As Jiang Rao’s mask slipped, she caught it with her hand and slowly removed it.

Her face was revealed.

It was unadorned, barely the size of a palm.

With a cinnabar mark gracing her forehead, fair skin, jet-black hair, and crimson lips, her eyes shone clear and bright, like stars in the night sky.

The soft glow of the lanterns outlined the contours of her face and features, rendering them delicate and slightly blurred.

It was a beauty that seemed to flow from the strokes of a painter’s brush—sweet, radiant, and utterly enchanting.

For a moment, Yang Qi’an stood frozen, too stunned to speak.

Inside, a voice was screaming.

So beautiful…

She’s so beautiful!

In her entire life, she had never encountered such a breathtakingly beautiful girl.

No girl in Ye City, no matter how beautiful, could compare to her radiance.

Such a face—how could it possibly have anything to do with the word “ugly,” as she had angrily claimed moments ago?

Jiang Rao’s shoulders were tense, her red lips pressed into a thin line. “It’s just a temporary leg injury. He’s not disabled!”

She clutched the mask in her hand, gripping it tightly.

When Jiang Rao was little, she started speaking later than other children. And when she did, her words came out slow and deliberate, lagging behind her peers.

When she was four and began attending the family school, the two older girls from the second and third branches of the family often teamed up to mock her behind her back, calling her a stammering mute and saying she was stupid.

She once overheard them by accident and cried in anger. Even though her parents later scolded those two girls on her behalf, the bitterness and humiliation their cruel words left behind remained vivid in her memory.

“Apologize,” she demanded coldly.

Her sweet face now wore a rare look of stubborn determination.

Her tone made it clear—she wouldn’t back down until she got what she wanted.

Yang Qi’an snapped back to reality from the stunning beauty that had left her momentarily speechless. However, upon hearing Jiang Rao’s words, her expression darkened.

Apologize to that cripple?

That cripple didn’t look like any kind of noble gentleman—more like a mere servant.

Someone like him wasn’t even worthy of speaking to someone like her, a proper lady from a distinguished family, let alone deserving of an apology.

Impossible.

She pressed her lips into a thin line, refusing to say a word, which only stoked the fire in Jiang Rao’s chest. Gritting her teeth, Jiang Rao repeated firmly, “Apologize!”

But then someone tugged gently at her sleeve.

“It’s fine.”

His voice was calm, unhurried, and soft.

It carried an air of tolerance, patience, and magnanimity—all wrapped up in those simple words.

The more considerate Rong Ting was, the angrier Jiang Rao became. Her cheeks puffed up like a steamed bun in her frustration.

She wasn’t someone who started trouble.

But if someone dared to provoke her, she’d always strike back—even if the slap didn’t hurt, she’d make sure to return it.

“A so-called ‘talented young lady,’ yet you had to rely on your brother to solve the riddle on the lot. No compassion, and your words are nothing but cruel. If you were born missing both legs, would you want to be called a cripple?” Jiang Rao’s cold gaze locked onto Yang Qi’an. “The Jiang family will never associate with a family that raises daughters like you.”

A crowd began to gather around them, murmuring among themselves.

“So, this Miss Yang calls herself a talented woman, but she couldn’t even solve a simple lot riddle? What kind of talent is that? How embarrassing!”

“Her character’s no better. Mocking someone with an injury, calling them a cripple—that’s so heartless. Who would want a girl like her in their family?”

“Exactly. I can’t believe how vicious she is.”

Yang Qi’an had always been doted on and spoiled by Master Yang. Indulged and flattered, she’d grown arrogant, believing herself to be exceptionally gifted and morally flawless.

Hearing such scathing criticism from the crowd was a rude awakening.

In truth, she was nothing more than a delicate flower sheltered in a greenhouse, unable to withstand the winds of criticism or the harshness of reality.

As the merciless accusations from the crowd reached her ears, Yang Qi’an’s face froze in place, and tears welled up in her eyes, ready to fall.

She looked pitifully at Yang Xiuzhu, her tear-filled gaze pleading. “Brother…”

Help me…

Yang Xiuzhu’s expression darkened.

He had carefully planned everything, aiming to use this festive day to get closer to Jiang Rao.

But his sister’s antics had completely ruined everything!

In that moment, he was thoroughly fed up with his seemingly clever but truly foolish younger sister. His face was clouded with anger as he stood and turned to chase after Jiang Rao, who had left at some point during the commotion.

Before leaving, he cast a cold glance back at her. “If you can’t even see where you went wrong, then apologize. When we return, you’ll be confined to your room for five days. No going out!”

Even in his frustration, there was still a trace of pity for his foolish sister.

Although their father doted on Yang Qi’an, he cared even more about preserving the family’s reputation. If today’s events reached his ears, Yang Qi’an would undoubtedly face a harsh punishment.

But Yang Qi’an failed to grasp her brother’s good intentions. Overcome with both anger and grievance, she stood there crying aloud.

…

Meanwhile, Yang Xiuzhu didn’t manage to catch up with Jiang Rao.

Jiang Rao had already pushed Rong Ting’s wheelchair out of Taoxi Road, gradually leaving the bustling shopping district behind and approaching the quieter western part of the city.

Although she had vented her anger, Jiang Rao couldn’t help feeling irritated when she recalled Rong Ting’s attempt to smooth things over earlier. With her emotions taking over, she dared to scold him. “If anyone tries to bully you again, don’t you dare say it’s ‘fine.’”

Her tone was earnest and firm. “The ones who endure in silence are the ones who have no one to protect them.”

This lesson was one Jiang Rao had learned as a child, after being bullied by the two older sisters from the second and third branches of the family—a lesson her parents had made sure to teach her.

After saying those words, a pang of sadness washed over her.

In the past, it was true—there had been no one to protect him.

A child without anyone to shield them could only swallow their broken teeth, blood and all, forcing themselves to endure in silence.

So pitiful.

She stopped walking, moved to stand in front of Rong Ting, and crouched down to meet his gaze. Looking at him intently, she said seriously. “From now on, I’ll be the one protecting you. You don’t have to endure anymore.”

Rong Ting lowered his eyes and nodded slightly. The crimson oni mask, pushed up onto his jet-black hair, cast a shadow over his handsome face, obscuring his expression.

The gentle nod made him seem like a well-behaved child, tucking away the sharp fangs of his ruthless nature.

Today, Jiang Rao was so consumed by anger that she forgot how Rong Ting had appeared in her dreams.

The man who, years later, would wield power over the court and the nation. The man who would repay even the smallest grudge or grievance a hundredfold—breaking bones, peeling skin, and extracting vengeance with bloodthirsty cruelty, indifferent to the value of human life.

A man so vengeful and mercurial—how could he ever truly endure anything?

But as Jiang Rao recalled his gentle, considerate, and conflict-avoiding “I’m fine,” her heart felt a pang of sourness. She couldn’t help but see him as a helpless, pitiful creature—like a defenseless kitten or puppy that everyone bullied.

All the way back to his small house in the western part of the city, she couldn’t stop herself from nagging. “If anyone bullies you again, don’t just endure it silently. Come find me.”

Rong Ting responded with a quiet “Mm.” Then, suddenly, he lifted his gaze to look at her. “Next time, when will you come to see me?”

It was the first time Jiang Rao had seen such an expression on his face.

How to describe it? He looked so expectant—almost like her younger brother when he begged for candy, all wide eyes and hopeful innocence.

Momentarily swayed by his obedient demeanor and strikingly handsome features, Jiang Rao’s heart faltered, and she dared to tease him. With a soft smile, she replied, “What if I don’t come?”

Rong Ting’s long lashes lowered, and his face once again disappeared into the shadows cast by the mask.

“Then…”

With an expression that was equal parts disappointed and resolute, he said, “I’ll come find you.”

…

After returning to the Jiang manor, Jiang Rao couldn’t stop herself from screaming internally.

So adorable, so adorable, so adorable!

In her dreams, how had she never noticed this soft, innocent side of him?

That pitiful look he had when he said, “I’ll come find you,” was just like a little puppy afraid of being abandoned.

It made you want to reach out and ruffle his hair.

Her heart was a melted mess, crumpled into a ball. Lying on her bed, she couldn’t fall asleep for a long time.

…

The night deepened. The lanterns in the bustling marketplace remained lit until midnight, gradually dimming as the crowds dispersed.

But from the western part of the city, a single sky lantern rose steadily into the night.

Under the cool glow of the moon, its light fell softly on Rong Ting’s shoulders. Sitting in his wheelchair in the courtyard, he watched as the lantern ascended successfully into the sky and finally let out a long sigh of relief.

It had worked.

The moonlight revealed his slender fingers, now covered with fresh cuts from working with bamboo.

Around him, the courtyard was scattered with the remnants of failed attempts—crumpled lanterns, torn paper, bamboo strips whittled into long pieces, and other materials for making sky lanterns.

Amid the mess, Rong Ting’s lips slowly curled into a smile.

On the sky lantern, he had written only one wish.

Back on Zhuque Bridge, she had prayed for her parents, her family, and his safety—but had forgotten to include herself.

And so, he made it his wish.

To pray for her safety.

This wish existed solely for her.

…

Jiang Rao rolled around in bed for a while. Past midnight, her maid extinguished the lamp, signaling it was time to sleep.

She had promised Rong Ting she would visit him the next day, and if she didn’t rest, she might not keep her word.

Gradually, Jiang Rao drifted into slumber.

In her dreams, she saw a beautiful woman adorned in luxurious gold embroidery and emerald finery, exuding an air of incomparable elegance.

Beside her stood a momo, leaning in close to whisper something into the noblewoman’s ear.

“The old servant sent someone on horseback to investigate and confirmed that this man named Wang Zhou will indeed be caught. There is someone working behind the scenes to sabotage him.”

Jiang Rao’s body stiffened in shock. So, this was the person who had been causing trouble for Rong Ting all along.

“Who is it?”

“It’s from the Ning’an Bo’s estate—the one with the vacant title, the wandering Master Jiang, Fourth Master Jiang. Do you remember him?”

“It’s him?”

In her dream, Jiang Rao’s heart raced. Why mention her father? Was it something that could harm him?

She heard the old momo’s voice grow cold as she spoke, “It’s not Fourth Master Jiang, but his only legitimate daughter, Jiang Rao, the Fourth Miss Jiang.”

The beautiful woman, draped in golden brocade and emerald, suddenly flashed a murderous glint in her eyes.

Jiang Rao shivered and jolted awake from the dream.

Her heart continued to tremble, unable to calm down.

The cold tone of the old momo’s words—”Fourth Miss Jiang”—lingered in her ears even after waking.

Around her, there was nothing but endless darkness. It felt as if an invisible knife was silently hovering behind her.

She stiffened and glanced behind her. There was only an expanse of darkness, empty and still.

But instead of feeling relieved, a sense of unease began to spread through her heart.

…

At the same time, the spies arranged by Ji momo were riding hard, pushing their horses day and night. Within twenty miles, they would reach Ye City.

=^_^=