After taking just one bite, she no longer had any appetite.
The pastries looked quite appealing, but the taste was bland and flavorless—so dull it was almost off-putting.
In her past life, although food was scarce, for someone like her who had a spatial storage ability, having enough to eat was never a problem.
So after obtaining the space, she had been eating the fruits and vegetables stored inside every day, and her taste buds had long since become extremely picky.
“Thank you, Miss, for your righteous help today. If there is anything we can assist with, please feel free to ask. As long as this prince is able to do it, I will not refuse.”
Wei Jingyuan knew she must be worried about the Ruan family, so he spoke directly without wasting time.
Ever since seeing this young woman, his mindset had undergone a subtle change.
He actually had no interest in the throne. He only wanted a peaceful, leisurely life—wasn’t that better than sitting on the cold dragon throne, endlessly entangled in power struggles?
But when the tree desires stillness, the wind does not cease. Even though he had long shown indifference to power, those people still refused to let him go.
Just like the Ruan family—dutifully guarding the border for years, serving the nation loyally, yet in the end were still discarded like a hound after the rabbit is caught.
He couldn’t help but let out a mocking laugh. In comparison, he—a grown man—was not even as decisive as a young woman trapped in desperate circumstances.
If she could rise from such despair, why couldn’t he?
“The prince is the imperial uncle of the current emperor, the Prince of Xian.”
The servant Xiaolin reminded her.
“So you are the Prince of Xian.”
Ruan Jingshu looked slightly surprised, though her expression remained calm.
In the original memories, this Prince of Xian never even made it to his fief.
Rumor had it that he was ambushed by bandits on the road and his entire entourage was killed.
So… had her actions tonight unintentionally changed his fate?
She did not know whether this was a blessing or a curse. But for now, the most important thing was to return to the capital and rescue the Ruan family.
“I originally intended to borrow a horse…”
She smiled, thinking of that almost “spiritual” black horse, and for a moment didn’t know what to say.
“This is no problem at all.”
Wei Jingyuan smiled slightly and whistled outside the carriage.
A moment later, hoofbeats approached.
When she leaned out, she suddenly met a pair of familiar large eyes.
It was that black horse again.
The horse snorted at her, blowing her hair across her forehead.
“…Really?” she muttered and pulled her head back.
Wei Jingyuan, suppressing a smile, patted the horse’s head. “Go with Miss Ruan. When you return, I will take you out to play.”
The horse rubbed its head against his hand, unusually obedient.
“Now that the city gates are closed, how does Miss plan to enter the city?”
“How?” she thought. “Climb the wall, of course.”
But Wei Jingyuan said, “There is a hidden path near the west gate. I can send someone with you.”
After considering it, she agreed.
Soon, she rode the black horse with two men—Qisha and another named Tianji—heading back toward the capital.
They soon reached the hidden path near the city wall.
“This path leads inside. Not far ahead is the imperial prison.”
They quickly entered the city.
“I’ll go in alone. If I don’t come out by dawn, you leave.”
Without waiting for a response, she disappeared into the darkness.
“Where did she go?” Qisha blinked.
“She’s already inside,” Tianji replied.
Inside the dark prison, screams echoed.
Ruan Zhonghan was bound to a wooden post, his upper body exposed, blood-covered, while a whip lashed down on him.
A thin man with a cruel gaze sneered.
“Still refusing to write a confession?”
Ruan Zhonghan spat blood. “Kill me if you dare…”
The man, Qin Hai, grew furious.
“If you refuse, I’ll start with your two little brats. Let’s see how long you can hold out.”
Ruan Zhonghan’s eyes turned red. “If you dare touch them, I’ll bite my tongue and die immediately. See how you report back!”
The man laughed coldly. The torture continued.