Yun Rao had no idea how things were going with Xi Yue. The day before, she had asked her to delay the wedding date as much as possible, promising to make the journey to the capital within a month. Xi Yue had given her her jade card, making it easy for Yun Rao to find her. Yet, Yun Rao had already been delayed due to her injuries, and she simply could not afford any more postponement. While weighing these matters, Yun Rao began preparing for her departure. Since she had little luggage, she didn’t need to make special arrangements. After dinner that day, An Ziyuan went to read at the study, while Yun Rao returned to her room and, not yet having fallen asleep, started packing. As she was still arranging her belongings, An Ziyuan returned and, upon entering, saw the bundle placed on the bed and Yun Rao busy folding clothes. His black eyes narrowed. He walked over, glanced at the bundle on the bed, then settled his gaze on Yun Rao’s face. “Are you leaving?” Yun Rao didn't expect him to return so early; she hadn't even decided whether or not to say goodbye. But since he had already noticed her, she straightened up and looked at him, gently nodding. "Yes, I still have some matters to attend to. I'll be off now. Thank you, An Zi yuan, for your care these past days." She had mentioned her departure during her visit to Su Yan's room, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise to An Ziyuan at all. Thinking this, Yun Rao didn't pay much attention and turned to continue folding clothes. An Zi yuan gazed at her steadily, his voice cool and firm. Yun Rao frowned, brushed past him, and walked toward the cabinet, picking up the scattered garments, tossing them haphazardly together, tying them tightly with a knot, then turned and walked away. One hand settled on her shoulder. "Yun Rao!" An Zi yuan's voice deepened. "Don't make me resort to physical force!" Yun Rao bit her lip, turned around, and faced him. "Lord An, what connection do you have with me? Where am I going, and what does it matter to you? Or do you wish for me to stay and prepare remedies for you?" An Zi yuan's gaze darkened, yet he managed to keep his temper under control. "Yun Rao, I've said before—I will not let you die. Until I find the cure, I will not allow you to leave my sight." "If it hadn't been for my good fortune, you'd now only have a spirit tablet standing before you!" Yun Rao replied without hesitation, then unconsciously bit her lip again. "I'm sorry." "She apologized softly, for she had no personal connection to him and indeed held no ground to blame him. An Zi yuan's gaze darkened slightly; she gently pressed her lips together, said nothing, and unconsciously loosened her grip on her shoulders, only to suddenly tighten it again. "Yun Rao, if you wish to blame me, resent me, or hold me to account—do so. But no matter what, I will never let you go. I will remove the poison from your body, I promise!" Yun Rao bit her teeth, reaching for the hand that An Zi yuan had placed on her shoulder to pull it down, only to be swiftly pressed at several acupoints on her body. "Forgive me!" He lowered his eyes, gently returned her to the bed, and reached to release the points. "Rest well first." With those words, An Zi yuan turned and walked away, pausing at the door to instruct someone to watch over her carefully. That night, An Ziyuan did not return here. Since she was injured, he had come every evening to care for her. Even after she recovered, he continued to come each night, lying beside her bed without touching her—only embracing her to help her fall asleep. On more than one occasion, she woke up in the middle of the night, curled tightly in his arms, securely held by his strong arms, as if he were gently yet firmly trying to weave her into her very bones. The bedside grew cold all night, yet Yun Rao slept soundly. Su Yan noticed that she was still a bit reserved, so he approached to greet her, and Yun Rao responded with a gentle smile and a simple greeting. Su Yan, being observant, noticed the slight flush on her brow and asked gently, "Ms. Yun, is something wrong? You seem rather worried." Yun Rao shook her head, "Nothing at all." "There's no need to worry," Su Yan said earnestly. "If you trust me, you can share anything with me." Yun Rao looked at him and managed a small, reassuring smile. "I truly have nothing to report." Su Yan glanced around, then lowered his voice, "Could it be something related to the people accompanying you?" Yun Rao looked at him in surprise. Su Yan blushed slightly, adding, "I'm also a martial artist." "Are they from Zi Yuan, sent to accompany you to ensure you don't leave?" Su Yan asked carefully—his words struck the mark. Yun Rao couldn't help but glance at him. "Are you truly determined to leave?" Su Yan lowered his voice and asked, strolling casually beside her through the garden. Yun Rao nodded gently. "If Miss Yun truly wishes to leave this place, perhaps I can lend a hand." Yun Rao glanced at him unconsciously. "I cannot burden Su Lord with my departure." Su Yan smiled slightly, embarrassed. "I have long been close friends with Zi Yuan; he is not someone who would easily anger or punish others." Yun Rao hesitated. She had already owed Su Yan her life, and now she felt she would be asking him for more. "Miss Yun, I... I simply do it willingly. Please don't take it to heart." Understanding her concerns, Su Yan quickly added, "I know Miss Yun does not have much faith in me. In this life, I dare not expect much—only that we might meet again in the next world." Yun Rao looked at him and offered him a smile. "Su Lord is a good man. He will surely meet a lady far better than me." "Su Yan smiled faintly and shook his head, 'No matter how good they are, they will never be you.' Yun Rao smiled slightly, feeling uneasy, aware that her time was running short and unwilling to make any firm promises. If she happened to survive, that would be fortunate; otherwise, she would merely be a source of expectation without any real fulfillment. 'Madam Yun...' 'Just call me Wanwan,' Yun Rao interrupted, 'I used to be called Wanwan. Su公子, there's no need for such formality.' 'Wan... Wanwan...' Su Yan said, a little embarrassed, clearly sensing that she was genuinely unhappy here. 'If you don't mind, I'd like to take you with me. I can then take good care of you.' 'Thank you, Su公子,' Yun Rao replied, gently pressing her lips. 'I would like to leave, but I can't go back with you. I have other matters to attend to.' 'No... it doesn't matter at all,' Su Yan reassured her. 'If you truly wish to leave, I'll take you away. Whenever you're ready, you can return anytime. I'll be waiting for you.' “Su公子……” Yun Rao felt a bit uneasy. She didn’t want to keep accumulating debts to him—she simply couldn’t repay them. “If you find this difficult, I won’t insist. Whenever you’d like to leave, just let me know, and I’ll assist you,” Su Yan said calmly, withdrawing a bamboo tube about the size of a thumb from his sleeve. “This is the signal tube used by Ba Fang Pavilion for communication. Should you ever need anything from me, please feel free to reach out at any time.” After demonstrating how to use it, he chatted a while and then departed. The plan carries some risks, but it's still a viable option. Yun Rao trusts Su Yan's character—she knows he simply wants to take her with him, with no ulterior motives. That confidence she certainly has. Once she had settled the terms with Su Yan, she merely asked that no one be harmed, and then quietly began preparing. Two days later, after breakfast, Yun Rao went out as agreed to enjoy the scenery. Upon hearing that she intended to go out, An Ziyuan did not speak to stop her, but only gazed at her deeply. The intensity of his gaze made Yun Rao feel startled—she couldn't tell whether he already knew. She believed she had kept her composure these past days, having only encountered Su Yan in the courtyard and not deliberately avoiding others. Yet she fully understood An Ziyuan's nature, so she remained vigilant, meeting his gaze steadily. "It's so cold today," An Ziyuan finally said, his voice calm, "how come you're going so far?" "To see the snow." "Yun Rao responded lightly, her expression already distant as she turned away. Since the injury, the two had always maintained this reserved, cool demeanor." "Let Xiao Man bring you an extra garment," said An Ziyuan's quiet voice from behind. "Hmm," Yun Rao murmured, and then vanished at the door. An Ziyuan watched the slender figure fade slowly from his sight. His composed expression grew steadily heavier with each fading step. His thin lips pressed tightly into a thin edge, and the hand resting at his side gradually clenched, then suddenly lifted. With a sweeping motion, he sent a sharp, chaotic sound of clatter—crashing and scattering—causing all the items on the table to tumble to the floor, shattering into fragments and scattering in disarray. Su Gongzi wouldn't be able to make it, after all—Yun Lady's affair with him was...” “Let her go!” An Ziyuan cut in firmly, glanced at the scattered fragments on the ground, and his expression remained calm. “Arrange for someone to clean up.” The people had already gone outside. Wu Chang watched An Ziyuan's back with a mixture of fear and astonishment. Having served him since childhood, he had never seen him so irritable—so very different from his usual graceful, detached demeanor. He had originally hesitated to speak again, but thinking of Yun Rao possibly leaving now, he finally found himself unable to hold back, stepping forward to say, “Lord, if Su Gongzi this time only desires a lady, and if Yun Lady chooses to go with him…” “Then let her go wherever she wants!” An Ziyuan suddenly shouted, startling Wu Chang so much that he instantly fell silent, gazing at An Ziyuan’s back without speaking. An Ziyuan no longer looked at him, but hurried off, his silhouette now carrying a hint of fury.