Volume One, Chapter Eight: The Crown Prince's Desperate Rescue of His Wife

But Pei Qizhou had already rashly charged out into the rain.

Li Lan, summoning strength from nowhere, stepped forward and blocked his path. The sound of the rain was deafening as she gripped his arm with all her might, only to find her palm slick and sticky, a faint, metallic scent of blood lingering in the air.

"You're wounded!" she stated firmly.

Pei Qizhou pulled her back into the cave, his expression strained. "It is nothing."

When Li Lan saw the arrow wound on his arm, tears began to fall uncontrollably. "It’s all because of me... I am the reason you were hurt."

Pei Qizhou wiped away her tears. "The barbarians are cunning. Despite all our precautions, many of our men were killed or wounded. But to have rescued you, that is the greatest fortune in this misfortune."

"But I... I have been defiled by the barbarians. I am no longer pure; I am not worth the Crown Prince going to such great lengths to save me..."

"Hush. Never say such things again. We have pledged ourselves before heaven and earth. Even if the Emperor does not approve, you remain my rightful Crown Princess."

The man’s voice was steady and composed; even within the dilapidated cave, his bearing remained undiminished. Li Lan was overwhelmed with emotion. She was grateful to be alive, grateful that someone still cared for her. The walls she had built to keep herself together for so many days seemed to crumble at his words.

"The barbarian is extremely possessive. If he discovers I have been rescued, he will surely send men to hunt us down. Staying in this cave is not a long-term solution," Li Lan analyzed calmly.

Pei Qizhou frowned, clearly having considered this as well.

The rain outside began to let up. Li Lan dug her fingernails into her palm, drawing blood to force a moment of clarity. Her body was pushed to its absolute limit, but she dared not delay; they had to leave this dangerous cave immediately.

*Bang!*

A firework exploded in the sky—a signal.

Li Lan’s heart tightened. The barbarians had likely found them. Disregarding all social boundaries, she grabbed Pei Qizhou’s wrist and ran. After the downpour, the mountain paths were muddy. Li Lan, moving in haste, slipped and fell hard to the ground.

*Hiss—*

Pain flared in her ankle, and her hand was cut by sharp stones on the ground, blood welling up. Pei Qizhou glanced once more in the direction of the signal, then scooped Li Lan up into his arms.

"The path is rugged and muddy, and your body is too weak for a long journey. Wait here in the cave for me. Once I break out of this mountain forest, I will personally lead men back to find you."

Li Lan looked closely at his expression. He was composed and dignified, his words sounding sincere, which eased her anxiety slightly.

"You must come back for me."

"Naturally," he promised.

Pei Qizhou set her down. As Li Lan watched him depart, a sudden, overwhelming panic gripped her heart.

"Your Highness, please be careful," she urged.

Left alone in the cold cave, a nameless fear surged up within her again. She was terrified of the wild beasts in the forest, terrified that the Crown Prince might be in danger, and even more terrified that he would not return for her.

Outside, the rain drizzled on. Li Lan fought to stay standing, but the cold crept deeper into her bones. Time ticked by, the moon rose, and still, no one came.

By midnight, the rain that had lasted for days finally ceased. Without the sound of rain to mask the forest, every rustle became crystal clear. Li Lan’s face was deathly pale, her lips drained of all color. Through the haze, she heard the clash of swords and armor. Her heart sank; she realized immediately that the Crown Prince’s men were fighting the barbarians.

As night deepened, the barbarian king must have discovered her absence. She did not care about anything else, only urging herself to run faster. If she could find the Crown Prince’s men, it would be a stroke of luck; if she were to die in the wilderness, it would still be better than being dragged back to the barbarian’s den.

She lost count of how many times she fell, her barbarian-style clothing torn to shreds by branches. Yet, despite being so filthy and disheveled, she still felt a sliver of hope. This was the price of freedom, and she was willing to pay it.

But then, the rhythmic thud of galloping hooves echoed from behind, growing closer and closer. The pursuer seemed fueled by immense rage, the crack of his whip almost slicing through the air. Li Lan ran for her life, her legs moving uncontrollably. She covered her ears, forcing herself to ignore the sound behind her. Every moment she ran was a moment of freedom gained.

*Twang—*

An arrow whistled from behind and embedded itself deep into the tree directly in front of her. The wood split, the tail of the arrow still vibrating. The frantic galloping stopped right beside her.

Li Lan was pulled onto the horse by a powerful, domineering force.

"Still running?" The man’s fury scorched her.

She wanted to cry, but she had no tears left, only desperation. "Please... I’ve finally found the will to live. Please, I beg you, let me go..."

It was the first time she had ever pleaded with him so humbly.

Kedashi gripped her chin, his low voice laced with danger. "All for that man?"

Li Lan’s eyes misted over, staring at him with wariness. "What did you do to him?"

Kedashi sneered and leaned in close. "Such a beautiful face, but a pity you have such poor judgment of men."

With that, he spurred the horse, and it bolted forward. Li Lan felt a wave of nausea, and her body, pushed to the brink for so long, finally collapsed, and she lost consciousness. Amidst the jolting, the man shoved a black pill into her mouth.

When Li Lan woke again, she was in that familiar, loathed great tent. Outside, a rhythmic chant echoed: "Burn! Burn! Burn—"

Li Lan felt her illness had subsided, but the noise outside was unbearable. She stood up and pulled back the tent flap.

The barbarians had formed a massive circle in the grassland, and in the center, a man was tied to a funeral pyre. The scene was disturbingly familiar. Li Lan walked forward, trembling. The man bound there wore a python-patterned robe; even as a prisoner, his back remained straight, his noble aura intact.

Li Lan gasped, falling to the ground in terror.

Kedashi, seated on his throne, watched her reaction, taking a casual sip of wine. "Bring her here."

"Yes."

Soon, the small woman was dragged onto the high platform. Kedashi beckoned her over. "Come."

Li Lan knelt straight down. "King, if you want to kill or torture someone, do it to me. The Crown Prince only acted out of a desperate desire to save his wife; he has done no wrong."

Kedashi squinted at her, repeating her words. "A desperate desire to save his wife?" He burst into laughter.

Li Lan continued, "As long as you are willing to spare the Crown Prince of Dayong, I am willing to remain in the grasslands and stay by your side."

The Crown Prince was a man above all others, yet he had suffered such humiliation to save her—it was unjust!

"Come here," he beckoned again.

Li Lan remained kneeling, unmoving. Kedashi lost his patience, grabbed her, and pulled her forcefully into his arms.

"I have been so good to you, yet I never see you begging for my sake?" He squeezed her waist, his grip tightening with every word. "But since I like you so much, since you have asked, I will spare him this once."

Li Lan’s eyes brightened. She moved to thank him, but he ordered for the prisoner to be brought into the great tent instead.

Inside the tent, Li Lan looked at the bound Crown Prince. Before she could utter a word, the man threw her onto the bed.