With her deceased husband as her dowry, would Your Highness dare to marry her?

Lin Ci moved his hand from the leopard cat's head to its neck.

The leopard cat had its eyes closed and remained motionless as if it were dead. Upon closer inspection, its belly rose and fell evenly, and one could faintly hear it purring.

What a bluff!

Pei Jinxuan pondered for a moment, then deliberately put on a cold face and said, "Let's do it. I've disliked it for a long time."

Lin Ci was slightly taken aback. She looked down at the leopard cat and pinched its soft belly twice.

"What, can't bring yourself to do it? I'll do it." With that, Pei Jinxuan moved closer.

Lin Ciqing couldn't help but hold the leopard cat in her arms, turning her body slightly away to prevent him from touching it.

Pei Jinxuan smiled mischievously, her peach blossom eyes crinkling.

Lin Ci felt she had been seen through, pursed her lips slightly, then shoved the cat into his arms and said sternly, "If there's a next time, I won't hold back. Whether it's a cat or a person..."

As she spoke, Lin Ci secretly rubbed her sore arm, and blood seeped out of her sleeve again without her noticing.

Pei Jinxuan frowned when he saw the spots of blood on Lin Ci's clothes. He put the leopard cat on the chair, picked up the wound medicine on the table, and handed it to her.

"Take your medicine quickly, I need to take you to see a distinguished person tomorrow."

"Who?"

"A dying man." With those words, Pei Jinxuan's eyes dimmed.

Lin Ci looked up at him, recalling Song Xuan's appearance before his death, his sorrowful eyes were very similar to his, it was hard to tell whether it was sadness or reluctance.

She wondered if Song Xuan had been resurrected in another body, standing before her under a different identity. But he could speak, was physically strong, and most importantly, there was no emotion in his eyes.

Her Song Xuan was gone in the end.

"Understood, Your Highness. Please return."

Lin Ci gathered her chaotic thoughts, took a half step back, and bowed respectfully. She regained her usual aloofness, clearly distinguishing herself from Pei Jinxuan.

Pei Jinxuan was very straightforward; he cupped his hands in farewell and took his leave.

After he left, Lin Ci took off her clothes and applied the wound medicine little by little to the whip wounds.

She murmured to the shadow on the ground, "Do you remember that year when Master punished us? You took a beating for me for nothing. Master told me to prepare medicine for you myself, and I almost killed you."

As she spoke, Lin Ci covered her mouth with the back of her hand and burst out laughing.

The shadows on the ground cannot speak.

Lin Ci then made a hand gesture for it... [I miss you]

The next morning, Siqi and Suwen served water and tea to Lin Ci as she washed up.

They were surprised to find the couch empty when they entered. Just as they were wondering what to do, they turned around and saw Lin Ci sitting on the back of a chair, her head against the wall, asleep fully clothed.

Siqi and Suwen looked at each other in bewilderment.

Siqi stepped forward first and shook Lin Ci, saying, "Wife, it's time to wake up."

Lin Ci staggered, and the bell in her arms fell to the ground.

After a "ding," she opened her eyes instantly, startling Siqi so much that he withdrew his hand.

Lin Ci looked out the window; it was just beginning to get light.

She asked, "What time is it?"

Suwen bowed and said, "It's early morning. The carriage is ready and waiting for you, madam. Please change your clothes."

As soon as he finished speaking, Siqi presented a neatly folded robe, dark blue with a round collar and narrow sleeves, without any patterns or embroidery, and a single copper button at the collar. Underneath the robe was a dark black belt and black cloth boots.

These were clearly men's clothes, so Lin Ci didn't think much of it. After changing her clothes, Su Wen stuffed a wingless black gauze hat into her hand.

Dressed neatly, the beautiful young woman transformed into a young man.

After washing up, Lin Ci followed the two maids to the front gate and hurriedly boarded a carriage.

Pei Jinxuan had been waiting in the carriage for some time. He was dressed rather simply today, wearing a dark green round-necked robe, a leather belt around his waist, and a small black gauze crown on his head. After Lin Ci was seated, he handed her a bamboo box containing several steamed red date cakes, still steaming hot.

"I don't have time to serve you a meal, so please just eat whatever you like."

After saying this, Pei Jinxuan knocked on the carriage wall three times, and the carriage started moving.

Pei Jinxuan didn't say where she was going.

Lin Ci glanced out of the car and saw neither the guards nor A Mo; it was just the two of them on this trip.

Lin Ci slowly ate her steamed bun, wondering who Pei Jinxuan would take her to see. She kept glancing at Pei Jinxuan, and every time she looked up, she saw him looking at her.

Lin Ci turned her head to the side, facing the window as she ate a steamed bun.

The steamed bun had gone cold, and she hadn't finished eating it.

Pei Jinxuan was still looking at her. He didn't understand what Lin Ci was thinking. Her gaze was often affectionate, but it would turn cold in an instant. If it was a case of playing hard to get... then this rejection was a bit too thorough.

Each lost in their own thoughts, they remained silent the entire way.

The carriage traveled for more than half an hour, passing through a dense bamboo forest, and stopped in front of a temple.

The temple was small. At the entrance, two young monks were sweeping fallen leaves. When they saw a worshipper, they put down their work and put their hands together in a Buddhist greeting.

Lin Ci followed Pei Jinxuan into the Buddhist temple.

After paying homage to Maitreya and Vajra, Pei Jin went straight to the Medicine Buddha Hall. He knelt before the Buddha statue and kowtowed, chanting, "Medicine Buddha above, grant my wish..."

Seeing his piety, Lin Ci couldn't help but wonder who the person he was praying for was.

"Esteemed benefactor, the guest has arrived. Please follow me," a young novice monk announced.

Pei Jinxuan slowly opened his eyes, bowed three times to the Medicine Buddha, and then got up and followed the young novice monk to the back hall.

The back hall is a secluded courtyard, with a bluestone path winding around several old plum trees.

The snow had not yet completely melted, but the red plum blossoms on the branches were already seven or eight parts in bloom, dotting the gray-brown withered branches.

A woman stood under the plum tree, her hair styled in a bun, with a plum branch as a hairpin.

She wore a plain-colored brocade cloak, underneath which was a crescent-white brocade long jacket, and below that, a dark blue long skirt with gold embroidery. The hem of the skirt trailed on the remaining snow, revealing a glimpse of the tips of her phoenix-head embroidered shoes.

Pei Jinxuan hesitated upon seeing her.

The woman turned around half a step ahead of him, her pretty face as white as snow under the morning sun, with a rosy glow.

When she saw Pei Jinxuan, the corners of her lips curved slightly, and she couldn't help but take a step.

Pei Jinxuan lowered his eyes, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, avoiding her intense gaze, and said, "Greetings, Madam Chang."

Madam Chang's eyes flickered. She lowered her gaze, her disappointment barely concealed, but then straightened her back and returned the greeting: "Greetings, Prince Jing'an."

"Where is my elder brother?"

"The meditation room," Madam Chang said softly, with a hint of coquettishness in her voice.

Pei Jinxuan kept his eyes straight ahead and walked directly towards the meditation room.

As Lin Ci walked beside her, he felt a burning gaze on Madam Chang as they passed by.

Madam Chang had already recognized Lin Ci disguised as a man, and her expression instantly became complicated.

"Remember to bow when you enter the meditation room later," Pei Jinxuan whispered. Lin Ci didn't hear him; she was curiously peeking at Madam Chang.

Pei Jinxuan simply stopped and waited for Lin Ci to catch her breath.

Lin Ci walked to the door and was about to go in when she realized that there was no one beside her. She quickly turned around and saw Pei Jinxuan standing behind her, smiling wickedly.

Pei Jinxuan slightly raised his chin and gestured towards the door with his mouth, indicating: Come in.

Lin Ci pursed her lips and retreated to his side.

Pei Jinxuan smiled and pushed the door open to enter.

The meditation room was small, with bare walls, except for a painting titled "Solitary Angler on a Cold River" hanging on the wall.

The insulated heater kept the room warm, and the shadows of the plum branches outside the window were cast obliquely on the plain white window paper, as if they had been casually sketched with light ink.

A man in his thirties sat by the window, wearing a brocade robe of sky blue after the rain. He was unusually thin, with slightly protruding cheekbones supporting a handsome yet weary face.

The man coughed, his voice muffled, mostly muffled by his sleeve, only a faint whisper escaping. He lowered his sleeve, his face paler than before.

"Prince Jing'an, you've arrived," he said, his voice gentle. "Please make yourself at home."

Pei Jinxuan lifted the hem of her robe and sat down in front of the man, grabbed a handful of white pieces from the chess jar, and casually placed one on the chessboard.

"The descendant of the Ghost Hand has been found; it's her."

The man's eyes lit up slightly upon hearing this. He put the black pieces away and turned to look at Lin Ci.

Lin Ci was also looking at him, observing his complexion and demeanor.

Pei Jinxuan covered her mouth and coughed in a fake manner to remind him.

Lin Ci then came to her senses, lowered her eyes and bowed, "This humble woman, Lin Ci, greets Your Majesty."