Chapter 6

At the so-called Guan Haoshan campsite of the Third Prince Wang Cheng in the western suburbs of Fengcheng, a lively scene unfolded. Inside the council tent, a masked man sat in the main seat, angrily declaring, "You can't even capture a mere woman? What use are you to me? If you don't give us a reason, today is your death day!" Hearing this, the soldiers standing below were filled with fear and unease. One soldier trembled and said, "My lord, it's not that we've failed in our duties. Just as we were about to capture the woman, a man suddenly burst into the tent. His martial arts were so superior that we were no match for him, so..." Before he could finish, the man roared, "A bunch of useless trash! What use are you? Drag him out and execute him!" At this moment, the strategist standing beside the masked man said, "My lord, you mustn't do this. Now is the time to use our troops. I hope you will reconsider." The masked man pondered for a moment and said, "Since you, sir, have pleaded for your lives, then I will spare your lives. However, find out as soon as possible who the man who saved Xue Ran is!" Upon hearing this voice, it was realized that it was the Third Prince.

Inside the cave, Xi Yimin said urgently, "Xue Ran, believe me, that couldn't be Guan Haoshan's camp." Leng Xue Ran chuckled, "Then tell me whose it is? Why did the Third Prince lie to me? Where is the real Guan Haoshan?" Xi Yimin said seriously, "I don't know whose tent it is right now. But once I find out the truth, I will give Xue Ran an answer. As for why the Third Prince lied to you, I don't know either. But Xue Ran, tell me why you are so determined to find Guan Haoshan and kill him?" Hearing this, Leng Xue Ran remained silent for a long time. Just when Xi Yimin thought Leng Xue Ran wouldn't tell him the truth, he heard: “Father made me kill Guan Haoshan with my own hands before he would tell me where my mother was. I’ve searched for so long but haven’t found her. I think she might be hidden by Father.” She finished speaking with a sorrowful expression, which pained Xi Yimin. He said softly, “Xue Ran, I will definitely find your mother. Believe me.” Leng Xue Ran looked at him coldly and said, “You ask me to believe you, but we still don’t know where Guan Haoshan is. How can I believe you?” Xi Yimin was speechless. Leng Xue Ran, her mind intrigued, remained silent for a long time before gently asking, “Why are you helping me?” She then stared intently at the man before her. Silence, more silence. How could Xi Yimin answer her now? Tell her: I approached you for revenge, to kill my so-called godfather, your father—Leng Shouqing—to seek justice for the innocent lives lost. But how could Xi Yimin not know that so many people wanted to kill her? Perhaps Leng Shouqing was forced into the role of executioner, but now your father has ordered you to kill her. We should be enemies. How can she sort out such a messy relationship? How can she face the woman who stirs her heart? Enough, enough, Xi Yimin laughed: "Am I not just Xue Ran's admirer? Following Xue Ran and protecting her is my honor." Seeing Xi Yimin's sudden change, Leng Xue Ran sneered: "Do you think I'll believe that?" Xi Yimin grinned wickedly: "Why wouldn't I believe it? Yimin is telling the truth. Xue Ran, would you rather take out Yimin's heart and see if your name is written on it before you believe me?" Leng Xue Ran blushed slightly, ignoring Xi Yimin, and got up to walk out of the cave. Xi Yimin quickly followed, and then heard Leng Xueran ask, "Where should we go?" Xi Yimin was taken aback; she didn't know where to go either, to find the person Leng Xueran referred to as her former self—Guan Haoshan. Seeing that Xi Yimin didn't answer for a long time, she said, "Didn't you say you could find Guan Haoshan?" At this moment, Xi Yimin said anxiously, "Xueran, we can go directly to your mother."

Where can we find it?

"Beijing"

On the official road leading to the capital, a carriage moved smoothly forward. Xi Yimin sat outside the carriage and softly asked, "Xue Ran, does your wound still hurt?" The drowsy girl inside the carriage did not answer. Hearing no reply, he assumed the wound was in great pain, so he quickly stopped the carriage and hurriedly entered. He found the lovely girl with her eyes slightly closed, her face a little flushed, and her mind somewhat dazed. Xi Yimin gently pulled her into his arms, touched her forehead, and found it was only slightly warmer than normal. He slowly unwrapped the bandaged wound and saw that there was no sign of infection. He gently shook the girl in his arms, and she opened her eyes. Finding herself lying in Xi Yimin's arms, she struggled and said, "Let me go." Xi Yimin asked anxiously, "Xue Ran, where do you feel unwell?" Looking at the anxious Xi Yimin, Leng Xue Ran felt a slight ripple in her heart. She turned her head away and said, "I just feel very sleepy, and my abdomen feels very hot." After saying this, her face turned even redder. Xi Yimin, unaware of the reason, grew even more anxious, saying, "Is she alright? Let's find a doctor right away." He then tried to carry Leng Xueran away using his light-footed skills. The woman in his arms tugged at his sleeve, saying, "I'm fine, I don't feel any pain. Don't waste your energy, let's continue with the carriage!" Xi Yimin looked at the woman in his arms for a while, confirming she was alright, and then said, "Alright, Xueran, if you feel any discomfort, be sure to tell me. We're about to reach a village; we'll stay there tonight, is that alright?" Leng Xueran nodded slightly in agreement. Xi Yimin gently placed the woman in his arms on the soft cushion and got up to leave. Inside the carriage, Leng Xueran was puzzled. Why did she feel a burning sensation in her abdomen, yet no pain? Her period had only ended ten days or so; it shouldn't be this. Xi Yimin, driving the horses outside, also found it strange. Why did he also feel a burning sensation in his abdomen? He hadn't had that feeling for a long time. He stopped thinking about it and focused on planning for the evening.

The journey from Fengcheng to the capital was long, and Leng Xue Ran was injured, so the travel time would inevitably increase. That night, they passed through a place called Hanjia Village. Outside the carriage, Xi Yimin said, "Xue Ran, we've arrived at Hanjia Village. To avoid attracting attention, let's find a secluded place to stay." Inside the carriage, Leng Xue Ran's pleasant voice replied, "Whatever you say." Hearing this, Xi Yimin found a house closest to the mountain in the village and knocked on the door. An elderly man opened the door. Hearing that the two wanted to stay the night, his kind face lit up with a smile. "Come in," he said, "let's talk inside." Xi Yimin, holding Leng Xueran's struggling hand, smiled and said, "Thank you, sir. My wife and I are on our way to the capital for business, and we're just passing through. We'd be grateful to have you stay here. We apologize for the inconvenience." The old man smiled and said, "It's alright. I live alone here. My wife passed away a few years ago. I had a son, but he didn't amount to much in this poor, remote place, so he went to the capital to try his luck. He does send letters home every month, but it's not easy working away from home. It's nice that you young people are staying here, making the house a little more lively. I'm happy! Our home is humble, but we hope you won't find it offensive." Xi Yimin smiled and said, "We are already deeply grateful for your hospitality. There's no question of us finding it offensive." Leng Xueran, seeing Xi Yimin repeatedly referring to them as "husband and wife," blushed slightly. She thought to herself: What's wrong with me? My chest is trembling, and my face is burning. This man doesn't even blush when he lies. I was thinking of living separately from him, but looking at this room, I'm afraid there won't be any extra bedrooms.

Seeing that it was getting dark outside, the old man led the two into the bedroom, saying, "Young man, please come with me. This is my son's room at home. Please make do with this tonight. I'll go get you some bedding." Xi Yimin smiled and said, "Thank you, sir. Let me help you." After the bed was made, Xi Yimin looked at Leng Xueran, who was still standing by the window, and said with a smile, "Xueran, it's getting late. Let's go to bed!" Hearing this, Leng Xueran's face turned even redder, and she said coldly, "You go to sleep. I'm not sleepy." Xi Yimin Knowing what she was thinking, he smiled and said, "Xue Ran, don't worry, you sleep on the bed, I'll quietly go sleep in the carriage later." Hearing this, Leng Xue Ran turned around and walked towards the bed. Xi Yi Min took her slightly cool hand and led it to the bed, helping her sit down. He then took off her shoes for her. Leng Xue Ran was startled and quickly withdrew her foot, saying, "I can do it myself." Her face turned even redder. Xi Yi Min smiled and said, "It's alright, Xue Ran is injured and it's inconvenient for her. Let me do it for you." Before Leng Xue Ran could object, he quickly took off her shoes.

After Leng Xueran covered herself with the blankets, Xi Yimin actually jumped out of the window, just as she had said, perhaps going to sleep in the carriage. In her drowsy state, Leng Xueran drifted off to sleep.

In the middle of the night, Xi Yimin quietly returned through the window, tiptoed back to the bedside, took off his coat and shoes, and entered Leng Xueran's bed. Holding the soundly sleeping Leng Xueran, he smiled and fell asleep himself. Such behavior truly resembled that of a petty scoundrel.