Chapter 30: I Cannot Bear to See You Go

He suddenly realized the loophole in the imperial decree, and that old scoundrel, Marquess Chu, was truly cunning; he had grasped it immediately and was using such underhanded tactics to deal with him.

What was to be done? Could he really just watch Chu Xi die in the Prime Minister’s residence, all his previous efforts in vain, while he stood by, powerless?

Yet, to Mo Zixiao’s surprise, just as he was cornered by the Marquess with no solution in sight, Qi Huan spoke up.

Dressed in formal men’s attire, he looked toward Chu Jingzhi and asked, "Marquess, in what capacity do you intend to place your own daughter in the Prime Minister's residence? Though she is the widow of the Duke of the Zhen Kingdom, she is, first and foremost, the legitimate eldest daughter of your own household. Given her noble status, how does the Marquess expect the Prime Minister’s residence to handle this?"

The Prime Minister also felt there was merit in this remark. With the public already feeling much dissatisfaction toward his residence, it was imperative not to invite any further trouble at this time.

He nodded and said, "Marquess, it would be best to bring the eldest young lady back to your estate. Since the Emperor has just issued a decree for a marriage, leaving her here might lead to grievances and impropriety."

"Then take her as a concubine; in any case, she can never return to the estate." Having said this, the Marquess flicked his sleeves, strode down the steps, and boarded his carriage.

He refused to give anyone else a chance to speak, intending to cut off any path for Chu Xi to return to the Marquess's residence. Only in this way could his only son possibly return to the capital and be reunited with him.

Mo Zixiao watched the Marquess’s carriage depart, then turned to look at Qi Huan with confusion. He was astonished that this freak, rumored to be a bloodthirsty demon, would actually want to help Chu Xi escape the Prime Minister’s residence.

Wang Mu, who had been standing not far away, could hold back no longer. He ran forward and asked anxiously, "General, where is our young lady? Why haven't she and Caiping come out yet?"

"Someone, go and bring the eldest daughter of the Chu family out," the Prime Minister’s wife said, turning to the gatekeeper’s servant.

Qi Huan looked at her in surprise, wondering if she was truly intimidated by the imperial decree. He had not expected her to be so lenient.

"I will go myself," Qi Huan said, and began to walk.

But how could Mo Zixiao trust a demon like him to bring Chu Xi out? He might well do away with her halfway there. Regardless of the consequences, he shouted to Qi Huan, "Young Master, wait! Let this general accompany you."

Qi Huan, however, seemed not to hear him and continued walking. It was the Prime Minister who stopped Mo Zixiao.

"General Mo, please remain here. It is late at night, and there are ladies of the household inside; it is most inconvenient. Although my son has a notorious reputation abroad, he is not so lacking in discretion. Please wait here, General."

The Prime Minister’s wife cast a hateful glance at Mo Zixiao and turned to walk back inside.

Inside the dim side hall, the candle was burning low. Chu Xi leaned against a luohan chair, her gaze fixed vacantly on the floor. Suddenly, hearing footsteps outside, she sat up with a start.

With a creak, Qi Huan pushed the door open. "Chu Xi, are you asleep?"

Seeing it was him, Chu Xi let out a sigh of relief. "No, how could I sleep?"

Qi Huan walked toward her with a smile. "That is perfect. Come, leave with me now."

"What? Leave with you? E-elope..." The word "elope" remained unspoken.

Qi Huan shook his head helplessly. "Rest assured, it is not an elopement with me; I am merely seeing you out of the Prime Minister’s residence."

"What? Really?!"

Qi Huan’s eyes were filled with genuine happiness for her. "Yes, really. General Mo is waiting for you outside the estate."

Chu Xi was surprised. "Why did he come? Did he come to save me?"

Qi Huan took her by the arm. "Let us not delay any longer. I will tell you as we go." He was terrified that if they lingered, Chu Xi might not be able to leave at all.

No woman who had entered this side hall had ever walked out alive until now. Chu Xi was the first, and Qi Huan felt a sense of surreal detachment.

Carrying a paper lantern, he walked with Chu Xi once more along that eerie, secluded path. "General Mo petitioned the Emperor for an imperial decree to save you," Qi Huan explained, recounting everything that had happened at the gates of the Prime Minister’s residence.

Upon hearing this, the grief that had long held Chu Xi in its grip faded, replaced by a growing, intense hatred. "I did not serve the purpose they intended, so why bother bringing me back? Wouldn't it have saved them trouble to let me rot in the Prime Minister's residence?"

"Actually," Qi Huan said, finally letting the words slip out, "I am quite reluctant to see you go."