I have been missing you for days.

Le Qianxue smiled and teased the little cat.

Catching sight of her, the cat gave her a glance, sniffed her scent, and then leaped right into her arms.

Seeing this, Yin Susu was slightly stunned. "How is it that she is so close to you?"

Curious, Le Qianxue asked, "What's so strange about a cat being close to me? Susu, where did you get this cat anyway? To spend your days in seclusion raising a cat—that must be terribly cozy."

Staring at the cat, Yin Susu narrowed her eyes and answered casually, "I picked this cat up by chance. If you like it, I'll give it to you to play with for a few days."

Le Qianxue nodded. Her time in those mountains had been dull. Staying there for a whole month was truly a test of one's sanity.

Shortly after, the two left Night City and set off on their journey back to the capital.

Yin Susu asked, "Now that the General's Estate has been sealed and your father's body is missing, are you going to look for the Prince of War when you return?"

Le Qianxue nodded. "It seems he is the only one I can turn to right now."

Upon hearing this, Yin Susu said, "That is good, then I can rest easy. As for your father's vendetta, I will help you exact it. I also intend to slay that aged emperor to avenge my own parents."

Although Le Qianxue longed for vengeance, she was well aware of their current predicament. Seeking revenge right now would be no easy feat.

Even though the aged emperor had fallen ill, he was still the monarch. Things would not go down easily.

She said, "Let's return and discuss this matter with Zhan Lianjing first. There is no need to rush."

Perplexed and somewhat astonished, Yin Susu asked, "Why? Shouldn't a father's vengeance be exacted immediately? Can your father rest in peace otherwise?"

Le Qianxue sat quietly as the carriage prepared to enter the city. Her mood was heavy.

Yin Susu called out to her, "Xue'er, is there something holding you back? Could it be that since you are now to marry Zhan Lianjing, you must obey him in all things? That simply won't do. This doesn't sound like you at all."

Le Qianxue replied, "It's fine. The bigger picture comes first. Zhan Lianjing is currently playing a game of chess. If I were to disrupt it, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Chess? A strategy?" Interest immediately piqued in Yin Susu. She rubbed her chin. "What kind of strategy? Tell me about it. Since I've already decided to throw my lot in with the Prince of War, I can't be completely in the dark about what he is plotting and planning."

"I don't know the full details either," Le Qianxue said. "I only know one thing: once we arrive, you can simply ask him yourself."

Yin Susu curled her lip in mild disdain. "You've got to be kidding me. Even you don't know? Isn't Zhan Lianjing being far too mysterious? Does he even regard you as one of his own people?"

Le Qianxue simply smiled, entirely unoffended.

Having interacted with Zhan Lianjing frequently now, she understood his temperament. It stood to reason that in certain matters, remaining ignorant was for the best.

Besides, having spent eight years on his scheming, it was impossible for Zhan Lianjing to lay out the entire plan in a short span of time. Naturally, she was in no hurry.

A thought suddenly crossed Le Qianxue's mind. She said, "Oh, by the way, the six copper coins belonging to your Yuan family that I obtained previously—I wonder if they were confiscated during the search. I must look for them when I get back."

Yin Susu's eyes lit up. "I've heard of those. They were put up for auction by the Yan Family Auction House. At the time, I deeply regretted not going to seize them. To think they ended up in your hands—that puts my mind completely at ease."

Le Qianxue nodded slightly, feeling some concern for Huatao's safety. However, with Qingyang around, there shouldn't be any major issues.

The two entered the city using forged wooden passes. Le Qianxue remained cautious, waiting until nightfall before heading to the Prince of War's Manor.

Haoyue initially couldn't believe her eyes, but when she actually saw Le Qianxue, she was truly startled to find her completely safe and sound, without a single scratch.

"Miss Le, this is wonderful," Haoyue said as tears welled up in her eyes. "His Highness... His Highness, he has been..."

Before she could finish, Haoyue led Le Qianxue into the courtyard. Past that point lay Zhan Lianjing's bedchamber.

Le Qianxue paused in her steps and remarked, "Should I freshen up my appearance first?"

Touching her face, she felt she looked a bit too plain. She and Zhan Lianjing hadn't seen each other in a month, and having been locked away for over thirty days without seeing the sun, she looked considerably haggard.

Haoyue looked over Le Qianxue and agreed she did indeed look somewhat worn out, but brushed it off.

"Miss Le, is all that trouble really necessary?" Haoyue asked.

Le Qianxue looked at herself again and insisted, "No, I need to take a bath."

Haoyue was briefly taken aback before answering, "Then I shall make arrangements for Miss Le."

Only then did Le Qianxue nod with a pleased expression. However, as she followed Haoyue elsewhere, she asked, "Has he made proper arrangements for my father's remains?"

Haoyue replied, "Yes, His Highness has already taken care of everything. Miss Le need not worry."

Le Qianxue let out a sigh of relief. Knowing it was Zhan Lianjing who handled it put her mind at ease.

At the very least, Le Yongcheng's funeral affairs had been properly managed, which granted her a great deal of comfort.

Haoyue arranged a guest room for Le Qianxue to wash up and sent servants to attend to her, while she herself went to report the news to Zhan Lianjing.

As it happened, Zhan Lianjing was just stepping out. Catching sight of Haoyue, he cast a deep, heavy gaze at her. "You were just here a moment ago. Why did you leave again?"

Haoyue answered truthfully, "This subordinate brought Miss Le here. However, as we neared the destination, Miss Le expressed a desire to bathe and freshen up, so I had to take her away."

Zhan Lianjing had been preoccupied and paid little attention at first, but upon catching the surname Le, he fixed his eyes entirely on Haoyue.

He demanded, "What did you say?"

Haoyue repeated herself.

Still finding it hard to believe, Zhan Lianjing asked once more, "Are you saying she has come?"

Knowing how overjoyed Zhan Lianjing must be, Haoyue hurriedly replied, "Yes, Your Highness. Miss Le is currently washing up and will be over shortly."

Before she could finish her sentence, Zhan Lianjing had already left his wheelchair and rushed off on his own feet.

Stunned, Haoyue called out, "Your Highness, how do you even know the way? Allow this subordinate to lead you!"

With that, she hastily hurried after him.

Le Qianxue had been soaking in the warm water of the bathhouse and was just thinking of getting out when footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door, followed by the wooden door being violently shoved open.

Startled, Le Qianxue quickly ducked back beneath the water.

To her shock, a man had barged in. Stunned for a fraction of a second, she immediately lashed out with her palm, sending a cascade of water flying through the air.

Zhan Lianjing, having just burst through the door, was greeted by a wall of splashing water and found himself completely taken aback.

As he paused in his tracks, Le Qianxue leaped up from the water, snatching a outer garment to drape over her body and conceal herself.

Turning back to look, she saw Zhan Lianjing standing right before her, looking perfectly well.

She froze slightly, subconsciously staring at him. She hadn't tidied herself up yet; she must look utterly disheveled.

Having rushed over in a breathless panic, Zhan Lianjing still had tiny beads of sweat clinging to his brow. Upon setting eyes on Le Qianxue, he stood momentarily speechless.

He had feared she was dead.

Though he refused to truly believe it, try as he might, he simply couldn't locate her anywhere.

Now, separated by over a month's time, seeing her standing here made him feel as though he were caught in a dream.

After a prolonged silence of mutual staring, Haoyue, watching from outside, grew a bit impatient and called out, "Are the two of you just going to stand there staring without saying anything?"

She found the behavior of both individuals quite baffling.

Finally snapping out of his daze, Zhan Lianjing strode forward and pulled Le Qianxue tightly into his arms. It was real—she was truly, unquestionably here.

He squeezed her so tightly that Le Qianxue began to lose her breath.

Giving him a light slap, she protested, "What are you doing? Let go of me!"

Only then did Zhan Lianjing release her. Water droplets still clung to the ends of her hair. Seeing her like this, a smile he couldn't suppress crept onto his face.

He asked, "Where on earth did you go? You vanished for a whole month. If you had appeared any later, I would have razed the entire imperial palace to the ground."

Le Qianxue explained, "I was captured by Yu Zhiyang and locked away in some remote place. I only managed to escape when an opportunity presented itself later."

Narrowing his eyes, Zhan Lianjing frowned. "It was him? He truly has grown a bear's heart and a leopard's gall."

To dare touch someone belonging to him—Yu Zhiyang was truly something else.

At that moment, a wave of anger washed over Zhan Lianjing.

His expression turned icy, prompting Le Qianxue to give him a gentle push. "Stop working yourself into a rage over nothing. It's no big deal. Who told me to lose my temper and kill Yu Guhan?"

Puzzled, Zhan Lianjing asked, "How did you end up killing him?"

When Le Qianxue recounted the events, Zhan Lianjing ultimately spat out, "He got what he deserved. From now on, I am never letting you leave my sight for even half a step."

Having fallen into such a massive trap this time, Zhan Lianjing blamed himself entirely for allowing Le Qianxue to suffer such grievous wrongs and failing to even protect her family.

With a heavy sigh, Zhan Lianjing felt an overwhelming guilt he could not shake off.

Feeling even more distressed, Le Qianxue leaned against Zhan Lianjing's chest, her expression calm yet tinged with sorrow.

Clutching his sleeve tightly, she murmured, "Right now... it seems I only have you left..."

Le Yongcheng's departure had been so sudden that it took her an immense amount of time just to accept it.

Though their time together hadn't been long, a genuine bond of father-and-daughter affection had formed between them.

Patting her back gently, Zhan Lianjing murmured, "I am here. I have always been here."

A prickling sensation hit the bridge of Le Qianxue's nose. Throughout all these days, she had forced herself to remain strong, but under the comfort and embrace of Zhan Lianjing, her hard-earned defenses completely crumbled.

With a slightly choked voice, she whispered, "Mn, I know. That's why I came straight back to find you."

Knowing he was her ultimate refuge, Le Qianxue had sought him out almost instinctively.

Without a word, Zhan Lianjing continued to stroke her back, transmitting all his warmth to her.

Suddenly, Le Qianxue could not help but let out a sneeze.

Pulling her outer robe tighter around herself with a trace of embarrassment, she said, "I haven't even finished dressing properly yet, and you just barged in. Hurry up and get out so I can finish getting dressed."

Zhan Lianjing looked her over; indeed, she was only draped in a single layer of loose clothing.

He remarked, "We are practically husband and wife. What is there to hide? It's not like I've never seen it before."

Le Qianxue froze mid-movement. "What did you say?"

With a helpless smile, Zhan Lianjing replied, "Back when I was investigating you and caught a glimpse of your back in your room, I spent several days thinking about it."