Chapter 119 The Finale of the Escape Arc

Chapter 119: The End of the Escape Arc

Luo Qianyu took a step back.

His Adam's apple rolled involuntarily—how did this guy appear out of nowhere?!

Luo Qianyu's heart pounded like a drum as he fought to stay calm. Even if this person was like the four shadow guards before, someone from Da Xi chasing him for revenge, he was currently wearing a disguise and dressed as an unnoticeable little eunuch—he should be utterly unremarkable. "Who are you? Do you know that breaking into the imperial palace and sneaking into the inner court is a grave crime?"

Luo Qianyu softened his voice, adding a tremble: "Young master, I'll pretend I didn't see anything. Please leave quickly. I still need to leave the city to buy chestnut cakes for the Third Prince. If I'm late, I'll be scolded, so I must hurry back."

The other guy stayed quiet for a long time.

Just as sweat started beading on Luo Qianyu's forehead, the young man finally spoke: "Where is your Third Prince?"

Luo Qianyu's scalp tingled. He lowered his gaze and replied, "To answer you, young master, leave this side hall, walk straight, cross the garden, then turn left. The first building there is his."

The young man spoke again: "What is he doing now?"

Luo Qianyu paused, then carefully answered, "The Third Prince tired himself out during the day... he's probably asleep by now."

The other guy seemed to buy it and shut up. Luo Qianyu silently let out a sigh of relief, though his heart still raced. After a moment's hesitation, he bowed, then quietly moved to sidestep this dangerous guy, brushing past the young man to get out through the door behind him.

But the second he stepped over the threshold, his waist suddenly got yanked.

He was grabbed tight from behind, an unfamiliar scent instantly wrapped around him. He heard the young man's voice: "Just now, who were you calling 'Prince Brother'?"

Luo Qianyu's eyes narrowed.

In his current disguised form, it'd make sense if Liu Cixue saw through it—after all, the face mask he wore was made by Liu Cixue himself.

But how did this kid recognize him?!

The next moment, the young man's chin rested against his neck, his voice flat but burning with fierce obsession, right by his ear: "Doesn't big brother know? You've got a scent on you, unique and maddeningly good."

"No matter what form big brother takes, what identity he assumes, or where he is... little brother will always spot him at a glance."

...

Big brother?

Luo Qianyu's heart clenched.

He was Xiao Wansheng's youngest son, with no brothers at all—there was no way he'd suddenly get a younger brother. That left only one possibility: the person before him was the Young Marquis's fourth younger brother, the Imperial Guard Commander, surnamed Luo, given name Shifu.

This young man was actually Luo Shifu, one of the original novel's highly popular buy-stock gongs!

How the hell did he run into Luo Shifu here?

Forget everything else, just going by the original plot, Luo Shifu and the Young Marquis had already crossed swords and turned on each other over the protagonist shou in the later stages. That arc was one of the novel's most dramatic and thrilling parts.

Big brother had already run off to Zhao, and his little brother still wouldn't leave him alone?

Luo Qianyu's mind raced, but he had to keep up the lie. Pretending to be scared, he said, "I don't know what you're talking about, young master. I handle the incense in the Third Prince's hall, soaked in it day and night. That's why the smell sticks to my body and hands. I'm not the big brother you speak of!"

Luo Shifu said nothing, his fingertip tracing the little eunuch's jaw. The next second, the eunuch let out a short gasp, and his original face was revealed.

His disguise was wrecked!

Luo Qianyu's heart sank. He knew this act couldn't last any longer—today, a fight was unavoidable. But in the original novel, Luo Shifu was an Imperial Guard Commander, and the author never detailed his martial skills in his youth. Luo Qianyu knew nothing about his capabilities, which made him nervous.

He reached for the folding fan tucked in his eunuch robe, slowly starting to pull it out, when he suddenly felt his collar tighten at the back of his neck, followed by a chill on his shoulder.

Luo Qianyu's heart leaped. He turned his head.

Luo Shifu's voice sounded right by his ear, tinged with hoarseness: "This scar on big brother's shoulder was left during the Imperial Banquet three years ago. That day, when the rebels rioted, big brother shielded me, drawing the pursuers away, and a sword pierced through your shoulder."

"Since that night, I've worried every day that big brother would leave me. Later, when Luo Zhenchuan ordered you to follow Que Xilan to the battlefield, I was a hundred times unwilling, but big brother promised me, swore to me, that you would never die."

"But in the end, big brother still broke his word."

The cool fingertip brushed over the scar on his shoulder, making Luo Qianyu tremble slightly, shock filling his heart.

The original owner had actually taken a sword for his little brother?

What happened to the greedy, cowardly rich playboy?

After a long silence, Luo Qianyu's voice rang out. He pressed his lips together and said, "You've mistaken me. I'm not your big brother."

He took a deep breath: "I am Xiao Yu, the Third Prince of Zhao. I was never a subject of Da Xi, nor am I your elder brother."

"I have no younger brother."

The air was dead silent for a long time.

He heard Luo Shifu's voice, almost icy cold, yet laced with a tremor: "Has big brother abandoned me?"

"Is it because of that 'Prince Brother'?"

...

Luo Qianyu's heart leaped.

He froze, then instinctively said, "No... it's not—"

Before he could finish, a gust of wind brushed past his ear, carrying the cold metallic chill of a spear tip cutting through the air.

Luo Qianyu looked up sharply to see the Crown Prince in his blue court robes, rushing over with armored imperial guards bearing spears.

The Crown Prince was furious, veins bulging on his forehead, rage nearly spilling from his eyes. His gaze swept over Luo Qianyu, then landed on the figure behind him. Grinding his teeth, he said, "Another one?"

"You people from Da Xi can't stop coveting my little brother, can you?"

Luo Shifu stepped out from the shadows, his face cold: "So this is why my big brother called someone else 'Elder Brother.'"

"Another Crown Prince popping up from who knows where."

As he spoke, the young man drew the Xiuchun Sword from his waist, its blade glinting in the daylight.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince's eyes turned icy. Without giving anyone a moment to breathe, his sword "clanged" as it left its sheath, the blade slicing through the air straight at Luo Shifu's face. Luo Shifu twisted his wrist, the Xiuchun Sword crossing in front of his chest.

With a deafening "clang," the clash of metal rang out, rattling eardrums. Sparks flew from the gap where the two blades met, scattering to the ground.

The Crown Prince's assault grew fiercer, his sword strikes vicious, each aimed at Luo Shifu's vital points, the sword wind wrapped in fury. Luo Shifu's coldness deepened, the Xiuchun Sword dancing into an impenetrable web. Blade light and sword light collided and intertwined in the narrow space, each impact sending up showers of sparks, reflecting the growing hostility in both their eyes.

The imperial guards surrounding them all held long spears, their tips aimed at the center, yet none dared to step forward rashly.

The killing intent within that storm of blades and swords was too intense; a single misstep could drag anyone in, like a powder keg on the verge of exploding with the slightest spark.

Luo Qianyu was stunned, watching it all unfold.

So this is what a top-tier fight looks like?

After several rounds, the two were still evenly matched, neither gaining the upper hand. No movie or TV show could capture a duel this brilliant—not even close to a fraction of it.

He swept his gaze across the surroundings. The Crown Prince had brought over twenty Imperial Guards, all experts, standing at the ready with their spears forming a circle. Though Luo Shifu was highly skilled, being outnumbered meant a prolonged battle would surely lead to defeat.

Looked like the prison cell was about to get one more occupant.

Five had shown up in one night, and Little Fish found it a bit hard to digest.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he quietly shifted his retreating steps to the side. Luo Shifu's capture was only a matter of time; rather than sticking around, it was better to slip away in the chaos.

Otherwise, once Brother Crown Prince came down to question him, he wouldn't be able to leave, and might even end up staying at the Eastern Palace for the next few days.

.

.

In the city, it was the day after the Lantern Festival.

The curfew was lifted, and the night was still free.

The long street blazed like a river of stars. Under every house's eaves and on every shop's door lintels, all kinds of lanterns hung.

Rabbit lanterns with round ears, revolving lanterns with painted panels, lotus lanterns with tassels, and even the old tree at the street corner was wrapped in a string of small lanterns. When the wind blew, the tree full of light spots dazzled the eyes, making the night brighter than day.

As Luo Qianyu stepped into the middle of the street, he ran into a dragon dance troupe passing through. The golden dragon body leaped and rolled, following the dragon pearl, and the sequins on the dragon scales caught the lantern light, drawing arcs of light over the crowd's heads. Beside them, lion dancers leaped to the beat of drums, red and green lions winking at the watching children, sparking bursts of cheers.

Acrobats did somersaults and tossed colorful balls on a raised platform, making the crowd below clutch their clothes and cheer.

Luo Qianyu was filled with wonder, watching with unblinking eyes. He also saw a crowd gathered around a lantern riddle booth, where riddles written on red paper hung under the lanterns. Some frowned in thought, others huddled together whispering.

Luo Qianyu walked around the booth. The sugar-figure maker's fingers flew, and in no time, he shaped a sugar rabbit holding its head high, handing it to a little girl in a padded jacket who had stepped forward. The sweet fragrance, wrapped in warm steam, drifted far off.

After strolling through most of the street, with crumbs from the sugar painting he'd just tasted still on his palm, Luo Qianyu remembered his main task: he needed to find an inn to rest first, then go out to play again.

But after asking at three places in a row, the innkeepers all waved their hands: "Sorry, guest, you've come too late! During these Lantern Festival days, the inns in the city center have long been fully booked by guests who came from out of town to see the lanterns!"

The young man had no choice but to head toward the outskirts of the city. Fortunately, the bustle along the street hadn't died down, and in the distance, he could still hear the sound of gongs and drums from the theater stage.

After walking for about half a cup of tea's time, he finally saw a shop with a wooden sign. The name was simple, just "West Zhao Inn."

Although a few people with lanterns passed by outside, the shop was quiet inside, exuding a rare sense of peace.

As soon as he lifted the door curtain, the waiter greeted him warmly, a cloth draped over his shoulder: "Guest, please come in!"

Luo Qianyu was about to ask about lodging, but the waiter smiled and added first: "Sorry, sir, but all our rooms are full. I can only offer you a meal, not a place to stay."

Luo Qianyu sighed, thinking it looked like he'd have to go to the courier station outside the city tonight. But after walking so far, he was hungry, so he found a table by the window and sat down, ordering a bowl of yuanxiao (sweet rice dumplings).

The spot was good—he could look up and see the street scene outside the window.

Lanterns swayed in the night, and occasionally pedestrians carrying flower lanterns passed by, their laughter drifting in on the wind.

But after sitting for a while, Luo Qianyu noticed something special about the inn.

At other places, the street lights were brighter than the shop's, but here it was the reverse. Every two steps along the beams, painted lanterns hung, and the lanterns were also strung with branches of green plum blossoms. The pink and white petals, touched by the lantern light, looked especially elegant.

Even stranger was the corner, where several piles of items were stacked: handkerchiefs, jade pendants tied with red strings, and a few boxes of finely packaged cosmetics. They didn't look like things an inn would provide.

So he casually asked the waiter: "Why does your inn have so many lanterns placed inside, and these handkerchiefs and rouge piled up? Is there some story behind all this?"

The waiter, holding a tray of dishes, replied with a smile: "You're joking, guest! There's no story! It's just that three days ago, two beauties from a foreign land checked into the shop."

"These are all gifts from the city's young masters and suitors who came to call on them around the Lantern Festival. Some sent rouge and powder to win the girls' favor, some sent jade pendants and handkerchiefs to express their feelings, and even most of the lanterns hanging on the beams were specially sent to add to the festive mood."

Luo Qianyu was surprised: "So many were sent?"

"Exactly!" the waiter said, placing the bowl of yuanxiao on the table. "Look at these lanterns; they're almost out of room. The shopkeeper said we'll need to find space to move them in a few days."

As Luo Qianyu listened, his gaze was suddenly caught by a branch of green plum blossoms beside him.

On a branch of the green plum hung a small paper-cut.

The red paper was cut exquisitely, vaguely showing a human silhouette. His gaze paused, and he looked up to ask the waiter: "Is this paper-cut portrait also from those young masters?"

"Good eye, guest!" the waiter nodded with a smile. "This year, this custom is popular in the city. During the Lantern Festival, people give paper-cut portraits of their beloved, meaning 'seeing the portrait is like seeing the person.' I heard this custom was brought over from Da Xi."

Luo Qianyu was stunned, murmuring softly: "...A portrait."

He had once received a portrait from a girl, and had planned to put it in his pouch. But later... where had that paper-cut gone?

He suddenly snapped back to reality, a strange feeling rising in his heart.

He had been in Zhao for over two years and had never received a portrait from anyone. Moreover, he found it too troublesome to wear a pouch. Where had that fleeting memory come from?

The waiter didn't notice his unease and continued his own musings: "It's strange, too. Those two girls only showed themselves once when they checked in, and after that, they rarely came downstairs. When they first arrived, they specifically asked the shopkeeper if they could book all the remaining rooms, not letting other guests stay."

Luo Qianyu raised an eyebrow: "During the Lantern Festival, the city is full, and every inn wants to take in as many guests as possible. Your shopkeeper actually agreed?"

The waiter scratched his head and smiled sheepishly: "Hehe, it was really hard to refuse! Those two girls not only paid generously but were also polite. The shopkeeper didn't think twice and agreed."

Luo Qianyu took a sip of warm wine, silently complaining in his mind.

What else could it be?

It was just beauty leading people astray.

The waiter suddenly slapped his forehead, as if remembering something, and said: "Sir, I just remembered, if you go further out of the city, the road is dark and long, and it'll be even harder to find a place to stay. In a bit, I'll go upstairs to deliver water to the young ladies, and I'll ask if they can make an exception and let you stay in one of the empty rooms tonight."

Upon hearing this, Luo Qianyu said: "Then I'll thank you in advance."

It didn't take long before the waiter came back with light, quick steps, a look of surprise on his face: "Sir, it's done! The young lady upstairs listened to your situation and agreed without hesitation!"

Luo Qianyu breathed a sigh of relief and picked up his bundle from the table. The waiter, quick-witted, took the bundle and led him upstairs. Turning a corner, he stopped in front of a door: "Sir, this is the room."

Luo Qianyu thanked him and entered the room, then instructed the waiter to leave the hot water outside the door. Once there was no sound outside, he got up to open the door and fetch the water. But as soon as his hand touched the bucket, he ran straight into two figures in red robes coming out of the room across the hall.

Bead curtains fell over their shoulders, half-hiding the beauties' faces, leaving only their eyes visible.

Luo Qianyu realized they were the two beauties presented by the Western Desert, whom he had arranged to stay at the inn outside the city!

Luo Qianyu's throat tightened. Without lingering, he quickly grabbed the bucket, didn't look up, turned around, and slammed the door shut with a "bang."

.

On the last night of the Lantern Festival's open night, the long street was even livelier than the previous two days.

Luo Qianyu had planned to rest in his room, but in the end, he couldn't resist. He took some loose silver and went out, buying not only sugar paintings and fried crispy meat but also a jar of osmanthus wine sealed with red cloth.

As soon as he stepped into the inn, he saw that the first floor was busier than yesterday, with several tables of guests seated.

Luo Qianyu's gaze swept the room, and he chose an empty table in the middle to sit down. He casually placed the wine jar on the table and untied the red cloth seal, and the rich fragrance of osmanthus wafted out.

Remembering how the waiter had helped him a few days ago, not only letting him stay but also charging less than the usual inn, he called out toward the counter: "Waiter, come here a moment."

The waiter hurried over, a smile spreading across his face. "Young master, anything else you need?"

Luo Qianyu pushed the wine jar slightly toward him. "This wine tastes good. I'll split half with you, thanks for helping me out the other day."

The waiter waved his hands, flustered. "Oh, young master, I can't take this! Helping you find a place was the least I could do—how could I take your wine?" But before he could finish, the wine's aroma hooked him, and his Adam's apple bobbed. Finally, he scratched his head and grinned sheepishly. "Well... then I'll take it, young master. Thanks. I'll grab a flask to split it."

Once the waiter left with half the jar, Luo Qianyu poured himself a cup and took a sip.

The sweet scent of osmanthus and wine mingled on his tongue, but he felt like he needed something to go with it. Just as he was about to order a few small dishes, he suddenly felt someone sit down next to him.

Red robes. The clink of bead curtains.

"Why's the young master drinking alone?" a soft, sultry voice whispered in his ear.

He caught a faint whiff of perfume.

Luo Qianyu froze. Before he could react, the beauty picked up his half-drunk cup, her slender fingers gripping the rim as she tilted her head back and downed it.

Instinctively, he tried to move back, only to find another beauty in red robes and bead curtains had silently sat down on the other side of the bench, blocking his way out.

He glanced around the room. The inn was still busy, but a lot of eyes kept drifting toward their table.

Luo Qianyu said, polite, "Thanks for letting me crash here the other night. This half-jar of osmanthus wine is my way of saying thanks."

The beauty on the left covered her mouth and smiled. "The young master's got good taste. This wine is smooth and lingers on the tongue—just like you, unforgettable at first sight."

As she spoke, her fingertips traced the wine jar. "Actually, you don't need to thank us. This inn was set up for us by you, the Third Prince, in advance. Meeting you here, we should be the ones thanking Your Highness for saving us."

So they'd recognized him after all, Luo Qianyu thought.

Just then, the beauty on the right stood up slowly, carefully lifting the jar. Her red sleeve brushed across Luo Qianyu's cheek, making him lean back a little. But she'd already poured a full cup and sat back down, offering it to his lips.

"To show our gratitude, let me feed you this cup, Third Prince. How about it?"

Luo Qianyu turned his head away. "Thanks, but no need..."

Before he could finish, the wine touched his lips and slid coolly down his throat.

Catching sight of the young man's red ears, the beauty on the left curled her lips, leaning in to whisper so only he could hear: "If you drank her wine, aren't you gonna drink mine too?"

Then, leaning close to his flushed ear, she murmured:

"Young master... come back late tonight."

.

The bead curtains swayed gently, matching her soft words.

The night hummed with noise, lit by the warm glow of lanterns.

Suddenly, a figure walked down the long street, weaving through the crowd. A Jade Spirit Sword hung at his waist as he walked steadily toward the brightly lit inn.

Arriving at the entrance, his figure came to an abrupt halt.

The light from the eaves' lanterns flickered over the black-clad beauty, casting shifting shadows. He lifted his eyes, fixing his gaze on the Young Marquis not far away.

The young man had changed into foreign attire, flanked by two red-robed beauties with bead curtains, holding a wine cup as he drank, his ears tinged red.

After two cups of osmanthus wine, Luo Qianyu felt warm all over, even his lips stained a light red. Just then, he sensed an extremely faint breeze brush past his ear.

A little bird landed on his shoulder.

Luo Qianyu: "?"

The young man blinked, instinctively turning his head to look. The little bird was plump and endearing, its tail feathers a rare vermilion—something he had never seen before.

Huh? Whose bird was this?

And so unafraid of strangers.

With the round, chubby little bird perched on his shoulder, its red tail feathers dazzling under the light, and two red-robed beauties seated beside him, the young man's ears still flushed, he couldn't help but let a smile slip.

Two patrons brushed past the inn's door. One elbowed his companion, lowering his voice but failing to hide his envy. "See that? Only a handsome young master like him gets such luck! Those two Western beauties wouldn't even show their faces these past days, and now they're willingly drinking with him—enough to make anyone jealous!"

His companion followed his gaze to the table, smacked his lips, and said as they walked out, "No kidding! That young master looks so young, yet here he is, with a beauty on each arm—what a playboy!"

"Hahaha..."

The two walked off, their voices fading.

Luo Qianyu was about to raise a hand to tease the bird on his shoulder when he heard a faint creak as the inn's door swayed in the wind.

When he looked up again, the inn's patrons had somehow quietly dispersed, leaving only empty tables and chairs flickering in the lamplight.

A figure settled onto the bench across from him, and only then did Luo Qianyu snap back to reality. The person hadn't chosen any other table but had deliberately sat at his, the hem of their robe brushing the bench with a distinct rustle in the silence.

Luo Qianyu instinctively lifted his gaze, meeting the other's eyes.

His heart skipped a beat.

His Adam's apple moved.

Only one thought lingered in his mind:

Who is this person?

So... breathtakingly beautiful.

The figure before him wore a long black robe, as if draped in the chill of the night.

Amid the inn's scattered lanterns, they stood like a presence at the edge of the glowing lights, a splash of cold, ethereal color injected into the vivid night scene.

What held his gaze most was the phoenix mark on the other's brow.

Though it blazed like a crimson flame, it seemed to sink into an eternal, abyssal darkness.

Since being transported into this book, Luo Qianyu had prided himself on encountering many remarkable figures, but never had he met someone like this—someone who made him lose focus at first sight, his initial reaction not wariness but speechless bewilderment.

Before the young man could snap out of it, react, or speak first, he saw the beauty raise a hand from their sleeve, producing a single black pill.

But then, something unexpected happened. The man lifted his fingers and brought the pill directly to his lips, slowly swallowing it.

Luo Qianyu watched as the other's Adam's apple moved—he had indeed swallowed it.

Huh?

What was he doing?

...

"One incense stick's time."

A cool voice rang through the inn—the first words he heard from the other person.

Maybe the visitor wasn't here for anything good. Luo Qianyu turned to his side, only to find the two Western beauties had vanished without a trace, likely scared off by this sudden, uninvited guest.

With no one else around, the young man was left alone in the empty space. Now he was certain... those words were meant for him.

Luo Qianyu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. "...What do you mean, one incense stick?"

This beauty was pretty strange.

And what had he just eaten?

.

"Young master has the time it takes to burn one incense stick to run."

Luo Qianyu was completely stunned, because this time, he heard it clearly.

The young man’s heart jumped in panic. He looked up helplessly, meeting the other’s gaze. He bit his lip, momentarily lost for words.

"Aren't you supposed to be good at running?"

The beauty’s voice was ice-cold:

"Now's still your chance to run."

Author's note:

Little Beauty turns into a black widow (just kidding).

[Fireworks] The first and second volumes of *Young Marquis* have concluded, officially kicking off the final volume!

To sum up the second volume, as the "escape arc," it’s a transitional chapter where the Little Mermaid fakes her death and enjoys her freedom solo (originally, it wasn’t planned to be long). It spans 24 chapters, with the in-story timeline covering three years.

At first, the author worried it might feel rushed—whether the Young Marquis’ solo moments were too brief. But seeing that everyone preferred a faster pace, as hoped, the third volume begins now [Rice].

The final volume is one of unveiling truths and sealing their love.