If there’s something you like about me, I’ll change it for you!

Yu Zhiyang lifted his eyes slightly, a hint of surprise flickering within them. He had never spoken the truth aloud: Le Qianxue was the Ghost Doctor. If his royal father were to find out, Le Qianxue would be doomed without a doubt.

Pressing his lips together, he replied, “Yes, Father.”

Yu Zhiyang had always been stationed outside the palace and thus owned no residence in the capital; he still lived within the imperial palace. He had only just returned to his quarters, but found himself restless. Now that Le Qianxue had drawn close to Zhan Lianjing, he felt both grieved and indignant—why would she do this? Why had she truly become Zhan Lianjing’s pawn?

Unable to contain himself, Yu Zhiyang left the palace. He went to the General’s Manor, but found that Le Qianxue was not there. Upon inquiring, he learned she had gone out with Yuan Tianci to purchase medicinal herbs.

Evening approached, and though the heat still lingered, the sky was painted with breathtaking layers of sunset—a rare sight of beauty. He hesitated, then turned to leave, but on his way, he happened to encounter Le Qianxue and Yuan Tianci.

Le Qianxue was chatting cheerfully with Yuan Tianci, laughing as she said, “You’ve cost me quite a bit of silver today. I do charge interest, you know.”

Yuan Tianci replied, though clearly reluctant. “You’re hardly destitute. Why haggle with me over such a small amount?”

Le Qianxue persisted, “Every little bit adds up. You penniless fellow have already spent much of my silver lately. This time, we must settle accounts, or I’ll be ruined at your hands.”

Yuan Tianci looked displeased. But as Le Qianxue turned her head, she saw Yu Zhiyang standing before her, only five paces away.

She had expected he would come looking for her. Yet Yu Zhiyang’s gaze remained clear and unclouded—no anger, no reproach, as though nothing had happened.

But just because he did not show it, did not mean nothing had happened. Le Qianxue walked over and greeted him, “Your Highness, what a coincidence.”

Yu Zhiyang’s mood inexplicably lightened upon seeing her. He nodded, “Yes. There’s something I wish to discuss with you.”

Yuan Tianci, sensing the strange atmosphere, excused himself and drifted away.

With no one else around, Yu Zhiyang drew Le Qianxue aside to a secluded corner. She still held the herbs in her hand, her expression calm as she asked, “Is Your Highness here to speak about Yan Luoyu?”

“So it really was leaked?” he asked.

“Yes, it was me,” Le Qianxue admitted directly. “You’d already guessed as much—why bother asking?”

Yu Zhiyang gave a light, faintly mocking laugh. “I simply didn’t expect you would truly become Zhan Lianjing’s pawn.”

He also harbored another motive, probing her in this way. In truth, he had used Le Qianxue as well.

Le Qianxue frowned. “A pawn? Your Highness’s description is apt.”

Yu Zhiyang’s expression grew serious, more earnest than ever before. “Qianxue, you must realize what path you’ve chosen. This is the Kingdom of Tianlong. Zhan Lianjing does not hold sway over everything.”

Le Qianxue took a step back, putting distance between them. “I know. But it seems I have no other choice. Since you anticipated the leak of Yan Luoyu’s whereabouts, I simply went along with it to help you. Your Highness, I may be young, but I'm not a fool. Well? Did you get what you wanted from Zhan Lianjing?”

Le Qianxue spoke with such frankness that Yu Zhiyang’s smile faded. Indeed, she was clever.

Le Qianxue had already guessed Zhan Lianjing would return in failure. Her smile lingered on her lips, her eyes seemingly seeing through everything.

Yu Zhiyang said in a low voice, “It seems using you was not a wise decision.”

“Of course not,” Le Qianxue replied. “I must please both sides and offend neither, always scheming—how could I sleep in peace?”

Yu Zhiyang fixed his gaze on her. “Then you aren’t truly loyal to Zhan Lianjing?”

Le Qianxue turned her head lightly. “Whether I am or not, it no longer concerns you.”

She couldn’t be bothered to continue. If Yu Zhiyang wished to persuade her, it was unnecessary.

As she tried to leave, Yu Zhiyang caught her sleeve. “Qianxue, aren’t you afraid I’ll reveal your identity?”

Le Qianxue shrugged indifferently. “As you wish, Your Highness. I’ve already foreseen it. I have no interest in your power struggles.”

Yu Zhiyang released her and said, “I can keep your secret, but you must leave the capital for a while.”

Le Qianxue found this odd, studying him, but could not fathom his intentions.

“I consider you a friend. I’ll help you this time,” Yu Zhiyang said.

“Thank you,” Le Qianxue replied with a faint smile, relief softening her heart. Yu Zhiyang understood her agreement, and felt reassured. After all, Zhan Lianjing was cunning and ruthless—even Le Qianxue’s intelligence could hardly triumph over him.

The struggles between men should never involve women.

Le Qianxue returned to the General’s Manor and immediately began packing.

Yin Susu, seeing her in such a hurry, asked, “Why are you so eager to leave?”

“I’m only tidying up,” Le Qianxue replied, though she herself was unsure why she felt so troubled. Never before had things spun so entirely out of her control.

In truth, fate is unpredictable.

She sat down with a sigh, her chin in her hand, looking utterly distressed.

Yin Susu poured her a cup of tea. “It seems you’ve failed to please either side. Who would have thought His Majesty and the Prince of War fought so fiercely behind the scenes—and now you’re caught up in it. Escaping will not be easy.”

Le Qianxue sighed again.

“It’s my fault. If not for me, you wouldn’t have feigned allegiance to Zhan Lianjing in the first place,” Yin Susu said, sinking onto a seat, her eyes dark with guilt.

Le Qianxue shook her head. “It’s all right. If I could foresee everything, I’d be a deity.”

Yin Susu grunted. Le Qianxue was never afraid of danger, but Zhan Lianjing’s sudden words had unsettled her. Now, she was truly at a loss.

The Crown Prince of Mu was already showing signs of awakening. Yuan Tianci had entered the palace, and Le Qianxue waited for his return to discuss their escape.

Yin Susu, naturally, would not accompany them—she had to keep watch over Yu Guhan and track down Young Master Yuan.

That night, the Crown Prince of Mu awoke.

Yuan Tianci returned from the palace to find Le Qianxue had already packed her belongings.

He stared, stunned. “Are you rushing to be reincarnated?”

Le Qianxue laughed lightly. “Enough nonsense. Go pack your things—we leave at dawn.”

Yuan Tianci frowned. “Is there really such a rush?”

“The sooner we leave, the sooner we return. Why don’t you understand?” Le Qianxue said. “Hurry before I have to nag you.”

He agreed and went to pack as told.

Having finished her preparations, Le Qianxue went out to enjoy the evening air. She sat in a rocking chair, gazing up at the vast expanse of stars, her thoughts restless. Had she known things would turn out this way, would she have chosen to side with Zhan Lianjing from the start?

Yet she could not understand why, when Yu Nanfeng pestered her daily, she never thought of leaving, but things were so different with Zhan Lianjing.

“Of course it’s different—Zhan Lianjing might kill me,” Le Qianxue muttered to herself. “Besides, with the two factions locked in battle, why should a woman like me get involved? Leave, just leave... It’s for the best.”

Convincing herself thus, her heart finally steadied.

As she patted her chest, still murmuring, a voice rang out from behind. “It seems you are speaking of me.”

Startled, Le Qianxue turned to see Zhan Lianjing standing behind her chair. Though he wore a mask, she was sure he was secretly laughing.

She tried to stand, but Zhan Lianjing pressed her down, refusing to let her move.

Feeling awkward, Le Qianxue said, “If you’re here, just sit properly. Why hold me down?”

Zhan Lianjing walked around and sat on the small stool before her, glancing her over with a cool tone. “You’ve grown bolder in speaking to me.”

Le Qianxue edged back. “Your Highness, you’re overthinking. I’m just as I always was…”

Zhan Lianjing let it pass. “I’ll be heading to the prefecture in a few days. Will you come?”

Le Qianxue refused at once. “Your Highness, you don’t need me for your affairs. I’m busy enough here. Take Haoyue and Zhuxing with you.”

At her repeated refusals, Zhan Lianjing’s mood darkened. There seemed no harmony between them, only her growing wariness.

He could not fathom where things had gone wrong. But being accustomed to getting his way, he said, “I’m short of a physician.”

Le Qianxue fell silent.

Taking her silence for consent, Zhan Lianjing continued, “Prepare yourself. We’ll only be gone a few days.”

“Why must I go…” Le Qianxue muttered, deeply displeased.

Zhan Lianjing replied, “I granted you a month—every day must be used to the fullest. Otherwise, it would be a waste.”

Le Qianxue could only say, “Your Highness, you needn’t give me a month—even half a year would change nothing…”

Yet despite her words, Zhan Lianjing seemed not to understand. Or perhaps he simply refused to care about her feelings.

“Until the end, the outcome is unknown,” he declared.

Le Qianxue thought to herself, if he knew she was the Ghost Doctor, he would not say such things to her.

She sighed. “Your Highness, whatever it is you like about me, I’ll change!”