When Li Minde woke up the next day, his entire body ached, but his spirits were much better than the day before. He frowned and said, “Who ordered you to come in?”

The maids looked at each other, none daring to make a sound.

He glanced at the medicine on the table, his expression somewhat puzzled, then asked softly, “Who came yesterday?”

The maids trembled: “No one came yesterday.” With Third Miss’s temper, if she said no one came, then no one came.

Li Minde surveyed his surroundings, his expression gradually shifting from confusion to slight dimness. He had thought… That day when his wound reopened, he hadn’t paid it any mind, but who knew yesterday it would become increasingly severe. Inexplicably, the pain became so intense he could barely stand. Even he himself was dazed, not remembering what happened. Then he stood up and touched the wound—it still felt somewhat uncomfortable, but certainly not as painful as yesterday.

He sighed and said, “I was having such a good dream.”

The maids exchanged glances, knowing the Third Young Master wasn’t speaking to them, so they all kept their heads lowered without a sound.

Li Minde had been in such severe pain yesterday, in a half-dead state where he remembered nothing—that was understandable. But he just felt something was wrong, as if something had been overlooked.

What could it be?

Li Minde suddenly turned around and asked one of the maids, “Last night I clearly ordered that no one was to enter. Who exactly let the physician in?”

That maid was scared half to death, stammering, “It… it was Guard Zhao.”

Li Minde observed her expression and thought carefully for a long time. The maid thought he would expose her lie—after all, the cold sweat on her forehead and her stuttering were impossible to hide. But then Li Minde smiled.

“Go quickly and prepare breakfast. I’m hungry.” Li Minde stood up, looking energetic. He knew that person must have come, and though she tried hard to conceal her concern for him, he knew it all! She was this kind of person—the more she cared in her heart, the more she pretended not to care on the surface!

The maids, as if granted amnesty, quickly withdrew.

Early in the morning, Li Weiyang went to the Lotus Fragrance Courtyard to pay her respects and encountered Sun Yanjun and the Li family’s Second Young Master, Li Minkang. When the two came out, Li Minkang greeted Li Weiyang and left first. Sun Yanjun gazed at his retreating figure, standing still for a long time. It wasn’t until Li Weiyang found it amusing and couldn’t help but laugh that she startled Sun Yanjun.

“What are you laughing at?” Sun Yanjun turned back with a smile, looking at Li Weiyang. Li Weiyang smiled and said, “Nothing. Keep watching, but Second Brother has gone far away.”

It took Sun Yanjun a long time to react, her face showing slight confusion before becoming somewhat embarrassed: “I was just—”

“Just reluctant to part with your husband. People say not seeing someone for a day feels like three autumns—you two can’t stand being apart for even two hours.” Li Weiyang narrowed her beautiful eyes and smiled, showing a row of white teeth.

Sun Yanjun’s face turned red as fire clouds. She walked over and pinched her, saying, “You’re always so sharp-tongued, always bullying me! Let’s go.”

Li Weiyang asked curiously, “Go where?”

Sun Yanjun smiled, “Bai Zhi’s needlework is the best. I need to ask her for help!”

The two walked back together to Li Weiyang’s courtyard, where they saw Bai Zhi sitting in the corridor. On a small stool beside her were needles, scissors, embroidery hoops, and other items. Various colored silk threads were tucked between the pages of a book. She was bent over her embroidery, holding a beautiful belly band in her hands, embroidering fish eyes with double-strand twisted gold thread. It looked extremely exquisite. Sun Yanjun couldn’t help but sigh softly, “Among all the maids in this courtyard, Bai Zhi, your embroidery is the best.”

Bai Zhi had been very focused, but upon noticing her mistress and Sun Yanjun standing nearby, she quickly stopped her needle with a smile and looked up: “Why has Second Young Madam come?” Then she quickly tidied her things and instructed the maids inside to come out and serve tea.

Li Weiyang smiled and said, “Second Sister-in-law says she wants to ask for your help.” Bai Zhi’s face was full of smiles: “How can this servant help Second Young Madam?”

Sun Yanjun touched the belly band she was embroidering and said, “This little belly band is really beautiful.”

Bai Zhi smiled, “Fourth Young Master grows fast. When this servant has nothing to do, I help prepare more small clothes for him.”

Li Weiyang noticed Sun Yanjun’s expression was quite strange. Her thoughts stirred, and she couldn’t help but probe, “Bai Zhi, Second Sister-in-law wants you to help her embroider small clothes!”

Sun Yanjun was startled and quickly said, “You… how did you know?! I haven’t even mentioned it to Minkang yet!”

Seeing she had guessed correctly, Li Weiyang couldn’t help but laugh and said, “Looking at your expression as you touched those small clothes made it very clear. Besides, there are many embroiderers in the Li family, but you specifically came to find Bai Zhi. Isn’t it because she often makes small clothes for Fourth Brother?”

Sun Yanjun’s face immediately turned red as a tomato: “Weiyang, please don’t spread this around. I’m not certain yet!”

Li Weiyang clearly didn’t think much of it and smiled lightly, “Haven’t you seen a physician to check?”

Sun Yanjun said in a small voice, “It’s just that my monthly courses haven’t come for two months—maybe it’s not that!”

Seeing her rarely show such a shy expression, Li Weiyang thought for a moment and replied, “This isn’t anything embarrassing. Just have a physician examine you directly. If it’s true, it would be great news for the Li family, and Second Brother would be very happy to know!”

Sun Yanjun also smiled, lovingly touching that little belly band again and again, reluctant to put it down.

Watching her like this, Li Weiyang suddenly stopped smiling. For just a moment, she was stunned speechless. Bai Zhi noticed something was wrong first but didn’t dare make a sound, just wondering what her mistress was thinking about. It took Sun Yanjun a long time to raise her head. Seeing Li Weiyang’s dazed expression, she couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong with you?”

A trace of sadness flashed through Li Weiyang’s eyes, but her face remained calm as clouds and wind: “Seeing you like this, I also feel very content.” But she didn’t explain why. Only she knew in her heart that she envied Sun Yanjun’s brightness and innocence, including the happy feeling she had now about becoming a mother soon—she could understand it all. Unfortunately, in this life, she might never have such an opportunity. She had no love, no feelings, no marriage, so she would have no children either. But watching Sun Yanjun, she inexplicably felt joy—purely, wholeheartedly happy for her.

“In a while, I’ll have someone fetch Imperial Physician Wang,” Li Weiyang smiled.

“No, no! Absolutely not! If we do that, it will alarm Grandmother and my mother-in-law. You know what she’s like—she’ll announce even the smallest matter to everyone. I already spoke to my mother. She said there was an old physician my aunt used before, an old miracle doctor especially skilled at treating women…”

Li Weiyang couldn’t help but be surprised: “Is there such a physician in the capital?”

“Yes.” Sun Yanjun answered in a low voice, “He’s called a women’s physician, specializing in treating women’s ailments. Young ladies in the capital with irregular monthly courses, wives who haven’t been able to conceive—they all try every means to find him.”

“Women’s physician” referred to the area below the waist or below the belt meridian. Women often suffered from “women’s ailments,” so the Great Calendar dynasty called physicians who specialized in treating women’s diseases “women’s physicians.”

Li Weiyang pondered for a moment, nodded, and said, “Having a physician you’re familiar with is actually best.” Every great family had physicians they preferred to use. Most women, after marrying and having children, wouldn’t easily change physicians—just like how Grandmother, except for summoning Imperial Physician Wang, rarely trusted others.

Sun Yanjun continued, “Don’t you always say your body feels cold in winter? This can also be treated. Let him prescribe some medicine to help regulate your body—it will be cured quickly.”

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows: “Is he really that miraculous?”

Sun Yanjun nodded matter-of-factly and said, “His master was Liu, the Court Judge from the previous dynasty’s Imperial Medical Bureau, known as ‘Divine Hands.’ He was also a very famous women’s physician who specialized in treating the palace ladies. But later, once when the Last Emperor’s beloved Consort Li was giving birth, it was a difficult breech delivery. The midwives and others were useless. They tried countless methods but were helpless. Finally, they had to summon Court Judge Liu—”

In ordinary families during childbirth, unless it reached a critical moment, it was absolutely impossible to let a physician enter the delivery room, because physicians were mostly men. Much less in the palace with imperial consorts—those who attended them were all eunuchs. Even when seeing imperial physicians, they had to inquire about symptoms from a distance. As for delivering babies—that was unthinkable. Li Weiyang frowned: “And then?”

Sun Yanjun said, “The child was delivered, but in less than three days, this Court Judge Liu suddenly fell ill and died. At that time, his disciples either died or scattered, and some were sent back to their native places to recuperate… This Physician Jiang I’m talking about was the same. During the previous dynasty, he never dared show his face in the capital. It wasn’t until this dynasty that he began practicing medicine again.”

“This… is too strange…” Li Weiyang murmured.

“Yes, it’s chilling just to think about it. How could he so coincidentally suddenly fall ill and die?” Sun Yanjun shook her head.

Li Weiyang’s dark eyes held a layer of gloom: “The hearts of emperors cannot be fathomed. Sometimes when you help them accomplish something, they turn around and kill you.”

Seeing her deep in thought, Sun Yanjun said, “Let’s not talk about this anymore. Once this Physician Jiang arrived in the capital, he’s never had a moment’s rest. I’m going to see him this afternoon. Come with me and also have him look at your cold sensitivity.”

Li Weiyang shook her head and said, “This afternoon Grandmother has invited people to perform opera and asked me to keep her company. I won’t go with you, but if you confirm the news, you must tell me.”

Sun Yanjun just smiled, her smile looking as fresh as peach blossoms in the spring of March, full of hope: “Alright, I’ll definitely tell you first.”

Li Weiyang watched Sun Yanjun leave, her smile deepening slightly. But at this time, she hadn’t yet thought that everything would later undergo such tremendous changes—changes so great that even she couldn’t accept them.

In the evening, Grandmother had invited an opera troupe. Second Madam, Li Changru, and others were all sitting in the courtyard. Jiang Yuelan declined to attend, claiming poor health, while Li Weiyang sat quietly, drinking tea and watching the opera—a rare moment of leisure.

Just as one opera finished and Grandmother ordered people to give rewards, she suddenly saw the Li Manor’s steward enter with a deathly pale face. Behind him was a maid. Li Weiyang recognized at a glance that it was Liu’er, who usually attended Sun Yanjun. Before Liu’er even reached Grandmother, she fell to her knees with a thud and began sobbing uncontrollably.

Could something have happened?! Li Weiyang was the first to notice. She felt a chill rising from the bottom of her heart and quickly stood up, walking over to say to Grandmother in a low voice, “Grandmother, something seems to have happened. Look!”

Following the direction of her finger, Grandmother couldn’t help but frown. Her originally good mood was immediately disturbed. She waved her hand, indicating for the opera troupe to stop: “Liu’er, what are you crying about!”

Liu’er only kept crying and didn’t dare speak.

Grandmother’s frown deepened. Second Madam scolded sharply, “Have you gone mute, girl? Didn’t you hear Grandmother asking you? Learning from your mistress to be ill-mannered!”

Liu’er had been with Sun Yanjun for a long time and had learned her mistress’s temperament—quick and outspoken, never showing such an expression. Li Weiyang’s face lost all traces of a smile. Somehow, a wave of icy coldness arose from the bottom of her heart and continued to expand. After a long while, she finally heard herself asking in a stiff voice, “What happened?”

Seeing Li Weiyang’s concern, Liu’er crawled over and grabbed the hem of her skirt, crying softly, “The matter is grave—this servant dares not speak carelessly.”

With one look, Li Weiyang knew it was bad news. If it were an ordinary matter, Liu’er would certainly speak of it in public. But now she clearly couldn’t say it. Li Weiyang immediately said, “Alright, all of you withdraw!”

The maids and matrons in the courtyard immediately withdrew respectfully, not even daring to lift their heads to glance at Liu’er. Second Madam was alarmed to see this—Third Miss’s authority in the Li family now even surpassed Grandmother’s. Grandmother frowned and said, “Come inside to talk!”

Once inside, Liu’er sobbed, “Grandmother, Princess, my Young Madam has been abducted!”

What! Li Weiyang immediately frowned, repeating word by word, “Say that again!”

Liu’er said, “My Young Madam—has been abducted!”

Old Madam Li suddenly stood up, her face turning iron-blue, murmuring, “Abducted?! What does this mean!”

Second Madam’s expression was also extremely ugly as she pressed for answers, “You wretched girl, are you making baseless accusations? Did she offend someone? How could someone abduct her for no reason!”

But Li Weiyang interrupted her questioning and said quickly, “Where was she abducted, and which direction did they go!”

Tears streamed continuously down Liu’er’s face: “At… at the small road by the Victory Gate, a group of people suddenly rushed out and seized the entire carriage. All the guards are dead. Young Madam fought desperately and managed to push this servant off the carriage, but she herself couldn’t escape—”

Li Weiyang forcefully suppressed her anxious feelings and asked no more questions. Instead, she turned to Grandmother and said, “Grandmother, now is not the time to investigate why. We must first rescue her!”

Old Madam Li nodded and instructed Nanny Luo beside her, “Go immediately and tell Master about this, and take the Li family’s card to quietly find the Governor of the Capital. Have him find a way to bring her back immediately!”

Li Changru pulled Second Madam’s sleeve: “Mother, Second Sister-in-law is beautiful. After something like this happened, could she have been—”

Nanny Luo quickly left. Second Madam’s face became unprecedentedly ugly: “Even if not, her reputation is ruined. What can we do! How embarrassing! This lowly woman must have offended some villain somewhere and caused this mess, ruining our family’s reputation! Sigh!”

Hearing this, the anger in Li Weiyang’s heart surged upward. She suddenly turned around and stared coldly at Second Madam.

Second Madam was startled, frightened by the fire and cold in her eyes, and involuntarily stepped back half a step: “You… what are you looking at me for!”

Li Weiyang laughed coldly and said, “Second Aunt, Second Sister-in-law is your own daughter-in-law. Though her temperament is a bit straightforward, her nature is kind and innocent. She’s usually so respectful and filial to you—can’t you see that yourself? Now that she’s met with disaster, even if you can’t help, don’t stand aside making such cold remarks! Otherwise, people will laugh that the Li family has no propriety!”

Second Madam’s face immediately turned iron-blue: “I’m your elder. How dare you speak to me like this!”

Li Weiyang remained composed, her eyes full of contempt: “An elder? Only if this elder speaks and acts without error. Right now, what you’ve said—even I, a junior, can’t bear to watch. If you don’t believe me, you can go ask Grandmother!”

Second Madam’s expression changed immediately. She covered her face with a handkerchief and cried to Grandmother, “Look at this! This girl is becoming more and more outrageous! Just because you dote on her and she’s a princess, she doesn’t acknowledge me as an elder anymore!”

But Grandmother was dismissive, looking coldly at Second Madam and saying, “Weiyang is right. Look at what you’ve been saying—the child is lost and you only think about reputation! Changru, help your mother back! Lest she become more confused and speak nonsense here!”

Second Madam was shocked. Li Changru quickly came over to support her, but she refused to leave, and the scene became deadlocked. Li Weiyang paid no attention to this short-sighted shrew. She quickly instructed Zhao Yue beside her, “Summon everyone to search. Check every possible place where someone could be hidden!”

Zhao Yue immediately responded, “Yes!”

When Li Minkang arrived at the Lotus Fragrance Courtyard, his entire face was deathly pale. As soon as he entered, he looked at Li Weiyang and asked, “Has she been found?”

Li Weiyang shook her head. Two hours had already passed with no news. She was equally anxious, but neither Zhao Yue nor Li Minde’s hidden guards had sent back any information. What was going on? Who had abducted Sun Yanjun? She was the legitimate daughter of General Sun—who would dare do such a thing, and in broad daylight!

Li Minkang strode quickly toward the outside. Second Madam grabbed him: “Where are you going!”

Li Minkang gritted his teeth: “To find Jun’er!”

Second Madam gripped his arm tightly: “It’s so dark now—where will you search? We don’t even know who those people are. What if they have knives and daggers? You’re a weak scholar—how will you resist? We’ve already lost a daughter-in-law. Do you want your mother to lose you too?”

Second Madam’s words were extremely selfish, clearly not planning to concern herself with Sun Yanjun’s life or death. Li Weiyang laughed coldly and said, “As a husband, shouldn’t he have responsibility for his missing wife? Second Sister-in-law is pregnant—don’t you know? She’s out there now with her life hanging in the balance. Second Brother, you decide what to do! Either way, she’s your wife. If you don’t care about her and have no regrets or guilt later, so be it!”

Shock appeared on Li Minkang’s square face, followed by an expression of pain. He forcefully shook off Second Madam and strode quickly outside. But just as he reached the courtyard, he encountered Yao Changqing arriving hurriedly with people. Li Minkang seemed to have finally grasped a lifeline and grabbed him: “Have you found her?”

Yao Changqing’s expression was grave. He had ordered people to search the entire city overnight, but there was no trace.

Li Minkang’s face was extremely ugly: “Can they fly and vanish into thin air? How can she not be found!”

Yao Changqing’s expression turned cold and rigid. No—he simply felt humiliated. The capital’s household registration system was extremely strict—where would bandits come from in broad daylight? Moreover, he had sent out so many people to search without finding the slightest trace. What had happened? As Governor of the Capital, he was responsible for the capital’s security. First there was the inexplicable murder of the Jiang family, and now Sun Shi had been abducted—it was utterly baffling! What kind of master could, under the watchful eyes of the Li Manor guards, seize the carriage with Sun Shi inside?

Hearing Yao Changqing’s words, Grandmother’s face became even paler, almost unable to catch her breath. Li Weiyang quickly supported her personally, helping her sit down and lean against the chair back to rest. Grandmother’s face was iron-blue, her breathing uneven, her chest rising and falling violently as she murmured, “What can we do? What can we do?”

Li Weiyang held Grandmother’s hand and comforted her, “Nothing will happen, Grandmother. Second Sister-in-law is blessed and fortunate—nothing will happen to her.” But she didn’t know if she was comforting Grandmother or herself. She didn’t know when it had begun, but she truly regarded Sun Yanjun as a good friend. For the first time, she slightly lost her composure.

Everyone waited anxiously in the room for news when they heard urgent footsteps outside. Li Xiaoran entered with an iron-blue face. Seeing Li Minkang and Yao Changqing standing by the door, he said bluntly, “The person has been brought back. Prepare for the funeral.”

At these words, Li Minkang’s face turned white and he collapsed backward. Maids and matrons quickly called servants to help him back to rest. Second Madam began wailing dramatically. Li Weiyang’s face had never been so pale. She stared at Li Xiaoran, who had just entered: “Father, where is Second Sister-in-law?”

Li Xiaoran sighed, his face full of anger and regret: “As soon as I received the news, I rushed back from the palace immediately. On the road, I encountered the Commander of the Imperial Guards. When his men were patrolling the inner city today, they found her in a small alley. Only—she had already stopped breathing.”

His expression carried two parts embarrassment. Li Weiyang knew it must be extraordinary. She asked no more questions but stood up and walked outside step by step. Li Xiaoran asked, “Where are you going?”

Li Weiyang didn’t turn back, her voice ice-cold: “Isn’t there a body to prepare? Besides sending people to notify the Sun family, there are many things to prepare.”

Li Xiaoran was momentarily speechless. He looked at Li Weiyang in confusion, wondering how she could remain so calm. Didn’t she usually stay close to Sun Yanjun? How could he know that Li Weiyang had already reached the extreme of anger, but with her temperament, it showed not at all on the surface.

Li Xiaoran had already sent people to return Sun Yanjun’s body. When Li Weiyang arrived at the Cangwu Courtyard, there was nothing but weeping. She suppressed the fury in her heart and said, “All of you, shut your mouths!”

Everyone was shocked and looked at each other. Li Weiyang said icily, “Your mistress died wrongfully. Since you couldn’t protect her properly, what use is crying now! Immediately go prepare what’s needed for the funeral. If I hear anyone cry again, they’ll be thrown out immediately! Save your tears for the funeral!”

In the Li family now, Li Weiyang was truly someone whose word was law. Even Li Xiaoran had to yield to her three parts. Everyone in the courtyard looked at her with shocked eyes, then all quietly withdrew. But Li Weiyang suddenly called out to Liu’er: “Wait a moment!”

Liu’er wiped away her tears and knelt before Li Weiyang. Li Weiyang said slowly, “Just now, did you examine your mistress’s body? What injuries were there?”

Tears flowed uncontrollably down Liu’er’s face as she said, “Miss’s clothes were all torn. Not only that, those people covered Miss with wounds all over. Especially… especially…” Liu’er couldn’t continue.

Li Weiyang said, “Take me to see.”

Liu’er stood up and led Li Weiyang into the room. On the bed, Sun Yanjun lay quietly. A matron was helping clean the dirt and blood from her face and body. Li Weiyang said, “No need to tidy up. Let me see.” The matron was startled, then quietly stood up, wiped her tears, and stepped aside.

Li Weiyang glanced at Sun Yanjun’s face. That beautiful face full of vitality now bore an expression of complete agony. Her innocent eyes were wide open, unable to close at all. There were two red marks on her jaw where she had been gripped. Her lips were broken, her hair in complete disarray. Though the bloodstains had been wiped away, the wound on her neck was still visible, extending down beneath the brocade coverlet. Li Weiyang couldn’t bear to look at her face and reached out to lift the coverlet. Nanny Liu, who had been responsible for cleaning and preparing the body, said, “Princess, my young mistress died too miserably. Please let her go peacefully.”

Sadness flashed through Li Weiyang’s eyes, followed by determination: “Precisely because your young mistress died wrongfully, we must find the murderer who killed her.” Nanny Liu glanced at Liu’er, who nodded. Nanny Liu sighed and said, “This servant has already looked. It truly cannot be looked upon. If the Princess must see, just don’t be frightened.” With that, she lifted the coverlet.

Li Weiyang looked once and instinctively stepped back half a step. Sun Yanjun’s belly had been sliced open alive, and the lower part of her body had been nearly split in half—a complete mess of blood and flesh. Her thighs were covered in bruises, barely recognizable as human. Though she had seen countless cruel things, she hadn’t expected to witness such a horrific scene.

Seeing Li Weiyang’s deathly pale face, Nanny Liu, fearing she was frightened, quickly covered the body with the brocade coverlet, saying in a trembling voice, “Miss died too miserably. I don’t know what kind of beast could be so cruel. Miss did so many good deeds in her life—Heaven is too blind!” She was Sun Yanjun’s wet nurse and cherished her most. Just now, when others didn’t dare touch this terrible corpse, only she had been here washing it alone. As she spoke, tears fell.

Li Weiyang’s eyes involuntarily grew moist. She truly couldn’t imagine that during the day, Sun Yanjun had told her that once the pregnancy was confirmed, she would come tell her immediately. But when she returned, she had become a corpse… Why? Why was Heaven so cruel? Sun Yanjun was just an innocent young woman, happily choosing a husband, looking forward to a beautiful future life. Though she was straightforward and quick-spoken, her heart was kind. Even seeing beggars on the street, she would have the carriage stop to give alms. Every year she donated countless silver taels for bridge-building and road-paving. How could such a woman be subjected to such cruelty?

For an instant, Li Weiyang almost suspected the perpetrator was targeting her, but she quickly dismissed this thought. If they were truly targeting her, they wouldn’t casually provoke the Sun family, because General Sun held military power and had always been upright, cherishing this daughter most. With her dying so miserably, the Sun family would absolutely not let this rest—they would pursue the matter to the death.

But if the perpetrator wasn’t targeting her, what could it be? What enmity could Sun Yanjun have formed with someone that they would use such terrible methods to torture her? No—this was no longer just terrible, but cruel to the point of being outrageous.

At this moment, Zhao Yue, who had been silently watching, said, “Miss, may this servant take a look?”

Li Weiyang nodded. Zhao Yue stepped forward and lifted the brocade coverlet again. A wave of bloody smell hit them. Li Weiyang stood motionless, watching Zhao Yue examine the body. Then Zhao Yue turned back and said, “Miss, Second Young Madam was indeed violated before death. Moreover, for some reason, the perpetrator completely sliced open her lower body. The methods were extremely cruel.”

Li Weiyang nodded and said, “These are all surface wounds that can be seen. What else?”

Zhao Yue’s expression was grave: “Looking at Second Young Madam’s wounds, there are blood clots that congealed long ago, so this servant guesses that her internal organs were all injured.”

“What do you mean?” Li Weiyang asked, puzzled.

Zhao Yue gritted her teeth and said, “The person who killed her must have very high martial skills. Not only that, but when Second Young Madam struggled too fiercely to protect her chastity, the perpetrator struck her with a palm blow that actually shattered her internal organs—”

Li Weiyang felt her entire body turn cold. Sun Yanjun must have been in terrible pain before death. Her legs felt somewhat weak. She managed to walk to the side and sit down. Nanny Liu quickly said, “Princess, you should leave.”

Li Weiyang shook her head heavily and said, “Liu’er, tell me everything that happened today again. Not a single word can be omitted. Start from when you left.”

Liu’er wiped her tears and said, “Yes. This servant accompanied Second Young Madam out today. We arrived at Liang Family Alley and found the Mingxin Hall where the physician Lady Sun mentioned was located. Because we had already told Physician Jiang in advance to clear out other patients, when we arrived, there were no idle people around. Oh no, wait—there was one very ordinary carriage that was blocking our way. Miss instructed our carriage to stop behind theirs, then we walked into Mingxin Hall. Everything was fine. After the examination, Physician Jiang confirmed that Second Young Madam had a pregnancy pulse. She was overjoyed and immediately said she wanted to go to Pure Moon Tower to buy some good wine and food to bring back and celebrate with Second Young Master. So our carriage didn’t return but headed toward Pure Moon Tower instead. Who knew that when we reached Victory Gate, suddenly many people rushed out from the small road beside it—”

Li Weiyang raised her hand to stop her from continuing and said, “I already know all this. Along the way, or at the medicine hall, did you encounter anything strange?”

Liu’er thought carefully for a while but finally shook her head.

Li Weiyang frowned and said, “Think again carefully. Or any strange people would do.”

Strange people? Liu’er thought and thought, then said, “If we’re talking about strange, when we arrived, the medicine hall’s apprentice said Physician Jiang suddenly had a distinguished guest visiting and asked our Second Young Madam to wait a moment. Young Madam wasn’t very happy originally but still agreed to wait. Not long after, a woman wearing a face veil came out of that room, and then Second Young Madam was invited in.”

“A woman wearing a face veil? What did she look like?” Li Weiyang pressed.

Liu’er thought carefully for a long time and said, “When that woman came out, she accidentally bumped into our Second Young Madam and nearly knocked off her veil. She seemed about to get angry but for some reason said nothing and left quickly. She truly was a very strange person.”

“Did she have anyone with her? Or was there anything special about her carriage? Any distinguishing marks?” Li Weiyang instinctively felt this mysterious woman must have some peculiar connection to Sun Yanjun’s death and couldn’t help but ask.

Liu’er shook her head and said, “She had two guards with her, both very ordinary-looking. This servant didn’t look carefully. Her carriage… it was just like the most ordinary kind of carriage—not luxurious, completely plain. Even middle-class wealthy families would have two or three of such carriages.”

Li Weiyang said slowly, “Then what about her clothes? What material?”

Liu’er thought hard for a long time. She truly hadn’t paid much attention. Now thinking back, that woman was indeed somewhat strange. Zhao Yue said, “Think carefully. Don’t rush.”

Just as Liu’er was about to shake her head, she suddenly noticed the clothes Li Weiyang was wearing and blurted out, “This servant saw that woman’s clothes were just like what you’re wearing, Princess—very fine, very fine fabric that feels as light as clouds when worn.”

Li Weiyang’s gaze turned cold. These clothes were made of fragrant gauze—one bolt worth a thousand gold pieces. Only the very wealthiest families in the capital could afford to buy it. Yet such a person only rode in an ordinary carriage that common wealthy families would use—wasn’t that strange? There was only one possibility: the other party absolutely didn’t want anyone to know her identity.

Thinking of this, Li Weiyang suddenly stood up and walked outside. Liu’er couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Princess?”

Li Weiyang didn’t answer, only saying slowly, “Zhao Yue, we must go to Mingxin Hall.”

Zhao Yue was about to respond when a voice suddenly came from outside: “No need.”

Li Weiyang’s brow relaxed. She walked out and saw Li Minde just entering from outside the courtyard. He looked at her and said, “No need to go.”

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows: “Why?”

“Because the physician at Mingxin Hall suddenly fell ill and died an hour ago, so even if you go, you won’t be able to investigate anything.” Li Minde stated word by word. He had already carefully investigated this matter, but the other party had been extremely clean, leaving not a single trace.

Li Weiyang said nothing. Finally, Li Minde noticed something was wrong. He supported her shoulders: “What’s wrong? Are you listening?”

“I’m fine.” Li Weiyang said this, but her face had turned pale as paper, and her body was trembling slightly. She pushed Li Minde away and descended the steps herself—one step, two steps… Just as she reached the third step, her entire body fell heavily onto the cold stone stairs—

Her vision suddenly went black. A warm presence enveloped her, and she was drawn into an embrace—

“It’s alright. I’m here.” Li Minde said softly, his arms tightening even more around her trembling body. “You’re just tired.”

She wasn’t tired—she was angry, with fury she couldn’t suppress. Sun Yanjun had been such a lovely person. Who could have been so vicious! This rage broke through her composure, making it impossible to contain even for a moment. She wanted to find that murderer and tear them to shreds! This fury didn’t match her delicate body. Her soul was stirring restlessly, her rage uncontrollable, but she hadn’t slept all night and her body was already exhausted, which was why she had fallen on the steps.

Li Minde quickly carried her back to her room and anxiously prepared to call someone to prepare hot water.

Li Weiyang lay on the bed, looking at his back somewhat absent-mindedly: Why was he still by her side? She had said she would make him leave, but why hadn’t she acted? Because her heart still held attachment?

He had always carefully protected her, helping her handle everything, earnestly guarding her. But he was a very intelligent person, and he was young—he should have the ambitions and grand aspirations that normal young men had. Yet now, he had given up everything, including his own identity, to remain by her side.

“Minde.” She closed her eyes and said softly, “No need. You can go.”

“I know her death makes you very unhappy, but you still have me by your side. I won’t leave you. I’ll always stay with you.” Li Minde knelt beside the bed and held her hand. Being by her side, he wanted nothing else—just to help her a little more. As long as he could be by her side, that was enough. But now Li Weiyang’s attitude toward him had changed. He didn’t know what had gone wrong, but she had just changed. Yet he—didn’t care. As long as he could be by her side, he feared nothing.

“I’ll have Bai Zhi come help you change clothes and rest well. Tomorrow’s funeral will certainly be exhausting—” He said softly, “Or… Weiyang, talk to me, won’t you? If you’re unhappy, at least let me know…”

“No need. I said, go out.” Li Weiyang insisted.

“Weiyang!” Why did she want to drive him away? Before, she had allowed him to stay, even when she was resting. Li Minde’s breathing caught. That familiar dull pain dug into his flesh bit by bit. Proud as he was, he had self-respect, but before Li Weiyang, he wanted no self-respect. Even if it meant being shameless, he would stay by her side. “If you’re not feeling well, rest properly. I’ll stand guard outside and absolutely won’t disturb you.”

Li Weiyang said flatly, “No need. Minde, return to Yue Xi. I know you’ve always wanted revenge. For your birth mother. Though you say you don’t care, I know you often stare at a jade hairpin in a daze. It was sent to you by your father the emperor. I guess it was your birth mother’s keepsake.”

Li Minde was shocked, looking at her in disbelief: “No, I won’t leave.”

Li Weiyang shook her head and said, “Do you know why I’m asking you to leave?”

Li Minde looked at her, and amid his alarm, a tremor arose: “Why?”

Li Weiyang’s tone was light, without a trace of emotion: “I’m a person without feelings. I can’t love anyone, whether it’s you or Tuoba Yu. I won’t love them.”

“But you care about me, don’t you?” Li Minde clenched his fists.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly, though her heartbeat was racing faster and faster, causing spasm-like slight pain: “Yes, I care about you very much, but I don’t want this kind of caring. You’re always by my side, making me inevitably feel annoyed with you, cold toward you, because I can’t respond to you. So I even feel guilty! But I don’t need this guilt because these feelings make me feel especially uncomfortable! Why should I feel guilty just because I can’t reciprocate your feelings?! Li Minde, you say you love me—why do you let me know about your love? Why make it a burden in my heart!”

Li Minde’s smile froze. His amber eyes instantly dimmed, like that indistinct darkness in winter evenings—hazy, unfocused, without brilliance. He just stared blankly at Weiyang, looking at her still-familiar face, unable to block the stabbing pain and stinging that spread from his heart to his eyes. His right hand hidden in his sleeve gradually clenched into a fist. Then he suddenly laughed: “Weiyang, I know you’re trying to drive me away, aren’t you? I won’t fall for it. I won’t leave. No matter what, I won’t leave.”

Li Weiyang said coldly, “I told you to get out. Can’t you hear? Why are you so annoying! Why do you always cling to me like this!”

Li Minde insisted, “I won’t leave!” He saw the tea on the side had grown cold and immediately brought it over, smiling ingratiatingly: “Weiyang, don’t be angry anymore, alright? Have some tea. This is the premium cloud mist tea I had someone find just now—it’s the most calming for the mind and spirit.”

Li Weiyang raised her hand and knocked over the teacup before her. The cup shattered with a crisp sound into pieces, and warm tea and tea leaves spilled all over the floor!

…She had to make him leave!