"Rui-er, we will go to Bingxu tomorrow. It will be...difficult. Are you ready for that?" Yu Jian suddenly asked her.

She tilted her head to the side. What exactly will be stressful? Noticing the way his eyebrows are pulled together and the unusual complicated look on his face, she understood that it wasn't appropriate to ask at the moment. She could only nod her head and bring him comfort by rubbing his furrowed eyebrows smooth with her fingers, "No matter what, I'll still be by your side."

His heart drummed in surprised, and then warmth. He lifted her onto his lap, "Rui-er has a sweet mouth. Let's see if it taste as sweet as it sounds." And so, he stole a kiss from her.

Rui responded to his kiss with a giggle and wrapped her arms around his neck.

The next morning, Yu Jian jumped onto the carriage before lifting Rui up. In all honesty, she could have used a stepping stool, but he just wanted to find an excuse to hug her.

Of course, that wasn't enough. Rui sat next to him with her head on his shoulder. He played with a strand of her hair, fiddling with it between his fingers.

Rui pursed her lips and debated if she should speak or not. She was still itching with curiosity but she didn't know where to start. Yu Jian side-glanced her and noted that her lips were pulled into a frown. He brought the strand of hair to his lips and kissed it, "What's bothering you?"

Usually, he hates it when others beat around the bush. But with her, he doesn't mind spending more time and patience to listen to her charming voice blabber on. Rui peeked at his handsome face with her doll eyes then shyly lowered her head. She couldn't help it; every time she steals a glance at him, she remembers their intimacy.

"Yu Jian-ah...where exactly are we going?" she asked slowly. Yu Jian didn't say anything and his movements stilled. She tried again, "I eloped and gave myself to a man I didn't know...I think I deserve some answers."

"En. You are right." He gently laughed, "You trust your husband too much."

She pouted and lightly punched him, "Be serious!"

He smiled again and caressed her face with his hand, "I am. I was just gathering my thoughts until a little vixen doubted me."

"Vixen?" she exclaimed with shock.

Yu Jian waved his hand to the side, and corrected himself, "Ah, my apologies. I meant temptress."

"Temptress!" she cried out even louder. He snickered and pinched her squishy cheeks.

"We're meeting my family. It will be hard. Don't let your facade fall. If you think I'm a wolf in a sheep's clothing, then they're demons in disguise." His voice became deeper and grew solemn.

Rui wrinkled her eyebrows but nodded her head anyways. Dress to impress, huh? That explains why she have been given an unfamiliar set of clothing. Although Rui is playful and carefree, she wasn't stupid. She knows when there is a time and place for everything, and being reckless is not an exception. After all, she "was" the first legitimate daughter between two noble families.

She lifted her head and pondered, "Ah, one more thing. How old are you?"

Something seem to click in his head and he raised his eyebrows, "Ah, I forgot to tell you."

She sighed to herself before laughing with nostalgia. It brought her back to the day she dived off a cliff like a madwoman; the day they had met for the first time. He didn't ask for her name until she reminded him.

"Now that I think about it, I'm turning forty-seven this fall." He answered with a somberly tone.

Rui scoffed and punched him in the arm again, "Don't joke."

However, he didn't seem to find her disbelief funny at all. Her awkward smile began to turn upside down in horror, "Oh my god, no."

His poker face finally broke and he let out a laugh, "Wife, you're so gullible."

Her eye twitched and she crossed her arms in front of her chest. She got up and plopped down on the seat opposite him. Yu Jian beamed a bright smile, leaned back against the wall with his head cocked to the side, and his long legs parted, "I will be twenty-five soon."

About seven years apart, she calculated. Although she got her answer, she turned her chin upwards and away from him.

He gave her a helpless smile, and coaxed her with his honey voice and arms out, "Come here."

Her face colored a beautiful red, making crimson roses wilt in shame. His almond-shaped eye curved gently and the orb is filled with adoration. Bashfully, she squeezed herself in the tiny space between his legs. His arms caged above her shoulders and his hands clasped in front of her chest. She nestled in comfortably and inhaled the fresh scent of jasmine tea—his favorite flavor—the same one she came to love.

The carriage stopped and a guard gently knocked on the frame without speaking a word. Yu Jian understood the meaning and stepped out of the carriage. He spun around after he got off and held out a hand towards Rui.

Her hand slowly reached out to him, but she pulled away at the last moment. She was scared.

"Rui-er." His voice was muffled from inside, but it was still as clear as water.

She tried again and delayed getting off the carriage. Yu Jian was patient. He lightly tugged her hand to encourage her.

Finally, he carried her down. Her red shoes touched the concrete floor, making her eyebrows rise. A bad feeling burned a hole in her stomach and she couldn't stop the sweat from dripping down her back. She swallowed hard, but it doesn't seem to ease her dry throat.

Eyes darting left and right, and drinking in every detail of her surroundings. The towering walls cornered her and their faces glowered a dark gray—they weren't inviting at all. Her breaths became shallow and she clenched Yu Jian's hand. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. She doesn't understand. This is not Bing Xu.

Where are they?

Yu Jian remained silent and guided her through gates after gates. Each were high and mighty, and dipped in gold. Her blood ran cold, and her hands turned into ice.

In the corner of her eyes, she caught sight of a luxurious wooden panel. Its exterior were waxed and polished to glimmer in every direction. A character was carved in the middle and filled in with gold. Her eyes halted at the character, while her body jerked back to take a closer look.

Yu Jian didn't let her take another glance and pulled her away. Her eyes quivered while she firmly pressed her lips into a white line. His line of sight diverted from her.

She ripped her hand out of his grip, but he still didn't look up from the ground.

Her voice cracked as the words that carried the weight of a whole nation left her lips, "You are Song Yujian?"