Chapter 1456: Master Tan Has Some Clues

Zhao Xi mentioned that he wants to open a medical clinic and hopes they can help promote it.

Jiang Yi immediately agreed and promised to promote it whenever possible.

Not only them but also the Ding family's Ding Yuehua and other people who had a good relationship with Shu Yu knew that her brother-in-law was a skilled doctor.

His name spread through word of mouth, and many people in their circle knew about Zhao Xi. They believed in his abilities and would seek his help when they fell ill.

However, Shu Yu didn't expect Jiang Yi to bring up Zhao Xi in front of another doctor, Doctor Xu.

After a moment of silence, Shu Yu decided to be honest and said, "My brother-in-law does indeed have plans to open a medical clinic. He intended to start preparing after he married my sister. But now that she's pregnant, he has put it on hold. I can help you connect with him, but if you truly want to cooperate, my brother-in-law might not have much time and energy."

Doctor Xu reassured her, "That's not a problem. I can handle the initial setup of the clinic, like finding a location and purchasing medicinal materials. Once your sister gives birth, it will be a good time to open it. But later on, he'll need to manage it more as I'm getting older."

Shu Yu couldn't help but twitch her lips, thinking that Doctor Xu seemed quite energetic.

Nevertheless, Doctor Xu's proposal might be a good choice for Zhao Xi.

She had cooperated with Doctor Xu before and knew that he was a person with good character and temperament. The financial transactions were transparent and fair.

What impressed her the most was that when she was exiled, Doctor Xu handed over the early shares to the Lu family, ensuring they had some financial support on their way to the southwest.

And when she returned from exile, fearing that she might be in financial difficulty, Doctor Xu sent the share of that period in advance.

These two incidents made Shu Yu believe that Doctor Xu was a generous person.

After parting ways with Doctor Xu, Shu Yu waited for Zhao Xi to return and informed him of the situation.

Zhao Xi didn't expect someone experienced and knowledgeable in medicine to approach him directly.

Without hesitation, he agreed to cooperate.

Since Zhao Xi had no experience in running a medical clinic, he initially considered working at another clinic to gain experience before opening his own. However, he couldn't find a suitable place in Jiangyuan County since he was unfamiliar with the area.

Now that Doctor Xu, who was experienced and familiar with the area, came forward, Zhao Xi was delighted.

The next day, he went to discuss the cooperation with Doctor Xu, and their conversation flowed smoothly. Being fellow doctors, they even forgot the time while discussing medical techniques.

After the discussion, Doctor Xu started preparing for the clinic. The original location of his clinic was in a good geographical position, not far from Liufang Lane. Since it was his own property, there was no need to change the address.

However, the shop was a bit small, so after consulting with Zhao Xi, they decided to buy the adjacent one and connect the two shops, making the clinic more spacious.

They hired Lu Erbai to renovate the shop. Although he was busy and couldn't handle all the work, he had enough manpower to complete the task.

Shu Yu took a look at the progress and then stopped paying attention.

Within a few days, Ah Ning and Doctor Zhao returned, bringing good news - Master Tan finally had some leads on the murderer.

***with all honesty Doctor Xu not only has a good character and reliable. He is really good on managing business it is just that as a doctor he couldn't sit still doing business 😉

Chapter 1455: Seeking Cooperation

Shu Yu was momentarily speechless and inexplicably on the verge of tears. Was this the so-called "Versailles"? Compared to Doctor Xu's situation back then, her own circumstances were much more difficult. At least Doctor Xu could borrow one or two hundred taels of silver, while she couldn't even find ten taels of silver anywhere.

Doctor Xu was unaware of her emotional turmoil and sighed, "Perhaps it was fate that you appeared at that time. If you had approached me for cooperation earlier, things might have turned out differently."

Shu Yu understood that when she approached Doctor Xu, the county magistrate of Jiangyuan County was under investigation, and Xiang Weinan had come to this area and arrested him. If she had come earlier, the county magistrate might still have been in power, and Doctor Xu wouldn't have dared to openly sell scar-removing ointments.

Later, when they began to cooperate, Doctor Xu realized the profitability of scar-removing ointments and became very committed to it. He needed to save money, whether to reopen his medical clinic or make some extra money for himself during this opportunity.

Now that the scar-removing ointment business has stabilized, Doctor Xu is redirecting his focus back to his medical clinic. However, Shu Yu couldn't understand why he wanted to cooperate with her brother-in-law when he already had the money to expand his own clinic.

Doctor Xu smiled and said, "You know that my expertise lies in bone-setting. Patients who come to me seek treatment in that area. Others wouldn't come to me, and they might even think my fees are exorbitant and exclude me."

He could recruit other doctors to sit in the clinic, but most of the better doctors in Jiangyuan County already had their own places. Hiring them away would be unethical.

Although there were many rural doctors with poor medical skills, Doctor Xu didn't want to ruin his reputation. He was getting older and lacked energy. Even though the scar-removing ointment business was stable, he still needed to oversee it. He didn't have enough time and energy to manage and teach those less skilled doctors.

Feeling at a loss, Doctor Xu said, "I've thought about this for a long time. I even considered spending the rest of my life running my small clinic. With the scar-removing ointment, I won't have to worry about food and drink. But deep down, it just doesn't sit right with me. I'm a doctor, not a businessman. I want to spend the rest of my life treating and saving people."

Shu Yu understood and asked if he thought of her brother-in-law.

"Yes, not long ago, when Jiang Yi was moving the wine, he fell from the ladder and injured his hand. While I was treating him, we chatted, and he happened to mention that Doctor Zhao was thinking of opening a medical clinic. I thought, why not explore the possibility of the two of us cooperating?"

Jiang Yi was the owner of the auspicious wine shop.

Earlier, Deng Shi's son, Jiang Huaiwen, fell ill and fainted during class at the academy. Everyone was shocked, and Shu Rui, who was good friends with Jiang Huaiwen, immediately thought of Zhao Xi and took him to the academy. However, by the time Zhao Xi arrived, Jiang Huaiwen had already been taken to the nearest medical clinic.

Seeing that someone else had taken over, Zhao Xi left.

However, Jiang Huaiwen showed no signs of improvement even after two days, causing Jiang Yi and Deng Shi to worry endlessly.

When Shu Rui went to visit Jiang Huaiwen, he took Zhao Xi to Jiang's house again. After two doses of medicine, Jiang Huaiwen recovered the next day.

Jiang Yi and Deng Shi were very grateful to Zhao Xi and specially brought gifts to his home. During the conversation, they curiously asked why someone with such excellent medical skills didn't run a clinic.

 Chapter 1454: The Reason for High Charges

  As they spoke, the two of them had already entered the main hall.

  Not seeing anyone around, Shu Yu knew that her family members were all in the backyard.

  She had someone serve tea to Doctor Xu and then sat opposite him, saying, "Doctor Xu, feel free to speak your mind."

  Taking a sip of tea, Doctor Xu seemed to be organizing his thoughts. After a while, he finally spoke, "I want to cooperate with Doctor Zhao and open a medical clinic."

  Shu Yu was taken aback and instinctively replied, "Don't you already have a clinic?"

  Doctor Xu sighed, "You've seen my clinic, it's specifically for bone-setting. I only get a patient once every ten days or half a month. I feel like I'm rusting away, and at this rate, my skill in setting bones will deteriorate."

  Shu Yu said, "That's because your prices are too high. If you lower them a bit, with your medical skills, many people will come seeking treatment."

  At this point, Doctor Xu fell silent, his expression showing a sense of desolation. "I didn't want to set such high prices, but back then, I had no other choice."

  Intrigued, Shu Yu leaned forward, wanting to know the inside story.

  Doctor Xu then talked about the difficulties of his clinic. Some years ago, he offended the county magistrate of Jiangyuan County. Oh, it was that corrupt official who was taken down by Xiang Weinan.

  The county magistrate was vengeful and naturally unwilling to let Doctor Xu go.

  But luckily, Doctor Xu had a good set of skills and had made many connections before. Not just in this county, but also in other places. Otherwise, his scar removal ointment wouldn't have been sold all the way to the Dong'an Prefecture.

  Some people interceded on Doctor Xu's behalf, which prevented the magistrate from throwing him directly into prison.

  However, this also caused significant losses for Doctor Xu, and it took a long time for him to recover and reopen his clinic.

  Yet, even so, while the county magistrate couldn't directly attack him, he made various covert moves. The magistrate's son frequently found people to cause trouble for Doctor Xu.

  Doctor Xu's life became miserable, and the patients who came to him were even more frightened. They no longer dared to seek treatment from him.

  Over time, Doctor Xu's clinic became unprofitable, and it gradually fell into decline.

  He considered leaving Jiangyuan County and starting anew somewhere else. But firstly, this was his ancestral homeland, where his parents and wife were buried. He didn't want to wander outside alone and end up dying as a lonely stranger.

  Secondly, even if he wanted to leave, he needed a guide. With the county magistrate blocking his path, he wouldn't be able to go far.

  Doctor Xu had no choice but to continue living, so he gradually raised his fees.

  The patients who came to him were wealthy people, seeking his medical skills. These people didn't mind spending a little more money as long as they could be cured.

  With fewer patients but higher fees, Doctor Xu's clinic struggled on, barely covering the expenses.

  "Back when you proposed that we cooperate and sell the scar removal ointment recipe to me, the amount you asked for was already all my savings," Doctor Xu explained.

  Maintaining the clinic, paying the wages of his assistants, and buying high-quality medicinal materials for the patients, all cost him a lot.

  Shu Yu was surprised, "If I had proposed a higher price back then?"

  "Then I would have had to borrow. I could still borrow a few hundred taels of silver," Doctor Xu replied.

Chapter 1453: Doctor Xu Comes to Visit

"Doctor Xu?" Shu Yu took a few steps forward, looking at the person who got off the carriage and was talking to the gatekeeper.

Upon hearing her voice, Doctor Xu turned around and smiled, saying, "Miss Lu."

"Is Doctor Xu here to see me? What's the matter?" Shu Yu was surprised. Although she and Doctor Xu collaborated to sell scar removal ointment, they didn't have many opportunities to meet since she was often busy and frequently away from Jiangyuan County.

The last time they met was during the New Year's celebration when she went to wish Doctor Xu a happy new year and received her share of the scar removal ointment profits.

Doctor Xu rarely left his medical clinic. Despite its average business, he preferred staying there and drinking tea. Therefore, his visits to the Lu family were infrequent. The last time he came was more than a year ago when Shu Yu celebrated her coming-of-age ceremony.

Given the current time, it was neither a festival nor any special occasion, so his sudden visit made Shu Yu quite curious, thinking he might have something urgent related to the scar removal ointment business.

Thus, she quickly led him inside and said, "Doctor Xu, please come in and talk."

However, when they passed by the gate, Doctor Xu said, "I'm here to see Doctor Zhao."

"Looking for my elder brother-in-law?" Shu Yu paused in her steps. "But my elder brother-in-law is not at home today. He went to the workshop outside the city."

Due to the location of the workshop being dedicated to food production and its distance from the county, there were no doctors nearby.

As a result, Zhao Xi, as Shu Yu's hired employee, occasionally went to the workshop to check on the workers' health and conduct food safety inspections.

Shu Yu thought it was quite troublesome, but luckily, there was a worker in the workshop who had some basic medical knowledge. His father used to be the village's doctor, but his medical skills were not very advanced. However, he at least knew some medical knowledge.

Zhao Xi had simply taught him some basic medical skills, so when encountering minor illnesses among the workers, he could handle them.

Shu Yu found this arrangement satisfactory. Given the workshop's location, she planned to expand it in the future and set up a small medical room with common medicinal materials.

That way, the workers wouldn't have to travel all the way to the county or rely on unreliable village doctors if they had a headache or fever.

But today, she originally intended to visit the workshop herself. However, after learning about Ding Yuehua's condition, she decided to see her first.

Doctor Xu furrowed his brows slightly. "Not at home?"

He looked at Shu Yu with a somewhat hesitant expression.

Shu Yu smiled, as she had never seen Doctor Xu act this way. Previously, when they interacted, he was always straightforward, saying whatever he wanted to say, regardless of whether it was pleasant or unpleasant.

Now, he unexpectedly appeared embarrassed, and furthermore, this embarrassment was directed at her?

Shu Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Doctor Xu, please come in and have a seat. If it's convenient for you, you can tell me."

"I actually wanted to talk to you about it. I'm not familiar with Doctor Zhao, so I came to the Lu family hoping you could help me establish a connection."

Doctor Xu and Shu Yu had collaborated before, and they knew each other quite well, so he trusted her.

 Chapter 1452: Exhausted All Benevolence and Loyalty

Ding Yuehua said, "The last time I saw her was at Madam Xiang's banquet in the peach forest. She tried to get close to Madam Xiang, but little did she know that Madam Xiang returned to the capital shortly after. This year, even Master Xiang got promoted and left Jiangyuan County. Kong Zhiyou gained nothing and her efforts went in vain."

Initially, Ding Yuehua felt a bit of schadenfreude, but that was all.

Later on, they didn't meet again, but due to overlapping social circles, she heard news about Kong Zhiyou from others.

It was said that she spent quite a sum of money trying to get close to Madam Xiang, but all that money went down the drain.

This displeased her husband, Chen Xiucai, even though Kong Zhiyou used her own dowry money.

After a few disappointments with Kong Zhiyou, the father and son in the Chen family naturally didn't value her much.

At that time, news came that Kong Zhiyou was pregnant, which happened last year.

"After she became pregnant, the Chen family became happy. However, even her maidservant, Qiuju, was delighted. As you and I both know, Qiuju wanted to seduce Chen Xiucai, so she didn't miss this opportunity. I actually felt sorry for her at that time. After all, she was pregnant, and if Qiuju did anything to her without her awareness, she would definitely be in trouble, and the child would be innocent."

As longtime friends, Ding Yuehua subtly warned her about Qiuju's possible ulterior motives. However, Kong Zhiyou didn't listen and believed that Ding Yuehua was deliberately trying to sow discord, which only made her even more dissatisfied.

Shortly after, Chen Xiucai and Qiuju got together.

The incident happened right under Kong Zhiyou's nose; she couldn't be unaware of it.

However, Chen Xiucai protected Qiuju and claimed that Kong Zhiyou was unable to take care of him due to her pregnancy, so it was reasonable for him to spend time with his maidservant.

At that time, Kong Zhiyou swallowed her anger and only wanted to give birth to the child as soon as possible, and then deal with Qiuju, the wicked woman. The priority was to protect the child.

However, she made a mistake when she was six months pregnant.

"Last month, when she was six months pregnant, she lost the child. The impact on a mother is immense. It was said to be very dangerous, and she almost lost her life."

Ding Yuehua had been on bed rest for the past two months to protect her own pregnancy, and she only got to know about this news after everything had already been settled.

It was clear that Qiuju was responsible for this incident, but Kong Zhiyou had no evidence.

Moreover, she was currently recuperating during her postpartum confinement and didn't have the energy to investigate.

Kong's family sent someone to deal with Qiuju, but without evidence, what could they do? After all, Qiuju was just a concubine rewarded by the master.

However, Chen Xiucai protected her, and with Kong Zhiyou's interference, the Kong family had to let Qiuju go.

Ding Yuehua couldn't understand, "I just can't figure it out. Why did she interfere? Qiuju caused her such harm, yet she helped protect Chen Xiucai and Qiuju?"

"Perhaps, she wants to take revenge personally after recovering her health?"

"Maybe."

"Alright, don't think too much about it. You've already done your best for her." Ding Yuehua have reminded her as much as she could, but Kong Zhiyou is biased and stubborn, unwilling to listen or take any action.

Ding Yuehua simply nodded. Seeing her become emotionally down when talking about Kong Zhiyou, Shu Yu quickly changed the subject.

They chatted for a long time. When they finally left the Fan family, it was already past noon.

Shu Yu went straight back home, but unexpectedly, at her doorstep, she saw an unexpected figure.

Chapter 1451: Do You Remember Kong Zhiyou?

Ding Yuehua sneered, "You know that she has never liked me, especially after we separated from the main family. Not only did we no longer stay under her control, but now the one in charge at home is my sister-in-law, and my second sister-in-law has moved out with her daughter. She must be feeling uncomfortable at home."

Unfortunately, she was the root cause of all these changes, so naturally, her mother-in-law considered her an eyesore.

"You have no idea how offensive her words can be. She said my fetus is unstable, and the child to be born will surely be weak and sickly. I've never seen a grandmother cursing her own grandchild like that. It's truly eye-opening. She even said my body is not suitable for bearing a child and urged my husband to find another woman quickly. Can you imagine how infuriating that is?"

Although Ding Yuehua didn't like her mother-in-law, she couldn't stop her from visiting during her pregnancy. But little did she know that her mother-in-law had become even more harsh and was saying anything to attack her.

"My mother said she hoped that, considering the child in my womb, she and I would get along well. She wanted us to use this opportunity to improve our relationship and not make it too ugly. However, after hearing what she said, my mother almost fainted from anger and ended up slapping my mother-in-law, kicking her out of the house."

Shu Yu was taken aback, "Your mother slapped your mother-in-law?"

"Yes."

Shu Yu couldn't help but give her a thumbs-up, "Well done."

Ding Yuehua chuckled, "I knew you'd react this way. My mother got really anxious, and with my condition being unstable, how could she not get angry? She has always cared about me, especially because I only got pregnant after being married for so long. She just hopes I can safely give birth to the child."

"Sure, if you have any discomfort, just go to my house and find my brother-in-law. Since it's nearby, he can arrive quickly. As long as you pay him enough consultation fees, my brother-in-law won't say no."

Talking to Shu Yu always felt very relaxed, especially after she got pregnant. She often couldn't sleep at night and would wake her husband up.

Later, Ding Yuehua noticed that he looked exhausted during the day and even worked at the workshop, accidentally burning his hair while firing ceramics one day. She felt sorry for him and used the excuse of fearing he might not sleep well at night and accidentally kick her belly, so they decided to sleep in separate rooms.

But with this arrangement, when she woke up in the middle of the night and saw herself alone, the feeling of loneliness overwhelmed her, exacerbating her negative emotions.

She was under immense psychological pressure but couldn't find a way to release it. During the day, she didn't want to worry her mother, so she didn't dare to show it.

When Shu Yu came, even if they didn't talk about anything in particular, just listening to Ding Yuehua's rambling about some things was enough to help her relax.

She spoke about a lot of things, like the comical things that happened because of her pregnancy, her nervousness, and her reactions.

As Ding Yuehua spoke, she suddenly fell silent for a moment.

Shu Yu was puzzled, "What's wrong?"

"Do you remember Kong Zhiyou?"

Shu Yu nodded, "Of course, she's not a stranger."

"She lost her child," Ding Yuehua said, and there was a hint of complex emotions in her voice.

Although she and Kong Zhiyou were no longer friends, they hadn't reached the point of animosity. When she heard that Kong Zhiyou had lost her child, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Especially now that she was pregnant herself, she could relate to that feeling even more.

"How did it happen?" Shu Yu asked.

 Chapter 609: Rewards (3)

Despite the disparity in their statuses, that pair of man and woman seemed extremely well-matched, which only made him more uneasy.

Chu Heng noticed this and dropped the sarcasm from his face, bluntly exposing Emperor Hui'an's concerns: "Father values Han Zhang's abilities, uses him heavily, yet guards against him, fearing that after my death, no one can control him if he becomes the crown prince or the next emperor! Instead of using a girl to manipulate Han Zhang, why not strip him of all his official positions now, letting him remain merely a titled heir? Then, if you need him later, you can reinstate him, instead of making things difficult for an innocent girl!"

Although this solution seemed unfair to his cousin, the suspicion of emperors never fades. This was the only way his cousin could truly avoid danger; otherwise, with his cousin's uncompromising integrity, he would inevitably provoke imperial suspicion.

Emperor Huian sighed heavily, stepping down from the dais to stand before Chu Heng. Seeing his son, now barely recognizable, his heart ached with pain, anger, and helplessness.

He reached out, gently stroking Chu Heng's head as he had when Chu Heng was young, his voice filled with powerlessness: "Father... Father understands your thoughts. Rest assured, as long as he harbors no disloyalty, Father will not touch him! As for that girl... she did save someone, so Father will reward her appropriately without making things difficult for her!"

Hearing this, Chu Heng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the man before him, whose temples were streaked with gray, he felt a pang of sadness. He knew this man's affection for him was genuine, and it was this father-son bond that gave him the courage to act so decisively against Prince Heng and the others. Though he had intended to kill them, at the last moment, he couldn't bear the thought of this man having to bury his own children, so he only disfigured Prince Heng and crippled the others.

Struggling to swallow the metallic taste in his throat, Chu Heng couldn't help but bury his head in Emperor Huian's chest, hugging his waist tightly, closing his eyes to hide the fleeting attachment in them.

Emperor Huian was momentarily stunned but then slowly opened his arms to embrace the child in his arms, a look of nostalgia in his eyes. When Chu Heng was young, the poison's effects often caused him intense pain, making his body convulse. During those times, no matter how busy he was, Emperor Huian would drop everything to hold young Chu Heng tightly until the waves of pain subsided...

Outside the palace, Xiao Ruiyuan stood expressionless at the palace gate, maintaining a straight posture without moving an inch for half an hour.

Yan Junyu leaned against a tree stripped of its bark by Mao Mao, leisurely fanning himself, though his eyes never lost their look of concern.

Mo Yan was soothing the five beasts that wanted to go home, but she did not leave. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but without Emperor Huian's order, the guards wouldn't let her go.

Since early morning, when she and the five beasts had set out for Phoenix Mountain, none of them had had a drop of water. Mo Yan and the other four beasts could manage, but Mao Mao, still growing, was so hungry that his eyes had turned green, and he was weakly whining at his master.

Mo Yan couldn't take out the food stored in her space, so she could only pet Mao Tuan's head, soothing him softly. While no one was looking, she sneaked her finger into his mouth, secretly feeding him spiritual spring water. Even if it couldn't fully satisfy his hunger, at least it could fill his stomach and replenish some energy.

Mao Tuan gulped down the water, making a slurping sound. Fortunately, Mo Yan was careful about the amount, preventing any water from spilling and causing unnecessary trouble.

The slurping sound caught Xiao Ruiyuan's attention. Learning that Mo Yan and the five beasts hadn't had a drop of water all day, he felt guilty. After giving Yan Junyu a few instructions, he led Mo Yan and the five beasts back to his tent.

 Chapter 608: Rewards (2)

Even though Chu Heng had only seen the gentle and loving Empress Chunyi in portraits, no one could surpass the place his birth mother held in his heart. So, ten years ago, when a palace concubine, attempting to use him against Consort Lin for her own gain, "accidentally" revealed that Consort Lin was the real culprit behind Empress Chunyi's death, a seed of hatred was planted in his heart.

Later, when Emperor Huian secretly entrusted him with a team of secret guards, Chu Heng had them investigate the truth behind Empress Chunyi's death, hoping to gather enough evidence to expose Consort Lin and the Lin family's crimes to the emperor, avenging his mother and himself.

However, he never imagined that this matter would involve his most respected father. After painstakingly gathering evidence proving Consort Lin's guilt in Empress Chunyi's murder, he chose not to present it to Emperor Huian. He discovered that Emperor Huian had known the truth all along but chose to protect Consort Lin, merely confining her invisibly to the Cold Palace while allowing her to retain her noble status.

From that moment, Chu Heng inwardly refused to trust Emperor Huian. As he sensed that his time was running out, he took advantage of Prince Heng's trap set for Xiao Ruiyuan to strike against Prince Heng, also eliminating Prince Qi, Prince An, and others to completely remove any threats to Xiao Ruiyuan!

Chu Heng did not want his cousin to be implicated, so he concealed the underlying reasons. Seeing Emperor Huian's pale face, Chu Heng suppressed his discomfort and continued, "No matter what reason Father had for hiding the truth for that woman, I will not forgive them, mother and son! Oh, by the way, around nightfall, news should come from the palace. If I guess correctly, that woman will have been disfigured by the cat she keeps. Heh, that woman and Prince Heng are indeed deeply connected as mother and son; just as the son is disfigured, the mother accompanies him in kind. Whether this will be seen as a touching story or as divine retribution, who can say?"

At this moment, Emperor Huian's face no longer showed anger; his eyes were filled with complex emotions—helplessness, sadness, guilt... For the first time, he was not the imposing emperor but simply a father who didn't know how to handle a child's mistake.

Seeing the cold and distant look on his son's face, Emperor Huian felt a pang in his heart, wanting to explain that he had his reasons, but he swallowed his words and finally said weakly, "The guilty party must pay for their crimes, but your third brother was still in his mother's womb at the time and knew nothing. Moreover, your fourth brother's mothers had nothing to do with your mother's death. You shouldn't have taken such extreme measures against them!"

Hearing this, Chu Heng sneered and coldly replied, "Do you want to say that Prince Heng is innocent? Ha, that woman probably knew she was carrying a male child, so she dared to poison Mother, aiming to kill two birds with one stone! Even if Prince Heng was truly innocent then, can you say he has been innocent in his actions since?"

He paused briefly before continuing, "Even without my intervention today, do you think anyone other than Prince Heng could have escaped this ordeal? Father should be grateful for having a loyal and responsible general like Xiao Ruiyuan and that brave girl who rushed into the hunting ground to save them; otherwise, you would have seen the corpses of Prince An and the others earlier!"

He wouldn't tell this man, who had shielded the true culprit, that even if Prince Heng hadn't targeted his cousin today, he wouldn't have spared those who had repeatedly tried to harm his cousin! His cousin had always protected him, going to the battlefield at a young age to secure his position as crown prince, building military prestige and influence. Now that his time was short, this was the only thing he could do for his cousin!

Emperor Huian was unaware of Chu Heng's thoughts. From Xiao Ruiyuan's words, he had already learned that Prince Heng's schemes had backfired. If mishandled, this incident could become a scandal that would make the royal family a laughingstock throughout the land. He was at a loss for how to handle the situation.

 Chapter 607: Rewards (1)

Chu Heng's mocking expression only deepened Emperor Huian's anger, yet he found himself at a loss for words to refute. As his sons grew older, he was well aware that their facade of brotherly harmony was just that—a facade. He, too, had risen from the ranks of an ordinary prince, neither firstborn nor of noble birth, to the position of crown prince, and ultimately eliminated those brothers who sought to usurp him, finally ascending to the throne.

From prince to crown prince to emperor, every step had been a blood-soaked ladder, a difficult journey that seemed an inevitable fate for each generation of rulers.

Over two decades had passed, and now it was his sons' turn. However, he was first and foremost the emperor of a nation, and only secondly a father. As the ruler of Da Chu, he had to not only care for the empire but also wield an iron fist to deter any who might threaten it. As long as their actions weren't too extreme, he would turn a blind eye, seeing it as a test of their mettle.

He often comforted himself with this reasoning, but when he saw several of his sons gravely injured and lying on the brink of death before him, he was frightened and furious. He was desperate to find and severely punish the culprit, to teach him the meaning of benevolence and brotherly love.

But the culprit was none other than the child he had with the woman he loved, a child into whom he had poured all his paternal affection. Even though this child was declared unlikely to live past twenty-five at birth, he had insisted on making him the crown prince, against all opposition.

Aside from his frail health, Emperor Huian had no complaints about Chu Heng. From a young age, Chu Heng had demonstrated the skills expected of a ruler. Emperor Huian had always believed that Chu Heng was different from his other sons and princes; he was a capable crown prince and a loving older brother. He never imagined that today, nearly half of his sons had nearly died at the hands of the son he took pride in.

Emperor Huian closed his eyes in exhaustion, hiding the pain in them, and looked at his unrepentant son with a stern voice: "Even if they covet your position as crown prince, if you wanted to teach them a lesson, I would have no objections. But why must you push them to the brink of death? They have never tried to kill you!"

Hearing this, Chu Heng's mocking smile faded, leaving only a cold expression. But in his eyes, there was a deep-seated hatred: "Because Consort Lin caused my mother's death, and those other women were either accomplices or stood by and did nothing! A mother's debt should be repaid by her child—this is only just! They owe my mother and me, so their sons must pay the price!"

Seeing the shock and disbelief on Emperor Huian's face, Chu Heng guessed what he was thinking and smiled mockingly again: "I should thank you, Father, for giving me a team of secret guards. Without them, I might never have known who truly murdered my mother."

From the moment he was born, he had been burdened with a frail body. As a child, he overheard palace servants gossiping that his life would last no longer than twenty-five years. No one knew that each time he was tortured by illness, he harbored a deep resentment toward his birth mother, the late Empress Chunyi.

It wasn't until later that he learned how his mother, poisoned and too weak to give birth, had ordered her own abdomen cut open to bring him into the world. 

He couldn't imagine the pain his mother endured to give birth to him, and at that moment, he realized how absurd and unfilial his previous resentment had been. From then on, he no longer wallowed in self-pity and tried to live as normally as possible, not for himself, but because a woman had wanted him to live. Only by living did he have a chance for a healthy life; in death, everything would be lost.

 Chapter 606: Accusations (3)

At this moment, any effort to explain or plead would be futile. Xiao Ruiyuan could only express his unwavering determination to stand by the woman he loved, willing to share life or death with her through his resolute actions.

The two kneeling figures presented a stark contrast: one dressed in somber black, the other in bright lake blue. Though these colors seemed inherently incompatible, they unexpectedly harmonized, as if they were meant to be together, inseparable and irreplaceable.

Emperor Huian observed them coldly, his gaze growing darker. Was this woman truly the Achilles' heel of his otherwise cold and unfeeling great general? He suddenly wondered what his general would do if he insisted on charging the woman with treason. Would he resist to the end, or would he give up everything to die alongside her?

However, before this thought could fully form, a familiar, indifferent voice interrupted, snuffing it out: "Father, you already know that the beast attack was orchestrated by me. Why trouble a defenseless girl?"

Xiao Ruiyuan and Mo Yan instinctively looked towards the source of the voice, seeing Chu Heng, pale and distant, wheeling himself slowly from the right side of the hall.

Xiao Ruiyuan's eyes flickered with concern, but mindful of Emperor Huian, he only furrowed his brow and remained silent.

Mo Yan was stunned, not because Chu Heng admitted to planning the beast attack, but because of his frail appearance, as if he could stop breathing and never wake up at any moment.

Remembering why he was in such a state, Mo Yan suddenly thought of the two thousand-year-old ginseng roots she had just harvested in her space. A bold idea popped into her mind: if she were to be punished, could she use the ginseng to save herself?

Although she had originally intended to give one of the ginseng roots to Chu Heng on Xiao Ruiyuan's behalf, given the current situation, she could no longer worry about that. Compared to the lives of her family and friends, the ginseng was of little consequence.

However, the relationship between the emperor and his son seemed strained, and Chu Heng had just done something that might severely test a father's patience. Would the emperor, in his wrath, punish Chu Heng severely? Mo Yan pondered whether she should present the ginseng right away.

But before she could finish her thoughts, Emperor Huian erupted in anger. He slammed his hand on the table and, after shouting "unfilial son" at Chu Heng, expelled Mo Yan and Xiao Ruiyuan from the hall.

Standing outside the hall, under the bright sun, Mo Yan could hardly believe she had walked out of the suffocating hall alive. She turned to Xiao Ruiyuan, ready to ask if they had escaped danger, but his grim expression as he stared at the closed doors made her swallow her words.

As they left the palace, they saw Yan Junyu pacing anxiously at the entrance, fanning himself. A wave of warmth filled their hearts.

Upon seeing them, Yan Junyu brightened, snapping his fan shut and hurrying over. But before he could speak, a furry head butted him aside, nearly causing him to fall.

Mao Tuan, having pushed Yan Junyu away, leapt onto Mo Yan, rubbing against her excitedly and making soft noises. Fortunately, Mo Yan was used to this behavior and wasn't knocked over like before.

Yan Junyu adjusted his disheveled clothes, pointing at Mao Tuan in mock anger. "I'll let you off this time for your master's sake! But if you disrespect me again, I'll skin you and use your fur as a rug!"

Mao Tuan turned its head, giving him a disdainful look before continuing to nuzzle Mo Yan, which only made Yan Junyu even more annoyed.

The playful antics of these two lightened the mood for Mo Yan and Xiao Ruiyuan, easing their earlier tension and worry.

After chatting for a bit, they learned that Yan Junyu, concerned about their delay, had informed Chu Heng, which had allowed them to leave safely. They felt a surge of gratitude but were also worried about Chu Heng, who had diverted Emperor Huian's anger onto himself.

...

Inside the hall, Emperor Huian had resumed his seat on the dragon throne, but his flushed face and heaving chest showed he was on the brink of a furious outburst.

In contrast, Chu Heng, seated in his wheelchair, appeared calm. As if admitting to orchestrating the beast attack wasn't shocking enough, he casually said something that nearly made the emperor spit blood: "You have plenty of sons, Father. With new princes and princesses born every year, what's a few useless ones dying?"

With a loud crash, Emperor Huian slammed his hand on the table again, picking up an inkstone to throw. But seeing the frail figure of his most cherished son, he couldn't bring himself to do it.

He set the inkstone down, a pained look crossing his aged face. "Heng'er, what do you want? They are your blood brothers!"

"Blood brothers?" Chu Heng's lips curled in a mocking smile. "If you think those who constantly plot against me and harm my loved ones are my brothers, and I should treat them generously and forgive all their transgressions, then I have nothing more to say!"

 Chapter 605: Accusations (2)

After speaking, Mo Yan held her breath and bowed low, her forehead touching the ground, remaining in that position for a long time. This kneeling was done willingly, for no other reason than for the family waiting for her at home.

She did not attempt to explain why she could control beasts, nor did she offer an explanation for her coincidental presence in the Beast Forest. Mo Yan understood that if Emperor Huian was determined to pin the beast attack on her, no amount of explanation would suffice.

Her only hope was to convey that she harbored no ill intentions towards the royal family and to express her and her family's gratitude to Emperor Huian, hoping he would reconsider. Though she knew the chances were slim, she couldn't do nothing.

As Mo Yan knelt motionless before him, Emperor Huian's expression was inscrutable, leaving everyone guessing at his thoughts.

Xiao Ruiyuan watched Mo Yan kneeling on the cold stone floor, his eyes cold and dark, his hands clenched so tightly at his sides that he did not even notice the cuts in his palms.

The atmosphere in the hall seemed to freeze, making it hard for Mo Yan to breathe. Despite her composed appearance, she was far from calm. Her back was already soaked with sweat, wetting the clothes underneath.

Outside the palace, Yan Junyu distractedly played with a piece of meat, teasing Xiao Hua, while frequently glancing toward the entrance. Seeing that half an hour had passed without anyone coming out, his worry grew.

Xiao Hua, agitated by Mo Yan's absence, was in no mood for games. It scratched the ground furiously, quickly digging a small pit. The other four beasts were similarly restless, especially Mao Tuan, whom Mo Yan had raised from a young age. Mao Tuan, even more agitated than Xiao Hua, stripped the bark from a large tree in front of the gate with a few swipes, leaving its survival in question.

The ferocity of the beasts exceeded the expectations of the guards. Seeing the mess, they worried that if the beasts went berserk, they would be unable to control them. They called for more reinforcements, yet even with additional guards, they dared not get too close. A single scratch or bite could spell serious trouble.

As another incense stick's time passed with no one emerging from the hall, Yan Junyu could no longer hold back. He tossed the meat to Xiao Hua and hurried into the palace, heading towards the side hall.

Kneeling on the cold, hard floor, Mo Yan felt as if an eternity had passed, though it hadn't been long. Her knees ached, and the cold from the floor seemed to seep into her bones, chilling her to the core.

Mo Yan knew that if Emperor Huian did not believe her explanation and insisted on blaming her for the beast attack, she couldn't escape the consequences. Not only would her life be in danger, but her father, siblings, the Li family, and Tang Xin could also be implicated.

The crime of endangering the royal lineage could lead to the execution of her entire family or even extend to nine generations.

As she considered the innocent lives that could be destroyed because of her actions, Mo Yan felt true fear. She did not regret entering the forest to save people, but if given another chance, she would plan more carefully, avoiding the reckless actions that had given her enemies a pretext to accuse her.

Sweat dripped uncontrollably from her forehead, falling to the ground. Without needing a mirror, Mo Yan knew her face must be as pale as a ghost.

Xiao Ruiyuan noticed Mo Yan's trembling body, the sweat dripping to the floor, and her colorless face. Struggling with his own emotions, he finally couldn't hold back. In a swift motion, he knelt beside Mo Yan without a word.

  Chapter 604: Accusations (1)

Emperor Huian continued to ask Mo Yan various questions, particularly about the origin of the five beasts and the art of beast control. He inquired if she had received guidance from a master. Mo Yan answered cautiously, truthfully sharing what she could without implicating the secrets of her spatial abilities. She denied having any mentor and attributed the beasts' obedience to her as a matter of their intelligence and a special bond they shared.

Emperor Huian seemed convinced by Mo Yan's explanation, his demeanor relaxing and his tone becoming more amiable. Seeing this, Mo Yan quietly breathed a sigh of relief, resisting the urge to wipe her sweaty palms.

Facing the ruler of the land for the first time, it was impossible not to be nervous. Even knowing that Emperor Huian was a just and benevolent ruler who did not kill indiscriminately, she dared not step out of line. This was not a society governed by modern law; in the rigidly hierarchical structure of a feudal dynasty, the ruler at the top of the pyramid could destroy a person or even a family with a single word.

Moreover, Mo Yan had trespassed into the royal hunting grounds, an offense regardless of her intentions. If the emperor chose to pursue the matter, she wouldn't be able to escape punishment. However, given the current situation, it seemed she wouldn't be held accountable.

Just as Mo Yan was feeling relieved, believing that Emperor Huian would not pursue the matter and that she might even make it home in time for dinner, the atmosphere suddenly changed. A wave of authority and pressure descended upon her as the emperor's voice rang out sternly: "You can control beasts, coincidentally appearing in the Beast Forest and saving everyone by yourself. This beast attack was clearly a trap you set with malicious intent. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Mo Yan looked up in shock, stunned by the sudden change in Emperor Hui'an's attitude.

Xiao Ruiyuan's expression darkened, and he stepped forward to defend Mo Yan, but Emperor Hui'an sharply rebuked him: "Han Zhang, hold your tongue! I'll deal with your 'good' deeds later!"

"Your Majesty, you..."

Xiao Ruiyuan couldn't bear to see the woman he loved wronged and accused unjustly. As he opened his mouth to speak, he felt a tug on his sleeve. Looking down, he saw Mo Yan shaking her head, signaling him to stop. "The emperor is a wise ruler; he won't accuse without evidence. Don't worry!"

Concern had clouded Xiao Ruiyuan's judgment, causing him to lose his usual composure. Now, at Mo Yan's prompt, he regained his calm. He lowered his eyes, fists clenched, and when he looked up again, his expression was once more composed, though the worry in his eyes betrayed his true feelings.

Seeing this, Mo Yan felt a slight relief. Now was not the time to challenge imperial authority. Provoking Emperor Huian could lead to disaster before they had a chance to explain.

Upon hearing the term "wise ruler," Emperor Huian eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly, though his face remained stern, maintaining his imperial majesty.

Under the emperor's intense gaze, Mo Yan, if not for the circumstances involving her life and safety, would have been tempted to roll her eyes at him.

Accusing her of orchestrating the attack simply because she could control beasts and happened to be in the Beast Forest seemed like quite a leap. Mo Yan silently critiqued this logic, while striving to conceal her fear. She walked to the center of the hall, knelt respectfully, and met the emperor's gaze with calm, clear eyes. Her voice steady, she spoke, "In the twenty-seventh year of Emperor Huian's reign, the southern region suffered natural disasters and warfare. Seeking refuge, my family fled to the capital, settling in Liuyang Village, forty miles north of the city, thanks to Your Majesty's benevolent decree. My family has always been law-abiding and holds no grudges against the royal family or the Chu clan. My father often praises Your Majesty as a heaven-sent ruler, bringing blessings to countless people—a rare and wise emperor. Today, I have acted improperly and offended Your Majesty. If you wish to punish me, I will accept it willingly. However, as a mere woman, I lack the capability to challenge the heavens. I implore Your Majesty to see clearly the truth of the matter."

Chapter 603: Companions (2)

Prince Heng obediently nodded and lay back down with the help of the young eunuchs, though a shadow of sadness could not be hidden from his eyes. Emperor Hui'an, unwilling to see more, waved his hand for the eunuchs to take Prince Heng away and care for him. The emperor feared that if he stayed longer, he might lose control and vent his anger on those responsible for the plot.

Prince Heng, being carried away by the eunuchs, caught a glimpse of the fleeting anger in Emperor Huian's eyes and allowed a silent smile to play on his face, making his bloody wounds appear even more grotesque. He understood the principle that the squeaky wheel gets the grease better than anyone, but with his father who favored that cripple, it was of no use.

After Prince Heng was taken away, the other princes were also carried to their quarters by the eunuchs, with the imperial physicians following to provide further diagnosis and treatment. Seeing this, the noble ministers quickly took their leave, eager to have their sons treated as soon as the physicians were done with the princes.

Emperor Huian sat on the throne, his expression changing as he pondered. After a while, he stood up, intending to head to the side hall to get to the bottom of things and give his injured sons an explanation. Just then, a eunuch entered briskly and knelt, announcing, "Your Majesty, General Xiao and a Miss Mo are waiting outside, requesting an audience."

The emperor recalled the report from the guards who returned earlier and sat back down, his tone serious. "Summon them!"

A woman who could control beasts, trespass the hunting grounds, and save his sons was worth his personal attention.

The eunuch quickly left and soon, Xiao Ruiyuan and Mo Yan entered. The five beasts were left outside the palace, guarded by soldiers to prevent any mishaps, and also as a form of protection.

Emperor Huian watched as the man and woman entered side by side—Xiao Ruiyuan, coldly handsome, and Mo Yan, exceptionally beautiful. For a moment, he was stunned, then seemed to understand something, his brow furrowing slightly.

Xiao Ruiyuan and Mo Yan knelt in unison in the center of the hall and simultaneously greeted the emperor, one voice deep and the other clear, "Greetings, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

Emperor Huian gazed coldly at the kneeling pair, not calling them to rise immediately. It wasn't until Mo Yan, unable to endure any longer, swayed slightly without stepping out of line, that he finally relaxed his expression and spoke with a kinder tone, "General Xiao, you may rise. And Miss Mo, you may rise as well."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiao Ruiyuan and Mo Yan, relieved, exchanged a quick glance before standing aside.

Sitting high above, Emperor Huian pretended not to notice their subtle exchange. He questioned Xiao Ruiyuan in detail about the events in the Beast Forest.

Xiao Ruiyuan did not hold back, recounting everything truthfully, including shooting Prince Qi's hairpin and breaking Prince Heng's wrist with his sword. He knew these events couldn't be concealed and chose to be forthright, leaving the judgment to the emperor.

As the nephew of the late Empress Chunyi and someone the emperor had watched grow up, Emperor Huian knew Xiao Ruiyuan's character well. That's why he placed him near his favorite son at a young age.

Hearing how Thirteenth Prince had purposely gone missing and how Xiao Ruiyuan had led the guards to the Beast Forest, first encountering Prince Qi and then being subtly threatened by Prince Heng, Emperor Huian, who had ascended the throne over the corpses of his brothers, understood the underlying schemes.

When he learned that Prince Heng had tried to harm Xiao Ruiyuan during the beast attack, Emperor Huian's disappointment in his sons, especially Prince Heng, grew. The sympathy he had felt earlier for Prince Heng dissipated.

Emperor Huian now knew all he needed about the events in the Beast Forest. He was fully aware of his sons' growing rivalry, even as he still lived. He couldn't help but think that if he were to pass away, his unfilial sons might turn the palace into a bloodbath over the throne.

Emperors, no matter how they ascended, generally did not wish to see their sons fighting each other.

Prince Heng, plotting to dethrone Crown Prince Chu Heng and orchestrate his downfall, had unwittingly aroused Emperor Huian's suspicion. If Prince Heng knew this, he would likely regret his schemes against Xiao Ruiyuan, realizing he had lost more than he gained.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for regret. When Emperor Huian decides to settle accounts, Prince Heng might be so frustrated that he'd spit blood!

Emperor Huian's mood soured, though his expression remained unchanged. He then asked Mo Yan, "The hunting grounds are heavily guarded. How did a young woman like you get in?"

Mo Yan felt a chill at the question, knowing that a careless answer could bring trouble to the man beside her. She carefully replied, "Your Majesty, the beasts outside are quite agile. They helped me climb up from a less steep cliff."

She told the truth, knowing that all the entrances at the foot of the mountain were heavily guarded, making it impossible for her or the beasts to sneak in unnoticed. Climbing the cliff was the only option.

"Companions?" Emperor Huian showed a rare smile at the unusual term. "Using that word for those fierce beasts is quite novel."

Mo Yan responded seriously, "To others, they may be ferocious beasts, but to me, they are very cute and have never harmed anyone. They are my most trusted companions."

Emperor Huian looked at the young woman with a hint of admiration in his eyes. While he still considered the beasts to be dangerous and unsuitable as companions, he appreciated her pure-heartedness. Perhaps this purity was why the typically fearsome beasts allowed her to command them.

  Chapter 602: Companions (1)

Under Xiao Ruiyuan's reassurance, Mo Yan temporarily set aside her worries and accompanied him down the mountain, along with the five beasts, heading towards the Phoenix Mountain palace.

The events in the Beast Forest had already been reported to Emperor Huian at the palace and quickly spread throughout the hunting grounds.

In the main hall of the palace, many noble ministers anxiously awaited news, as their sons were among those attacked by the beasts in the forest. The atmosphere in the hall was tense and oppressive. Emperor Huian sat on the throne, his face dark with anger.

Several imperial physicians stood nervously before the hall, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, fearing that any misstep might provoke the emperor's wrath and cost them their lives.

Due to a shortage of medical personnel, the ghost doctor, who was initially there only to attend to Chu Heng's health, was also summoned. He seemed distracted, as if worried about Prince Heng and the others attacked by the beasts. However, in reality, he cared only for Xiao Ruiyuan's well-being.

Yan Junyu was also present, clutching his jade-bone fan with a grave expression, far removed from his usual carefree demeanor. He was concerned not only for Xiao Ruiyuan but also for Mo Yan, who had suddenly entered the hunting grounds to save them.

Soon, the guards arrived, carrying Prince Heng and the others into the main hall. At Emperor Huian's command, the imperial physicians quickly gathered around with their medical kits, prioritizing the care of Prince Heng, Prince Qi, and other noble princes.

The injured guards were not allowed to be brought into the hall, and the bodies of the two unfortunate noble sons who perished were kept out to avoid upsetting the emperor.

Seeing that Xiao Ruiyuan was not among those brought in, both Yan Junyu and the ghost doctor relaxed, one resuming his fan-twirling and the other taking the wrist of the nearby Thirteenth Prince to check his pulse.

After examining everyone, the imperial physicians confirmed that while the princes and noble sons had sustained injuries, none were life-threatening. This news brought relief not only to the physicians and noble ministers but also to Emperor Huian, who had remained silent until then.

However, the emperor's expression darkened again when he thought about how his sons had left in good health but returned on stretchers. Some had even suffered severe injuries, such as tendons cut by the beasts, which might prevent them from walking again. His displeasure deepened.

What upset Emperor Huian the most was that Prince Heng, upon whom he had placed high hopes, had not only suffered significant injuries to his right leg and arm, with no quick recovery in sight, but also sustained facial scratches more severe than they appeared. Even with the best scar-removal ointment from the palace, he would be left with disfiguring scars.

With the help of a young eunuch, Prince Heng struggled to sit up, forcing a gentle smile as he tried to comfort the displeased emperor. "Father, I am fortunate to have survived. As a man, what does a scar matter? If Father worries and hurts himself over this, that would be my fault. Please, do not be concerned."

Looking at his once handsome son now marred by injuries and hearing his words, Emperor Huian's expression grew darker. He patted Prince Heng's shoulder, speaking in a somber tone, "Ye'er, focus on healing. Once we return to the palace, I will issue a decree to find the best physicians to treat your face."

"Thank you, Father!" Prince Heng smiled, seemingly unbothered by his disfigurement, though a trace of sorrow flickered in his eyes.

Emperor Huian, noticing his son's feigned bravery, felt a rare pang of sympathy. "We are father and son, Ye'er. There is no need to thank me, and you must not let your thoughts trouble you, as it will not help your wounds."

  Chapter 601: The Girl Riding the Divine Beast (2)

Xiao Ruiyuan stared blankly at the petite figure on the back of the beast, his mind a blank. His heart and soul were filled only with the girl who haunted his dreams...

Hundreds of beasts scattered like a receding tide under the pressure of the five mighty beasts. A few grateful guards received powdered Tianqi from the girl who had saved them, using it to staunch the bleeding of the severely injured princes and nobles before treating their own wounds.

Prince Heng sat gloomily on a rock, ordering a guard to apply the medicine. He was amazed to see that the once profusely bleeding leg wound stopped bleeding after the powder was applied. Not even the best medicine in the palace had such miraculous effects, he thought, casting a suspicious glance toward a nearby large tree. The five fierce beasts surrounded the tree, and through the gaps, he could only make out a faint touch of elegant lake-blue color.

At that moment, Mo Yan was cleaning the wounds on Xiao Ruiyuan's arm with spiritual spring water. These wounds were left by the attack of ten fierce beasts. Though they were only superficial wounds, one could never be too cautious about infections from beast claws, which could be life-threatening if not treated properly.

The cold and murderous look on Xiao Ruiyuan's face had long been replaced by gentleness. He quietly watched the woman who held his undivided attention as she gently cleaned the wounds. Unable to resist, he tenderly tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear.

His fingers brushed against her soft, white earlobe, the tender and unfamiliar sensation like a spark igniting within him. A faint blush crept up his ears.

Mo Yan, absorbed in her task, did not notice his reaction. Once the wounds were cleaned, she carefully applied the powdered medicine, making sure she didn't miss any spots. Finally satisfied, she gave a series of instructions: "Even though these wounds are not serious, you should avoid eating spicy or hot foods, and keep them dry to prevent infection."

Who could refuse the caring words of a beloved? Xiao Ruiyuan gazed at her, suppressing the urge to pull her into his arms and hold her close. He nodded obediently, his handsome features softened with a warm, fiery affection.

Such an intense gaze made Mo Yan's heart tremble, her mind turning hazy. She forgot what she had intended to say next.

Seeing her dazed expression, Xiao Ruiyuan's desire grew, and he finally gave in to his impulse. He gently caressed her blushing cheek, his voice thick with emotion: "Yan'er, thank you!"

Thank you for giving me a chance, for accepting my feelings, for risking everything to save me, for all that you've done...

Mo Yan was momentarily stunned but then smiled brightly. "From the moment you saved my family, perhaps this day was destined. At this point, who can say who owes whom a thank you?"

Xiao Ruiyuan couldn't help but recall their first meeting. His lips curved into a charming smile as he remembered the girl who had once stood in the middle of the road to block his way, now transformed into the woman before him. He hadn't anticipated that that encounter would bind their fates together.

Mo Yan, too, was filled with emotion. In her previous life, she had never even dated, yet in this new world, within two short years, she had found herself utterly committed to the man before her.

This love seemed truly destined, a fate sealed from the very beginning!

They both silently recalled their shared memories, looking at each other with a deep, unspoken affection.

However, the peaceful moment didn't last long. The arrival of reinforcements disrupted the brief tranquility of the beast forest.

The two hundred guards who came as reinforcements had been trapped by a formation at the foot of the mountain and only freed themselves shortly before arriving. They feared the worst, assuming that those on the mountain were likely beyond saving. The lead guard had even prepared to face death for failing to arrive in time. To their surprise, despite the loss of over ten guards and two noble sons, all the most important figures, including the princes, were alive. Though injured, as long as there were no fatal injuries, those who had arrived late would escape the worst repercussions.

Despite their relief at having saved lives, the guards were still unnerved by the scene of carnage—beast carcasses everywhere, blood flowing freely. The sight sent shivers down their spines and filled them with a deep sense of dread.

Learning that Mo Yan's timely intervention had averted a greater tragedy, the guards were extremely grateful. Although curious about her identity and how she had managed to enter the hunting ground to rescue them, they refrained from prying. Their attitude toward her was exceptionally polite.

And with good reason—five fierce beasts stood watch, eyes gleaming with a warning that any disrespect toward Mo Yan would be met with swift retribution.

As the guards cleaned up the battlefield and carried away the injured, including Prince Heng, Mo Yan prepared to leave with the beasts. However, Xiao Ruiyuan stopped her: "Yan'er, you can't keep your rescue secret. To avoid trouble, you should come with me to explain everything to His Majesty."

Ideally, he wouldn't expose the woman he loved without being fully prepared. However, the situation was now beyond his control. Rather than trying to conceal what happened, it was better to be open about it.

The best outcome would be for Yan'er to be credited with saving lives, thus pardoning her for trespassing in the hunting grounds. The worst outcome would be to place the blame for today's events on her, covering up the scandal among the royal siblings.

Mo Yan hesitated, then asked worriedly, "Brother Xiao, will this affect my father and the others?"

Before coming, she had considered the potential trouble this might bring. However, her anxiety the previous night had been overwhelming, compelling her to send Da Bai up the mountain early to find the red python and rush to Phoenix Mountain. She then found a way into the hunting ground, relying on Da Bai's keen sense of smell to find the beast forest.

Her instincts had been correct. Had she arrived any later, she might never have seen this man again.

She did not regret coming to the rescue, nor was she afraid of the trouble it might bring. What she feared was the potential harm to her family, something she could never forgive herself for.

Seeing her concern, Xiao Ruiyuan felt a pang of sympathy. He held her hand tightly, his eyes filled with unwavering confidence: "Yan'er, trust me, everything will be fine."