"Princess, please listen to me."
Xue Zhongfu's voice was unusually calm, as if carrying a reassuring power. "I will find a way to pull you up. Hold on to the vines and don't move!"
Princess Li Shurou looked at Xue Zhongfu's determined eyes, and the fear in her heart was slightly relieved. She nodded slightly, indicating that she would try her best to cooperate.
Xue Zhongfu felt a sense of relief upon seeing this. He stood up and quickly scanned his surroundings. Fortunately, he spotted a protruding rock not far away that could serve as a temporary support. He carefully moved his feet to the rock, then used his strength to steady himself.
Then, he stretched out his arm again and tightly grasped the vine in the eldest princess's hand. This time, he did not pull it directly, but shook the vine gently, trying to distribute the weight it bore a little.
"Princess, I'm going to start pulling you now. Don't be afraid and don't struggle." Xue Zhongfu said as he began to pull the vines slowly and firmly.
Li Shurou only felt her body moving upwards little by little. Although the speed was very slow, the feeling of gradually escaping from danger made the fear in her heart gradually dissipate.
At this critical moment, she only heard a crisp breaking sound, and her face turned pale. The vine broke at this moment, and her body lost support in an instant and began to slide down the hillside.
However, at this critical moment, Xue Zhongfu was quick-witted and quick-handed, and pulled Li Shurou into his arms with force.
The broken vines fell down the hillside, drew a long arc in the air, and finally disappeared at the bottom of the bottomless slope, which was a shocking sight.
Xue Zhongfu held Li Shurou tightly with one hand, fearing that she would be hurt, and with the other hand he supported himself on the stone beside him, trying to stabilize both of their bodies.
However, because he used too much force just now, the palm of his hand that was supporting the stone was accidentally scratched by the sharp corners of the stone.
"Princess, are you okay?"
"Master Xue, thank you..." Li Shurou's voice was weak and trembling, "You saved me, I..."
Xue Zhongfu looked down at Li Shurou in his arms and saw that a large piece of her dress was torn. He quickly took off his outer robe and draped it over the eldest princess, then helped her up and slowly walked towards the horse parked nearby.
The eldest princess seemed to have exhausted all her strength and could only lean on Xue Zhongfu and move forward with his support.
Xue Zhongfu carefully supported the frightened Li Shurou, helped her to mount the horse safely, then he took the reins and slowly walked forward along the mountain road they came from.
Soon they met the guards who were returning from the other two roads. Seeing that the eldest princess had been found, the guards all breathed a sigh of relief.
When they returned to the palace, Concubine Shu had regained consciousness. Seeing Li Shurou safe and sound, her eyes suddenly moistened. She hugged her daughter tightly, as if wanting to pour out all her worries and fears.
At this time, the palace maid presented a soft silk cloak, signaling the princess to change clothes. Everyone knew that what she was wearing was Xue Zhongfu's outer robe. If she returned to the palace like this, it would inevitably attract unnecessary rumors.
Li Shurou gently took off her outer robe and was about to put on a cloak when Concubine Shu noticed a trace of blood on her waist and asked in surprise, "Rou'er, where are you injured?"
Li Shurou lowered her head when she heard the voice, and immediately understood. She didn't care about her mother and Hong Yingrong who were present, and walked eagerly to Xue Zhongfu and took his hand.
When she saw that the other person's right palm was still bleeding, her heart ached, as if the wound was on her own body.
She hurriedly took out her silk handkerchief and wanted to bandage him, but Xue Zhongfu quickly withdrew his hand and whispered, "Princess, I dare not trouble you."
There was a hint of distance and respect in his voice, but it also made Li Shurou's heart ache even more.
Hong Yingrong saw the situation between the princess and Xue Zhongfu and understood what was going on. She whispered to her son, "Zhongfu, go outside first and let the servants bandage your wound."
Xue Zhongfu nodded slightly, replied "Yes, mother", then turned and left. His back looked somewhat lonely in the afterglow of the setting sun, yet revealed a sense of determination.
Hong Yingrong turned to look at Concubine Shu and the eldest princess. She said solemnly, "Concubine Shu, eldest princess, can you please excuse me?"
Concubine Shu and the eldest princess looked at each other, obviously realizing that they could no longer hide today's situation from Hong Yingrong, but they still followed the old lady to the side hall as she said.
The light in the side hall was a little dim, but it exuded a sense of tranquility and peace. After the three of them sat down, Hong Yingrong took a deep breath.
Concubine Shu and the eldest princess remained silent, just waiting quietly for Hong Yingrong's next words.
"The Marquis's House is deeply troubled by the Princess's affection for my son," Hong Yingrong said bluntly. "But the Princess is a noblewoman, and Zhongfu is, after all, a subject, having already married. Naturally, we cannot expect the Princess to condescend to become her successor. The chasm between them is not easily bridged."
Hearing this, a trace of sadness flashed in Princess Li Shurou's eyes. She knew very well the difference in status between herself and Xue Zhongfu, but the emotions in her heart could not be easily controlled by reason.
Hong Yingrong pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "The most urgent matter is to ensure that the eldest princess's reputation is not damaged. My son saved the eldest princess today, which is his duty. However, if any rumors spread as a result, it will always be detrimental to the eldest princess."
The Princess and Concubine Shu nodded silently upon hearing this. They knew Hong Yingrong's words were true. In this age where honor and integrity were paramount, any slight disturbance could cause a major uproar.
"As for the future..." Hong Yingrong sighed softly, "Perhaps it can only be left to fate. If there is destiny, we can meet each other even if we are thousands of miles apart; if there is no destiny, it will be difficult for us to stay together even if we are close to each other."
Li Shurou firmly retorted, "Mother, Madam Hong, Lord Xue risked his life to save me today. How can I ignore this kindness? I don't believe we are not meant to be together. Moreover, Lord Xue and I have already had a physical relationship, and I have made up my mind to marry him."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu looked at her daughter in shock. She obviously had not expected Li Shurou to be so determined and to say such words that disregarded her own reputation.
If this matter were to reach the ears of Emperor Li Longze and she were to be accused of not educating her daughter properly, then all the cautious and careful times she had spent in the harem over the years would be wasted.
Hong Yingrong was also stunned. Although she could see the eldest princess's affection for Xue Zhongfu, she didn't expect her to express it so bluntly.
She sighed softly, knowing that this matter would probably not end well.
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