She refused to marry.

Su Wanwan entered the side room, quietly opened the window, and looked down.

"Miss..." Qiu Shi called from the rooftop.

Su Wanwan looked up and saw Qiu Shi clinging to the eaves, reaching out a hand to her.

She quickly climbed over.

After going around the eaves, Qiu Shi put the young lady into the room on the second floor.

Chunhua had been waiting for a long time. After the two changed their clothes, Chunhua jumped out of the window, mounted Qiushi's horse, and the two headed straight out of the city.

The guards heard a noise.

After much hesitation, he pushed open the door to check, but there was no sign of the lady. There was only the open window and the figure below that had caused the commotion.

"The lady has escaped."

"Quick, after them!!"

The guards gave chase.

Su Wanwan and Cuizhu listened to the commotion in the private room on the second floor. Once they left, they slipped out through the back door.

"Miss, this way. The old lady's sedan chair is ready. Let's go to the Pei family to hide for a few days. The emperor will definitely not find out." Cuizhu led the way.

"Please thank your grandmother for me when I leave."

"Miss, you flatter me. If it weren't for you, Cuizhu wouldn't have known that people can live the way they want. I should thank you for getting my indenture back."

The Pei family's carriage was parked by the roadside.

The two boarded the carriage and slowly headed west of the city.

Old Madam Pei settled her in a house in the west of the city, a quiet place with few people around.

Su Wanwan sat in the courtyard, reviewing the recent accounts.

They discovered that there was a significant amount of extra silver in the accounts.

Only after asking did I learn that it was the emperor who had sent someone to make arrangements.

Su Wanwan put down the account book uneasily.

If she escapes, the emperor will surely search the entire city for her. The princess heard the news and thus her wish was fulfilled.

Su Wanwan stood up, touching her belly, "Your Majesty, let's see if you'll be up to par these next few days..."

Before her marriage, her mother taught her many ways to get pregnant.

She hasn't missed a single one these past few days.

If His Majesty is in good health, perhaps he can leave behind a way to control the Eldest Princess.

*

Inside the East Garden.

Exhausted and disappointed, Xiao Xuanjing walked to their new room, where the scent of his wife still lingered.

Why did she leave?

They left so decisively.

Slumped on the edge of the bed, touching the brocade pouch sewn by the lady, a bitter feeling welled up in her chest. Was she still going to see the prince?

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a piece of letter peeking out from beside the pillow.

He hurriedly threw aside the pillow and unfolded the letter his wife had written.

Husband, please accept my greetings:

I am well and hope you will not worry. The journey across mountains and rivers is not my wish, but for the sake of my family and for your safety, I must temporarily leave your side.

Do not be hasty, angry, or sad, and especially do not blame yourself. When the storm has passed and the fog has cleared, I will return and serve you again.

Though we are far apart, my heart will never leave you. I only wish that you take good care of yourself, eat well and sleep soundly, and keep warm and comfortable. Do not worry about me and cause me unnecessary sorrow.

The matter of the secret guard was truly my idea; please do not blame me. Before leaving, I secretly took one of your inner garments, not daring to defile it, but to express my longing for you.

When the day comes that Your Majesty brings peace and stability to the country, and the seas are calm and the rivers are clear, that will be the time for me to return home.

This promise is as firm as a mountain; I hope you will keep it, and I will wait for you.

My heart is filled with sorrow, and I cannot bear to leave.

May you always be healthy and at peace.

Xiao Xuanjing slowly twirled the letter with his fingertips, half of the pent-up frustration in his chest dissipated, and the weight that had been pressing on his chest was lifted.

He walked slowly to the door and said to Jian Qingshan, "Call the people back, stop the search, and open the city gates to let people pass. Issue an order to all government offices and post stations: if they encounter women and children, they must receive them and provide shelter from the wind and rain. Those who disobey will be punished."

Jian Qingshan's gaze fell on the letter in his master's hand. "My lord, is there any news about the lady?"

Xiao Xuanjing took a deep breath. "Send someone to secretly investigate and find out who it is. Send a message back to the manor and protect the lady. Don't let anyone hurt her."

"Yes!!!" Jian Qingshan relaxed his frown and strode out the door.

Xiao Xuanjing sat back down, took out the purse embroidered by his wife, and gently unfolded it, revealing strands of hair that were both dark and white.

Gently place it under your nose and inhale deeply.

Madam, you wait, wait for me...

We'll bring you back soon.

*

Ten days later.

Inside the imperial city.

Xiao Xuanjing entered Xian'an Palace, but the person lying on the bed had already gotten off.

I'm sitting by the window now, enjoying tea and the view.

Seeing Feng Chenjun walk in with a displeased expression, Ying Zheng pursed his lips slightly and said, "I have never felt so happy."

"She's gone, and you're happy?" Xiao Xuanjing sat down in front of him, his gaze deep.

"Of course, I will go to find her as soon as my wounds heal. As long as you are not here, I will have plenty of opportunities in the future." Ying Zheng took a sip of tea.

Xiao Xuanjing gently lifted his teacup, poured himself some tea, slowly took a sip, and chuckled, "I'm afraid the young master won't get his wish."

"What does Feng Chenjun mean?" Ying Zheng frowned. Although Feng Chenjun saved him, one thing is one thing, and he was determined to win Wanwan over.

Xiao Xuanjing poured another cup of tea and looked at Ying Zheng with a deep gaze.

"Lord Fengchen, please speak frankly." Ying Zheng felt a chill run down his spine from the look in her eyes.

Xiao Xuanjing chuckled.

After three rounds of tea, he slowly began, "Would you like to hear about the matter between your father, Prince Changxin, and my mother?"

Ying Zheng paused slightly.

He had heard the rumors and gossip over the years quite a few times.

"When Prince Changxin was in the palace, he and Princess Changxin were a harmonious couple, inseparable every day. They studied calligraphy during the day and looked at the stars at night."

As time went on, neither of them knew who had first developed feelings for the other, but neither of them dared to expose it.

Later, the late emperor discovered the clues and wanted to arrange a marriage for the eldest princess, but she refused.

The late emperor threatened your father that if the eldest princess did not marry into the Kingdom of Wuluo, he would be stripped of his position as crown prince and expelled from the palace.

Your father was reluctant, but in the end he still made the decision to force the eldest princess to marry Wu Luo.

Later, out of love turned to hatred, the mother joined forces with the Kingdom of Wuluo and the Xiao family to support the current emperor.

This resulted in your father losing his position as crown prince, being demoted to the border, becoming the Prince of Changxin, and stationed at the frontier.

This commitment has lasted for over twenty years.

He has never been to Beijing.

After hearing this, Ying Zheng clenched the cup in his hand.

He had heard of it before, but never believed it.

However, he never doubted that his mother's facial features and expressions were similar to those of the eldest princess.

Hearing these things from Feng Chenjun today brought back a flood of memories buried deep in my heart.

"Even so, so what?"

Xiao Xuanjing chuckled, "Since that's the case, when will this cycle of revenge end? Why not send a letter to invite Prince Changxin to the capital for a chat?"

Ying Zheng smiled bitterly, "I had already severed ties with my father before I came out, so he won't come."

"Your Highness is likely to be disappointed, as Prince Changxin has already agreed to return to the capital." Xiao Xuanjing put down his teacup.

Ying Zheng then began to take Feng Chenjun seriously, "Does Your Majesty know what the return of Prince Changxin to the capital signifies?"

"I know." Xiao Xuanjing stood up. "The little fox has become my husband, and I will not allow anyone to take her away from me, especially you."

"Hmph..." Ying Zheng smiled bitterly and drank the tea in one gulp.

His eyes were filled with unease.