It was not until the hour of Chou, when the rooster crowed, that the fierce battle was finally brought under control by the troops stationed in the mountains.
Li Yi had left the imperial tent early and was staying inside the imperial carriage.
His hair was unbound, falling loosely over his shoulders, and a thin fox-fur blanket was draped over his lap.
A black shadow flew past. Li Yi casually reached out and caught it, removing a small bamboo tube from the eagle’s ankle.
He took the note from inside the tube and held it up to the candlelight, carefully examining the writing.
The secret message revealed its words when exposed to heat. Li Yi read it quickly from beginning to end, then burned it in the candle flame.
“Sure enough, Yun Ni is the one carrying the Mother Gu. No wonder Imperial Tutor Shen was so wary.”
Shen Tinglan had guessed correctly. The rebel ambush a year ago had indeed been arranged by Li Yi.
Li Yi had never actually intended to kill Shen Tinglan. He knew that the Shen family possessed enormous military power. Even if Shen Tinglan were eliminated, Li Yi might still be unable to escape the control of the Shen family army.
It would be better to use the Love Gu to control Shen Tinglan, hold his life in his hands, stabilize the Shen family army, and then slowly make his plans.
But Shen Tinglan was far too scheming. How could he allow himself to be manipulated by Li Yi?
The fact that Shen Tinglan had returned safely to the capital probably meant that he had already discovered the emperor’s malicious intentions and was now thinking of a way to put Li Yi to death.
Li Yi refused to sit around and wait for death. He had come up with a clever plan of attacking Wei to rescue Zhao. He would use the rebellion among the foreign tributary delegation to have Yun Ni killed inside her tent, thereby triggering the Love Gu inside Shen Tinglan and causing him to die from the poison.
Unfortunately, Shen Tinglan was far too perceptive. He had kept such a close watch over Yun Ni that he had rushed to rescue her at the first sign of danger…
Li Yi remembered the information delivered by his spies. During the year Shen Tinglan had been stranded in the countryside, he had supposedly lived with Yun Ni day and night like husband and wife, and the two had shared a deep relationship.
After hearing this, Li Yi almost laughed.
“How could that be? She is nothing more than a country girl. With Imperial Tutor Shen’s arrogant and cold-hearted nature, how could he possibly care about a peasant girl?”
Besides, Shen Tinglan had never taken any woman into his household for many years. If he truly indulged in women, his residence would have been filled long ago with the beauties presented to him by various officials.
The rain gradually stopped.
Dark clouds covered the moon, leaving the surroundings dim. After the rain, the mountain forest was filled with the damp, earthy smell of mud.
Yun Ni had hurried out when she fled for her life and had not had time to put on many layers. She was wearing only a thin dress.
Now that she had been drenched by the rain, her clothes were soaked through and clung tightly to her skin. A deep chill slowly seeped into her bones.
Perhaps noticing that the young woman in front of him was trembling, her lips pale and her body on the verge of collapsing, Shen Tinglan unexpectedly showed some kindness. He untied his outer robe and wrapped it around Yun Ni.
The fabric still carried the man’s warmth, along with a faint, elegant fragrance of spring orchids.
Yun Ni felt uncomfortable with his sudden intimacy and instinctively tried to pull away from the robe. But Shen Tinglan seemed determined to have his way. He stubbornly wrapped her up like a silkworm in a cocoon, leaving her unable to move and forcing her to remain against his chest.
Unable to break free, and unwilling to provoke him, Yun Ni could only give up.
The warhorse carried the two of them toward the distant firelight.
Sure enough, the children of the aristocratic families who had been rescued by their respective guards had gathered there. Several carriages were scattered along the mountain path as well, apparently preparing to descend the mountain and return to the capital overnight.
That made sense. Rather than risk dying mysteriously out here, it was better to hurry down the mountain and return to their heavily guarded homes in the capital.
After Shen Fifth Miss escaped safely, she remembered that Yun Ni was still inside the tent.
She told Shen Jichuan about it and wanted him to send people to search for Yun Ni. Even if Yun Ni had already died outside, they should at least bring her body back to the Shen residence…
Shen Fifth Miss had just been about to ask her Third Brother for help when she turned around and saw Yun Ni slowly approaching on the same horse as Shen Tinglan.
“Elder Sister Yun!” Shen Fifth Miss cried with joy. “It’s wonderful that you’re safe!”
Shen Fifth Miss had grown up spoiled by her family. It was her first time witnessing such a bloody massacre, and she had been terrified out of her wits.
She did not want anyone she knew to be harmed and had been praying that Yun Ni would survive.
Thankfully, Yun Ni had returned alive.
Fourth Miss Shen heard the commotion and turned around as well.
From a distance, Yun Ni was wrapped in a man’s outer robe decorated with a subtle snow-and-bamboo pattern. Shen Tinglan had one arm around her, holding her securely in front of him as they rode toward them.
The two looked extraordinarily intimate.
Fourth Miss Shen looked as though she had seen a ghost.
How had Yun Ni gotten involved with Shen Tinglan?!
Had Yun Ni deliberately pretended to be weak and seduced her eldest brother?!
It had to be so.
Otherwise, why would someone as cold and arrogant as Shen Tinglan ever help a country girl?
It wasn’t only Fourth Miss Shen who witnessed this shocking scene. Wang Ruodan saw it too.
Everyone present suddenly fell silent as though their tongues had been cut out.
They whispered among themselves, exchanging strange looks as they watched the approaching pair.
Even though Yun Ni’s head was heavy and her body feverish, she could still sense the unfriendly gazes around her.
When she saw Wang Ruodan looking as though she wanted to say something but couldn’t, Yun Ni felt even more helpless.
Yun Ni knew that Wang Ruodan and Shen Tinglan had never actually married. Both of them were single, so even if Shen Tinglan was close to another woman, it did not violate any rules or morality.
But Wang Ruodan had known Shen Tinglan first, while Yun Ni had only become involved with him later. Deep down, Yun Ni still felt as though she had intruded between them.
She did not want to deliberately embarrass Wang Ruodan in front of everyone or rub salt into her wounds.
With that thought, Yun Ni endured the discomfort of her feverish forehead and insisted on turning around to get off the horse.
Before Yun Ni could struggle down, several long fingers from Shen Tinglan quietly slipped beneath his robe.
The next moment, the man’s powerful hand firmly gripped Yun Ni’s slender waist, locking her in place.
Yun Ni had not been close to Shen Tinglan for a long time. The sudden touch against the soft flesh of her waist made her feel slightly ticklish.
But Shen Tinglan knew Yun Ni far too well.
With only one ambiguous squeeze, she immediately went limp in his hand like a deflated lantern.
Yun Ni bit her lip, completely bewildered.
Fortunately, Shen Tinglan’s robe was wide enough, and the night was dark enough that no one could see what he was doing beneath it.
But Yun Ni felt guilty.
Wang Ruodan was right there. How could Shen Tinglan dare to do this?
Yun Ni began to suspect that Shen Tinglan had some strange hidden preference. Yet she was also afraid that he might do something even more inappropriate, so she did not dare provoke him further.
She endured the teasing caress and calmly explained to Wang Ruodan, “The camp was attacked earlier. Because my legs are disabled, I almost died beneath an assassin’s blade. Fortunately, I encountered the Shen Family Head on the way and he rescued me. That’s how I managed to escape alive.”
Shen Tinglan knew perfectly well that Yun Ni was making things up, but he did not expose her.
He merely lowered his cold eyes and thoughtfully looked down at the woman in his arms.
His gaze lingered on her slender, lowered neck, her wet black hair, and the little finger she habitually curled whenever she lied.
Yun Ni looked completely calm and honest, while Shen Tinglan remained equally composed. Although they were behaving intimately, there was nothing obviously suggestive about them.
If Wang Ruodan made a jealous scene, she would only become a laughingstock.
Wang Ruodan forced a smile.
“I see… Fortunately, Brother Shen arrived in time. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Since you’re safe now, Miss Yun, you should rest for a while. In another half an hour, we’ll be going down the mountain and returning to the capital.”
Wang Ruodan’s nose stung, and her heart ached.
Her gaze passed over Yun Ni and landed affectionately on Shen Tinglan behind her.
She hoped Shen Tinglan would say something and give her an explanation, at least to preserve her dignity.
But Shen Tinglan’s heart was as hard as iron.
He clearly did not care about Wang Ruodan at all and did not even spare her a glance.
Wang Ruodan felt deeply disappointed.
Perhaps Yun Ni thought her excuse was flawless, but Wang Ruodan knew Shen Tinglan’s temperament.
In the past, Wang Ruodan had gone to great lengths to get closer to Shen Tinglan.
During an autumn hunting trip, she had deliberately taken advantage of the opportunity to fall from her horse in front of him and sprain her ankle, giving herself a minor injury.
Wang Ruodan was a pampered young lady from a wealthy family and had never suffered such humiliation.
She had thought that since she was injured this badly, it would not be unreasonable for Shen Tinglan to help her up—or even carry her onto the horse.
But Shen Tinglan was extremely proper.
Even after seeing that Wang Ruodan was injured, he remained unmoved.
He did not remove her shoes and socks to examine her injury, nor did he reach out to help her.
After thinking for a long time, he ultimately decided to release a messenger eagle and summon someone to rescue her.
He had refused to touch her even once.
At the time, Wang Ruodan had comforted herself by thinking that perhaps Shen Tinglan was simply cold by nature and that he was adhering to the conduct of a gentleman.
That was why he seemed so heartless toward her.
But today, she had seen him drape his robe over Yun Ni to protect her from the cold, and wrap an arm around her to keep her safe.
Clearly, Shen Tinglan was capable of warmth.
Clearly, he could care for someone.
It was simply that he had never shown that kindness to Wang Ruodan.
Wang Ruodan was confused, dissatisfied, and even jealous.
What had happened to Shen Tinglan?
Hadn’t he previously looked down on Yun Ni?
Why was he suddenly taking such good care of her?
A strong sense of unease rose in Wang Ruodan’s heart, accompanied by unwillingness.
If Shen Tinglan had shown concern for another noble young lady, it would have been one thing.
But it was Yun Ni—a country girl.
If people found out that Wang Ruodan could not even compare to a village woman, how humiliating would that be?
Wang Ruodan would surely become the laughingstock of high society!
Yun Ni knew that Wang Ruodan was unhappy, but she had no energy to care about it.
The moment she got off the horse, her knees gave way and she collapsed to the ground.
If Shen Tinglan had not reacted quickly and grabbed her by the arm, she would probably have fallen headfirst and smashed her skull.
Yun Ni was actually quite healthy, strong as a young calf. She had fallen ill tonight simply because she had been frightened in the tent earlier, then soaked in the rain while fleeing for her life, which caused her to develop a high fever.
Yun Ni had been asleep for a long time, drifting in and out of consciousness.
Her mind was muddled. At one moment she dreamed of a terrifying blade; at another, she dreamed of shooting an arrow at someone.
Again and again in her dream, Yun Ni repeated the motion of drawing her bow and firing.
The assassin’s neck was pierced by the sharp arrow in her hands. Bright, sticky blood splashed across her face and dripped from her eyelashes. Once the blood dried, it looked like thick red rouge, while its foul smell made her want to vomit.
Frightened and panicked, Yun Ni screamed herself awake.
Her palms were covered in hot sweat, and she was still clutching something in her hand.
It was the corner of Shen Tinglan’s robe.
Yun Ni met Shen Tinglan’s deep, striking eyes. As if she had been burned, she immediately released the fabric and apologized helplessly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was such a restless sleeper.”
Shen Tinglan did not blame her for the offense. He merely gave her an unreadable look.
“You were muttering in your sleep just now… Are you afraid of killing people?”
What a strange question.
Who wouldn’t be afraid?
Yun Ni thought he was going to comfort her.
But after a pause, Shen Tinglan calmly added,
“Kill a few more and you won’t be afraid anymore.”
Indeed, that was exactly the kind of solution someone like Shen Tinglan, a ruthless killer, would come up with.
Yun Ni was speechless.
The atmosphere became awkward, but fortunately, Fifth Miss Shen soon climbed into the carriage.
She carried a bowl of medicinal soup and hurried over to Yun Ni.
“Elder Sister Yun, you’re awake?”
Yun Ni smelled the bitter medicine and gratefully said, “Thank you for making this medicine for me, Fifth Miss.”
Shen Fifth Miss shook her head.
“It’s nothing. Elder Sister Yun, drink it while it’s still warm. Big Brother said that once we return home, we’ll have Doctor Hua examine you.”
Shen Fifth Miss was already old enough to understand certain things.
She giggled twice, her round, cat-like eyes moving from Shen Tinglan to Yun Ni and back again.
“Big Brother, are you and Elder Sister Yun perhaps…”
“No.”
Yun Ni answered firmly.
“Shen Family Head and I really only happened to meet each other. Don’t misunderstand.”
Seeing how serious Yun Ni looked, without even the slightest trace of a young girl’s shyness, Shen Fifth Miss immediately pouted in disappointment.
“Fine. I guess I was mistaken…”
Shen Fifth Miss knew that Fourth Sister constantly fawned over Wang Ruodan because she believed Wang Ruodan would eventually marry Shen Tinglan and become the mistress of the main household.
But compared with Wang Ruodan, Shen Fifth Miss liked Yun Ni much more.
She had even been thinking that if Yun Ni really managed to win Shen Tinglan’s heart, then once Yun Ni took charge of the household, she would no longer have to wear the fabrics left over by Fourth Sister Shen!
After Yun Ni finished the medicine, she suddenly remembered that her luggage had been left behind in the tent that had been attacked.
“Oh no! My bundle is still up on the mountain!”
Shen Fifth Miss became nervous as well.
“Is there anything important inside?”
Yun Ni thought about it.
There were only a few old outfits that she had worn for many years. Nothing particularly valuable.
But beneath the clothes, she had also tucked away the red bridal veil she had once planned to wear when marrying Shen Tinglan, as well as the little clay figure Shen Tinglan had made for her.
Yun Ni stared blankly for a long time.
She endured the sourness spreading through her chest. Once the ache passed, a strange sense of relief rose within her, as though she had finally made a clean cut through a tangled mess.
She slowly shook her head.
“Forget it. It’s no longer important.”
Without Shen Fifth Miss explaining anything, Yun Ni could already guess that there were not enough carriages going down the mountain.
That must have been why Shen Tinglan had been reduced to squeezing into such a narrow carriage with his family.
After drinking the medicine and changing into clean clothes, Yun Ni’s mind had finally cleared.
Thinking back on the fierce battle, her escape, shooting the assassin with her bow, and the kiss Shen Tinglan had given her—with its faint smell of blood, cool herbal fragrance, and complete lack of gentleness—Yun Ni gradually realized that something was wrong.
Shen Tinglan’s Gu poison seemed to have become even more severe.
No wonder he was behaving so unusually and suddenly seemed determined to stay close to her.
Once Shen Fifth Miss had fallen asleep with her head resting on Yun Ni’s thigh, Yun Ni finally dared to openly look at Shen Tinglan.
As expected of the emperor’s most trusted minister, Shen Tinglan did not have a moment to spare even now.
He was still holding official documents, reading them and writing his annotations with a brush.
The candlelight flickered gently, illuminating the carriage.
It made Shen Tinglan’s long black hair shine like silk as it swayed slightly around his waist. His phoenix-shaped eyes were as dark as ink-colored jade, and the sharp lines of his profile made his expression appear cold and severe.
His stern, unsmiling appearance was truly intimidating.
Yun Ni knew that Shen Tinglan was a powerful aristocrat, so she did not dare act recklessly.
Only after making sure Shen Fifth Miss was sleeping soundly did she speak.
“Shen Gongzi, has your Gu poison become worse?”
“Yes.”
Shen Tinglan closed the document.
Although he was surprised by Yun Ni’s sharp observation, his expression remained calm.
Yun Ni was speechless.
Shen Tinglan pursed his thin lips slightly and explained,
“The Child Gu longs for the Mother Gu and becomes restless every day. Now that you and I live in separate courtyards and are too far apart, I can no longer suppress the Gu poison inside my body.”
Yun Ni understood.
Shen Tinglan could no longer control the Gu poison and was being forced to become intimate with her.
If Yun Ni wanted to return home, she had to help Shen Tinglan remove the Love Gu before she could leave the Shen family safely.
Therefore, Shen Tinglan’s predicament was also her predicament.
Yun Ni licked her dry lips and anxiously asked,
“Then what should we do?”
Perhaps she was too anxious. As she spoke, Yun Ni could not help leaning toward Shen Tinglan.
With the distance between them suddenly shortened, Shen Tinglan lowered his eyes slightly and saw the tip of Yun Ni’s crimson tongue peeking out as she moistened her glossy lips.
Shen Tinglan quickly withdrew his gaze and patiently persuaded her.
“Yun Ni, you also want to remove the Love Gu as soon as possible and leave the residence to return home, don’t you?”
“Of course. Longzhou isn’t my home. I’m not used to living here. If I can return to Xuzhou sooner, that would naturally be best.”
“In that case…”
Shen Tinglan tapped his fingers twice, making a difficult decision.
“I permit you to stay overnight at Tingyu Tower starting tomorrow.”
He wanted her to stay in the same place with him?
Yun Ni stared at him in shock, unable to react for a moment.
Shen Tinglan said it so casually, as though they were discussing something as ordinary as eating or drinking.
But even though Shen Tinglan was her former husband, and they had once shared a room, slept together, and done everything a married couple would do…
Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for them to live together again now?
Yun Ni had many concerns and hesitated.
She even began thinking about something that had happened in her village before.
There had once been a married couple surnamed Wang in the village who continued living together even after their divorce.
They said they had a child to raise, and renting separate houses would be too expensive and impractical.
So they simply continued living under the same roof—sharing the same house but sleeping in separate rooms.
Seeing her hesitation, Shen Tinglan narrowed his long eyes and asked meaningfully,
“Yun Ni, are you afraid that if you get too close to me, you’ll fall in love with me again and your old feelings will return?”
Yun Ni’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Of course not!”
“Since that’s the case…” Shen Tinglan asked, “what are you afraid of?”
Yun Ni was rendered speechless.
She knew exactly what Shen Tinglan was doing.
He was using the strategy of being polite before resorting to force.
For now, he still had the patience to persuade her nicely. If she refused, he might resort to verbal pressure—or even threats of violence.
Besides, Yun Ni’s life was as insignificant as grass.
Her wishes did not matter.
Shen Tinglan’s life was what mattered most.
Yun Ni only hoped to sever her connection with Shen Tinglan as soon as possible.
It was only a few months.
She could endure it.
With no other choice, Yun Ni agreed.
“I understand. I will do my best to cooperate with Shen Gongzi’s treatment so that the Gu can be removed as soon as possible and I can return home.”
She deliberately emphasized the words “return home,” hoping Shen Tinglan would understand that what mattered most to her was going home.
Yun Ni was being obedient and sensible. Shen Tinglan should have praised her for knowing when to yield.
Yet for some reason, upon realizing that Yun Ni was desperate to return home and eager to escape from his side, Shen Tinglan suddenly felt a trace of displeasure.
He suppressed the dark, murderous look in his eyes and calmly said,
“…Very good.”