Chapter 16 “You won’t disappear, right…”

So Xiao Rong had still given her a dead end.

Si Jin didn’t know whether she should feel grateful that she’d been cautious enough to secretly plan an escape from the capital, commissioning Huile Workshop to create a map to Xiqiu—which had coincidentally allowed her to overhear the truth.

Or whether she should resent Xiao Rong for scheming against her once again.

Or rather, that he had been scheming against her all along.

Xiao Rong already knew the truth about Si Ming’s transfer, yet he deliberately pretended ignorance in front of her. His voluntary mention of the southern journey was just another premeditated trap.

If she had believed Xiao Rong, she wouldn’t have taken this opportunity to risk escape, foolishly waiting for his return from the south.

But no matter what answer she gave, he would never let her go, and she might never have another chance to leave.

If she chose to leave the capital while he was away in the south, the faulty map would lead her like a lost prey straight into the trap he had prepared, where he would capture her again and lock her back in his cage.

Had there ever been a single word of truth from his mouth?

Perhaps even his so-called “affection for her” was merely his dark desire for control, treating her as his possession, watching her struggle in the cage yet never allowing her escape.

He would surely feel quite pleased with himself then.

In early September, Si Ming departed for Xiqiu.

This was something Xiao Rong informed Si Jin about.

Si Jin wept and sobbed until Xiao Rong spent considerable effort explaining, finally making her believe that the transfer wasn’t his doing but Si Ming’s own request.

Both clearly aware of each other’s deceit, they maintained the pretense of knowing nothing on the surface.

With reddened eyes and streaming tears, Si Jin’s heart remained cold and detached.

During the Double Ninth Festival, court officials and imperial clan members accompanied the Crown Prince to Ning’an Temple.

Previously, as the unremarkable second daughter of the Si family’s third branch, Si Jin wouldn’t have needed to attend. But now, as Xiao Rong’s wife, she had no choice but to accompany him.

The surface purpose of this trip was prayer and rituals, but the actual reason was to gather trusted officials for secret discussions—the very matter Xiao Rong had previously mentioned about his upcoming southern journey.

After Ning’an Temple, Xiao Rong would also depart, making this the final period Si Jin would have to endure his company.

Just two nights—Si Jin had prepared herself for the inevitable arrangement of sharing sleeping quarters with Xiao Rong during the trip.

But to her surprise, after arriving at Ning’an Temple, their assigned quarters included a separate side room.

As Si Jin stood in stunned silence, Xiao Rong’s voice drifted from behind her: “I explained the situation to His Highness, who arranged for us to stay here tonight. The only inconvenience is that there will be no servants attending us these two nights.”

Turning at the sound of his voice, Si Jin suddenly remembered how she first learned about this matter—it was Shen Chi who overheard it from the Crown Prince. Naturally, the Crown Prince had known all along that this marriage was false.

She just never expected Xiao Rong to voluntarily request separate accommodations from the Crown Prince.

Playing the part of a restrained gentleman, weaving illusions to make her feel secure enough to continue staying with him.

Maintaining this pretense until his departure for the south, until his return, until she lost all opportunity to escape.

Of course Si Jin wouldn’t fall for his tricks again, but avoiding sharing a room with Xiao Rong was still a welcome relief.

The first day ended at dusk after everyone had settled in, with no further arrangements.

The night passed without incident.

The next day at 7 AM, Si Jin attended the prayer ceremony as required, but Xiao Rong was absent, having been summoned by the Crown Prince for discussions.

By 9 AM, the prayer ceremony concluded.

Si Ming was already en route to Xiqiu and did not participate, while Si Chengyuan’s official rank was too low to warrant an invitation.

A few other members of the Si family were present, but Si Jin was unfamiliar with them and had no interaction with them.

With time to spare and nothing to do, she strolled alone along the paths of Ning’an Temple.

She hadn’t walked far when two figures appeared ahead.

Si Jin paused mid-step, and the sound of her approach caused the two to halt their conversation and turn toward her.

In the distance stood Si Yue and her second brother-in-law, Zhou Qi.

Si Jin’s expression shifted slightly, a flicker of panic crossing her face as she worried she had interrupted their discussion.

However, the two seemed merely to be chatting casually, with no urgent matters at hand.

Zhou Qi was the first to nod in greeting.

Snapping back to attention, Si Jin quickly curtsied in return. “Elder Brother, Second Brother-in-Law.”

Si Yue cast a cold glance her way, his expression no different from usual whenever he saw her, and he offered no words.

Unwilling to linger, Si Jin turned in another direction after her greeting. Her steps, no longer leisurely, quickened as she distanced herself completely from the scene.

Zhou Qi watched her retreat with an unreadable expression until she vanished from sight.

Si Yue resumed their earlier conversation, his voice low. “So, what do you plan to do?”

Zhou Qi withdrew his gaze and chuckled darkly. “The situation has shifted. Si Ming has already been transferred out of the capital and is on his way. The road to Xiqiu offers plenty of opportunities to act. A journey unknown to others will go unnoticed.”

Si Yue showed no reaction, as if Zhou Qi’s sinister plot concerned not a member of the Si family but a complete stranger.

He even calmly reminded him, “Not entirely unknown—just known to few. A single misstep could still expose us.”

Zhou Qi frowned slightly. “I know. That’s why I’m still weighing the options.”

“I have a suitable candidate in mind.”

“Who?”

“Xiao Sheng has been released from prison. After Xiao Rong turned on him and threw him into jail, he suffered greatly this past year. He’s simple-minded and impatient for success. With his plans ruined by Xiao Rong, he surely holds a grudge. Persuading him to target Si Ming could disrupt Xiao Rong’s southern journey—maybe even drag Xiao Rong down with him. He won’t refuse such an offer.”

After another prayer ceremony at 1 PM, all events at Ning’an Temple concluded.

They would depart for home early the next morning, and the day after, Xiao Rong would set out on his southern journey.

That would be Si Jin’s chance to leave the capital.

She had made thorough preparations.

If not for overhearing Xiao Rong’s conversation with his subordinate that day, she might not have been so resolute about escaping.

She had come to realize clearly that unless she left the capital and Xiao Rong, she might never break free from him.

Since Xiao Rong already knew of her escape plans, there was no need for her to hesitate in her covert preparations.

Her every move was under his watch—no matter how she hid, he would notice. All she had to do was continue playing the part of a captive bird, unaware of the approaching danger and still struggling, to keep Xiao Rong from growing more vigilant.

Without that incorrect map, would Xiao Rong still know where she had gone?

Footsteps suddenly sounded from behind, startling Si Jin into holding her breath as she whirled around.

“Can’t sleep?”

Xiao Rong emerged from the shadows, his figure becoming clear under the moonlight, yet Si Jin was still greatly startled. Even after recognizing his face, she felt a moment of panic as if seeing a ghost in the middle of the night.

This time, however, she didn’t scream, quickly suppressing the agitation in her throat and exhaling heavily.

Xiao Rong had been busy discussing matters with the Crown Prince all day today, only returning in the evening.

Perhaps because their departure was approaching, Si Jin’s mood was somewhat complicated, and she wanted to avoid facing Xiao Rong lest he notice something amiss.

She simply found an excuse, claiming that the continuous prayer ceremonies today had left her exhausted, and went to bed early.

Si Jin didn’t expect to actually fall asleep so early, nor did she expect to wake up in the middle of the night, feeling as if she had slept enough and couldn’t fall back asleep no matter what.

Si Jin spoke softly: “I rested for a while, so I’m not tired now.”

Xiao Rong slowly approached. Unlike the last time she encountered him at the door, this time he carried no sense of oppression, maintaining the gentle demeanor he had shown recently.

“Then you can return to the residence tomorrow after you’ve slept enough. There’s no rush.”

Si Jin instinctively replied: “No, that’s unnecessary. I’ll wake up early.”

“In such a hurry to return – is there something going on?”

Si Jin suddenly came to her senses. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but feel that Xiao Rong was testing her as if he had noticed something.

“No, I just think it’s the right time to return to the residence. There’s no need to delay.”

After speaking, Si Jin watched Xiao Rong’s reaction from the corner of her eye.

He remained silent, unusually turning his back to her. Not only did he stop staring at her face, but she also couldn’t see his expression anymore.

Just as Si Jin thought he didn’t intend to speak further and was hesitating about turning to leave,

Xiao Rong suddenly spoke: “Why don’t you ask me why I’m not in my room at this hour?”

Si Jin was startled, her mind instinctively answering the question for Xiao Rong first.

Could he be planning to sneak into her room under cover of night?

He had done such bad things before, and Si Jin had been on guard for quite some time after catching him.

But later he seemed to restrain himself and no longer had opportunities to do such things, causing Si Jin to gradually let down her guard.

During this visit to Ning’an Temple, although they had two rooms to stay in, they were very close together and had no door locks.

Was it that nothing really happened yesterday, or that she simply didn’t notice?

And today, she happened to encounter him again.

While Si Jin was wildly speculating, she heard Xiao Rong say calmly: “Because I had a dream. After waking up startled, I got up and came out.Si Jin was taken aback, not expecting that Xiao Rong’s words had nothing to do with her speculation.

Could he also have times when he gets frightened?

While Si Jin was still stunned, Xiao Rong had already turned back around.

He looked at her with intense eyes, his expression unpleasant, as if the dream he was mentioning had plunged his emotions back into gloomy darkness.

Si Jin opened her mouth. Her intuition told her not to ask, but the words unconsciously escaped her lips: “What did you dream about?”

“I dreamed that you disappeared.” Xiao Rong stated his dream coldly.

He took another step forward, slowly reaching out his hand. His fingertips hovered a hair’s breadth away, tracing down from her face and hair in a surreal manner.

Even though there was no actual contact, it made her feel her hairs stand on end.

“I searched everywhere, but couldn’t find you no matter how hard I tried.” Xiao Rong leaned down, gradually drawing closer to her.

Though he spoke of matters that should have saddened and repelled him, the air flowing between them seemed to pulse with blood-boiling excitement.

Si Jin’s entire body stiffened, regretting having asked the question. She wanted to turn and flee, but her feet seemed frozen by creeping chills, completely unable to move.

Xiao Rong let out a low chuckle near his lips: “Fortunately it was just a dream. Of course I wouldn’t fail to find you.”

“No matter where you are, I will always find you.”

Xiao Rong’s voice was close to her ear, yet so deep it seemed to emerge from some dark abyss – seemingly distant yet already silently coiling around her entire being, waiting only for the right moment to suddenly tighten its grip, imprisoning her until she suffocated, leaving no possibility of escape.

Overwhelming fear swept over Si Jin along with the boundless night.

Her heart pounded wildly, unable to conceal the terror on her face.

But at that moment, Xiao Rong retreated half a step, creating distance between them as if giving her space to breathe.

His tone softened, yet his words remained chilling: “You won’t disappear, will you?”

Si Jin could no longer think clearly – whether Xiao Rong had truly had such a dream or was using it to intimidate and warn her. She could only force a stiff smile and answer in a barely audible voice: “…No.”

“The schedule has been moved up. I’ll escort you back to your residence tomorrow before heading south myself.”

Xiao Rong spoke slowly: “Give me your answer when I return, as we previously agreed.”

Si Jin opened her mouth, only to find her throat too constricted to produce sound.

After a long moment, a slightly trembling voice emerged: “Alright, I’ll give you my answer.”