While CaiZhi was away in the imperial palace, Liling secretly pushed a servant girl towards Rui. The tray of ceramic plates and cups fell, causing its contents to spill on Rui. Rui let out a cry of surprise and the servant girl immediately kneeled to beg for forgiveness, pleading with a trembling voice.

Liling ran to Rui to check on her and ordered, "Drag this servant girl out for her punishment. It seems like none of you are capable of doing your jobs correctly. Leave. Look, Young Mistress is currently shocked by this attack. I will personally clean her up. Later, you shall hear more from the head-maid."

Petrified, the group of servants hesitantly saluted and scurried away. Rui said nothing as she eyed Liling. The girl took Rui away to a private bathing room and ordered the servants to stand outside without disturbances, otherwise their heads would be off. The two snuck out of the bathing room through the window in the back, where the guards are currently taking a break from.

Silently, Liling led her to an abandoned cabin in the far west wing and cautiously looked around. She quickly removed the stacks of hay that masked the secret entrance in the wall, leading to an underground hall. The base was poorly constructed, but it was durable. From the corner, Rui saw a flickering light with a petite shadow nearby.

As she walked closer with Liling behind, the view became clearer and the shadow became the silhouette of a young lady. When she turned around, her familiar button nose and round face greeted Rui. What shocked her was the maturity in her once innocent and big eyes.

"Yue-er?" Rui whispered, more to herself as a confirmation. Qiuyue smiled gently and crushed her with a hug.

"I would love to catch up on the good stuff, but you're in a dire situation right now. Ruru, I planned an escape route for you. Things have been hectic in the imperial courts these days, so now is the best time to run." Qiuyue rushed with her words in a single breath, not giving Rui a chance to process her words.

"Yue-er, how did you get here?" Rui doubted it was a simple walk-in.

"Your little maid bravely snuck out to see me and she told me your situation. I used the servant route while disguising as a maid. Since I rarely leave home, no one would recognize me. Unfortunately, you can't do that. Every single servant and guard here are taught to recognize your face. It's ridiculous. Anyhow, that is not important. This Cai Zhi? I don't see that "sweet big brother" that you always talked about. I just see a manipulating mind-fucked lunatic who wants to ride the back of the flying phoenix." Qiuyue spatted with disdain. Rui raised her eyebrows, as she never expected such words to come out of her mouth.

"You were reported as missing but suddenly, this girl told me that you're marrying him? Wasn't he the one that rejected you first? It doesn't matter anymore because I found out why Cai Zhi suddenly wanted to wed you. He's apart of the fourth prince's faction, the-so-called "neutral side" bullshit. In that faction, they had already gathered families from the right and left side. In order to increase their power, Cai Zhi needs to pull your dad's influence to his side. He does not love you or even care about your wellbeing. By marriage and his higher status, your dad will automatically be removed from the left faction. However, Minister Xin is too greedy and ready to kick you out of the family to give a damn about Cai Zhi's intentions. Of course, he wants the most benefit out of his offsprings. In all honesty, the fourth prince is indeed strong, but he seeks more power. Thus, we absolutely cannot let Cai Zhi have you. His Highness is cunning and cruel, so there's no doubt that his reign would be one hell of a tyrannical ruler."

Overloaded with information, Rui was rendered speechless. Then, she started to quietly laugh in the driest tone. She recited Cai Zhi's promise to her the day before he went to war, "Wait for me to come back stronger and better. I will protect you——even if the world is against you."

These words were nothing but child's play.

One after another, people keep on betraying her. Rui felt furious. Angry at Father for being so heartless to his own biological daughter, the only offspring and living proof of her mother. Angry at Cai Zhi for being so cruel and his tactical moves to use her to her fullest potential. Angry at herself for being so foolish and letting these two men walk all over her while she suffers from her sappy, blind "love."

Closing her eyes and blinking away her angry tears, Rui asked Qiuyue, "When?"

In a clear voice, she answered, "Tomorrow night. I will deliberately cause some trouble so you can run and avoid the guards. Cai Zhi should not return early because of the rising tensions in the imperial courts. Take this," she shoved a map into her hands, "run towards this direction. I will prepare a wagon for you to flee to. Tell the driver, "Northern blue," and he will take you to the fastest route to my residence. I have to go now, Cai Zhi will be returning in an hour."

Rui felt like a large rock of stress crushed her tiny body as she processed it all. The fear gripped her heart and pound it against her chest mercilessly. But no matter what, she was determined to leave. Now that she was provided with an opportunity, she can finally leave this hell hole. Gritting her teeth, she hugged Qiuyue one last time before the two separated. Sneaking back the bathing house, the two made it just in time for the servants standing outside to knock.

The maid's muffled voice penetrated through the closed door, "Young Mistress, do you need more servants to help?"

"No, I am done." Rui sternly answered and changed her dirtied clothes into a white dress before stepping out.

The servants observed Rui for any suspicions, but missed the coldness in her eyes. When Cai Zhi came back with a tired expression, his eyes darkened even more when he noticed Rui's plain clothes.

"Who let you dress so blandly? Are there not enough clothes?" He lightly scrunched his nose in disgust. Rui frowned and looked down at her white dress, finding nothing wrong with her appearance. In fact, it made her look more elegant than those tacky clothing that rich nobles would layer to show off their wealth. She calmly answered while directing his attention elsewhere, "It is clean and pure, is that not what I should be?"

Thinking about her words, he took a better look at Rui and her lovely figure. Her dark hair contrasts with the white clothes and her pink, pale skin. After a while, he seemed pleased and nodded his head. She did look innocent and pure. Rui shifted her weight on her feet stiffly and lowered her eyes. Though she felt uncomfortable under his gaze, she didn't let it slip through her expression.