Chapter One Hundred and Two: Between the Wolf and the Tiger

Dan Ying gazed at the young woman beside him. She was quiet, her face serene. Her features were not particularly striking, yet her aura was unique—subtle, as if she had transcended worldly cares. She resembled someone from his memories, but there was something different, something indefinable.

“Your Highness, do you think this lake is truly clear?” Xue Xue asked softly, her head bowed in contemplation. She continued, almost to herself, “A poem once described clear water: ‘In the pond, a hundred fish swim, seeming to drift freely without support.’”

“That line is apt,” Dan Ying replied.

“Is that what Your Highness believes? In truth, human eyes are like this water—appearing transparent and fathomless, yet eyes can deceive.” She shook her head. “Just as Your Highness sees me: Yuan Xue, or perhaps Xue Xue. Maybe I am only Xue Xue, not Yuan Xue at all.”

“What are you trying to say? Do you wish to tell me you are not Yuan Xue, or are you simply trying to fool me?” Dan Ying’s tone was harsh.

“Would Your Highness care to wager with me, to bet whether I am Yuan Xue?” she said confidently, certain he would accept.

“Yuan Xue? Xue Xue? No matter which you are, you’re a bird within my cage. Why should I bother?” Dan Ying replied dismissively, then shifted, “However, I’m curious—how do you intend to wager with me?”

Of course he would agree; curiosity is innate in man. Besides, Dan Ying believed himself in control, convinced she was only playing games and that she was indeed Yuan Xue. Alas, overconfidence breeds carelessness.

“You agree, then. Watch closely,” she said.

She curved her lips in a faint smile, lightly gripping the railing with her hands. With a single leap, she effortlessly perched atop the railing. She crouched there, removing the cumbersome fox fur cloak, her thin dress fluttering in the wind. Slowly, she stood, teetering precariously on that boundary.

“I’ve heard Yuan Xue cannot swim,” she mused, reaching to touch her eyes, veiled by white silk.

The moment her words fell, Dan Ying understood her wager.

“Indeed, the Yuan Xue I knew could not swim,” he said, watching her stand on the rail. Despite her blindness, her movements were agile; her slender figure swayed in the wind.

“Then watch closely,” she said, and with that, she leapt, like a bird with broken wings.

Yet the anticipated icy plunge never came, nor did the lake swallow her.

Dan Ying swiftly reached out, catching her. His arm encircled her waist, suspending her above the water, separated from its surface by a single thread.

“I am merely curious, there’s no need for such exertion. Come back,” he said, his voice sly. He had only intended to test her, not expecting her eagerness—suspicious indeed.

He nearly forgot—she had grown cunning!

Dan Ying’s sudden change of heart caught Xue Xue by surprise, yet even so, he could not stop her determined departure.

“Your Highness, it’s not your decision now,” she said, leaving a vivid claw mark on his hand. He felt a sharp sting as she slipped from his grasp. With a splash, water sprayed everywhere; her white dress blossomed in the lake, her dark hair spreading like underwater weeds.

Dan Ying’s eyes darkened as Xue Xue’s figure disappeared swiftly beneath the vast lake.

He stood motionless, staring at the tranquil water, his expression icy, as if he could freeze the entire lake.

“Master, how could this happen?” Yu Die asked, astonished by the scene.

“Someone, search the water for her!” Dan Ying ordered coldly, though a flicker of panic flashed in his eyes. Reflected in them was the calm lake; his heart seemed to still at that moment.

The guards disturbed the lake’s surface as they searched, forcing Dan Ying to steady himself, though his gaze remained fixed and frosty.

Several guards returned empty-handed, yet he did not grow angry—his expression was oddly enigmatic.

Yuan Xue—no, Xue Xue—you are indeed cunning…

He looked at the shimmering lake, a knowing look on his stern face.

The water was icy cold. Xue Xue dragged her heavy body to the shore. She was always sensitive to direction, even in water.

At last, she crawled onto land, lying on the damp bank to catch her breath. She had dived to the lake’s deepest bottom, evading Dan Ying’s notice. But her body had suffered greatly this time; she would need careful recuperation.

She climbed ashore awkwardly, dragging her numb limbs. She had indeed acted recklessly—now, soaked through, where could she go?

But before she could ponder further, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching…

Xue Xue sensed someone nearby. She lay still, bracing herself for anything.

The person looked down at her for a while before speaking, “Little Xue, I have missed you dearly.”

Ji Kingdom.

Within the vast palace, he sat at the highest place, slender fingers supporting his chin in a languid, relaxed manner. His face was pale, his lips lacking color, but his eyes shone brilliantly.

“Your Majesty, news has arrived: Dan Ying is missing. What should we do next?” Qing He knelt from afar.

“Keep searching. Find them!” he ordered coldly. His wrist, wrapped in white silk, bore a striking purple mark.

Xue Er, are you well…

Little Xue…

Those words held countless meanings. At this moment, Xue Xue dared only to feign death on the ground, conflicted in her heart. Had she escaped the wolf’s den only to fall into the tiger’s maw?

This outcome was far from what she expected. Though her escape from Dan Ying was a spur-of-the-moment act, the worst result would have been being caught and treated as Yuan Xue again.

But Zuo Qiu Liye?

This man, inscrutable in his thoughts, would not show her any mercy.

She remained silent, listening to the gentle lapping of water on the shore.

Suddenly, she was lifted off the ground, falling into a warm embrace.

A pair of long, bewitching eyes examined her, their laughter hiding deeper shadows.

Xue Xue trembled uncontrollably; soaked through, the winter chill was more than she could bear.

“In this bitter winter, Little Xue emerges from the water—what happened?” he looked at her shivering, yet smiled. “Yun Wu, see if there’s any lodging nearby.”

“Yes,” Yun Wu nodded and dashed off.

Soon, Yun Wu returned, “Master, there’s a small village ahead. We can rest there.”

“Good,” he replied, carrying Xue Xue away.

“Where do you intend to take my guest?” A cold voice sounded, crisp as morning mist.

The man stood at the water’s edge, his expression frosty, his gaze as cold as the lake itself.

It was Dan Ying! He had followed them. None of these men were easily fooled.

Xue Xue realized she was resigned to her fate now. She had hoped to keep her wits about her for Zuo Qiu Liye’s actions, but the current situation was beyond her control. She let go of her vigilance, surrendering herself to sleep, ignoring everything before her.

Perhaps, upon waking, all would be well.

Perhaps, upon waking, Ji Wu Qing would be here too?

“So, Prince Dan, she is your guest?” Zuo Qiu Liye looked at Dan Ying, then at the flushed, unconscious Xue Xue, and said calmly, “Though I deeply doubt it, now is not the time for such talk.” He hinted at something more.

Dan Ying did not press the matter. He looked at the young woman in Zuo Qiu Liye’s arms, suffering the cold wind, curled up against him. His heart paused; Yu Die, sensing his mood, quietly picked up the fox fur cloak Xue Xue had left on the boat and approached Zuo Qiu Liye.

“The wind is bitter, this girl can hardly endure it…”

“If you hadn’t mentioned it, I might have forgotten,” Zuo Qiu Liye replied calmly, draping his own cloak gently over Xue Xue, his movements tender.

Yu Die paused, then returned to Dan Ying’s side.

They arrived at the small village, nestled against the mountain, picturesque and serene.

Within the village was an inn called Flower Rain Pavilion.

Flower Rain Pavilion was lavishly built—pavilions, courtyards, bridges, ponds, and a full staff of servants and entertainers, rivaling any town establishment.

The tranquil village grew lively with the arrival of these outsiders, each clad in finery, their bearing noble and extraordinary, their faces almost otherworldly.

The group entered Flower Rain Pavilion, warmly received by the innkeeper, who concealed his doubts about these guests.

Yun Wu explained their intent, and the innkeeper led them to the upper rooms.

“Do you have a physician here?”

“Sir, we have no doctor, but our young master can treat minor ailments—though he seldom sees patients.” As he spoke, they arrived at a tastefully furnished room.

“Oh?” Zuo Qiu Liye placed Xue Xue on the silk-covered bed, shaking off the lingering chill—a casual gesture that startled the innkeeper and his assistant.

This young master was as beautiful as a flower, yet his aura was formidable.

As they wondered how to respond, a relaxed figure appeared at the doorway.

“No need for anger. Since there is a patient, as a healer, how could I refuse to help?”