Lin Ning had been dressed in a new set of clothes, not caring about how it would look since she wasn’t the one to judge for what others chose for her. She couldn’t see what it looked like anyway, but she could feel that the hanfu was a bit thicker. “What kind of material is this made of?” She decided to ask.

“Oh, this is made for the cold weather, and the border isn’t really the warmest place, so I found a warmer set of clothes with a coat given as well.” Xia Ling told her. “The material used for this is from a foreign land that they got off some foreigners. They said that it is the skin of a mountain lion.” Xia Ling explained to her.

‘Ah, so that’s why it felt a bit different.’ Lin Ning wrapped the coat around her, feeling like it would have been nice for Cao Peizhi to wear instead. “I believe I am good to go out now.”

“Young miss, are you sure? You’ve only just recovered.” Xia Ling did not want Lin Ning to go out if she was still afraid of everything that had happened.

“I’m fine. There is no need to feel so worried about me. I won’t get too sick. Besides, Cuifen is here as well. She won’t let me get too ill at this time.” Lin Ning could see how worried Xia Ling was about her, but being held back inside a tent was no way to live. Xia Ling knew that she could not stop her, so she willingly allowed Lin Ning to leave the tent. Going outside, Lin Ning felt a hand grab onto hers with a smile on her face. “It seems as though you are just as worried about me.”

“Of course, you are my woman from now on.” Cao Peizhi pressed her hand right onto his cheek, laying a kiss on her palm soon after.

‘You have grown more and more affectionate or… maybe I just never realized it.’ Opening her eyes behind the blindfold, she could see the red color with the emotion of pure love and affection for her. ‘How can I be this blind?’ Knowing at this moment that there was no turning back now. “Do you want to take a stroll with me?” She decided to ask him.

Cao Peizhi held a gentle smile to her, “If it’s with you, then I would always agree.” Taking hold of her hand, both started to walk around with Cao Peizhi’s people following them from behind.

***

“Ah, it seems as though they are finally together.” Xu Meili watched the couple from the tent that she sat in with Yi Changpu turning his head to see the two.

“It seems they finally figured it out.” Yi Changpu smiled at his best friend and Lin Ning, who looked like a match made in heaven. “I have to be honest. If there were such a line as a match made in heaven, then those two would be the perfect example.” He said out, looking to Xu Meili, who glanced up to him.

“Hmph, I would have never thought that I would agree to you this one time, but yes, they would be the perfect example for that line.” Xu Meili then turned back to see both walking to the outer border of the stone wall. “Will they be alright?”

“They’ll be fine. Cao Peizhi is there. No one would dare think about messing with him when his woman is nearby.” Seeing Xu Meili, he pushed a few small hair strands behind her ear. “Why don’t we go back to discussing some matters that involve your brother?”

Hearing that, Xu Meili held a serious expression, recalling that she was still trying to get revenge on the emperor and the empress for killing her brother. “Tell me.” Looking at the man who was the only one who knew more about the details of her brother’s death.

“Your brother had been sent to the border. I’ve found information that he had been ambushed by a group of unknown men, which I am precisely sure that those men who were all ordered by the emperor and empress.”

“Why was my brother killed, though? He had nothing that could affect the emperor or empress, not even the second prince.” Xu Meili still did not understand why her brother had to die when he was not a man who sought power as most noble men would.

Yi Changpu paused for a bit, but he went closer to Xu Meili. “What if I told you that your brother was thinking about supporting me?”

“What?” Xu Meili had never heard her brother mention choosing a prince to support. “What are you talking about?” She wanted answers, going closer to look Yi Changpu in the face.

Yi Changpu knew that this would happen since Xu Meili could not always hold in her anger when it came to her brother. “Your brother spoke to me once when we came across each other at the border. He knew that he would have to choose one of the princes, and he told me that a prince who understands the struggle and pain outside of the palace is the only rightful ruler of the people. He would support me, for I have always been at the border throughout my life. I did not want to fight for the throne, but I also have the same urge for vengeance against those who have killed my mother.”

Xu Meili did not know what to think or say; she would have never thought that her brother would choose the crown prince. “How do I know that you are not lying?” She felt her heart beating tremendously, hoping that there was no lie in what she was just told.

Yi Changpu knew that Xu Meili would come to that question; he went over to a drawer, pulling out a scroll. Handing it over to Xu Meili to take a look for herself, sitting down in an empty chair. “This is what your brother wanted you to have if anything were to happen to him.” Xu Meili took the scroll, opening it to read its contents with the same handwriting that belonged to her brother. Taking a few minutes to read it, she had tears that started to well up. Yi Changpu went over to her, wiping the tears away from her eyes. “Your brother is one of the greatest warriors that I’ve met.”

Written in the letter:

Meili, my dear little sister, I will no longer be a part of this world when you come across this letter. I know that you will go through the most painful heartache of your life, but I want you to know that even though I am no longer standing on the same land and soil as you. I am still watching over you, and I will make sure that you will still be safe no matter what. Your brother loves you dearly. The reason that I would be targeted is none other than that I have chosen to side with the Crown Prince, Yi Changpu. I believe that he is a worthy man who can lead this state to its bright light. Do not try and dwell too much into the dark; you must be happy no matter what. - Xu Zhen Long

***

“I’ve been gone from home for quite some time. My parents must be very worried about me.” Lin Ning knew that it had been quite some time, and disappearing for more than three days would be enough for her parents to see that she was gone, maybe even less than three days.

Cao Peizhi knew that he did not want to ruin the mood, but it was clear that he needed to tell Lin Ning about her parents. “Ning, that day that you had left….” Cao Peizhi was hesitant to say to her about it.

Lin Ning turned to sense what feelings he had, feeling a lot of worry and concern. “Peizhi, what is wrong? Did something happen to my parents?” She held her breath, not knowing if she should be afraid or not.