That night, upon returning from the county town, Jiang Yu’s period finally arrived.
She fervently thanked the Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and the Supreme Lord Laozi—all of them.
A single day passed in a blink.
Because she would be leaving that day, she couldn’t sleep before dawn. Resolutely, she got up and began packing her belongings.
When Xiao Lingzhou awoke, his hand instinctively reached for the pillow beside him—only to grasp air.
He lifted his eyes to see Jiang Yu, fully dressed, pushing open the door. Slightly surprised, he asked, “Why are you up so early today?”
This wasn’t like her at all.
“Why, am I not allowed to get up early?” She sat on the edge of the bed, her peach-blossom eyes slightly lifted, looking at him.
Xiao Lingzhou’s heart fluttered. With a mix of noble poise and lazy charm, he propped himself up, reaching to pull her into his embrace.
His veined, strong hand gently stroked her hair, his voice husky from sleep: “Of course you may. You may rise whenever you wish, Qingqing. No one dares stop you.”
Burying herself in his arms, Jiang Yu’s heart twisted at the thought of leaving soon. “I’ll be gone three days. Take care of yourself.”
“I will.”
“The kitchen cabinets have the pumpkin cakes I made. If you miss me, eat two each day, no more.”
“Alright.”
“And don’t overfeed Jiang Mo. If it gets fat again, when I return, you’ll answer to me.”
Xiao Lingzhou lowered his gaze to her fair, delicate profile and laughed softly: “I’ll listen to you and feed it less, but I can’t guarantee it won’t get fat.”
Jiang Yu clenched his hand on his chest and glared at him: “Don’t talk your way out of responsibility. If it gets fat, it’s on you.”
He bent closer, their breaths mingling: “As you say, Qingqing. I’ll keep it from sneaking into the kitchen or running off.”
Biting her ear lightly, his eyes darkened, voice tinged with lingering affection: “If it gains weight, you may punish me however you like when you return.”
Tiny kisses trailed along her neck. Jiang Yu shivered and held his head back: “Stop it. Get up, wash, and eat. Ling Qi and I need to leave soon.”
Holding her tighter, Xiao Lingzhou’s tone grew plaintive: “It’s our first time apart this long… will you miss me, Qingqing?”
Jiang Yu rested her chin on his shoulder, lashes fluttering, hands encircling his waist: “I’ll miss you.”
He closed his eyes, brushing her silk-dark hair: “I’ll miss you too.”
After breakfast and packing, Xiao Lingzhou escorted Jiang Yu to the village entrance.
She removed her double-fish jade pendant: “This jade is too valuable. I’m afraid I might lose it. You keep it for me until I return.”
Recalling that assassins were once attracted to the pendant, Xiao Lingzhou thought it better to hold it.
Taking it, he held it in his palm, eyes soft: “Travel safely.”
She nodded, eyes clear and bright: “Don’t forget what I told you.”
His pale fingers brushed the hair from her eyes, a smile curving his lips: “I haven’t forgotten. Every word.”
Reluctantly, she let go of his hand: “I’m leaving.”
And she would never return.
As she turned, Xiao Lingzhou grabbed her hand: “Ayu, I’ll wait for you at home.”
Jiang Yu paused mid-step, looking back to see him smiling faintly.
His already elegant face now radiated gentle warmth, making him all the more striking.
After a long moment of silence, she returned his smile: “…Alright.”
Firmly, she withdrew her hand and strode toward the waiting ox cart, head held high.
She would never come back.
Their paths were separated by a gulf; this lifetime, this was the end.
He was perfect in every way.
Yet he was not her destined partner.
…
Three days later, Ling Qi awoke on the inn bed.
Clutching his throbbing head, he sat up slowly.
Looking at the bed beneath him, he couldn’t understand how he had fallen asleep.
The room was pitch dark, as the windows hadn’t been opened.
Only the light filtering through the carved window indicated that it was daytime.
Ling Qi’s brow twitched: “Not good!”
He leapt from the bed and rushed to Jiang Yu’s room.
But the room was empty, still as neat as when they arrived.
He felt as if struck by lightning, stepping out hurriedly, grabbing a waiter: “Where’s the person who was in this room?”
The waiter followed his gaze and huffed: “I was going to ask you the same thing. Who leaves for three days without saying a word, making me get scolded by the innkeeper?”
Three days?
Ling Qi’s brows knitted tightly.
He grabbed the waiter’s collar, eyes sharp: “You mean the person left three days ago?”
The waiter shivered under his gaze: “Y-Yes. You only paid for three days. Today is the fourth. The innkeeper wanted me to ask if you’d extend your stay. If not, settle the room quickly.”
Ling Qi flung him aside and raced out.
From the waiter’s words, it was clear: Jiang Yu had fled.
He had to notify his master immediately.
Three nights ago, he had escorted Jiang Yu to the inn, planning to attend the beauty contest the next day.
She had asked to bathe and left him behind briefly.
Before leaving, she had handed him tea, thanking him for his help.
During his contact with her, Ling Qi knew she was kind-hearted.
Even to a hidden guard like him, she was considerate, so he drank the tea without suspicion.
As an agent, he could sense if there was anything amiss in the drink.
Yet reality was—he had slept through three whole days after drinking it.
Three days!
And she was gone.
This time, even death wouldn’t absolve him.
After sending word, Ling Qi searched the city for Jiang Yu, colliding at the city gate with Xie Jinglan, who was riding by.
“Ling Qi?” Xie Jinglan recognized him first, dismounting swiftly. “Why are you here? Wasn’t the prince supposed to have you protect Madam?”
Ling Qi’s expression grew grave: “Sir Xie.”
After a moment’s hesitation, he recounted everything: “I beg you, sir, help find Madam. I must return to report to the prince!”
Having long navigated officialdom, Xie Jinglan quickly composed himself: “Does the prince already know?”
“An hour ago, I sent a pigeon message. I do not know the details.”
“That’s not right!” Xie Jinglan’s eyes widened as realization struck.
“By the timeline, you should have escorted Madam back to Zhangjia Village yesterday. But you didn’t. Considering how much the prince cares for Madam, he would have already sent agents to investigate in the city. How is it possible there’s still no news?”
Ling Qi’s pupils dilated: “Sir Xie… you mean the prince… something happened?”
Xie Jinglan handed him a horse: “No time for that. Mount quickly, come with me to Zhangjia Village!”