Lu City.

This is a small border town less than three hundred li from the Northern Border. The Northern Land is impoverished, and the climate is harsh. In a few days, it will be the New Year. Every household’s doorway is decorated with lanterns and festooned with red paper couplets.

The severe cold cannot mask the joy on the faces of the people.

They cannot remember the last time they spent the New Year with such peace of mind. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

But they know all of this is due to the Prince of Zhenbei.

And Lu Ziyuan, revered as a deity by the border people, was now in Lu City, knocking on the door of a certain villa.

The door was opened by servants, revealing a tall young man in the courtyard, seemingly waiting for a long time. His dark cloak was covered with white snow, revealing only a hint of its original color.

Lu Ziyuan entered with a solemn expression, while those who followed him stopped outside the door.

The snow continued to fall, and the two men stood facing each other in the icy landscape.

Pei Yuqing blinked slightly, a few snowflakes falling as he asked, "Where is she?"

Where is she...

The numb tip of Lu Ziyuan’s heart was pulled painfully. He stretched out his long arm, and the spear in his hand let out a low, bloodthirsty hum. "Do you know you came here to die?"

The man opposite was surrounded by a murderous aura, yet Pei Yuqing remained unfazed, his expression extremely calm.

He said lightly, "If I die, your grand ambition will not proceed smoothly."

"Do you think I care about that?" Lu Ziyuan sneered, "I only regret not killing you last year."

This man became a legitimate husband with his Wanwan.

They even cultivated a year of affection!

Pei Yuqing looked at the man opposite, whose face was full of jealousy and hatred, and the calmness in his eyes was shattered, with restrained emotions stirring within.

His lips moved, "She was taken by the Jin people, but... was she harmed?"

With his abilities, of course, he discovered that Xie Wanqing was not kidnapped by Lu Ziyuan.

Since the moment he knew the young girl had fallen into the bandits’ den, all the calmness and ease, all the control and mastery were gone.

All gone.

Pei Yuqing had never been so panicked, unable to think of anything else, disregarding everything, and rushed all the way from the Southern Land.

All he wanted was to bring his wife home, but halfway, he learned that she had been rescued by Lu Ziyuan and taken to the Northern Border.

The Emperor issued an edict for their separation.

And she was to marry another man at the Northern Border, to be announced to the world.

Lu Ziyuan would not deliberately tarnish his beloved’s reputation, nor did he intend to clarify for his rival. He acted as if he hadn’t heard, his gaze fixed on Pei Yuqing’s face.

His picturesque eyebrows and eyes were gentle and affectionate, yet his lips were pale, suggesting that the long journey was wearing down this fragile invalid.

It was such an old, frail man, skilled only in manipulating minds, who used this face to lure away his Wanwan.

To protect this invalid’s life, in such a chaotic and dangerous world, she, a delicate young lady who would complain of exhaustion after walking a few extra steps, ran away.

For five whole days!

He had not received any news of her!

Lu Ziyuan closed his eyes tightly, "I won’t take your life. From now on, remember, Wanwan is my wife, and you have nothing to do with her anymore."

His voice was hoarse, "She always loved me. I made mistakes before, and you took advantage, but now we have cleared up the misunderstanding, and she agreed to marry me again."

"Where is she?" Pei Yuqing pressed his lips together, "I want to hear her say it herself."

Even if the girl was truly moved and decided to separate from him, she should say it to him herself.

Before leaving the capital, their relationship was intense, entwined day and night, and she promised she would wait for his return.

Letter after letter carried with longing...

He wanted to hear her say it herself.