The moon rose above the treetops. The silvery moon hid behind the heart - shaped tree branches. Not far away, a few drifting dark clouds seemed eager to obscure the disk - like moon.
Wei Shuxuan lay on her side, looking at Xin Zizhao who was in a deep slumber. She pulled her hand out from under the quilt, slightly curled her fingers, and lovingly traced the sharp and handsome side of the man's face in front of her.
She took one last deep look at this man. His face was reflected in her deep black eyes and engraved in her mind. She wanted to remember this man's appearance well, but she probably would never forget him.
Earlier, she had put Ten - Fragrance Softening Tendon Powder in the wine jug. The effect of this drug would kick in after two hours. When Xin Zizhao was sound asleep, the palace guards were at their weakest. With Wei Wei's help, she could take this opportunity to leave the palace.
Wei Shuxuan sat up. She felt a bit sore in her lower back. She grimaced. Damn it, this bastard of a man had been so rough that she could barely get up. She slowly sat up straight and rubbed her side waist. Taking advantage of the fact that Xin Zizhao was immobile, she reached out and pinched his face.
"Humph, now you're in my hands. I can do whatever I want with you," Wei Shuxuan took another look at Xin Zizhao's innocent sleeping face. "But, forget it. I'm in a hurry. I'll let you off this time. Next time, I won't be so lenient."
When Wei Shuxuan felt that her back pain had eased a bit, she got up and dressed. She neatly folded the wedding dress and put it aside. She changed into a very lightweight black outfit. Then, she casually took a large amount of silver from Xin Zizhao's room. It was better to have some money on her so that she wouldn't have a hard time.
She tied the burden to her body and tiptoed over to the big bed. She looked down at Xin Zizhao, bent down, and gently kissed his forehead. "Sorry, I have to go, Xin Zizhao. If you find someone you like more during the time I'm gone, just be with her. I won't blame you, you bastard playboy."
Actually, Wei Shuxuan didn't say that she hoped he would wait for her to come back. But she herself didn't know when she would return. If it was an open - ended wait, wouldn't she be ruining Xin Zizhao's whole life? She didn't want to be the bad guy, so she had to be more decisive.
"Goodbye."
The moment the door of the room closed, Xin Zizhao on the bed immediately opened his eyes. He had heard all of Wei Shuxuan's words, even the slight sob in her voice. How could a bit of Ten - Fragrance Softening Tendon Powder drug him?
Xin Zizhao gently used his internal energy to force all the wine out of his body. The liquid dripped down from his fingertips, forming a small puddle on the ground.
He sat up. There were faint red marks on his strong and well - built body, which were very obvious against his fair skin. Seeing the neatly folded wedding dress on the bedside table, he felt a bit irritated and also... In short, it was a complex feeling that was indescribable in words.
He really wanted to go after Wei Shuxuan, but he had promised her that he wouldn't force her to stay in the palace. So, he had to suppress his impulse to chase after her. He knew that if he chased after her now, he would definitely be in time.
When Wei Shuxuan came out of Xin Zizhao's room, she saw Wei Wei waiting for her not far away. "Wei Wei, let's hurry up. Otherwise, it'll be too late."
"Yes, Miss."
Wei Wei knew that his bit of softening tendon powder was no match for a martial arts expert like Xin Zizhao. If it weren't for Xin Zizhao's promise to the Miss, how could the Miss have escaped from the palace?
Wei Shuxuan nimbly leaped onto the roof, and Wei Wei closely followed behind her, afraid that something might go wrong with her. The guards in the palace were especially weak tonight. Perhaps this was arranged to ensure that Wei Shuxuan could safely and quickly escape from the palace. Needless to say, this must be Xin Zizhao's doing.
Since there were so few guards, the two of them quickly reached the moat. Now, as long as they crossed this moat, they would truly leave the palace.
Wei Shuxuan took a few quick steps but then turned back reluctantly. She took one last look at the palaces behind her, and a sense of reluctance welled up in her heart. At this moment, all she could think of was Xin Zizhao who was still sleeping in the Fenghe Hall.
Wei Wei, who was observing the surrounding environment, suddenly noticed someone approaching from not far away. He quickly called out to Wei Shuxuan, "Miss, Miss, it's time for us to go. Otherwise, the guards will come. Then, we won't be able to leave the palace."
But Wei Shuxuan seemed not to hear. Her mind was still wandering, still focused on Xin Zizhao. Wei Wei was getting a bit anxious. He heard the footsteps getting closer. There was no time left. He didn't want to touch Wei Shuxuan as it was an offensive act, but now there was really no other choice. He had to act beyond his station.
"Miss, we have to go quickly! Otherwise, it'll really be too late!"
Helpless, Wei Wei tightened his grip on Wei Shuxuan's arm and dragged her towards the palace gate. At this moment, Wei Shuxuan also heard the approaching footsteps. She suddenly came back to her senses. With Wei Wei's strength, she gradually flew up, and the two of them landed on the outer perimeter of the palace.
"Miss, as long as we go down from here, we'll leave the palace."
"..... You don't need to say. I know. I just want to take a few more looks at this place..." Wei Shuxuan's voice trailed off. She turned around and gazed into the palace. She wanted to see that palace, but she couldn't find it with her eyes. However, the image of that palace and the man in it involuntarily emerged in her mind.
"However, Miss, if you don't want to leave, then go back," Wei Wei saw Wei Shuxuan's reluctance and advised her to go back. "Miss, are you reluctant to part with Young Master Xin? If so, then let's go back."
Wei Shuxuan shook her head. "No, I won't go back. I have to leave the palace. I have my reasons for leaving. I'll go. Wei Wei, wait for me a bit longer."
"Your subordinate obeys."
She stood on the eaves, closed her eyes, and felt the slightly cold night wind. Memories of her past with Xin Zizhao began to play in her mind like a carousel. After the last memory faded, Wei Shuxuan opened her eyes, turned around, and said, "Wei Wei, let's go."
"Yes, Miss."
After saying that, the two of them left the palace, which was like a gilded cage, without looking back.