Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 951 - 926: Into the Dragon’s Den and Tiger’s Lair

Xie Jue could not promise Fang Chuning that her memory would be restored. This was a promise that no one could give; he could only promise her a lifetime of unwavering companionship.

He even hinted to Fang Chuning beforehand, "Not being able to restore memories is indeed tormenting. If it were me, I would feel the same. But if it’s really a foregone conclusion, we can only accept it. Every day in the future will become a new memory, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s like starting life anew."

Fang Chuning gently shook her head and said nothing more.

The two of them stayed on the mountain for two days, enduring the elements. Luckily, there was a water source in the mountain, along with wild fruits and game, so they managed to get by well enough.

The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry had not arrived for some time. Were they delayed on the way? Or had the messenger not delivered the message? Pingnan County was calm, with no trouble stirring.

Xie Jue and Fang Chuning discussed briefly and decided to stay on the mountain for one more day. If the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry still didn’t arrive, they would have to descend and think of another plan. The County Magistrate of Pingnan had already discovered them, and if a city-wide search couldn’t find them, he wouldn’t just let it go. They hadn’t exposed their identities in Pingnan County. Gao Bao at most thought they were some noble scions, never suspecting he was actually Prince Yan. The matter was manageable as long as the County Magistrate didn’t escape.

They spent another night on the mountain, reaching the limits for Fang Chuning and Xie Jue. They couldn’t hide on the mountain for four or five days continuously. Such an adventure was romantic occasionally, but day after day, it became unbearable.

Xie Jue and Fang Chuning descended the mountain towards the city gates and discovered a crowd gathered there. It was bustling with activity, and from a distance, they heard loud shouts mingled with Beiman language. A group of Beiman people seemed to be blocking entry at the gates, even though they were open. Many commoners were stuck outside. Xie Jue and Fang Chuning exchanged a glance, wondering what was going on. They moved cautiously forward and recognized the crowd as people from the Lin Family’s Manor. Mrs. Du was there with her two children, her eyes red with tears.

Xie Jue was taken aback; he hurriedly pushed through to Mrs. Du in the crowd, asking, "Madam, why are you gathered at the city gate? What happened?"

Seeing Xie Jue and Fang Chuning, Mrs. Du excitedly grabbed Xie Jue and shouted towards the city gate, "They’re here, the people you want are here! Release Du Fang and our kin immediately!" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Xie Jue was utterly bewildered. Mrs. Du’s loud and booming voice attracted the attention of the Beiman people, who turned and surrounded Xie Jue and Fang Chuning. A young man spat angrily, "You caused this disaster, bringing soldiers to seize our kin. I said from the start that they’re a menace. Here, the people you’re seeking are right here!"

Xie Jue, "..."

Fang Chuning, "..."

Fang Chuning kicked away the young man who was holding onto Xie Jue, broke free from Mrs. Du, and pulled Xie Jue to escape. But the commotion alarmed the local authorities, and dozens of armed government officials rushed out, drawing their swords and blocking their path, trapping them with murderous intent.

Fang Chuning gripped Xie Jue’s wrist, his other hand resting on his sword handle. His eyes sharpened with the fierce demeanor of a Great General reborn, exuding an aura of authority. "I will carve a bloody path; you run ahead and don’t look back!"

He couldn’t let Xie Jue fall into a trap. Pingnan County was a den of thieves, with collusion between officials and bandits. The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry hadn’t arrived yet; if Xie Jue went in, he wouldn’t come out.

Xie Jue remembered how, back in Sannan, Fang Chuning had said the same thing, carving a path for him to escape while leaving the dead-end behind. He had also told him, "Ting Feng, run forward, don’t look back!"

That was almost the last moment they had together, a scene etched into Xie Jue’s heart. He had secretly vowed that no matter what happened in the future, he would never abandon Fang Chuning again. Back in Sannan, it was for the people, for peace, that he had to escape and not die in the Sannan Royal Palace. Now on his own land in Beining, he absolutely, absolutely wouldn’t leave Fang Chuning behind to escape alone.

Under the watchful eyes of many, Xie Jue released Fang Chuning’s hand, but in the next instant, his fingers intertwined tightly with his again. Fang Chuning was momentarily taken aback and turned to look at him. Xie Jue smiled gently, saying, "Anning, back with Beiman, I left you once, leaving you to face the pursuers alone. In Sannan, I left you again, almost letting you perish in that fire. It won’t happen a third time; I’ve sworn to never abandon you in this life."

"The County Magistrate has reached his breaking point; you’ll die!" Fang Chuning said urgently. "You have to leave; you can’t stay here. Trust me, I can escape, and I’ll find you."

Xie Jue gently shook his head, holding Fang Chuning’s hand, looking back at the city gates of Pingnan County, his voice steady, "Even if this city is a dragon’s pool or a tiger’s den, I’ll face it with you."