The man froze, his gaze deepening. "What did you just call me?"
"Ah! I should call you 'husband'!"
Chu Ruoyan covered her mouth, unsure why she had blurted out Yan Zheng's name.
A flicker of disappointment flashed in Yan Zheng's eyes.
As expected, she still hadn't regained her memories...
But at least they had obtained the Divine Cauldron. Watching his little wife eagerly present the treasure to him, the corners of his lips curled into a smile. "Well done!"
"And my reward?"
"You'll find out tonight when we return home..."
As his warm breath brushed against her neck, the woman immediately broke into a radiant smile.
Empress Pei, standing nearby, couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at the sight.
How wonderful...
A perfect pair, deeply in love...
If only she weren't confined to the imperial harem, forever denied such happiness.
"Chief Minister Yan, since you have everything under control, I shall return to the palace now."
"Your Majesty." Yan Zheng bowed slightly. By the time he straightened, the imperial carriage had already departed.
Chu Ruoyan wrapped her arms around his waist. "Let's go home too!"
"Not yet."
Seeing the clear dissatisfaction in her eyes, Yan Zheng leaned down and coaxed softly, "Does my lady not wish to visit the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion first?"
The Hundred Knowledge Pavilion?
Young Master Lang's domain?
The young woman nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes! I'll do whatever my husband says!"
Yan Zheng smiled in satisfaction as he helped her into the carriage, though a trace of regret lingered in his heart.
If Ruoyan ever regained her memories...
Would she ever be this affectionate again?
Shaking off the thought, the carriage set off toward the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion.
In a guest room at Feng Mansion...
Yuetao entered and reported to Lady Jiang the Younger, "Madam, Chief Minister Yan has come to fetch the eldest young lady. She has already returned to the estate."
Lady Jiang the Younger nodded. Just then, a faint groan came from the bed—Chu Ruoyin had awakened.
"Second Sister, how are you feeling?" Chu Ruolan asked with concern.
Lady Jiang the Younger and Jiang Jinxue also gathered around. "Ruoyin, are you in any discomfort?"
Chu Ruoyin stared blankly at them for a moment before shaking her head weakly. "I'm fine..."
But her ashen complexion betrayed her—even if her body was unharmed, her heart was undoubtedly shattered.
Chu Ruolan gritted her teeth. "Come, Second Sister, let's go home. We shouldn't stay in this wretched place any longer!"
She helped Chu Ruoyin up, and the group headed for the door—only to run straight into Prince Qin.
"You... are leaving?"
Murong Jin stood frozen, holding a freshly brewed bowl of medicine. His expression darkened at the sight before him.
Chu Ruoyin glanced at him dazedly. "Has Miss Feng been injured again?"
Murong Jin stiffened. She actually thought he had prepared the medicine for Feng Ying...
For the first time in his life, an unfamiliar ache twisted in his chest. "This is for you!"
He extended the bowl, while Changhua sighed behind him.
Since when did a prince brew medicine? He had crouched by the stove for hours, even burning his hand.
But none of this would ever be revealed to the Second Young Lady of Chu.
Just as Murong Jin reached out, Chu Ruoyin remembered what had happened earlier—
The hand that could have saved her but had instead reached for Feng Ying...
She bit her lip. "Thank you, Your Highness, but I am unharmed. I shall take my leave now."
As she brushed past him, the man suddenly seized her wrist.
"You are not leaving!"
Chu Ruoyin winced in pain.
Murong Jin loosened his grip slightly but remained stern. "Chief Physician Zhang will arrive shortly. You may leave after he examines you."
She struggled futilely before finally looking up at him. "Your Highness, what exactly do you want from me?"
Murong Jin frowned at the devastation on her delicate face. "If your heart already belongs to another, why must you torment me further? Is the position of your concubine not enough? Must you humiliate me over and over until you're satisfied?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? How is summoning a physician for you considered humiliation?!"
"Is it not?"
Feng Ying had schemed to push her into the water, and now he summoned a physician to treat her...
What was she to them? A plaything for their amusement?
Murong Jin's fury erupted. "You dare call this humiliation? Do you truly hold me in such contempt?"
Chu Ruoyin lowered her eyes in silence.
With a cold laugh, Murong Jin declared, "Fine! Contempt it is. But you are not leaving today!" He swept her into his arms and carried her toward an empty room.
The Chu family members gasped in shock. Lady Jiang the Younger hurriedly intervened, "Your Highness, please calm yourself! My daughter didn’t mean—"
Before she could finish, Jiang Huaian stepped forward, his handsome face icy. "In Your Highness's eyes, is Ruoyin a person or merely a toy for your whims?"
Murong Jin's aura turned murderous. "Who do you think you are, meddling in my affairs? Get lost!"
"Changhua!"
The guard swiftly forced Jiang Huaian to his knees.
"Cousin Huaian!"
At Chu Ruoyin's cry of concern, Murong Jin's grip tightened possessively. "Not even the heavens will take you from me today! Lady of Duke Chu, your daughter is my betrothed—this matter is known to all. As her future husband, I have every right to care for her. The rest of you may leave."
But just then, Feng Ying's maid rushed in breathlessly. "Your Highness! Something terrible has happened to my lady!"
Murong Jin stiffened, while Chu Ruoyin's lips curled in bitter mockery.
Behold—someone more formidable than the heavens had arrived.
Sure enough, Murong Jin's expression shifted. "What happened to A'Ying?"
"My lady... was punished by the elder master for the incident with Miss Chu. Her entire left arm is bleeding... Please, Your Highness, come at once!"
Murong Jin stood frozen. Chu Ruoyin whispered wearily, "Go to her, Your Highness..."
She closed her eyes. If once or twice could still kindle hope...
Then this repeated abandonment had long turned her heart to stone.
She resolved inwardly—once she returned home, she would beg her father, or even her elder sister's husband if necessary.
To let her become a nun...
So that in this life, she would never be entangled with this man again.
Yet Murong Jin did not move.
Though he yearned to see Feng Ying, the woman in his arms stirred an inexplicable dread—that letting go now might mean losing her forever.
The terror of that thought made him speak without thinking. "Tell A'Ying to wait. Once Chief Physician Zhang has finished here, I will bring him to her myself."
Chu Ruoyin blinked in surprise.
The Chu family members exhaled in relief.
Chu Ruolan muttered, "At least he has some conscience..."
A sharp look from Lady Jiang the Younger silenced her. "In that case, may my nephew...?"
Murong Jin glanced down. Seeing Chu Ruoyin's gaze fixed on him rather than Jiang Huaian, his anger dissipated. "Changhua, release him."
The guard obeyed. As Jiang Huaian rose, clutching his arm, his sister promptly knocked him unconscious and dragged him away.
Lady Jiang the Younger bowed. "Then I entrust my daughter to Your Highness's care!"
Feng Mansion, Feng Ying's courtyard.
The maid returned hesitantly.
Feng Ying frowned at her empty hands. "Where is he?"
"His Highness... said he would come after the physician examines Miss Chu..."
"What?!!"
