The man in dark robes sat quietly in his wheelchair, gazing at her. "It's me."
His features were as familiar as ever, his gaze as cool as always, yet inexplicably bringing her a sense of comfort.
Yulu and Nanny Zhou exchanged a glance before silently withdrawing from the room with practiced tacit understanding.
Chu Ruoyan asked, "Have you come to pay respects to the late Young Master and the others?"
The Imperial Guardian Temple stood beside the burial grounds where Yan Xun and his kin rested.
But Yan Zheng shook his head. "Until every last one of our enemies is dead, I have no face to see him."
Chu Ruoyan hesitated, unsure how to respond, when he added, "Today, I came to apprehend someone."
"And where is this person?"
"Meng Yang has taken him down the mountain."
Chu Ruoyan paused, then couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. "Marquis, must you always speak in such roundabout ways?"
If he simply wanted to reassure her that Meng Yang would notify the authorities, sparing her worry, why not say so directly?
Did he truly need to weave such an elaborate detour?
Yan Zheng shifted his gaze away, visibly uncomfortable. "As long as you understood... These refugees are from Huaishui County. The dam there collapsed, wiping out their families, yet the local magistrate concealed the disaster. Now, they’re consumed by hatred—especially toward noblewomen like you from the capital. Avoid confronting them directly."
"I see."
Chu Ruoyan recalled Xie Zhizhou’s hurried departure earlier that day. "Younger Sister Xie mentioned her brother was inspecting the river. He must have uncovered the truth. By now, His Majesty in the palace surely knows."
Yan Zheng nodded. "Even so, mobilizing troops from the Western Mountain Camp near the outskirts would take at least half a day. Until dawn tomorrow, no reinforcements will arrive."
A weight settled in Chu Ruoyan’s chest.
They would have to endure the entire night here.
Too many variables loomed—what if the refugee numbers swelled? What if someone in the temple lost patience and tried to break out?
She closed her eyes, forcing herself not to dwell on such thoughts. Suddenly, the faint scent of medicinal herbs drew nearer. When she opened her eyes, Yan Zheng had moved closer.
"Don’t worry. You’ll be safe."
His tone was calm and resolute, as though promising his protection.
Chu Ruoyan arched a brow, about to reply, when Nanny Zhou’s voice interrupted from outside: "Young Lady, have you finished speaking with the Marquis? The Eldest Madam has sent someone urging you forward—it seems something has happened..."
She glanced at Yan Zheng, who said evenly, "Go. No need to mention me."
Chu Ruoyan understood—he was here in secret and didn’t want his presence known.
"Then take care, Marquis."
Hurrying to the prayer hall, she found most of the group already assembled—except for Gu Feiyan.
A sense of foreboding rose within her. Sure enough, a young monk rushed in moments later. "Amitabha! We’ve searched everywhere, but there’s no sign of Lady Gu..."
The hall erupted in murmurs.
With so many refugees outside, a delicate noblewoman like Gu Feiyan would have little chance if she fell into their hands.
Chu Ruoyan noticed Zou Yue’s evasive expression and approached. "Lady Zou, do you know something?"
Zou Yue stiffened. "N-no, nothing..."
Rong Su, too, sensed something amiss. "Sister Zou, this is serious. If you know anything, you must speak up!"
Zou Yue hesitated before confessing, "Earlier, when we returned to pack our belongings, Sister Gu said... rather than waiting helplessly here, she’d take the back mountain path down. She even tried to persuade me to join her, but I didn’t dare..."
"What?!" Rong Su gasped.
Chu Ruoyan scoffed. So Gu Feiyan had ignored her warning entirely!
The abbot’s face paled. "The back mountain is treacherous even in daylight—untamed, rife with wolves and tigers. Even our monks only venture there in groups during the day!"
Zou Yue swayed, nearly fainting. Rong Su pleaded, "What can be done? Venerable Master, could you send some monks to search for her?"
Xue Ling interjected coldly, "Lady Rong, with refugees swarming outside, if we divert men to search, who will defend the temple if they breach the gates? Will you stand against them?"
Rong Su flushed with humiliation. Xie Yaozhi chimed in, "Enough, Sister Xue. Lady Rong is just concerned for Lady Gu."
Xue Ling snorted. She held no sympathy for the Gu family—not after County Princess Kanghe’s past bullying of her cousin. Gu Feiyan’s fate was none of her concern.
Rong Su turned to Chu Jing, who sighed. "Lady Rong, while blunt, her words hold truth. With refugees at our doorstep, splitting our defenses risks far more lives than one."
Most present were nobility or high-ranking officials’ kin.
Murmurs of agreement followed.
"Quite right. We can’t sacrifice everyone for one person!"
"Besides, Lady Chu already warned her. If she chose recklessness, who’s to blame?"
"Even if she were a princess, under these circumstances, we couldn’t spare a single soul!"
The chorus of voices crushed Zou Yue and Rong Su’s hopes.
The three had always been close. Returning without Gu Feiyan—how would they face the Gu family?
Suddenly, a shriek pierced the air. Lady Jiang the Younger seized Yuetao, demanding, "Where’s Ruolan? Where has she gone?"
Yuetao stammered, "She was here just now! Third Young Lady? Third Young Lady?"
After a frantic search, a timid monk spoke up. "This humble one... saw a young lady heading that way earlier..."
He pointed toward—none other than the back mountain.
Lady Jiang the Younger nearly collapsed. Yuetao cried, "The Third Young Lady went after Lady Gu?!"
Chu Ruolan and Gu Feiyan were inseparable, but to chase after her now—was she mad?
Lady Jiang gripped Yuetao’s arm with bruising force. "Go! Bring Ruolan back! Now!!!"
Before Yuetao could step out—BOOM!
A deafening crash shook the temple.
Liu Min rushed in. "My ladies, take care! They’re ramming the gates!"
Lady Jiang crumpled to the floor, her world spinning.
Ruolan... her Ruolan!
If only she’d forbidden her from associating with Gu Feiyan...
Chu Jing whispered, "Sister-in-law, don’t despair. Perhaps Ruolan merely retired to her quarters..."
Lady Jiang scanned the room—not a soul willing to help. In desperation, she clutched Chu Ruoyan’s sleeve. "First Young Lady, I beg you! For the sake of sisterhood, save Ruolan!"
Chu Ruoyan remained silent.
Gu Feiyan’s recklessness was arrogance, but Chu Ruolan’s willful pursuit was pure folly.
Did she truly think she could face wild beasts alone?
Lady Jiang steeled herself. "First Young Lady, if you save Ruolan, I’ll relinquish control of the household and pledge thirty percent of the Jiang family’s annual income!"
Before Chu Ruoyan could respond, a cool voice cut through from the doorway:
"Agreed."
