Hua Zhuyu slowly stepped out from the alley, wrapping her cloak tightly around herself. Before her eyes constantly flashed the moment she fell into the tunnel – those dark eyes filled with deep shock and pain. In her heart arose endless melancholy, obscure and aching.

Why did Nalan Xue treat her this way?

Why did that gaze make her feel inexplicable heartache?

Could it be him?

She leaned against the alley wall, thinking in shock.

Scene after scene from the execution ground raced through her mind like lightning.

That day, she had originally thought Lan Bing and Tang Yu would come to rescue him from the execution ground, so she had secretly bribed some officials at the execution site beforehand. But in the end, no one came. So she had no choice but to step forward and stab him several times, planning to seal his pressure points and pulse afterward to fake his death and rescue him from the execution ground. However, she ultimately killed him.

Now thinking back, things weren’t that simple.

Given his character, how could he willingly go to his death? How could Lan Bing and Tang Yu not rescue him from the execution ground? Unless he had a foolproof plan to escape safely.

Thinking of this, Hua Zhuyu’s entire body suddenly trembled like a sieve. But it seemed impossible! She had clearly seen with her own eyes that he lost his breath and body temperature!

She recalled every detail from the execution ground again, and her memory suddenly froze on the cup of wine bestowed by Third Princess Huangfu Yan that day.

Huangfu Yan was deeply devoted to Ji Fengli. That day when she arrived at the execution ground, before bestowing that cup of wine on Ji Fengli, though she was sad, she didn’t seem particularly out of control. It wasn’t until after Ji Fengli was stabbed to death by her that she suddenly became grief-stricken and hysterical.

This meant that cup of wine was fake death wine! It was something Ji Fengli had arranged beforehand for her to give him.

Huangfu Yan hadn’t expected her to suddenly strike and stab Ji Fengli to death, which was why she was so grief-stricken. So much so that afterward, she even came to make a scene before her.

But perhaps Ji Fengli wasn’t killed by her stab at all – the fake death drug had simply taken effect early. If that was truly the case, he might not be dead!

Perhaps he really wasn’t dead! She leaped up from the alley and hurried out.

On the streets, squads of Wind Cloud Cavalry passed by. They maintained strict military discipline – not plundering civilians, not burning or killing, not stealing.

“General! You’re indeed here!” Two figures swept down from the eaves above the alley, rushing quickly to her side – her personal guards Ping and Tai.

“It’s dangerous here. General, you should leave quickly!” Ping said in a low voice.

Hua Zhuyu glanced at them lightly and nodded: “Alright, let’s go. How did you find me?”

“Our spies hidden in the palace learned that you and Huangfu Wushuang went into a tunnel together. Then we saw Wind Cloud Cavalry soldiers split into two groups leaving the palace. We guessed they had found the tunnel exit, so we had Kang follow one group while Ping and I tracked the other,” Tai said quietly.

“So they’ve already arrived?” Hua Zhuyu asked with narrowed eyes.

“Yes, they rode horses down the main street, searching as they went. It seems they only know the general location of this exit. Ping and I used lightness skills across the rooftops to take a shortcut and find you first. They should arrive any moment. General, let’s leave quickly!”

“Tai, let me ask you – under what circumstances would a drug’s effects take hold early?” Hua Zhuyu suddenly asked.

Tai pondered for a moment, then said slowly: “That depends on what kind of drug.”

“Fake death drug!” Hua Zhuyu said slowly.

Tai frowned: “Such drugs are extremely precious and rare in this world – I’ve never seen one. However, this type of drug suppresses a person’s breathing and pulse. If injured, with blood and qi flowing, it would indeed accelerate the drug’s effects.”

Hua Zhuyu’s heart shook violently. Just then, the sound of hoofbeats rang out as horses galloped into the quiet alley.

“They’re here! General, let’s go quickly!” Ping and Tai grabbed Hua Zhuyu’s arms from left and right, using lightness skills to leap onto the eaves of the alley.

Sounds of hoofbeats and commotion rose from below. Hua Zhuyu gestured for Ping and Tai to hold their breath and remain silent. Though Ping and Tai didn’t understand why Hua Zhuyu still wouldn’t leave at this point, they found it puzzling but still followed her intent, lying flat on the eaves and quietly peering down.

The dim alley was instantly illuminated by countless torches, as squads of Wind Cloud Cavalry soldiers searched inch by inch along the alley. Their silver armor gleamed with piercing cold light under the torches.

Hua Zhuyu quickly scanned the scene, her gaze suddenly freezing. By the torchlight, she looked down from the eaves at the person at the very front of the formation – Prince Nalan Xue of Yue Shi.

Black robes, an alluring mask, a proud and cold aura – he indeed looked very unlike him. However, Hua Zhuyu still remembered that day on the battlefield, he who was like a blood-soaked war god was also completely different from his usual gentle elegance. Looking at that cold, enchanting mask, a strong desire drove her to remove it.

Hua Zhuyu touched her foot lightly and leaped down from the eaves like a night bird, rushing directly toward Nalan Xue.

Nalan Xue hadn’t expected her to suddenly charge down from the eaves. He hurriedly raised his arms to block as the two engaged in fierce combat in the narrow alley. Hua Zhuyu’s arm reached forward slightly, her slender fingers extending from her sleeves. Nalan Xue couldn’t dodge in time, and she yanked the mask from his face.

The torchlight illuminated the face before her – enchanting features, thick long lashes, and between his brows, a dot of vermillion.

It wasn’t him! Disappointment swallowed her like an abyss in an instant.

Why wasn’t it him? And why would this person treat her so well? The deep despair following disappointment made her wish she were dead, almost causing her to collapse.

“General, what’s wrong?” Ping and Tai also leaped down from the eaves, rushing to her side.

“Why did you save me in the hall earlier?” Hua Zhuyu asked in anguish.

The person before her hooked the mask with his finger, his lips curving slightly upward as he said lightly: “I didn’t save you. The one in the hall earlier wasn’t me!”

Hua Zhuyu’s entire body shook as she looked up and asked: “Then who was it? You…” Only then did she realize she recognized this face. He was Yue Po, the attendant beside Nalan Xue.

“Aren’t you Nalan Xue’s attendant Yue Po?” Hua Zhuyu asked coldly.

His lips curved upward in a smile: “Yes, I was indeed Yue Po before, but from now on, I will resume my identity as Nalan Xue.”

So the attendant Yue Po was the real Prince Nalan Xue of Yue Shi. Then who was the previous Nalan Xue, the one who saved her in the hall?

“You want to see the former Nalan Xue, don’t you? Come with me – he’s also looking for you!” Nalan Xue patted his sleeves and reached out to put the mask back on his face.

A palace coup – the atmosphere in the imperial palace was tense with killing intent.

Nalan Xue led Hua Zhuyu through the imperial garden to a palace hall. This hall was called “Jinhua Palace,” an abandoned palace that Hua Zhuyu had never visited during her many days in the palace. Even under the night sky, one could vaguely see that Jinhua Palace was very beautiful, but it seemed to have been sealed for a long time, with all the scenery covered in a layer of desolate mist.

Passing through the corridor, they saw several guards standing at the hall entrance. When Hua Zhuyu clearly saw one guard’s face, her complexion instantly turned pale as snow, and her heart beat wildly.

A moment before, she still couldn’t be certain that person was him, but now she no longer had any doubt. Because standing at one side of the hall entrance was Tong Shou.

Tong Shou was his guard, so without question, the person inside was him. His incomparably clear features instantly blazed through her heart like fire, pulling forth heart-rending wild joy – he wasn’t dead!

“Young Prince, the master hasn’t awakened yet. The imperial physician instructed that he shouldn’t be disturbed during this time!” Tong Shou strode forward, lowering his voice.

Nalan Xue said worriedly: “I know this. I’m bringing someone to see him – it might be good for his recovery.”

Hearing their conversation, the joy that had just risen in Hua Zhuyu’s heart instantly turned to smoke. Only her thoughts at this moment were so intense. She stepped up the stairs and rushed toward the hall interior. Tong Shou extended his arm to stop her, but upon seeing her face clearly, he instantly froze like a statue. In a daze, Hua Zhuyu had already swept past him like a swift wind.

Upon entering the hall, the heavy, bitter scent of medicinal herbs filled her nostrils. This smell instantly blanked Hua Zhuyu’s mind, and her steps suddenly slowed. She looked at the pearl curtain hanging at the inner chamber door, suddenly afraid to approach. On the polished floor tiles of the great hall that could reflect one’s image, her slender, graceful figure was clearly reflected.

“You still dare come here?” A sudden clear voice broke the silence in the hall.

Hua Zhuyu looked up in shock to see Wen Wan emerge from the inner chamber, lifting the curtain. Her willow-leaf eyebrows frowned slightly as she coldly examined her. To encounter Wen Wan at this time and place should have surprised her, but strangely, she felt no emotion at all. Perhaps she had grown accustomed to Wen Wan always appearing in startling ways.

“I’ve come to see him!” Hua Zhuyu said coldly, lifting the curtain to enter.

“Are you going to harm him again? Haven’t you harmed him enough already?” Wen Wan said miserably.

Hua Zhuyu stopped in her tracks, her heart feeling as if it had been scraped by a blunt instrument – a dull, aching pain. Indeed, she had harmed him, but what right did Wen Wan have to say this to her? At this moment, Hua Zhuyu suddenly realized that Wen Wan had always been Ji Fengli’s person. Perhaps the pendant had indeed been given to Huangfu Wushuang by Wen Wan, but it was merely Ji Fengli going along with the plan.

She ignored Wen Wan’s questioning and lifted the curtain to enter.

The inner chamber was extremely dim, with all windows heavily curtained. Even so, Hua Zhuyu’s gaze immediately found him lying on the bed. His eyes were closed, his cheeks pale to the point of transparency. Only the slight movement of his nostrils and the gentle rise and fall of his chest proved he was still alive.

She walked toward him step by step, her heart beating faster with each step. She reached the bedside, slowly sat down, leaned over, and quietly gazed at him, suddenly tears streaming down her face. Her trembling hand reached out to gently caress his face. His bloodless pale lips, cheeks transparent as white paper, deeply furrowed brows – she quietly touched every part of the unconscious him.

He wasn’t dead – how wonderful! But why was he unconscious? Last night, he had seemed perfectly fine.

A slender wrist wearing a jade bracelet reached over from the side, grasping her hand and forcibly pulling it away from his face.

Hua Zhuyu raised her misty eyes to see Wen Wan standing beside the bed, her expression cold, a faint smile of indescribable meaning at her lips.

“He cannot be disturbed now. If there’s nothing else, please leave first. I need to give him medicine!” Wen Wan said lightly, turning to pick up a bowl of medicine from the nearby table, gently stirring it with a spoon.

“Let me feed it to him!” Hua Zhuyu stood up, saying clearly.

“That’s not necessary!” Wen Wan smiled faintly at Hua Zhuyu, saying politely: “Young Prince, please take her out.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I only want to stay and care for him!” Hua Zhuyu said coldly, her eyes very bright as they swept lightly over Wen Wan.

“How can I trust you to care for him? Heaven knows whether you want to care for him or harm him,” Wen Wan said quietly, raising an eyebrow.

Nalan Xue sighed softly, sitting in a chair beside the bed, saying to Wen Wan with difficulty: “Just let Yuan Bao care for the master! I think your master would be willing to let her care for him – otherwise, before fainting, he wouldn’t have specifically instructed me to find her and bring her back.”

Wen Wan’s face paled, her white teeth biting her lip hard before saying coldly: “Fine, I’ll leave!” She set the medicine bowl on the table, glanced at Hua Zhuyu, and quickly walked out.

Hua Zhuyu helped Ji Fengli sit up and fed him the medicine spoonful by spoonful. Fortunately, he wasn’t unconscious to the point of complete inability to swallow. Before long, the entire bowl was empty.

Hua Zhuyu cared for Ji Fengli for a day and two nights. During this time, she learned from Nalan Xue that after she and Huangfu Wushuang fell into the tunnel that night, Ji Fengli had collapsed into unconsciousness. Because his shoulder blades had been pierced in prison, his meridians were damaged and he couldn’t easily use internal energy. That night, he had fought with Huangfu Wushuang and later blocked that blade for her – both actions required internal energy, damaging his meridians and causing him to fall unconscious.

She also learned from Nalan Xue that Ji Fengli was actually Huangfu Wuxiang, Emperor Yan’s eldest prince. This shocked her greatly.

She still remembered their last meeting, when she plunged the knife into his chest. He said he loved her, but would also forget her forever.

At that time, hearing those words, she thought his “forgetting” meant his departure from this world. He left the mortal world, naturally forgetting everything worldly. But now thinking back, his “forgetting” probably meant truly forgetting her.

Now that he had returned from the dead, transforming from the former Left Minister into imperial nobility, while she had changed from a eunuch to a woman and nearly became Huangfu Wushuang’s empress.

Sometimes, she truly didn’t know how they should face each other.

On the second day, Hua Zhuyu felt Ji Fengli’s internal energy beginning to slowly circulate. The imperial physician also said he would wake soon. Her heart relaxed, and the fatigue from two days swept over her, so she went to the side hall to rest. She seemed to sleep for a long time. When she woke, it was near dusk, and she vaguely heard voices reaching her ears.

Ji Fengli had been recovering in Jinhua Palace these days, with few palace maids and attendants serving him. Moreover, no matter how urgent the situation, no one dared speak loudly – all moved quietly with soft voices.

Hearing voices, Hua Zhuyu felt anxious, thinking something had happened to Ji Fengli. Too late to find her silk shoes, she ran out barefoot, but suddenly stopped at the hall entrance.

Sitting in the great hall was Ji Fengli.

Hua Zhuyu felt somewhat dazed as a warm breeze swept by, lifting her trailing silk dress, swirling and dancing.

She looked at him. Between heaven and earth, only that pale, gaunt yet still handsome face seemed to remain. She thought Ji Fengli was still recovering in the inner chamber, never expecting to find him sitting upright in the main hall. His injury was to the extraordinary meridians, temporarily preventing him from using internal energy, but his movement wasn’t restricted. At this moment, sitting there, he looked no different from a normal person, just slightly paler.

Ji Fengli wasn’t alone in the hall – Xiao Yin and Dan Hong were also there. A low table was placed between them as the three drank tea. The voice she’d heard earlier seemed to be Xiao Yin’s.

Hua Zhuyu’s sudden appearance drew Ji Fengli’s attention. He looked up at her, his expression shocked. After awakening, Northern Emperor Xiao Yin had come to visit, and the palace maids hadn’t had time to tell him Hua Zhuyu was here. He had always thought that during his unconsciousness, he was dreaming – dreaming that she was caring for him. Believing it was a dream was more credible than believing it was real, because for him, it was too wonderful to seem true.

Dan Hong saw Hua Zhuyu and rushed out of the room, lifting her skirts.

“Are you alright? I’ve been worried about you these past days. Later I heard you came to the palace, so my brother and I hurried to find you.”

Hua Zhuyu patted Dan Hong’s hand comfortingly: “I’m fine. How are you? When will you return to the Northern Dynasty?”

Dan Hong’s eyes immediately reddened as she lowered her head: “Come with us. Can you really continue staying here?”

Hua Zhuyu understood Dan Hong’s meaning. Her father was Hua Mu, and Hua Mu was now a wanted criminal of the Southern Dynasty. She looked up and glanced into the hall, seeing Ji Fengli sitting quietly there. Though he hadn’t ascended to become emperor yet, on the night they seized the palace, Emperor Yan’s edict had been issued, appointing him as regent to ascend the throne soon. Even without this edict, the Southern Dynasty’s power was already in his hands. All he lacked now was the bright yellow dragon robe.

“Your Highness, I come today to request Your Highness’s mercy – to let Miss Bao come with me. My imperial sister and she are good friends,” Xiao Yin said quietly, glancing lazily at Hua Zhuyu with a smile.

Ji Fengli was still looking at Hua Zhuyu, his gaze seeming glued to her, not hearing their conversation at all.

“Your Highness, please allow me to take Miss Bao with me,” Xiao Yin asked again.

Only then did Ji Fengli return to his senses, casually narrowing his eyes with an amused expression: “Very well. Since that’s the case, please ask Bao’er to come over so you can ask her directly whether she’s willing to go with you!” He lifted his teacup and slowly sipped, the misty steam obscuring the sharpness behind his smile.

Hua Zhuyu frowned. Actually, she was very unwilling to join the conversation between the two men, but since the question involved her, she had no choice. She had already forgotten she wasn’t wearing shoes. Though her skirts trailed the ground, as she walked, her pale toes still appeared and disappeared beneath her dress.

Xiao Yin rested his hand on his chin, watching Hua Zhuyu walk gracefully over, a nameless depth slowly passing through his purple eyes. Dan Hong followed her in and sat beside Xiao Yin. Hua Zhuyu sat beside Ji Fengli. She looked up, her gaze sweeping from Ji Fengli’s face to Xiao Yin’s, feeling the atmosphere around them was very strange. Though there were no flashing blades, it was filled with intense killing intent.

Xiao Yin smiled at Hua Zhuyu, pulling two wool handkerchiefs from his sleeve and placing them in her hands, saying gently: “Why aren’t you wearing shoes? The floor is so cold – use these to warm up!”

Hua Zhuyu’s expression stiffened, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Only then did she realize she had indeed walked barefoot across the cold floor, and her feet were quite cold. She just hadn’t expected Xiao Yin to notice. This tender Xiao Yin almost made her suspect he had remembered her.

Hearing this, Ji Fengli paused, raised his cup for a light sip, and said methodically to the attending maid: “Someone bring a pair of silk shoes.”

“No need, I’ll go put them on myself!” Hua Zhuyu rose and followed the palace maid out, returning shortly with shoes on.

“Are you willing to go with us?” Xiao Yin’s thin lips curved slightly as he asked with a smile.

Hua Zhuyu glanced at Ji Fengli, seeing his thin lips pressed together and his dark eyes growing more profound. She smiled charmingly: “I would naturally love to go to the Northern Dynasty. I also can’t bear to part with Zhuo Ya. But right now, I’m afraid I can’t just leave as I please.”

“Indeed, you do have self-awareness,” Ji Fengli said. The calm in his profound dark eyes instantly turned cold as his gaze sharply swept over Xiao Yin.

“Why not leave? Staying here is dangerous for you! Come to the Northern Dynasty with us!” Dan Hong couldn’t help saying anxiously.

Ji Fengli’s thin lips curved into a smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes: “Northern Emperor, when do you plan to depart? I will certainly come to see you off!”

Xiao Yin looked at Hua Zhuyu and Ji Fengli, silent for a moment. He raised his hand to set down his teacup and laughed heartily: “The date isn’t set yet. I don’t know when Your Highness will ascend the throne – I’d like to stay and congratulate you!”

Ji Fengli laughed loudly: “I wonder to whom the Northern Emperor has entrusted state affairs that you can travel abroad so carelessly!”

Xiao Yin said heartily: “While Uncle Prince Xian isn’t old yet, I’m happy to enjoy leisure for two years!”

The two men spoke casually, while Hua Zhuyu held her cup, listening with narrowed eyes to their verbal sparring.

“It’s gotten cold, hasn’t it?” Ji Fengli suddenly reached out, took the cup from her hands, and handed her another cup of warm tea. Hua Zhuyu was somewhat thirsty and lifted it to drink. Just as she was about to swallow, she suddenly realized this was the cup Ji Fengli had been using.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart immediately stopped. Looking up to see the loss in Dan Hong’s eyes, she realized Ji Fengli’s intention – he was clearly doing this deliberately.

“What’s wrong?” Ji Fengli reached out to pat Hua Zhuyu’s back, helping her swallow the tea she couldn’t get down, saying with a smile: “You can even choke on tea?”

“Since that’s the case, I won’t insist. Zhuo Ya, we’ve done our best. Let’s go!” Xiao Yin spoke casually – it seemed he truly hadn’t remembered her and was only trying to take her away at Dan Hong’s request.

“Then I won’t see you out. Princess Zhuo Ya, rest assured – Bao’er is my lifesaver. If not for her feeding me medicine mouth-to-mouth these past days, I probably would have entered the gates of hell. Even if everyone in the world wanted to kill her, I wouldn’t touch a hair on her head!” Ji Fengli said leisurely, his smile lazy as winter sunlight.

He was definitely being deliberate again! This time, she hadn’t fed him medicine mouth-to-mouth!

Xiao Yin glanced meaningfully at Hua Zhuyu and quickly walked out. Hua Zhuyu watched Xiao Yin and Dan Hong’s figures until they left the hall and courtyard.

The palace maids and attendants in the great hall had quietly withdrawn, leaving only the two of them.

The atmosphere in the hall became different from before, and the sudden silence made Hua Zhuyu somewhat nervous. She slowly turned her head to meet Ji Fengli’s eyes – deep black, seemingly possessing soul-stirring power, endlessly profound as they gazed at her unblinkingly, making one feel as if they might lose themselves in that mysterious darkness with the slightest distraction.

Hua Zhuyu opened her lips but didn’t know what to say. Her mind seemed filled with many words swirling around, yet also seemed completely blank.

The last time they met, she was the executioner and he the prisoner – they were opposing enemies. Now, what were they to each other?

Hua Zhuyu felt somewhat awkward.

She had cared for him day and night for two days, but when he finally woke, she suddenly didn’t know how to face him. Actually, when she came to the palace that night seeking him, she had no particular thoughts – she only wanted to know if he was still alive.

Now that he was safe and sound, her heart that had died with his departure came back to life. But her overwhelming emotions suddenly became uncertain and fearful.

She remembered what he said at the execution ground: “I love you, but I must also forget you forever.”

Perhaps he had already decided to forget her.

“Am I dreaming?” Ji Fengli leaned forward and grasped Hua Zhuyu’s hand. This was the first time he had held her hand – this slender, delicate hand soft as silk. Though there were some calluses on her palm, it was undoubtedly a woman’s hand.

Hua Zhuyu’s heartbeat suddenly accelerated, faster and faster, as if her heart might leap from her chest. All her composure, all her cloud-like calm, was completely destroyed in this instant. Wind blew from the courtyard, carrying early spring’s intoxicating scent, lifting her dark hair and concealing the blush that quietly rose on her cheeks.

“Why did you enter the palace?” Ji Fengli asked quietly, that familiar yet restrained aura surrounding her, seeming omnipresent, wanting to envelop and then devour her.

Hua Zhuyu turned toward the hall entrance, trying to use the calmest voice possible: “I wanted to know if Nalan Xue was you.”

“Why did you care for me?” he continued asking, his voice seemingly calm as wind but hiding a trace of caution.

“I… I wanted to care for you. What of it?” Hua Zhuyu replied domineeringly.

“Why did you want to? Don’t you… hate me?” Ji Fengli asked again.

Did she hate him? Hate him so much that when he died, she nearly followed him? Her chest felt blocked by something, and she felt like crying.

She turned toward the hall entrance.

“Where are you going?” he asked quietly. Though still that gentle voice like warm wind, it seemed to carry indescribable desolation. He shifted his steps and instantly blocked her path.

“Bao’er, I won’t let you leave!” he said quietly, his voice containing unshakeable determination.

“What if I insist on leaving?” Hua Zhuyu said clearly, walking around him and quickly out of the great hall. A breeze swept by, her wide skirts dancing gracefully in the wind. The last ray of setting sun illuminated her face, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. When those wings lowered, several crystal drops quietly slid down. Hua Zhuyu hurriedly lowered her head as tears silently fell to the ground, shattering.

Ji Fengli’s heart was in agony – he felt his own heart shatter too.

He quickly stepped forward, pulling her into his arms, his embrace tightening firmly. In his profound eyes was heart-stopping tenderness and heartache.

Whether she hated him, despised him, or wanted to kill him – he would never let go again. Even imprisoning her would be fine – he wouldn’t let her suffer outside anymore.

“I absolutely won’t let you go!” He held her tightly. Even if she stabbed him again now, he would never let go.

Hua Zhuyu pressed against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, feeling as if she were in a dream. He was alive, he was alive…

At this moment, even the fiery sunset seemed to pale. Heaven and earth seemed to fade in their embrace. The entire world seemed to contain only her and him. Yet ultimately, it wasn’t just her and him. Behind them came a deliberately suppressed cough.

Hua Zhuyu’s face immediately burned. She glanced sideways and saw Lan Bing, whom she hadn’t seen for days, standing quietly outside the hall.

Ji Fengli frowned, a chill flashing in his eyes as he said coldly: “You’d better have urgent business!”

“What Your Highness asked me to investigate is now clear,” Lan Bing said quietly, his gaze briefly sweeping over Hua Zhuyu’s face with an unreadable glint.

Hua Zhuyu’s lips curved slightly as she said lightly: “Prime Minister…” He was no longer a prime minister but a regent prince. She shouldn’t call him prime minister anymore and quickly corrected herself: “Your Highness, I’ll withdraw first.” She slowly walked toward the side hall, feeling several gazes, deep and shallow, falling on her back.

Only after Hua Zhuyu’s figure disappeared from view did Lan Bing say quietly: “Your Highness’s guess was indeed correct. Yuan Bao is precisely Hua Mu’s daughter, the wife Your Highness once divorced – Miss Hua, Hua Zhuyu.”

Ji Fengli’s body swayed slightly as he pressed his forehead: “How did you find out?”

“Aunt Qingluo, who dressed Miss Hua before the marriage alliance that day, said Miss Hua had a large black birthmark on her face that completely obscured her features, but her eyes were very similar to Eunuch Bao’s. Previously, when Yuan Bao was a eunuch, she didn’t think in that direction. But now it’s clear they’re the same person.”

Ji Fengli listened quietly, but his thoughts had already flown to their wedding night. The marriage poisoned wine, the divorce letter, the shattered glass cup – all seemed to instantly transform into sharp blades, piercing his heart and causing heart-rending pain.

Lan Bing continued: “Your Highness, I know your feelings for Yuan Bao, but I still have a few words for Your Highness. I heard from the young prince that you attacked the palace early because you learned she was to consummate her marriage with Huangfu Wushuang. If we hadn’t captured the capital, she would already be Huangfu Wushuang’s empress. That night, she escaped through the tunnel with Huangfu Wushuang. After he left, she stayed behind, deliberately exposed her whereabouts, and willingly followed the young prince back to the palace to see you. She must have known you were alive then and understood you loved her, so she deliberately stayed. She’s Hua Mu’s daughter and was obviously helping her father harm Your Highness. At the execution ground, if not for her blade, Your Highness wouldn’t have…”

“Enough!” Ji Fengli suddenly interrupted Lan Bing’s rambling, his narrow phoenix eyes filled with proud coldness. “All of you withdraw. Regarding her identity, don’t leak a word! Palace attendant Qingluo should be sent from the palace – the farther the better!”

“Yes!” Lan Bing bowed and withdrew.

The setting sun retreated from the western sky, and the hall instantly darkened. Ji Fengli maintained his stance of standing with hands behind his back, his figure appearing proud and solitary. His refined features were half-shrouded in shadow, making his enchanting phoenix eyes appear even more profound and compelling in the darkness.