The hand he was about to release paused momentarily, the rationality he had been restraining crumbling in an instant.
Instinctively, he tightened his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace.
Lowering his gaze to meet hers, his voice was slightly hoarse as he murmured, "I won't leave."
She leaned against his chest, her lips pale and bloodless, still murmuring faintly, "Husband... don't abandon me."
Ling Xiao stiffened, his expression freezing for a moment.
She wasn’t calling for him.
The shattered fragments of his restraint forced themselves back into place, as if waking from a dream.
Her brows remained furrowed, her restless whispers continuing, "Husband... husband..."
Each word felt like an accusation against his conscience.
Ling Xiao’s face tensed, his arms around her growing rigid.
How could he have allowed such improper thoughts about Jiang Yueyao to arise?
How could he face his deceased elder brother?
On the hillside, Jian Shuang and the others were still calling out, "Marquis? Have you found the lady?"
Ling Xiao pressed his lips together, forcing his emotions under control before responding coldly, "Lower a rope."
"Yes!"
Jian Shuang and the others immediately complied, swiftly lowering a rope.
Grasping the rope with one hand, Ling Xiao looped it twice around his wrist before securing Jiang Yueyao with his other arm. Using the hillside for leverage, he signaled for them to pull them up.
"Is the Marquis unharmed?" Jian Shuang asked anxiously.
"Fetch a sedan chair."
"At once!"
The sedan chair had already been prepared—they had anticipated Jiang Yueyao’s injuries and knew it would be necessary.
Once the sedan chair was brought over, Ling Xiao carefully placed her inside.
Yet even as he tried to withdraw, her fingers remained tightly clenched around the front of his robe.
He looked down at her. She was still unconscious, her face deathly pale—mistaking him for Ling Chen.
An inexplicable fury rose in his chest, though he couldn’t tell whether it was directed at her or himself.
But reason reminded him that he shouldn’t indulge in this. He had lived his life with honor and integrity; he couldn’t allow himself to be entangled in such disloyalty for the sake of a woman.
Especially when her heart and mind were still filled with thoughts of Ling Chen.
His expression darkened as he pried her fingers loose. After staring at her porcelain-like face for a brief moment, he stepped resolutely out of the sedan chair.
"Take her away and summon the Imperial Physician for treatment."
"Yes!" Jian Shuang, noticing his master’s sudden shift in mood, responded hastily, not daring to delay.
The sedan chair was swiftly carried off, transporting her out of the hunting grounds.
Chi Ying approached, reporting, "Marquis, His Majesty has urgently summoned you to the temporary palace for counsel."
With such a major assassination attempt occurring during today’s hunt, the matter would not be easily dismissed.
Ling Xiao’s expression remained cold. "I’ll go at once."
Temporary Palace.
With a loud bang, the Emperor slammed his palm onto the desk, his fury erupting. "How dare they! Barely on the throne, and already these traitors act so brazenly—do they hold no fear of Us?"
The officials in the hall knelt in unison, trembling. The Crown Prince hurriedly spoke, "Father, please calm your anger."
"Your Majesty, please restrain your wrath!"
The Emperor’s voice was thunderous. "Have the culprits been identified?!"
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to raise their heads. "W-we have yet to uncover their identities. The assassins were all dead men—once their mission failed, they took poison. This humble official..."
"Useless!" the Emperor roared.
The hall fell into suffocating silence.
Only when a eunuch hurried in to announce, "Your Majesty, Marquis Ling has arrived," did the gathered officials exhale in relief, discreetly wiping the cold sweat from their brows.
The Emperor’s expression eased slightly. "Summon him."
The eunuch’s voice rang out, "Marquis Ling is granted audience!"
Ling Xiao strode in and bowed. "This subject greets Your Majesty."
The Emperor waved a hand, dismissing the formalities.
"We heard your sister-in-law was injured while protecting Princess Huaining. Has she been found?"
The words "sister-in-law" struck Ling Xiao’s ears like a bitter mockery.
Suppressing his thoughts, Ling Xiao answered evenly, "She has been located. Though injured, she is now under the care of the Imperial Physician."
The Emperor nodded. "Good. You held your brother in the highest regard—we cannot allow his only widow to come to harm."
Ling Xiao’s lips tightened imperceptibly, his eyes darkening. "This subject thanks Your Majesty for your concern."
"Since Lady Jiang saved Huaining’s life, We must reward her appropriately. Eunuch Zhang, arrange it."
Eunuch Zhang bowed deeply. "At once."
Only then did the Emperor return to the main issue.
"What are your thoughts on today’s events?"
Ling Xiao composed himself before responding calmly, "Within three days, this subject will uncover the mastermind behind this."
The Emperor’s satisfaction was evident—Ling Xiao had always been the most reliable.
Unlike those useless officials who couldn’t even produce a coherent answer.
"Good. We await your findings."
The Emperor swept his gaze over the assembled officials before waving a hand. "All of you, dismissed."
"Yes." The ministers bowed again, wiping their brows as they retreated hastily.
As Ling Xiao turned to leave, the Emperor stopped him. "You remain."
Once the hall had emptied, the Emperor asked in a low voice, "Now that we are alone—who do you believe is behind this?"
Ling Xiao’s voice was icy. "Regardless of who sent the assassins, the true masterminds can only be the remnants of Prince Yong and Prince Qi’s factions. Your Majesty has only just ascended—with the court still unstable, this is the perfect time to stir chaos."
The struggle for the throne had been brutal, and though the victor was clear, there were still those who refused to accept defeat.
The Emperor exhaled heavily. "You see clearly. Many still covet this throne."
Ling Xiao cupped his hands. "Leave the investigation to this subject. Your Majesty need not worry—those rebels will not last long."
"Naturally. The court cannot afford prolonged infighting. The integration of old and new factions must be expedited."
After a pause, the Emperor added, "We intend to betroth Huaining to the Heir of Duke Mu."
Ling Xiao nodded. "Duke Mu’s Mansion has stood for three dynasties, its influence deep-rooted. The Duke’s disciples are numerous, and his weight among the old nobility is considerable. The Heir would be a fitting match for the Princess."
The Emperor studied him. "Do you truly believe so?"
He had known since his days as Prince Jing that Huaining harbored feelings for Ling Xiao. Initially, he had planned to betroth them once she came of age.
But with the court in turmoil, both Huaining and Ling Xiao’s marriages were tools to stabilize the old nobility—their union would serve no political purpose.
Still, if the two were truly in love, he might have considered indulging them—compensating by strengthening the Crown Prince’s faction with additional alliances.
After all, Huaining was his most beloved daughter, and Ling Xiao, his most trusted.
A year ago, when assassins sent by Prince Yong nearly succeeded, it was Ling Xiao who fought through the ambush to save him.
He had watched Ling Xiao grow into the man he was now—in his eyes, he was a son.
Ling Xiao showed no hesitation. "This subject truly believes so."
The Emperor didn’t press further. He had given his chance.
"Very well. It’s time you considered marriage as well. A man your age, remaining alone—what sort of example is that? Besides, unless you wed, Huaining will not let go of her hopes."
Ling Xiao’s voice was cold and resolute. "Your Majesty speaks wisely. This subject should indeed marry."
The Emperor was taken aback. Why was he suddenly so agreeable?
Ling Xiao had always avoided the topic of marriage, not wanting the additional complications.
This wasn’t the first time the Emperor had brought it up, but Ling Xiao had always managed to delay it.
Could it be that he had someone in mind?
The Emperor asked, "Do you have someone you favor?"
"My family is already arranging potential matches for me."
The Emperor frowned. So, no one specific?
Then why the sudden urgency?
But there was no point in pressing further. He was the ruler of a nation, not some gossipmonger from the inner court.
"Very well, handle this matter as you see fit," the Emperor said, pausing before adding, "But marriage is no trivial matter. You must see the woman for yourself—she should at least be someone you find pleasing to the eye."
For anyone else, the Emperor wouldn’t have bothered with such advice. But Ling Xiao was different. Though the Emperor hoped he would marry into an old noble family, he didn’t want him to end up with an unhappy union.
It would be best if both objectives could be met.
That was why the Emperor didn’t interfere with his choice of a bride—he could pick any daughter of the nobility or old aristocratic families in the capital, as long as she suited his taste.
"Understood."
Ling Xiao lowered his gaze.
Pleasing to the eye?
The face of Jiang Yueyao flashed through his mind.
His eyes darkened as he forcibly pushed her image away.
It shouldn’t be her. It couldn’t be her.
He truly ought to marry—and put an end to these absurd thoughts.
Yueyao had a dream.
She dreamed of Ling Chen, just like a year ago, saving her when she was nearly in mortal danger.
Terrified that he might leave again, she clutched at him desperately, begging him not to abandon her.
Yet he still pried her hands away.
"Yao'er, I can no longer walk this path with you."
His gaze was as gentle as ever, but his words were merciless.
Yueyao shook her head frantically, but he turned and walked away. She couldn’t keep him, couldn’t hold him back—she could only watch helplessly as he vanished into the mist-shrouded forest.
"Husband!"
She jolted awake, her forehead damp with sweat.
"You're awake?"
