What business is it of yours.

Pei Zhaoye, still pretending to be unconscious, thought impatiently.

The maids inside kept their eyes lowered, pretending not to see. Lizhu, however, felt the nervousness of someone caught red-handed doing something wrong.

Forcing herself to stay calm, she got off the bed and went behind the screen to let the maids help her change.

“…He was badly injured. The physician said he needed constant care through the night. I got sleepy halfway through and somehow fell asleep beside him. Anyway, he’s unconscious—it’s no big deal.”

Tan Xun turned his back, the tips of his ears faintly red.

From anger.

After a long pause, he finally said, “The Princess has already decided to break our engagement. I shouldn’t say more. But even if we are not to be husband and wife, we still share the bond of childhood companions. How could I stand by and watch you go astray?”

“How am I going astray?”

Lizhu stepped out from behind the screen, face dark with anger.

“I’ll sleep with whoever I want, you have no right to control who’s on my bed!”

Tan Xun froze for a moment, as if stunned by such blunt words from her.

“Princess, you…”

His face flushed red again, this time from embarrassment.

“I didn’t mean that,” he said hastily. “What I meant is, your statuses are worlds apart. If you grow too close with him, have you thought about what people in Luoyang would say? Or how the noble ladies here in the south, who see themselves as your equals, might speak of you behind your back? I only worry they will slander your name.”

“…Oh.”

Lizhu realized she had misunderstood. Her anger cooled slightly, but she still answered with stubborn displeasure.

“It’s fine. I don’t care. They can say whatever they like.”

Seeing that she didn’t even care about that, Tan Xun felt utterly defeated.

She looked as if she had made up her mind to stay by that bandit’s side, no matter what anyone said.

Since childhood, he had always thought of Lizhu as his future wife.

Many times, he had imagined their life after marriage—being together day and night.

Lizhu was skilled in painting and calligraphy; he was too. She loved ancient texts and rare manuscripts; they could copy and study them together. On leisurely days, they would go out to admire the flowers; when busy, they would talk late into the night by candlelight.

A life of harmony, side by side for all their days—just like his parents.

Tan Xun’s eyes grew faintly sorrowful as he looked at her.

After a long silence, he sighed softly.

“I came today to apologize on Jie Yun’s behalf.”

Lizhu raised her brows slightly. “Jie Yun?”

“Does the Princess still remember—before your departure, the dancing girl who claimed to have had an affair with Pei Zhaoye? There truly was someone behind it. Jie Yun saw there was tension between Pei Zhaoye and me and wanted to vent his anger for my sake. He bribed the dancing girl to lie, trying to undermine Pei Zhaoye’s standing in the stronghold. I am deeply ashamed.”

Lizhu’s eyes flicked toward the bed.

“…Come over here to say that. Sit down and talk.”

Tan Xun shook his head.

“No need. This afternoon, I’ll return to the Pei residence to pack my things. By dusk, I’ll be leaving for Wan Prefecture… Does the Princess wish for me to go?”

Lizhu bit her lip, suppressing the smile that threatened to escape and make her seem too pleased.

“You were going to Wan Prefecture for official duties anyway. You’ve already delayed your trip long enough because of me. It’s about time you went back.”

But Tan Xun looked at her quietly, as if he had already seen through her thoughts. He smiled, calm and unresentful.

“The Xiang Prince has feelings, but the goddess has no dreams. I know the Princess doesn’t wish to keep me here. Still, I asked despite knowing—it’s only my own foolishness. You don’t need to hide it or feel awkward.”

“This morning at the government office, I heard the full story of last night from Lord Chang. Thanks to Master Pei’s timely rescue, your life was saved. He has not betrayed the trust you placed in him when you gave him the bronze tiger tally, he’s proven he bears no ill intent. Since you now have someone reliable at your side, I can leave with peace of mind.”

Hearing him say that, Lizhu’s emotions grew complicated.

“You… when are you leaving today?”

“At the third quarter of the You hour.”(5:00–7:00 p.m.)

“Then I’ll come see you off?”

A faint light flickered in Tan Xun’s eyes before he quickly hid it, answering with a gentle politeness, “If it’s not too much trouble.”

Eh—after he said it like that, could she really reply that it was too much trouble and not go?

Truthfully, Lizhu didn’t truly hate him.

Though their two years of marriage had been far from happy—she had suffered enough from his family’s scorn, and he had even wanted to take a concubine, the affection from their childhood was also real.

It couldn’t erase the wrong he had done, yet it couldn’t be denied either.

“I heard the Princess has ordered a citywide search for Zhao Weizhen’s followers. With so many officials involved, the government office must be short-handed. I have nothing pressing now, if the Princess doesn’t mind, I can lend my help.”

Lizhu nodded in delight.

As long as they weren’t husband and wife, there were still many good things about this man.

Since she had not yet washed and dressed, Tan Xun didn’t let her see him off. He merely reminded her to return before too many people were up and about.

Even if she herself didn’t mind, nor those close to her, gossip would always favor the uglier story.

Lizhu obediently agreed.

Tan Xun had the urge to pat her head, as he used to when they were young.

But after a moment’s thought, he let it go.

Watching her figure retreat down the corridor, the guard Jie Yun came forward.

“Master, you’ve shared such deep feelings with the Princess since childhood, are you truly just going back like this?”

Tan Xun turned his head; the warmth on his face slowly faded into coldness.

“Do you think I don’t see it? The night raid on Hongye Stronghold at Jiacao Canal last night,,it could only have been aided by my second uncle. First, he tried to kill the Princess, and now he dares provoke the people of Hongye Stronghold. I’d like to ask him, does he mean to drag everyone in Wan Prefecture down to hell with him?”

Jie Yun followed quietly behind, not daring to speak.

Meanwhile, back in her room, Lizhu found herself meeting a pair of eyes that seemed to smile but didn’t.

The maids sensed the tension and quietly slipped out to the outer chamber.

“I didn’t know there was such a fine little scene at the Pei residence last night,” Pei Zhaoye said coldly. “That dog dares slander my name?”

He lifted the blanket and got out of bed.

Lizhu quickly said, “I already explained everything before I left last night, really! Jie Yun just acted out of loyalty. You can’t entirely blame him. Who told you to treat Tan Xun with such hostility before? If it were Xuan Ying, she’d have done worse.”

Pei Zhaoye picked up a bamboo brush and dipped it in salt.

“You truly believe Jie Yun acted on his own?”

Lizhu naturally believed him.

But fearing Pei Zhaoye might think she was blindly trusting Tan Xun and thus bear resentment toward him, she explained carefully:

“Tan Xun might have a few little flaws in his temperament, but his character is beyond reproach. He was raised to be upright and honorable, and he has a proud heart. He’s never stooped to pretension, let alone resorted to such underhanded tricks…”

“Oh, too proud to pretend, is he? What a fine gentleman indeed.”

Pei Zhaoye’s lips curved faintly, his tone unreadable.

“Open your mouth.”

Lizhu obediently opened her mouth, letting him help her rinse and wash.

The steaming towel pressed gently over her face, so comfortable she couldn’t help narrowing her eyes.

Pei Zhaoye suddenly felt a strange illusion, as if they were truly husband and wife.

But Tan Xun had spoken one thing right.

For now, they could live in Yiling, cut off from the world, and share such closeness.

But later?

He had his pride. He would never allow himself to become the stain others mocked her for.

As for that dog, Tan Xun—

He would remember this debt. If the man dared provoke him again, he’d make sure to settle it properly.

After washing up, the sky was beginning to brighten. Pei Zhaoye changed into fresh clothes, and together with Lizhu went to visit Danzhu’s elder sister.

When they arrived at the guest quarters, someone in the courtyard was washing clothes.

Danzhu sighed, “…I’ve caused such a huge disaster for the stronghold this time. Just apologizing with words feels useless. Is there something more practical I can do to show my gratitude?”

Chang Jun, who had been dragged over to help her scrub the bloodstained garments, was panting and irritable.

“Don’t you think the people you should be thanking include me?”

Danzhu crouched beside the basin, smiling with crescent eyes.

“I am grateful to you.”

“And your way of showing gratitude is making me wash your clothes?”

Danzhu stirred the water in the basin with her fingers.

“I’m injured… If you don’t want to, then forget it. I’ll wash them myself.”

Chang Jun glared at her.

“…Why didn’t you say so earlier! I’ve nearly finished!”

Danzhu only smiled, saying nothing more.

The courtyard was filled with the clean, fresh scent of soap pods.

Standing behind the tree, Lizhu watched the scene and, thinking of last night’s dream, grew somewhat absent-minded.

Pei Zhaoye was likewise troubled.

In the dream he had remained in Xiangcheng and traveled with Danzhu; the result had been Hongye Stronghold being besieged.

In this life he had stayed at Hongye Stronghold and managed to hold it, but if Danzhu, in a fit of impulse, opened a slaughter, the government would surely seize her.

Then the authorities would set a trap using Danzhu; with the stronghold bound by loyalty, how could they not attempt to rescue those taken to the scaffold?

If they attempted to rescue them and left Yushan’s natural protection, it would surely become a death struggle.

No matter which choice he made, it was a dead end.

Pei Zhaoye, a man seldom afraid in his life, now felt a chill run down his spine.

To calculate so precisely and venomously, leaving not a sliver of room—only one could do that—

“Mountain Lord, Princess, we finally found you.”

As soon as Gu Bing’an stepped into the courtyard he saw the two standing behind the tree.

Danzhu and Chang Jun looked over.

Pei Zhaoye lifted his eyelids: “In such a hurry, what’s the matter?”

Gu Bing’an was slightly out of breath, his brow tightly knit: “How could I not be urgent? Princess, you should hurry to the yamen. Those officials you ordered arrested have been brought in—”

“Isn’t that a good thing? When will Zhao Ji and his father be beheaded? I’ll be the executioner.”

Danzhu sneered and stepped forward.

“What’s so good about it!”

One of the bandits who had come with Gu Bing’an said:

“Those corrupt officials were arrested, true, but the other officials are all threatening to resign! I overheard them saying in private that they think the Princess exceeded her authority, abused her power, and has no right to arrest imperial officials like them!”

“Damn them—greedy to the bone, too. The Princess personally arrests corrupt officials and they won’t allow it. So arrogant, let them resign if they want. Who’s short on people wanting to be officials in this world?”

The man who spoke was kicked by Pei Zhaoye.

Pei Zhaoye’s brow was somewhat heavy.

An official resignation is no small matter. Not only the Princess, even a prince causing such an uproar could lose his head.

On the small scale, it could throw Yiling into chaos. On the large scale, if it reached the court, the scheming Empress Tan would surely stir up trouble and have ministers impeach them to death.

She was only drawn in because of Hongye Stronghold.

Pei Zhaoye stared steadily at her profile.

If that dream had truly been real, if everyone at Hongye Stronghold had survived because of her, then should she ever face danger, none of them would stand idly by.

Even if it meant defying heaven itself, even if it were an act of treason…

“It’s fine. Let them make their fuss.”

Lizhu’s calm response took everyone by surprise.

Meeting the confused and uneasy gazes of those around her, she lifted her finger with a faintly smug smile.

“When it comes to fighting, I can’t compare to you. But when it comes to words, you can’t compare to me. Don’t worry. Within three days at most, those who left in anger will come begging to return exactly the way they left.”

The mountain bandits looked at one another, all half in doubt.

This little princess spoke with such confidence… could she really pull it off?

“However—”

Lizhu turned toward Danzhu, her expression slightly apologetic.

“I might need Sister Danzhu to suffer a bit of hardship.”

Since the whole mess had started because of her recklessness, Danzhu, still fretting over how to make amends, immediately cupped her hands and said,

“Whatever the Princess commands.”

Winter was fast approaching.

She still had to gather provisions and send relief to the rebel forces at Yanshan, there was no time to waste quarreling over trivialities.

Pei Zhaoye’s gaze flickered faintly.

Catching his strange expression, Lizhu turned to him and asked, “You don’t believe me?”

“It’s not that, I was just thinking…”

When he kissed her on the bed, she had gone weak in moments—yet now, she was full of fire and strength.