In an ordinary house in Xinyang City, Han Mingyue sat on a bamboo couch with a dark expression, glaring at the gray-clad man kneeling before him on one knee. "What did you say?"
The gray-clad man showed no fear and replied calmly, "Reporting to the Young Master, our men are completely unable to get close to Miss Su." Han Mingyue swept his hand out, sending a porcelain vessel on the nearby table crashing to the ground, shattering into pieces. "Useless! I refuse to believe that in just a few days, Princess Ding could have fortified the Governor's Mansion so tightly that you can't find a single flaw!" The gray-clad man hesitated before answering, "Princess Ding seems to have an exceptionally unique approach to defensive arrangements. In the past two months, even with forces from various nations gathered in the capital, they couldn't fully breach the Ding Royal Palace. This subordinate believes... with our current manpower, it is absolutely impossible to safely extract Miss Su from the Governor's Mansion."
Han Mingyue said coldly, "Then summon more men! Even if we have to mobilize everyone from the northwest, we must rescue Zui Die."
The gray-clad man frowned slightly. "Young Master, please reconsider. If too many people suddenly appear in Xinyang City, it may arouse Princess Ding's suspicion. That would only make things worse for Miss Su." Han Mingyue closed his eyes and sighed softly. "Fine. Handle it as you see fit. Take whoever you need, but ensure Zui Die's safety." The gray-clad man hesitated before nodding. "This subordinate obeys."
Han Mingyue's brows remained furrowed. "Any news from the Governor's Mansion?"
The gray-clad man replied, "Apart from one maidservant, Princess Ding has forbidden anyone from approaching Miss Su. We tried to get close to the maid, but she is utterly loyal to Princess Ding and would never help us reach Miss Su. However, we did manage to extract some information from her. Miss Su did indeed suffer a head injury. Though she has been treated by a physician, she may be left with scars. Also... these days, Miss Su has been crying for help daily, but the courtyard is tightly surrounded by Prince Ding's shadow guards. She must be..." A flicker of pain flashed in Han Mingyue's eyes, and he waved his hand. "Enough! Rescue Zui Die as quickly as possible. Ye Li... if you harm her, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
In the Western Liang military camp, Zhennan Wang looked at the newly received message in his hand, his previously gloomy mood now visibly brightened.
"Why hasn't Han Mingyue arrived yet?" Zhennan Wang's eyes gleamed with determination as he turned to the attendant beside him. The attendant stiffened slightly before replying, "Reporting to Your Highness, Young Master Han arrived several days ago." Zhennan Wang frowned. "If he's here, why hasn't he come to see me?"
Truthfully, Zhennan Wang held little regard for Han Mingyue. A man who would betray his homeland and his sworn brothers for a woman was, in his eyes, not only incapable of great achievements but also unworthy of much trust. If not for the fact that Han Mingyue controlled the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity—a force Zhennan Wang desperately needed—he wouldn't have bothered with him at all.
"Your Highness, Young Master Han... did not come to the camp. It is said he went directly to Xinyang."
Bang! Zhennan Wang slammed the table and stood up, his imposing face twisted with fury. The attendants in the tent immediately dropped to their knees, not daring to make a sound. Zhennan Wang sneered. "What a fine Han Mingyue! I thought he was merely arrogant, but it turns out he's a fool!""Your... Your Highness?" The attendants following Zhennan Wang were naturally his trusted confidants, and they were well aware of Han Mingyue's identity. Although the prince despised Han Mingyue's character, he had always praised his talents—so where did the term "fool" come from? Zhennan Wang sneered, "Does he think Xinyang City is so easy to enter? I fear he may enter but never leave!" The attendant was startled and cautiously asked, "Your Highness... should we inform Young Master Han?" Zhennan Wang sat back down, lowered his gaze, and pondered for a moment before saying, "Han Mingyue... Hmph! He’ll be the death of a woman sooner or later. Never mind, it’s probably too late to warn him now. Send someone to clean up the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity’s forces in the northwest—something might go wrong." The attendant hesitated before reporting truthfully, "The Pavilion of Heavenly Unity has always been under Young Master Han’s sole control. Without his seal, no one else knows its inner workings. We might..."
"Fool! Send men into the city—no matter what, bring Han Mingyue back to me alive," Zhennan Wang said coldly, his expression darkening.
"Yes, Your Highness. If Young Master Han rashly enters the city, it must be for Imperial Concubine Bai... What if—"
"Never mind that. I just want Han Mingyue back alive! Otherwise, the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity under his command will be useless!" That woman Bai Long was beautiful, yes, but in the eyes of someone like Zhennan Wang, the value of a beauty paled in comparison to power. Since Bai Long no longer had any further use, it was only natural to prioritize rescuing the more valuable Han Mingyue. If Bai Long died... Han Mingyue and Mo Xiuyao would become mortal enemies. That would also align with his own interests.
"Understood, my lord."
Xinyang City
In a secluded courtyard of the Prefect’s residence, Su Zuidie sat by the window in plain robes, her face gloomy and lost in thought. She prided herself on her unparalleled beauty—her enchanting looks had captivated countless heroes, nobles, and even emperors over the years. From an orphaned daughter of a minor official in Chu, to the betrothed of the second son of Prince Ding's Estate, then to the noble daughter of the Bai family in Western Liang, and finally to the powerful Imperial Concubine of Western Liang—she had never once doubted her own allure. But now, it was precisely because she had been too confident that she found herself imprisoned in this tiny courtyard, wasting her days in obscurity.
She had once believed that even if Mo Xiuyao resented her for abandoning him when he was gravely injured, as long as she returned and apologized, he would surely forgive her and welcome her back with joy. But... she recalled that day in the study, the moment she threw herself against the pillar, she saw Mo Xiuyao’s indifferent expression—his calm eyes devoid of even the slightest ripple of emotion. It was as if what he witnessed wasn’t someone about to die by collision, but merely a maid reporting some mundane matter. At that moment, she finally understood one thing clearly: Mo Xiuyao did not care about her. He would not be swayed by her beauty, nor would he pity her. Yet, because of this, the love she had buried deep in her heart only grew stronger.
She burned with jealousy toward Ye Li—that man should have been hers, the title of Princess Ding should have been hers! But now, she was trapped here by Ye Li, powerless to move..."Miss, it's time for your meal," a young maid said cautiously as she approached with a tray of simple dishes. Serving this beautiful Miss Bai had proven to be no easy task, and the maid had come to understand this all too well over the past few days.
"Get out! Tell Ye Li that if she doesn't let me out, I'll starve myself to death here!" Su Zuidie snapped sharply.
The maid glanced up at her briefly before quickly lowering her eyes again, murmuring, "The Princess said... even if Miss Bai starves to death, His Highness won't blame her. So... if Miss Bai truly doesn't wish to eat, then so be it. Miss Bai... you really shouldn't provoke the Princess like this..."
"Impossible!" Su Zuidie stood up abruptly, glaring fiercely at the timid maid. "Xiu Yao would never treat me this way! I want to see Ye Li—tell her to come here and face me!"
Tears welled up in the maid's eyes as she trembled before the beautiful yet frenzied woman. "Miss Su... the Princess, the Princess is very busy. Please... just eat your meal. I'll leave it here." With that, she placed the tray on a nearby table and fled as if chased by demons.
Su Zuidie turned her head slightly to glance at the food—four plain side dishes, a simple soup, and a bowl of rice. There were no exquisite ingredients, no masterful cooking, not even refined knife skills—just ordinary home-style fare. Having lived in luxury all these years, accustomed only to the finest things, how could she possibly stomach such common food? With a sweep of her hand, she sent the entire tray crashing to the floor. The maid, who had just fled outside, hurried back in at the sound of the commotion. Staring helplessly at the mess, she stammered, "M-Miss Bai..."
Lifting her chin haughtily, Su Zuidie sneered, "How dare you expect me to eat such lowly fare? Take it away and bring me something else!" The maid hesitated. "But... everyone is eating the same food now."
"How insolent!" Su Zuidie roared. "Do you even know who I am? How dare you serve me this garbage!"
"But... even His Highness and the Princess eat these meals. Miss Bai, the food is actually quite tasty. You're... wasting it." With the Western Mausoleum Army besieging the city, though they had ample grain reserves, fresh vegetables were becoming scarce. Even the Prince and Princess had to make do with simple meals daily. There was no reason to prepare special dishes just for Miss Bai. Su Zuidie's face darkened with rage. Over the past days, she had come to understand this maid—timid as a mouse, quick to tears, yet stubborn to the point of madness at times. And she couldn't even vent her anger by punishing the girl, for the guards outside would intervene if she went too far.
Fuming, Su Zuidie scoffed, "Get out!"
The maid gave her a wary look before retreating respectfully. Miss Bai was clearly furious—best to come back later to clean up.
Alone in the room, Su Zuidie stared at the ruined meal, her irritation growing. She had refused breakfast and lunch in her tantrums, and now hunger gnawed at her. Gritting her teeth at the humiliation of these past days, she stormed back into her inner chamber. Ye Li... if you ever fall into my hands, I swear as an Imperial Concubine, I'll make you beg for death.
"Zui Die..."A very soft call came from the corner. Su Zuidie froze and turned her head, only to see Han Mingyue dressed in black standing in the shadow of the wall behind the window. Su Zuidie stared blankly for a moment before suddenly snapping back to reality with a delighted cry, "Mingyue..." Han Mingyue shook his head, signaling her to keep her voice down. Su Zuidie regained her composure, cast a wary glance outside the window, then stepped forward to close the half-open window completely. Turning back to Han Mingyue, she angrily demanded, "Why did it take you so long to come?! Do you have any idea how badly I've been treated?"
Han Mingyue glanced at the floor and gave a helpless, bitter smile. "I'm sorry for making you suffer," he said.
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