The cold seeps into the skin.
Xu Shixun swallowed hard, looking at the sword's owner, "What... what does this mean?"
Xie Lingqin stepped forward and looked at the sword's owner, her disdain slightly softening. "You are..."
"Your Highness, I am Shen Yuan."
“Shen Yuan? General Shen.”
"Exactly."
Even as Shen Yuan responded to Xie Lingqin, he did not loosen his grip on Xu Zhishixun's sword in the slightest.
“Princess Lingqin, I know that the young master of the Marquis of Beirong Zhongyong’s mansion saved you. However, after so many things have happened, and with His Majesty’s instructions, I cannot allow even the slightest error. I cannot let go of the possibility that this might be a scheme.”
Upon hearing Shen Yuan's words, Xu Shixun immediately became furious.
Ultimately, except in front of Xie Lingqin, he was still the same arrogant young master of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion, even if he wasn't domineering anymore.
"What are you saying? You're insulting me, you know? Take your sword away right now! I would never hurt Sister Lingqin, you know? We've been through life and death together."
However, Shen Yuan glanced at Xu Shixun but remained unmoved.
"Put down the sword, he won't hurt me."
Xie Lingqin slightly raised her hand.
Seeing this, Shen Yuan put down his sword. Xie Lingqin then looked at Xu Shixun and said, "I'll have someone send you back to Bei Rong. Your father must be very worried."
"No, I'm not going back. I want to stay with you."
Xu Shixun refused to go back, looking at Xie Lingqin with a determined expression. His chubby face was no longer chubby, and his features were much more defined.
Xie Lingqin smiled, her brows showing gentleness. "Why are you following me? You are the young master of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion in Beirong. You should know that Nanqi and Beirong are now enemies and irreconcilable. If you follow me back to Beirong, it is tantamount to treason. If an imperial edict is issued, the entire Marquis of Zhongyong will be implicated, and his entire clan could be exterminated."
Amidst the snow, Xie Lingqin's soft, slow words caused Xu Shixun to catch his breath, open his lips, and instantly fall silent.
Clearly, he hadn't expected things to be this serious, or perhaps he had thought about it long ago, ever since he learned that he and Xie Lingqin could get out of there.
But he just can't accept it yet.
"But, Sister Lingqin..."
Xu Shixun shook his head, his eyes reddening, "I don't want to leave you, I..."
"Remember, you are a man, you are Xu Shixun who is fearless in the face of life and death, so be rational."
Xie Lingqin raised her hand and patted Xu Shixun's shoulder, "Xu Shixun, I thank you, but..."
"Whoosh—"
Before Xie Lingqin could finish speaking, she casually drew the sword from the guard beside her and slashed Xu Shixun's arm.
The garment ripped open, revealing a deep, yet perfectly timed, bloodstain that had not damaged any of the veins, and blood gushed out.
Everyone was stunned.
Xu Shixun stared at Xie Lingqin in disbelief, but there was no hatred or anger in his eyes, only confusion. "Sister Lingshan, what's wrong with you...?"
Xie Lingqin shoved the sword back into the guard's scabbard with a calm expression, but she was extremely serious. "Xu Shixun, you are injured. Even with the best medicine, this wound will not be fully healed by the time you reach Beirong City."
Xu Shixun understood somewhat, and Xie Lingqin continued, "You returned to Beirong Capital alive. You can tell everyone that after we survived, the people of Nanqi couldn't tolerate you, and you risked your life to escape. In short, I believe you can protect yourself."
"That……"
Xu Shixun's voice choked slightly, "That means I have to sever all ties with you, Sister Lingqin."
"No."
Xie Lingqin shook her head, her expression calm. "It's not about distancing ourselves, it's about being hostile. Xu Shixun..." Xie Lingqin's tone became serious. "Don't arouse suspicion."
"But……"
Before Xu Shixun could say anything, Nan Fenghuang raised her hand and knocked him unconscious.
Behind him, Suanpizi immediately stepped forward and carried Xu Shixun on his back.
"You're a grown man now, almost an adult, aren't you? Crying and whining like this, aren't you afraid of being laughed at?" Nan Fenghuang glanced at Xu Shixun, her disdain and dislike written all over her face.
"He's doing fine."
Xie Lingqin, however, said...
With just four words, Nan Fenghuang suppressed her disdain and displeasure, looked at Xie Lingqin, and said, "I understand. He saved you and helped you. I will have someone send him safely back to Beirong, or, I will hand him over to Yu Qingyi."
"Need not."
Xie Lingqin raised her hand in refusal, looking at Nan Fenghuang, "Fenghuang, I can no longer tolerate even the slightest mishap."
Nan Fenghuang paused, looking at Xie Lingqin's calm and cool expression, and instantly understood what she meant.
Xu Shixun is a man of Bei Rong, not just an ordinary rich young master. He is the legitimate young master of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion in Bei Rong. This identity, even if used to threaten Bei Rong, still gives him some value. The saying goes, "the law does not punish the masses." If anything goes wrong during the escort by the Southern Qi people, then Xu Shixun will truly lose his life. Even if he is handed over to Yu Qingyi, who can guarantee that there won't be any bad apples in Yu Qingyi's group, those pests who are eager for Bei Rong and Southern Qi to fight each other?
"Okay, I'll do as you say."
Nan Fenghuang nodded, appearing to agree with the situation.
"Xu Yiran, thank you for your trouble."
Xu Yiran nodded, her voice warm and gentle as she faced Xie Lingqin, "Nothing I do for you is a bother."
However, I don't know whether I feel happy or lonely.
She's so nervous now that she doesn't even trust Yu Qingyi anymore. Is she genuinely doing this for Xu Shixun's sake, or just trying to avoid putting Yuwen Yao in a difficult position?
"Princess Lingqin, should we carry it up and let it rest in our camp for a few days before setting off?"
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