The horse galloped into the forest like a madman, the faint shouts behind it ignored by Ling Yao.
Her mind felt like it was exploding, a chaotic jumble of figures flashing through it, leaving her momentarily unsure of who she was.
"Xiao Nian, don't go, brother was wrong," a young man's pleading voice.
"Let her go, she never belonged here anyway," an old man's sigh.
The village scenery gradually receded, followed by grand pavilions and jade towers, a god-like man approaching, bathed in moonlight.
"From now on, this will be your home."
The images flickered like fleeting light, then she was back at the Fengque Tower from her childhood, waiting with longing eyes, a decree issued for Princess Ling Yao's marriage alliance.
Being whipped, sold like an animal.
Then, Xiao Shan, with his full beard.
Xiao Shan, Xiao Shan, and finally, his panicked eyes from moments ago, his body entwined with another.
"Ah—"
She cried out in pain, branches tearing at her cheek. The horse beneath her jolted violently, and a pair of iron-like arms encircled her.
"Xue Niang!"
After the startled cry, he leaped off the horse, still holding her.
The world spun, she didn't know how long she tumbled, faintly hearing the horse's mournful neigh.
She was held tightly, a pair of hands pressed to the back of her head until they finally stopped.
Ling Yao lay on the flat ground, her gaze fixed on the vast blue sky, as pure and clear as crystal. Yet, her heart felt empty.
"Xue Niang, Xue Niang..."
An anxious face appeared above her. He picked her up, his trembling hand brushing away the bloody scratches on her cheek.
"You saw it, didn't you? It's fake, all fake, that wasn't me."
He dared not touch her. Her eyes were so red, what was wrong with her?
"Xue Niang, don't scare me!"
Ling Yao's expression was peculiar. She looked at Xiao Shan as if she didn't recognize him, or perhaps, as if she were looking through him.
A chill crept into Xiao Shan's heart.
"A Ye?" she called.
Xiao Shan froze, a hint of darkness clouding his usually impetuous, tiger-like eyes.
He suddenly realized that this "A Ye" was likely more than just a lifeless painting.
He tightened his grip, looking at Ling Yao inquisitively, "Xue Niang, I am Xiao Shan."
Xiao Shan...
Ling Yao shook her head. The person before her once again became the dark-skinned Xiao Shan, with his sword-like eyebrows, piercing eyes, and imposing aura. She stared intently until her eyes ached, and the person transformed into a handsome man, as if descended from the heavens, his starry eyes shining, his face perfect like carved jade.
She rubbed her eyes and looked again. It was still Xiao Shan.
What was wrong with her? Was her head malfunctioning?
"What's wrong? Did you hit your head?" Seeing her distress, Xiao Shan quickly moved to check her head.
"Get away!" Ling Yao shoved him away forcefully and stood up, stopping only when she was far from him, as if he were something unclean.
Xiao Shan's face darkened.
The red glow in Ling Yao's eyes gradually receded, the chaotic images in her mind vanished, and her pale complexion slowly improved. The scratches from the branches began to sting.
Xiao Shan knelt on the ground, looking at her expressionlessly.
He wore simple black clothes, like the people here, his dark arms exposed. His trousers were tied at the legs, giving him a capable appearance.
However, now, blood flowed from his hands, his arms were scratched, and his back was torn.
He must have been injured during their fall.
His heart ached, but...
Ling Yao glanced at the place where they had tumbled. It was likely a hundred-meter slope, littered with rocks.
Her mind had been a mess earlier, and she didn't know how she had ended up in the forest.
But it was because of him.
He seemed to have said something earlier, which she hadn't really heard. Now, he could explain. Ling Yao looked at Xiao Shan.
But Xiao Shan remained expressionless, his gaze deep and unreadable, showing no intention of explaining.
What was with that look?
She couldn't quite understand it for a moment.
The southwest was rife with snakes and insects, especially with the blood on Ling Yao's face. Faint rustling sounds echoed from the grass.
Ling Yao felt both angry and heartbroken. He had held another woman, married her, and even if it was fake, she didn't want to hear it. What difference would an explanation make?
Yet, the thought of leaving this man made her heart ache as if it were being gouged out.
A snake slithered up her skirt.
Ling Yao saw it, but she didn't move. Xiao Shan also saw it, and he didn't move either.
Instantly, a chill spread through her heart.
It wasn't until the snake crawled onto her shoulder that Ling Yao could no longer bear it. She grabbed it and threw it away fiercely, a sweep of flames following her hand, turning all living creatures nearby to ash.
Xiao Shan's tightly clenched hand relaxed.
Ling Yao, however, trembled, trying hard to forget the slimy, disgusting sensation.
She glanced at the impassive Xiao Shan and bit her lip fiercely.
"Xiao Yu!"
Ling Yao called out into the forest with anger.
A flash of white light appeared, and in an instant, it was before her.
The majestic Snow Wolf King, large and imposing, with not a single stray hair on its body, made a grand entrance.
It held its head high, its sharp gaze sweeping over Xiao Shan like a human's, then it knelt on its front paws.
"Goddess, Yu is here."
A clear, young voice entered her mind. Xiao Shan's eyes widened.
This wolf could talk? And it was a man!
"Yes, Xiao Yu, take me into the mountains."
Ling Yao communicated with the Snow Wolf telepathically, her tone filled with dejection. She didn't want to go down the mountain; it would be good to get some fresh air in the mountains first.
Xiao Shan stood up abruptly, staring fiercely at Ling Yao.
Good, very good.
Hadn't this beast held her in its arms all night before? It must have been exhausted running from Dong Lin to Changyun Mountain!
She welcomed people, and she welcomed beasts too!
"Goddess, your husband seems about to hit you. Shall Yu teach him a lesson? My grandfather said that the Goddess's husband is as handsome as an immortal. This one doesn't seem to be worthy of you."
The Snow Wolf glanced disdainfully at Xiao Shan, shaking its magnificent fur.
Ever since Ling Yao had traveled southwest, she had established telepathic communication with the Snow Wolf, and the two had reached an agreement before meeting in Changyun Mountain.
"No need. He is already married to someone else. He is no longer my husband."
Ling Yao was overcome with grief and didn't want to stay there any longer. She feared she might break down and cry again, shamefully.
"You dare say that!"
Xiao Shan grabbed Ling Yao's arm, his grip like a vise, causing her immense pain. "Feng Ling Yao, say that again!"
He looked as if he wanted to tear her apart, gritting his teeth fiercely, his nostrils flaring rapidly.
What was she to him, that she could give up so easily!
The Snow Wolf bared its sharp teeth and leaped forward, about to bite Xiao Shan's arm.
"Don't bite!" Ling Yao shouted.
The Snow Wolf tilted its head, dodging, and landed on the ground.
Ling Yao let out a sigh of relief. Looking at the enraged Xiao Shan before her, it seemed all his strength was concentrated in his hand, gripping her so painfully, so painfully.
The pain was so intense that she couldn't help but shed tears.