Ye Jiao was well aware of her flaws. Relying on her brute strength and martial prowess, she often acted impulsively and recklessly, which frequently landed her in trouble. Just like when she schemed to carry Fu Mingzhu to the Imperial Street, only to nearly be slandered; or when she knocked out a rabid dog and almost caused Prince Su to propose; or when Liu Yan caught her in the morgue, and later when her alchemy exploded the furnace. She lacked caution and subtlety, yet she never forgot to carry a weapon when venturing out. For instance, now, under the cloak of night, Ye Jiao concealed a dagger within her sleeve and smiled faintly at the man who suddenly appeared before her.
"What a coincidence," she inquired, "Prince Su, Your Highness, are you here to gather herbs as well?"
Even a ghost could sense the murderous aura emanating from Prince Su, Li Long, yet Ye Jiao approached with a light step, her movements like a fluttering blossom, her face adorned with a gentle smile: "My guards went to fetch water. The mountain paths are treacherous—are you resting here as well, Your Highness?"
In truth, she had been separated from her guards, but facing a potentially hostile adversary, Ye Jiao could not afford to reveal weakness.
Behind her was a small cave, its entrance guarded by a half-piled stack of stones and a flickering fire, leaving just enough space for two to enter. Li Long, seasoned in military camps, recognized her precaution against wild beasts. He had no initial intention of coming to Mount Li; he should have kept his distance and sent men to eliminate Zhang Li. But since he had turned back on the Zhanfan road, and his guards were all Zhang Li's men, Li Long distrusted them and brought only a few attendants to personally venture into the mountain. He ordered his men to search while he took shelter in a cave.
Before meeting Ye Jiao, Li Long planned to kill everyone who had seen him. Yet the woman before him appeared naïve and unaware, not warranting immediate execution.
"Miss Ye, what brings you here?" Li Long stepped into the cave, shrugged off his cloak, and carelessly tossed it aside before seating himself by the fire, casually asking.
"Gathering herbs," Ye Jiao replied, holding a small dog woven from foxtail grass, sitting some distance away. Her eyes flicked over Li Long's waist blade, noting that its hilt protruded an inch—clear evidence he had attempted to draw his sword upon seeing her.
Her mind raced through countless thoughts. Why was Prince Su here? The case of Sima Cheng'en involved him; the Emperor had ordered him back to the capital for standby. Could his presence here be connected to the matter?
Li Long grunted softly, sensing Ye Jiao's evasion. Why would the daughter of a duke need to gather herbs herself? Thinking of Ye Jiao's association with Li Ce, his displeasure deepened. That man was careless indeed—to leave such a beauty alone in this desolate cave. Perhaps there was no need to kill Ye Jiao; instead, seizing the opportunity to bring the Duke's household under his control might be a wiser strategy. Women, after all, were easily placated.
"Are you here to seek medicine for Prince Chu?" Li Long asked, his broad palm warming over the fire's shifting glow, his voice gentle.
Ye Jiao remained silent, positioning herself where she could most effectively defend or flee, pressing her back against the stone wall and breathing slowly to conserve strength.
"My younger brother is truly unfortunate," Li Long continued. "When he was poisoned years ago, the imperial physician predicted he wouldn't live to adulthood. Yet, it seems the doctor underestimated him. Still, even so, his days are numbered."
"Is that so?" Ye Jiao responded indifferently.
Li Long turned to her, his eyes gleaming with the pleasure of a predator stalking prey. "Miss, refuse Prince Chu's proposal, and marry me instead. I mean no ill will—I simply cannot bear to see you widowed."
Ye Jiao's hand slid into her sleeve, grasping the dagger's hilt. She had not expected such shameless audacity—coveting a wife, especially that of her own brother.
She glanced at Li Long's broad shoulders, his sturdy back, and the muscles coiled in his arms. She knew she could not defeat him. If she could not fight, then—
"That would not be proper," Ye Jiao said softly, bowing her head slightly. "I do not wish to be someone who betrays trust."
Though refusing, her voice lacked conviction. Her hesitation offered Li Long hope.
"How is that betraying trust?" Li Long smiled. "Even a fine bird knows to choose its tree. You, so clever, would not marry a living corpse, would you?"
Ye Jiao clenched her fists in anger. She hated how he demeaned Li Ce, as if insulting him was to insult herself. That man had guarded the imperial tomb for twenty years, sacrificing his health, yet received no affection or recognition. Such devotion wasted. What use was guarding a tomb when one could barely preserve their own life?
Though these thoughts crossed her mind, Ye Jiao said, "Please, Your Highness, allow me time to consider."
Li Long rose and approached her. His towering silhouette cast a shadow across the cave. He reached out, and Ye Jiao sprang up sharply as he plucked a golden phoenix hairpin from her coiffure—a finely crafted, priceless adornment.
"This," Li Long said, "shall be our token of betrothal."
Then, his hand encircled her waist, his voice lowered: "From now on, I am yours—"
His manner was rough, his face still handsome but bearing an inexplicable arrogance. That confidence was aggressive, as if every woman must submit beneath him. There was no respect, no tenderness—only raw possession.
Unable to endure, Ye Jiao tightened her grip on the dagger, silently willing to burn everything to ashes if necessary.
Before she could strike, suddenly a firelight flickered outside, accompanied by a tense voice calling, "Your Highness, we've found Zhang Li!"
The urgency in the voice forced Li Long to release her immediately. He had no time to speak further, turning sharply to leave the cave.
Ye Jiao's body stiffened, her steps faltering before regaining strength. Cautiously peering out, she saw Li Long vanish beyond the entrance, likely distancing himself to prevent her from overhearing.
The firelight blazed, scorching her nearly drenched clothes. In a brief moment, sweat chilled her skin.
Ye Jiao gathered several stones to stoke the fire. In the dimming light, she began to slip away silently.
Li Long lowered his voice while speaking to his men. "Where are they?"
"Liu Yan caught Zhang Li first, but they're trapped in a mountain ravine and decided to rest until dawn."
Ye Jiao listened intently, but Li Long remained silent for a long while before muttering slowly, "Leaves fall and scatter, the air is dry—Liu Yuyin rarely ventures outdoors; how could he reside in a mountain ravine?"
Though the words seemed meaningless, Ye Jiao felt a chill of dread.
The owl's mournful cry echoed through the night sky as she stepped back, her foot slipping on loose pebbles—nearly losing balance.
"Who goes there?" a fierce voice demanded. Ye Jiao fled downhill at full speed.
She had crossed many difficult paths, but the mountain trail was the most perilous. Descending blindly without a torch was tantamount to courting death.
Li Long did not pursue; he focused on his primary objective.
Ye Jiao stumbled several dozen paces before turning to see flickering lights atop the cliff, moving toward a ravine.
The moon was nearly full as Mid-Autumn approached. She hesitated—should she flee now, or attempt to rescue Liu Yan?
Neither Liu Yan nor Zhang Li was truly her concern. She had come to seek medicine for Li Ce, not to risk her life. Besides, Li Ce had scolded her yesterday for her recklessness—she didn't want to witness his frightening expression again.
Yet, instinctively, Ye Jiao touched her bare hair bun, recalling how Li Long had torn away her hairpin, sending a shiver of revulsion and anger through her.
"I'm not here to save anyone," she muttered, "I'm here to reclaim something."
Only she could deliver what was hers; no one else could seize it. This was her justification—should Li Ce be angry, she could explain it this way.
Still, she was a step too late.
The treacherous path and the sounds of clashing blades before dawn told her Li Long intended to kill first, then set fire.
Ye Jiao raced toward the ravine, determined to save as many as possible.
Liu Yan was a good official and could not die in this wilderness. Without him, the case of Sima Cheng'en would never be resolved.
Pushing through thick undergrowth, ignoring the cuts on her arms, she urged herself faster.
She heard her own heavy breathing, heartbeat, and saw bloodstains spreading on the ground ahead.
Before reaching the bottom, a trembling voice called out, "Benefactor? Benefactor?"
Ye Jiao turned to see a terrified face emerging from the dense forest. The man was covered in blood, clutching another person whose legs were bound, unable to move, wielding a wooden stick, desperately striking at his captor.
"Who are you?" Ye Jiao drew her dagger. She did not recognize either of them. Who was friend, and who foe?