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And one name kept circling her mind like an unwanted fly.

Ye Nuan.

That ever-smiling, two-faced wretch who, in her past life, had clung to Xuanyuan Ye like a leech, whispering concern while plotting betrayal. She had taken advantage of Ruan Ji's downfall to insert herself into his world, fawning and fluttering about with that pitiful mask of virtue.

Ruan Ji had endured it once, seeing silently as everything was taken away from her one by one. This time, she wouldn't be so benevolent.

Her brows furrowed as a sickening thought hit her:

'If he's going on a mission… wouldn't she follow him again?'

Would Ye Nuan cling to the shadows of his movements, conveniently "assigned" to the mission under some false pretense of ability or alliance?