**Chapter 15: Old Chang's Blood Earns**  

It wasn’t entirely his fault that he couldn’t recognize the person at first; the dim lighting made it difficult to see clearly. However, at this moment, Chang Kuo studied the figure in the candlelight of the carriage and felt that this reason was not the main one.  

The primary reason was that this child had changed far too much.  

The war in the south had been raging for nearly two years, and he had not returned home in that time, leaving his impression of the girl stuck in her fourteenth year.  

If one were to speak of her features, she had indeed matured a great deal, but it was more than just that; it seemed that everything else had changed dramatically as well.  

Was it because she was disguised as a young man?  

Chang Kuo couldn’t quite put his finger on it, and inevitably, his attention was more focused on the perplexing situation before him.  

“May I ask, Young Master Wei, what exactly is going on here?” Knowing that his little girl had always been soft-spoken and introverted, Chang Kuo instinctively turned to Wei Shuyi for answers.  

Wei Shuyi glanced at Chang Suining before explaining how she had been abducted to Hezhou.  

“What?!” Chang Kuo exclaimed in shock. “Such a thing has happened?!”  

He was both surprised and angry. “For such a significant matter, why didn’t that brat Sui'an send word to me? What kind of person is he to let his elder brother down like this?!”  

As he spoke, his right hand slammed heavily on the small table in the carriage, making a loud “bang” as the frail little table cracked under his palm.  

“…” The carriage shook slightly, and Wei Shuyi instinctively steadied himself against the wall of the carriage.  

Chang Suining looked at the cracked table, finding it particularly satisfying.  

It broke quite nicely.  

Even though he had become “Old Chang,” he was still a robust Old Chang.  

Seeing the girl stare silently at the crack in the table, Chang Kuo felt his heart breaking. He raised both hands, wanting to comfort the girl’s shoulder, yet he hesitated, unsure of how to touch her without frightening her. He struggled to keep his voice steady, afraid it might startle her: “How… How did this happen?!”  

“Did they hurt you?”  

Noticing that the girl was neither crying nor speaking, Chang Kuo felt helpless. “Are you scared?! Suining… don’t scare your father!”  

Chang Suining’s heart tightened: “Father?”  

She actually called him “Father”?  

So what about in the future…?  

Hearing that awkward “Father,” Chang Kuo’s eyes turned red, and he nodded, gently patting the girl’s shoulder. He looked at Wei Shuyi and said, “Young Master Wei, my daughter Suining has been weak since childhood and timid. I’d appreciate it if you could explain this matter…”  

Wei Shuyi’s brow furrowed slightly.  

Weak and timid…  

Though General Chang was a martial general, he was exceptionally humble.  

He glanced at Chang Suining, not detailing her brave deeds, but generally said, “I was also entrusted with the secret letter from Lord Yu, which informed me that Madam Chang had been lost near Hezhou. Unfortunately, I couldn’t be of much help. Ultimately, it was still Madam Chang’s good fortune that she could turn peril into safety.”  

With that phrase, “good fortune,” he encompassed all her brave acts.  

As for what to say or not to say, that was a matter concerning the Chang family.  

Chang Suining subconsciously looked over, only to see a hint of unspoken amusement in Wei Shuyi’s eyes.  

“How fortunate that this misfortune turned out to be a blessing! Surely, there must be divine protection!”  

Chang Kuo was immensely relieved, yet felt apologetic toward the girl before him. “Suining, are you angry at your father for not returning home in two years, neglecting the family? It’s truly my fault, and I regret that Suining has suffered…”  

As he spoke, he felt more and more ashamed and self-reproachful. He then vowed, “But don’t worry. Once we return home, I’ll teach that brat Sui'an a lesson; I’ll break his leg for sure!”  

Chang Suining: “…”  

Old Chang’s way of expressing remorse was to break his son’s leg?  

“And those scoundrels who abducted you! I’ll personally tear them limb from limb and grind them into meat paste!”  

Chang Kuo’s emotions swung between rage and paternal affection.  

Yet he was still somewhat at a loss as to how to properly express this love; being a rough man, he had always been flustered when interacting with the delicate girl over the years—  

At this moment, seeing that the girl had grown taller than two years ago but was even more slender, he felt both guilt and heartache. He pulled out a dry pancake from the side, unwrapped the oiled paper, and handed it to her: “Here, eat a pancake to calm your nerves!”  

Seeing the dry pancake suddenly produced, Wei Shuyi had an understanding—Madam Chang’s family was not ordinary folk.  

Chang Suining looked at the dry pancake and then at his rough, cracked hands.  

After a moment, she reached out to take it and brought it to her mouth for a bite.  

The military rations were only meant to fill the stomach, naturally lacking in flavor.  

However, with that bite of pancake, she truly felt… she was home.  

Seeing Old Chang and tasting that pancake, she finally felt like she was really back home.  

It was like being guided back to her homeland, laid to rest, and buried in her native soil…  

The girl lowered her head and earnestly ate the pancake, her drooping eyes slightly reddening.  

“Slow down, don’t choke!” Chang Kuo poured a bowl of water and handed it to her.  

Chang Suining took it and gulped it down in one go. When she raised her eyes, she met Chang Kuo’s eyes, which were still filled with tension and worry.  

The girl curved her lips and smiled at him.  

Chang Kuo was taken aback for a moment before a silly, endearing smile quickly spread across his weathered face in response.  

That playful smile looked rather foolish, causing Chang Suining to laugh even more, her eyes sparkling with joy.  

So this would be her “Father” in the future. The vicissitudes of life truly were unpredictable.  

In truth, she had never called anyone “Father.”  

Her original father was beyond reach.  

But Old Chang was already much older than her; by age, he indeed could be her father.  

Moreover, having lived and died together for many years, she had always regarded him as a trustworthy family member. Therefore, calling him “Father” wasn’t a loss for her.  

Of course, Old Chang was definitely the one who profited.  

Chang Suining fought back her tears and continued eating the pancake.  

Wei Shuyi watched this unfold and chuckled, saying, “Young Miss Chang, if you’re like this, how can I explain my harsh treatment?”  

Hearing this, Chang Kuo laughed heartily, finally taking the time to repeatedly thank Wei Shuyi.  

“Reporting to the Great General, Young Master Wei has taken a young lad along in General Chang’s carriage, saying he has personal matters to discuss with Tenth Young Master Wei. He specifically sent someone to inform the General.” Cui Yuanxiang was conveying this information.  

“Understood.” On the horse, Cui Jing said nothing more.  

“I wonder who that young lad following Young Master Wei is? He looks to be about fifteen or sixteen.” Cui Yuanxiang said curiously. “It seems that General Chang is quite nervous about that young lad.”  

Cui Jing did not respond.  

Cui Yuanxiang, used to the General’s demeanor, knew he was generally not very curious about anything and would not care much.  

Oh, except for the Xuanzhe army and the war, and… the matter regarding the Great Cloud Temple in the capital.  

He was not very clear on the secrets hidden in the Great Cloud Temple, but he knew it contained matters of great importance to the General.  

Everyone, please don’t hoard the chapters ah ah ah! I really will have my heart broken! It’s worse than the mouth of Chang Ji!  

(I’ve recently started working hard to save drafts, hoping that once this book is published, I can manage to do double updates, so that I can turn over a new leaf and start afresh _(:з」∠)_  

(End of Chapter) 

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 184: I Won't Take Action

Today's dinner was prepared early, and before it got dark after eating, the red glow scattered across the sky.

Bai Lu sat under a chestnut tree on a leisure chair, reading a book. Her left hand rested on the armrest, and her right hand, holding a tender large vegetable leaf, fed the little chicks on the ground. The book covered her face.

A steady footstep, gradually approaching, stopped by the leisure chair under the tree.

"Have you figured out a solution?"

A magnetic and deep voice entered Bai Lu's ears. She immediately moved the book away from her face and indeed saw a handsome and perfect face, along with those deep and mysterious eyes.

The stability and calmness conveyed by those eyes always made her feel at ease, enabling her to speak her mind.

"I want to sell the recipe for candied chestnuts."

Xiao Cheng seemed unsurprised, as if he had expected it: "To an individual or as a teaching class?"

Even though she knew that he had a sharp and intelligent mind, Bai Lu was still shocked that he could understand everything with just one sentence.

The first half was a backup plan, and the second half was the best plan. This was her decision.

"I want to sell the first batch to these ten partners with established sales channels. The second batch will expand to small towns within the city that haven't sold candied chestnuts before. The third batch will reach Pingcheng and surrounding county towns. Each location will have a limited number of participants to ensure that there won't be an oversaturation of candied chestnut sellers in the towns and cities."

"At the same time, provide chestnut raw materials, collaborate with partners to purchase from Xiao Village. When candied chestnuts are sold everywhere, even if Li Chengbin wants to stop it, he won't be able to, and he wouldn't dare to provoke public anger at this time."

Unless he wanted his father-in-law to be suspended and investigated.

Xiao Cheng leaned against the chestnut tree in a relaxed posture, looking at Bai Lu with appreciation. "A good method. The premise is that someone dares to learn, dares to sell, and can successfully open a store or stall."

Once again struck in the heart, Bai Lu sighed with a sense of frustration. "Yes, unless I deal with Li Chengbin, who would dare to learn how to make candied chestnuts and then not be able to sell them."

Originally, Bai Lu's plan was to sell candied chestnuts until the end of the month and then start selling the recipe next month.

After this period, with the hot sales of the ten channels, the reputation of candied chestnuts had already spread far and wide.

Many people were interested in the recipe, and once the news of the selling method was out, there would definitely be a rush of people eager to learn.

But today, all ten candied chestnut stalls had closed. By now, it must be widely known.

No one would dare to learn to make candied chestnuts anymore.

Everyone knew that candied chestnuts had attracted the attention of powerful forces, and who would be willing to spend that much money.

The best way now was to distract Li Chengbin, making him too busy to intervene in the popularization of candied chestnuts. By the time he had the time, everything would be settled.

But anything that could distract Li Chengbin would undoubtedly attract the attention of the four major powers. If the four major powers knew that candied chestnuts were about to enter the entire market, they would certainly take action.

It would be best if this major event could hit five birds with one stone, distracting everyone's attention and allowing the selling method to proceed smoothly.

Xiao Cheng pondered for a moment. A trace of ruthlessness flashed in his deep and dark eyes, but it quickly returned to calm. He said to the girl sitting on the leisure chair, "I'm going out for a while."

His tone was as calm as usual, casually mentioning his whereabouts, similar to when he usually went to the city for business.

However, looking at his cold and arrogant figure, Bai Lu felt the ominous and fierce aura of a beast breaking free from its cage.

Subconsciously, she stood up and called out, "Xiao Cheng."

Xiao Cheng stopped, but didn't turn around, as if waiting for Bai Lu to say what she wanted or bidding farewell as usual.

Bai Lu suddenly remembered the incident in Gaofeng Town last time, where there was a sudden conflict between Li Chengbin's people and the people of the big boss. Wu Fangli's sales channel succeeded only after that confrontation.

She had a guess. With the current situation and Xiao Cheng's sudden decision to go out, her speculation became more certain.

"Are you going to take action?"

Xiao Cheng didn't speak. His back was elongated by the red glow in the sky, and the falling leaves didn't disturb his shoulders.

Bai Lu said, "I don't want you to take action."

The expected result, Xiao Cheng still didn't turn around, but there was a dim light in his eyes.

A self-deprecating curve appeared at the corner of his cold mouth.

Do you have to make everything clear...

Looking at the tall and silent figure in front of her, Bai Lu hesitated for a moment and resolutely spoke, "I don't want you to get hurt."

The self-deprecating curve on Xiao Cheng's mouth suddenly stopped. When the footsteps approached, there was already a figure of a girl in his eyes.

In those crystal-clear and clean eyes, there was an obvious worry, for him.

Since they slept in separate rooms last night, the two hadn't spoken again. The atmosphere seemed to return to the coldness of their first meeting.

But now, with just one glance, she broke the ice, and everything revived. Even the red glow showered down with tenderness.

The gentle wind lifted the girl's soft long hair. Xiao Cheng involuntarily reached out, picking up a strand of hair that had messed up her gentle brows, tucking it behind her ear.

He realized it was somewhat inappropriate after doing so and was momentarily stunned.

At this moment, a chestnut flower fell gently.

It fell in front of her, and she smiled.

The smiling face was as beautiful as a flower painting.

Xiao Cheng's eyes also carried a hint of a smile, and he embraced her. "I won't take action."

Bai Lu was slightly stunned, and there was a refreshing breath between breaths. In this moment, she automatically closed her senses, letting go of concerns and reasons, not thinking about why, just embracing like this.

Softly, she spoke, "And you're not allowed to get hurt."

Xiao Cheng agreed, "Okay."

"Protect yourself."

"Okay."

"Come home early."

"Okay."

...

The moon rose above the willow branches. Bai Lu sat in the yard reading a book, while Xiao Wei sat beside her doing homework.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Xiao Wei asked, "Who is it?"

"It's me." It was Wang Cuihua's voice.

The door opened, revealing a pitiful-looking Wang Cuihua, trembling in fear but dressed in bright and colorful clothes. She ran in very familiarly to find someone.

"Big Brother Xiao Cheng, there's a mouse in my house!"

If it weren't for Xiao Wei mentioning the story of mice becoming spirits before, Bai Lu would have believed her.

"Xiao Cheng isn't at home."

Wang Cuihua didn't believe it. She thought Xiao Cheng should be taking a shower, so she ran to Bai Lu and tearfully complained, "There really is a mouse in my house, and it even climbed onto my bed."

"I'm terrified!" Wang Cuihua, seeing no response from Bai Lu, immediately changed from a pitiful appearance to a look of great horror. "That mouse is particularly big and even bites people. When I lie on the bed, the new clothes I just bought were bitten into a big hole by it."

"Look, my clothes are all bitten..." Wang Cuihua, seeing no reaction from Bai Lu, suddenly turned from fear to extreme horror. "Shall we wait for Big Brother Xiao Cheng?"

You understood now, right?

Xiao Wei kicked her little foot, picked up a slipper, and walked out. "My brother is not at home. I'll help you catch the mouse."

This scene seemed familiar, and Wang Cuihua was suddenly stunned. "Shouldn't we wait for Big Brother Xiao Cheng?"

Bai Lu suspected that she was a bit hard of hearing. "My husband is not at home; he went out."

Now you understand, right?

Wang Cuihua understood, but she didn't want to leave. She thought Xiao Cheng must be taking a shower.

"Let's wait a bit longer."

Chapter 195: Assault

Jiang Chenchen emerged from the elevator, passed through a hidden room, and rushed to the first floor. In the faint light of dawn, she saw the chaotic crowd and Sheng Mingsi dodging within it.

"Ah Si!"

She instinctively called out, and Sheng Mingsi, with bloodshot and crimson eyes, a face covered in blood, heard her voice amidst the chaotic thoughts. He glimpsed the familiar figure.

"Chenchen!"

Evading gunfire, Sheng Mingsi moved through the hospital corridors to her side. Wu Bi protected him, and Sheng Mingsi swiftly pulled her close, avoiding bullets that whizzed past.

They darted into a hospital room.

Jiang Chenchen leaned against his broad chest, her face close to him, hearing his intense heartbeat and the heavy breaths above her head.

Several consecutive nights of rushing around had left him exhausted. Still, the person in front of her was fine, in his arms, making everything worthwhile.

While he vigilantly monitored the situation outside, his low voice reached her ears.

Jiang Chenchen heard him say, "Chenchen, I'm here to take you home."

Suddenly, a warm feeling surged in her heart. He had come all the way to this foreign land for her, enduring all hardships, and now, amidst the gunfire, he wanted to take her home.

"When did you guys arrive?" she asked.

"Just now. I'm sorry it took so long, causing you distress, Chenchen. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Ah Si... Zhan Chen said he would let me go when it's dawn. It's already dawn; you don't have to fight anymore!"

She left Sheng Mingsi's embrace, headed towards the exit, and shouted Zhan Chen's name to stop him.

Her voice attracted gunfire, but Sheng Mingsi quickly pulled her back.

"Chenchen, it's dangerous! How can you trust that person's words?" Sheng Mingsi's face bore traces of bullets aimed at his eyes.

His expression was extremely serious, suppressing his breath from top to bottom.

Jiang Chenchen reached out, wiping away the bloodstains from his cheek, looking into his eyes. "Ah Si, we can go home soon. Trust me. Have your people withdraw first."

Sheng Mingsi grabbed her wrist, holding onto it tightly, unwilling to let go. He stared into her eyes with profound intensity. "I'll be with you, no matter what."

He wouldn't let go.

Jiang Chenchen met his gaze, firmly gripping his hand. Then, the two of them left the room.

Sheng Mingsi ordered his men to withdraw, simultaneously shouting, "Zhan Chen, tell your people to stop. Chenchen is with me; let's talk."

In this dimly lit corridor with disrupted circuits, where both upstairs and downstairs were engaged in a chaotic battle, his voice was clear enough. Meanwhile, Zhan Chen, concealed in the darkness on the other side, narrowed his eyes.

Chenchen was with him.

Although he was mentally prepared, his words always ignited a strong desire to destroy and eliminate. However, it wasn't the time yet.

Zhan Chen instructed his men to put down their weapons. Pushed by Ning Yi, he came out in a wheelchair. In this smoky and dim corridor, he saw Jiang Chenchen standing beside Sheng Mingsi.

The day had already dawned.

Light streamed in diagonally through shattered windows.

It was daylight, and it was time to let her go.

"Chenchen, come over here," Zhan Chen shouted to her.

"It's daylight; it's time to let her go."

"Chenchen, come here," Zhan Chen called to her.

He always looked at her with enough tenderness, even though he was forcefully maintaining his willpower.

Jiang Chenchen stood still, her hand in Sheng Mingsi's hand, his fingers ice-cold, gripping tightly.

"Ah Si," she softly called him.

Sheng Mingsi glanced at her and said in a deep voice, "Don't be afraid."

He locked eyes with the person opposite him. "It's dawn, continuing like this won't lead to a good outcome. Your body doesn't seem like it can endure it any longer. I'll take her away, and you can immediately withdraw from here."

Indeed, Zhan Chen's body couldn't endure further strain, but he just wanted her to come and talk to him. Especially seeing her standing beside Sheng Mingsi, holding hands, it was so glaring that it was unbearable!

"Chenchen, come over here. I'll let you go."

He looked so humble in front of so many people.

But when his gaze fell on Sheng Mingsi, it was uncharacteristically cold. "You immediately leave this place. One hundred meters outside the hospital, I'll talk to Chenchen for a few minutes, then let her go."

He just didn't want to watch them leave together from his sight. Otherwise, he feared he wouldn't keep his promise to let go.

However, Sheng Mingsi interpreted his words as a provocation. How could he let Jiang Chenchen stay by his side when faced with such a dangerous person?

He was truly worried and absolutely did not believe in Zhan Chen's character. However, Jiang Chenchen squeezed his hand slightly, as if pulling back his thoughts and gaze.

Sheng Mingsi glanced at her, and she said, "Ah Si, trust me. I'll be back with you shortly."

Her voice was gentle, but the power conveyed in her eyes allowed him to feel a bit more reassured in his anxious heart.

"But..."

"Wait for me."

She exerted strength in her hand. Before letting go, she was seeking his opinion.

Even if Sheng Mingsi was unwilling, he couldn't truly disbelieve her. Lowering his head to look into her eyes, he said coldly and solemnly, "Be careful. I'll be waiting for you outside. If anything happens, shout loudly for me."

"Okay, I'll call your name. Sheng Mingsi."

They settled on leaving, but an unexpected incident occurred after Sheng Mingsi led his people outside. Someone with ulterior motives had infiltrated among the hired men. When everyone was relaxed, this person suddenly fired a shot at the person in the wheelchair.

At that moment, Jiang Chenchen was walking towards Zhan Chen.

The bullet missed its target, unexpectedly aimed at Jiang Chenchen. At that moment, Zhan Chen, in a panic, gathered his strength from the wheelchair and pressed her form down, holding her protectively in front of him.

As a result, the bullet hit his thigh.

Blood quickly seeped through his clothes, staining it red.

Suddenly, during this turn of events, Sheng Mingsi, being a bit far away, couldn't rescue Jiang Chenchen. However, he was the first to shoot the assailant's arm. The gun shifted, and the assailant was immediately subdued.

In that situation, they almost started another fight between the two factions.

It was Sheng Mingsi who restrained the impulsive urge to fight, handing over the assailant to Zhan Chen's men for investigation. At the same time, Wu Bi went to facilitate the handover between Sheng Mingsi's people and Zhan Chen's.

Due to this sudden incident, Zhan Chen's situation became critical, and the hospital's doctors were also injured, making it impossible for them to provide immediate medical attention.

At this moment, Jiang Chenchen turned to look at Sheng Mingsi. After he stabilized the various emotions and arrived, she said, "Don't panic. I've studied medicine; leave it to me!"

Next Chapter▶▶

Chapter 1088: Visiting the Yao Residence

Shu Yu thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to the Yao Residence."

Having never been to the capital before, Shu Yu could count on one hand the people she knew here, with only Qi Chan and Yao Tianqin on the list. Both of them had been considerate and even sent gifts on her coming-of-age day.

So, it was only proper for her to pay a visit to the Yao Residence with some local specialties in hand.

In fact, she preferred going to the Yao Residence rather than the Qi Residence. While she only knew Master Qi in the latter, she had met Yao Tianqin, Yao Bo, Madame Yao, and the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yao family. She had a good relationship with them and felt comfortable around them.

Yao Tianqin, however, was entirely devoted to his construction projects and didn't pay much attention to other matters. He definitely wouldn't know as much as someone with higher status like Qi Chan.

Now that Qi Chan was absent, Shu Yu wanted to check the situation at the Yao Residence.

The Yao Residence was quite far away. Before Yao Tianqin's exile, he lived in a small and remote house that was his own property.

After his reinstatement, he was rewarded with an official residence, and it seemed quite impressive from what Shu Yu saw.

With the address of the Yao Residence in hand – Yao Tianqin had written to her father after returning to the capital – Shu Yu lifted her head and looked at the courtyard before her, taking a deep breath.

"Miss, let me go and inquire," Ying Xi offered.

"Okay."

As Ying Xi took a step forward, she suddenly paused and muttered, "Idiot."

Shu Yu raised an eyebrow, suspecting Ying Xi was insulting her.

Ying Xi realized her mistake and hurriedly explained, "I'm not talking about you; I mean..."

Before she could finish her explanation, Shu Yu followed her finger's direction and saw the actual idiot.

Unexpectedly, the person she met on the boat appeared again, and their paths crossed once more.

Yao Tianqin, the Yao Residence, and the idiot.

Fate was truly strange; it seemed that the idiot had a close relationship with the Yao family.

Seeing them, young master Yao eyes lit up slightly, and he seemed to recall something before snorting disdainfully.

The girl next to him wasn't the one who blocked Shu Yu on the boat the last time.

This girl appeared to have a fiercer temper. Upon seeing Shu Yu and Ying Xi, she stepped forward and said, "It's you again? Huh, you claimed you didn't deliberately try to seduce my brother. On the boat, you kept showing up in front of us, and now you followed us here. You have no shame."

Shu Yu fell silent for a moment. She knew that if she tried to explain that their encounters were mere coincidences, they wouldn't believe her.

So, she chose not to explain.

Instead, she signaled Ying Xi, who then cursed, "Idiot."

Both Yao siblings immediately became furious. "What did you say?"

Ignoring them, Ying Xi went to ask the gatekeeper of the Yao Residence, "Is Master Yao at home?"

The gatekeeper was about to answer when the Yao girl sternly interrupted, "Don't answer her. These two have bad intentions. They deliberately appeared in front of us on the boat. Who knows what they want by inquiring about Master Yao?"

Shu Yu rolled up her sleeves, ready to give the idiot a good beating.

Ying Xi immediately said, "Miss, let me handle this."

Saying that, she clenched her fist, but at that moment, a puzzled voice came from the road outside the Yao Residence, "Miss Lu?"

Next Chapter▶▶

Chapter 315: Do You Miss Me? (2)

Xiao Ruiyuan couldn't deny it. Looking at the serene face of the woman before him and thinking of his purpose for coming here, he couldn't help but ask, "When it returns to the mountains, will you miss it?"

Mo Yan looked at him incredulously. Was this still the cold and aloof Sir Xiao? Was he being impersonated? Otherwise, why would he ask such a question?

Xiao Ruiyuan coughed dryly, looking somewhat uncomfortable but staring directly at Mo Yan, evidently awaiting her answer.

Mo Yan felt a strange surge in her heart. She instinctively felt that this question was not as simple as it seemed. Yet, upon careful consideration, she couldn't find anything wrong with it, as if it were genuinely just a straightforward question.

Suppressing her sense of strangeness, she replied, "Of course, I would miss it. After all, I've raised it for so long, and we've developed a deep bond."

After saying this, Mo Yan glanced at someone and secretly thought, "With such a face, he really isn't suitable for asking such questions. My heart can't handle it!"

This time, Xiao Ruiyuan didn't continue the conversation. He stared at Mo Yan and suddenly blurted out, "I'll be leaving the day after tomorrow!"

"Ah?" The topic suddenly changed, and Mo Yan couldn't keep up. Just as she was about to ask "Where are you going?" Xiao Ruiyuan threw out another question, leaving Mo Yan dumbfounded.

"Do you miss me?"

"Do you miss me, do you miss me, do you miss me..."

Mo Yan dumbfoundedly stared at Xiao Ruiyuan, suddenly raised her hand and slapped her forehead hard. It must be that her head was broken; otherwise, why would this sentence keep echoing in her ears!

"What are you doing?" Xiao Ruiyuan's expression changed, taking a step forward, and firmly grasped her wrist, preventing her from self-harming.

Seeing the face before her, which seemed out of this world, Mo Yan blurted out her suspicion as if bewitched, "Brother Xiao, my brain must be broken. Please don't talk to me for now. I need to be alone!"

Seeing her silly appearance and hearing her silly words, Xiao Ruiyuan's face turned completely dark!

He firmly held Mo Yan's delicate wrist, gritting his teeth and said, "Your ears aren't deaf, and your brain isn't broken. It's just as you heard! Do you miss me, huh?"

Mo Yan lowered her head, hiding her shocked expression. Her mind was chaotic at the moment, and she couldn't distinguish the hidden meaning behind his words. She wouldn't foolishly assume that this high-ranking, extraordinarily handsome man was interested in her just based on this sentence alone.

The atmosphere became heavy and awkward, with the two people seemingly close yet distant, causing turmoil in their hearts.

Seeing her dumbfounded silence, Xiao Ruiyuan felt extremely disappointed and somewhat embarrassed. He had finally convinced himself to reveal his feelings, but this girl reacted like this, as if he were a fool.

Slowly, he reached out his left hand, wanting to force her to look up and give him a positive answer, even if it was just a glance. But as soon as his hand touched her beautiful chin, he couldn't exert any force.

He—was feeling timid!

Who could have imagined that the mighty Third-Rank General, the one who made enemies tremble in fear, Xiao Ruiyuan, would feel timid because of a girl?

He quietly stared at the top of her head, not releasing her delicate wrist, and no one knew about the nervousness in his heart.

The force on her wrist grew stronger and stronger, causing Mo Yan's left hand to gradually stiffen, feeling very uncomfortable. She tried to move her hand to make him let go, but his iron grip seemed welded to her wrist, almost burning her with its scorching heat.

She subconsciously lifted her head and met his nervous eyes. With a fluttering heart, as if not noticing the awkward posture between them, she smiled and asked, "Brother Xiao, where are you going?"

Next Chapter▶▶

 **Chapter 14: Chang Kuo**  

Recently, in the tea houses of Hezhou, the name of General Cui, who just led Xuanzhe army to victory, has frequently reached Chang Suining’s ears. Among the rumors, there were descriptions of his appearance, but the word “rumor” has always been extreme—  

In the mouths of different people, General Cui was sometimes described as handsome as a celestial being, and other times as ridiculously ugly.

At this moment, a particularly tall figure had half of his face shrouded in the dim twilight, making it difficult to clearly see his features. One could only vaguely discern his sharp outline, with a high nose and stubble on his face, exuding a fierce and intimidating aura from years of battle.

Looking at the stubble on that face… Chang Suining felt inexplicably satisfied.

When she thought of the young disciples of the Cui family from Qinghe, the image that came to her mind was that of elegant scholars in wide sleeves and long robes, with delicate ink-capped hairpins. However, she had heard that Cui Jing was merely a twenty-two-year-old young man. The idea of someone like him commanding the Xuanzhe army felt rather unreliable to her.

Fortunately, this person seemed to inspire some confidence.

Yet the Cui family's inherent lofty demeanor still made him keep his distance. He showed no intention of dismounting, merely glancing at the chaotic prisoner cart and saying, “Vice Minister Wei has been negligent.”

His voice was indifferent, revealing no sign of anger or joy.

“It’s just a false alarm.” Wei Shuyi smiled and said, “Knowing this journey wouldn’t be peaceful, and upon learning that General Cui would pass through this area, I felt at ease. So, I decided to take a break here, looking for an opportunity to leverage General Cui’s strength for a lasting solution—”

Chang Suining silently regarded the speaker.

To speak so openly and calmly about his calculations, he was indeed honest.

The man on the horse was even more straightforward—

“If I had known this, I would have taken another route,” Cui Jing replied coldly.

Chang Suining: “?”

Is this the old friend Wei Shuyi spoke of?  

Wei Shuyi, accustomed to this, was unbothered and smiled, “In any case, I still must thank General Cui.”

Over there, several members of the Xuanzhe army were escorting a few surviving captives. At Cui Jing’s signal, they tossed them to Wei Shuyi’s men.

The word “toss” was very realistic—primarily reflected in the unsightly expressions of the leaders on both sides.

Wei Shuyi’s side consisted of Chang Ji.

On the Xuanzhe army’s side was a young man who looked about the same age as Chang Ji.

As the young man tossed the captives to Chang Ji, his demeanor was quite arrogant.

Chang Ji glared, puffing out his chest, as if he were about to charge at the other party.

If chests could talk, they would have exchanged insults for at least a hundred rounds.

“The general has handled everything,” the young officer said as he approached Cui Jing’s horse, speaking formally.

Cui Jing responded with a grunt, grasping the reins and preparing to leave.

Wei Shuyi raised his hand in salute, “Upon reaching the capital, I shall host a banquet to express my gratitude.”

“No time,” Cui Jing said, turning his horse away.

The young officer followed suit and, before leaving, even raised his chin condescendingly at Chang Ji.

Watching them ride away, Chang Ji gritted his teeth, “...My lord, did you see how that Cui Yuanzhang acted like a bully? He thinks he’s so impressive just because he won a battle!”

Wei Shuyi corrected him, “Winning a battle indeed deserves recognition.”

“But he—”

Looking toward Chang Suining, who was heading toward the official road where the Xuanzhe army was moving, Wei Shuyi casually followed, “When we enter the city and reach the relay station later, we will inevitably meet again. You can secretly seek him out for a fight, and I’ll pretend not to know.”

As the army returned to the journey, Cui Jing, as the main general, led the way ahead. The troops assisting Wei Shuyi in eliminating those assassins were precisely the vanguard forces following Cui Jing.

Hearing that Old Chang was the deputy commander, he should have been among the vanguard as well, so why didn’t she see him?  

Chang Suining searched for Chang Kuo among the vanguard troops for a long time, confirming that he wasn’t there, then shifted her gaze to the central army.

The army marched forward, and suddenly the vanguard stopped. Someone in the central army then asked, “What stopped the way just now?”

The questioner was lying in a carriage and had just woken up, yawning as he raised the curtain of the carriage.

A soldier following the carriage replied, “A high-ranking official was attacked during the journey. General Cui stepped in to help, and everything has been resolved. General Chang can rest assured and focus on recovering from injuries.”

“Oh, which unfortunate high-ranking official is it?” Chang Kuo asked casually. “Any casualties?”

No wonder he was so chatty; it was indeed too dull on this journey. That young man from the Cui family wouldn’t let him ride and only made him rest in the carriage, nearly suffocating him!  

While the soldier was answering, another soldier approached, saluted, and reported, “General Chang, Vice Minister Wei requests to see you, saying there is an urgent matter.”

“Vice Minister Wei… the son of the marquis of Zheng?” Chang Kuo asked, puzzled. “What does he want with me?”

Saying this, he didn’t delay and got off the carriage.

The Xuanzhe army rarely approached or offended anyone, so Chang Suining stood ten steps away, watching the figure stepping down from the carriage. For a moment, she felt dazed.

She knew she hadn’t seen Old Chang in fifteen years.

But now that she actually saw him, she couldn’t help but feel disoriented—how had Old Chang aged so much?

It made sense. Old Chang was already much older than her, a generation above her, and in the blink of an eye, more than ten years had passed. By calculation, he was already over fifty this year.

Looking at the figure walking toward her, she noticed that even his hair had turned quite gray. Chang Suining clenched her fists tightly, her nose feeling sore and difficult to bear.

Once, in her eyes, Old Chang was immensely strong, brave, and unmatched; he had never fallen ill in daily life. Not to mention the common cold; even if smallpox accidentally entered his body, he would probably withstand three slaps and be left dizzy, crying for his mother and begging for mercy, fleeing in panic, forever leaving a shadow of fear behind—

But now...

Time spared no one; Chang Kuo had become Old Chang.

Wei Shuyi was somewhat surprised as he looked at the girl beside him, who had reddened her eyes.

This was the first time he had seen Lady Chang display such a vulnerable side—  

After all, they were family.

Only when seeing family would one feel wronged and dare to feel wronged.

But was Lady Chang’s family— 

“Young Master Wei,” Chang Kuo approached, cupping his hands in greeting.

“General Chang—” Wei Shuyi raised his hand in return and glanced at Chang Suining.

Chang Kuo followed his gaze and glanced, showing no particular expression.

Wei Shuyi: “?”

Chang Suining: “?”

Chang Kuo: “?”

What does this mean?  

He was both sensitive and oblivious, sensing the focus of Wei Shuyi’s inquiry but then glanced at Chang Suining again, using an expression that read ‘I have an impression, but not much’ to ask, “Who is this young lad?”

“…” Chang Suining felt numb.

Wei Shuyi: “...Isn’t this the young lady from your esteemed house, Young Miss Chang?”

Chang Kuo’s eyes widened in surprise as he took two steps forward, seriously discerning her features. He exclaimed, “Xiao... Xiao Suining?!”

Chang Suining nodded numbly.

“It’s been two years since we last met... You’ve grown taller! You’ve become a big... big girl!” Chang Kuo was astonished but still lowered his voice, “But... Xiao Suining, why are you here? Dressed like this?”

And how could she be with the unrelated Young Master Wei?  

Seeing that he was still unaware of Chang Suining’s earlier disappearance, Wei Shuyi said, “This is a long story. Since General Chang is also entering the city, how about we discuss it on the way?”

Chang Kuo readily agreed.

Since the horse-drawn carriage that Chang Suining and Wei Shuyi had previously occupied had been damaged in the recent skirmish, the group boarded Chang Kuo’s carriage now.

Looking at the girl sitting across from him, Chang Kuo had countless questions!  

**(End of Chapter)**

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 194: Let's See Who Dies First!

Jiang Chenchen wasn't necessarily determined to protect him.

However, that dream was too vivid. Every time she closed her eyes, the scenes filled with blood took over her mind, making her extremely uncomfortable.

So, at the very least, she wanted to make sure that the events from her dream wouldn't be repeated.

But the situation was urgent, and there was no time for bargaining.

Zhan Chen didn't listen to her and insisted on leaving her in the warehouse. He asked her to lock the warehouse door from the inside and then went back up.

Jiang Chenchen knew that if they continued this tug-of-war, the people upstairs wouldn't be able to hold on much longer. Reluctantly, she stayed behind.

As time passed in the warehouse, she had no exact sense of time. Without a phone or a clock, she could only endure and wait.

Just now, all the weapons from one storage compartment were taken. Were there more compartments with weapons inside?

Zhan Chen had specifically instructed her not to open them.

She hesitated for a moment, then walked over.

...

After going up, Zhan Chen received information from his subordinates that their ten-minute journey had been blocked—by the highway patrol.

It was the people from the highway patrol.

His silver-gray eyes darkened even more. It seemed that Imon's people had received support from a prominent figure in Country A.

He had overlooked this person.

He quickly issued orders, telling them not to come here but to secretly surround the prince's residence.

Here, there were no reinforcements, but they could still fight their way out.

However, this privately disguised small warehouse in the private hospital might be exposed due to this, and they would have to abandon its use and relocate.

...

In the midst of a chaotic hail of bullets, Imon's people, with an abundance of weapons and heavy firepower, went from being full of victory and enthusiasm to being suppressed and finally captured.

When alive, they had much value.

After several rounds of bloody battles, Zhan Chen's body was exhausted to the extreme. He sat back in his wheelchair after several injuries, questioning the captured individuals.

Previously, he hadn't captured anyone alive, so Imon knew he was ruthless, but he had never witnessed it firsthand.

Unable to open the mouth even with the most challenging interrogations, they confessed to the prince's identity. Imon spat out a mouthful of blood, glaring at him with eyes full of unwillingness. "Look at your sickly appearance; you won't live much longer! What are you proud of?"

Zhan Chen smiled slightly, his clear bright eyes looking down. He reached out and shoved the gun into Imon's mouth. "At least longer than you."

"Do you know what's the most terrifying moment when facing death? It's not knowing when I'll pull the trigger."

Imon's face turned pale, wanting to curse, but the gun blocked his words.

Unable to break free from the restraints, his eyes were quickly covered, plunging into total darkness.

The signal of unknown death flashed before him, but the moment of death never came.

Why were there so many sounds of triggers being pulled? Were all the guns aimed at his head?!

But why hadn't anyone acted?

In the room, aside from the ticking sound of the clock on the wall, it was eerily silent.

Fearing the taste of being tortured, he couldn't endure the mental torment any longer. His blood surged to extremes, reaching a breaking point.

He died in fear.

In the room, there was only one person watching over him.

Aside from the gun held in his hand, the other sounds were merely recordings!

...

The day hadn't dawned yet.

In this melee, both sides had experienced fierce battles.

Many were seriously injured.

As for the traitor, it was the one he had trampled on, who shared the same mother but had a different father, and another person mixed among the medical staff. Both were locked in the real morgue.

Zhan Chen's methods were well known to those who had lived and died with him. As long as one didn't betray him, they were treated extremely well in terms of money and other aspects.

But once someone betrayed him, there was only a dead end.

The matter should have ended, but it didn't.

Another group of people came rushing in, Sheng Mingsi's people.

They had been waiting for the advantage from the chaos?

If he hadn't asked Jiang Chenchen to go to a safe place, in the previous situation, she would have been in extreme danger. Yet, Sheng Mingsi didn't seem eager to rescue her; he just watched!

Wait until the situation is clear, and then come over. Was this the behavior of someone deeply concerned about Chenchen?

Zhan Chen sneered. Despite his intense discomfort, he persevered, determined to kill him!

Sheng Mingsi led his people to break in. He had good skills, but unlike those who operated in darkness, he didn't kill; he only captured.

And his only goal was to rescue Chenchen.

However, the people he hired, paid to get the job done, wouldn't get paid if they failed.

They were ruthless.

After a scuffle, both sides had some injuries.

Another round of fighting between the two sides would be disastrous.

Sheng Mingsi stabilized the people he brought, facing off against Zhan Chen.

He looked exceptionally grim. Although he was worried about Jiang Chenchen's safety, he had to remain calm at this moment. From the intelligence he had received, this was Zhan Chen's private rehabilitation hospital. There must be secret passages or hidden rooms, and Jiang Chenchen must be locked up there.

Otherwise, in this three-story private hospital filled with smoke and the aftermath of heavy combat, with the weapons carried by the opposing side, there had to be secret passages.

He looked at the person in the wheelchair and said coldly, "You've fallen into an ambush too. There's no need for a life-and-death struggle. Hand her over, and we can talk."

Zhan Chen saw the blood flowing down his face and squinted, contemplating. "I originally intended to let her go, but I'm not satisfied with letting her leave with someone like you. I won't let her go with you, absolutely not!"

As he spoke, he fired a shot at Sheng Mingsi's abdomen!

He appeared sickly and pale, but his actions were not slow.

If Sheng Mingsi had dodged a bit slower, his abdomen would have been hit. He dodged several bullets in a row, simultaneously entering a room and firing back at Zhan Chen in the wheelchair. "It's not your turn to decide. You're nothing."

Zhan Chen's wheelchair was designed with a shield, resembling a tortoise shell, blocking the bullet. "Then let's see who dies."

The two sides engaged in another fierce battle, plunging into chaos once again.

If they hadn't run out of grenades, throwing one casually now could cause a massive explosion.

The situation was chaotic.

In the morgue underground, Jiang Chenchen had just subdued a person. She couldn't really kill him; her ability to fight was entirely dependent on her skills. Fortunately, she consumed energy slowly, while the young man had exhausted all his strength and was finally subdued by her.

She pressed him to the ground and asked who he was.

But all she got were eyes filled with vigilance and hostility, not a single word.

She didn't have time to waste here, so she used a knife to strike the back of his neck, causing him to faint.

Jiang Chenchen stuffed the young man back into the compartment she had opened out of curiosity. When she opened the door, the person inside suddenly opened his eyes and attacked her.

It was strange. What was someone doing in this compartment?

No time to think further, she opened the door to the morgue and rushed out. This elevator could only be opened by Zhan Chen, but she remembered the password.

He didn't hide it from her, so she saw it.

She immediately took the elevator!

Next Chapter▶▶

However, when Shu Yu casually looked up and glanced at the entrance of the Gong family, her expression suddenly changed.

Ying Xi also looked surprised and whispered, "Miss, why is the Gong family draped in white cloth?"

Shu Yu only took a quick glance and quickly looked away, then continued walking forward.

The white cloth draped on the Gong family's gate indicated that someone from the household had passed away.

Who could have died? Shu Yu furrowed her brows, and her fingers by her side tightened slightly.

There were not many people at the gate of the mansion, but the guards standing there instinctively looked in their direction.

Shu Yu and Ying Xi immediately composed themselves and continued walking as if they were just passing by, until they were out of the Gong family's vicinity.

Only then did Ying Xi quietly say, "Miss, should I go and inquire?"

Shu Yu nodded, but then shook her head immediately, "No need. We don't know the current situation of the Gong family, and if we ask directly, it might attract attention from those with ulterior motives."

Though Shu Yu was anxious to know who had passed away in the Gong family and if Meng Yunzheng was safe, she knew she had to stay calm at times like these.

Ying Xi pursed her lips, "What should we do next then?"

Shu Yu looked at the sky and said, "It's getting late. Let's return to the inn and rest for now. Tomorrow morning, we'll find Minister Qi."

Inquiring from Minister Qi would provide accurate information and help them understand the situation in the capital better.

However, Minister Qi didn't know about Shu Yu's relationship with Meng Yunzheng and the Gong family, so she had to be cautious and find a subtle way to ask.

While contemplating in her mind, Shu Yu quickly walked back to the inn with Ying Xi.

However, the scene she had witnessed earlier kept her from sleeping soundly that night.

The next day, when she woke up early, Shu Yu yawned several times.

Ying Xi was a bit concerned, "Miss, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, just need to wash my face." Shu Yu walked to the basin and splashed water on her face, feeling more awake.

She then applied some makeup, improving her complexion.

Calculating the time, Minister Qi should have finished the morning court session by now, so she carried her belongings and headed to the Qi residence.

Yesterday, while wandering around the area, she had passed by the Qi family's gate and knew its location.

Originally, Shu Yu didn't plan to meet Minister Qi so soon. She wanted to see if she could help Meng Yunzheng without drawing attention to herself.

But unexpectedly, before she could find him, she witnessed the incident at the Gong family.

Shu Yu took a deep breath and arrived at the entrance of the Qi residence.

She had the token given by Minister Qi, so it shouldn't be difficult to meet him.

Ying Xi approached the gatekeeper with the token, while Shu Yu waited below the steps for a moment.

Soon, Ying Xi returned with the token, her brow slightly furrowed, and said to Shu Yu, "Miss, Minister Qi is not at the residence. The gatekeeper said that Madam Qi is at home, but he wanted to report to her and I refused, saying that we'll come back another day."

Shu Yu nodded. She wanted to inquire about the situation, not talk to Madam Qi. Besides, she didn't know Madam Qi and meeting her would be awkward and unnecessary.

"Well, since Minister Qi is not here, let's leave for now."

Shu Yu glanced at the Qi residence, impressed by its grandeur, but disappointed that she didn't get to meet Minister Qi. Nonetheless, she quickly left with Ying Xi.

"What do we do now, Miss?" Ying Xi asked.

Next Chapter▶▶

Chapter 148: Teaching a Lesson

After saying this, she didn't want to entangle herself with Liang Luo from the Liang family, who was a fool.

Instead of wasting time, she might as well talk to the brothers from the Wen family. So, clearing her throat, she said to Wei Lanxuan, "Miss Wei has been out for a long time. It's probably time for you to go back. After all, you're soon-to-be-married. It's better to rest early."

The implication of this remark was clear to Wei Lanxuan, not to mention Liang Gongzi.

Naturally, it wasn't appropriate to argue with her, so she stood up and said, "The princess is right. It's getting late. We'll take our leave first."

As she stood up, Liang Gongzi naturally stood up as well. Although Liang Luo was unwilling, she couldn't stay alone.

However, Bai Sihan hadn't had a chance to talk to Wen Mengsheng yet, and she was about to be chased away. Naturally, she was unhappy, so she took the initiative to speak to Wei Lanxuan and the others.

"Sister Wei, I'm not going the same way as you. I'll leave on my own. Take care on your way."

After hearing this, Princess Changlin chuckled. She thought Liang's daughter was foolish, but this one was even more foolish. She didn't even understand what she meant and dared to speak up recklessly.

Angered, she couldn't be bothered to say more and turned to her maid, Hua Qing, who nodded and walked up to Bai Sihan, saying, "Miss Bai, please."

This was already the last bit of face she was giving her. If she continued to entangle herself, it wouldn't be surprising if the people from the princess's mansion took action.

Wei Lanxuan and the others had been in the Eastern Capital for a long time and naturally knew the reputation of Princess Changlin. Even a fool could understand her intentions of sending them away. However, Bai Sihan was an outsider and dared to speak without understanding anything.

Unfortunately, she wasn't a living Bodhisattva. Bai Sihan remembered clearly the day she fell into the water, and why should she speak up to help her?

Bai Sihan didn't understand, and in her haste and anxiety blurted out, "If we all leave and leave only the two sons of the Wen family here to chat with the princess at night, I'm afraid it would be inappropriate. Rumors outside might damage the princess's reputation."

With these words, Wen Mengsheng and Wen Xinglu exchanged glances and felt it was over. Originally, they just wanted to use this opportunity to curry favor, but now it sounded like they were trying to flirt with the princess.

With the Imperial Examinations approaching, reputation was extremely important for career prospects, so they dared not act rashly. They followed suit and said, "Miss Bai's words are correct. In that case, we will also take our leave together. We will visit the princess again another day."

Princess Changlin's interest was ruined by a maid who didn't know her place. She put away her previously gentle and pleasant demeanor and coldly smiled at Bai Sihan, "Since when does this princess need an underling like you to comment when I speak? To disrespect the royal family, you have quite the nerve. Come, drag her down and beat her!"

"Beat her?"

Before Bai Sihan could react, the guards rushed in and pressed her down, dragging her out. She was so scared that her face paled, shouting at the princess, "I am the legitimate daughter of the Bai family. You can't just kill me like this!"

"Oh? Legitimate daughter? This princess has been in the Eastern Capital for decades and has never heard of any legitimate daughter of the Bai family other than Bai Siruo. Even a daughter of a concubine dares to make a scene here, disrespecting this princess in front of her and challenging this princess's authority. Even if the Bai family reports this to His Majesty, they won't have a leg to stand on."

After hearing this, Bai Sihan finally understood what it meant for power to crush people. With so many powerful figures gathered in the Eastern Capital, relying on the Bai family's reputation, she and her mother had offended quite a few people, but they hadn't faced much punishment. Now, the Bai family's influence in front of the royal family was insignificant. She couldn't figure out where exactly she had offended the princess.

"Princess, spare me, please spare me!"

"Drag her away."

Frowning at her appearance, as if she were an ant.

Bai Sihan's cries soon spread throughout Changchun Tower. As she was dragged away, she no longer resembled the noblewoman she had been moments ago. She looked like a madwoman, and the disdainful guard glanced at her before beginning the execution.

After just a dozen or so strikes, she fell silent. "Head, do we continue?"

The executing guard wasn't afraid of the surrounding crowd but worried that her identity might cause trouble. The leader frowned, thinking of the warning glance from Hua Qing just now. It was better to leave a way out.

"Wait, I'll report to the princess first."

"Yes."

Upstairs in the second-floor elegant room, everyone standing inside looked uneasy. Liang Luo was the most frightened, with large beads of sweat dripping from her forehead. This time, she truly understood the methods of Princess Changlin.

She covered her mouth with a handkerchief and didn't dare to say a word.

Wei Lanxuan held Liang Gongzi's hand tightly, and though they stood straight, they were also apprehensive.

Compared to the Princess's ruthlessness, their schemes were nothing but minor tricks.

"Report to the princess, she has passed out already. Should we continue?"

"Oh, she can't even withstand a few beatings. I thought her bones were as tough as her mouth. Forget it, send her back to the Bai residence and tell the Master, don't let such an indiscreet woman embarrass them again. Next time I see her, I'll have to teach the Bai family another lesson."

With these words, she absolved herself completely.

The leader of the guards obeyed immediately, leaving to take care of the matter. Wei Lanxuan, seeing this, hastily said, "Indeed, it's getting late. We won't delay the princess's enjoyment any longer. We'll take our leave."

"Mm, Hua Qing, escort Miss Wei out."

"Yes."

Princess Changlin had a good impression of people who understood the situation like this. When she turned to look at the Wen brothers, she resumed her previous gentle demeanor.

"Where were we just now?"

At this moment, Wen Mengsheng's mind was in turmoil. He didn't dare to offend the princess directly but also didn't want to ruin his own future and reputation. He could only offer an excuse, "Princess, please forgive me. My cousin has been unwell these days, often fainting. We have been out for a long time today, and he forgot to bring his medicine. I'm afraid he might faint again without treatment. Please understand, Princess, we should also return."

With this said, Wen Xinglu could only grit his teeth and continue.

The two brothers' intentions were clear, and Princess Changlin understood three-quarters of it. The mocking smile on her lips became more apparent.

"Wen Mengsheng, are you unwilling to stay with this princess any longer?"

"Princess, it is indeed urgent for my cousin's illness. Today is Lantern Festival, and I believe His Majesty is delighted for this occasion. If there are any unfavorable rumors in the streets, it may displease His Majesty as well. It's better..."

Wen Mengsheng bowed and said, lowering his head and not daring to look directly at Princess Changlin. Next to him, Wen Xinglu trembled with fear. For him, if his career was ruined, his whole life would truly be over. He was even more afraid than Wen Mengsheng.

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