After leaving the palace, Hua Zhuyu encountered Dou Qianjin’s guards on the road. They stopped her carriage and invited her to Eastern Yan’s post house, saying Dou Qianjin had important matters to discuss with her. As it happened, she also had some things to ask him.

In the main hall of Eastern Yan’s post house, Hua Zhuyu looked at Dou Qianjin and raised her eyebrows, “Did Ji Fengli have you come to take me away?”

Dou Qianjin was startled, then his lips curved slightly, blooming with an enchanting smile, “Not so. I’m the one looking for you.”

Hua Zhuyu frowned, “What does Your Lordship want with me? Also, there’s something I’ve never understood – why did Your Lordship insist on marrying me that day? Later, why were you always searching for Ying Shuxie? Can Your Lordship tell me why?”

“I married you because I knew you were Hua Zhuyu. I searched for Ying Shuxie because I knew Ying Shuxie was you! Only, whether as Ying Shuxie or Hua Zhuyu, I had never seen your appearance. That fellow Xiao Yin wasn’t honest enough with me – he wouldn’t tell me Yuan Bao was you. Otherwise, this prince would have found you long ago! And you… wouldn’t have suffered so much!” Dou Qianjin said slowly, his usually playful tone now very serious, without a hint of joking. Those rippling peach blossom eyes were now full of pity.

“How did you know Ying Shuxie and Hua Zhuyu were the same person?” Hua Zhuyu asked with great surprise, frowning.

Dou Qianjin sighed meaningfully in a low voice, “I naturally knew. I also know you’re a princess of Mo Kingdom.”

“What did you say?” Hua Zhuyu was so shocked she stood up, “I’m a princess of Mo Kingdom?”

Dou Qianjin nodded, “Mo Kingdom’s empress was my aunt. When Mo Kingdom fell that year, she escaped while pregnant. Originally my mother intended to bring her to Eastern Yan, but she sent back a letter saying she had just given birth to a little princess and wasn’t suitable for long journeys, and would come later. After that, there was never any more news of my aunt. These past few years, Mother has entrusted me to search for the little princess. Knowing that Hua Mu had rescued my aunt back then, I searched among the women around Hua Mu, but none were her. Only when I learned that Ying Shuxie was actually a woman did I guess you might be the little princess. As soon as I found out, I immediately went to look for you. Later I heard you had gone to Northern Dynasty, and accidentally learned from Xiao Yin that you were Ying Shuxie, so I knew it was you. Unfortunately, I had never seen your appearance, and after you escaped the marriage, I could never find you again. Last year in Southern Dynasty, I pursued that fake Ying Shuxie for quite a while! Who knew the real you had gone to the battlefield, and who knew you would transform into a eunuch! But finding you now isn’t too late – come with me to Eastern Yan!”

“How could I be a little princess? My father is Hua Mu – how is this possible?” Hua Zhuyu hadn’t yet recovered from the shock of being a princess.

“You can go ask Hua Mu about this matter. Or come with me to Eastern Yan – my mother will surely recognize you.”

Hua Zhuyu looked at him quietly, then smiled, “I should still go ask Father. Also, there are some matters that must be resolved. I’m sorry, I can’t go to Eastern Yan with you.”

“You really won’t go?” Dou Qianjin seemed to have expected such an answer and wasn’t very surprised, but his tone carried a hint of disappointment. “I hope you can call me cousin soon.”

Hua Zhuyu smiled, “Don’t you have enough sisters already?”

“Naturally not enough, especially not sisters like you,” Dou Qianjin said with a grin.

“I’m going to Yan Capital. If there’s a chance in the future, I’ll visit Eastern Yan. Farewell!” Hua Zhuyu brushed her sleeves and turned to leave.

Dou Qianjin played with the gold coin in his hand, gazing at her retreating figure, a wave of loneliness surging in his heart. He hadn’t told her that they had actually been betrothed from early on. But perhaps he would never speak of it in this lifetime. If Mo Kingdom had never fallen, she might have been his princess consort. But there are no “ifs” in this world!

Hua Mu and Huangfu Wushuang had raised their rebellion in Yan Capital, the major town in the eastern part of Southern Dynasty. Rising in revolt simultaneously were several frontier town commanders from the southeastern border regions. Hua Mu had planned for many years – his subordinates guarded many important towns of Southern Dynasty. In one night, beacon fires rose everywhere and the people suffered.

Hua Zhuyu passed through rows of connected tents, led by An directly toward the largest gray-green military tent. A bed board, a low table with a military map spread on it – Hua Mu’s military tent remained as sparse and simple as before. Only the person inside had a completely different status than before.

Seeing Hua Zhuyu enter, Hua Mu raised his eyes and glanced at her lightly, narrowing his eyes, “You’ve returned?”

Hua Zhuyu remained silent. Strangely, her heart held not much anger or resentment, only shallow sorrow.

“Is that throne of supreme power really so alluring?” After a long while, she asked quietly.

Hua Mu said in a deep voice, “Father has said before – everything I do is for you.”

“Don’t say it’s for me!” Hua Zhuyu said quietly, her lips curving in a smile so desolate it was beautiful in its cold, pressing way. “I only want to know – are you really my father?”

Hua Mu looked directly at her, finally sighing heavily and slumping into his chair in silence.

“Why won’t you speak?” Hua Zhuyu asked again, “What was actually born to Mo Kingdom’s empress that year – a boy or a girl?”

Hua Mu sighed and remained silent for quite a while before answering, “Yu’er, things have come to this point – Father doesn’t want to hide it from you anymore. What the empress bore that year was indeed a little princess, and that little princess is you. To rally Mo Kingdom’s former supporters, Father claimed the empress had given birth to a prince. Father went to great lengths to send Wushuang into the palace, hoping he would ascend the throne and then marry you as empress. Then our Mo Kingdom’s bloodline could regain the realm, and later we could change dynasties and restore Mo Kingdom’s name.”

“Though your father emperor was weak, he was a benevolent ruler. Unfortunately, his benevolence couldn’t support the crumbling edifice. Rebels rose everywhere, beacon fires burned throughout the land. Finally they broke through Purple Swallow City. Your father emperor sat in Zhaoyang Hall and issued his final imperial edict of his life. He ordered me to take your mother empress and flee, to restore Mo Kingdom. But your father emperor burned to death alive in that great fire.”

Hua Mu’s stern black eyes narrowed, storms gathering in eyes that had been calm as still water. Hua Zhuyu seemed to see past events flashing rapidly through his eyes – from songs and dances of peace to national destruction and family ruin. The Mo Kingdom that had flourished for hundreds of years collapsed overnight.

Deep in Hua Zhuyu’s heart, it felt as if someone had slashed her with a sharp blade. The one who died was after all her birth father. Though she hadn’t personally experienced these events, she still felt the tragic intensity from Hua Mu’s calm narration.

Hua Zhuyu frowned, her gaze cold and clear as water, “What was Father’s status in Mo Kingdom back then?”

Hua Mu turned his head, a trace of tenderness appearing on his stern face, “Yu’er, no matter who I am, I’m the person in this world who loves you most.”

Hua Zhuyu looked at Hua Mu in shock. Even at this point, he still wouldn’t reveal his identity. But she sensed he was definitely not as simple as being a Mo Kingdom minister.

“Must we restore the kingdom? With war fires everywhere, how many innocent people will die under iron hooves? Moreover, the realm has long been settled and the people desire peace. We call it restoration, but Southern Dynasty’s people will think we’re using restoration as a pretext to rebel and usurp the throne. The times won’t tolerate us. Setting aside defeat, even if we attacked Yu Capital and ascended the throne, what then? It would only cause Southern Dynasty’s heroes to rise together and march against us. How long could we hold that position? With Southern Dynasty in internal chaos and beacon fires everywhere, if Northern Dynasty, Eastern Yan, or Western Liang took advantage of the turmoil to invade, wouldn’t you become a criminal for all ages, Father?” Hua Zhuyu said clearly.

When she finished speaking, the room fell deathly silent. Obviously, Hua Mu had taken these words to heart. But asking a person whose lifelong faith was restoration to accept this was easier said than done. Hua Mu suddenly stood up, his expression cold and stern, his eyes full of angry pain, “You child truly disappoint me completely! Do you think Father wanted to rebel? If the plan hadn’t failed and Ji Fengli hadn’t ascended the throne, Father wouldn’t have raised troops!” Hua Mu looked up to heaven and sighed, his stern figure surrounded by helpless resignation as he said heavily, “Father is tired. You may go!”

Hua Zhuyu shook her head sadly and quickly walked out of the tent. Some beliefs couldn’t be changed overnight. But she knew Hua Mu definitely wasn’t someone who would disregard the common people’s suffering.

Outside, the moonlight was just right, clear and bright. Not far away, a person stood with his back to the moonlight – his features unclear, the moonlight stretching his shadow very long. He stood there alone with no attendants before or behind him.

Hua Zhuyu immediately froze, slowly coming to a stop, her heartstrings quietly tightening.

How long had Huangfu Wushuang been there? Had he heard her conversation with Hua Mu? But judging by the distance, he seemed not to have come closer yet.

Hua Zhuyu quickly walked forward. Huangfu Wushuang heard footsteps and looked up at her, his eyes sparkling brightly. Because of the backlighting, his features appeared hazy and blurred.

“Little Bao’er, you’ve finally come. I missed you to death,” he turned his face, his long eyes slightly upturned with smiling eyes – that smile bewitching as night, brilliant as flowers.

Three days later, several armies converged at Yan Capital. Hua Mu and Huangfu Wushuang organized their troops and attacked Yong City, the nearest to Yan Capital. Hua Zhuyu didn’t accompany the army but remained to garrison Yan Capital.

Ten days later, news of great victory arrived – the army had taken Yong City and was advancing toward Ning Capital. Along with the victory came another piece of news: Ji Fengli had already ascended the throne as emperor, organized his forces, and personally led the campaign to suppress the rebellion.

Hua Zhuyu stood in Yan Capital’s misty rain. April’s flower rain danced through the sky like a scroll of ink painting, like silent rhythm touching her heartstrings.

These days, she had deliberately not thought of him, deliberately ignored news about him. But news of him still inevitably reached her ears.

Ji Fengli had ascended the throne as emperor. No one understood better than Hua Zhuyu what this news meant. She wouldn’t forget Nalan Xue’s words that day. He had said the country couldn’t be without a ruler for a single day, but Ji Fengli kept delaying his ascension only because once he ascended, he would have to fulfill his mother’s promise and make Wen Wan empress.

Now that he had finally ascended the throne, it meant he had finally decided to make Wen Wan empress.

She leaned against the tree trunk, and the bright spring scenery before her seemed veiled in sorrow.

He had once said that whether ascending to heaven or descending to earth, he would never let her go.

He had also said he loved her.

He had even said he would use his life to protect her.

But in the end, everything was just scattered fireworks – after a moment of brilliance, it brought her endless emptiness and darkness.

Why had he treated her this way? For those few stabs on the execution ground, or for deceiving him by disguising as a man? But Hua Zhuyu intuited that Ji Fengli definitely wasn’t that kind of person.

Or perhaps, as he had said, he cared about her identity as a former dynasty princess. Yes, with such an identity, it was impossible for her and him to be together. That birth father who perished in flames, that dynasty that fell in rivers of blood, would be an eternal chasm between them that could never be filled in this lifetime.

Hua Zhuyu smiled ethereally. Deep in her heart, there was no sorrow, no hatred, no anger – only desolation to the extreme.

A falling flower drifted in the wind. She reached out to catch it, closed her eyes and sniffed lightly. The faint flower fragrance filled her nostrils, and suddenly her stomach churned. She supported herself against the tree trunk and couldn’t help vomiting. Her stomach roiled like turbulent seas until it seemed even bile came out, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.

She supported herself against the tree trunk and stood up, gasping for a long while.

Why had she vomited when she was perfectly fine?

A flash of insight suddenly struck her mind. She seemed possessed, her face turning pale with shock.

She had once rescued a woman on the battlefield. At that time, the woman was two months pregnant and vomited every day. The woman had said that when women were pregnant, most would have morning sickness.

Remembering the woman’s words, Hua Zhuyu immediately became suspicious. Could it be that she was with child? Thinking carefully, she suddenly realized her monthly courses seemed to have been delayed for quite some time.

“Tai, come with me!” Hua Zhuyu said coldly, her robes fluttering as she turned and entered the tent.

Tai quickly followed. Hua Zhuyu sat in a chair and extended her wrist for Tai to check her pulse. Tai’s fingers rested on Hua Zhuyu’s wrist for a moment, his thick brows suddenly furrowing as he sighed almost imperceptibly.

“How is it?” Hua Zhuyu looked at Tai’s slightly changed expression and asked in a trembling voice.

“The General has probably already guessed – it’s a pregnancy pulse,” Tai said quietly.

Hua Zhuyu lowered her sleeve and smiled, “I understand. You may go first.”

Tai looked at Hua Zhuyu with concern, then slowly walked out.

With child – that was a pregnancy pulse. That day, Ji Fengli had said he wanted her to have a child so she wouldn’t leave him. For this, he had even feigned illness to approach her. But now, this pregnancy pulse probably couldn’t be considered joyful news for him.

She stood up and quickly left the tent, instructing Ping, Kang, and Tai, “Prepare horses. Come with me to Ning Capital.”

Ning Capital wasn’t a large city, but it was garrisoned with heavy troops because Ning Capital guarded the source of the Blue River. If Hua Mu and Huangfu Wushuang took Ning Capital, the army could follow the water all the way down and directly attack Yu Capital.

When Hua Zhuyu arrived at Ning Capital, it was dusk. Dark clouds filled the sky – a storm was about to come. She pulled the reins and her horse Zhui Dian galloped toward the main camp. Just reaching the camp, she felt the atmosphere was extremely solemn. Could they have suffered defeat?

An led a horse out to meet her, seeing Hua Zhuyu and quickly running over. An’s face was pale, appearing shaken, even his speech carried a hint of tears, “General, you’ve come! Something terrible has happened!”

Hua Zhuyu had never seen An in such a panicked state. Her heart leaped in alarm, and Ping had already asked, “An, what happened?”

“The Marquis is in trouble!” Before An finished speaking, he was already choking up.

Hua Zhuyu dismounted quickly, asking urgently, “What happened? Where is the Marquis?”

Kang said painfully, “He’s in the tent. The army physician says… says the Marquis might not make it.”

Hua Zhuyu flung away the horse’s reins and ran over quickly.

Fine rain began falling from the sky, soaking her clothes completely, ice-cold to the bone. She ran frantically through the rain toward Hua Mu’s tent. Running to the tent entrance, she suddenly stopped, not daring to take another step forward.

Huangfu Wushuang rushed out from the tent. Seeing Hua Zhuyu standing outside, he was obviously startled. His black eyes focused as he quickly walked to her, extending his arms to embrace her waist and bring her into the tent.

“Where is my father?” Hua Zhuyu grabbed Huangfu Wushuang’s arm.

Huangfu Wushuang’s originally clear black eyes were full of fatigue and pain. He said gently, “Little Bao’er, don’t be anxious. He’s inside the tent! I’m afraid…”

Hua Zhuyu slowly released her tight grip on Huangfu Wushuang’s hand and moved her legs that felt filled with lead, slowly walking to the inner tent.

Inside the tent, the lamplight was dim. Hua Mu lay on the bed, still unconscious. His body was covered in blood, and in the center of his chest was a golden-feathered arrow. Hua Mu’s breathing was labored – obviously this arrow had pierced his heart and lungs. None of the army physicians dared remove the arrow, fearing that once pulled out, his breath would cease.

Tai followed Hua Zhuyu quickly into the tent, examined Hua Mu’s wounds, checked his pulse, and shook his head with furrowed brows and a desolate expression.

“All of you, go out!” Hua Zhuyu said coldly.

“Little Bao’er!” Huangfu Wushuang stepped forward, saying painfully, “Don’t be too sad!”

“Get out!” Hua Zhuyu said calmly, her water-like gaze already frozen to ice.

Everyone in the tent immediately withdrew completely. Hua Zhuyu walked to the bedside, helped Hua Mu sit up, and placed her palm on his back, channeling her gentle internal energy. After a moment, Hua Mu opened his eyes from unconsciousness. Seeing the person before him was Hua Zhuyu, a flash of light passed through his dim eyes as he said tremblingly, “Yu’er, Father has wronged you all these years… made you suffer… In the future, you need only live the life you want. Wushuang… he…” Hua Mu’s body shook, the arrow shaft in his chest trembling constantly. With every sentence he spoke, fresh blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.

“Qing… xin… Temple.” After Hua Mu finished speaking, he coughed violently twice, spraying fresh blood. His gaze gradually became unfocused, his consciousness seemingly unclear. Suddenly a gentle smile appeared at the corner of his lips, “A Shuang… have you come to take me?”

A Shuang – Mo Kingdom empress’s given name. It seemed Father had been in love with Mo Kingdom’s empress.

Hua Zhuyu gripped Hua Mu’s hand tightly as tears slowly slid down her face.

The candles in the tent flickered in the wind, bright and dim. Thunder crashed overhead, and the world was filled with wind and rain. Cold wind poured through the half-open tent flap, chilling her to the bone.

A lifetime of warfare, a life of scheming, never enjoying a moment of peace. In the end, success and failure all come to nothing.

She wiped the tears from her face, stood up, and walked toward the central command tent. Huangfu Wushuang, Ping, An, Kang, Tai, and the commanding generals had already gathered inside.

“What exactly happened? How could my father, who has fought half his life, be defeated so easily?” Hua Zhuyu asked coldly with an icy expression.

Huangfu Wushuang looked up at Hua Zhuyu intently, saying slowly, “Ever since Ji Fengli personally led the campaign, Southern Dynasty’s army morale has greatly increased. Today they also deployed battle formations commanded by Lan Bing. The Marquis was trapped in the formation and fought for a long time until his strength gave out – that’s why he couldn’t dodge Ji Fengli’s thunderous arrow!”

“That arrow was definitely shot by Ji Fengli? Did you all see clearly?” Hua Zhuyu raised her eyes, her gaze cold and sharp.

Several generals nodded, “We were all fighting at the time and didn’t pay attention, but it seemed so.”

Hua Zhuyu nodded, “Tomorrow, I will don armor and enter battle! I won’t rest until we break into Yu Capital!” With these words, she resolutely turned and left, her robes flying, bringing a chill that was ice-cold to the heart.

Hua Zhuyu returned to her temporary tent, spread out the military map, and looked at it for a long time. She summoned Ping, An, Kang, and Tai, pointing quietly at the map, “Not far from here on Jin Mountain is a temple called Qingxin Temple. You two, tomorrow use escorting the Marquis’s coffin as an excuse to visit Qingxin Temple.”

Kang asked in confusion, “General, why are we going to Qingxin Temple at this time?”

“Qingxin Temple must house someone. I guess it should be Lady Xuan who taught me dance and music. You must bring her here.”

An asked gravely, “Why have Lady Xuan come to the battlefield at this time?”

“Just bring her as I’ve instructed. If she won’t come, kidnap her. In any case, I want to see her here in three days!” If she hadn’t come to Ning Capital today, she probably wouldn’t have seen Father Hua Mu this last time, nor would she have known about Qingxin Temple.

An and Kang nodded in agreement.

“General, what do you really think about the Marquis’s death?” Ping asked gravely.

Hua Zhuyu smiled coldly, “Do you remember how Nie Yuanqiao died in the court hall that day?” If not for Nie Yuanqiao’s death that day, Hua Zhuyu might not have thought that Hua Mu’s death was related to Huangfu Wushuang. Before dying, Hua Mu had told her to live the life she wanted in the future, which meant he had already become somewhat hesitant about this rebellion. But Huangfu Wushuang would definitely not hesitate. Moreover, Hua Zhuyu was certain that Huangfu Wushuang already knew he wasn’t Mo Kingdom’s crown prince. He feared that once Hua Mu revealed this fact, he would lose all power in the army. With Hua Mu gone, all power was now in Huangfu Wushuang’s hands. He wasn’t afraid of losing Hua Mu as a great general, because with Hua Mu gone, there was still her – Hua Zhuyu, the Silver-Faced Asura Ying Shuxie. Huangfu Wushuang probably hadn’t expected her to suddenly arrive, which was why he had been so nervous when first seeing her.

“General, will you really fight tomorrow?” Tai asked quietly.

Hua Zhuyu nodded. Only this way wouldn’t arouse Huangfu Wushuang’s suspicion.

The sound of iron hooves shattered the morning silence. Flashing swords and blades lit up the cold sky.

On Ning Capital’s city tower, under a dragon canopy, a bright yellow figure sat there – the new Southern Dynasty emperor, Ji Fengli.

The wind beneath Ning Capital’s walls was much gentler than in the western frontier and northern frontier, seemingly unable even to lift Hua Zhuyu’s battle robes. However, different winds, different cities, but still the same warfare.

In the past, she had been the young and reckless Western Asura, able to charge forward fearlessly. But now she had various entanglements – one step forward was hell, one step back was perdition. Unable to advance or retreat, every step was difficult.

Huangfu Wushuang rode over in noble black battle robes with golden dragon embroidery on the front. The gentle wind swept over his pure, innocent face, his lips slightly curved, but that smile inexplicably made one feel cold.

“Someone bring bow and arrows! This crown prince will avenge General Hua today!” The cold smile paired with cold tone was like a winter snowflake striking one’s heart, bone-chillingly cold.

Someone immediately presented bow and arrows. Huangfu Wushuang drew the bow and nocked an arrow, about to shoot toward Ji Fengli on the city tower.

“Wait! Let me do it!” Hua Zhuyu called out.

She pulled the reins, spurred her horse forward, extended her arm to receive the bow and arrows from Ping, raised her hand, nocked the arrow, gripped it tightly with five fingers, and slowly drew the bowstring taut.

She narrowed her clear eyes, gazing at the person on the city tower. A cold gleam on the arrow tip aimed at Ji Fengli on the city tower.

She vaguely saw him smiling.

Hua Zhuyu’s hand trembled, and a cool crystal seemed to slide through her heart. She knew that once this arrow was shot, all the love, hate, gratitude, and resentment between him and her would be wiped clean. In fact, from the moment she learned she was Mo Kingdom’s princess, they should have made a clean break.

Hua Zhuyu felt her abdomen aching dully, and her heart ached along with it. The gentle wind couldn’t lift her heavy battle robes, but powerful inner energy made her garments billow.

Ji Fengli, I will do one last thing for you. I will let you be your emperor in peace. From this moment on, whether in heaven or earth, you and I are forever severed.

Hua Zhuyu narrowed her eyes slightly, gently released her hand, and an arrow like flowing light, carrying the sound of breaking wind, reached the city tower. Someone tried to block the arrow but was pushed away by Ji Fengli.

When the arrow arrived, he fell in response.

“Attack the city!” Huangfu Wushuang commanded.

For three days, they attacked for three whole days. The heavy garrison in Ning Capital relied on the strong walls and fortifications, keeping gates closed and not engaging in battle. It was reported that Ji Fengli had fallen ill in bed from his wound. But Hua Zhuyu knew that arrow hadn’t actually hurt him. Because she hadn’t wanted to hurt him, she hadn’t used much internal energy.

Three days later, An and Kang finally followed Hua Zhuyu’s instructions and brought Lady Xuan to the military camp.

In Hua Zhuyu’s eighteen years of life, Hua Mu was important to her, but Lady Xuan’s importance was no less than Hua Mu’s. Lady Xuan taught her music and dance… it could be said she taught her everything. Like Hua Mu, she was extremely strict with her, but while Hua Zhuyu dared be close to Hua Mu, she didn’t dare be close to Lady Xuan.

When Hua Zhuyu was eight years old, she was sent by Hua Mu to study with Lady Xuan, who lived in seclusion on Fragrant Buddha Mountain. As soon as she saw Lady Xuan, she became extremely dependent on her, but Lady Xuan didn’t seem to like her. Though she was young, she sensed this. However, for Hua Zhuyu who had lacked a mother’s love since childhood, having such a female teacher still made her very happy. She always found excuses to seek out Lady Xuan, until one night.

That night was a nightmare for Hua Zhuyu whenever she remembered it.

That night, she was sleeping. Because she had practiced internal arts with Hua Mu since childhood, though deeply asleep, she would awaken at the slightest sound. She heard faint footsteps and secretly looked out to see Lady Xuan quietly entering her room. She instinctively closed her eyes and pretended to sleep, vaguely feeling her sitting beside the bed, feeling her gaze falling on her through the endless night. That feeling of being watched made little her very uncomfortable. At one moment, when she finally couldn’t help wanting to get up, she suddenly felt her neck being gripped.

Hua Zhuyu hastily opened her eyes. In the hazy night, she saw Lady Xuan’s beautiful eyes, deep and bright like two deep pools, seemingly wanting to strangle her. She was terrified, struggling desperately, but being so young, how could she fight an adult, especially one who seemed to have gone mad? That night, if Hua Mu hadn’t arrived in time, Hua Zhuyu might have been strangled to death by Lady Xuan.

Later, Hua Mu told her that Lady Xuan was actually ill – she would occasionally go mad. Hua Zhuyu didn’t entirely believe Hua Mu’s words. Because Lady Xuan seemed very normal ordinarily. However, after that incident, she never dared be close to Lady Xuan again.

Because of this incident, Hua Zhuyu found it very hard to believe that Lady Xuan could be her mother.

Led by An and Kang, Lady Xuan came to Hua Zhuyu’s tent.

“Teacher Xuan,” Hua Zhuyu stepped forward to support her and helped her sit in a chair.

“Little Yu, I was living well in the temple. Why did you have me brought here?” Lady Xuan asked clearly. Her voice was beautiful, soothing and enchanting. Her appearance must be extremely beautiful too, but Hua Zhuyu had never seen it because she always wore a face veil, only revealing a pair of bright eyes.

“Teacher, this disciple has been rude this time. But there are very important matters that compel me to invite Teacher here,” Hua Zhuyu gave a look, and An and Kang quickly withdrew to wait outside the tent entrance.

“Teacher, it was said that Mo Kingdom’s empress died in the great fire, but these surviving Mo Kingdom soldiers all know that the one who died was just a substitute, and you are the empress. Father also told me that what the empress gave birth to that year was a girl. Huangfu Wushuang isn’t Mo Kingdom’s crown prince at all, is he?”

Lady Xuan looked up at Hua Zhuyu quietly without saying a word. Though her face was veiled and her expression couldn’t be seen, countless emotions flashed through her eyes, calm as still water.

The two stared at each other silently for a long time without speaking, the room completely quiet.

She suddenly sighed and slowly said, “Things aren’t like that. Wushuang is indeed my child.”

Hearing this, Hua Zhuyu was somewhat confused. Could it be that Father Hua Mu hadn’t told the truth?

“You mean Wushuang is really Mo Kingdom’s crown prince?” she repeated in disbelief.

Lady Xuan nodded and smiled, “Naturally!”

“But Father Hua Mu said you gave birth to a girl that year, and Eastern Yan’s Prince Rui also said you had sent a letter to Eastern Yan saying you gave birth to a girl. What’s this about?”

Lady Xuan frowned slightly and smiled lightly, “Did your father say you were the empress’s daughter, that you’re Mo Kingdom’s princess? I knew he would say that. All these years, your father has been planning for restoration. He’s determined to make you Wushuang’s empress. His claiming you’re a princess might be because he fears Wushuang won’t marry you as empress. Don’t worry, I’ll handle this matter for you!”

Hua Zhuyu frowned, “Teacher, that’s not necessary. I won’t marry Wushuang. You’ve come from far away – I’ll have someone prepare a tent for you to rest early!”

Lady Xuan grasped Hua Zhuyu’s hand and smiled, “Good, then Teacher will go.”

Hua Zhuyu saw Lady Xuan out of the tent, then returned to sit beside the table, lightly tapping the surface with her finger, her mind filled with countless thoughts.