Chapter 2

The blade pressed against her neck had already grown icy cold in the biting wind, chilling her skin with a sharp, numbing sensation.

Yan Nanjing’s shoulders were firmly locked by the person behind her. She stood there as the cold wind swept across her face. Strands of hair at her temple were blown loose by the gusts, gently brushing against her cheek.

Instinctively, she tried to glance behind her, but with a slight movement, the arms gripping her shoulders suddenly tightened, binding her body firmly in place.

She felt as if all her limbs had been completely restrained by the figure behind her.

The sensation was unbearably suffocating.

“Don’t move.”

The voice behind her was unexpectedly hoarse yet young. Even amid the howling wind, she could hear it clearly.

She furrowed her brow, her body instinctively resisting the sudden increase in pressure.

The arms restraining her stiffened momentarily, then tightened their grip even further.

Perhaps fearing she might cry out in panic, a hand quickly covered her mouth and nose, dragging her straight into the room.

Yan Nanjing felt something cold and hard press against her back. Pretending to be flustered, she wildly reached back twice and caught hold of something cool and rigid—not a single piece of clothing, but something linked together by threads. It must be leather armor.

A frown crossed her mind. She knew how rare leather armor was in this era—not like the soldiers in later dramas who all wore a set. Only those with wealth and rank could afford it, while ordinary soldiers wore patched cloth armor.

Recalling what Cui Ti had mentioned earlier, she guessed the person behind her was likely a fleeing general. But which side he belonged to, she could not be sure.

The capture was swift and clean. The palm covered her entire mouth and nose, yet the knife in his other hand never lowered.

It seemed to warn her against any rash moves, the blade pressing lightly against her neck.

The rusty, metallic scent of blood invaded her nostrils.

The young man’s hands controlled her firmly, and in a matter of moments, he dragged her fully inside, then closed the door tightly behind them.

Inside, the hearth fire blazed brightly, the wood crackling loudly. Once the door shut, the cold air was blocked out, replaced by the warmth radiating from the fire.

The howling wind was completely muted outside, and warmth rose from the hearth, but the hand covering her mouth remained ice-cold and bone-chilling.

The pressure on Yan Nanjing’s face did not ease—instead, it grew heavier. She was suffocating, her vision darkening, and she struggled fiercely.

If she didn’t break free soon, she would be smothered to death.

A sudden chill at her neck was followed by a heavy shove on her back from the arms locking her shoulders. The force staggered her several steps, nearly toppling her.

She steadied herself against the plain screen by the doorway, barely managing to remain upright.

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Heavy, disordered breaths sounded in her ear. Yan Nanjing gripped her garment and turned towards the unexpected visitor.

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