Repeatedly broken branches

Zhou Tingxi took Xiao Mu to an inn to stay in. This was the first time they had traveled alone and stayed in a place by themselves.

Unfortunately, there was only one room available. Xiao Mu said it was fine, Zhou Tingxi could just sleep on the floor.

Xiao Mu took a shower and went downstairs with Zhou Tingxi to have dinner. Zhou Tingxi ordered a table full of dishes, but he felt it wasn't enough. Xiao Mu stopped him, saying, "That's enough, any more would be a waste."

"Okay, order more if you're still hungry."

Zhou Tingxi took a sip of tea. He listened intently to the conversation among the guests at the next table.

"Did you know that the young emperor of Chaoyang Kingdom kidnapped the little princess today?"

"Is that so? Is the little princess alright?"

"It's nothing, it's just that a man and a woman alone in a room, what else can they do?" The man's expression gradually became lewd.

A shadow crossed Zhou Tingxi's eyes. He turned to look at Xiao Mu, who was eating her meal as if nothing had happened. Suddenly remembering something, she said to Zhou Tingxi, "You should tell Cifeng about finding me, otherwise he'll worry about me."

The wind whispers, and the sound is so affectionate.

"Hmm," Zhou Tingxi replied indifferently.

She probably didn't hear what those people were saying, which is probably for the best, as it saves her from worrying.

"Want to go out for a walk and have dinner?"

Xiao Mu shook her head. "I'm exhausted today. I just want to get some sleep!"

Zhou Tingxi nodded, "Okay..."

What was he expecting? But why was she willing to go out with Ruan Cifeng but not with him? Why did it hurt so much when she refused him?

Xiao Mu was sleeping soundly, and even when the wind was blowing so hard that the window was almost rattling, she wasn't woken up. Zhou Tingxi went to close the window, but saw that Xiao Mu hadn't even covered herself properly with the blanket.

He went over and covered her with the blanket. Xiao Mu grabbed his hand, and Zhou Tingxi's heart trembled. Then his heart started beating very fast.

"Ci...Cifeng, where are you...I...I'm so scared..."

Zhou Tingxi's eyes were filled with a chilling coldness, and his heart ached terribly. He let go of Xiao Mu's hand and went outside to get some fresh air.

Do you like him that much that you even call out his name while you sleep?

Clearly, you liked me before.

Why did things change so suddenly?

He sneered. He was the one who changed so easily. He was the one who fell in love with someone else first, so how could he have the right to blame her? He himself had changed, so how could he have the right to expect someone else to wait in the same place? Besides, that person was a little princess who was loved by everyone.

He had expected that the princess would fall in love with someone else after the engagement was called off, but why did he feel a little bitter when she fell in love with someone else?

Zhou Tingxi didn't sleep a wink all night. She called Ruan Cifeng's name countless times throughout the night. How could he possibly sleep?

Xiao Mu didn't talk to him when she woke up. After washing up, she went downstairs to eat breakfast by herself.

Early in the morning, Ruan Cifeng arrived in Yuyang and found the inn that Zhou Tingxi had mentioned.

"Xiaozhi, you really scared me to death! I just went to buy a candied hawthorn and you disappeared. Do you know how worried I was?" Ruan Cifeng's eyes were like spring water.

Zhou Tingxi's gaze darkened, his eyes becoming deep and cold as he stared at the two of them.

Xiao Mu pushed Ruan Cifeng to the door and said with a light smile, "Let's go out for a walk. I'm so bored! Let's go outside and have some fun!"

"Okay." Ruan Cifeng agreed, then glanced at Zhou Tingxi who was standing there and said, "We'll be right back. General Zhou, would you like to come along?"

Xiao Mu said decisively, "No need, he doesn't like shopping with us, we can go by ourselves!"

Zhou Tingxi looked lost and dejected, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. He had only brought this upon himself; what could he do? He was the one who pushed her away first.

Well, she's back safe and sound. What else can he do? He won't disturb her and her time with someone else.

Zhou Tingxi told the shopkeeper to make sure to tell the young lady when she returned that he had gone back, and to tell her to have fun and not to rush back.

Zhou Tingxi rode away into the bustling city, as if none of this concerned him.

"I took a bouquet of flowers with me when I left. Will you notice?"

"Why, why am I so sad? We clearly like each other, yet we're so far apart?"

They grew up together, and when she was very young, he said to her, "Princess, will you be my wife someday?"

She said, "I'm a princess, and I want to marry the most powerful hero in the world!"

Because of her words, Zhou Tingxi worked hard to learn martial arts, swordsmanship, and horseback riding. Finally, he became the most powerful hero in the world.

He bullied her, but seeing her angry made him feel satisfied.

But why would he abandon Ye Wanwan because of the debt of saving his life?

He and Ye Wanwan were not husband and wife in name only. It was Ye Wanwan who pushed him onto the bed. He didn't know why, but sometimes when he looked at Ye Wanwan, he would suddenly think of Xia Yunzhi.

That night, Yin Fu'an wore a black cloak, completely covering his face. He looked around, then lightly leaped over the Zhou family's wall and slipped into the Zhou family's house.

"The ministers in the court have been won over, and we can act at any time."

Yin Fu'an's phoenix eyes swept over him. Yin Fu'an frowned and said in a low voice, "What's wrong, Xi? Haven't you been waiting for a day for a long time? Why do you look unhappy?"

Zhou Tingxi said slowly, "The princess is, after all, my fiancée. She will never forgive me for doing such a thing."

Yin Fu'an smiled faintly, his gaze sharp. "If you don't dare to do it, then I will. The old man trusts me completely; he won't be wary of me."

"Will it be too risky?"

Yin Fu'an said, "If you want to do great things, don't hesitate. Most of the people in the court are my people, and I handle almost everything. What are you afraid of? He is just a useless emperor. He relies on you on the battlefield and on me in the court. Without us, he is nothing. I don't want to assist a useless person. Aren't you wrong?"

Zhou Tingxi nodded. "When will you do it?"

Yin Fu'an smiled faintly, "Anytime, I'll listen to you, whenever you want."

"Wait, I don't want the princess to see this when she's not around..."

“Fine,” Yin Fu’an raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly. “Are you that afraid the princess will find out? She’ll find out sooner or later. If she knows you killed her father, will she still marry you?”