Yun Rao cast a look of lingering sorrow at her, "Cold-Beauty Sister, you truly are going to kill me this time." As she spoke, she quickly rose to her feet, preoccupied with her own urgency, barely noticing that Su Yan was still locked inside, and simply stared at the door, eager to leave. "I'll go now. I'll come back later to chat with you." "Hmph, what's the rush?" Cold-Beauty didn't understand the tension between Yun Rao and Xiao Run, and promptly grasped her hand. "The Master is arriving soon. Just stay a little longer. The Master has always cared for you—perhaps if you show a little charm, he'll release that girl." "No... no..." Yun Rao pulled her hand free with growing urgency, speaking quickly, "Just keep that girl alive, that's all. By the way, where is she being held?" She couldn't personally rescue her, but she could still send a message to An Ziyuan and Su Yan—both of whom had the means to save her. She simply didn't want to end up in Xiao Run's hands. "Why are you asking this?" Cold-Beauty frowned, her expression now showing clear confusion "Why does he suddenly seem like a cat to mice when he's seen?" "I can't explain this to you in detail right now," Yun Rao said urgently, her hand trying to withdraw but unable to, as Cold Yan's strength and poise were simply beyond her reach. "Good sister, please," Yun Rao pleaded, nearly crying, "I beg you—just let me live a few more days. In my next life, I'll offer you even more incense." Cold Yan was baffled by her sudden outburst and turned to Qu Xiao Man. "Xiao Man, what exactly is going on?" Qu Xiao Man glanced at Yun Rao hesitantly. "Perhaps the young lady has recalled something..." Yet Cold Yan remained utterly puzzled. "What connection is there between these two?" Yun Rao had no time to elaborate further. Thinking that Xiao Xuan might already be on his way, she found herself unable to stay. With no choice, she launched into action, and Cold Yan instinctively loosened her grip. Yun Rao slipped free from her hand and hurried toward the door. "Cold Yan sister, I'll explain everything to you another time," she said, "I must be going now." Xiao Run had arrived at some point, gazing steadily at An Ziyuan. Though both maintained calm expressions, the air between them was tense, charged with an unspoken, pulsing intensity of hostility. As the door opened, they both turned toward the entrance. An Ziyuan offered her a gentle, warm smile—like a spring breeze—“Done?” Xiao Run, however, kept her gaze locked on her, extending her hand. “Rao, come here!” Yun Rao glanced at An Ziyuan, then at Xiao Run, bit her lip, and said, “I’m not going back.” As she stepped toward An Ziyuan, Xiao Run suddenly moved, reaching out with a swift, forceful motion toward Yun Rao. An Ziyuan shifted instantly, one arm wrapping Yun Rao securely in his embrace, the other hand pushing Xiao Run’s arm aside. With swift, fluid grace, he moved like a drifting mist, and before anyone could fully register what had happened, Yun Rao had been carried several steps away into his arms. Xiao Run’s expression darkened slightly. She reached out again, palm upward. “Rao, come here!” Yun Rao gazed at that hand, her lips unconsciously pressing together, a trace of hesitation flickering across her face. For all the years she had never doubted anything, this very hand had once firmly held hers, guiding her through countless moments. Xiao Ruan sighed deeply, his expression softening, his voice warm and steady, even with a touch of wistfulness. "Rao'er, have I ever made you do anything else since then? Living as a guest, there are always times when one feels helpless. Seeing you suffer, I find myself no less burdened. If I could, I would gladly bear all your hardships myself." Yun Rao bit her lower lip even tighter, her eyes lowered, silent. An Zi yuan looked down at her, his gaze gradually darkening, yet he only gently pressed his lips together, saying nothing. "Come with me. I will not let you die." Xiao Ruan gazed at her, his hand still outstretched, his voice gentle and soothing—his most familiar tone over the years, as if filled with endless tenderness. She bit her lip tightly, unconsciously glancing at him, her expression softening slightly. She pressed against An Ziyuan’s chest, trying to push him away. An Ziyuan’s expression darkened instantly. With a cold gaze, he watched her slowly push him back, and before she had taken even a single step, his hand suddenly tightened around her shoulder, pulling her back. He held her firmly, his palm pressing with such strength that her shoulder ached subtly beneath his grip. “Are you going back with him?” he asked, his voice calm yet edged with quiet firmness. She lowered her gaze, silent—she herself hadn’t yet figured out how to answer him. Xiao Ruan had been by her side for ten years, like a close family member. Through the years of her confusion, ignorance, and deepest suffering, it had always been he who had quietly stood beside her, teaching her martial arts, accompanying her in reading, sharing her punishments. When she was joyful, he shared in her happiness; when she was sad or tormented by illness, unable to sleep or eat, it was he who remained by her side, day after day, night after night. He walked beside her through every night of agony, sheltering her with a sky in the Valley of the Underworld—yet it was he who delivered the fatal blow. Using her only trust in him, he fed her the invincible poison, the one no remedy could overcome. It was he who administered different poisons and different medicines throughout her life, and when she could no longer remember him personally pouring them into her cup, she had regarded him as her sole beloved relative. But when the truth came so starkly unveiled, everything seemed to crumble. He saved her life, yet made her live a decade of suffering worse than death. He offered her endless care, yet it was he who gradually eroded her health and ultimately her life. Such a person—when she had forgotten everything, he was undoubtedly the last warmth in her gray existence. Yet as her fading memories gradually returned into clarity, that very warmth had already turned gray. "Yes—or no?" When she went blank, the pressure on her shoulders suddenly lightened. An Zi yuan withdrew his hand, his voice now colder, slightly sharper with restrained anger. Yun Rao sniffed, shook her head, and spoke softly, "Su Ran has been staying at the Jade Red Pavilion. There's a hidden passage beneath the bed in the second room on the left." Then she stepped out of his arms. An Zi yuan's gaze grew sharply cold. Xiao Ruan looked at her with a touch of hopeful anticipation. Yun Rao offered him a smile. "Xiao Ruan, I've remembered some things. I can't anymore pretend to be indifferent and follow you back as if nothing has happened. Someone once sacrificed their life to save me—I promised that person, and I don't intend to break my word." As she spoke, her smile faded, and in a swift motion, she leapt through the crowd, moving without pause, vanishing into the distance. Xiao Ruan had just reached to rise and follow, but was stopped by An Zi yuan's hand. Xiao Run watched as Yun Rao's figure vanished, a surge of determination flashing in his eyes as he launched himself at An Ziyuan. An Ziyuan deftly dodged, transforming his feather fan into a blade aimed straight at Xiao Run's vital point—only narrowly avoiding it. Cold and poised, Lian Yan observed the two men engaging in fierce combat, each move seemingly decisive, yet uncertain whether their struggle stemmed from duty or personal passion. Qu Xiaoman had already followed Yun Rao. Su Yan also rose and pursued them. Between An Ziyuan and Xiao Run, Xiao Run pressed relentlessly, while An Ziyuan's movements carried an equally sharp intensity. Though Xiao Run's style was more vicious and precise, he ultimately could not match An Ziyuan's agility. After dozens of exchanges, An Ziyuan executed a swift, wind-like spin, and before Xiao Run could react, the feather fan pressed firmly against Xiao Run's throat and vital center, compelling him to halt. "Who exactly is Yun Rao?" An Ziyuan asked, his voice calm yet edged with firmness, no longer soft. "What does it have to do with you?" Though clearly at a disadvantage, Xiao Run showed An Zi yuan tightened his feather fan slightly, and Xiao Run's face had turned pale and ashen. "Who is she exactly? Or where did you save her?" "Go on—find out yourself!" With great difficulty, Xiao Run managed to squeeze out these words. He dared to tilt his head slightly, then, with a sudden twist of his foot, narrowly escaped from under An Zi yuan's palm. Without lingering, he swept his sleeve and took flight. An Zi yuan did not pursue him further, but his feather fan suddenly shot forward toward the coldly composed nursemaid. "Nursemaid, hand her over!" "Which person?" the nursemaid feigned ignorance. "Nursemaid, stop pretending with me!" An Zi yuan pressed the fan slightly tighter. "If you don't hand her over by now, I'll have the entire Zui Liu Lou sealed immediately!" "Who are you?" An Zi yuan glanced at her, then swiftly closed his fan and called out, "Wu Chang!" Wu Chang arrived promptly. "Master, what would you like me to do?" "Send people to seal this Zui Liu Lou immediately. From now on, no one is to enter or leave—dig through “You…,” her expression turned cold, but An Ziyuan had already turned away, walking off without a word. An hour later, Su Ran was released. Having been confined for a full day, she looked visibly worn out, no longer the confident and haughty self of yesterday. When she saw An Ziyuan, her lips pressed together, and she called out, "Brother Ziyuan," then reached for his sleeve, eager to cry. An Ziyuan merely waved his sleeve, gently deflecting her hand. "Go back!" his voice was clear and cool. Su Ran pouted, growing more distressed. An Ziyuan paid no further attention, simply turned and walked away, adding as he went, "Go back and rest well. I'll send someone to bring you back to Zhongzhou tomorrow morning." Su Ran stomped her foot. "I'm not going back!" An Ziyuan looked at Wuchang. "Wuchang!" "Yes, sir." Noticing his lord's composed yet distant demeanor, Wuchang responded softly. "If Miss Su refuses to return by tomorrow morning, place her in a chest, seal her tightly, and send her back to Zhongzhou." "Silently and carefully, I should have said something. It seems Miss Su has truly struck a nerve with her lord. Her usual pride and caprice are nothing new, but this time she's caused quite a commotion, drawing everyone to her side. Yet her lord's temper seems somewhat restrained—perhaps it's related to Yun Rao's departure. Without speaking, I glanced toward where Yun Rao had gone. I didn't dare ask her where she had gone.