Just as the scene was descending into chaos, the tinkling of jade ornaments echoed into the city, and the sound of horse hooves drew closer. It seemed a grand procession was about to enter the city.

The common people fell into a tacit silence, for they saw a golden imperial palanquin, flanked front and back by red silk fans adorned with gold, and hung on all sides with pearl curtains and embroidered banners—this was the ceremonial escort of an imperial princess. However, the golden palanquin was surrounded by Qi soldiers and followed behind a luxurious carriage.

A eunuch sang out loudly: “Welcome General Wanyan and Princess Lingfu into the city—”

All who heard wept bitter tears.

The common people had all heard tell that when Bianliang fell, the Qi army had captured the emperor, abducted noble ladies of the imperial clan, and even held a ceremony of presenting captives. They had forced the emperor to remove his robes, while all others, regardless of gender, were made to strip off their upper garments, don sheepskin cloaks, and tie felt strips around their waists to worship at the ancestral temple of the Qi founders. After the captive ceremony, the palace’s former consorts, princesses, and noble ladies of the imperial clan were distributed among the Qi people—some as concubines to nobles, some as camp prostitutes, some as slaves. None were spared.

It was truly an unprecedented humiliation that had not been seen in a hundred years!

And this Princess Lingfu was also one of the captives from that time. Now appearing in Li Du Mansion, her imperial escort was granted by the Qi people. Though the golden palanquin remained the same, what she had endured behind the scenes, beyond everyone’s sight, was all too imaginable.

The carriage stopped at the city gate. The man inside lifted the curtain and called out: “Princess Lingfu returns to her homeland—is this how you all welcome her?”

Not a soul among the masses responded.

The man continued: “You are all Princess Lingfu’s subjects. Those causing trouble today, as long as you cease resistance, your transgressions will not be pursued further.”

Faced with their former princess, they could not refuse to yield. Even knowing this was the Qi people’s silent show of force, they had to receive their princess with the courtesy due from subjects.

The dark mass of confronting crowds fell into utter silence. A tide silently surged and receded through the throng, and a path into the city was cleared.

Nanyi understood—so this was the “one to play the benevolent role” that Xie Queshan had spoken of. Li Du Mansion had gained another high official from Great Qi. The Qi procession thus trampled over the spines of Yu Dynasty commoners and entered the city in grand procession.

“I’m going to kill them all.”

Xie Sui’an’s words were extremely soft yet utterly resolute, drifting complete into Nanyi’s ears without missing a single word. Having spoken, she lingered no longer among the crowd, turned and left, her entire being radiating killing intent.

Nanyi hurriedly caught up with Xie Sui’an.

“Little Six!”

“Sister-in-law, don’t stop me. Even if it means death, I must rescue Third Uncle. The Qi people are trampling right over our heads! If we don’t do something, living would just be scraping by shamefully!”

“Are you going to throw your life away for nothing? The city is full of watching soldiers everywhere.” Nanyi didn’t understand—who was strong and who was weak was crystal clear at a glance.

“The Qi people have deployed defenses throughout the city, haven’t they? Fine, then I’ll steal their city defense maps. Xie Queshan must have them. Knowing their guard distributions, I can then rescue Third Uncle and escape smoothly.”

She spoke lightly, but every step would be as difficult as ascending to heaven. Moreover, for this operation, Xie Sui’an was completely on her own. Until the inside traitor was found, she couldn’t reveal her plan to anyone in the Bingzhu Division.

This time Xie Sui’an walked away with determination. Nanyi wanted to speak but hesitated, not stopping her.

When someone is bent on courting death, no one can stop them.

She would absolutely never place herself in such a dangerous situation, Nanyi repeatedly warned herself.

But she turned back to glance at Xie Zhu hanging beneath the city wall, at the academy students and commoners kneeling to welcome the princess along the street, and at that pitiful princess sitting in the golden palanquin yet unable to control her own fate. An indescribable emotion seemed to churn in Nanyi’s chest.

This emotion left Nanyi both clear-headed and at a loss. She didn’t want to return to Wangxue Cottage immediately, so she followed the procession aimlessly forward, letting the crowd swallow her up.

Not knowing how long she had walked, the crowds around her gradually dispersed.

“Damn scholar, still trying to ambush us? Think your little life is too long, eh!”

A stream of abuse reached her ears. Nanyi looked toward the sound and saw several Qi soldiers surrounding and beating a scholar.

The scholar wore plain white robes and had been knocked to the ground, still trying to protect the scattered scrolls beside him. The Qi soldiers laughed as they stepped on his hands, grinding them into the mud, making him appear even more wretched and helpless.

“Yu Dynasty pedant, hahaha! Your life’s about to end and you still want to read? How about we gouge out your eyes so you can’t read anything—”

The Qi soldiers laughed loudly and drew their daggers.

Nanyi stood outside the alley watching in shock and horror. Unable to bear it, the impulse to intervene rose in her heart, yet her feet seemed filled with lead, lacking the courage to step forward.

Just as Nanyi hesitated, a rough hand grabbed her collar and hauled her forward. Nanyi stumbled and nearly lost her footing. Looking back, she saw it was a tall, burly Qi soldier leader.

“Stinking wench wants to watch? Come, come, stand right here and see clearly. Your turn’s coming up soon.”

That Qi soldier directly seized the dagger from another’s hand, about to gouge out the eyes of the scholar on the ground.

“Stop!”

Seeing the dagger about to stab down, Nanyi’s cry of restraint burst forth, clear and resonant.

The several Qi soldiers were startled by her shout. They all paused and turned to look at her.

Nanyi’s heart was hollow with fear. After calling out, she immediately regretted it. She could have taken advantage of the Qi soldiers abusing the scholar to escape, but faced with such brutality, she truly couldn’t ignore it. Yet even stopping them at this moment, with her capabilities… how could she help the scholar and herself escape?

“Sometimes, reputation is more important than reality”—Xie Queshan’s words rang in her mind again.

“Well well, the little wench has quite some temper. Just you dare meddle in grandpa’s business?!”

The Qi soldier looked Nanyi up and down, clearly not taking her seriously. His gaze even held undisguised lewdness.

“Smack—” A resounding slap landed on the Qi soldier leader’s face.

Nanyi struck first, quickly building up her presence: “And what kind of thing are you, daring to bully even my Xie family’s accounting clerk?”

She deliberately straightened her back, adopting Xie Queshan’s manner of looking down on everyone, her face showing righteous indignation.

The Qi soldier was stunned by the blow, covering his face and glaring at Nanyi, momentarily both furious and fearful, unable to speak.

His two lackeys reacted quickly, surrounding their little leader protectively and questioning Nanyi: “Nonsense! Now anyone can claim to be from the Xie family—you need to see if you’re qualified!”

Nanyi sneered and drew out the rent collection ledger she had brought today from her sleeve: “I am the young madam of the Xie family. By order of our family head, I brought the accounting clerk to the city today to collect rent—” She shook her hand forcefully, spreading open the ledger. “Open your dog eyes and see clearly—this bears the Xie family’s clan seal.”

The Qi soldiers approached skeptically to look, and indeed it was the Xie family’s great seal.

Nanyi noticed the leader had a scar on his temple and suddenly recognized this face—this was the Qi soldier who had humiliated her at Quling River crossing a month ago. That scar was from when she had struck him with a stone to escape.

The memory of being humiliated like grass surged up. The fear in her bones made her legs weak involuntarily, but she pinched herself hard with the hand hidden in her sleeve, making herself stand straighter. She was no longer who she had been that day.

Only now did Nanyi vaguely understand why those scholars always kept their spines straight—it was a declaration of courage.

Nanyi’s gaze swept toward the Qi soldier: “Who our family head is, I don’t need to remind you, do I?”

Having spoken, Nanyi put away the ledger and ignored the Qi soldiers, walking toward the scholar.

She stopped before him and extended a hand.

The scholar, his soul just settling from fright, looked up. Many years later, when he recalled this scene, he could still clearly remember this moment when she lowered her head and extended her hand—transparent light falling on her gave her a silk-like luster, and a strand of her temple hair fell down, from then on entangling itself around his heart.

The scholar felt his hands were dirty and dared not touch that soft hand. Supporting himself on the ground, he stood up on his own, gathered the scattered scrolls back into his arms, and cooperatively stood behind Nanyi.

“Young Madam, this humble person has delayed matters. My apologies.”

Nanyi turned and glared at the Qi soldiers: “Why aren’t you scurrying off?! If I don’t complete my business today, do you want to present your heads to Young Master Queshan?”

Seeing Nanyi’s imposing manner, the Qi soldiers dared not question further. After all, Xie Queshan’s reputation carried weight even among the Qi people. They bowed repeatedly in apology and fled in panic.

Seeing the three disappear from sight, Nanyi immediately deflated, her legs going weak. She leaned against the wall to barely remain standing. Completely disregarding her appearance, she covered her chest and gasped for air, allowing the bitter cold air to fill her chest before gradually recovering.

Having suffered so much at Xie Queshan’s hands, occasionally borrowing his prestige proved surprisingly effective. The great demon king was indeed a great demon king.

Nanyi didn’t notice that upon hearing the name Queshan, the scholar had instantly been struck with profound concentration.

Quickly composing his emotions, the scholar bowed to her: “Many thanks…” He hesitated in his words, seeing that after she dropped her pretense, she clearly appeared to be a young maiden, not at all like the Xie family young madam she claimed to be. For a moment he wasn’t sure whether to address her as madam or miss, but quickly continued: “Many thanks to this madam.”

Nanyi scratched her hair. Sensitive as she was, she understood the scholar’s momentary hesitation. After dropping her imposing manner, she didn’t look like a noble family “madam” at all. She also felt somewhat uncomfortable with this form of address, but the complex background was difficult to explain and unnecessary to share with an outsider, so she simply accepted it.

Nanyi waved her hand: “It’s nothing, nothing. I don’t have so many rules, don’t be formal with me. How should I address you, sir?”

“This humble person is called Song Yushu. I’m seventh in my family. If Madam doesn’t mind, you may call me Song Qilang.”

Speaking in literary language and with measured pace—no wonder he was cursed as a pedantic scholar by the barbarous Qi people.

“Song Qilang, it’s chaotic outside. If the Qi soldiers see us separating, they might become suspicious. Let me escort you a bit further. Where do you live?”

Song Yushu showed slight alarm: “How could I trouble Madam further.”

“…” Nanyi was speechless. Talking with scholars was indeed somewhat laborious, but she couldn’t be too crude.

Seeing Nanyi frown slightly, Song Yushu immediately changed his tone: “Then many thanks to Madam. This humble person lives in Jiangyue Ward.”

He was quite perceptive and tactful. Nanyi smiled: “Then you lead the way.”

Song Yushu walked ahead, but Nanyi noticed he kept his head lowered throughout, clutching the classics in his arms tightly, unwilling to make eye contact with any passersby.

He was very polite. At each corner, he would gesture for her to go first, but each time he extended his hand, he deliberately concealed the stains on his sleeves.

Nanyi suddenly understood—it was his attire. What made him feel inferior was that his clothing was soiled.

Nanyi’s nose inexplicably felt somewhat sour. Looking at his handsome features and learned, courteous manner, he should also be from a wealthy family’s son.

How many people had this chaotic world torn apart.

“Are you from out of town?” Nanyi struck up conversation, trying to break the oppressive atmosphere.

“This humble person fled here from the Eastern Capital.” His words were extremely humble.

So he was a young master from the capital—no wonder…

Nanyi sighed inwardly. Suddenly, Song Yushu’s steps halted. Nanyi followed his gaze.

A procession had also stopped before a grand residence in the alley ahead.

From the carriage descended a man of robust build wearing Qi winter clothing—this was Wanyan Jun, younger brother of Great Qi’s Prime Minister Han Xianwang. Princess Lingfu also stepped down from the golden palanquin. Her figure was gaunt, and though dressed in fine clothes, she still appeared frail and pitiful.

There weren’t many passersby nearby, but sharp-eared Nanyi heard a strange rustling sound. Like…

Nanyi looked around suspiciously and saw Princess Lingfu following Wanyan Jun through the gate. That strange rustling sound was coming from her feet—she actually wore heavy shackles on her feet, producing collision sounds with each step.