Yet, since he had become the revered crown prince, Shen Ruoyu was the first person daring enough to treat him this way. Lu Zhixing had always been cautious, constantly mindful of others' opinions. After his ascension, he was surrounded by sycophants. Finally, someone interesting had appeared.

"So uncomfortable…" Lu Zhixing's lvst gradually subsided. Recalling the sensation of his release, a wave of nausea washed over him.

Footsteps echoed in the corridor as Helian Yi approached.

Through the bars of the cell door, he gazed at Lu Zhixing's flushed face. "Long time no see, Crown Prince. That little boy was no fun. As I thought, you're far more captivating to conquer."

Hidden within Lu Zhixing's sleeve was Shen Ruoyu's dagger. He waited, poised to strike Helian Yi the moment the guard unlocked the cell. If not for him, how could he have endured such a living hell?

Helian Yi signaled to the guard, who then retrieved the key and prepared to unlock the door. Suddenly, a panicked voice cried out from beyond, "Your, Your Highness! Three groups are approaching from the mountain. There are too many! We must leave now!"

"What?! Didn't I instruct you to remove the markers along the path? How did they find us?" Helian Yi exclaimed in alarm. He had carefully covered the glow powder in the earth. How could they have been tracked?

Shen Ruoyu knew Jiang Peizhi had arrived, but who were the other two groups?

"Lu Zhixing, you're truly fortunate. I'll spare you this time."

Though deeply frustrated, Helian Yi knew he was outnumbered. He retreated down the mountain under the cover of his men. Lu Zhixing remained baffled by the true purpose of his visit to the capital. It certainly couldn't have been merely a social call.

A sliver of light pierced the darkness of the dungeon as Jiang Peizhi burst in, closely followed by Rong Yan and Lu Zhixing's men.

Jiang Peizhi rushed straight to Shen Ruoyu's cell. His eyes welled up as he embraced her tightly. "Shen Ruoyu, are you trying to frighten me to death?!" Heaven knew how worried he had been, terrified that he would arrive too late to save her.

"You're a grown man. What's with all the tears?" Shen Ruoyu gasped, nearly suffocated by Jiang Peizhi's embrace.

Following Lu Zhixing's orders, the Xiaoqi Guards unlocked Shen Xinghuai's cell. Covered in whip marks, he was unconscious. The guards carefully carried him out to tend to his wounds.

Now, only Shen Ruoyu, Lu Zhixing, Jiang Peizhi, and Rong Yan remained in the cell.

Lu Zhixing, ever the instigator, glanced at Jiang Peizhi and Shen Ruoyu, then turned to Rong Yan. "A’Yan, if I recall correctly, Miss Shen is your betrothed, is she not? Why is she being held so tightly by another man?"

"I…" Rong Yan lowered his head, at a loss for words. He knew he had made too many mistakes and had no right to mention their engagement, let alone interfere in her affairs.

After all she had endured, Shen Ruoyu was no longer the girl who revolved solely around him. He had heard she had acquired several shops in the city and her business was flourishing. If she hadn't married him in her past life, she would likely be living a very good life now, wouldn't she?

"Are you cold?" Unable to find the words to explain himself, Rong Yan removed his cloak and draped it over her shoulders.

Jiang Peizhi snatched the offending garment from Shen Ruoyu and tossed it back to Rong Yan. "Take it back! Who needs your things? I can give her far better than you ever could. Shouldn't you be more concerned about the one waiting outside?"

The atmosphere grew heavy. Lu Zhixing watched Rong Yan with amusement. Even Jiang Peizhi could see it; it seemed undeniable. He had considered Rong Yan a friend, yet he had harbored such intentions all along.

"A’Yan, say something! Refute this little brat. Shouldn't Miss Shen be the one you love?"