Spring arrived, and the East Garden gradually gained new greenery.

Li Mingyi stopped in his tracks, staring at the newly sprouted green willows for a moment, then said, "Cut them down."

After speaking, his pace subtly quickened as he entered the courtyard.

The stove fire had just dimmed, and the aroma of medicine was strong.

When Li Mingyi came in, Li Xingyuan was already awake.

Miss Qin from the Capital City sat at the bedside, gently feeding him medicine, her movements tender and filled with emotion.

But Li Xingyuan remained indifferent, not even glancing at her.

Pretending not to care? Li Mingyi smiled slightly, speaking warmly, "Miss Qin, thank you for taking care of my son these days."

Miss Qin stood up and said softly, "I don’t deserve such thanks."

Noticing the medicine bowl in her hand was already empty, Li Mingyi said, "I need to have a word with Xingyuan."

Miss Qin obediently carried the bowl out.

Li Mingyi couldn’t help but remark, "My son has good taste. This Miss Qin is excellent. Your mother would rest in peace knowing this."

Li Xingyuan suddenly widened his eyes, veins bulging on his forehead, his gaze fierce enough to devour.

"The Court has sent people. They say the two daughters of Tang Shigong have accused you—" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Li Xingyuan was momentarily stunned.

"The Emperor has always wanted a hostage from us. Now, with the backing of the Duke Yan Mansion, they’ve come demanding someone. Among those who came was a child from the Gu family, seemingly a cousin of the two Tang sisters, aggressive and relentless, determined to take you away—" Li Mingyi smiled, looking at Li Xingyuan, "You can leave with peace of mind. Yue’er and Miss Qin will be just fine."

In an instant, Li Xingyuan’s eyes widened, filled with hatred enough to devour the person before him.

Li Mingyi smiled slightly, turned, and walked out.

After he left, the expression on Li Xingyuan’s face quickly faded, leaving only the hatred in his eyes.

Qin Rong walked to the window, bent over to tuck in his quilt, and laughed softly, "Your father is getting impatient."

Li Mingyi kept Li Xingyuan not out of fatherly affection but out of fear of the forces behind the Su and Liang families.

This time, the Court wanted to take Li Xingyuan, conveniently giving him an opportunity.

Sending Li Xingyuan as a hostage, inciting rebellion, forcing Li Xingyuan to die, and using the name of revenge to drive his subordinates to fight.

"Everyone’s here. How about we set a time to take action?" Qin Rong said, checking his pulse, a satisfied expression gradually appearing on her face.

"On the day of departure," Li Xingyuan looked up at her, "you go save my sister."

Qin Rong raised an eyebrow, "Is the Princely Heir asking me for a favor?"

"I’m asking Miss Qin to save my sister," Li Xingyuan quickly corrected himself.

Qin Rong laughed, "If I save the County Mistress, what do I get in return?"

"What do you want in return?"

"Half of the military power of the Changshan Prince Mansion."

Li Xingyuan’s gaze startled, "You have quite the ambition!"

"No ambition, and I wouldn’t have come all this way," Qin Rong laughed, "I originally thought I could gain some benefits in Hedong, but they were all taken by my brother. Didn’t even leave me a morsel of soup, so I had to come to Zhenzhou to try my luck."

Li Xingyuan remained silent.

"So? Are you giving it or not?" Qin Rong urged, still smiling, but her gaze was icy, "Everyone believes you can swallow all of Zhenzhou, but if you secure the position of Commandery Prince of Changshan, then as for the eldest daughter of the Duke Yan Mansion..."

She didn’t continue, but Li Xingyuan understood what she meant.

The hand hidden under the quilt quietly clenched, the golden hairpin rubbing against the scabbed wound, causing an itch.

He couldn’t help but smile.

"Alright, I promise you," Li Xingyuan said.

...

The departure date for Li Xingyuan to enter the Capital City was set very hastily because the Gu Family’s Third Son, who came on behalf of his cousin, was urging him on.

The fifteenth day of the first month, morning, the sky was pale blue.

Li Mingyi accompanied Prince Jin, Li Shu, waiting at the East Garden gate.

The sedan chair was carried out, and Li Mingyi glanced at it, a barely noticeable smile appearing at his lips.

At this moment, the person in the sedan chair sat up.

It was Li Xingyuan.

Thin and haggard, his eyes bloodshot, yet showing no sign of someone bedridden for months.

Something was wrong!

Li Mingyi’s expression changed drastically, "Capture them all!"

Before the words were out, shadows sprang out from all sides.

In an instant, blades rose and fell, blood splattering the white walls.

Li Mingyi reacted quickly, lunging directly at Li Shu, who was closest to him.

At that moment, a swift wind whistled from behind—

"Pfft!"

The sound of piercing flesh was alarmingly close.

Li Mingyi lowered his head, wanting to see, but his chin was caught by something hard, preventing him from lowering it, only seeing blood spurting out.

An arrow through the throat.

He turned around, just in time to see, fifty paces away, a figure lowering a longbow, silhouetted against the light.

Xuan Yi, Black Cavalry, as pure and straight as bamboo.

The face was unclear, but upon seeing the person, Li Mingyi knew who it was.

"Li—"

As soon as he opened his mouth, blood choked his throat.

His body fell heavily, and in the end, he couldn’t shout out that name.

-----------------------

Not updating feels a bit off, so I wrote this much for now, let’s update it. Thank you all for your concern, I’ll see if I can write a bit more tonight.