Long Xiyue's nose stung, and her eyes reddened. Zijuan had grown up with her since childhood, and she regarded her as a sister. Zijuan was one of the few people in this world she could trust, yet she had never imagined that even she would betray her.
Hu Xiaotian said, "Things have come to this, so we can only make the best of a wrong turn. We'll have her assume your identity and go to the Yong Capital in your place. Luckily, few people have seen your real face. Although Wu Jingshan knows Zijuan isn't the princess, he thinks you've already met with disaster. He would never dare reveal the truth."
Long Xiyue let out a melancholy sigh. Events had long since moved beyond anything she could have imagined. Hu Xiaotian had exhausted every scheme to rescue her, but human calculations could never outwit Heaven's. It seemed even he had not anticipated this outcome.
Hu Xiaotian said, "You'll have to endure some hardship these next two days. For now, you'll stay by my side as a guard and help look after my horse. Zhan Peng will protect you discreetly. Once we leave the Nanyang Water Fortress, I'll find a suitable opportunity along the way to the Yong Capital to help you escape."
Long Xiyue shook her head and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I'm not going anywhere."
Hu Xiaotian was slightly taken aback.
Perhaps afraid that Hu Xiaotian had misunderstood, Long Xiyue added, "Wherever you go, my lord, I'll go." She put some more dry wood on the campfire and said softly, "After everything that's happened, you must be exhausted in both body and mind. Go back and rest early. Whatever it is, we can discuss it tomorrow."
Hu Xiaotian nodded. For now, that