Mingyu!

Back at the cave entrance, the sky had brightened a bit, but it was still a hazy gray.

Zhu Liji was still lying in the same position, covered with her coat, his face was ashen, and his lips were chapped and peeling, but thankfully he was still breathing and alive.

Hearing Zhiwei's movement, Zhu Liji opened his eyes and took the food and water from Zhiwei's hands.

"Eat up, young master." Zhiwei muttered softly, "I won't poison you, and I won't starve you. Remember to pay me back for my coat when we get back."

Zhu Liji took a bite of the wild fruit, swallowed the sour part, and unusually said, "Thank you."

Time passed slowly in the deathly silence and cold.

Zhiwei hugged her knees, staring at the cave entrance where the sky remained dim. Zhu Liji's eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and just as his consciousness was about to slip into darkness, his upper arm was suddenly shoved.

"Don't sleep," Zhiwei reminded her, tilting her head to the side.

She knew that Zhu Liji was in great pain, his body was so sore that he wanted to curl up. Zhu Liji hadn't slept for more than a day and was very tired, but Zhiwei didn't dare to let him sleep.

She was afraid that Zhu Liji would not wake up.

"Let's talk about something," Zhiwei suggested.

Zhu Liji looked at Zhiwei without speaking, clearly waiting for her to start a conversation. Zhiwei remained silent for a while, then decided to begin by talking about herself.

Zhiwei recounted everything he experienced in Lingnan: how he started from scratch, how he became a dominant force in the vegetable market, and how he came to care for his neighbors.

She talked on and on, recounting both joyful and sorrowful moments. When she talked about Qin Yuzhi, she was reminded of the tragic massacre of the Yan family, and Zhiwei's heart still ached.

Although she was clear about her likes and dislikes and dared to love and hate, she never truly wanted to hurt others. The Yan family incident was an accident, and she was somewhat saddened by it.

Zhu Liji, however, simply raised an eyebrow and said, "This is their destiny."

"Even a centipede that has a hundred legs doesn't fall down when it's dead, but it is dead after all. If you don't strive for self-improvement and only think about currying favor with the strong, you will eventually be devoured. Your actions have only accelerated that process." Zhu Liji's tone was indifferent, with even a hint of disdain at the end.

Zhiwei nodded. Speaking of family, she suddenly remembered Zhu Liji's murmurs in his sleep: father, mother, wanting to go home... She originally thought Zhu Liji was heartless, but she did not expect that he also had such a vulnerable side.

Looking up with a hint of curiosity, Zhiwei asked, "And what about you, sir?"

Your family, friends, past—anything is fine! Zhiwei, like a kitten, leaned closer, her watery eyes sparkling, her gaze revealing the unmistakable words: "I want to understand you."

Zhu Liji raised a finger and poked Zhiwei's forehead, reminding her that she was too close.

“I forgot,” Zhu Liji replied.

"Liar!" Zhiwei scoffed.

“But I had a dog when I was a child,” Zhu Liji added. “You remind me of it.”

To say she's like a dog, thank you for that unnecessary compliment! Zhiwei desperately suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.

Zhu Liji smiled and added, "I mean, loyalty."

“I picked it up when it was very young. It was winter, and I saw it freezing pitifully on the street, so I broke off half a steamed bun for it. As a result, it started to cling to me.” Zhu Liji recalled, “I raised it for about three years. It went from being only the size of my palm to being too big for a single mat to sleep on.”

"So you love it very much." Zhiwei observed Zhu Liji's expression; it was calm, yet tinged with a sense of nostalgia. Zhiwei had rarely seen such a good expression on his face.

But Zhu Liji shook his head and said, "It's just a habit."

"Winter in Beijing is very cold. It likes to stay close to my feet to keep warm, and I treat it like a hot water bottle."

Why are you being so stubborn?

Zhiwei continued to ask, "How old is it now, and what breed is it?" She had overheard someone in the camp saying that Jiang Tan and Zhu Liji had been playmates since childhood. Jiang Tan was almost thirty, and Zhu Liji was probably not young either.

If that's the case, then the puppy must be an old dog by now.

"Is it now kept in your house, enjoying its old age?" Zhiwei speculated.

It's so nice to be a dog. You get a good owner, bark a few times, and you enjoy all the luxuries. Unlike being a human, who must have done something terrible in their past life to have to live a life of humility and subservience in this one.

I am extremely saddened.

Zhu Liji's brows furrowed slightly. He widened the distance between himself and Zhiwei again and said slowly, "It's dead."

"I spoiled it and it had no sense of propriety when it saw people. It startled an important person and was beaten to death."

Zhu Liji's eyelashes fluttered, casting two small shadows on his ashen face.

"Is there anything else?" he asked coldly.

Zhiwei vaguely sensed that something was blocking their way again, and the air seemed to freeze once more as they looked at each other in silence.

"Let's rest first," Zhiwei sighed.

——

The sky brightened at some unknown time.

The blinding sunlight made Zhiwei squint unconsciously. The mountains and fields were quiet in the early morning, with only the sound of the wind and birdsong.

The water they fetched last night had all been drunk, and Zhu Liji had been in a deep sleep since his fever subsided.

Zhiwei decided to go out of the cave and fetch some more water. Following her memory of yesterday, she walked towards the stream. Just as she rounded a huge rock, she caught a strange sound in her ears.

The sound was loud, like something hitting the rocks.

Zhiwei jolted awake and instantly fell to the ground, rolling into the nearby withered grass.

Pursuers? They've searched so quickly?

Holding his breath, he cautiously peered through the gaps in the grass.

Not far below, a figure dressed in tattered leather armor was squatting on a large rock by the stream with his back to her, holding a sharp flint and striking something with all his might.

Judging from the style of that tattered leather armor, they don't look like rebels, but rather... bandits?

Zhiwei's heart tightened; the experience of being chased felt like yesterday. Just then, the man seemed to have finished knocking on something, straightened up, and sunlight fell on his profile.

Thick eyebrows, square face, strong jawline, and an old scar about an inch long on his eyebrow. This face made Zhiwei's mind go blank for a moment; it was the "Broken Eyebrow" who had ambushed the wedding procession on the edge of Shu County.

How could he be here? Lingnan, Shu County, military camp... Could it be that the rebellion in Shu County was orchestrated by the Wang family?

Thinking about it this way, everything makes sense. Why did "Broken Eyebrow" sabotage the wedding? Why did he go to such lengths to kill? It turns out he was the bandit leader rumored to be colluding with the Wang family!

Therefore, the purpose of "Broken Eyebrow" appearing here is probably not simple. It is likely to ensure the success of the assassination and that the enemy attack is foolproof.

Thinking of this, Zhiwei gritted her teeth, her whole body trembling involuntarily. At this moment, she was caught between a rock and a hard place, and could only hide in the bushes and observe the situation.

"Broken Eyebrow" clearly hadn't noticed her.

After he finished hammering, he picked up the thin stone slab with the dent he had made with flint to examine it, then bent down and groped around the stream to find a round stone of moderate size. With a crisp "crack!", the round stone split into several pieces.

"Broken Eyebrow" picked up one of the sharp-edged stone fragments, weighed it in his hand, and smiled with satisfaction.

He waited there for a while, muttering something to himself. After a while, he turned around with his stone axe and disappeared into the denser forest on the other side of the stream.

Zhiwei lay prone in the grass, her heart pounding. She suppressed her turbulent thoughts, quickly ran to the stream, filled her water bag, and left dejectedly.

Back in the cave, Zhu Liji was already awake, resting against the cave wall. When Zhiwei entered, his gaze lingered for a moment on her undergarment, which was covered in grass clippings and mud.

"Where have you been?" The voice was hoarse, but much more energetic; that familiar, chilling tone had returned.

Zhiwei dared not recount her recent experience, and simply handed over the water pouch, saying perfunctorily, "Go find some water, drink sparingly."

Zhu Liji took the water and gulped down several mouthfuls. Zhiwei quickly composed herself and also drank a few mouthfuls.

"We must leave now," Zhiwei said solemnly. "There are pursuers outside."

"Your injury...are you alright?" Zhiwei couldn't help but ask.

“You won’t die.” Zhu Liji interrupted her, his tone leaving no room for argument. “We must leave before the rebels find this place.”

Zhiwei nodded, stepped forward, and supported Zhu Liji's intact right arm, lifting him up with all her might. Most of his weight was on her, as heavy as a stone, and she staggered unsteadily, but still managed to support Zhu Liji firmly.

——

The mountain path was rugged, covered with loose stones and gnarled tree roots.

Zhiwei supported Zhu Liji, each step incredibly difficult. She was in pain, and so was Zhu Liji; they couldn't even speak, only letting out soft moans from time to time, sweat dripping down Zhiwei's shoulders.

"Let's...let's rest for a bit." Zhiwei gasped for breath, feeling her legs starting to give way. If they continued like this, they would be exhausted before the rebels even found them.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Liji withdrew his hand from Zhiwei's body and leaned against the tree trunk beside him.

The two continued walking and stopping in this pattern. After an unknown amount of time, the sun gradually began to set, and the light in the forest became increasingly dim.

Hunger gnawed at Zhiwei's stomach like countless tiny insects, and Zhu Liji's strength was clearly nearing its limit; his steps became heavy, and his breathing grew heavier.

Is this where my life is destined to end?

With her vision blurred and the ringing in her ears like the prelude to death, Zhiwei sank into despair.

Suddenly, a muffled and rapid sound of horses' hooves came from ahead, like dense drumbeats striking the leaf-strewn hillside, getting closer and closer!

Zhiwei's consciousness had already slowed down, and Zhu Liji suddenly pulled her behind a huge ancient tree.

His body tensed, and his intact right hand instinctively reached for his waist—but it was empty; the dagger he always carried was nowhere to be found.

Zhiwei's heart leaped into her throat. She clutched the silver hairpin she had carefully hidden in her bosom, her palms drenched in cold sweat. Pursuers? Or an accomplice of "Broken Eyebrow"?

The thunderous sound of hooves thundered as the horse approached. The leaves parted roughly, and a magnificent, chestnut-colored warhorse burst forth from the woods.

The rider was clad in gleaming heavy armor, his scarlet cloak fluttering wildly as he galloped.

Zhiwei looked closely and recognized the heavy armor... that soldier. Although the helmet covered most of his face, revealing only his slightly rounded jawline, she recognized him and couldn't be mistaken!

Mingyu, it's Zhu Mingyu, he's still alive!!!

The horse galloped close, let out a long neigh, and reared up high.

Zhu Mingyu, on horseback, suddenly pulled on the reins and nimbly dismounted.

“Brother!” Zhu Mingyu knelt on one knee, his voice deep and resonant, filled with urgency and a sense of relief. He reached out and removed the heavy helmet that had been covering his face.

Beneath the helmet was the face that Zhiwei had longed for countless times in her dreams.

—His tanned skin and large eyes were now anxiously fixed on the two of them, filled with undisguised concern and worry.

It really is Zhu Mingyu!

That face that once grinned foolishly at Zhiwei by the stove in Lingnan, helped her chop wood and carry water, and was scolded as a "fool" by her by pulling her ear, is now covered in wind and dust, with unfamiliar coldness and weariness etched between its brows.

The only thing that remained unchanged was his eyes, which would light up instantly when he looked at her, as if they were filled with the entire galaxy of stars.

"Zhiwei!" Zhu Mingyu exclaimed, his face filled with disbelief.

Zhiwei stared blankly at him, at the red veins surging deep in Zhu Mingyu's eyes, almost overflowing, at the dark stains on his armor and the several fresh knife marks.

The worries of getting separated, the injustices in the military camp, the cold, hunger, and smell of blood in the cave, and the fear of being almost swallowed by darkness during the long night... all the hard shells that had been held up shattered at this moment.

Zhiwei's nose tingled, and hot tears welled up in her eyes without warning, blurring her vision instantly.

"Ugh..." Just as a broken sob escaped her lips, Zhiwei's heart pounded, and she collapsed to the ground.