Chapter 32: Success

Escorted by eleven people—nine women and two men—all of whom were assassins under Lu Zhi's command, including the coachman, Yan Xi moved forward as expected. It was clear that Lu Zhi intended for her to spend the New Year here. The next five days were spent without traveling. Although this was a rural village, the approach of the year's end brought festivity to every household: red lanterns hung from every door, paper-cut window decorations adorned the panes, and firecrackers burst in celebration. The atmosphere was joyous and lively, warming the hearts of all who saw and heard it.

Though Yan Xi and her three companions were restricted in their movements, they lacked nothing in terms of New Year supplies. It was a brief respite, a chance to ease their weariness. In the blink of an eye, five days passed. Yan Xi had assumed she would wait here until the sixth day of the lunar new year to reunite with Lu Zhi and travel to Yangzhou together, but reality proved otherwise. On the afternoon of the first day, she was informed that they would depart the next day.

During these days, Yan Xi and her group barely spoke with the eleven assassins. When the news came, though unexpected, she neither questioned nor hesitated. Yet upon reflection, she understood. They had not yet left the capital region; this place was still too close to Chang’an. Lu Zhi was a man of deep cunning and meticulous planning. Now that matters had reached this point, with success only a step away, he would take every measure to ensure nothing went wrong.

Thus, on the second day of the lunar new year, Yan Xi and the others set out. The carriage had long been replaced with a newer, larger, and more comfortable one. The nine female assassins now rode horses, leaving only Yan Xi and her three servants inside the carriage. They traveled from sunrise to sunset; half a month later, on the sixteenth day, they had covered half the journey.

As the days passed, Yan Xi’s anxiety grew. Lu Zhi had left Chang’an on the sixth day, and ten days had already passed; he could catch up with them at any moment. She was truly afraid—not wanting to see him, uncertain how they would interact. But fate was unyielding. What was meant to come would come, whether she wished it or not.

Finally, on the afternoon of the seventeenth day, just as they arrived in Xuzhou, the thunderous sound of galloping hooves reached their ears. The urgent, overwhelming noise seemed to shake the earth itself. Inside the carriage, Yan Xi’s heart leapt; her expression changed, her voice urgent as she instructed her maid, “Look quickly!”

Qinglian immediately lifted the carriage curtain to peer outside. Behind them, a cloud of dust billowed as a group of about a hundred riders rapidly approached. Though their features were unclear, the leader’s pale complexion and strikingly handsome face were unmistakable—most certainly Lu Zhi.

Before long, there was no need to look further. Their carriage was reined in and pulled to the side of the road. The young girl inside sat timidly, without a hint of a smile, not uttering a word or even moving. In a flash, the pursuers had caught up, their horses surrounding them.

Then, the voices of the assassins came from outside.

“Master.”

At this point, there was no suspense left. The man who had arrived was indeed Lu Zhi. He had set out punctually from Chang’an on the sixth day of the lunar new year, initially traveling at a normal pace. But three days later, once beyond the capital’s outskirts, he broke into a full gallop. Whereas Yan Xi and her group had taken half a month, he arrived in just seven days.

Lu Zhi dismounted, tossing his riding whip to a subordinate. His eyes fixed relentlessly on the carriage where the young girl sat. He strode directly toward it, and with a push of his large hand, he flung open the carriage curtain.

A wave of warmth and the scent of her fragrance hit him. His sharp, dark eyes locked onto the small girl inside. She wore a delicate pink dress, draped with a light-colored cloak. A sliver of snow-white wrist peeked from beneath her sleeve. Her face was sculpted like fine jade, almond eyes shimmering with emotion, lips tender and fresh—so exquisitely beautiful she seemed almost otherworldly. Like a frightened kitten, she shrank back timidly as he lifted the curtain.

Their eyes met directly—hers shy and gentle; his with a teasing, almost predatory smile, lust unmistakable in his gaze.

Yan Xi instinctively clenched her hands tightly. The air seemed frozen in that moment. After a long pause, his eyes finally moved away without a word, only the corner of his lips twitching slightly. He straightened, letting the curtain fall.

Almost simultaneously, Yan Xi whispered in a barely audible but urgent tone, signaling the maid, “Lock the door.”

Taohong quickly climbed over and latched it shut.

Whatever was said outside afterward, whatever transpired, Yan Xi paid no heed. She only caught the sound of Lu Zhi’s laughter twice—clear evidence of his good mood.

Her heart pounded wildly, her face cold and withdrawn, evoking a pity that was the exact opposite of his mood.

After an uncertain time, the carriage moved again, traveling unhurriedly. Another half month passed before they finally reached Huainan Circuit.

During those fifteen days, most of the time was spent traveling by day and resting at night. Yet wherever they stopped, the first thing Yan Xi always did was instruct her maid to lock the door.

She was… terrified.

Fortunately, he had not touched her. Though he refrained from physical contact, Yan Xi could feel his gaze lingering on her body, filled with lust and unspoken desire.

What was worse, throughout the half-month journey, the two of them did not exchange a single word.

Yan Xi had a premonition. Though he smiled on the surface, beneath was a simmering fury—fueled by her repeated resistance.

He had committed countless misdeeds, yet in the end, it was he who burned with suppressed anger.

On the afternoon of the second day of the second lunar month, they officially arrived in Yangzhou, entering the military governor’s residence. The northern and southern gardens were still under construction, but the eastern and western courtyards were complete.

The mild February sunlight filled Yangzhou with a gentle warmth, fragrant breezes stirring the air, making one feel utterly comfortable.

Yan Xi’s quarters were located in the sunniest spot of the entire estate, named Tinglan Pavilion. The scenery was exquisite, the decor resplendent. Servants inside and out numbered fifteen in total. The rooms boasted painted beams and carved pillars, dazzling with opulence—it was clear they had been built with silver.

Lu Zhi was generous with money, willing to spend lavishly on her.

Yet it seemed that this was the extent of his kindness toward her.

Three days after entering the mansion, Yan Xi gradually adapted. Lu Zhi had just taken office, and the affairs of the government kept him away; it seemed he rarely returned home.

Yan Xi did not inquire, but her heart was constantly on edge, dreading the moment someone would come to tell her that he had returned.

Her movements were restricted—not only hers, but those of her two maids and young servant as well.

Inside the residence, they could move freely, but outside its gates, none of the four could go without his order.

In those three days, Qinglian and Taohong quietly discussed behind closed doors. It was clear Lu Zhi intended to hide her away—or perhaps imprison her. The purpose of forbidding the four of them from leaving the mansion was obvious: his great suspicion, fearing they might send unauthorized messages to Chang’an.

Did that mean he intended to keep her hidden forever?

Yan Xi had not dwelled deeply on the thought. Her mind was occupied with a more pressing concern.

She had a feeling he would return soon.

Sure enough…

On the fourth day at dusk, not only did he return, but immediately came straight to her room.

Yan Xi received the news just as he reached the door.

The young girl was instantly overwhelmed with panic.

At that moment, the man’s figure appeared before her.

Lu Zhi wore a dark robe, hands clasped behind his back as he stood there. His expression seemed to hold a smile, yet also not. From above, he looked down and, upon seeing her, spoke his first words:

“Do you recognize your own identity?”