"Eat your al quickly and leave the palace afterward."
The Empress spoke as she picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and placed it on his plate. "This is your favorite dish. Eat more."
Fourth Prince: "Thank you, Empress Mother."
After finishing his al, the Fourth Prince left the palace and returned to the Prince’s Mansion.
Under the moonlit night, the surroundings were pitch black. A petite figure darted swiftly through the night.
Soon, she stopped in front of a lavish mansion.
Shrouded in the misty night, the plaque at the entrance revealed, faintly gleaming golden characters: War Prince’s Mansion.
She glanced around briefly, then leapt up onto the periter wall, disappearing quickly into the darkness.
The study.
Long Rui, weary, set down the book in his hand and rubbed his temples.
Work had been exceedingly demanding these days, leaving him no ti to visit Xuexue at the General’s Mansion. A few days without seeing her had stirred a longing in his heart.
"Master, you’re tired, aren’t you? Have a sip of ginseng tea." Long Yi gently offered a cup of steaming tea.
"Mm!"
Tonight, Long Rui was not wearing his mask. Under the lamplight, his breathtakingly handso features were exposed, resembling a striking portrait.
Long Yi: "Master, you should still wear the mask."
"No, I’m tired of it. Sick of it. It’s exhausting to have to wear this mask in front of people all day."
"It’s better to endure for a little while longer."
"Sigh!"
Long Rui reluctantly raised the back of his hand to rub his brows. "It’s all because of that damned foolish emperor—ugly and blind—who treats loyal officials like traitors."
"Indeed, Master, which is why plans should be made early. We must not sit and wait to perish."
Long Rui had initially intended to arrange an escape for his subordinates and retreat to a secluded life. However, after eting Xuexue, his resolve faltered.
Xuexue had just returned to the General’s Mansion; she surely wouldn’t agree to leave with him so soon.
During those days at the Mo Family Village, he had lived the most contented and ordinary life he had ever known, the kind of life he’d been yearning for, day and night.
He wished so deeply that he could hang up his armor and return to pastoral life, spending simple, peaceful days with Xuexue.
However, he knew all too well that the current Emperor was overly suspicious and had been wary of him for a long ti. There was no way he would let him remain alive in this world; hence, seeking another path was necessary.
"Rest assured, even if I have to give up my own life, I will protect all of yours. After all, you’ve followed for so many years."
"Master, you’ve misunderstood . That wasn’t what I ant."
Long Yi, feeling flustered, waved his hands and shook his head.
"I know you are all faithfully devoted to , even willing to sacrifice your lives for my sake. But I cannot bear it. You are all my loyal brothers who have fought and bled alongside ."
Hearing this, Long Yi’s eyes grew moist. "Master treats them so well."
Just as he was about to say sothing, a faint noise from the roof broke the quiet.
It was now winter, with winds blowing outside. Had it been soone else, they might have dismissed it, but they imdiately beca alert.
After all, the War Prince’s Mansion was currently teetering on a knife’s edge—it was far from the dazzling facade it portrayed to the outside world.
Long Rui gestured to Long Yi, signaling him to check the roof.
Long Yi nodded lightly, tiptoeing out of the room.
On the rooftop, Xuexue lifted a roof tile and peered down, seeing Long Rui sitting on a chair, talking to Long Yi, without his mask.
All of a sudden, they stopped talking, switching to hand gestures instead.
Xuexue panicked, realizing she’d been discovered. Without hesitation, she turned and left quickly.
When Long Yi went outside, the only thing he saw was a petite figure vanishing into the boundless night.
That figure was very familiar. His face inadvertently revealed a faint smile—it seed Miss Situ couldn’t let go of her worries for Master, so she had co to secretly investigate the War Prince’s Mansion.
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