Chapter 53 Escape I “You can’t bear to leave? Can’t bear Shen Jichen?…”

Chapter 53: Escape, Part I

“You don’t want to leave? You can’t bear to part with Shen Jichen…”

As Yue Rongrong returned to her room, her mind raced with unease. Wen Song’s expression earlier had suggested something serious had occurred—and inexplicably, anxiety coiled tightly in her chest.

On her way back, she overheard two maids conversing.

“Who was that official just now? I’ve never seen him around before—he must be visiting our mansion for the first time.”

“That was Lord Sun. I heard he oversees the mine prison outside the city and rarely comes to the capital.”

Yue Rongrong’s heart skipped a beat. She abruptly called out to the two maids. Upon recognizing her, they quickly bowed: “Miss.”

“Were you speaking of Lord Sun? Did he come to see Wen Song?”

The maids didn’t know why she asked—but having witnessed the Marquis’s recent treatment of her, they dared not conceal anything. They nodded: “Yes, Lord Sun spoke briefly with Chief Steward Wen Song, then left in haste.”

Yue Rongrong’s expression shifted subtly; her pulse quickened. She turned away swiftly, restless. Could it concern Qu Lieshan…? She shook her head sharply, chiding herself not to overthink. Lord Sun wasn’t Qu Lieshan’s direct supervisor—this likely had nothing to do with him. Perhaps it involved something else entirely.

Suddenly flushed and agitated, she asked Hui Yin to fetch a silk fan so she could nervously fan herself.

“Miss, let me do it,” Hui Yin offered—but Yue Rongrong vaguely waved her off.

Hui Yin studied her closely and asked, “Miss, is something troubling you?”

Yue Rongrong shook her head—then heard Gu Yu call out, “Marquis!” Her wrist holding the fan froze mid-air. After Hui Yin bowed, Yue Rongrong composed herself and lifted her gaze with a smile.

Shen Jichen watched her as he approached, gently taking the fan from her hand. “Are you hot?” He fanned her softly from behind.

Yue Rongrong clasped his hand. “No—your wound hasn’t healed yet. I’m not hot; I just thought the fan was pretty and wanted to play with it.”

Shen Jichen glanced at her but said nothing, merely turning the fan idly in his fingers.

Yue Rongrong stole a few glances at him. “What did Wen Song want? He looked grave. Your injury isn’t healed yet—you shouldn’t overexert yourself.”

Shen Jichen gazed at her intently for a long moment. Embarrassed under his steady regard, she tilted her head and smiled. He reached out and lightly patted her cheek. “Just some government business. Wen Song was uncertain how to proceed.”

He took Yue Rongrong’s hand and led her to bed, helping her remove her hairpins and ornaments. Her hair tumbled like a waterfall; her porcelain skin seemed to glow faintly rose-gold. He untied her sash and slowly slipped off her garments.

Yet he went no further—merely held her close and lay down to sleep. As he held her, his expression remained troubled. *If Rong Rong learns Qu Lieshan’s whereabouts are unknown—and that he’s feared dead—what will she do?*

Yue Rongrong sensed something was amiss. Her anxiety deepened—but she dared not ask.

Both feigned sleep, neither stirring.

Early the next morning, Shen Jichen rose—and Yue Rongrong awoke too.

“Where are you going?” she asked, voice edged with nervousness.

Shen Jichen offered a faint smile. “Some matters to attend to at the Ministry of Justice.”

“Your injury—”

He met her eyes. The fleeting anxiety and worry he glimpsed there were genuine. His heart softened. “Don’t worry—it involves no physical exertion.”

After Shen Jichen departed, Yue Rongrong sat wide awake. She summoned Hui Yin. Lately, she’d even grown accustomed to being attended by Hui Yin and the others.

Seated before the mirror, she listened as Hui Yin and Gu Yu complained.

“Miss, did you sleep poorly again last night? There are dark circles beneath your eyes.”

Hui Yin and Gu Yu had grown more relaxed in her presence.

“Use the Jade-Rong Powder,” Hui Yin suggested.

Yue Rongrong let them tend to her. Just then, a maid called from outside: “Hui Yin jiejie!”

Hui Yin stepped out and returned moments later, saying, “Miss, Vice Minister Cai’s secondary wife wishes to see you.”

Yue Rongrong, who had been distracted, suddenly lifted her head—startled. “Zhen Xi?”

Gu Yu pursed her lips. “That arrogant woman.” She made no effort to conceal her dislike. “She’s shown up again—no telling what mischief she’s plotting this time. Miss, let’s refuse to see her.”

Hui Yin added, “Miss, she said if you refuse, she’ll wait outside the mansion indefinitely.”

Gu Yu sneered. “She’s playing the sympathy card—she knows our Miss is soft-hearted! Let her wait, then!”

Both looked to Yue Rongrong, who paused thoughtfully before replying, “I’ll see her.”

“Miss!” Gu Yu protested reluctantly.

Yue Rongrong said, “You don’t understand Zhen Xi. We’ve already fallen out. For her to swallow her pride and come here now—it must be serious. Besides, if she truly waits until the Marquis returns, what if it angers him?”

Hui Yin said, “Then we’ll accompany you! This time, we *must* go with you, no matter what.”

Yue Rongrong met their determined gazes, sighed, and gave them a wry look. “Then let’s go.”

The two grinned and followed her.

Yue Rongrong didn’t invite Zhen Xi into the mansion—that would make her feel like a hostess receiving a guest, and she was no hostess. Instead, she stepped out to meet her.

The gatekeepers and guards at the mansion entrance were startled to see her emerge. They straightened instantly, bowed respectfully, and called out in unison: “Miss!”

That unified, reverent greeting made Zhen Xi’s face tighten. Seeing how deeply everyone respected Yue Rongrong, she gripped her handkerchief tighter—her eyes flashing with hatred before she swiftly masked it. Hurrying forward with a smile, she said, “Rong Rong.”

The sudden warmth caught Yue Rongrong off guard—she responded awkwardly.

Noting her aloofness, Zhen Xi stepped back, unable to hide her disappointment, and cautiously asked, “Rong Rong—may we find somewhere private to talk?”

Yue Rongrong hesitated, then nodded. They went to the same dessert shop as before.

They sat by the window once more. Yue Rongrong occasionally glanced outside—today, the capital felt different: more patrol soldiers, heavier tension in the streets.

“Rong Rong, do you remember? We used to come here often. Every time you finished work, you’d bring back my favorite Fuling Frost.” Zhen Xi took a small sip from her bowl of Fuling Frost.

Yue Rongrong withdrew her gaze and took a sip too. The taste was unchanged—but she no longer savored it as she once had. Had her palate been spoiled again, after staying at the Marquis’s mansion? Back in Hangzhou, Shen Jichen had already refined her tastes. After she left, she’d found food tasteless for weeks. Just as she’d finally adjusted—she seemed to have been spoiled all over again.

This was not a good sign.

“Rong Rong, Rong Rong,” Zhen Xi called. “What are you thinking about?”

Yue Rongrong smiled. “Nothing much. Why did you come to see me?” She no longer had the patience for polite pretense.

Hui Yin, Gu Yu, and Bai Tao sat at another table. Gu Yu shot Bai Tao a glare and remarked coolly, “A weasel offering New Year’s greetings to a chicken—no good intentions.”

Zhen Xi pressed her lips into a tight smile, stirring her dessert with her spoon. Her appetite had vanished. She spoke lightly, “After our chance meeting at the jade shop last time, Vice Minister Cai beat me when I returned.” Yue Rongrong paled—but Zhen Xi laughed. “Still, he didn’t make things difficult for me. He said since I’m your sworn sister—and you’re the Marquis’s woman—he spared my life for your sake.” Her smile turned bitter. “Rong Rong—in the end, it’s still you protecting me.”

“Zhen Xi…”

Zhen Xi turned her face away to wipe her tears, then looked back at Yue Rongrong with a charming smile. "I know, it was all my own fault from the beginning. I misunderstood you. Only now do I realize that you too had your own reasons you couldn’t help."

"What reasons?" Yue Rongrong sounded puzzled.

At that moment, Zhen Xi took out a neatly folded handkerchief from her sleeve and pushed it toward Yue Rongrong. Following her gesture, Yue Rongrong opened it doubtfully, only to find a shattered peace buckle inside! Her face turned pale as a sheet, and she abruptly looked up at Zhen Xi.

"How did this end up with you?" She tensed up completely.

Zhen Xi, now reassured, said, "It was given to me by someone named Qu Lieshan. He asked me to tell you that he has escaped."

With a "clatter," Yue Rongrong's hand accidentally knocked against the bowl and spoon, splashing some sweet soup onto the back of her hand.

Her heart raced wildly, Yue Rongrong forced herself to stay calm and asked, "How did he find you?" But her voice still shook slightly.

Zhen Xi replied, "Although he escaped, the entire city is under tight security now, and he can't take a step. Perhaps you mentioned me to him before, so he sought me out and asked me to come find you."

She naturally wouldn’t tell Yue Rongrong that it was all a coincidence. Ren Hanzhen had gotten hold of that note and originally intended to just visit the mine prison to see Qu Lieshan. But on the way, she encountered the injured Qu Lieshan. Ren Hanzhen initially didn’t want to get involved, but then she heard him call out "Rong Rong" in his unconscious state—just like that, by pure coincidence, Ren Hanzhen ended up saving him.

As soon as he woke up, his first thought was to find Yue Rongrong. Ren Hanzhen concealed her identity, pretending to be a simple country woman, and asked him, "Is she your wife?"

He said yes, and Ren Hanzhen laughed on the spot. She brought him into the city, only to find the city was sealed tight. Fortunately, he knew how to fight and managed to escape without a trace. Just as Ren Hanzhen was regretting losing such a perfect chance, he came knocking at her door.

Now, with nowhere else to turn, he had to seek help. He asked Ren Hanzhen to assist him but didn’t dare tell her that Yue Rongrong was at the Marquis’ residence, fearing that Ren Hanzhen might betray him to curry favor with the Marquis. That’s when he remembered Zhen Xi and Zhong Yu, Yue Rongrong’s good friends.

Naturally, Ren Hanzhen went to find Zhen Xi, and Zhen Xi also met Qu Lieshan.

"Rong Rong, do you want to see him?" Zhen Xi asked.

Yue Rongrong’s mind was in chaos. No wonder, no wonder Lord Sun had come last night and Wen Song looked so grave—it was because Brother Qu had escaped! She wanted to see him, of course she did.

But when she saw the piercing gaze in Zhen Xi’s eyes, she suddenly hesitated, growing cautious. Yet, in the end, her worry for Qu Lieshan overpowered all her reservations. She asked in a low voice, "Where is he?"

Zhen Xi pursed her lips and smiled. "He’s in an abandoned house in the southern part of the city. Here’s the address." She handed Yue Rongrong a piece of paper with the specific location written on it. "Can you come out tonight at the hour of zi (midnight)? I can pick you up."

Yue Rongrong looked at her for a long time before finally uttering, "Okay."

She considered that this might be a scheme by Zhen Xi to use Qu Lieshan against her, but as long as there was even a slight chance, she had to see Qu Lieshan. She couldn’t stand by and watch him with nowhere to go.

So that night, she went out anyway.

A black cloak and hood concealed her completely. She exited through the western corner gate of the Marquis’ residence, where Zhen Xi’s carriage was already waiting. Without hesitation, she got in, and the carriage soon disappeared into the long streets of the night.

In the quiet darkness, two figures slowly emerged. Wen Song’s face was stiff as he looked at Shen Jichen beside him, whose cold expression was already covered in a frosty glare.

Zhen Xi, sitting in the carriage, watched Yue Rongrong’s stunningly beautiful face furrowed with worry, giving her a pale and worried look. She asked, "Rong Rong, aren’t you afraid I might be luring you into a trap?"

Yue Rongrong said solemnly, "Rather than plotting against me and putting me in danger, it’s better to let me run away with another man. At least you wouldn’t be at risk, and you could get rid of me, the rival you want gone."

Zhen Xi’s face stiffened, so she simply came clean. "Yes, I hate you. Why are you so lucky? How could Marquis Shen take a liking to you, giving you silks and delicacies, the lofty Shen estate where everyone treats you with respect as if you were the mistress? Even Vice Minister Cai told me to get on your good side! We were clearly the same."

Yue Rongrong no longer wanted to speculate about her feelings; all she cared about was seeing Qu Lieshan.

Seeing this, Zhen Xi asked doubtfully, "Do you really intend to give up Marquis Shen for a common criminal sentenced to death? Give up wealth and honor, give up your unparalleled status and position? He’s the legitimate first son of the Shen household at Wangjing Gate!"

Yue Rongrong shot her a sharp look. "Qu Lieshan is not a lowly person!"

Zhen Xi was taken aback, then let out a disbelieving laugh. "Yue Rongrong, don’t tell me you’re in love with that death row convict?"

Yue Rongrong frowned. "I’m not in love with him, but he is the most important person to me. And stop calling him a death row convict!"

Zhen Xi smiled but said nothing.

The carriage stopped. Zhen Xi accompanied Yue Rongrong out, and the two entered through a run-down wooden gate. Moonlight spilled over the courtyard overgrown with weeds, everything pitch-dark except for the whistling wind through the hall. Yue Rongrong looked at the dark main hall, shivered, and dared not step forward. "Brother Qu?" she called softly.

Zhen Xi curled her lip. "I didn’t expect you to be so timid."

Yue Rongrong shot her a glare, her heart uneasy. Suddenly, a figure burst out, and she screamed in fright. Zhen Xi hurriedly covered her mouth. When Yue Rongrong looked closely, she saw it was Qu Lieshan!

The darkness in her eyes was lit up with recognition. Joyfully, she pushed Zhen Xi aside and rushed forward, taking Qu Lieshan’s hands and checking him over. "Brother Qu, you really made it out! Are you hurt?"

Qu Lieshan pulled her into a fierce embrace, holding her tightly. Yue Rongrong instinctively wanted to push him away, but her hands stiffened, resting on his waist. "Brother Qu." She tried to speak and push him away.

But Qu Lieshan just held her tightly, as if she were a precious treasure regained after loss.

After a long time, he finally released her, his eyes blazing with determination. "Rong Rong, I’ll take you away right now! We’ll leave the capital immediately and find a place where no one knows us to live."

"No!" Yue Rongrong cried out without thinking.

Both of them froze. Qu Lieshan’s brows furrowed deeply. "You can’t bear to leave? You can’t bear to leave Shen Jichen? Do you know what he did to me? He came to threaten me, had the prison doors welded shut, said he’d lock me up for life to threaten you! He also said that everything back in Gusu was done by his mother, that you’d never escape his grasp!"

Yue Rongrong asked, "Then how did you escape?"

Qu Lieshan glared at her darkly, clearly displeased with her reaction, and replied in a rough voice, "Someone happened to catch the plague, and Lord Sun was afraid I’d get infected, so he moved me to another cell. I seized the chance to run to the quarry and jumped off the cliff."

Yue Rongrong listened, her heart pounding with fear. "Are you alright?"

But Qu Lieshan waved it away. "That’s not the point. Did you hear what I said? What happened back then was done by the Grand Princess! She won’t let you off, and Shen Jichen won’t let me off either. The only way we can be safe is by leaving the capital!"

Yue Rongrong’s expression turned grim. "I know! In fact, I’ve already made a deal with the Grand Princess. As long as she releases you, I will leave with you." But she hadn’t expected him to escape on his own first.

Qu Lieshan’s face lit up with joy. "Then let’s go now."

Yue Rongrong still held him back. "Not now." She lowered her head, avoiding Qu Lieshan’s shocked gaze, and said in a muffled voice, "Not right now."

"Then when?"

Yue Rongrong took a deep breath and looked up at him. "I haven’t said goodbye to Zhong Yu yet. I can’t just disappear. And there’s Sister Peilan—she’s also in the capital, seeking treatment for her husband. I need to help her get settled before I can leave." She said, "After I see Sister Peilan and let her know, so she can rest easy."

Qu Lieshan’s face suddenly changed. He didn’t speak.

"Brother Qu?" Yue Rongrong looked at him, noticing that he always seemed uncomfortable whenever Sister Peilan was mentioned. "What’s wrong? Do you want to see Sister Peilan?"

"No, I won’t see her." His reply was rushed, but he gave a strained laugh. "I wouldn’t know what to say if I saw her. She’s living in Hu Si Alley now, right? After you’ve said your goodbyes to her, we’ll go." He grasped Yue Rongrong’s hand solemnly. "I’ll get word to you in three days."

Three days? Yue Rongrong was taken aback for a moment but eventually nodded.

She returned to the Marquis’ residence in a nervous state, tiptoeing back into her room.

"Where have you been?" a deep, chilling voice asked.

Yue Rongrong jumped in fright, staring blankly at Shen Jichen sitting by the bed. His black sleeping robes gleamed, and his handsome but cold face seemed utterly aloof and untouchable.

"I... I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk in the garden."

Shen Jichen stood up. His tall, imposing figure was majestic and upright as he advanced toward her, making her flustered.

When he got closer, Shen Jichen looked down at her for a long moment, until she felt so panicked she could barely breathe. Then he untied the fastening of her cloak, took her hand, and frowned. "Why are your hands so cold?" He wrapped her cold hands in his warm ones. "Go back to sleep."

Yue Rongrong nodded. She lay on the inner side of the bed, her mind racing as she turned her back. Shortly after, Shen Jichen embraced her from behind. Her back stiffened slightly but soon relaxed as she took his hand resting on her abdomen.

Shen Jichen whispered softly in her ear, "Rong Rong, no matter what happens, I've got you."

Yue Rongrong's resistance weakened a little. She turned over and nestled into his arms, pressing her face against his firm, warm chest, and gently kissed him. She felt Shen Jichen's body tense briefly, so she kissed him again. She knew him as well as he knew her—she could easily stir his desire.

Her hand slipped inside his robe, and her lips found the hollow of his neck. His Adam's apple bobbed as he pinned her beneath him, not questioning her motives for the night, purely lost in the fiery passion between them.

＊＊

Meng Residence.

When Zi Teng hurried into the room, Meng Jiayan was still writing—a habit of hers whenever she felt unsettled. Her cursive script flowed like floating clouds and running water.

"Miss, there's news." Meng Jiayan set down her brush and looked up. Zi Teng said, "As you suspected, Yue Rongrong did go to the abandoned house." Her eyes held admiration. "When you arranged for the epidemic to help Qu Lieshan escape and saw Ren Hanzhen but didn’t allow us to save her, it turned out just as you predicted. Ren Hanzhen picked up that lost note and rescued Qu Lieshan. The hidden guards reported that the Marquis also saw Yue Rongrong with Qu Lieshan just now."

Meng Jiayan smiled faintly. "Since someone else has stepped in, we don't need to get involved."

Zi Teng asked, "Won’t you help them escape? The capital is on high alert now—they certainly won’t get away. If they don’t escape, won’t Yue Rongrong end up staying at the Marquis’s residence?"

Meng Jiayan sighed softly. "Whether they escape or not is no longer important. What matters is Piao Yao’s attitude." She glanced at her calligraphy with some satisfaction. "Besides, the more we do, the more evidence we leave behind. Ren Hanzhen was already an unexpected gain, but she is clever enough to involve someone else and keep her hands clean."

Zi Teng added, "I never imagined they had such grudges against Yue Rongrong." She asked, "What should we do next, Miss?"

Meng Jiayan said, "Let’s be spectators and see how far this matter goes."

The sky took on a faint pinkish hue as the sun began to rise.

Shen Jichen had gone out. Yue Rongrong thought he had probably gone to capture Qu Lieshan. It seemed Qu Lieshan truly couldn’t stay long. With that in mind, she got up, got ready, and took a carriage to Hu Si Alley.

But as soon as she stepped out of the carriage, she saw Ge Peilan’s husband hurriedly coming out. He looked away, coughing twice, before approaching her.

"Miss Yue."

"Master Pan, why are you out here?" Yue Rongrong asked in surprise. "Where is Sister Peilan?"

"Peilan is missing!" Master Pan said urgently.

Yue Rongrong’s heart tightened. "What do you mean she's missing?"

Master Pan explained, "This morning, she was making breakfast. I faintly heard a man’s voice and was about to go see when I heard the sound of shattering dishes. When I came out, Peilan was gone."

Yue Rongrong stood rooted to the spot.