"I didn't expect you to be able to ride. And what's with that hideous sachet at your waist? Another superstitious amulet?" Lu Zhixing reined in his horse at the city gate. He'd noticed a fragrant scent in Shen Ruoyu's room earlier, a scent that strangely excited him. He’d initially assumed it was some sort of feminine incense, but now realized it emanated from the sachet.

Shen Ruoyu deliberately closed the distance between them. She couldn't detect any scent from the sachet; could Lu Zhixing actually smell something? 

"It's a refreshing fragrance. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to stay alert so late at night." The excuse was a lie, but she hoped it would suffice.

A gust of wind whipped around Lu Zhixing's black robes. He didn't dwell on the matter, instead retrieving a dark pill from his robes and tossing it to Shen Ruoyu. "Shen Ruoyu, take this."

Shen Ruoyu caught the pill, asking suspiciously, "What is this?"

"Poison. Helian Yi asked me to leave the city with you, but I doubt he intends to let me live. If he attacks me, I want you to save me without reservation. Otherwise, we'll both die outside the city walls." Lu Zhixing was deeply suspicious, especially given his long-standing rivalry with Helian Yi. He was certain that Helian Yi's motive for summoning him all the way from Southern Yue to the capital was more complex than simply abducting an insignificant youth.

Shen Ruoyu held the pill, hesitant. What did this mean? If she took the pill, they'd be bound together by fate. She had initially intended for him to die, but now he was demanding she protect him? That was impossible.

"What? Are you afraid to take it? Do you have something to hide? If you don't take it, you'll die here and now." In Lu Zhixing's eyes, human life was as worthless as grass, a cheap commodity in these chaotic times. What did it matter if he killed her?

Shen Ruoyu felt a chill on her neck as his weapon pressed against her skin. The blade gleamed coldly, sharp enough to cut through iron. Even the slightest pressure against her skin sent a sharp sting through her.

Hesitation would only deepen Lu Zhixing's suspicion. Shen Ruoyu could only take things one step at a time. Under Lu Zhixing's watchful gaze, she steeled herself and swallowed the bitter pill. "Alright, are you satisfied now, Your Highness?"

Lu Zhixing watched her swallow the pill before sheathing his sword. "Good. When I return safely, I'll give you the antidote. Now, let's continue."

Under the cover of night, they continued westward. Darkness enveloped them as they galloped along a secluded path, leaving distinct hoofprints in their wake.

After riding for a long time, Lu Zhixing suddenly pulled on the reins, stopping in front of a dilapidated thatched hut. "Get down. This should be the hut Helian Yi mentioned in his letter."

"This place is so remote. No one would ever find it unless they were specifically looking for it." Apart from the hut, there wasn't a single dwelling in sight, only mountains rising on either side.

A figure had been watching them from the shadows. By the time Lu Zhixing heard the movement behind him, a crossbow was already pressed against his back.

"Well, well, if it isn't my favorite little dog. It's been a while. I've missed you so much."

The familiar voice seemed to drag Lu Zhixing straight into hell, memories flooding back and suffocating him.

Shen Ruoyu watched from the side, her heart pounding with impatience. Why all the talk? This is the perfect opportunity. Lu Zhixing dies, eliminating a future threat, and someone else does the deed, leaving her blameless. If Helian Yi doesn't act soon, she'll have to do it herself. After all, poison could be slowly cured, but opportunities like this were rare. The female general she knew, Zheng Ruyan, was skilled with poisons; perhaps she could help.

Lu Zhixing gripped his sword. He was more skilled than Helian Yi; he had a chance to kill him. But as he raised the blade, he found he couldn't even lift it.

"Don't waste your energy. Miss Shen, being the clever woman she is, has already agreed to cooperate with me. That scent you smelled on the road? I specially formulated it for you. Do you like it?" The incense not only weakened the body, but also contained an aphr0disiac.

Shen Ruoyu nodded. "I've been hoping someone would deal with him. Your Highness, please take good care of him. I'll leave him to you. Now, what about my brother?"

"Of course, Miss Shen. Rest assured, I've already made arrangements. He likes men, doesn't he? I've arranged several of my men. They'll make sure he has a good time."

Lu Zhixing felt a wave of nausea, Helian Yi's words making him retch. "Get away from me! Don't touch me, Helian Yi! You're nothing! Only you would stoop to tricking me with a partner!" 

Shen Ruoyu, you deserve to die! You actually conspired with this scum!

The Southern Yue soldiers lying in wait saw Helian Yi's signal and emerged. Helian Yi lowered his crossbow. "Miss Shen, your brother is currently a guest in my dungeon. Since you're here, why don't you join him for a while?"

"You're going back on your word?"

Shen Ruoyu had anticipated Helian Yi's treachery and taken precautions. That day in the alley, when he embraced her, she'd smelled a hint of dianthus on his sleeve, a flower that didn't grow in the capital, only on a small stretch of road near Yunzhou.

Tomorrow was the middle of the month, the day Jiang Peizhi visited her without fail every month. She had left him a letter. If she hadn't returned by 9-11 A.M, Xiao Chun would deliver it.

"Shen Ruoyu, do you truly hate me to the core? Are you still scheming against me at a time like this?" Lu Zhixing felt weak and powerless. He couldn't understand it. He disliked her, yes, but he didn't hate her to this extent. Judging by Shen Ruoyu's expression, he was as good as dead.

"Yes, I do hate you. You've ruined everything for me more than once."

Shen Ruoyu watched as a faint blush crept up Lu Zhixing's neck and face. Helian Yi had said the sachet only affected men, and the more they struggled, the stronger the aphr0disiac's effect. He would soon be consumed by desire.

Helian Yi ordered his men to blindfold them and lead them to a dungeon. There, Shen Ruoyu saw her brother, Shen Xinghuai, barely recognizable after being tortured.

"Sister? Sister, why are you here? You have to go back! You can't endure their methods…" Shen Xinghuai, who hadn't cried even under Helian Yi's whips and torture, choked up at the sight of his sister.

Helian Yi traced the pattern on his mask, sighing. "This boy has a strong will. It's been difficult to extract any information from him. Your brother certainly adores you. He practically wanted to eat anyone who spoke ill of you. Such deep sibling affection. But don't worry, neither of you will leave this dungeon alive."

Helian Yi glanced at Lu Zhixing lying on the ground and instructed his men, "Take him into the dungeon and do as I've instructed. And since he seems to have an aversion to women, why not lock him up with Miss Shen?"

"No! Let my sister go!" Shen Xinghuai grabbed Shen Ruoyu's hand, refusing to let go.

"It's alright. They won't hurt me. Don't worry."

After such a long journey, the time was fast approaching. Shen Ruoyu still trusted Jiang Peizhi. But the most pressing issue at hand was Lu Zhixing.