Lin Xihe chewed on the soft cake that Mu Ruoyan had specially bought for her on the way. The soft, sweet taste spread on her tongue, but she was preoccupied with the journey and couldn't help but ask, "How much longer until we reach Nanzhao?"

Mu Ruoyan was sitting by the fire, holding a pastry in her hand. Upon hearing this, she suddenly froze, then seemed to be enraged, and casually threw the pastry into the blazing fire in front of her.

The flames instantly leaped up, engulfing the pastries and making a crackling sound.

Seeing this, Lin Xihe felt a pang of anxiety, realizing that Mu Ruoyan was angry again.

"How many times have you asked today?" Mu Ruoyan's voice was clearly impatient as she coldly retorted without turning her head.

"I only asked this question for the first time today."

Lin Xihe muttered softly.

When she asked yesterday, Mu Ruoyan didn't answer properly.

Five days ago, they said there were still five days to go, but now seven days have passed and they haven't even seen a trace of Nanzhao.

Mu Ruoyan ignored her and stood up, striding towards the carriage and climbing into the carriage.

Lin Xihe had figured out some tricks of the trade along the way.

These days, except when they needed to bathe and change clothes every few days and would find an inn to stay in, Mu Ruoyan would always arrange the itinerary very cleverly, intentionally or unintentionally, to go to the desolate wilderness where there was no village in front and no shop behind, and then the two of them would sleep in the carriage.

On two separate occasions, Lin Xihe woke up in the middle of the night to find herself resting her head on Mu Ruoyan's arm.

She was startled, but pretended to be calm, feigning that she was unconsciously shifting her body in her sleep, trying to move away.

But every time she made a move, Mu Ruoyan would subconsciously hug her even tighter.

Whenever she struggled even slightly, Mu Ruoyan would whisper a warning in her ear, telling her not to move.

Lin Xihe was not an innocent girl who had never experienced the ways of the world; how could she not sense Mu Ruoyan's thoughts?

Left with no other choice, she could only go along with Mu Ruoyan's wishes, pretending to be asleep on his arm, her heart filled with worry, fearing that resistance would arouse his even stronger possessiveness.

After finishing her meal, Lin Xihe felt uneasy and dawdled as she walked toward the carriage.

When she finally mustered the courage to climb onto the carriage, she saw that Mu Ruoyan was already leaning against the side of the carriage, motionless, as if she were asleep.

Lin Xihe tiptoed and carefully climbed into bed, silently praying that she could get through the night peacefully.

Just when she thought everything was going well and she could finally sleep peacefully, an unexpected event occurred.

Mu Ruoyan seemed to be suddenly awakened, quickly threw off the covers, and crawled in.

Immediately afterwards, he reached out his arm and pulled Lin Xihe into his arms.

This was the first time in so many days that Mu Ruoyan had made such an intimate gesture while both of them were awake.

Lin Xihe's eyes widened immediately, and she exclaimed in a panic, "Young Master Mu?!"

Mu Ruoyan seemed not to hear her, but simply rested her chin gently on the top of Lin Xihe's head, her voice low and hesitant: "Lin Xihe, I won't take you to Nanzhao, okay?"

He was completely oblivious to Lin Xihe in his arms, who was pushing him away forcefully, and was lost in his own thoughts.

"Are you crazy? I've endured wind and rain all this way, waiting for so long, all I've been longing for is to reach Nanzhao!" Lin Xihe exclaimed in shock and anger, forcefully spreading her hands apart to try and create some distance between them.

Whether you see him or not, I will kill him.

Mu Ruoyan's tone was icy and chilling, so cruel it was terrifying. But then, her tone shifted, revealing a hint of negotiation: "If you agree to not see him, I'll let him die a quick death."

"You promised me you would let me see him!" Lin Xihe's eyes reddened, her voice filled with grievance and resentment.

"I don't want to anymore."

Mu Ruoyan's response was resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.

"I must see him!" Lin Xihe suddenly stopped struggling, as if resigned to her fate, letting Mu Ruoyan hold her tightly.

Seeing her like this, Mu Ruoyan felt a nameless rage rise in his heart. He suddenly flipped over and pinned Lin Xihe down, his voice low yet extremely oppressive: "You've been with me for three years, and I'll let him live for another three years. When the three years are up, I'll let you go back to the capital of Dahao."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xihe's previously dim eyes instantly lit up with hope. She excitedly reached out and grabbed Mu Ruoyan's shirt, asking urgently, "Really?"

"I won't lie to you," Mu Ruoyan said solemnly, gazing into her eyes.

Lin Xihe took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down: "I agree, but I have one condition."

"Conditions? Tell me."

Mu Ruoyan had spent every day with Lin Xihe along the way and knew her thoughts all too well. She was completely devoted to Gu Qinghuai and would rather die with him than not go to Nanzhao.

Now that he has agreed to his conditions so readily, this sudden change is too sudden. How can he not be suspicious?

Mu Ruoyan was full of suspicion, but she couldn't suppress her curiosity and wanted to hear what her conditions were.

"Don't torture him, he's practically a cripple now." Lin Xihe's voice was soft, tinged with pleading. "I want to go and take care of him for a while, to help him recover. Can you give me three months?"

As she spoke, she raised her head expectantly. Although Mu Ruoyan's expression was not visible in the darkness, she pretended to be extremely sincere, her eyes sparkling with longing.

“He has been poisoned by the Nanzhao royal family. Even if you take good care of him, he cannot recover.” Mu Ruoyan gently stroked Lin Xihe’s face and said seriously, “No one can cure this poison.”

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