The return of her adopted father’s group to the capital had stirred the thoughts of the puppet master behind the scenes, who was even willing to collude with Wei people to commit such slaughter.

If it truly was Princess Anqing’s doing, Xiaoying found herself somewhat admiring the woman. Could she be so iron-handed and heartless? Would she even sacrifice her son?

The bridge incident had nearly sent Mu Hanjiang to his grave, smashed to pieces at the bottom of the ravine!

If this was indeed the case, what earth-shattering secret had her adopted father uncovered?

Xiaoying planned to help her adopted father organize his thoughts when time allowed, stringing together the fragmented memories from those years to see if they could find any clues.

She contentedly rolled over: “What did you discuss with Mu Hanjiang in the forest?”

“Nothing much, just reminding him that the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards have an internal traitor. He shouldn’t delay here but should return to the capital as soon as possible to identify that person and clean house promptly…”

Of course, he also needed Mu Hanjiang to take the Third Prince along with him.

That Feng Qiwu boy, perhaps having hit his head, not only actively sought conversation with Xiaoying but also eagerly sent her a charcoal hand-warmer, saying he feared the chill of early morning might harm such a delicate lady.

He was being so attentive… it was annoying!

Xiaoying giggled: “Him? He’s just grateful to me as his savior. Besides, if I don’t keep him stable, he might sell me out to Young Master Mu!”

Feng Yuan let out a cold snort, clearly dissatisfied with this explanation.

Xiaoying didn’t bother flipping through his jealousy jar and instead played with a curved blade she had picked up from the fire scene.

Feng Yuan suddenly reached out and took the curved blade in his hand, examining the patterns on the blade edge closely. Xiaoying also noticed something strange: “The material of this blade seems different from ordinary iron?”

Feng Yuan pondered: “This is a blade made of lodged iron, where wrought iron is poured into pig iron and tempered into steel.”

Xiaoying raised her eyebrows as she listened.

This so-called lodged iron was a secret method of Dafeng, not commonly seen. Moreover, the purity of this curved blade exceeded that of ordinary lodged iron. Why would Chen Xifan’s disciples have such a durable weapon?

No wonder this ghost-frightening curved blade was so incredibly sharp.

Xiaoying suddenly had a thought and reached for Feng Yuan’s sword placed nearby, but he promptly stopped her hand.

Between intelligent people, many words are often unnecessary.

As their eyes met, Xiaoying stated with certainty: “Your sword is very similar in material to this curved blade. This blade doesn’t seem to be of palace make, nor military issue. Where did you get it from?”

Feng Yuan said calmly: “Xiaoying, sometimes being too clever isn’t a good thing. Don’t ask any more questions. I will investigate the rest myself.”

Xiaoying looked at his expression and slightly furrowed her brow: “What? Do you know who collaborated with Chen Xifan from Wei country?”

Feng Yuan didn’t answer, but his expression revealed everything.

She vaguely remembered that Feng Yuan had been wearing this sword before they cleared Fengtail Slope. However, when he first left the capital, he didn’t have this sword.

Could someone have given it to him while he was in Jiangzhe?

She had also been wondering when the imprisoned Feng Yuan in the Desolate Palace had established contact with Luo Zhen, who was in Jiangzhe.

Although Luo Zhen had once been a soldier under Ye Zhanxue, why did he trust this prince who had gone mad in the palace for ten years? Why did he dare entrust him with the fate of cities?

And before Mu Hanjiang agreed to cooperate, who had provided Feng Yuan with intelligence about troop movements at Fengtail Slope?

Even if Ye Zhanxue had meticulously planned for his son before his death, without capable hands supervising, it couldn’t have been maintained for ten years.

Master Ge was a free spirit, and Xiao Tianyang wasn’t good at management—neither seemed like the operator of this hidden network.

Xiaoying vaguely felt that this sword might lead to some of Feng Yuan’s secrets, ones he was unwilling to share with her.

She had always been perceptive; since Feng Yuan was guarding against her, she should keep her distance.

With this in mind, she asked for the carriage to stop, intending to get off and go to her adopted father’s carriage.

After all, Meng Zhun and the others were considered life-saving benefactors to this little concubine. Using this pretext to look after the wounded wouldn’t arouse Mu Hanjiang’s suspicion.

Feng Yuan, however, held her arm: “Where are you going?”

Xiaoying gave a sweet smile: “I’m just staying away from you. Is that not allowed?”

Feng Yuan pulled her back with one hand and ordered the carriage to continue, saying each word distinctly: “Not allowed!”

After speaking, he once again embraced Xiaoying tightly.

Yesterday at the broken bridge, his negative emotions had been provoked to the extreme.

Knowing Xiaoying had fallen into an enemy ambush, with the forest where a tired bird dare not land filled with traps, he had been helpless on the other side of the cliff.

He could only watch as the young lady seemingly casually dismissed him, then turned to walk into the enemy’s ambush.

That feeling was just like when he was twelve years old, being gagged and dragged all the way to be thrown into Tianlu Palace, then watching helplessly as the Desolate Gate was tightly closed—overwhelming despair wrapped in useless, excessive anger!

And now, Xiaoying’s obvious avoidance reminded Feng Yuan of the question Mu Hanjiang had asked him earlier—if His Majesty gave Xiaoying a cup of poisoned wine, what would he do?

Feng Yuan asked Xiaoying in a low voice: “Are you doubting me? Or like Mu Hanjiang, are you afraid I can’t protect you?”

Xiaoying was somewhat curious: “What did Mu Hanjiang say to you?”

After listening to Feng Yuan’s explanation, Xiaoying couldn’t help but laugh.

“You two are bored enough. What? If His Majesty bestows it, I would just drink it obediently?”

She had encountered too many dangerous situations in her life! Come to think of it, the Emperor bestowing a cup of poison was far too gentle treatment!

Such questions were too trivial for her to consider! If such a day came, she would never docilely thank His Majesty for the favor and await death!

So after speaking, she casually pinched Feng Yuan’s high, straight nose: “I’m still very hungry. Why don’t you take me into town for some food, and then I’ll help you think about how to refuse His Majesty’s cup of poison!”

Feng Yuan’s mood hadn’t yet recovered, but Xiaoying seemed completely untroubled.

Indeed, she was different from ordinary women. Asking such questions only made him seem oversensitive.

Holding Xiaoying’s playful hand, Feng Yuan’s face finally showed his first genuine smile since they had parted yesterday.

Because of the detour around the broken bridge, by the time they reached Wan City to rest, it was already noon.

Xiaoying couldn’t wait until they reached the inn. She lifted the carriage curtain, spotted a decent food stall, and eagerly jumped down to order something to eat.

She had originally thought only Feng Yuan would accompany her, but halfway through the meal, Mu Hanjiang and Feng Qiwu also got off their carriage.

They were about to head back to the capital first, so they wanted to fill their stomachs before departing.

The four gathered at a simple table, preparing to share a farewell meal before parting.

Xiaoying was the first to finish a bowl of hand-pulled noodles, then asked the owner for extra soup with scallions and chili oil. After gulping it down, she let out a satisfied burp.

The burp was unintended, but three pairs of eyes turned toward her.

Feng Yuan unhurriedly used his handkerchief to wipe her mouth while using his wide sleeve to block the view of the other two.

In the past, the Third Prince would have been quick to mock her, calling her country manners crude.

But this time, the Third Prince attentively asked: “These soup noodles are rather rough. Would the young lady like something else? I hear from local officials that Wan City’s roast duck is famous. I’ll have my guards buy some for you to try?”

Hearing this, both Mu Hanjiang and Feng Yuan turned their gazes to the Third Prince.

Mu Hanjiang carried a hint of curiosity, not understanding why the Third Prince had suddenly changed his attitude, trying to please the Grand Prince’s concubine.

Feng Yuan’s gaze, however, was ice-cold, as if one more wrong word from the Third Prince would result in the bowl of hot soup in his hand being poured over him.

Xiaoying noticed the awkward atmosphere and immediately said obediently, “This servant is full. I’ll return to the carriage first. Take your time, you three!”

After guarding the post station all night, the young woman was exhausted. Let them practice in this hellish arena if they wanted!

After Xiaoying left, Mu Hanjiang ate his noodles while discussing the upcoming journey with Feng Yuan: “I need to hurry back to the capital. Do you want me to leave some Dragon Scale Shadow Guards with you?”

Feng Yuan said calmly, “No need. Before the situation is clarified, please keep the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards away from me.”

Mu Hanjiang frowned: “What do you mean?”

Feng Yuan said coldly, “A person has only one life. Don’t gamble it on others’ loyalty!”

Mu Hanjiang pursed his lips but couldn’t refute Feng Yuan’s words.

Because he clearly understood that the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards were no longer what they had been when the former Queen Ye Zhanxue had first established them.

Things were better when his father was in power—he was a generous man who treated Ye Zhanxue’s old retainers well.

But when his mother helped his ailing father take over the Shadow Guards, in order to control them and eliminate Ye Zhanxue’s influence, she had thoroughly purged their ranks.

The first batch of patriotic Shadow Guards who had pacified Dafeng’s turmoil had been replaced several times. Now, within the organization, there were frequent instances of bribery for positions and mediocre people being promoted beyond their abilities.

Yet his mother always forgave her confidants, and this nepotistic approach to appointments had long given Mu Hanjiang headaches.

He knew the internal structure needed reorganization, but unfortunately, his mother wouldn’t relinquish control and frequently interfered.

The three highest-ranking “Jing” level Shadow Guard commanders were all personally cultivated by his mother.

As the only daughter of Swordmaster Xiao Jiumu, Princess Anqing had always firmly controlled the personnel of the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards.

The facts being what they were, he could only say: “In any case, I will investigate thoroughly and give the Grand Prince a satisfactory answer.”

Earlier in the forest, Mu Hanjiang had already arranged with Feng Yuan that he would ride quickly back to the capital to investigate the matter of Shadow Guards colluding with Wei country.

The Third Prince was lazily unwilling to leave, but the Grand Prince, using the excuse of insufficient manpower to protect the Third Prince, mercilessly put Feng Qiwu on a horse and had Mu Hanjiang take him away.

Thus, for the remainder of the journey, they finally separated from Mu Hanjiang and the Third Prince’s group.

Meng Zhun and his men no longer needed to wear foot shackles, easing their burden considerably.

By the time they reached their next resting place, Xiaoying sought out her adopted father, and the three of them—she, her adopted father, and Feng Yuan—gathered in one room. She set out fruits and snacks, drank some tea, and sorted through the questions that had been lingering in her mind.

The main question was what interaction her adopted father had with the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards years ago that led to the extermination of his entire family, then and now, the desperate attempts to silence Meng Zhun.

Xiaoying instinctively felt it must be connected to Princess Anqing, who was in charge of the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards at that time, so she guided her adopted father to recall in that direction.

Meng Zhun remembered when he had cooperated with the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards to investigate military supply corruption and was responsible for guarding the post station where Princess Anqing was temporarily staying. Although he occasionally saw the princess from afar, he never had the opportunity to speak with her directly!

Xiaoying prompted: “That Princess Anqing said she remembered you, which probably wasn’t just casual politeness. Did you perform any duties in front of the princess that caught her attention?”

Events from years ago aren’t easily recalled all at once.

Especially since shortly afterward, Meng Zhun experienced the tragedy of his family’s extermination. The memories had been scattered by the intense trauma, making it impossible to recall everything.

But Xiaoying helped her adoptive father remember some details: “Adopted father, I recall that you once brought home a beautiful box of plum blossom cakes, saying they were bestowed by noble visitors from the capital. Do you remember?”

Meng Zhun thought for a long time and finally had some recollection: “I think I did have such a box of cakes…”

The cake box lid was decorated with inlaid gold leaf petals, which had caused his two little daughters to fight over it, wanting to use it as a hairpin. They cried and hugged his legs, arguing incessantly.

Unable to divide it equally, he had gently comforted them, promising to get another box soon so each could have their flower.

At that time, blessed with both son and daughter, with the joy of children around his knees, how could he have imagined that a few days later, upon returning home, he would see only charred corpses under the rubble, unrecognizable…

Thinking of this, Meng Zhun choked up again, the veins on his forehead gradually bulging.

Xiaoying knew her adopted father was recalling the tragedy from those years and quickly comforted him by patting his arm, helping him redirect his attention: “I thought those cake boxes were beautiful at the time, and they looked precious. Later, after entering the palace, I realized they were styled after the imperial supply cake boxes. You wouldn’t have received such a reward without reason. Think again, why did you receive this box of cakes?”

With Xiaoying’s reminder, Meng Zhun truly recalled something.

“I remember now! It was when Princess Anqing was inspecting Lianjiang and nearly fell victim to Wei assassins. General Chen Nuo led us local garrison troops, to arrive in time and drive away the Wei people. The princess was grateful and not only gave us a reward of silver but also a box of imperial cakes for each of us.”

Xiaoying thought for a moment: “Adopted father, you later brought home another cake box and I believe received many valuable fabrics as rewards. What was that for?”

At this point, Meng Zhun’s memory box suddenly opened: “Because my two daughters fought over the cake box and wouldn’t stop crying, I felt sorry for them and went to ask a colleague for a box that same night. There was a colleague who was supposed to guard the post station and protect the princess’s safety. That day, when he saw me come to the post station for a cake box, he negotiated with me to cover his midnight shift… Yes, his name was Fu Ansheng, we all called him Old Fu. He wanted to go back to visit his sick mother and begged me not to mention that he had slipped away at midnight, saying I had been on duty the whole time. The next morning, Chen Nuo suddenly summoned those who had been on duty the previous night and asked who of us had gone to the inner courtyard to deploy security. This should have been Fu Ansheng’s task, so I said it was me. The general didn’t say anything at the time, only that the princess was considerate of her subordinates, took pity on my hard work last night, and gave me many fabrics and money as rewards…”

At the time, Meng Zhun had felt unworthy of these rewards and wanted to give half to Fu Ansheng, but Fu had repeatedly refused.

Hearing this, Xiaoying had already detected something suspicious: “Fu Ansheng? I’ve heard you and my adopted mother mention this person in casual conversation—he was cunning and lazy, always pushing difficult tasks onto colleagues while taking the easy ones himself. And he wasn’t particularly filial, often shouting at his old mother, despised by his colleagues, wasn’t he? Would such a person give up the chance to be seen by the princess because of his sick mother and go home in the middle of the night to fulfill his filial duty?”

Hearing this, Meng Zhun also had a moment of realization, though he couldn’t understand why his colleague would have acted this way.

Xiaoying thought for a moment and suddenly had a bold guess: “What if Fu Ansheng entered the inner courtyard that day, heard something he shouldn’t have, was frightened out of his wits, fled overnight, and even found a scapegoat?”

Meng Zhun’s eyes grew wider as he listened: “You mean…”

Xiaoying stood up, her mind quickly reconstructing the scenario: “I’ve been wondering for years—if the adopted father was only framed for investigating corruption in official duties, they could have simply fabricated a crime to imprison you. Why go to such lengths, attacking the Meng household and leaving no survivors?”

This didn’t seem like a frame-up for official duties but rather as if her adopted father had inadvertently heard some terrible secret. The person was so afraid he might tell his family that they decided to leave no witnesses, slaughtering the entire household!

The fact that her adopted father received generous rewards from the princess after covering a night shift was self-evident proof!

Unfortunately, her adopted father wasn’t Fu Ansheng, who had eavesdropped on secrets and didn’t understand that the next day’s reward was meant to buy his silence!

As the person behind it grew increasingly uneasy, they simply went all out, framing her adopted father’s reputation and then sending assassins to the Meng household to silence everyone.

Little did they know, her adopted father was taking the blame for someone else, suffering this undeserved calamity!

Meng Zhun listened with wide eyes, and when he finally pieced together the senseless tragedy from seven years ago, the seven-foot-tall man stared with round eyes and spat out a mouthful of blood!

Xiaoying was startled and hurried to support the swaying Meng Zhun.

After a long while, Meng Zhun finally caught his breath and said through gritted teeth: “Are you saying the mastermind behind the scenes… was Princess Anqing?”

Xiaoying said: “We can’t be certain yet, but there must be some connection.”

If this were true, hadn’t he brushed shoulders with his family’s killer in Yao City?

And if Xiaoying’s guess was correct, wasn’t it because he had kindly covered his colleague’s shift that he had brought disaster upon his family?

This belated truth was too much for anyone to bear, and Meng Zhun, unable to control his emotions, had coughed up blood.

Xiaoying knew that her adopted father had been emotionally unstable for years and quickly called for a physician to take his pulse and prescribe medicine.

While she and her adopted father were sorting through these matters, Feng Yuan had been silently listening beside them.

Only after leaving the room did Xiaoying ask him what he thought.

Feng Yuan said, “Naturally, finding that Fu Ansheng would reveal the whole truth.”

It was too late to turn back now.

Moreover, it seemed that Fu Ansheng had resigned and returned to his hometown in Ji Prefecture not long after the incident with Meng Zhun’s family.

Feng Yuan said he would have someone inquire about Fu Ansheng’s whereabouts.

Only by finding Fu Ansheng and learning what exactly happened on the night he deliberately made excuses to leave could they solve the mystery that had troubled Meng Zhun for seven years.

After the three of them reconstructed the events that day, Meng Zhun remained emotionally disturbed.

Xiaoying consulted the physician and had him prescribe a calming formula, intending to personally go out to purchase the medicine.

With enemies lurking in the shadows while they were exposed, she needed to personally inspect everything her adopted father consumed to feel at ease.

She asked Feng Yuan if he wanted to accompany her, but Feng Yuan hesitated for a moment, indicating he wanted to stay at the inn to read for a while.

So Xiaoying took Meng Zhun’s subordinate, Little Five, to accompany her to the pharmacy next to the inn to get the medicine.

After obtaining the medicine, Xiaoying thought of buying a medicinal pot for brewing the herbs, plus a small charcoal stove, to conveniently prepare the medicine while traveling.

So she strolled a bit further and went to the eastern market, which was some distance from the inn.

But when she looked up, she saw a familiar figure on the street.

Feng Yuan? Hadn’t he said he wanted to stay at the inn to read, and hadn’t even been willing to accompany her to buy medicine?