The young man turned out to be the second son she later had with the Jian'an Count, Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian impatiently muttered "nagging" under his breath before turning with a dark glare. "Filthy beggar, you made my mother scold me because of you!"
He strode forward and aimed a kick at Shadow's temple—a lethal move—but Shadow remained lost in a daze.
Meng Yang gasped and rushed forward, but he was a step too late.
As the situation grew dire, Yan Zheng flicked a copper coin between his fingers—
Thud!
Xiao Tian collapsed to his knees before Shadow, stunning everyone present.
"Tian'er! What are you doing?" Madame Mei cried out, hurrying to help him up. Xiao Tian looked around but found nothing amiss, so he could only rise with a resentful glare. "Mother, it's nothing. My foot must have slipped."
He spat at Shadow. "Disgusting beggar, what bad luck. Mother, let's go!"
He pulled Madame Mei away, and the servants followed.
Seeing Shadow half-dead on the ground, Meng Yang fumed. "Young Master, the Xiao Family dares to attack our man in broad daylight! Let me teach them a lesson!"
Yan Zheng remained silent, while Chu Ruoyan sighed. "If Shadow were willing to fight back, no one would be a match for him. Sigh... Just take him back for now."
Meng Yang had no choice but to comply. But as he reached for Shadow, the boy broke free and ran toward the Jian'an Count's residence again.
"Hey! Didn’t you get beaten enough? Stop!"
Meng Yang shouted, but the boy ignored him and kept chasing.
Yan Zheng raised a brow and said calmly, "Let him go. He won’t turn back until he hits a wall."
Chu Ruoyan was puzzled. "Madame Mei abandoned her husband and child, leaving Shadow and his scholar father behind. She never acted as a mother for a single day—why can’t he let go?"
Yan Zheng paused. "To us, it seems that way. But in his eyes, Madame Mei left wealth and status for his father out of love. It was only later, when his father fell into poverty, that she couldn’t stay... A boy yearns for his mother’s love, especially one who has risked his life time and again just to see her. Don’t worry. Once his heart is thoroughly broken, he’ll return."
Beneath his indifferent tone lay hidden pain. Chu Ruoyan knew he was thinking of Lady Xie and gently covered his hand with hers. "Yan Zheng, let’s go home."
Yan Zheng froze, then slowly smiled. "Alright. Let’s go home."
Meanwhile, outside the capital.
Prince Qin reined in his horse and asked, "What time is it?"
Changhua glanced at the sky. "Past Shen hour. The wedding ceremony must be over by now."
Prince Qin’s grip on the reins tightened, veins bulging on the back of his hand. The thought of them entering the bridal chamber made his chest feel ready to explode.
Changhua couldn’t hold back. "Your Highness, the Emperor only ordered you to reach the northern border within ten days—not that you must depart today. If you turn back now, you can still make it!"
Murong Jin clenched his teeth, summoning all his willpower to stop himself from looking back.
He said grimly, "What good would going back do? It would only bring more pain. From the moment I acknowledged her as my sworn sister, it was already too late... Let’s go. General Feng should be returning today."
Speak of the devil—the imperial envoy soon arrived with Feng Huan in tow.
The once-glorious General of the Northern Garrison now looked disheveled and haggard.
He lifted his dazed eyes to Murong Jin. "Prince Qin?"
"It is I. Was your journey back smooth, General Feng?"
Feng Huan gave a bitter smile. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Though the Emperor stripped me of my military authority, he did not imprison me, so I retained some dignity on the road."
Murong Jin nodded, took the military tally from the envoy, and turned to leave.
As they passed each other, Feng Huan suddenly asked, "Your Highness! May I ask about Ying’er...?"
Murong Jin halted. The name he once spoke with such care now left his lips effortlessly. "Feng Ying married into the Yan Family’s second branch. Out of respect for the Chief Minister, the Emperor excluded her from the execution of the Feng clan’s nine generations."
Feng Huan exhaled deeply, his entire body relaxing. "Thank the Emperor... and thank you, Your Highness."
He assumed Murong Jin had also pleaded for her. The prince didn’t correct him and strode away.
Feng Huan called after him, "Your Highness! Be careful on your journey north. My trusted sources report a traitor in the Great Xia army!"
Murong Jin tensed, then spurred his horse forward. "Thank you, General Feng. Ride on—!"
The vast procession set off, stretching beyond sight.
On the city wall, a woman in bright red wedding robes gazed into the distance, unsure why she had come here.
She leaned against the battlements, lost in thought, oblivious to the pointing fingers below.
Jiang Huaian chased after her, nearly frantic with fear. "Cousin Ruoyin! Don’t even think about it! If you don’t want to marry, I won’t force you!"
Chu Ruoyin blinked, only then realizing she had wandered to the edge.
She shook her head with a bitter smile. "Cousin, I wasn’t..."
Jiang Huaian cut her off. "Ruoyin! Listen to me—I’ll convince Grandfather to relent. If I fail, I’ll leave with you. We’ll admire the snow in Yangzhou, listen to melodies in the south—anywhere you wish to go, I’ll accompany you. If you don’t want..."
He clenched his fists, forcing a smile. "If you don’t want me, I’ll leave immediately and never appear before you again. Cousin, I only beg you to live well. Promise me you won’t harm yourself, alright?"
Chu Ruoyin stared at him, then at his outstretched hand—warm and steady—but this time, she didn’t take it.
She gathered her skirts and stepped down, wobbling slightly before steadying herself. "Cousin..."
Jiang Huaian watched her anxiously. The woman met his gaze, her eyes fragile yet resolute. "Cousin, I’ve never blamed you for today’s misfortune. It’s just fate playing tricks. Now... I need time alone to think."
Jiang Huaian’s expression dimmed, but he forced another smile. "Alright. No matter how long you need, I’ll wait."
Chu Ruoyin opened her mouth, but he quickly interrupted. "I know what you want to say. But this is my choice. If, after thinking it through, you’re willing to give me another chance, I swear on heaven I’ll never let today’s events repeat!"
Seeing the hope in his eyes, Chu Ruoyin bit her lip and swallowed her words.
How could she bear to hurt such a kind cousin?
Below the city wall, Gu Feiyan observed everything thoughtfully. "Who knew Jiang Huaian was so devoted?"
Her maid urged, "Miss, Princess Jiahui and Princess Roumin are waiting. Shouldn’t we hurry?"
Gu Feiyan nodded and rushed to Lucky Pavilion.
Upon entering the private room, she saw the disguised Princess Jiahui beaming. "Elder Sister Roumin, your plan is brilliant! Father said tomorrow he’ll select beauties from noble families to gift to the Chief Minister!"
"Once new concubines enter his household, let’s see how Chu Changle keeps his favor all to herself! Hahaha!"
