Chapter 98: Chapter 41: Finally Leaving

Shen Ruoxi was taken aback, her body suddenly enveloped in an embrace that exuded a cool, dark fragrance.

She could clearly feel his breath brushing past her ear, her body stiffened abruptly, and her heartbeat suddenly became erratic.

Lan Jue slightly tightened his arms, seeming to want to embed her into his body.

Shen Ruoxi could distinctly feel his rapid breathing and slightly trembling heart, her mind turning to mush, her body growing increasingly rigid, not daring to move.

Feeling the stiffness of her body, Lan Jue’s gentle words came almost against her ear, “You must stay well, I will welcome you back when you return.”

With that, he seemed to use all his strength to restrain himself as he released her, striving to conceal the moisture in his eyes.

Shen Ruoxi’s heart trembled, her lips quivered slightly, and she called out softly, “Cousin Jue, you…”

Lan Jue stepped back, his gaze fixed on her was filled with deep affection and reluctance, as if trying to etch her face and smile into his memory, “Everything here is with me, do not worry, your travel expenses and clothes are with Snow-Stepping, go now!”

Shen Ruoxi bit her lip tightly, tears shimmering in her eyes, “Cousin Jue, take care, the Shen Family depends on you.”

With those words, she bowed deeply to Lan Jue and resolutely turned away.

Lan Jue watched her determinedly leaving back, and finally, a tear silently fell, his voice as soft as a whisper, “I am not joking, if anything happens to you, I will accompany you.”

Shen Ruoxi’s footsteps suddenly halted, her back instantly went rigid.

Her fingers were so clenched they were about to snap, her heart churning with overwhelming emotion, the words “wait for me” lingered on her lips, but she swallowed them back down fiercely.

Her eyes were cool and resolute, then she lifted her legs and left in great strides.

When she reached the doorway, she took a deep breath and slowly opened the door, her body tensing up immediately.

Even though she knew there was no way the other party could notice anything wrong with her, her hands instinctively clenched tightly in front of her, her knuckles turning white from exertion.

“Eldest Young Madam, you are out,” the guard outside said with no doubt in his voice, also letting out a sigh of relief.

Shen Ruoxi nodded slightly, striving to appear calm, imitating her elder sister-in-law’s voice to respond, “Ruoxi is fine, I’m going back to my room.”

“Please.”

She just took two steps when Feng Ming came towards her with warm water.

Shen Ruoxi’s heart began to race rapidly, Feng Ming had been bringing her warm water to her room at this time every night for the past few days, and they were about to pass each other.

Seeing her walk out from Shen Ruoxi’s room, Feng Ming couldn’t help but feel puzzled and asked, “Who are you?”

The guard quickly explained, “This is the Eldest Young Madam of the Shen Mansion.”

Hearing this, Feng Ming hurriedly bowed in greeting, “Greetings to the First Young Madam.”

Shen Ruoxi felt her heart almost leap out of her throat, as others in the mansion rarely interacted with her, only Feng Ming had been entering her room daily these past days, she must not slip up!

“No need for formalities.” After saying this, she moved stiffly, hurriedly wanting to leave this place of trouble.

“First Young Madam, please wait.”

Shen Ruoxi’s steps came to a sudden halt, startled by Feng Ming’s unexpected call.

She felt a cold sweat trickle down her spine, biting her lip, she stopped and slowly turned around, about to ask Feng Ming what other matters there were.

Just then, a cool voice drifted from inside the room, “Where’s the hot water I asked for? Why is it not here yet?”

Shen Ruoxi was instantly dumbfounded, as Lan Jue imitated her elder sister-in-law’s voice while pretending to be unwell, his voice somewhat hoarse.

But unexpectedly, his imitation was nearly flawless, even she found it hard to differentiate.

Hearing Shen Ruoxi’s voice from inside, Feng Ming hurriedly apologized with a face full of contrition, “Forgive the disturbance, First Young Madam, please.”

With that, Feng Ming quickly turned away with the bucket, grumbling inwardly as he left, wondering if he had hallucinated just now, why did the First Young Madam’s figure remind him of Marquis Shen?

Watching Feng Ming carrying the bucket into the room, Shen Ruoxi finally felt relieved, letting out a long sigh.

Her cousin would surely be able to handle Feng Ming, and with this, she could safely leave.

The night was as thick as ink, murky and impenetrable, surrounded by darkness, only a few scattered lanterns hanging on the trees emitted a dim, yellow glow, like candles flickering in the wind, threatening to extinguish.

Shen Ruoxi hurriedly made her way towards the stable.

The Snow-Stepping given to her by Pei Xuan was housed in a separate, clean stable, attended daily by a dedicated servant.

Shen Ruoxi gently pushed open the wooden door of the stable, the tiny sound causing Snow-Stepping to open its eyes instantly, filled with high alert.

It was a stunningly white horse, not a single speck of other colors on its body, as if it were meticulously carved from snowflakes.

Its legs were long and powerful, capable of traveling miles in a day, moving with agility and grace, and when it galloped, its mane flew in the wind like rolling waves of snow, hence the name Snow-Stepping.

“Shh, it’s me, Snow-Stepping,” Shen Ruoxi quickly lowered her voice to say.

During the years Pei Xuan spent learning in the Medicine King Valley, Snow-Stepping had become familiar with her, its gentle nuzzle on her palm was a gesture of affection.

“Make no sound, we’re leaving here,” Shen Ruoxi whispered as she petted Snow-Stepping’s mane.

Snow-Stepping seemed to understand her words, responding with a soft snort.

Shen Ruoxi placed her bundle into her bosom, grasped the reins tightly in her hand, and carefully led Snow-Stepping, striving not to make a sound, quietly heading towards the back door.

The old woman guarding the back door was dozing on a bench by the door, Shen Ruoxi held her breath, silently approaching, her fingers lightly pressing to block the woman’s acupuncture point.

The old woman remained in her dream, oblivious to everything that happened.

Shen Ruoxi laid her on the wooden bed, took the keys from her body, and opened the back door.

Looking back at the silent courtyard behind her, her heart slightly ached.

She took a deep breath, put on her veil hat, mounted Snow-Stepping, and ventured into the vast night.

The night sky was like ink, the streets empty of pedestrians, Shen Ruoxi urged Snow-Stepping beneath her, speeding rapidly to the city gate.

“Who goes there?” The shout of the gate guard broke the silence.

Shen Ruoxi abruptly reined in Snow-Stepping, her expression stern as she calmly presented her waist badge, her voice icy, “Someone from the Southern City Mansion, I have urgent official business to attend outside the city tonight.”

The dragon-engraved waist badge shone with a mysterious light in the night, symbolizing the majesty of royal power.

Seeing it, the guard shivered with fear, hastily bowing deeply and said with trepidation, “My apologies!”

Then, without any hesitation, he loudly ordered, “Open the gate.”

With a creaking sound, the heavy city gate slowly opened.

Without hesitation, Shen Ruoxi squeezed the horse’s belly with her legs, urging Snow-Stepping to vanish into the darkness of the night, swiftly galloping towards the distance.

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