Bai Zhi and Mo Zhu watched nervously as the usually aloof Li Weiyang treated someone with such harsh and cold indifference—especially since this person was the Third Young Master, who had always been close to her.

Li Minde showed no anger. Instead, he said gently, “Weiyang, this tea has gone cold. Let me pour you a fresh cup, alright?”

Li Weiyang said coldly, “Li Minde, I’m truly sick of you! Don’t you find it tiresome constantly clinging to me? If you’re not tired of it, I certainly am! Every time I see your face, I regret—why did I ever save you!”

No, these weren’t her true feelings.

She clearly had never regretted it. Not only that, she was even grateful, full of joy. Li Minde had always stayed by her side—this point was very important.

But Li Minde’s expression remained unusually calm, without a trace of anger visible: “Weiyang, I won’t leave, no matter what you say.”

Li Weiyang laughed coldly and said, “You’ve always depended on me. Now you have your own forces, your own hidden guards, yet you still stay by my side like a dog. This is just your subconscious dependence on me. You’re afraid to face the outside world, afraid to face your own enemies. You say you’re staying by my side, but really you’re just escaping your own responsibilities, escaping your hatred. You’re nothing but a child who will never grow up!”

Li Minde froze for a moment, deeply hurt in his eyes, but his face maintained a smile: “Weiyang—”

Li Weiyang’s tone grew colder: “Are you waiting for me to fall for you? That’s impossible. Whether it’s ten years, twenty years, thirty years, or this entire lifetime, I will never like you. All I have for you is a bit of pity! But with your persistent pestering, you’re wearing away even that last bit of pity, making me sick of even seeing you! So, before I actually drive you away, disappear on your own!”

No, none of this was true. She didn’t think this way at all. She simply hoped he would have his own life, not follow someone like her—someone filled only with hatred—and waste all his time on her. It wasn’t worth it, truly wasn’t worth it!

Li Minde: “No, I like being by your side, even if…”

Li Weiyang interrupted him, her voice exceptionally cold: “Enough. You’ve already exhausted my last bit of patience. I truly don’t want to say another word to you, because no matter what I say, you won’t understand!”

Li Minde was stunned. He suddenly leaned forward, as if to pull the brocade coverlet over Li Weiyang, but before he could touch her, her hand had already pushed him. Her fingernails were sharp—his neck immediately showed a shallow bloody scratch.

A trace of reluctance flashed quickly through Li Weiyang’s eyes. Then she turned her face away, as if unable to bear talking to him any longer: “Get out now!”

Li Minde stood rooted to the spot, as if his entire being had frozen.

He looked at her, his eyes showing not just hurt but pain. Yet he said not another word, only standing quietly for a while before slowly walking out.

Bai Zhi crouched down, carefully collecting the broken pieces from the floor. Mo Zhu pursed her lips, saying nothing. Li Weiyang raised her eyes and looked at Mo Zhu’s hesitant expression, saying coldly, “What do you want to say?”

Mo Zhu lowered her head: “This servant dares not.”

Li Weiyang no longer looked at her. She turned over to face the carved patterns inside the bed, saying coldly, “All of you, leave!”

Mo Zhu wanted to say something more, but Bai Zhi tugged at her sleeve, signaling her not to speak further. Mo Zhu bit her lip, stamped her feet, and turned to leave. Bai Zhi sighed, collected all the broken porcelain pieces, then said softly, “Miss, why torment yourself like this?”

Just when she thought Li Weiyang wouldn’t answer, she heard her voice drift over softly: “Bai Zhi, people who stay by my side all seem to come to bad ends. Don’t you think so?”

Bai Zhi was startled and quickly said, “What are you saying, Miss? You’re overthinking. Today’s incident was just an accident.”

“Yes, perhaps it was an accident, perhaps it has nothing to do with me. But what if it does? Perhaps Heaven is warning me that I’m an inauspicious person. If that’s the case, why should I let Minde stay by my side?”

Seeing her speak this way, Bai Zhi couldn’t help but call out with heartache, “Miss.”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly: “I’m fine.” After a pause, she suddenly asked, “Was I too excessive just now?”

Tears glistened in Bai Zhi’s eyes: “Miss…”

Having made the decision, she shouldn’t waver. Li Weiyang steeled her heart and said, “I’m doing this for his own good.”

Dawn was breaking. In the room, Grandmother held her prayer beads and chanted continuously. Li Minkang guarded Sun Yanjun’s body, not letting anyone touch it. The steward kept bowing: “Second Young Master, please accept this loss. But the deceased must still be prepared. We can’t leave things like this forever.”

Second Madam tugged at Li Minkang’s sleeve: “Foolish child, let go. Your wife is already gone—what use is this? What are you doing?” She thought to herself that a lost wife could be replaced with another. What if this grief damaged his health? She only had this one son—how could she bear to see him collapse too? However, this time Li Minkang paid her no attention, just staring straight at Sun Yanjun.

Grandmother slowly sighed. The Sun daughter-in-law’s eyes were open—her grandson had tried to close them, but to no avail. She had died with eyes wide open. What kind of person could be so vicious as to use such cruel methods? It was clearly deliberate revenge. What kind of mortal enmity could the Sun daughter-in-law have formed with someone? Thinking this, Grandmother couldn’t help but shake her head.

Second Madam continued: “It’s just that Jun’er lacked fortune. During her time in our household, she wasn’t wronged—you should go rest now. Oh, I must have someone prepare mugwort to ward off evil for you. After all, she’s expired, and you’ve been near her so long—it’s truly inauspicious—” As these words left her mouth, the maids and matrons who had accompanied the body from the Sun Manor couldn’t help but glare angrily at Second Madam.

Seeing Li Minkang had no reaction, Second Madam hardened her heart and said, “Someone come! Pull Second Young Master away!” Immediately four servants came forward and forcibly dragged Li Minkang away. Li Minkang struggled desperately, but being a weak scholar, he couldn’t break free from the burly servants. His face was covered with tears and mucus, completely unlike his usual proper appearance. The room had descended into complete chaos.

Just then, everyone suddenly heard a clear, cold female voice: “Everyone stop!” They looked toward the doorway and saw Li Weiyang with an expressionless face, wearing plain clothes—clearly she had just deliberately changed. She said coldly, “Second Young Madam has just passed away. What are you all making a fuss about here!”

Second Madam looked at her coldly: “I say, Princess, what are you doing here giving orders! This is our branch’s affair—does it need Princess Anping to interfere? Don’t get the wrong idea!”

A cold smile crossed Li Weiyang’s face. “Second Aunt, rather than making a scene here, you should think about how to explain things to General Sun and Lady Sun later! Their perfectly healthy daughter married into our family and died so quickly—how will you account for this!”

Second Madam’s face immediately became extremely ugly. Yes, everything else could be managed, but the Sun family wasn’t to be trifled with—they absolutely wouldn’t let this go! She was struck speechless, then stammered, “How… how to account for it? This is clearly their daughter’s fault, causing trouble with who knows what people outside. Now she’s come to this end—I haven’t blamed them for raising such a daughter who’s ruined our family’s reputation. That’s already magnanimous enough!”

Li Weiyang’s smile became utterly cold. She turned to the steward and asked, “Did you hear what Second Madam said? When the Sun family sends people later, tell them everything exactly as it was. And make clear that all these words came from Second Madam.”

“Li Weiyang, don’t be too arrogant!” How could such words be said to the in-laws? General Sun was a military general—if angered, he might just cut her down directly! Thinking this, her face filled with fury.

Li Weiyang turned to Grandmother: “Grandmother, what do you think?”

Grandmother slowly turned the prayer beads in her hands and said mildly, “Second’s wife, stop being so aggressive. Your commotion just now gave me a headache. If you continue being so unreasonable, we’ll divide the household and live separately.”

Second Madam’s face turned alternately green and white, nearly speechless. Her earlier behavior had already provoked everyone’s anger—no one was willing to speak up for her, not even her own daughter Li Changru, whose face showed an expression of fright. Second Madam looked around bewildered, unable to find any allies. Only then did she suddenly understand that Li Weiyang had reached the point of complete dominance in this household. “Fine! Fine! Handle it yourselves! I don’t want to deal with this anymore!” She flung her sleeves and stormed out.

“Mother!” Li Changru called out, but seeing Grandmother’s expression, she still didn’t dare call her back.

Li Weiyang watched her retreating figure coldly, then turned to look at Second Brother Li Minkang. The corners of his eyes still bore faint traces of dried tears—his usually straight back was now hunched over, making him look ten years older. In this room, having lost his beloved wife, he was the most grief-stricken among them all. Others might see Li Minkang as pitiable, but Li Weiyang didn’t think so. Sun Yanjun had chosen him, entrusting her entire life to him. Yet now he only knew grief, not even thinking to pursue the murderer. She shook her head—in the end, he was a useless man.

She walked to Sun Yanjun’s bedside, reached out her hand, and closed her eyes. But when her hand withdrew, those eyes opened again on their own. Li Weiyang said quietly, “Second Sister-in-law, I will find the murderer.” With that, she gently brushed them closed once more.

This time, Sun Yanjun’s eyes miraculously stayed closed.

Everyone stared in astonishment. They had already tried, but to no avail. Yet Li Weiyang could actually make Sun Yanjun close her eyes—what did this mean? Li Minkang’s lips moved, but in the end he said nothing…

Before dawn broke, the tragic news had spread throughout the noble households. General Sun, having lost his beloved daughter, personally entered the palace to petition the Emperor. The Emperor decreed that Sun Shi be posthumously honored as a Third-Rank Lady of Virtue. This immediately elevated the funeral’s status. Looking from the Li Manor, an entire street was hung with white lanterns and mourning cloth, with many coming to pay their respects.

Just then, Old Madam Li suddenly fell ill. She said she had dreamed all night of Sun Yanjun, and also dreamed of the deceased Old Prime Minister. When she woke in the morning, her tears flowed freely. Consequently, her illness grew heavier. The entire Li family was now shrouded in gloom. Li Weiyang knew that Grandmother was growing increasingly old—who knew how much longer she could hold on. If she passed away, Li Xiaoran would have to observe mourning, bringing unknown variables to the entire situation.

Therefore, Li Xiaoran was arguably the most anxious person in the Li family. He couldn’t even concern himself with Sun Yanjun’s funeral, keeping vigil day and night at Grandmother’s bedside. After Li Weiyang finished speaking with Nanny Luo, she happened to encounter Li Xiaoran emerging with a face full of worry. He seemed to have aged considerably in an instant, slightly hunched over. Raising his eyes to see Li Weiyang, he sighed, “I’ve already ordered the best physicians to be found, but unfortunately there’s been no improvement.”

Li Weiyang glanced at Li Xiaoran and said slowly, “Father, Grandmother is elderly. Minor ailments are normal. You shouldn’t worry too much.”

“I know.” The imperial physicians had also said Grandmother’s health needed careful nurturing and shouldn’t be a major problem. But he was always worried that if Grandmother truly passed away, his career prospects… That’s why he was desperate to keep Grandmother alive another ten or twenty years. “Weiyang, your mother now refuses to manage anything. You must pay more attention to household affairs. Though you’re young, you must establish the authority that needs establishing.” He spoke unhurriedly, as if making casual conversation, then paused and added, “…I almost forgot about the marriage alliance. This must weigh heavily on your heart too—”

“Father’s thoughts,” Li Weiyang’s tone was light, “your daughter naturally understands.”

Li Xiaoran narrowed his eyes, looking Li Weiyang up and down. This daughter—he understood her less and less… He discovered that in a short time, this daughter had become more decisive and more detached. Those pitch-black eyes had grown even colder. Between glances, she never showed the innocent liveliness that girls her age should have. Looking at her carelessly, sometimes one saw only bottomless darkness—as if no one could any longer guess what she was thinking. He lowered his eyes and sighed, “The only person Father can rely on is you now.”

This was the first time he had spoken such words. Previously, he had always been so ambitious, never taking Li Weiyang seriously. But now, he seemed like a decrepit old man. Yet in fact, he was only in his forties, already appearing so burdened with worries, struggling at every step.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Yes, Father.”

Sun Yanjun’s funeral was conducted with great ceremony. Out of respect for Li Xiaoran and General Sun, an unexpectedly large number of dignitaries attended. Princess Yongning was the first unexpected guest. By rights, given Sun Yanjun’s status, Princess Yongning had no need to visit. Not only that, even sending someone with funeral offerings would have been extremely courteous. Yet she came in person, leaving everyone confused about what was happening, all standing there stunned.

Princess Yongning had come to see Li Weiyang. She instructed people to present the funeral offerings and specifically requested to see Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang made her wait a full half hour before agreeing to meet, and her expression was very cold: “The Princess has personally come—it must have been arduous. Please take the seat of honor.”

Seeing her unfriendly expression, Princess Yongning felt somewhat uneasy but forced herself to appear nonchalant, following her into the reception hall. However, after maids brought tea, the Princess didn’t drink, only staring directly at Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang looked at her indifferently and said, “Why does the Princess stare at me like this?”

Yongning smiled: “This isn’t a good place to talk. Let’s find somewhere else—”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Princess, this is my Li family’s guest reception hall. What can’t be said here?”

Princess Yongning gritted her teeth: “Weiyang, Prince Yan hasn’t returned yet.”

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows: “Oh, so the Princess came today not to offer condolences, but for her future husband?”

Yongning’s expression grew somewhat ugly: “Li Weiyang, don’t pretend not to understand. I’m just—”

Li Weiyang said lightly, “The Princess is just worried that Weiyang will harm Prince Yan.”

Yongning’s breathing grew somewhat rapid: “He’s Prince Yan of Yue Xi. If you do anything to him, how will you account to Yue Xi? The alliance has just been formed—are you trying to destroy the treaty?”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly: “Princess, you keep talking about peace negotiations, but if you truly cared about relations between our two nations, you wouldn’t have helped Yuan Yu deceive me. That’s what truly damages the peace talks. So this is clearly—only officials are allowed to set fires while common people aren’t allowed to light lamps. Truly hypocritical.”

“Li Weiyang! How dare you! Do you know that if I report to Father Emperor and the Empress Dowager—” Princess Yongning’s face finally showed extreme urgency.

Li Weiyang unconsciously turned the teacup in her hands, her tone very calm: “Is the Princess going to report that for the sake of a man, you didn’t hesitate to betray Da Li, even luring me there to help him settle a personal grudge… Oh, I almost forgot—it was precisely because of this that Seventh Prince destroyed Yue Xi’s outpost in Da Li and discovered a group of officials and generals selling Da Li’s intelligence. Tell me, if His Majesty and the Empress Dowager learn of this, will they think you betrayed the country for your husband? At that time, will they still agree to your marriage to Yue Xi?”

Cold sweat broke out on Princess Yongning’s forehead. She hadn’t known such things would occur. She had only thought Yuan Yu wanted to take revenge on Li Weiyang. What was this so-called outpost about? Could it be that Yuan Yu had deliberately courted her just to use her? Even so, this marriage was already settled—she didn’t want to be a widow again! She steadied herself and softened her voice: “Weiyang, you’re exceptionally intelligent. Seventh Brother has praised you many times. I don’t want to be your enemy. I just hope to marry peacefully into Yue Xi. Consider it my request—please spare him!”

Princess Yongning had always been haughty, never before speaking so humbly. She could throw tantrums with the Emperor because she knew she had a hold on his guilt, knowing he would never truly confront her. But Li Weiyang was different. Princess Yongning knew the other party was very intelligent, very calm, and very ruthless. Her own actions had already angered her. If she tried to use her status to pressure her now, she wasn’t afraid of what Li Weiyang might do—she feared Yuan Yu’s life wouldn’t be spared.

“Weiyang, I know you’ve been wronged. This—I will definitely compensate you. I promise here that as long as you spare Yuan Yu, I’ll do anything for you.” Princess Yongning said solemnly. Li Weiyang had a heart of stone—pleading would be useless. Better to use this to exchange for a condition.

“Princess, you’re about to marry into Yue Xi. Is this promise of yours really useful?” Li Weiyang reminded her.

Yongning knew the other party was someone who wouldn’t release the hawk without seeing the rabbit. She simply took out a token from her bosom: “No matter where I go, I’m still Da Li’s princess. Li Weiyang, if you kill Yuan Yu, aside from venting your anger, it won’t benefit the larger situation. But if you release him, I’ll owe you a favor. Ten years, twenty years—whenever you come to me, I’ll do as you instruct. I know you’re sailing smoothly now, but in the future, no matter who ascends the throne, it won’t be good for you. Third Brother won’t spare you. Seventh Brother—you don’t want him either. But they’re men holding power and high positions. Once you truly anger them, what good will it do you? Perhaps one day, you’ll need my help.”

Li Weiyang didn’t move, nor did she take the token.

Princess Yongning watched her quietly, knowing she was weighing the options, and continued: “Even if you never need it, what harm is there in leaving yourself an escape route?”

Li Weiyang smiled. She said slowly, “Princess, a token is always just a dead object. What can it prove?”

Yongning laughed coldly: “Li Weiyang, you underestimate me too much. Having given you my promise, I won’t go back on it. If I violate this oath, may I be struck by lightning, suffer eternal damnation in hell, never to rise again!”

People of Da Li swore oaths to prove their sincerity, to show their hearts were pure, calling on heaven and earth as witnesses to prove their hearts were true. They offered their lives to heaven, earth, and spirits as testimony. Ordinary people would absolutely not violate their vows, and such vows were absolutely not made casually. But Li Weiyang didn’t believe it. Tuoba Zhen was the type who could easily violate his own vows. Yongning was his sister—she might do the same. Moreover, she didn’t need Princess Yongning’s help. Such vows had no need to exist.

However, Yongning was right about one thing—killing Yuan Yu now wouldn’t benefit her much and would only invite Princess Yongning’s crazed hatred. Li Weiyang wasn’t worried about inviting revenge, but she wouldn’t do things that required effort without reward. “Alright, I agree. When you leave the capital, the groom will appear unharmed.” Li Weiyang smiled as she answered.

Yongning breathed a sigh of relief. She trusted Li Weiyang. Then she said slowly, “In that case, I shall await good news.” With that, she rose to leave. Li Weiyang suddenly said, “Princess has lived in Da Li for many years. Your most important support has been His Majesty the Emperor. Now that Yue Xi and Da Li are allied, the Princess can live peacefully and without worry. But if one day the two nations turn against each other, the Princess’s days will be very difficult. So please, Princess, take care.”

Princess Yongning froze, her steps halting for a moment. Then, without turning back, she said, “Thank you for the reminder, but I have no path of retreat.” With that, she quickly walked out.

After seeing off Princess Yongning, Li Weiyang sat alone in the reception hall for a while, until someone came to report that Third Prince and Third Prince Consort had arrived. For a moment, Li Weiyang didn’t react. Then she frowned—Tuoba Zhen and Princess Anguo, what were they here for? But she quickly realized that with Li Xiaoran standing alone at court, the Li family’s funeral—Third Prince would naturally need to visit in person to show proper respect. Perhaps, on the surface, he represented the Crown Prince. His true purpose, no one would know.

The Li Manor’s garden was divided by the lake into inner and outer gardens, separated by flowers, trees, and corridors—without clear boundaries, yet the inner and outer were distinct. Just then, Li Weiyang noticed a young, beautiful woman holding a small boy and coaxing him. The boy was adorably carved like jade with large eyes, but he kept rubbing them. Tears kept falling pitter-patter, and he couldn’t be comforted at all.

Li Weiyang’s expression darkened: “Minzhi, why did you come here?”

Seeing Li Weiyang arrive, the wet nurse was shocked and quickly took Li Minzhi from Princess Anguo’s arms: “Fourth Young Master, come down quickly. The Princess will be angry.”

Princess Anguo released him. Li Minzhi hid in the wet nurse’s arms, his bright black eyes filled with tears, watching Princess Anguo warily. Anguo smiled: “Princess, what’s wrong? I just saw your brother looking handsome and very adorable, and I picked him up. Then you arrived. Are you afraid I’ll harm your brother?”

Li Weiyang’s tone was very polite: “Minzhi is a small child, naturally quite shy of strangers. It’s best if the Princess doesn’t get too close to him.”

Once in the wet nurse’s arms, Li Minzhi stopped crying—clearly he very much disliked Princess Anguo. Yet Princess Anguo seemed very interested in him, watching carefully for a while as if feeling quite pleased, smiling: “I didn’t expect the Li Manor’s Fourth Young Master to be so wary of strangers.”

Li Weiyang laughed coldly. Li Minzhi wasn’t wary of strangers—he was sensitive. Anyone who approached him with ill intent would naturally make him wail. That smiling little face would immediately dissolve into tears… Clearly, Minzhi was a naturally intelligent child with keen awareness. Li Weiyang said softly, “Did the Princess come to attend the funeral?”

Princess Anguo smiled: “Yes. Third Prince is in the front hall. I felt bored alone, so I came here. The Princess doesn’t mind, does she?”

Li Weiyang sighed: “This is the inner courtyard, but since the Princess is a female family member, naturally it’s fine. It’s just that these are troubled times. My grandmother cannot rise to receive you.”

Anguo’s face showed surprise: “Old Madam Li is ill?”

Li Weiyang nodded naturally: “Yes. My second sister-in-law suddenly met with disaster this time. Everyone in the household is very sad. Grandmother appeared fine on the surface, but in just two days she fell ill. She says she keeps seeing my second sister-in-law’s miserable death. Alas, the murderer was too vicious. She probably doesn’t know that the more cruel the method used to kill someone, the more that person’s soul will linger in the mortal world. Grandmother’s illness this time is strange—perhaps my second sister-in-law is clinging to her, demanding justice!”

Princess Anguo’s hand trembled. She said in a cold voice, “Oh, so she died miserably?”

Li Weiyang keenly noticed Princess Anguo’s unease but pretended not to see it, only sighing: “Yes, my second sister-in-law died too miserably. After death, her eyes wouldn’t close. Plus, she comes from a military family, so her fierce energy was already strong. After death, I’m afraid even heaven and earth dare not take her, leaving her to wander the mortal realm. My second brother is devoted—every day he guards her body, refusing to let go. He even obtained some kind of soul-returning spell, saying it can make her appear in dreams at night to tell him who the murderer is.” She had a contemplative expression.

Princess Anguo forced a smile: “How can you believe such superstitious nonsense! As for ghosts and spirits—”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Better to believe they exist than not. Princess, if your life force is weak, you’d best not linger here long, lest spirits cling to you.”

Anguo laughed coldly: “I’m imperial nobility—how could I fear such things!”

Seeing her response, Li Weiyang said no more and simply walked to the side. Li Minzhi didn’t know the household was in mourning. He opened his wide eyes, listening to the drum sounds in the distance with a troubled expression. Li Weiyang walked before him and gently picked him up. Two-year-old Minzhi could already run and jump on his own. His little mouth went “ba-da ba-da” saying, “Sister, sister…” Li Weiyang smiled, and he reached out to pull at her wooden hairpin, immediately disheveling her dark hair. Li Weiyang instead laughed and stroked his head.

Princess Anguo couldn’t read Li Weiyang’s thoughts and couldn’t help but frown.

Li Weiyang sighed: “If my second sister-in-law were still alive, in another year, the household would have welcomed a newborn child.”

Princess Anguo was lost in thought and said absent-mindedly, “Yes, truly pitiful.”

The hand Li Weiyang used to play with Minzhi suddenly stilled. Minzhi curiously widened his black eyes, looking at his sister, not understanding why Li Weiyang had become so quiet. Li Weiyang looked into Minzhi’s eyes—a child’s black pupils, innocent, clean, spotless, without any worries or troubles. So wonderful— She smiled, returned Minzhi to the wet nurse, and said, “Take Fourth Young Master back.”

Anguo felt the atmosphere here was inexplicably oppressive. Though Li Weiyang before her wore a faint smile, those eyes seemed to have penetrated her secrets, making her very uneasy. She coughed and resumed her usual haughty manner: “Well, I must be going.”

Li Weiyang’s expression showed no abnormality. Her ancient-well-like eyes rested on Anguo’s face for a moment before she said softly, “Thank you for coming to pay respects, Princess. Princess, please go slowly.”

After Princess Anguo departed with a large retinue, Li Weiyang’s smile faded. Zhao Yue emerged from nearby. She had been standing not far away, quietly keeping watch like Li Weiyang’s shadow—clearly in sunlight yet somehow invisible. “Miss—”

Li Weiyang said flatly, “It was Princess Anguo who did it.”

Zhao Yue couldn’t help but be shocked. She suddenly understood Li Weiyang’s meaning: “Princess Anguo? But how could that be?”

Li Weiyang’s face turned cold: “Anguo wouldn’t come here without reason. She must have had ulterior motives. When I just mentioned my second sister-in-law’s pregnancy, she showed not the slightest surprise, as if she had known this all along. But at the time, my second sister-in-law told me that no one knew about her pregnancy. Yet just now, Anguo didn’t even ask a single question—isn’t that strange?”

Zhao Yue couldn’t help but frown: “But this is just the Miss’s speculation. It may not be true.”

Li Weiyang laughed coldly. Her teeth clenched slightly as she said word by word, “Just now when I mentioned my second sister-in-law’s wronged spirit wandering the Li Manor, did you see? Both her expression and voice were trembling. What is that if not a guilty conscience!”

Princess Anguo wasn’t an easy opponent to deal with. This matter must be handled very carefully. Zhao Yue said uneasily, “But can the Miss truly be certain?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Yes, this is my speculation. But in this capital, who would be as cruel as Princess Anguo, choosing such a terrible method of death!”

Zhao Yue fell silent. She wanted to refute Li Weiyang’s words, but she knew the Miss’s speculation was correct. Yet doubt remained in her heart: “Miss, this servant truly cannot understand what reason Princess Anguo could have for using such vicious methods against Second Young Madam.”

Li Weiyang shook her head: “Yes, what could the reason be?” Though Princess Anguo was cruel, she wasn’t completely foolish. Having just married into Third Prince’s manor, she hadn’t yet established firm footing and wouldn’t easily make enemies. Much less with someone of Sun Yanjun’s special status—both a Li family daughter-in-law and General Sun’s beloved daughter. Even if Anguo found her displeasing, she wouldn’t easily move against Sun Yanjun. That would be too risky, too foolish. What could have prompted her to act this way?

Not far away, Li Minde quietly watched Li Weiyang. His gaze was like a shimmering lake surface in the evening, radiating layers of dazzling light, and like thousands of entangled silk threads—strand by strand, point by point, tightly winding around that slender figure. Even he himself hadn’t noticed.

Zhao Nan watched his master’s lost expression and couldn’t help but sigh: “Master, Yue Xi has sent twelve urgent letters urging you to depart and return immediately.”

Li Minde said lightly, “I cannot leave Da Li right now.”

Zhao Nan’s face showed urgency: “This subordinate knows the Master is reluctant to part with the Princess, but the Princess will have people to care for her. Why do you—”

Li Minde turned back, looking at him with ice-cold eyes—that gaze like winter ice, instantly freezing the words Zhao Nan hadn’t yet spoken. But Li Minde’s look was merely cold, without any intent to rebuke. Zhao Nan stood silently for a long time, finally gathering courage to say, “Master, if you return to Yue Xi, you’ll encounter even better women—”

Li Minde suddenly smiled: “You’re right. If I wanted to marry someone beautiful, intelligent, or virtuous, they’d be readily available. But what about Li Weiyang? There’s only one Li Weiyang in this world. If not her, what meaning would anyone else have?”

Zhao Nan fell silent. He couldn’t understand such feelings, nor did he want to. He only knew that Yue Xi had issued a death order—the Young Master must be brought back within a month, at any cost.

In the reception hall, Third Prince Tuoba Zhen had thoroughly consoled the Li family’s Second Young Master Li Minkang, seemingly truly treating him as a friend. Li Minkang was fundamentally a generous person. In the midst of great disaster, encountering Third Prince who condescended so—he didn’t overthink it and couldn’t help but feel somewhat moved.

As the two were speaking, footsteps sounded in the corridor. In a moment, Princess Anguo swept in ostentatiously and performed the proper courtesy to Third Prince. Outside, she was an exalted princess, but before Third Prince, he was merely her husband—she still had to observe proper etiquette.

Tuoba Zhen nodded slightly, then said to Li Minkang behind him, “Second Young Master, you must accept this loss. I’ll come visit you again another day.” With that, he departed with Princess Anguo.

Once in the carriage, Princess Anguo’s expression changed, becoming very uneasy. Tuoba Zhen watched her coldly, but the instant she raised her eyes, he softened his expression: “What’s wrong? Didn’t you say you were going to visit Princess Anping? Why do you look like this when you return? Did you encounter something unpleasant?”

Princess Anguo pouted and leaned against Tuoba Zhen: “Everywhere I go, people show me three parts respect, but this Li Weiyang never seems to take me seriously!”

Princess Anguo seemed to constantly harbor hostility toward Li Weiyang. This wasn’t the first time he’d heard such words—from the time she married into the household, two out of every three days she would say such things to him, as if deliberately testing his reaction, seeing what he thought of Li Weiyang. Today’s words were obviously another attack on Li Weiyang. Tuoba Zhen suppressed the impatience rising in his heart, trying to speak gently: “She’s the Empress Dowager’s adopted daughter after all. In terms of seniority, she ranks higher than even me. Even Imperial Sister treats her with courtesy—why compete with her over momentary superiority? What does it matter?”

As if I don’t know your heart—you simply can’t forget that vixen! Princess Anguo laughed coldly: “Clearly cold-hearted, yet still pretending to be noble. Truly naturally base!”

Still relentless! His ears had already developed calluses from hearing such things. Tuoba Zhen lost patience, the smile fading from his lips as he said coldly, “Don’t let me hear such words a second time—you’re also imperial nobility. If such words truly got out, what would people think of you! You, a grand prince consort, speaking such jealous, vinegar-soaked words—how unseemly!”

Tuoba Zhen had originally planned to use Princess Anguo against Li Weiyang, but after entering the manor, on their wedding night she used her monthly courses as an excuse to refuse consummation. This dragged on for half a month, then she claimed poor health. When he tried to summon other women to serve him, she threatened suicide and even gouged out the eyes of two beautiful concubines! Such a woman—how willful and tyrannical! For him, occasional jealousy from women was acceptable, but if they truly offended his authority, he couldn’t tolerate it even slightly—no matter how noble the woman, she couldn’t be indulged past the point of no return. Otherwise, once she became lawless, who could control her?

Princess Anguo was stunned, then her eyes filled with tears: “Tuoba Zhen, what do you mean! You clearly said you would treat me well! Now that we’re married, you turn your back on me! What’s so good about Li Weiyang that she has you so bewitched! She’s nothing but a vixen! A sinister vixen at that! Explain yourself clearly! What exactly is your relationship with her! So many shameless women at home aren’t enough—you still think about her. Where does that put me!” These words came from extreme anger, but before she could finish, Tuoba Zhen slapped her hard.

She was completely stunned: “You—”

“Next time, don’t throw tantrums in front of me. I find it very distasteful! You must remember!” Tuoba Zhen threw open the carriage curtain and descended!

Princess Anguo had been pampered and indulged since childhood—when had she ever received such treatment? But helplessly, her heart had been completely lost to Tuoba Zhen from their first meeting. She hadn’t expected that barely half a month after their wedding, she would receive a slap from him. Immediately, in anger and resentment, she rose and smashed all the exquisite furnishings in the carriage onto the floor. Her maids watched in panic, heads lowered, but heard Princess Anguo say through gritted teeth, “Li Weiyang, I will never forgive you!”

That voice was like a beast grinding its teeth—carrying extreme terror.