"It’s your parents and brother who have protected you too well, limiting your exposure to evil. Your father has only your mother, your brother has only the Empress, not even palace intrigue exists. As for power struggles, you’re a Princess, you never even come into contact with them."

Tang Zhaozhao nodded and quickened her pace.

After they walked a while, they indeed discovered the path down the mountain, and it wasn’t dangerous at all.

However, not far away in the dense forest, there was a scream.

Judging by the distance and direction, it was the path that the old man pointed out.

Tang Zhaozhao smiled at Tao Hai, "I didn’t expect, you’re quite capable."

Tao Hai laughed, "Of course, I’m not like that useless Chu Mu, who would take you deep into enemy territory and then rescue you. My protection for you is preemptive."

Tang Zhaozhao frowned, "Who allowed you to slander Chu Mu! He’s so good, rescuing me from danger repeatedly."

Tao Hai said, "And how do you know those dangers weren’t set up by him beforehand? Then he rescues you."

Tang Zhaozhao said, "Stop saying nonsense."

Tao Hai chuckled lightly, "Zhaozhao, you’re still too naive. Someone like you will only be safe with me. I can keep you unharmed, but if you’re with others, I’m afraid you’ll be devoured entirely without a trace."

Tang Zhaozhao rolled her eyes, "Oh please, you libertine, if I were with you, it would be me getting devoured without a trace."

"Pah, who wants to be with you anyway, my heart only thinks of Chu Mu."

Tao Hai fell silent, and after Tang Zhaozhao walked a bit, she realized there were no footsteps behind her. A glance back revealed Tao Hai standing there, looking at her from a distance.

In his eyes was a sadness so deep it couldn’t be dissolved.

She had never seen such an expression on Tao Hai’s face before.

Tang Zhaozhao frowned slightly and softly said, "Tao Hai, why aren’t you moving? They’ll catch up soon."

Tao Hai smiled and nodded, then walked towards Tang Zhaozhao.

At that moment, Tang Zhaozhao realized that every one of Tao Hai’s movements seemed to tug at her heartstrings.

She thought for a moment and finally decided to say what she’d been wanting to these past few days.

"Once we return to the Capital, all that has transpired between us these days must not be mentioned to anyone else." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Tao Hai returned to his teasing manner, "Oh? Which things, like when I kissed you, or when we sat together flying a kite, or perhaps when we shared a bed like a couple?"

Tang Zhaozhao glared at Tao Hai, "All of it!"

Tao Hai laughed lightly, "Alright."

Tao Hai agreed so readily it left Tang Zhaozhao a bit stunned.

She thought there would be some pulling and discussion.

Tao Hai laughed, "What’s this? Are you a bit disappointed?"

Tang Zhaozhao scoffed, "Sorry, not disappointed at all."

Tao Hai laughed again and said nothing more.

After passing through this place, they got closer to the marketplace and realized they were in Lin State.

The two bought new clothes, shedding their hunter-like garb, transforming into a stunning beauty and a charming gentleman.

They hired a carriage and a driver to take them to the Capital.

This carriage was modified to resemble a large bed, the structure typically used by Pei Shu’er.

However, Tang Zhaozhao put a screen in the middle of the carriage, which gave them some privacy.

Exhausted from their journey, they quickly fell into a deep, oblivious slumber, doing nothing but eating and sleeping on the way.

The journey was not fast, but by the time they reached the Capital, they had recovered their lost strength.

Yet upon reaching the Capital, Tang Zhaozhao awoke to find the screen she had placed between them had vanished.

She woke up in Tao Hai’s arms.

Then she opened her eyes to see a guard lifting the curtain of the carriage.

That look, Tang Zhaozhao could never forget, not even in years to come.

It was as if something imperial had been uncovered.

Tang Zhaozhao panicked, "What are you doing? Hurry and put it down."

As she spoke, she tried to extricate herself from Tao Hai’s arms.

Tao Hai gave a mischievous grin, and instead of releasing Tang Zhaozhao, he pulled her even closer.

He looked coolly at the guard, "Put it down, don’t you have any sense?"

The guard immediately let go of the curtain, but a pair of hands stopped him, belonging to Tang Li and Tang Yu.

When these two saw them embracing, they gasped and charged onto the carriage, starting to beat Tao Hai.