I dont dare to gamble, because the stakes might be Nan Chengyaos life. If I lose, there will be no chance for a rematch. That last glance on the city wall might be our farewell.

  So, when Xun Yun came to pay his respects before the rain, and when Qin An personally opened the curtains of my carriage for me, I wore an impeccable smile, with perfect manners, and without any signs of intentional estrangement.

  The horse carriage moved slowly, and Shu Ying asked hesitantly: "Miss, even if you want to return to the Xiang Mansion, theres no need to rush so much, its just dawn."

  She didnt know that if these letters had reached Nan Xiangyaos hands a minute earlier, he would have been in less danger.

  Since I can no longer find anyone in the Three Kings Palace that I can fully trust, then I will have to look for someone else reliable and hand this letter over to him intact.

  As for whether these things are useful to him or not, the final outcome is good or bad, I have no way to control it. The only thing I can do is to let him know all this, so even if he cannot escape this calamity in the end, it can only be said that it is the will of heaven.

  Human efforts have been exhausted; what remains is but to wait and see how Heavens will unfolds.

  Back at the mansion, Father had already gone to the palace for his morning court session. Mother saw me and was overjoyed, instructing the maids to prepare my favorite tea snacks while holding my hand: "Qinger, how did you come today?"

  A subtle bitterness welled up in my heart, but a gentle smile spread across my face as I said to the little maid standing behind Mother, "Hurry and call out Young Master Pian, I suddenly had an inspiration for a new tune that matches his Phoenix Sword style perfectly, which is why I rushed over here."

  "Mother smiled: Its not that he has so many brothers and sisters, but among them, he loves to stick with you the most, because only you are willing to accompany him in such a mess. However, this time it just so happens that he left last night for the villa outside the city, saying he wanted to hunt something called a white tiger."

  My heart sank, but I didnt dare show any unusual expression on my face. My mind was racing, and after a moment, I smiled lightly and said, "This is easy. Since the Third Prince is not here now, I have nothing to do staying in the palace. Why dont I just go to the other courtyard to find him?"

  "Mother was startled: Qing Er, are you joking with me?"

  I shook my head and smiled: "How could that be, my daughter really has this idea. Wang Zongguan, please trouble you to instruct the carriage driver outside the door to feed more fodder and make preparations. I will use it immediately."

  "His mother was exasperated: Whats wrong with you, child? What are you doing, making such a racket at the crack of dawn?"

  I wrapped my arm around hers and giggled, acting like a little girl: "As the ancients said, one must enjoy life to the fullest. Usually, as a daughter, Im well-behaved, but with the third prince not around, I want to be willful for once. Mother doesnt know that in the Third Princes residence, even speaking and walking require careful consideration before I dare to do so."

  My mother looked at me for a long time and finally let out a soft sigh: "Many times I forget, no matter how well-mannered and knowledgeable you are about etiquette, youre still just an eighteen-year-old kid."

  I felt a pang in my heart, but I didnt dare show it on my face. After a moments thought, Mother hesitated and spoke up: "Its just that if you return so abruptly and go to another courtyard again, wont it be difficult to explain to the Third Princes side?"

  I thought for a moment, then shook my head and said: "The third prince had told me before he went to war that if I was bored in the mansion, I could go out and take a walk. Both the palace and home are fine with him. He has already agreed to this, so whats wrong with others making things difficult for me? Besides, Im going back home today and Qin An knows about it. Later, my mother will send someone to tell the third princes mansion that Ill be staying in the detached palace for a few days, which is not inappropriate at all. Even if the emperor were to find fault with this, he wouldnt be able to find anything wrong."

  Mother listened to me finish, smiled and said: "Listening to you say this, it seems that I was worried too much. Wang Zongguan, go take a look at the young ladys carriage equipment, if not good, use the one from our house, from here to Bieyuan is still some distance away. Ah, you several also dont stand still, quickly help the young lady pack up her luggage, food, clothing and other things, Bi Cui, take care of it."

  "I hastily opened my mouth: No need, no need, but returning to Bieyuan, where is it necessary to be so lively..."

  "Dont worry about it," Mother smiled and interrupted me: "My precious Muyong familys treasure going out, no matter how much fuss is made, its not excessive."

  The lower officials of the mansion had always been efficient in their work, and before long everything was ready. My mother herself took my hand and led me to the carriage, repeatedly urging me to be careful, just like any other loving mother seeing her child off on a long journey.

  The horse carriage moved slowly forward, and Shu Ying picked out a small box of almond cookies from the basket beside her and handed it to me, smiling: "Madam has prepared all Misss favorite snacks, so many, and said that we can eat them as a snack on the road when we are bored. How can we finish eating them?"

  My heart ached, the pastry in my hand was fragrant and sweet, soft on my tongue, but turned into threads of bitterness.

  My mother is so selfless and devoted to me, yet I still hesitate and wont even give her a single honest word.

  I dont dare let my mother and family know the truth, because I have no way of predicting how they will react once they find out.

  Just like I couldnt have predicted that one day, the Eastern Palace and the Three Royal Residences would inevitably clash, they will choose between Rouer and me.

  The acknowledged, parents actions on the matter of my marriage, and their concealment from me, even if it was for my own good, have left a knot deep in my heart that I dont know when or if it can be untied.

  Nowadays, will my deception also leave a knot in their hearts, even if I didnt have the slightest intention of betraying my family?

  Yes, what Im doing doesnt mean that Nan Chongyues importance has surpassed my parents and family. Its just a matter of his safety, so as long as it doesnt harm the Murong family, Im willing to go this far for him.

  Even if its just in ones own heart, being deceitful can be a heavy burden.

  My hands unconsciously clenched into fists around the small silk pouch I carried with me.

  In the silk bag, apart from the letter I secretly wrote and that flute, there is also a handwritten letter I wrote to Nan Chengyao. After he reads it, he will naturally understand the whole story.

  After about half a days journey, the Mu Rong familys villa was in sight. In the villa, there was my youngest brother, Mu Rong Lin.

  These things that I dare not let my parents know, I can tell him without any scruples. Letters that I dont trust others to deliver, I can also entrust to him with peace of mind.

  Time flies, and Yan has gradually grown into a strong and outstanding young man. Although his unruly temperament often gives his family members headaches, I know that deep down he is upright and proud, open-minded and broad-hearted, with a grand vision for the world. I am confident that he will live up to my complete trust in him.

  The carriage stopped steadily outside the gate of Bieyuan, and Chen Bo, the steward, hurried forward to salute me and said: "Isnt this Miss Qing? Whats going on? Mr. Pan came last night, and you followed him today without even saying a word in advance. I could have made some preparations!"

  I smiled slightly and said: "Look what youre saying, a family member is back, what else can be prepared? Arent you treating me like an outsider?"

  Chen Bohan chuckled: "Look at me, Im really old and muddled, but Miss Qing is good with words."

  "Alright, Old Chen, my young mistress has come all the way just to find Young Master Wei. Where is he now? Hurry up and call him out!" Shu Ying said with a smile as she handed over the things from the carriage to Bi Yuans maid to take care of.

  "Miss Shuying, this is really putting me in a difficult position." Chen Bo still chuckled and scratched his head: "Theres nothing special in this villa, Master Pan cant stay here for long. Look, early this morning he took his bow and arrow to hunt the white tiger on the mountain. I think if he doesnt catch it, he wont want to come back."

  I listened to his words and felt a sudden tension in my heart, so I hastily asked: "Was it at the Imperial Hunting Ground?"

  "Where is it?" Chen Bo said, pointing to the dense maple forest on the opposite mountain outside the royal hunting ground: "The white tiger is wild and extremely difficult to find. The royal hunting ground cant keep it captive at all. I dont know where Young Master heard the rumor that His Highness saved someone from under the paws of a white tiger in this maple forest when he was 13 years old, which gave rise to his competitive thoughts, and he must go to guard it. This scene, he estimated that he had entered the depths of the maple forest."

  Maple forest and white tiger, in a daze, there are blurry memory fragments flying across my mind like shooting stars. This dense maple forest is surprisingly similar to the "Maple Forest Evening" of Sanwangfu.

  Nowadays, I have no time to think about it. I can only look at Old Man Chen and ask urgently: "Did he say when he would be back?"

  "Thats not it." Chen Bo shook his head: "But the White Tiger is hard to find, and Young Master Yan has such a stubborn temper. Once he makes up his mind, no one can change it. In my opinion, this time hell be gone for at least three to five days, or maybe even ten days to half a month."

  My heart sank, and I still tried to remain calm as I asked, "Then if we send someone to look for him in the woods, how long will it take at the earliest?"

  "Miss Qing, you also saw that the maple forest is dense and vast. People inside are like ants, its very difficult to find someone in a short period of time."

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