Though her acting was good, Chu Yuan Zheng, who came from the deep palace, could see she didn’t care about Liu Yi’s life at all. He looked at Duke An Guo and said flatly, “Since this woman is willing to share Liu Yi’s punishment, you may dispose of her.”
Duke An Guo clenched his fist, deciding to make her wish she were dead. Huo Rou was bewildered, thinking: Everything is truly over now…
Late at night, the window of Chu Yuan’s palace was lifted, and two figures slipped out. The taller one embraced the smaller one, leaping onto the roof and traversing the palace walls, quickly escaping the outer perimeter of the palace.
The guard soldiers were distracted, and the two walked out of the palace gate. After a few steps, a lamp lit up in the dark night. Chu Xiang stood holding a glass palace lantern, with a carriage and several horses behind him. He softly called, “A Yuan.”
The two were Chu Yuan and Ruan Ning. Chu Yuan ran to him, saying, “Crown Prince, I’m leaving!”
“Safe travels,” Chu Xiang supported his shoulder and handed him a token from his chest. “Take this. You’ll have assistance along the way. Go directly to Yumen Pass.”
Chu Yuan took it with both hands, looked at him deeply, then hugged him and whispered something in his ear. Ruan Ning only vaguely heard “big brother.”
As she was puzzled, Chu Yuan wrapped his arm around her waist and leaped onto the carriage, laughing, “Sit tight, we’re leaving!”
The horses pulled the carriage forward, and Chu Yuan waved to Chu Xiang, who extinguished the lamp and disappeared into the darkness.
The horses ran quickly, and the night wind blew through the curtains, bringing a chill. Ruan Ning wrapped her cloak tightly but still shivered. Soon, a warm arm encircled her waist as Chu Yuan leaned in to kiss her, his laughing eyes sparkling: “Ning Ning, we’re free!”
His voice was a warm current in the winter night, making Ruan Ning feel warm all over. She laughed, rubbing her cheek against his stubble and returning his kiss softly: “A Yuan, we’re free!”
Though uncertain about their future, the feeling of escaping control made her heart flutter. With Chu Yuan beside her, she feared no mountain of swords or sea of fire.
