No matter how times she thought about it, or any other alternative solutions, Rui was led to one conclusion: confront her father. It is a death wish. But it is a risk she was willing to take. She couldn't drag Yu Jian into this mess. She's too entangled with the political powers——it may be too late for her, but not for him. If it means giving him a chance to escape to the Wujin Nation, then she'll do it.

After Yu Jian was capable of moving comfortably, Rui gave the physician the gold bar. "Take this, as my thanks. I know that you make a lot as a doctor, so it shouldn't be suspicious."

His frail hands held the bar and he stared at it for a few seconds. He sighed, "Be careful. I have a back door you can go through. Use it. Here are the medicine."

She smiled thankfully, "Thank you old man...really. If I make it out alive"—she laughed a little—"I will definitely return the favor to you."

"Don't. Just be alive."

Again, her heart was filled with warmth and she gave the old man a hug. "You have shown me more kindness in the last few days than my father did in my entire life..."

The doctor slowly patted her head and pushed her to go, "Hurry. Before dawn comes."

Yu Jian gave a nod of respect towards the old man and the two covered their faces with hats as they quietly left through the back door.

Since they were in just a small town, there was not a lot of people on the streets. They headed towards the Capital City, where the majority of the influential families are, and hitched a ride to the North East region.

They ducked their heads when they passed by a group of soldiers with emblems from the royal family. With the remaining silver that she had, she purchased a room to stay in for a couple of nights.

Rui does not plan to take Yu Jian with her on her journey to her father's manor, nor does she plan to tell him. In the morning, she lied, "Yu Jian-ah, I'm going to head out to find a person who can help us through the gates."

He stood up, "I'll come—"

"No! No, don't. It will be suspicious with the both of us walking around. You're still recovering. Plus, this friend of mine is highly cautious of people. He doesn't trust a lot of people..." her eyes averted.

Yu Jian frowned, "Then how I can trust you with him?"

"Just trust me—"

"Last time you said that to me, he turned out to be a psychopath." He cut her off with a cold gaze.

Her eyes widened as her lips parted before she turned her head away from him. She could hear him sigh from behind and his footsteps towards her. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he planted a sweet kiss on her exposed neck, "Just come back safely..."

Blushing, she quickly adjusted her clothes and nodded before heading out. Yu Jian stared at her fleeting figure. Again, he let her slip through his fingers. He really didn't want to let go, but it was like some force planted him in his spot and refused to let him go.

Her eyes darted left and right on the crowded streets. Spotting a group of familiar soldiers from the Xin family, she sarcastically smiled, "What luck..."

They must be still on the look out for her disappearance—or had her as a wanted criminal—who knows? Either way, they will not hurt her. Even though Xin Dao is ruthless, he would still want to hear an explanation before sending her to Yama with a white ribbon silk. She approached them.

"Move. You are blocking our path," the leader of the group said. Rui lifted her hat, revealing cold eyes and icy face that were all too familiar.

"E-eldest mis—" She placed a finger against her lips, indicating them to be quiet. Shocked, the soldiers didn't know how to react. Reality seemed a little too good to them for her to suddenly appear on their first day of searching.

"Take me back to my father's manor. I need to speak with him."

"Y-yes..." The group shuffled around her.

"No need to tie me up. I wouldn't have approached you if I had wanted to run."

Hesitant, the leader gulped hard and mounted himself on his horse. Then, he lowered his hand for her to take. His eyes held no ill-intentions or disrespect to her, as this was the fastest transportation at hand. Plus, he is quite good looking so she didn't mind.

She stared at the horse and her stomach churned once again from the memories. Shaking away her thoughts, she took the hand. Shortly after, they arrived at the manor.

Rui stared at the familiar resident in front of her. Even though she knows every crook and hook of this place, it still terrifies her. The golden plate intimidated her, shooing her away with its coldness.

"Eldest Miss," the leader offered his hand once more to help her down the horse. Her sweaty hands let him know that she was scared, and that made him pity her a little.

He ordered, "The rest of you leave. I will escort her to the master. For now, keep quiet about this until further notice."

They cupped their hands in respect and left soundlessly. Rui lowered her hat and focused her gaze on the guard's back. Curious servants would give a quick glance before returning their gazes. It was not their business.

One petite servant girl with a bucket of water passed by her and came to a pause. She turned around and stared at the familiar feminine figure of the stranger. She questioned herself, "Eldest Miss?"

Rui didn't notice the girl and continued walking down the familiar—yet unwelcoming—corridors to her father's study room.

The uncomfortable feeling inside of her stomach began to raise to her chest. It was getting harder to breathe. She swallowed hard and kept a straight face, but her fingers couldn't stop shaking. She felt nervous; scratch that, she was terrified. She's scared of seeing the same disappointment in her father's eyes, the same resentment. No matter what, he was still her father, so of course she cares about what he thought about her. He is the only family she has left.

She couldn't rely on her mother's family, the Han. She had never met them, and since they never reached out to her, it's implied that they want nothing to do with her.

She snapped out of her thoughts when the guard knocked on the door, "Master, the Eldest...the Eldest Miss has returned home and wishes to speak to you."

There was a moment of silence but the very voice that still makes her skin crawl with fear suddenly spoke, "Let her in."

He was angry. Very angry. Cold sweat fell like a waterfall down her back and a thin layer of sweat covered her forehead. She swallowed hard again and raised her head to step in. The guard closed the door shut, reality caused her heart to fall off the wall like a picture frame.She walked further into the huge study room, its spacious room further darkens the atmosphere. Her father was standing behind his desk with his back turned to her. When she came to a stop, she kneeled on the floor, "Father, Rui has returned at her own will."

When he turned around, his mad eyes were red. She dares not to stand up, or look at him. He flung a red box at her, hitting the side of her face. It knocked her hat off. She winced, but did not whine.

"Useless and unfilial trash. Why did the Xin family even bothered to raise an insolent rat like you? Look at the mess you brought upon us." His voice thundered and echoed in the large room, making her flinch. She looked down at the broken object that was thrown at her. It was the box that carried Cai Zhi's wedding invitation and a gold phoenix hairpin inside.

She picked up the hairpin and the letter. Out of nowhere, she laughed quietly. Xin Dao grew angrier, "You dare laugh? I won't let you bring shame to our family's name. Was this your intention? To destroy our reputation as revenge? I'll kill you before you can even consider doing that!"

She smiled dryly, "This daughter will do as Father say, as long as Father agrees to one condition."

He scoffed loudly, "Do you really think you have the power to be making conditions right now?"

Rui lightly shook her head and finally looked up to face him, "Just treat me as your daughter for once and fulfill her wish please."

He furrowed his eyebrows and did not speak, so she continued, "Rui wishes for someone to pass through the North Eastern gate to Wujin."

"Nonsense—"

"Rui is willing to cut ties with the Xin family, freeing from any relations to my crimes and admit all as my blame." Rui pleaded with desperation in her voice.

"...Who is this person?" he asked coldly.

Rui smiled warmly even in front of his icy glare, "My savior and...my husband."

His eyes grew redder and he slammed his fist on his desk, "How atrocious! You fucking slut! Not only did you kill an honorable person, you also married behind my back? If I don't beat you to death myself, then my surname is not Xin!"

Without a second to pass, his open palm slapped her, causing her to slam to the ground with her lip busting open. Rui used her arms to support herself up while Xin Dao prepared another blow.

Her sharp glare pierced through her messy, fallen hair—and her next words stopped him, "Do it! Beat me! Kill me like you killed Mother!"

She spat out blood and wiped her chin, before giving a bloody smile, "Why are you hesitating? It's not the first time. You killed her so cruelly. I dare you to forget one-second of it! She loved you so, so dearly. She told me every night that you did too, but when have you ever proved that? You were cheating behind her back! You told her that you would love her and only her! You're nothing but a monster. My mother didn't just die from a heartbreak! She died because of that fucking bitch that gave her slow-acting poison! But what did you do? You turned a blind eye to that stage performing whore! You never loved my mom. But I'm glad she's dead. I rather have her in heaven than to be in hell with you!"

"Shut up...Shut up!" he roared, lifting his fist once more.