"Cao Dong! Have you not considered the Cao Family in doing this?" Chu Ruoyan's sharp reprimand made the Cao consort halt in his steps, his expression turning desolate.
"The Cao Family... with my elder brother there, along with my third and fourth brothers, the Cao Family will be fine..." He muttered as if trying to reassure himself. Chu Ruoyan scoffed coldly, "Is that so? You plotted against a general of the court, caused the deaths of a hundred thousand soldiers, colluded with foreign enemies, and framed loyal subjects—each crime warrants the execution of your entire clan! How dare you assume the Cao Family won’t be implicated?!"
Cao Dong froze.
Seizing the moment, Chu Ruoyan pressed on, "Do you know that yesterday, upon learning the truth, your brother-in-law said he would rather lose his official position than abandon you? And Lady Cao—every time she speaks of you, she smiles with pride, boasting of her second son’s marriage to the Princess, calling it a blessed union! Even for their sake, you shouldn’t persist in this folly!"
Struggle flickered across Cao Dong’s face. Uncle Cheng gasped, "Consort!" Shaken, Cao Dong seemed to steel himself. "I’ve wronged my brother and mother, and in the afterlife, I’ll beg their forgiveness. But the Princess... she has only me left. If even I abandon her, she’ll have no one to rely on..."
With that, he strode toward Yan Wenjing.
A cold glint flashed in Chu Ruoyan’s eyes as she tightened her grip on the hidden object in her sleeve.
Just then, the child who should have been unconscious suddenly opened his eyes and flung a handful of lime straight at Cao Dong.
"Ah—!!"
The consort cried out in pain, stumbling back.
Chu Ruoyan leaped forward, landing gracefully in the pavilion to shield Yan Wenjing.
"Stop them!" Uncle Cheng barked.
The remaining dozen black-clad men encircled the pavilion. Unfazed, Chu Ruoyan turned to Wenjing. "Are you hurt?"
The little black sesame dumpling puffed out his chest. "I’m fine! Don’t worry, Auntie—I’m a real man!"
Chu Ruoyan patted his head. "Well done."
Not only had he stolen the lime, but he’d also feigned unconsciousness to lower their guard, striking at the critical moment.
Such patience—truly Yan Zheng’s teaching!
"Consort! Are you alright?" Uncle Cheng fretted, supporting the blinded Cao Dong.
Enraged, Cao Dong pointed blindly toward Yan Wenjing and roared, "Kill him!"
A black-clad assassin raised his blade.
Chu Ruoyan tensed, ready to act, but then her gaze flickered to Young Master Lang. A thought struck her, and she abruptly turned, shielding Wenjing with her body.
"Auntie!!"
From Yan Wenjing’s view, the sword was moments from cleaving her shoulder—
Clang!
A stone struck the blade, deflecting it. Young Master Lang’s icy voice followed. "I’ve said it before—her life belongs to me."
The assassins hesitated.
If they struck, the dozen crossbows trained on them would end their lives instantly. But if they didn’t, their master would never forgive them.
As they wavered, footsteps finally echoed from the mountainside.
"Capital Guards! Halt at once!" Su Tingyun’s voice rang out.
Uncle Cheng paled. "Consort! We must go!"
Though his eyes burned with agony, Cao Dong knew staying meant certain capture. With the assassins covering their retreat, they fled down a hidden path.
"Stop them!" Yan Wenjing tried to chase, but Chu Ruoyan held him back.
Even if they could stop Cao Dong, Young Master Lang would never allow him to be taken.
After all, the information he needed was still in Cao Dong’s hands—there was no way he could let the Shuntian Prefecture arrest the man...
“They’ve already gone far. Isn’t the Pavilion Master going after them?”
Chu Ruoyan spoke lightly, but Young Master Lang only smirked. “Of course I’ll chase them. But, little blind girl, didn’t I just save your life? Shouldn’t you thank me properly?”
Chu Ruoyan smiled and turned to call in Su Tingyun’s direction, “Lord Su, the culprit is over here!”
Young Master Lang’s expression darkened. “You ungrateful little blind girl!” His identity made it extremely risky to interact with officials, so he had no choice but to leave with his men.
By the time Su Tingyun arrived, the pavilion was empty. Only the scattered corpses remained as evidence of the earlier chaos.
He approached Chu Ruoyan, his emotions complicated as he faced the woman he hadn’t seen in months. “Anning… Miss Chu, are you alright?”
Chu Ruoyan curtsied. “I’m fine. Thank you, Lord Su, for coming to my aid.”
Yan Zheng had beheaded his own father, leading to the downfall of the Pingjing Marquisate—yet upon hearing of Yan Wenjing’s peril, Su Tingyun had rushed to help without hesitation.
Truly, as her father had said, he was a man of honor.
Su Tingyun returned the courtesy with a bow.
Just then, Meng Yang dashed over, thoroughly inspecting Yan Wenjing from head to toe. “Thank heavens! My head is safe for now!”
Yan Wenjing crossed his little arms and huffed, “Not so fast! It was Third Auntie who saved me today. When we get back, I’m telling Third Uncle that you failed to protect me!”
Meng Yang immediately turned to Chu Ruoyan for mercy. She chuckled. “Alright, Wenjing, you should also thank Uncle Meng for bringing Lord Su here.”
Su Tingyun had been feeling melancholic, but at these words, he quickly said, “No need for formalities. As long as Miss Chu… and this young master are safe, that’s what matters.”
The mention of “young master” was clearly an afterthought!
Noticing Su Tingyun stealing glances at Chu Ruoyan, Yan Wenjing suddenly wrapped his arms around her neck. “Third Auntie, let’s hurry back to the capital! Third Uncle must be missing you!”
Chu Ruoyan’s ears flushed, but before she could respond, the little mischief-maker turned to Su Tingyun with a sweet smile. “Lord Su, could you escort us back? My uncle and aunt are hardly ever apart—we’ll make sure to reward you handsomely.”
Chu Ruoyan knew exactly what the little imp was implying. But between her and Su Tingyun, aside from the fleeting connection in a dream, there should be no further ties.
She lowered her eyes. “We’d appreciate your assistance, Lord Su.”
Su Tingyun’s heart sank at her distant tone. “No need for such courtesy, Miss Chu. After you.”
By the time they reached the city gates, Yan Zheng’s carriage had just arrived.
His restless anxiety peaked the moment he spotted Su Tingyun.
Once Chu Ruoyan and Yan Wenjing were inside the carriage, he could no longer hold back. “Wenjing, turn around.”
Though confused, Yan Wenjing obediently faced the other way.
In the next instant, Yan Zheng abruptly pressed Chu Ruoyan against the carriage wall.
Sensing danger, she barely managed to utter, “Yan—” before his lips silenced the rest.
“Mmph…!!”
Her eyes widened as she saw the icy glint in his eyes ignite with a flicker of crimson.
He kissed her fiercely, as if pouring all his worry and frustration into the act.
A full half-minute passed before he finally released her, leaving her gasping for breath.
"Don’t you dare put yourself in danger again! No more reckless actions next time! You must discuss everything with me first!"
Three firm commands, each one resolute and unyielding.
Chu Ruoyan was left dazed by the sudden kiss, nodding hurriedly like a woodpecker tapping a tree. When Meng Yang’s voice came from outside—"Young Master, we’ve arrived at the Duke of Chu's Mansion"—she seized the moment to push Yan Zheng away and bolted out of the carriage.
Only when the crisp, fresh air filled her lungs did her muddled mind finally clear.
Wait… why had she run away in the first place?
