Three days later, as the convoy was about to enter the mountains, Wang Xiuxiu noticed that Zhou Yun'an suddenly became agitated.
He kept sending people to check the rear, his eyes full of suspicion.
"Is someone following us?" she asked deliberately.
Zhou Yun'an squinted at her: "You think Lu Jingze sent people to rescue you?"
Wang Xiuxiu met his gaze: "I'm just curious, otherwise why would the new leader of the rebel army be so nervous?"
These words seemed to sting Zhou Yun'an. He suddenly grabbed her chin: "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. You've been too quiet the whole way, abnormally quiet."
Wang Xiuxiu's heart raced, but she forced herself to feign confusion: "I'm a pragmatic person. You've taken me hostage, and I want to live. What else can I do but submit?"
Zhou Yun'an stared at her for a long time, then suddenly laughed: "Fine, very well, I'd like to see what other tricks you have up your sleeve."
He released his grip. "We'll arrive tomorrow. Then... you'll see something Lu Jingze can never give you."
After Zhou Yun'an left, Wang Xiuxiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She looked towards the distant mountains—that must be where the rebels' headquarters were located.
She had to leave one last mark before entering...
Meanwhile, a hundred miles away on a mountain road, Lu Jingze was bending down to examine a shrub.
His slender fingers brushed across the leaves, and a pure white hunting dog circled excitedly at his feet.
"Found it?" Lu Jingze asked in a low voice.
Nanwei nodded behind her: "Traces of all three types of powder are still present; sister's plan is progressing smoothly."
Lu Jingze straightened up, a complex look flashing in his eyes.
He unfolded the map in his hand, which marked all the routes left by Wang Xiuxiu.
"Your Highness, our scouts report that Zhou Yun'an and his group are moving towards Dayong Mountain," a guard whispered.
Lu Jingze's gaze darkened.
Dayong Mountain was originally the stronghold of the rebels.
"Keep following, but don't alert them," he ordered coldly.
"Your Highness, the Empress is still in their hands. Should we rescue her first...?" The guard hesitated, wanting to speak but then stopped.
Lu Jingze gripped the reins tightly, his knuckles turning white.
God knows how much he wanted to rush over and rescue Wang Xiuxiu immediately.
But reason told him that he had to follow her plan—only by getting Zhou Yun'an back to his lair could he wipe out this group of traitors in one fell swoop.
"Trust her." Lu Jingze called to his bodyguard, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly. "She knows what she's doing."
Lu Jingze gazed at the distant mountains, his jawline taut. "Pass on my order: everyone, hide where you are and do not make any rash moves."
---
That night, Lu Jingze stood alone outside the tent, holding the letter left by Wang Xiuxiu in his hand.
The letter was wrinkled, clearly having been unfolded many times.
This letter was given to Lu Jingze by Nan Wei on the day he rushed back to the capital overnight.
At that time, Wang Xiuxiu had already gone to the meeting alone and obtained the antidote for Yu Nian.
"You're always like this..." he muttered to himself.
A gentle breeze swept by, bringing with it the damp scent of the distant mountains and forests.
Lu Jingze put away the letter, his eyes gradually hardening.
He knew that he and Xiuxiu were about to face a tough battle—not only to rescue Xiuxiu, but also to completely eradicate the Qianyong rebel forces that had plagued the region for many years.
---
Three days later, at the foot of Dayong Mountain.
Wang Xiuxiu stood on the edge of the cliff, gazing at the distant, mist-shrouded mountain peaks, silently calculating the time in her mind.
According to the plan, Lu Jingze's men should have already followed them to the vicinity.
"What are you looking at?" Zhou Yun'an walked to her side.
Instead of answering, Wang Xiuxiu asked, "This is your main base? It's easy to defend and difficult to attack; it's more well-hidden than I imagined."
Zhou Yun'an laughed: "So even if Lu Jingze brings his troops, he won't gain any advantage."
Wang Xiuxiu sneered inwardly.
This was exactly the result she and Lu Jingze wanted—to make Zhou Yun'an think he was safe and lower his guard.
"Let's go." Zhou Yun'an reached out to take her hand. "I'll show you the room I prepared for you."
Wang Xiuxiu avoided his hand and walked forward on her own.
Zhou Yun'an wasn't annoyed and slowly followed.
The mountain road was rugged, and the higher we went, the thicker the fog became.
Wang Xiuxiu noticed that rebel troops were lying in ambush along the way, and the defenses were very tight.
As she walked, she quietly sprinkled the last bit of powder from her fingertips into the cracks between the stones.
"You know what?" Zhou Yun'an suddenly spoke up, "When I was little, my father often brought me here to train. He said that to achieve great things, you must be ruthless."
Wang Xiuxiu glanced at him: "So you killed him to prove you're more ruthless than him?"
Zhou Yun'an laughed loudly: "That's right! The last lesson he taught me was—survival of the fittest."
Wang Xiuxiu felt a chill in her heart.
The twisted relationship between this father and son has ultimately led to the current situation.
By the time they reached the village on the mountaintop, it was already late.
Zhou Yun'an ordered a lavish banquet to be prepared and even dressed Wang Xiuxiu in a beautiful gown.
"Do you like it?" He seemed very happy, even a little proud, as he asked. "These were all prepared for you."
Wang Xiuxiu looked at the table laden with delicacies, but had no appetite: "Zhou Yun'an, what exactly do you want?"
Zhou Yun'an picked up his wine glass and took a slow sip: "I want everything Lu Jingze has—including you."
He put down his wine glass, his eyes turning dangerous: "You get some rest. We'll have the wedding in two days."
Wang Xiuxiu gripped the dagger hidden in her sleeve; it was the last thing Nanwei had given her to save her life.
\"madman!\"
Zhou Yun'an responded to Wang Xiuxiu with a bright smile.
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