Qin Yongtao was startled and looked at Qin Shuying with a complex expression.

Qin Shuying met his gaze calmly and added another sentence: “Time passes so quickly—Father has been gone for almost four years.”

Qin Yongtao murmured to himself: “Yes, so quickly.”

Qin Yongtao was lost in thought for a while. When he came back to his senses and found Qin Shuying still standing there, for some reason he found her extremely irritating—why bring up Yongzhou for no good reason! If Yongzhou were alive, he would also… approve of my actions! How could a woman’s happiness compare to the prosperity of the family? Even princesses, despite their noble status, still had to marry for political alliances!

“You should go back and prepare quickly.”

Qin Shuying smiled gracefully and withdrew from the study.

Leaving early in the morning with clothes and other belongings to rush to the mountains—even if something happened on the road, when the Old Madam found out later, she would only be somewhat annoyed with Qin Shuying for being disobedient and inconsiderate.

Not even his own brother could evoke a trace of pity from him anymore.

As Qin Shuying walked, she used her hand to shield herself from the blazing sun overhead: Was power so wonderful? That it made people disregard family affection, ignore human relationships, and lose their nature?

Ziteng packed slowly. Even by deep into the night, she hadn’t managed to pack properly—she had already sent word out, so why was there still no movement from Young Master Liang?

In just a few hours, blisters had formed at the corners of Ziteng’s mouth again.

Early the next morning, when dawn was just breaking, Qin Shuying took Ziteng, Lu Ye, and Zhishu and Zhihua with her, boarding the carriage that Dong Shi had already prepared.

Ziteng craned her neck, gazing toward the end of the road. Her neck was getting sore, but the end of the road remained quietly empty.

Dong Shi personally came out to see her off: “Seventh Sister, be careful on the road.”

“Thank you, Sister-in-law. I’ll be careful.”

The other young ladies in the household didn’t know Qin Shuying was leaving the residence, so no one came to see her off.

Watching the Qin residence grow more distant in the morning light, Qin Shuying remained silent for a long time.

In her previous life, she had lived here for fifteen years, fearful and cautious. Even after marriage, she still felt attached to this place because her stepmother was kind and her father was upright.

Even when Qin Feifei later got involved with Lu Changxuan, she didn’t lose hope and enthusiasm for life. She still worked tirelessly managing the household, serving her mother-in-law, and sharing the hard-earned money she made with Xu Shi.

Even when confined to the back courtyard, she held onto a thread of hope, believing that although Lu Changxuan had misunderstood her, her father was such an upright person—how could he let her suffer false accusations?

Until, until Feng’er’s soft little body died in her arms.

A year had passed, and she still remembered Feng’er’s small face crying from pain and his curled-up body.

After being reborn, she swore she would send all those who killed Feng’er straight to hell. However, this path was very difficult and not so easy.

Indeed.

Now, although she had already sent Xu Shi to the quiet room, if she married and went to Guangnan Prefecture, Xu Shi would definitely be released. Wasn’t Qin Yunyun just like that?

She sighed slightly. Nearly a year had passed, and she had only achieved some insignificant results in punishing Lu Changxuan. The others had received no punishment at all.

Compared to the deaths of Uncle Zhou’s family and Feng’er’s death, the suffering they had endured was far too light.

Look, her good father from her previous life, her good uncle in this life, was already eager to force her toward a dead end!

His Highness the Sixth Prince had actually come to the Qin residence personally to give Qin Yongtao advice and apply pressure!

If she could get her way this time, from now on she would no longer be so gentle and subtle—it would be life or death, thunderous authority.

Without suffering trauma, they would never learn restraint!

In the palace, inside the secret chamber of Yangxin Hall.

Emperor Delong looked at Liang Zhe before him—disheveled, in a wretched state, with an unkempt beard: “You really only want Seventh Miss Qin and nothing else?”

Liang Zhe declared loudly: “Your Majesty, this humble subject admires Seventh Miss Qin. This humble subject is a rough man who has never heard a woman praise him like that. This humble subject feels… comfortable in his heart—a kindred spirit is hard to find! This humble subject’s mother died early, his father is far away at the frontier, and his grandmother’s health is poor. This humble subject shamelessly requests Your Majesty to decide for me.”

Emperor Delong had heard about the affairs of the Conquering West General’s residence. Liang Zhe indeed had an indifferent father and an uncaring grandmother. Moreover, during his personal campaign at the frontier years ago, he had witnessed Liang Zhe’s courage and ability.

“Ha ha ha ha! Good! I shall decide for you! Come! Bring brush and ink!”

Liang Zhe knelt on the ground, his hands trembling nervously: “Thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!”

Through these days of planning and tracking the Blue Eagle’s traces day and night without rest, he had finally obtained core intelligence and reported it to Emperor Delong. The night before, Emperor Delong had sent Liang Zhe with troops for an all-night ambush, successfully capturing several Blue Eagle prisoners alive and obtaining a large amount of intelligence.

Liang Zhe had achieved great merit, yet he wanted neither high office nor rich rewards. Even when Emperor Delong hinted at giving him the position of heir apparent, he actually refused.

He only wanted one small woman, Qin Shuying—this was naturally perfect.

Emperor Delong didn’t need to give anything and could win the loyalty of a fierce general. This was a good deal that greatly pleased the dragon’s heart.

The eunuch scribe listened to Emperor Delong’s dictation and wrote like flying, quickly finishing the marriage edict with “swish swish swish” sounds. After reading it aloud to Emperor Delong, he stamped it with the imperial seal.

“Zhao Quansheng, go quickly to proclaim the edict! Ha ha ha ha!”

Emperor Delong waved his hand happily. Zhao Quansheng was a capable chief eunuch by his side.

Liang Zhe kowtowed three times: “Thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!”

Zhao Quansheng said in a shrill voice: “Guard Liang, please follow this servant!”

Liang Zhe stood up and staggered slightly. He hadn’t closed his eyes for four days and nights and was exhausted to the extreme. Earlier, Emperor Delong had rewarded him with some tea.

Emperor Delong said: “Take him to eat something before proclaiming the edict.”

Zhao Quansheng said: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The two withdrew from Yangxin Hall, and Liang Zhe said to Zhao Quansheng: “Eunuch Zhao, this Liang has an unreasonable request. Could we go to the Qin residence first to proclaim the edict? Then Eunuch can return early to report back. What does Eunuch think?”

Zhao Quansheng replied without hesitation: “Easy to arrange!”

This boy must be crazy with longing for his bride…

Any perceptive person could see that Emperor Delong was very happy and valued Liang Zhe highly.

Zhao Quansheng’s mission to proclaim the edict wasn’t just about taking the edict and reading it—there was a whole set of procedures and ceremonial procession. Zhao Quansheng went to make arrangements while Liang Zhe stood outside, anxious as an ant on a hot pan, wishing he could stuff the entire procession into a carriage and fly to the Qin residence.

At the same time, he knew that many things in the palace had no secrets. If certain people found out and quickly intervened, causing complications, that would be terrible—although Emperor Delong wasn’t someone who changed his mind easily.

After finally waiting for the personnel and horses to be assembled, everyone headed toward the Qin residence. Liang Zhe rode his horse, wishing he could sprout wings and arrive instantly.

The ceremonial procession naturally couldn’t move particularly fast. By the time they reached the Qin residence, it was already near the end of the chen hour.

Qin Yongtao and Qin Kaiyu weren’t there—they had gone to their official duties.