I will never stop pursuing you.

Le Qianxue narrowed her eyes, easily discerning Yu Zhiyang’s fury.
She asked, “Third Prince, so what do you intend to do? Have you made your decision?”
At this moment, Yu Zhiyang still hesitated, uncertain how to proceed.
Le Qianxue’s calm composure made Yu Zhiyang almost suspect she hadn’t abducted Yuan Feng at all.
Yet the man had used the name of the Ghost Physician to lure Yuan Feng out, and Zhan Lianjing had left the capital before to rescue Le Qianxue and Yuan Tianci. Since Zhan Lianjing survived, it must have been Le Qianxue’s intervention.
The letter claimed the Ghost Physician had saved Zhan Lianjing as well—if it was a fraud, they wouldn’t have known that, so it must be Le Qianxue!
Why did she take Yuan Feng? Could it have been under Zhan Lianjing’s orders?
Had Yu Zhiyang known in advance, he would have stopped it; now, things had reached a dead end.
“Hand over Yuan Feng, and I’ll pretend nothing ever happened,” Yu Zhiyang said.
Le Qianxue laughed, a clear, ringing sound.
She was unafraid of the long sword; rather, she felt Yu Zhiyang would never truly strike.
Those who intend violence have a different look in their eyes.
Le Qianxue replied, “Impossible.”
Her only worry had been that Yu Zhiyang might interfere—now it had come to pass.
She would never hand over Yuan Feng; even if something happened to her, Yin Susu would have gotten what she wanted.
And Yu Zhiyang had no evidence; she would inevitably be implicated.
She smiled, “Does the Third Prince have any proof? Stopping me in the street like this, in full view of the people, will only make them think you’re bullying a common woman.”
Yu Zhiyang’s face immediately turned cold; his usual gentle demeanor vanished.
He said, “Evidence or not, if Father finds out you’re the Ghost Physician, he’ll have you killed. If you want to keep your life, hand over Yuan Feng!”
He was truly beside himself with anger, his last words a low growl.
Le Qianxue bit her lip and replied, “If I die, you’ll never find Yuan Feng.”
The two faced each other; Yu Zhiyang’s hand trembled.
He asked, “Did Zhan Lianjing make you do this? Are you really going to stand against me for his sake?”
Le Qianxue was momentarily dazed.
Though the matter had nothing to do with Zhan Lianjing, she knew he had always opposed the royal Yu family.
Lately, she seemed to have been helping Zhan Lianjing.
She sighed inwardly, “Yes, I am helping the Prince of War. So what?”
Yu Zhiyang’s eyes flashed with anger at her words; he shifted, aiming his sword at Le Qianxue’s neck.
A cold gleam flickered—Le Qianxue grew tense, knowing a single misstep would send her to the King of Hell.
She dodged to the side, but it wasn’t enough; suddenly, a hidden weapon shot out, striking Yu Zhiyang’s sword and knocking it aside with a clang!
Yu Zhiyang was startled; his sword bore marks, indicating the attacker’s deep internal strength.
He looked up, spotting a pitch-black carriage not far off. The curtain was drawn up, revealing Zhan Lianjing inside, leaning against a soft pillow, his icy expression tinged with leisure.
He toyed with a hidden weapon, tilting his head, eyes fixed on Yu Zhiyang, as if warning him not to act rashly.
Yu Zhiyang’s heart tightened; it was his first time facing Zhan Lianjing directly.
He said, “Prince of War, you needn’t go so far. I had no intention of harming her.”
But Zhan Lianjing ignored him, addressing Le Qianxue, “Are you coming or not?”
Le Qianxue hesitated, remembering how she’d sent Zhan Lianjing away in Night City. Now to rely on him again felt wrong.
But Zhan Lianjing seemed impatient, repeating, “Do you want me to have someone carry you over?”

Le Qianxue’s lips twitched as she shuffled toward the carriage.
Yu Zhiyang glared at Zhan Lianjing, tempted to reveal the secret, but held back.
If he spoke now, Le Qianxue would be caught between two sides, doomed.
Selfishly, Yu Zhiyang didn’t wish to see her imprisoned.
He sheathed his sword, no longer interfering; it seemed that was all he could do.
Le Qianxue reached the carriage, feeling awkward, but called out, “Prince of War.”
Seeing Zhan Lianjing, her heart calmed inexplicably, as if the whole sky brightened and the world burst into color.
Zhan Lianjing lazily responded, tossing aside the hidden weapon.
Hao Yue urged her, “Miss Le, hurry and get in!”
Le Qianxue waved her hands, “No need, I can go back on my own.”
Zhan Lianjing turned and said, “If you make it home safely, then get in!”
Le Qianxue lowered her gaze, unsure what to say.
Still hesitating, Zhan Lianjing pressed, “Hurry up!”
Startled by his words, she obediently boarded the carriage.
With guards encircling them, security was assured.
Yet alone with Zhan Lianjing in the carriage, she felt a strange oppression—unsure how to describe it.
She wanted to escape, yet seeing Zhan Lianjing was oddly pleasant; after all, she hadn’t seen him in two days.
She stared blankly—it was just the two of them, what was she doing?
Zhan Lianjing noticed her shifting expressions, his face darkening, “Come closer.”
“Ah?” Le Qianxue was startled. “Why?”
Zhan Lianjing opened his small medicine box; seeing her refuse, he moved closer himself.
His legs were functional enough; she wouldn’t come, so he approached.
Le Qianxue shrank back, but he held her in place, turning her chin aside.
He noticed a faint wound on her neck, left by Yu Zhiyang’s sword.
Only now did Le Qianxue feel a pang of pain.
Her body grew rigid, barely daring to breathe.
Zhan Lianjing applied medicine to her wound, then remarked, “Are you afraid I’ll eat you? What are you so nervous about?”
Le Qianxue truly was nervous, remembering how she’d driven him away the other day.
She lowered her eyes and said, “No… Thank you, Prince of War.”
Zhan Lianjing finished treating her, his anger dissipating somewhat. “What business did the Third Prince have with you?”
Le Qianxue didn’t know how to explain, replying, “A personal matter.”
He asked, almost idly, “The Emperor searched the city last night. Was that related to you?”
Yuan Feng was elusive, and the Emperor had kept the investigation secret, letting nothing slip.
Zhan Lianjing knew someone was being hunted, but not who.
Now, seeing Le Qianxue confronting Yu Zhiyang, he suspected she might be involved.
But she still claimed it was personal…

His face suddenly turned cold. “What personal matter?”
Le Qianxue kept her head down. “I don’t want to say…”
Pressed by Zhan Lianjing’s relentless questioning, she felt cornered, unsure how to respond.
Zhan Lianjing pursed his lips, falling silent.
Le Qianxue finally relaxed, shifting away from him, not wanting to be too close.
Her heartbeat refused to settle; her mind could not find peace.
Zhan Lianjing saw her resistance and felt a fire ignite within him.
He spoke coldly, “Do you think I’d kill you? Why are you avoiding me?”
Le Qianxue froze, unmoving.
She could only lower her head and play with her fingers, conflicted.
Zhan Lianjing pressed again, “Why won’t you speak? Answer me!”
Le Qianxue replied, “There’s nothing.”
“Move closer!” Zhan Lianjing demanded.
Le Qianxue pressed her lips together, “A man and a woman shouldn’t get too close, Prince of War.”
Her reasoning made sense, but Zhan Lianjing paid it no mind.
She wouldn’t come closer? Then he moved in.
Le Qianxue tried to retreat, but Zhan Lianjing grabbed her wrist.
His hand was scorching, warmer than normal!
She was startled, blurting out, “Prince of War, do you have a fever?”
Le Qianxue reached out to touch his forehead, and indeed, it was burning hot.
She immediately regretted it—Zhan Lianjing was injured, had just recovered from poison; fever was inevitable.
She’d let him leave that day, and now felt remorse.
Le Qianxue asked, “How long have you had a fever? Have you taken any medicine?”
Seeing her worry, Zhan Lianjing’s heart stirred, his coldness melting away. Before her, he could no longer maintain his icy resolve.
He suddenly pulled her into his arms; she bumped against his solid chest, her head spinning.
Le Qianxue held her breath, her hand pressed against his chest, feeling his heartbeat—steady, neither fast nor slow.
Zhan Lianjing’s voice sounded above her, “That day, you spoke so heartlessly to me. I thought I’d let go, no longer cling to you. But seeing you today, I realize I can’t.”
Le Qianxue listened, her hand trembling.
Zhan Lianjing continued, “So, Le Qianxue, no matter what you say, I will pursue you from now on.”
Whether she was troubled or disgusted, he could not lie to his own heart.
This was his decision alone, nothing to do with her; days without her were full of longing.
Meeting her today, all barriers fell; he could not deceive himself any longer.
Le Qianxue opened her mouth, unable to speak, unsure how she felt.
She paused, then murmured, “Could you… let me go first?”