Chapter 1

Chapter 1

In the end, my lady turned back.

She rushed toward me, clutching my arm tightly, her eyes filled with panic. “Tong Yue, stay with me, all right? I’m scared.”

“You said someone would come to save me, but what if they don’t? What if I’m killed on the road?”

I frowned slightly.

In my past life, I had indeed suffered many hardships before being rescued by Qi Yu.

The image of her returning that day, on the verge of death, flashed through my mind. I pursed my lips and, after a long moment, nodded. “All right, I’ll go with you.”

Two people were a more obvious target than one. I pulled my lady along, hiding and dodging with extreme caution. Just as we were nearing the Medicine King Temple, we were discovered.

Steeling my heart, I stepped forward to block several men in black, screaming at my lady, “Run!”

A hundred meters to the east was the Medicine King Temple; that was where I had met Qi Yu in my previous life.

I hoped she would make it in time.

A moment later, I was kicked to the ground. Cold steel flashed before my eyes as a blade descended. I closed my eyes.

I hadn’t expected to die so quickly after being reborn.

Ah well, I suppose I’ll consider this as repaying my lady’s kindness.

The expected pain never came.

Instead, there was a loud *clang*-the sound of clashing blades.

I opened my eyes.

Qi Yu sheathed his sword, swept a cold, expressionless glance over me, and headed straight for my lady.

My lady was still trembling from the fright, but her eyes were bright as she stared intently at Qi Yu.

“Are you… Brother Qi?”

Qi Yu stared back at her, his face a whirlwind of pain, pity, and joy. He looked at her like a long-lost treasure found again, his voice thick with emotion.

“It’s me. I’ve come to save you.”

Upon receiving his confirmation, my lady finally threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.

Qi Yu gently patted her back, whispering soft words of comfort.

I clutched my bleeding arm, watching the two of them weeping in each other’s embrace, then turned to look at the men in black who were gradually being subdued. A sense of relief washed over me.

This is good. In this life, I owe no one anything.

Qi Yu treated my lady exceptionally well.

He personally oversaw everything, from her food and clothing to her medical care.

Everyone knew she was the future consort of the Heir, so no one dared to neglect her.

My lady’s face was flushed, her expression slightly anxious. “Tong Yue, what if they won’t let the Heir marry me?”

I comforted her softly, “You needn’t worry, My Lady. The Heir will find a way.”

My lady came from a family of scholars; her father was Lord Pei, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. She had been childhood friends with the Heir of the Marquis of Wuning, and they had long been betrothed.

Unfortunately, when she was eight, disaster struck the Pei family, and they were exiled to Lingnan. Seven years later, the Pei family was finally exonerated and recalled to the capital. It was during this return journey that Lord Pei’s family was ambushed. Of the great Pei household, only my lady remained.

The Heir of the Marquis of Wuning was young, accomplished, and of noble status; my lady, now a solitary orphan, was no longer considered a fitting match for him.

“Really?” My lady looked up at me, hope shining in her eyes.

I nodded firmly. “Really!”

I wasn’t lying to her.

In my past life, Qi Yu had ignored everyone’s advice and overcome all obstacles to marry me.

I knew better than anyone how deep his affection for her ran.

Just like now, he took a cloak from a brocade box and personally draped it over her shoulders, saying with a smile, “Do you like it?”

The cloak was pitch black, the tips of the fur tinged with white-warm and regal.

My lady stroked it, unable to put it down, her joy evident.

She didn’t know that the fur of this cloak was made from a black fox that Qi Yu had hunted with his own hands.

In my past life, I had lost my memory and was quite ignorant. I simply felt that I didn’t deserve such a fine thing and was reluctant to accept it.

It wasn’t until Qi Yu showed me his scarred wrist and explained where it came from that I was moved enough to take it.

Thinking of this, I looked away from the cloak and toward Qi Yu’s wrist.

Unexpectedly, as I raised my eyes, I met his dark gaze.

My body stiffened, and I looked away.

Eventually, the Old Madam sent for her, and my lady asked me to see the Heir out.

As we left, the smile on his lips faded, and his voice was devoid of emotion:

“Do not covet things that do not belong to you.”