Xie Wanqing paused her breath; they had just made love, both stark naked.

She lowered her gaze for a long time...

Several times she bit her lip and lowered her head, yet she couldn’t find the words.

In the end, Lu Ziyuan tightened his arm around her and pulled her into his embrace, saying lightly, "Don’t degrade yourself like that."

"..." Her words were returned untouched, leaving Xie Wanqing speechless for a while, she still tried to explain, "We just... you..."

At least he should wash up first!

Her words were fragmented, and Lu Ziyuan couldn’t understand her meaning, nor did he want to make things difficult for her in such matters.

If she chooses to degrade herself, so be it.

Whatever she says, he’ll accept it.

Just moments ago they were arguing, faces flushed, yet now they were embracing each other with a surprising tenderness.

For a moment, Xie Wanqing felt a sense of longing in her heart, she reached out to circle the waist of the person beside her, and asked him softly, "Can you really not spare Pei Yuqing?"

The moment of warmth was shattered, Lu Ziyuan closed his eyes, and with a cold heart, replied, "Even if I promise to spare him, would you, Wanwan, believe it?"

"..." Xie Wanqing was choked, there was no need to say more.

She wouldn’t believe him even if he promised to spare Pei Yuqing now.

The fact is, as long as she exists, their situation remains irreconcilable.

Only if she permanently disappears from their sight, never to appear again.

She must leave a letter for Lu Ziyuan, informing him that if anything happens to Pei Yuqing, she won’t live alone, only then can Pei Yuqing’s life be safeguarded.

This is the only way Xie Wanqing could think of.

As long as she stays with Lu Ziyuan, his intent to kill Pei Yuqing won’t vanish.

He would think of killing Pei Yuqing and still use her parents and brother to control her to continue living.

Only by completely leaving can he not hold her life in his hands, causing him to hesitate.

Pei Yuqing will arrive in ten days, she must leave before that...

Perhaps never expecting that she would have the thought of leaving, Lu Ziyuan never restricted Xie Wanqing’s movements.

These few days, she has also been out, gaining some understanding of this Northern Border City.

After Jin Dynasty’s defeat, the city gate’s guards were not strict, coupled with numerous disasters and many refugees, entering and exiting the city required no pass or certificate.

As long as the plan is right, she can escape.

But, where should she run to?

Determined to stay away from these troublesome people and matters, she couldn’t return to Capital City, nor could she find Pei Yuqing.

In times of chaos, she was still a young girl...

But so what, even dying outside is better than watching Pei Yuqing being chopped into meat paste.

She could ride horses, draw a bow and shoot arrows, had studied martial arts with Lu Ziyuan for a few months back in the day, not comparing to men with deep inner strength, but in ordinary society, she did have some skills.

Her embroidery skills were still good, she definitely wouldn’t starve.

Of course... if she were to leave, she must take enough silver coin with her, to avoid hardship, as she didn’t want to endure it either.

Having made up her mind, for the next two days, Xie Wanqing did not go to the study, but instead, at dawn, took several guards out of the mansion to figure out her escape route, returning only when dusk fell.

She displayed great curiosity about the Northern Border’s local customs, and the clothes she bought were all local garments, dull in color and inconspicuous.

To avoid drawing attention, she dressed very plainly when going out, even darkening her face and hands, coupled with the cold winter weather, she wrapped herself up thoroughly, blending in with other pedestrians on the street.

Lu Ziyuan did not have mind reading technique, unaware of her plans, he merely thought she was avoiding him.

That day, Xie Wanqing returned from outside, followed by several guards carrying the items she had purchased.

As she walked, she glanced sideways at Ming Feng beside her, who was holding a pile of things, and asked, "You’re a Deputy General, spending these past two days around me, won’t it affect your duties?"

Ming Feng did not speak, merely shook his head.

Xie Wanqing laughed, although both Ming Fengming Jian were Lu Ziyuan’s most trusted aides, she was actually more familiar with Ming Jian.

When Lu Ziyuan went to war in the Northern Border in her past life, and she lived in the family temple for a few months, she was required to hand-copy a Buddhist Scripture each day, checked by Ming Jian.

As for Ming Feng...

In this life and past, the only time they had contact was at the Hot Spring Villa.

He used his life to protect her and let her leave.