Xin Jiuwei felt a warmth in her heart as she looked at her brother's concerned face, but then shook her head: "Brother just got back from his holiday, spend more time with elder sister and father. I can handle things at the shop. Don't worry." She patted Xin Yunzhou's arm and gave him a reassuring look.

Time was of the essence, and there was no time for further explanation. Although Xin Wenhai was filled with doubts and worries, seeing his daughter's resolute attitude and knowing that the safety of the family business was at stake, he could only solemnly instruct her: "Be careful in everything! Money is just an external thing; protecting yourself is the most important thing! Don't force things; send word back immediately!"

"Your daughter understands." Xin Jiuwei bowed solemnly to her father and the Qi family members, said no more, and strode out. The blood-stained handkerchief was clutched tightly in her sleeve, like a brand, burning her heart.

Outside the mansion gate, Xin Kui was already waiting, leading two magnificent black horses. The horses puffed out white breath, their hooves impatiently pawing at the thin ice on the ground, clearly having been fed well and ready to go. Xin Jiuwei didn't say a word, but quickly and swiftly mounted her horse.

"drive!"

With a sharp shout, two fine horses shot off like arrows from a bow, bursting through the long street in front of the Qi residence, stirring up a gust of snow and a cold wind, and instantly disappearing into the warm afternoon sunlight of the fifth year of the Lunar New Year in Yuncheng. Only Xin Xiyao's worried gaze, Xin Yunzhou's furrowed brows, Qi Huaihe's deep-seated doubt, and Xin Wenhai's heavy sigh remained in front of the Qi residence.

Xin Kui followed closely beside Xin Jiuwei, watching her mistress's straight yet taut back, her tightly pursed lips, and the resolute glint in her eyes, her heart filled with unease. She felt a strange unease about the news Liu Ya had brought, and her mistress's reaction was far too intense… That blood-stained handkerchief… was it really His Highness's? What awaited them in the capital…?

The biting wind stung her face like a knife. Xin Jiuwei, however, seemed oblivious, desperately urging her horse forward, galloping towards the vast, turbulent city to the north. Only one thought raced through her mind: Xiao Xun, hold on! Wait for me!

The north wind, carrying fine snowflakes like cold sand, whipped the galloping horses and their riders.

On both sides of the official road stretched endless, desolate fields covered with thick snow. Occasionally, a few old, gnarled trees would flash by, like frozen ghosts. The sky was as dark as spilled ink, with leaden clouds hanging low as if about to collapse at any moment.

Xin Jiuwei lay hunched over her horse, her lips pressed tightly together, her face paler than the frozen world. The biting wind pierced through her heavy cloak, but it was nothing compared to the chilling anxiety in her heart. For three days and three nights, she had been galloping almost non-stop, changing horses but not riders, only hurriedly gulping down a few mouthfuls of hot soup and chewing a few bites of dry rations at the post stations. Her body was already numb with exhaustion, but the image of the blood-stained handkerchief and Liu Ya's tearful words in her mind burned like a red-hot iron, relentlessly searing her nerves.

Xiao Xun… vomiting blood incessantly… the imperial physicians are helpless… he may not survive three days…

Every word gnawed at her heart, bringing a suffocating panic and a heavy, almost crushing guilt. The horrific image of the symbiotic worm's backlash gnawed at her weary mind like a leech. She didn't even dare to think about what would have happened if she had arrived even a moment later…

"Miss, the capital is just ahead!" Xin Kui's hoarse voice pierced through the howling wind and snow, carrying a hint of relief in its hoarseness.

Xin Jiuwei looked up abruptly. At the edge of her snow-blurred vision, a massive, silent, crouching black silhouette gradually emerged. The majestic city walls stretched against the grey sky, the scattered lights on the city walls appearing exceptionally distant and cold in the snow. That was the capital city, the center of a vortex of power and desire, and at this moment, the only perilous place leading to Xiao Xun's survival.

She didn't respond, but instead spurred her horse sharply. The black horse neighed, its four hooves buckling, and charged towards the massive city gate like an arrow released from a bow.

The process of entering the city went unexpectedly smoothly. The soldiers guarding the city seemed to have already received instructions; after checking the special token that Liu Ya had given to Xin Kui, they silently let them pass without even asking a question. A doubt flashed through Xin Jiuwei's mind, but at this moment, she was eager to save lives and had no time to investigate further.

The scene inside the capital was completely different from that outside. Although it was the New Year holiday, the streets were deserted, appearing exceptionally empty and desolate. Thick snow covered the bluestone pavement, leaving only tire tracks and messy footprints as traces. Most of the shops on both sides were closed, and the lanterns hanging there swayed in the wind and snow, casting dim, flickering shadows that added to the bleakness and oppression. A heavy sense of impending storm permeated the air, and even the wind seemed to be howling.

Led by a taciturn guide, almost one with the shadows, arranged by Liu Ya, Xin Jiuwei and Xin Kui rode their horses through the labyrinthine alleyways. The horses' hooves pounded the snow with a dull creak, unusually clear in the quiet streets. After winding their way through the bustling main streets, they finally stopped deep within an extremely secluded alley.

Before them stood an unremarkable mansion. The black lacquered gate was tightly shut, with no markings on the lintel. High, bluish-gray walls separated the inside from the outside, giving it an unusually understated, even somewhat eerie, appearance. Only the thick layer of snow covering the two stone lions at the entrance testified to the place's silence. Without someone to guide them, it would be extremely difficult to find this place.

“This is it.” The guide’s voice was low and hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing together.

Xin Jiuwei dismounted, her legs stiff and numb from the long ride, but she forced herself to stand. She looked up at the tightly closed black gate, feeling no relief at reaching her destination, but rather a heavier weight in her heart. Xiao Xun, was he behind this door? What was happening to him now…?

The door opened silently, just wide enough for one person to pass through. Liu Ya appeared inside. She was even more disheveled than Xin Kui had described: her dark, close-fitting clothes were covered in dust and dark stains (like dried blood), her face was frighteningly pale, her lips were cracked and bloodless, and her eyes were dark, unyielding. Most shockingly, her left shoulder was wrapped in thick bandages, the edges of which were faintly oozing dark red, clearly indicating a serious injury. She looked as if she could be blown away by a gust of wind, only her eyes, still sharp as a hawk's, were now filled with immense exhaustion, anxiety, and a near-desperate hope.

"Miss Xin!" The moment Liu Ya saw Xin Jiuwei, her eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope, and her voice, hoarse with excitement from her long journey, cried out, "You've finally arrived! Quickly! Come with me!"