Chu Yixuan had been chasing after his own horse all along, and only when he finally caught up with it did he realize that he had been fooled - there was no one on the horse's back.

  He clenched his fist around the reins. The injured hand bled even more. But he didn't feel any pain at all.

  Yan Xiu Jun, you luckily escaped today. Don't think you'll have such good luck next time.

  "Today I finally know you are still alive. Being alive is good. I will find you sooner or later."

  "Your Majesty." The voice of Luo Zhong was heard from a distance. Chu Yixuan turned his head to look, and saw Luo Zhong and Yi Ling leading a large team of imperial guards rushing towards him.

  "Your Majesty, are you alright?" Luo Zhong rushed over with concern and asked. Yi Ling also bowed to him.

  "What can I do?" Chu Yixuan sized up the many imperial guards, thinking to himself: Now that she's here, it's good. Later, he'll go find her. Even if she tries to fly away with wings, it will be hard for her to escape his grasp.

  "Slaves are worried about Your Majesty. Where is Yan Cai?" asked Luo Zhong cautiously.

  "She escaped." Chu Yixuan looked at Yi Ling and ordered, "Take half of the Imperial Guard back to the city to search house by house. You must find Yan Cairen and bring her back. The remaining Imperial Guard will follow me in this forest to search for them. They have no horses to escape with. I reckon they won't be able to escape this forest for a while."

  "Yes, I have orders to follow." Yi Ling took some of the Imperial Guards and left. If it weren't for Luo Gonggong telling him earlier that he had seen Yan Cairen with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed it.

  It seems that Yan Cai is indeed alive and has returned to Beijing.

  He hid in the tree and listened clearly to their conversation. He revealed a victorious smile. Turned around and went back to the Wang Fu. He wanted to tell his master about this matter as much as possible, letting him hide Cai Nü well.

  The Mansion of Prince Jing

  When Chu Yicheng heard Yan Xijun say that he would no longer seek death, but instead seek revenge, he was overjoyed and said: "That's right! When the day comes when you take your revenge, you'll know how wonderful it is to be alive."

  Yan Xijun looked at him and said: "Prince Wang, I don't need you to avenge this grudge for me. I can do it myself."

  "You, a weak woman, how can you possibly avenge yourself? Listen to me, stay by my side and don't worry about avenging yourself, I'll take care of it for you."

  "How can you help me deal with him? He is your imperial brother. Can you bring yourself to kill him?"

  Chu Yicheng smiled and said: "It's not necessarily that you have to take his life. Sometimes using other methods can also achieve the goal of revenge."

  "So what method are you going to use?" Yan Xijun asked, staring at him with a stern expression.

  "My dear, forgive me for not being able to tell you now. I'll slowly tell you later." Chu Yicheng lovingly rubbed her head and coaxed her.

  "Prince, actually you don't have to tell me now, I already know your purpose." Yan Xijun glanced at him and then walked past him towards the armchair. She was tired today and wanted something to lean on.

  "Oh. You can guess what I'm after." Chu Yicheng smiled incredulously and followed her to the desk.

  Yan Xijun calmly poured a cup of hot tea, took a sip and said: "I'm just guessing. Although I'm not very clear about your purpose, but I think your purpose is very dangerous. Your ambition is great. And it's also related to Chu Yixuan."

  Chu Yicheng stared at her for several seconds, then smiled and praised: "Jun'er, you are such a clever 'girl'. I really can't bear to let you leave me more and more."

  "Your Highness, you need to understand that clever women can be a hindrance at times, especially for someone like you who has ambitions and goals. Having them by your side is even more undesirable."

  Chu Yicheng smiled and clapped his hands, saying: "Wrong, Jun'er, you're wrong. With a clever 'woman' like you by my side to assist me, that would be a truly happy thing. You say it isn't?"

  "Prince Wang, I'd like to make a deal with you." Yan Xijun didn't respond to his words and instead changed the subject, asking...

  "What 'transaction'?" Chu Yicheng asked with some curiosity. What conditions could this little girl have to discuss a 'transaction' with him?

  "Are you willing to make this 'exchange' with me?"

  "Just listen and see."

  Yan Xijun took a sip of tea and said: "Do you know how I escaped from the palace when it caught fire?"

  "How did you escape?" This question was of great interest to Yucheng. He had asked her before, but she refused to say. Now that he heard her mention this topic again, he was naturally very interested.

  "Escaped from the imperial palace through a secret passage." Yan Xijun said mysteriously.

  Chu Yicheng was shocked: "The secret passage of the imperial palace... Is there really a secret passage in the imperial palace? Isn't that just a legend?"

  "There is indeed a secret passage in the palace. The palace not only has a secret passage, but also a map of the secret passage. Fortunately, I found that map and then hid it away."

  "There's also a secret passage map." This time, Chu Yicheng couldn't remain calm. His hand holding the teacup was slightly trembling. If there really is a secret passage map, its usefulness to him would be immeasurable. He had always thought that the secret passage map was just a legend and didn't actually exist in the world. It turned out it really did exist.

  "Yes." Yan Xijun said: "I absolutely did not deceive you. The map is there, and it was even buried by me in a place."

  "Why are you telling me this?" Chu Yicheng asked thoughtfully as he looked at her.

  "Isn't this what Master Wang needs?" Yan Xijun smiled and looked back at him.

  "It seems you have figured out this king's purpose."

  "Yes. I also know roughly. Prince, are you still interested in making a 'deal' with me?"

  "What do you want from me?" Chu Yicheng reached out and pinched her chin, his eyes fixed intently on hers.

  Yan Xijun shook his head and said, "I don't want to get anything from you. But I have a request. I hope you can agree to it. If you agree to my request, I will give you that map."

  "This king is a bit uneasy. You said you have a map. Before I see the map, I don't dare to believe you." Chu Yicheng said suspiciously. The secret passage map is a big deal. This isn't something to be taken lightly.

  "You don't have to doubt me, and I don't need to deceive you. I can escape from the palace thanks to that map and secret passage. If you still want to doubt me, then I can take you through the secret passage once."

  "Alright, Jun Er. I believe you. So tell me, what are your requirements? Let's see if I can help you."

  "I want you to take me into the palace."

  "What's going on? Entering the palace?" Chu Yicheng thought for a moment, then flatly refused: "What kind of joke is this? I just rescued you from his hands today, precisely because I didn't want you to enter the palace. Now you're saying you want to enter the palace instead? Isn't that jumping into the net yourself? I won't agree to your request."

  "Prince, listen to me. If I want to avenge myself, I must enter the palace. I've said it before. This matter of revenge, I want to complete it by myself. I don't want to rely on you." Yan Xijun explained, looking at him.

  Chu Yicheng said: "You think of entering the palace and returning to his side, do you still have old feelings for him? You're not thinking of taking revenge at all, you just want to leave me."