North Lord Wen Feng ran to Jiang Qingxue and crouched down beside her bed. He stared at her with deeply furrowed brows, his expression somewhat dazed.

After a while, North Lord Wen Feng opened his palm to reveal the moon-white jade pendant and placed it before Jiang Qingxue. His voice was hoarse, “Qingxue, this is the jade pendant I gave you back then.”

When Jiang Qingxue saw the pendant, her eyes immediately filled with tears. He…

Finally knew the truth.

“So, there was never anything between you and Mu Liangzheng, was there?” North Lord Wen Feng softened his tone. As the ruler of a nation, he had never spoken so gently and tenderly to any woman.

Jiang Qingxue’s eyes reddened as she took a silk handkerchief to wipe away her tears. She lowered her gaze. “Talking about this now is pointless.”

She still clearly remembered that her daughter now despised her deeply, asking her to die alongside Mu Liangzheng, with no room in her heart for accepting her as a mother.

Over these many years, she had countless times imagined their reunion, but never expected it would be such a tense situation as now.

“Pointless? How is it pointless?!” North Lord Wen Feng exclaimed angrily, standing up. “I am now the ruler of North Ming Nation, fully capable of fulfilling all the promises I made to you back then.”

…

…

“It was you who secretly ran back to South Court Nation and sent a letter declaring you wanted to sever all ties with me!”

“Now this child that has suddenly appeared—I have the right to know!”

“Because she is also my child!”

North Lord Wen Feng spoke with extreme anger, still breathing heavily after finishing. Over these years, although he resented Jiang Qingxue for her abrupt departure, in the depths of his heart, she remained his greatest concern.

This visit to Western Yuan Nation was because he had heard she would be attending; otherwise, given his status as a ruler, why would he personally attend a Crown Prince’s enthronement ceremony?

Upon arriving in Western Yuan Nation, he had warned himself not to approach this cold-hearted woman, that just glimpsing her from afar would suffice. Yet unexpectedly, a daughter had appeared out of nowhere.

“No, she is not your child.” Tears clung to the corners of Jiang Qingxue’s eyes. “Mu Liangzheng said she was our child—his and mine!”

“Jiang Qingxue, have you gone mad?” North Lord Wen Feng exclaimed furiously, grabbing her wrist and gripping the jade pendant more tightly.

“This jade pendant was the token of love I gave you back then. You carved your daughter’s name into the token of love I gave you, and you dare claim this child was born to you and another man?!”

Jiang Qingxue bit her lip, suddenly regretting why she had come here.

Seeing her about to cry, North Lord Wen Feng felt heartache. He sighed slightly and patted her back. “Qingxue, why do you torment yourself so?”

After a long silence, Jiang Qingxue spoke in a hoarse voice, “Back then, you were a prince of North Ming Nation. If word got out that you were involved with a Holy Maiden, it would certainly have affected your promising future.”

“Although you made me many promises, Wen Feng, I dared not take the risk…”

Upon hearing her words, the worries on North Lord Wen Feng’s brow instantly vanished, replaced by joy. “So that girl truly is our child?”

Jiang Qingxue nodded.

At this critical juncture, letting North Lord Wen Feng know about the existence of his daughter might not be a bad thing. Yunjin had caused such great trouble in the imperial court—without someone who could stand against the Western Bright Emperor, she would likely face dire consequences.

This jade pendant was probably sent by Chu Li.

After receiving confirmation, North Lord Wen Feng recalled his first meeting with Mu Yunjin. That girl had a peculiar temperament, able to bend and stretch as needed, and shared seven or eight parts of her appearance with Qingxue. No wonder he felt familiar with her then.

So she was their daughter.

Thinking of Mu Yunjin, North Lord Wen Feng suddenly had another thought. He took Jiang Qingxue’s hand. “Come, let’s go see the Western Bright Emperor.”

“Now?” Jiang Qingxue was surprised.

North Lord Wen Feng nodded. “I want to tell him that Yunjin is my daughter, a princess of the xNorth Ming Nation. Without my permission, no one may harm her in the slightest.”

Hearing this, Jiang Qingxue agreed with North Lord Wen Feng for once, and got up to put on her shoes.

“Wen Feng, why aren’t you wearing shoes…” Jiang Qingxue looked at North Lord Wen Feng standing barefoot on the floor.

North Lord Wen Feng was startled, then smiled awkwardly. “I was too excited earlier.”

…

In the Imperial Study.

“Your Majesty, Prince Ning has defied the imperial edict, showing contempt for royal authority. His behavior is as deplorable as that of his wife, Mu Yunjin. They should both be arrested and punished.” Old General Qin stood before the Western Bright Emperor’s desk, denouncing Chu Li and Mu Yunjin.

The Western Bright Emperor leaned against his chair, his face tense. After hearing Old General Qin’s words, he slammed the table heavily. “That boy Li’er—to think I once intended to name him Crown Prince! I never expected he would be someone who indulges in feminine beauty.”

“For the sake of a woman, he no longer heeds my words!”

Hearing this, Old General Qin continued smoothly, “Your Majesty, it’s not entirely right to say it that way. Prince Ning is young and impetuous after all. The main issue is that Mu Yunjin girl, who knows what love potion she fed Prince Ning.”

“And that fire phoenix in the great hall that killed the Fifth Princess—who knows where such a monster came from?” Old General Qin sighed.

Mentioning the fire phoenix and recalling Chu Qingqiang’s miserable death, the Western Bright Emperor smashed a cup with a sweep of his hand. “I thought one Consort Rong was enough! I never expected there would be a Mu Yunjin as well!”

“These enchantresses specifically target members of the royal family!” The Western Bright Emperor recalled the fire phoenix he had seen on Consort Rong’s back years ago, which was identical to the one that emerged from Mu Yunjin’s back.

He couldn’t help but wonder desolately: Could Mu Yunjin be here to avenge Consort Rong?

“Your Majesty, regarding this matter, this old minister has an idea, though I’m not sure if it’s feasible…” Old General Qin spoke with profound meaning.

“Speak.”

Old General Qin nodded. “Years ago, Your Majesty saw the same fire phoenix on Consort Rong’s back. Later, considering your marital bond, Your Majesty merely imprisoned Consort Rong without threatening her life.”

“Now that the fire phoenix has transferred and immediately killed someone upon its appearance, it will surely cause more devastation and atrocities in the future.”

“When this old minister was at war, I stayed with a frontier tribe for some time. The people there greatly revered spiritual deities and told me that when encountering someone with supernatural manifestations, binding them to a stake and burning them with fierce fire would immediately eliminate the threat.”

Having finished speaking, Old General Qin observed the Western Bright Emperor’s expression.

The Western Bright Emperor raised his eyes slightly, frowning. “You want me to order Mu Yunjin burned to death?”

“This old minister is frightened by the thought, but it may indeed be a solution. If that fire phoenix is not eliminated, I fear it will harm more innocent people in the future. Moreover, if Mu Yunjin is merely imprisoned like Consort Rong, the fire phoenix will still transfer. Better to cut off the source now…” Old General Qin bowed deeply.

“What about Li’er…” The Western Bright Emperor was somewhat receptive to Old General Qin’s suggestion, but was concerned about Chu Li.

After all, Chu Li was still his most outstanding son. If a woman caused a rift in the father-son relationship, it might be more loss than a gain.

“Prince Ning’s current infatuation with Mu Yunjin is merely a passing fancy. Our Western Yuan Nation has plenty of beauties—Mu Yunjin is not irreplaceable. Given time, Prince Ning will understand Your Majesty’s good intentions,” Old General Qin said.

The Western Bright Emperor sighed slightly and nodded. “Then I leave this matter to you.”

“I obey the edict.” Old General Qin’s face showed joy, then he seemed to remember something else. “Oh, Your Majesty, with Mu Liangzheng’s death, the position of Prime Minister is vacant. Does Your Majesty have a preferred candidate?”

Mentioning Mu Liangzheng, the Western Bright Emperor sighed again. After thinking, he said, “First, promote Yan Qiuhuai, the Rites Ministry Deputy, to fill the position. As for the vacant Rites Ministry Deputy position, handle it as you see fit. My head aches, and I don’t want to deal with these matters anymore.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Seeing that everything was under control, Old General Qin was about to request leave when Eunuch Lu rushed in. “Your Majesty, the North Ming Nation ruler and the South Court Nation Holy Maiden have arrived.”

“Bring them in at once,” the Western Bright Emperor ordered.

“Why would these two be together…” Old General Qin muttered under his breath as he moved to the side, not suggesting his departure.

Soon, North Lord Wen Feng entered the Imperial Study holding Jiang Qingxue’s hand.

Seeing them enter hand in hand, the Western Bright Emperor was somewhat shocked and momentarily unable to react. “Someone, bring seats.”

After taking his seat, North Lord Wen Feng took a sip of hot tea brought by a palace maid and smiled at the Western Bright Emperor. “Brother Chu, I come today to share joyous news with you.”

“Oh? What joyous news does Brother North Lord have?” the Western Bright Emperor asked politely.

“Today, I just learned from Qingxue that Yunjin is my biological daughter, not Mu Liangzheng’s daughter.”

“This jade pendant is Yunjin’s item, a token of love I gave to Qingxue years ago. Therefore, Yunjin is a princess of our North Ming Nation.”

At these words, both the Western Bright Emperor and Old General Qin were stunned.

Especially Old General Qin, having finally found a way to eliminate Mu Yunjin, he never expected the situation would take such a turn at this critical moment.

Involuntarily, he spoke with some doubt, “Then why didn’t the Lord speak up during the confrontation in the hall? That way, Minister Mu wouldn’t have died by his hand.”

These words painfully struck Jiang Qingxue’s wound.

Indeed, if she had found the courage to speak the truth that day, perhaps Liangzheng would not have died.

“I only just learned of this matter,” North Lord Wen Feng gently stroked Jiang Qingxue’s back. “Years ago, when I was a prince, I did indeed have private feelings for Qingxue. I have wronged her.”

“Mu Yunjin is indeed my daughter, without a doubt.”

The Western Bright Emperor took a deep breath, trying to quickly digest this fact. After a while, he sighed lightly, “Brother North Lord, although Yunjin may be your daughter, she is also our Western Yuan Nation’s daughter-in-law.”

“You saw with your own eyes what happened in the great hall. Although I value our brotherly friendship of many years, I must still give the world an explanation,” the Western Bright Emperor said helplessly.

North Lord Wen Feng nodded, calmly raising his eyebrows. “What Brother Chu says is right.”

“Punishment can be given—indeed, this child Yunjin did go too far—but it absolutely must not harm her life.”

“After all, the princess of our North Ming Nation is equally noble in status and is my heart’s treasure. Having finally found this daughter, I certainly don’t want any misfortune to befall her.”

“Our two nations have maintained good relations for so many years. Surely we wouldn’t let one child damage that harmony, would we?”