This was something Princess Baorong had given him, saying she got it from Qi Wang. A close-range killing weapon, even more effective than a musket at close quarters.
He had come fully prepared this time. These useless fools were unreliable—so he would do it himself. He was determined to make Qi Yuan die!
But he still didn’t get the chance to make a move—Xiao Yunting had already kicked him hard in the back from behind, sending him sprawling forward.
Qi Yuan quickly dodged to the side, and the dagger hidden in her left sleeve slid out. She endured the pain, grabbed Pu Wuyong’s hair with her right hand, and slashed his neck with the dagger in her left. Blood gushed out instantly.
Everything happened so fast.
So fast that Pu Wuyong still had his consciousness. His eyes widened in disbelief, staring hard at Qi Yuan.
He couldn’t understand. Qi Yuan clearly cared about those brats at the villa. Why would she still kill him?
Why wasn’t she asking about their whereabouts anymore?
As if sensing the question in his heart, Qi Yuan leaned down and looked at him, pulling her lips into a faint, cold smile: “Eunuch Pu, you must be wondering why I didn’t wait a little longer and try to force you to reveal where Jialang and the others are.”
Pu Wuyong could no longer speak—blood was now flooding from his mouth as well.
Qi Yuan’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. Her voice was low and steady: “It’s simple. The moment you decided to go down with me, I knew that a dead dog like you would never reveal their location—no matter what I did. That’s how you eunuchs are. Even if I spared you, you still wouldn’t tell me the truth. So why waste the time?”
Because of her injuries, her face was also pale.
But she still stared calmly at Pu Wuyong. “But don’t worry, I will find them. I’ll take them away. And then I’ll grind your dear nephew’s bones to dust and send him to join you—so you both won’t even get a chance at reincarnation!”
Pu Wuyong widened his eyes, struggling to lift his hand and point at Qi Yuan. But the more agitated he became, the faster his blood poured out. Within moments, his hand dropped limply.
He was dead.
Qi Yuan took a deep breath. When she turned her head, she saw that the soldiers had already slaughtered all the Embroidered Uniform Guard guards.
A gust of wind blew through the narrow path, carrying a thick stench of blood.
Xiao Yunting reached out to support her, also taking a deep breath. “I’ll have someone take you to get detoxed and treated. As for Jialang and the others, I’ll send people to find them.”
Qi Yuan shook her head without hesitation. She held her shoulder, waving it off as if it were nothing. “I’ll go myself. Your Highness, you’ve been away too long already. People will start getting suspicious. Killing Pu Wuyong wasn’t our only goal today.”
She gave Xiao Yunting a doting smile. “Your Highness, you saved my life. Consider today’s work—wiping out the White Lotus Sect and catching the traitors—my way of repaying you.”
This time, Xiao Yunting didn’t let go.
He gripped Qi Yuan’s wrist tightly, frowning at her and suddenly letting out a cold laugh: “Qi Yuan, do you even have a heart?!”
He had given everything for her.
Risked his life in battles, laid all his cards on the table—without even caring for his own safety.
He’d never hidden his feelings.
His love for her was obvious—just like Sima Zhao’s ambition.
But she always treated their relationship like an accountant balancing a ledger. Line by line, she kept track, making sure everything between them was measured and accounted for. As if even if he handed her his heart, the first thing she’d do was weigh it, assess its value, and convert it into something she thought she could afford to return.
Xiao Yunting had grown up among Daoist priests. What he knew about love, what he believed love meant, was simple:
If you love someone, you give everything for them.
Even your life.
Qi Yuan’s lips moved slightly. Of course, she knew how precious true feelings were.
And it wasn’t that she didn’t have a heart.
But in her previous life, right before Feng Caiwei became his Wangfei, Xiao Yunting had just promised her that he would have the Xie family adopt her as their foster daughter—then marry her openly and honorably.
She didn’t doubt Xiao Yunting’s feelings now.
But the moment Feng Caiwei entered the picture, his promises lost all their weight.
And it wasn’t that she didn’t feel anything for him.
But when it came to Feng Caiwei, it wasn’t something she could just forgive Xiao Yunting for once. Every time she thought about it, she had to forgive him all over again.
It was exhausting.
In everything else, she could charge forward without regard for the cost. But when it came to love—she wanted to be the one who was loved, the one who was chosen with unwavering certainty.
Besides, she had to admit— Sometimes, losing something feels more solid and secure than owning it.
She lifted her eyes to look at Xiao Yunting. Her gaze was clearly cold, yet it held the force of a tremendous storm.
In the end, the storm quieted.
Qi Yuan simply said in a low voice: “Your Highness, we’re not meant for each other. We’re not walking the same path.”
She flung off Xiao Yunting’s wrist and quickly found the horse she had ridden in on, grabbed the reins, and moved to mount.
Xiao Yunting was so angry he laughed.
Fine. Very fine.
After walking such a long road together, now suddenly she says they’re not on the same path?
After laughing, he shouted harshly: “Old Zhao!”
Old Zhao, who was blending in among the Daoist soldiers, braced himself and stepped forward—wishing desperately he could pretend to be deaf and blind right now.
Why did he have to walk into such an awkward scene?!
And Miss Qi, if you’re going to reject the prince, can’t you at least spare him a little dignity?
You could’ve said it in private!
Now it’s out—everyone knows the woman the prince likes doesn’t like him back.
He quickly responded with a “Yes!”
Xiao Yunting gave cold instructions: “Follow the original plan. Say Pu Wuyong was colluding with the White Lotus Sect leader. Submit the evidence I had you prepare—along with Little Xuzi!”
He paused a moment: “If His Majesty asks about my whereabouts, Xia Gongong knows what to say.”
Old Zhao finally breathed a sigh of relief—only to see Xiao Yunting suddenly leap up onto Qi Yuan’s horse, grabbing the reins before she could.
…
When they were on Mount Longhu, he hadn’t realized His Highness had such a thick skin.
He just got rejected like that and still acted like nothing happened?! With the prince’s usual temper, he thought His Highness would’ve just turned and left, never to appear in front of Miss Qi again.
Qi Yuan was just as surprised. She instinctively struggled.
Xiao Yunting held her by the shoulder and snapped, “Look at you—you haven’t even found them yet, and you’re already about to pass out. What if you collapse midway and can’t say anything? How are you going to explain getting injured by an Embroidered Uniform Guard hidden weapon?”
His expression was stern, but he still couldn’t stop himself from lowering his voice: “Even if we’re not on the same road… I still want to walk with you. Okay?”
…
He stood there anxiously, waiting for her response, even nervously imagining what she might say.
He had said everything that needed to be said.
Surely, Qi Yuan would understand how he felt by now?
But very soon, he felt a weight on his shoulder— When he looked down, Qi Yuan had already fainted.
…
She didn’t faint earlier or later—just perfectly on time.
She never faints normally, but the moment he confesses, she passes out? Did she even hear what he said just now?
Xiao Yunting was so angry he nearly spat blood.
But still, all he could do was take Qi Yuan to stop the bleeding and detoxify her.
