The woman had clearly been bullying her. That idiot hadn't seen it, but she couldn't believe Liu Rongruo hadn't.
He was clearly shielding his fiancée, blatantly favoring her.
"She tried to push me into the frozen lake. Is the Prime Minister blind?"
He remained silent, looking at her calmly, but his grip tightened, causing her bones to ache.
Chi You refused to back down, but suddenly her vision blurred, her body faltered, and when she looked up again, her previously stern face was filled with confusion.
Liu Rongruo noticed her change and released her.
"Brother."
Chi You looked at the person before her with surprise. In a blink, she saw the person lying on the ground and was startled, stepping back in confusion.
What was happening?
"Senior Brother, I didn't mean to just now."
Qin Yunshang, having regained her senses, quickly tugged at Liu Rongruo's robes and spoke to explain.
Liu Rongruo glanced down at her, said nothing, then bent down to pick her up, carrying her outside.
Before Chi You could speak, she saw him leave without looking back, a sharp pain piercing her heart.
Her eyes reddened, and she stared intently at his retreating back. Suddenly, strange scenes flashed through her mind, one after another, causing her to double over in pain.
"You are the Saintess of the Southern Border. Why did you give the military tally to him?"
"How can someone so infatuated with petty love be worthy of bearing the important responsibility of the Southern Border?!"
Within the imperial family, inside the prison, the scolding and cursing voices were unbearable.
Chi You cradled her head, trying to push away the unfamiliar voices, but more scenes became clear, overwhelming her. Blood trickled from her lips.
"A' Wu."
At that moment, a clear voice called from behind.
Chi You struggled to lift her gaze to look. She saw Xia Yun rushing towards her.
"What's wrong?"
"Brother Yun."
Chi You leaned on a pillar, shaking her head forcefully, trying to forget those images.
Xia Yun saw her unwell complexion and quickly helped her sit down, asking with concern, "What's wrong? You look so pale. Oh, you're bleeding from the corner of your mouth."
Chi You paused, took the handkerchief he offered, wiped the blood from her lips, and shook her head.
"I'm fine. It's just that for some reason, strange voices keep echoing in my mind."
She paused and then asked.
"Why are you here?"
"I was delivering peach juice to Concubine Chun. On my way back, I passed by here and saw you, so I came over to say hello."
Xia Yun said, glancing at the sky.
"Why did you come this way? Let me take you back."
Hearing this, Chi You recalled the scene she had just witnessed, her heart aching.
She shook her head dejectedly, her lowered eyes unconsciously shedding tears.
"I don't know where to go."
Brother is getting married and doesn't want her anymore.
She can't cling to him anymore.
Xia Yun heard her choked voice and frowned. "Aren't you staying at Qu You Palace?"
Recently, rumors had been circulating in the palace, and he had heard many whispers, learning of her identity.
But A' Wu still often came out to chat with him, without any reservations. She was pure-hearted, so he continued to interact with her as before.
"I can't go there anymore."
Chi You sniffled as she thought, feeling disheartened.
She was alone here, knowing no one. She wanted to go home.
Southern Border, was her home in the Southern Border?
Xia Yun, though unsure what was wrong with her, saw her sorrowful expression and comforted her. "Didn't you used to live in Qu Tai Palace to the north? Would you like to go back and stay there?"
"I want to go home."
She bit her lip and tilted her head to look at him.
"Home?" Xia Yun exclaimed in shock. "You're here for a marriage alliance. How can you go home?"
Chi You didn't understand. She remembered Qiu Zhu's complaints in her ear and felt a dull headache.
Marriage alliance?!
Southern Border, she was here from the Southern Border for a marriage alliance.
Then who was she? Why was she here for a marriage alliance?
"Who am I?"
"I heard them say that the one here for the marriage alliance is the Saintess of the Southern Border, Chi You. That's you, right?"
Xia Yun's words hit her ears. Chi You blinked, looking at him blankly.
"Chi You?!"
"Yes, that's right."
Chi You, her name was Chi You, the Saintess from the Southern Border.
Then she must have family.
Thinking of this, a flicker of joy flashed in Chi You's eyes, like spring breeze rippling water, reflecting the crescent moon, moist and dewy.
"I want to go back to the Southern Border."
"Ah--"
Xia Yun quickly covered her mouth.
"Don't talk nonsense. You are a palace consort. Fleeing the palace without permission is punishable by death."
Chi You blinked. In the moonlight, her eyes were especially moist and innocent.
Xia Yun stared, then awkwardly let go of her immediately.
"Brother doesn't want me anymore. I am here with no family. I want to go back to the Southern Border. The Southern Border is my home."
She spoke softly, her words carrying a childish tone mixed with unconcealed disappointment.
Over these past few days, Xia Yun had come to understand that she knew nothing of imperial rules and did not understand her duties as a concubine. Her sole focus was on the "brother" she spoke of.
He sighed. "How can you leave? This is the imperial palace, with strict guards. You can't get out."
"Can't I escape?"
Xia Yun looked at her pitiable state and pursed his lips.
He knew her identity and had heard about her rumored affairs with the Prime Minister. A palace consort and a court official. Her foolishness would sooner or later lead to her death.
If the Prime Minister didn't protect her, the Empress Dowager wouldn't let her go, and the Liu and Qin families wouldn't spare her either.
Those who came for marriage alliances generally had no good outcome, especially with the current Emperor sickly and no one to help her.
Perhaps, leaving the palace might save her life.
"Let me think of a way."
Chi You's moist eyes brightened instantly.
"Really?"
Xia Yun whispered, "If you leave the palace, can you find your way back to the Southern Border?"
A flicker of confusion crossed Chi You's eyes. She said, "I don't know."
"---"
Xia Yun sighed. "Let's plan this carefully."
Fleeing the palace was a serious crime. Such a risky endeavor required careful planning.
He was also tired of being in this palace. He was beaten up all the time, and it was no place for humans. He also wanted to run.
"Let's go, I'll take you to rest first."
Chi You stood up, supported by him. She looked at the bamboo grove where no one could be seen, her heart aching with bitterness, her reddened eyes filled with tears.
Xia Yun tapped her forehead and teased, "What are you looking at? Let's go. Your clothes are dirty, and your hand is scratched. Let's get it treated first."
Chi You hissed, withdrew her gaze with disappointment, and turned to walk north.
"Where are we going?"
"Let's go to Qu Tai Palace. It's remote and rarely noticed."
Chi You wiped the tears from her eyes and followed him.
"Won't your master look for you?"
"He's probably gone gambling now and doesn't have time to look for me. Someone is keeping an eye on me."
Xia Yun smiled and led the way.
"Slow down, there are thorny plants here. Be careful not to get scratched."
Chi You said, "You are so kind."