After listening to Li Yong's words, Huo Lin's heart became even more restless. He lowered his head and pressed on the throbbing pain between his eyebrows, speaking hoarsely in response, "Grandmother, I want to be alone for a while."

Seeing that his attitude had softened, Li Yong stopped saying anything further. He issued a few instructions to the attending palace maids and then returned to his sleeping quarters in his carriage.

The next day, at daybreak, when the sky was just getting a little lighter, a group of guards rushed into the Imperial Prison.

After they stood still on both sides of the corridor, a man with a pale complexion and stern facial features walked in from outside the prison cell door.

The snow had not yet melted, and the dungeon was underground, so it was damp and bitterly cold. As soon as one stepped inside, a bone-chilling coldness would crawl up the ankles.

The candlelight on both sides of the long corridor flickered, emanating a profound sense of mystery and desolation.

Chi Jiuchong stood in front of the prison gate, looking coldly at the people inside.

"Someone, open the door," he said in a hoarse voice, as if he had caught a cold, yet still filled with authority.

"Yes." The guard next to him immediately followed the order, opening the prison door and stepping aside.

The person lying on the haystack at this moment finally reacted.

He stood up hesitantly, his clear eyes filled with excitement. "Has Young Master come to save me? Can... can I survive now?"

Chijiu Chong looked at Lou LaoBan, who was once extraordinarily prosperous, but now was ragged, covered in dust, and exuding the stench of the prison. He couldn't describe the feeling in his heart.

He took a step back and furrowed his brow, responding, "The Sixth Prince has already agreed to the marriage proposal, you can leave now."

As soon as he finished speaking, a despairing expression filled Lu Ling's eyes.

"How could this...?" He opened his mouth in panic, but quickly regained his composure. Tears rolled down his face as he said, "It's all my fault... I've brought trouble to the young master... It's all my fault..."

He was well aware of how much Huo Lin detested this marriage, and yet now, in order to save his own life, he had no choice but to agree.

"It's all because of me that I've burdened him..."

He gazed at the dark corridor, his heart filled with a mixture of sadness and anger, wishing he could just crash headfirst into the door railing and die.

It seemed that he sensed his intention, as Chi Jiuchong turned around and said coldly, "If he saved you like this and you end up taking your own life, it would be a betrayal of his heartfelt kindness."

He looked at Lou Ling up and down, full of disdain as he spoke: "Mr. Lou, it's best for you to leave as soon as possible and go back to singing well. With your reputation, it won't be long before Ping Le Pavilion becomes famous again throughout the Imperial City."

After speaking, he waved to a group of guards and hastily left the prison cell.

Listening to the fading footsteps, Lou Ling weakly collapsed onto the ground.

Looking outside at the heavy snow through the skylight, he could only tightly wrap himself in Huo Lin's coat, trembling legs, step by step, leaving the dungeon.

As the most popular performer in the Ping Le Pavilion, Lou Ling had never experienced such hardships before. With all eyes watching, she walked barefoot, disheveled and dirty-faced.

He didn't know how to face the future and continue performing on stage. How could he accompany Huo Lin? Would others still address him respectfully as "Boss Lou"?

He thought sorrowfully, feeling that the journey back was boundlessly long.

At this very moment, urgent shouts suddenly came from behind.

"Lou Boss -! Lou Boss, please wait...!"

Lou Ling stopped and looked towards the direction of the sound. There, she saw a handsome man with refined features, dressed in simple attire, leaping off a horse. He then handed him a bundle.

"Lou Boss, this is what the sixth prince asked me to bring to you. Please put it on quickly."

Lou Ling opened the bundle, revealing a pair of cloud-patterned cloth shoes embroidered with silver beads.

His eyes instantly lit up, and he looked behind the man.

"Where is the young master? Why hasn't the young master arrived?"