But twilight is near

It started raining halfway through, and by the time they reached Baima Temple, everyone was utterly exhausted.

Along the way, Luo Huanghun kept thinking about the key factors in the Luo family’s conviction. Luo Chenhui’s private seal was merely a tool to frame them. The Ren family’s main goal was to use Luo Huanghun to blackmail the Luos, forcing them to help consolidate power. Once the Luo family outlived their usefulness, they would strike—leaving some dead and others exiled.

And the fact that Luo Chenhui had lost his private seal even before Luo Huanghun married Ren Jingsi proved beyond a doubt that the Ren family had set this plan in motion long ago.

Much earlier than she had imagined.

Luo Huanghun’s heart sank. She only had six months to find Luo Chenhui’s private seal, divorce Ren Jingsi, and escape that quagmire once and for all.

Once they arrived at Baima Temple, she only realized Ren Jingsi had followed them after she had settled in.

But… given Ren Jingsi’s coldness and indifference toward her, why would he tag along?

Looking at his handsome face, Luo Huanghun almost wondered if her memory was playing tricks on her.

Although she didn’t know how much of a hand Ren Jingsi had in the downfall of the Luo family, based on their six-month agreement, he might not even know about Chancellor Ren’s plans yet.

But that wouldn’t stop him from imprisoning her to death for the sake of Li Ling’er.

Feeling a wave of frustration, Luo Huanghun decided that out of sight was out of mind. After offering incense with Luo Chenhui, she made an excuse to go for a walk and headed to the back mountain.

Three years ago, after her grandfather passed away and was buried at Baima Temple, she had stayed here for a period of time.

The ground was slick from the recent rain, and Luo Huanghun accidentally slipped and tumbled down a slope. A sharp pain shot through her ankle. Just as she finally managed to catch her breath, a large hand suddenly gripped her throat, and a burning hot body pressed up against her back.

How did this person appear without making a single sound?! Luo Huanghun gasped in shock!

“Who are you? What are you doing here?” A low, deep voice murmured right by her ear. Only then did she catch the scent of blood.

Her heart sank. This man was injured, but judging by how alert he was, his enemies had to be nearby.

This was bad. She was highly likely to get dragged into this…

As the thought crossed her mind, the grip on her neck tightened. The man was clearly growing impatient. She had no choice but to speak: “I came to Baima Temple to offer incense. I felt suffocated, so I came to the back mountain for a walk.”

“A young lady, walking alone in the back mountain?” The man’s voice pitched up, dripping with disbelief.

Before Luo Huanghun could reply, a rustling sound came from the surroundings. The man tightened his grip on her. “Someone’s coming. You’re coming with me. If you don’t want to die, keep quiet.”

The moment Luo Huanghun tried to take a step, a piercing pain shot through her foot. She collapsed toward the ground, finally getting a look at the man who had taken her hostage.

He was a tall, well-built man wearing a black face cloth. Only his eyes were visible—sharp as a hawk’s and radiating a powerful aura.

Facing his impatient expression, Luo Huanghun summoned her courage. “I sprained my ankle. It’s not convenient for you to carry me. Why don’t you…”

Why don’t you just leave her behind and run for your life?

The man clicked his tongue, giving her a long, deep look. Then, under her hopeful gaze, he hoisted her over his shoulder with a single arm.

Luo Huanghun’s world spun. A chuckling voice sounded near her ear, “Let you go? Wishful thinking. You might be a useless little girl, but you can still warm my bed.”

Luo Huanghun was instantly choked with anger, her face burning hot. What a scoundrel! He had absolutely no shame, throwing around talk of warming beds so casually!

He obviously suspected her identity and didn’t dare let her go.

But knowing that struggling was futile, she simply relaxed and slumped her entire weight onto him. Let’s see if she could crush this bastard!

Yet, even with her slung over his shoulder, the man’s pace didn’t falter in the slightest. He even teased her, “You’re just a slip of a girl. You highly overestimate your weight.”

Luo Huanghun was startled. This man was terrifyingly sharp. It was as if he could read her thoughts and actions perfectly.

Just who on earth was he?