Not long later, they heard a screech of a bird . They simultaneously looked up and saw Lin Xulian's red bird, Fei . Fei screeched and flapped his wings when he is finally in front of Lin Xulian . He looked like he was nagging them for leaving him behind .

"Hey stupid bird can you keep quiet! We're fleeing here . You'll get us caught if you keep making noise . " Lin Xulian said irritatingly at the bird .

But instead of obeying, he gave a long and loud screech in protest . The three of them covered their ears from his noise . Irritated, Lin Xulian grabbed him by his beak to shut him up . "Why are you throwing a tantrum?! It was you who chose food over your master and always stayed by Feng Jun Yi's side . I thought you'd choose to stay with him . "

This time, Fei finally stopped making noise . It was true that he stayed mostly with Feng jun Yi because Lin Xulian can't remember to feed him . But she is still his master . Even if he is destined to starve with her, he cannot leave her side . To show his sincerity and loyalty, he nudged Lin Xulian's leg and act cute .

Lin Xulian raised her eyebrows at the bird and teased him . "Do you really want to follow me? Don't blame me if you starve . " Without warning, Fei flew away . When he returned shortly, he has a fat rabbit clamped in his claws . He presented it in front of Lin Xulian and stood proud like a mighty predator .

Seeing this, Lin Xulian had an idea and smiled satisfactorily . Fei on the other hand weakened by her next words . "Since you can hunt, then you can feed me instead . "

******

The three of them chose to rest and camp for the night because of Lin Xulian's condition . Because she cannot use her internal energy that much, the cold weather is starting to affect her . They knew sooner or later, the snow will start to fall and they need to reach the nearest town if they want to be safe from the cold . But Lin Xulian cannot stand to travel right now because she used a lot of her strength to fake her death .

Even though the thick layer of trees is s.h.i.+elding her vision, Lin Xulian looked at the direction of the Palace with sadness in her eyes . Just few more months before her and Feng Jun Yi's fifth year of marriage but it suddenly ended just like that . They almost became a real couple but reality hindered it . And Lin Xulian needs to accept the fact that her first love failed and wasn't returned .

'He never loved me . He just wanted to build a family for the empire's sake . He really is an ideal emperor . ' Lin Xulian thought while mocking herself . 'But I am not born to be used . I can do more and be more other than becoming a woman with an empty t.i.tle . Women are not only meant to be a wife and a mother . The world is vast and knowledge is endless . I'd rather discover them than stay within that cold place .

But before I seek that path, I will first treat myself and search for the person who ruined my little paradise . I should thank them though for making me realize that my paradise wasn't real . But still, they deserve to be punished . '

Seeing her boss in deep thought, Xiao Tians.h.i.+ sat beside her and asked in concern . "Boss, what are you thinking? Do you regret leaving the palace?"

Lin Xulian looked at her and returned her question . "Do you regret leaving the fourth prince?"

Xiao Tians.h.i.+ averted her eyes and denied it . "W-why would I regret leaving that airhead and brash prince? There are a lot of adorable and sweet men out there!"

"You should stay here . " Lin Xulian said with finality .

"But why boss? I can't stay there without you anyway . But I can be of help if I go along with you . " Xiao Tians.h.i.+ exclaimed .

Lin Xulian looked back at the Palace's direction and replied solemnly . "Yours and my situation is different . The fourth prince loves you in return . Don't waste your chance in finding your happiness just because of me . "

"It's totally fine boss . I am your subordinate and it is only natural for me to sacrifice—" Lin Xulian stopped Xiao Tians.h.i.+ from speaking further by holding her shoulders .

"Tians.h.i.+, you are my sister . You deserve your own happiness too . And big brother Rui is with me . " Xiao Tians.h.i.+ teared up from Lin Xulian's words .

"But boss, how am I supposed to do it . They would surely suspect something . By returning in the Palace, it might jeopardize your plan . "

"Silly girl . You can make an excuse . You are good with that anyway . " Lin Xulian said while knocking on her head . Xiao Tians.h.i.+ on the other hand thank her while crying .

******

The next day, Lin Xulian watched the sun rise and the vast foreign land in front of her . Her journey will finally begin . She inhaled the cold morning air deeply and smiled in determination . 'Finally, my freedom . Freedom from the loveless marriage and freedom from the unknown enemy . But I will unravel their ident.i.ty soon and make them pay . '

Rui on the other hand have different thoughts while watching Lin Xulian . 'Lian'er, I will surely take this chance to stop being just your brother . '