiyu.

She saw the boy in the corridor catching grasshoppers for her, the one carving little cats by lamplight, helping her with embroidery homework, accompanying her on boat rides over the starlit river, listening to music, and spending five years together.

She stared at him, listening to his hoarse voice: "Take Shaoyan home."

Luo Wanqing looked at him blankly, and Li Guiyu slowly stepped forward: "I can't find my way back," he tightened his grip on her wrist, "take me with you."

Take him with her.

Take him back to the best time of their lives.

He had struggled and escaped, but he couldn't leave. Since he couldn't escape—

then go back.

So what if her father killed his master? He had also killed her father. They both had blood debts. Why couldn't they be together when everyone was already dead?

If it was wrong, then let it be wrong. Through the netherworld and hellfire, he would go with her.

This thought made him feel lost, and he gazed at her in fascination.

Miss.

She had returned, his miss.

If he hadn't lost her, if she hadn't come back, if he hadn't experienced the joy of reunion, if he hadn't seen her radiant with a knife in hand, he might never have known how important those five years were.

"Miss..."

"Xiniang."

The two voices rang out simultaneously, and Luo Wanqing suddenly came to her senses. She quickly pulled her hand away and took a hurried step back before looking up at the newcomer.

At the end of the long alley, a young man in blue robes held a white umbrella stained with ink. Raindrops fell from the umbrella's edge like a curtain of pearls, separating him from them.

He stood still, as if he had been there for a while, his gaze calm without any emotion.

Such a distant Cui Heng made Luo Wanqing feel uneasy. She instinctively knew she should say something but didn't know where to start.

Before she could think of a reason, he began walking toward her.

He asked nothing, only quietly approached her and handed her the umbrella.

The umbrella shielded them from the drizzle, creating a warm barrier from everything else. He draped his warm outer robe over her shoulders, then took the umbrella, as if not noticing Li Guiyu, and gently pulled her hand, saying calmly, "Let's go."

They walked past Li Guiyu, who stood in the rain. Suddenly, he spoke: "Miss."

Luo Wanqing ignored him and followed Cui Heng forward. Then she heard him say, "Before dawn tomorrow, at the pier, I'll wait for you there. If you come, kill me or take me—"

Li Guiyu looked up at her as she was being led away and said decisively, "Either is fine."

Luo Wanqing hesitated, but Cui Heng didn't give her a chance.

He pulled her forward, firmly and resolutely leading her on.

"Don't you want a resolution? We need one. Tomorrow, I'll wait for you, Miss. Remember—"

As they walked out of the alley, Luo Wanqing saw a crowd gathered at the entrance. As soon as they emerged, Xie Qing and others rushed inside.

"You said you'd always love me."

Li Guiyu's voice echoed from behind: "You said you'd always be with me."

"Miss," amidst the sounds of fighting inside, Li Guiyu raised his voice, "you were the one who said you'd take me home!"

These words made Luo Wanqing's hand tremble, and Cui Heng tightened his grip.

He dragged her forward.

"Don't listen, don't look, don't turn back. Xiniang," his voice remained calm, "keep moving forward."

---

**Side Story**

Luo Wanqing: "You scared me silly after 110 chapters by suddenly saying you liked me."

Li Guiyu: "I didn't say that. I hate you; I just wanted you to hate me as much as I do."

Xie Heng: "That's good. Otherwise, I'd have chased my wife for 110 chapters, and you suddenly say you like her and want to reform. That would be even scarier."

Li Guiyu: "..."

Xie Heng: "It's better this way. Your stubbornness poses less of a threat. Keep it up."

Li Guiyu: "Miss!! I declare my love for you!!!"

Luo Wanqing: "I thought you were pretty stubborn..."

Xie Heng: "Ha, not at all. When it comes to toughness, I'm the one. Stubborn mouth, tougher body!"