Chapter 58: Xiao Qingrong Is Not Dead

General’s Mansion.

As the appointed time was about to arrive, Ningxiang stood nearby guarding some items. Su Yanwan picked up the wine on the table and poured some onto the ground.

Immediately, a sharp scent of liquor filled the air. She reached out to steady a nearby candlestick, preparing to push it over, when sudden urgent knocking came from the door.

Ningxiang’s heart jumped violently, her eyes showing panic.

Su Yanwan glanced at her, signaling her to hide to the side, then calmly withdrew her hand and went to open the door.

When the door opened, it was a young maid. Su Yanwan softly asked, “What’s the matter?”

The young maid looked frightened, nervously saying, “Madam, you better come see quickly, the General…”

Su Yanwan frowned. “What about the General?”

Wasn’t he already dead? Why did she look so afraid?

“The General has come back.” The young maid bit her lip and mustered courage to say.

Su Yanwan doubted her ears and asked again, “Who did you say has come back?”

“Madam, it’s the General. The General is not dead—he has come back.” The young maid repeated.

Her earlier fear was because she thought it was some kind of resurrection trick.

Now that she had a clear answer, Su Yanwan stepped back, her nerves suddenly taut.

How could this be? The script clearly said Xiao Qingrong was dead—how could he be alive?

And more than that, he chose this moment to come back, completely throwing off all her and Yueya’s plans. What should she do now?

The young maid thought Su Yanwan was immersed in the joy of the General’s revival and quickly explained her purpose: “Madam, the General is waiting in the front yard to see you.”

“I know. You may leave first. I will come after changing.” Su Yanwan responded calmly.

“Yes.”

After the maid left, Su Yanwan slammed the door shut.

Ningxiang came over. “Miss, what should we do now?”

With the General suddenly back, how could they leave?

Su Yanwan closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, “Leave now. While they are still in the front yard, we slip out the back.”

No matter what, she had to leave tonight. By now, Yueya must have arrived. If she missed this chance, the next time to leave would be very slim.

“Understood.” Ningxiang naturally followed her lead without question.

Without further words, Su Yanwan grabbed her and headed for the back gate under cover of night.

Originally, she had planned to use the confusion tonight, start a fire, stage a fake suicide, and slip away—but unexpectedly, Xiao Qingrong wasn’t dead.

His sudden return ruined all her plans.

They successfully avoided the guards and reached the back gate—but the master and servant were stopped by guards holding torches and knives.

Su Yanwan’s heart sank to the bottom.

It was over. Everything was over.

---

General’s Mansion Ancestral Hall.

Su Yanwan and Ningxiang were brought before Xiao Qingrong by the guards.

“General, two people attempting to leave the mansion were caught at the back gate.” The guard bowed respectfully.

Xiao Qingrong, standing under the eaves, looked up. He hadn’t spoken when his steward exclaimed in surprise, “Madam.”

The steward was confused—didn’t Madam say she was tired and resting? Why was she suddenly leaving the mansion, and with a bundle at that?

Su Yanwan had never expected to see the living Xiao Qingrong. In fact, this was her first time meeting him.

Not far away, a man dressed in snow-white robes stood there like a painting, his noble aura evident in every feature of his face.

He looked nothing like a military general—instead, he resembled a delicate, powerless young lord who couldn’t even bind a chicken.

“I’m feeling restless and wanted to go out for a walk,” she explained softly, meeting everyone’s gaze.

Xiao Qingrong looked at her calmly. “Is that so? I thought the madam was eager to find someone new since her husband died.”

Even though she was holding a packed bag, she still said without a change of expression that she just wanted to go out for a stroll.

It seemed this madam wasn’t someone to be underestimated.

Su Xiuwan smiled lightly. “My husband is joking.”

She had never interacted with Xiao Qingrong before, and because her husband died early, the script never described his true character.

“After a long day, better send the madam to rest early,” Xiao Qingrong said with a faint smile.

Although he didn’t know why she wanted to leave, he had important matters to attend to and no time to bother.

If she insisted on leaving, once everything was settled, he would allow it.

Seeing the many guards surrounding her, Su Xiuwan sincerely hoped that Yueya wouldn’t stubbornly wait for her.

She herself couldn’t leave now, but compared to herself, she hoped Yueya could get away.

Su Xiuwan brushed past Xiao Qingrong and was escorted to her room.

After everyone left, Xiao Qingrong said to the steward, “I’m going out for a while. Keep an eye on the madam. Don’t let her go out.”

The streets were chaotic at night; since she was his wife, if something happened outside, it wouldn’t be easy to explain.

“Yes,” the steward bowed his head and replied.

After settling things in the mansion, Xiao Qingrong left and rode quickly toward the palace.

He had run into Pei Ji at the palace gate. Pei Ji was riding a horse, his face dark and cold, his entire aura chilling.

Xiao Qingrong was about to ask what had happened, but Pei Ji didn’t stop and rode past him swiftly.

Xiao Qingrong was left alone, disheveled in the rain. Without overthinking, he tightened the reins and entered the palace.

---

Meanwhile, Jiang Huaiyue, having waited past the agreed time without seeing Su Xiuwan, grew worried.

Qiuchan held an umbrella over Jiang Huaiyue, eyes fixed on the dark, empty crossroads. “My lady, it’s past the time, but Miss Su hasn’t arrived.”

Jiang Huaiyue frowned, her right eyelid twitching uncontrollably.

Not long after leaving the mansion, she saw many armored soldiers riding past in the street. Thinking of Pei Ji’s recent odd behavior, a suspicion crept into her heart.

Could tomorrow be the day Pei Ji rebels? If so, does that mean he will die?

Though the script didn’t specify Pei Ji’s exact cause of death, it was indeed due to rebellion.

If that’s the case, after tomorrow, she wouldn’t have to worry so much.

But thinking it over, she was still anxious. Could Jiang Jingchen really kill Pei Ji?

After a long time without an answer, Jiang Huaiyue decided not to trouble herself. Since she was going to escape, whether she lived or died didn’t matter.

Hearing Qiuchan’s words, she frowned. Wanwan was smart; if she hadn’t shown up after so long, something serious must have happened. Otherwise, she would have come no matter what.

“My lady, maybe we should leave first. If the prince finds out we escaped, he definitely won’t let you off.”

Qiuchan didn’t know why her lady cared so much for Miss Su, but to her, her lady was the most important.

The prince was cold and ruthless; if her lady were caught, she would suffer unimaginable torment.

Jiang Huaiyue thought long and hard, then gritted her teeth. “Alright, we leave first.”

Though worried about Wanwan, she understood her own situation was more difficult. After leaving the city, she would hide first and figure out how to contact Wanwan once things settled.

Qiuchan’s face brightened, but then she suddenly turned and locked eyes with several figures standing in the night.

Her smile froze, lips trembling as she whispered, “Your Highness.”

Jiang Huaiyue clearly heard the words and suddenly felt a cold gaze upon her. A chill ran down her spine, her heartbeat pounding like thunder drums.

She slowly turned, and when she met Pei Ji’s deep, dark eyes, her breath suddenly grew rapid and shallow.