Ji Yinshu and Bai Yin exchanged glances.

They continued waiting for him to speak.

Third Master’s voice became increasingly trembling and choked. He looked at Bai Yin and continued, “When we became separated back then, your mother still had you with her—you were only eight years old. Moreover, at that time, she had just become pregnant, not even a month along.” As he spoke, he looked toward Ji Yinshu, “And the child in her womb was you.”

Ji Yinshu and Bai Yin: “…”

Third Master shook his head slightly: “I don’t know what happened to her after she became separated from us. I also don’t know how she ended up in that place, the Jinjiang brothel. It’s all my fault. If only I had watched over her properly back then, she wouldn’t have become separated from us. It’s all my fault.”

Full of regret!

Extremely self-reproachful!

Bai Yin was already stunned, his eyes dazed.

The truth he had sought for twenty-one years was finally revealed today. But why… did his heart feel numb, as if it had completely lost all sensation?

He trembled where he stood.

And Ji Yinshu furrowed her brow, her emotions complex. She occupied this body that didn’t belong to her, yet she could genuinely feel a surge of bitter, sorrowful feeling welling up in her chest.

So… she was from Huyi?

Back when the Ji family had removed her from the family register, it seemed as if fate had already arranged it—she was destined not to be a member of the Ji family.

And previously, when she had seen that pattern on the wooden doll belonging to Madam Xie’s daughter—identical to the pattern on the wooden plaque—that could now be explained. Presumably, the man who made that wooden doll was also from Huyi and also knew of that flower.

However, she still had one doubt in her heart.

She asked, “Then who is our father?”

Third Master’s eyes flickered, somewhat evasive. He only said, “Your father… was just a very ordinary official’s son. When we fled, he had already died.”

Brief and concise.

Unwilling to elaborate!

Ji Yinshu was skeptical.

A woman’s intuition told her it wasn’t that simple.

Perhaps there was still a huge secret hidden within.

And Bai Yin suddenly ran out. Ji Yinshu paused for a few steps, then chased after him.

Leaving Third Master collapsed on the ground.

In great anguish.

A pair of tightly furrowed dark eyes stared at the ground.

His hands resting on his knees were clenched into fists.

In his mind, memories of that year surfaced.

Twenty-one years ago, in the Huyi imperial palace, smoke filled the air, flames of war spread continuously, deafening shouts, cries for help, weeping… nearly drowning the entire sky above the Huyi palace. Wisps of black smoke continuously rose from various palace buildings, gradually turning into raging fires. People clutching bundles frantically fled in all directions. In the distance, volleys of arrows attacked again and again, striking palace pillars, the ground, roof tiles, people’s bodies…

The breath of death mixed with the stench of blood permeated the entire palace!

Pungent and foul-smelling.

He led several people, protecting Xi’er and eight-year-old Bai Yin as they passed through corridor after corridor, palace building after burning palace building.

Finally reaching the north gate of the palace…

Looking back, the entire palace was already engulfed in flames.

Inside, the sounds of death continued without cease.

And corpses were already strewn everywhere!

This battle for the palace—he would never forget it for the rest of his life!

Before Xi’er boarded the carriage, she gripped his hand tightly, pleading desperately, “He’s still inside, he’s inside, save him…”

But he was already powerless to do anything.

He could only take the pregnant Xi’er and eight-year-old Bai Yin away.

The past was vivid before his eyes. The final scene remained at the moment he became separated from Xi’er. They were in a dense forest. Behind them were enemy pursuers. Ahead were Dalin border troops standing strict guard. It could be said they couldn’t move an inch. The pursuing soldiers were already closing in—there was no escaping this calamity. To take a gamble, he could only lead his men to draw away those pursuers, hiding Xi’er and Bai Yin in a tree hollow that could only accommodate two people. They took the risk and stepped forward, drawing away the pursuers. In the end, those who died died, those who scattered were scattered. Only he managed to circle back, but Xi’er and Bai Yin were already gone.

At that time, he was nearly in utter despair.

Those scenes, these past years, would appear in his mind almost every late night.

Even filled with extreme regret!

If only he hadn’t left them behind back then, if only he could have successfully led them away, if only…

But in this world, there ultimately are no “if onlys.”

He let out a heavy breath.

“Xi’er, perhaps keeping the events of that year hidden is the true way to protect them.”

…

Ji Yinshu followed Bai Yin out of the tent.

He kept walking outward.

She kept following him.

And behind them, several Hou Liao soldiers followed, holding torches, keeping neither too distant nor too close.

Bai Yin walked to a small hill.

Only then did he stop.

Ji Yinshu also stopped.

He glanced sideways at her and asked, “How long do you plan to follow me?”

Ji Yinshu asked him in return, “Where do you plan to go?”

“Where to go?” He smiled, gazing at the grassland before them. As his gaze penetrated deeper, it grew darker and darker, with no end in sight. He sighed, “I don’t know.”

“You can stay.” Ji Yinshu took a step forward.

“…”

“Bai Yin, we are siblings.”

“You’re accepting this quite quickly.”

“This is the truth.”

“So what?” He snapped, saying, “Regardless of whether we’re siblings or not, Hu Hehao is my brother. Now you’re about to go to war. So what about me? Do I join you in attacking Yue Dan? Or do I just watch and do nothing? Or perhaps… help Hu Hehao attack you? And then watch you die?”

He couldn’t do any of it.

Ji Yinshu furrowed her brow, “You can do nothing.”

“But if Hu Hehao attacks, do I protect you? Or not protect you?” He suddenly walked toward Ji Yinshu, his tone persuasive, “If you truly consider us siblings, then come with me. I’ll take you to Yue Dan. I can protect you. You must know that Hu Hehao will definitely annihilate Hou Liao.”

Bah!

Ji Yinshu smiled bitterly, “That’s a tiger’s den. Once you enter, there’s only death! Bai Yin, do you still not understand even now? Hu Hehao doesn’t care at all about your life or death. He only has his own ambitions. Once you lose your value to him, he’ll kill you at any time.”

“Impossible!” Bai Yin was certain, “I saved his life. He considers me a brother. Come with me, I guarantee I won’t let you suffer any harm.”

He tried to pull her.

But she retreated a step.

“Bai Yin, I don’t want to be your enemy!”

“I don’t want that either.”

“Then stay.”

“If I stay, it means becoming enemies with Hu Hehao.” Bai Yin was very agitated.

Suddenly—

A voice came, “Do you really think Hu Hehao considers you a brother?”

Hearing the voice, they looked and saw a tall, upright figure walking over.

It was Jingrong!

His expression was cold, his face expressionless. He walked to Ji Yinshu’s side and stopped, saying to her, “I heard everything Third Master said just now from outside.”

Then Ji Yinshu didn’t need to explain further.

She nodded.