After the incident with Nalan Xue, Li Weiyang’s heart remained somewhat doubtful. Chen Bingbing had recently behaved very calmly, but Li Weiyang could not forget how heartbroken she had cried that day. For a person, could such pain heal so quickly?

Don’t blame Li Weiyang for being suspicious—everything in this world was unpredictable in terms of fortune and misfortune, and the human heart was the hardest to fathom. But no matter how she observed, Chen Bingbing was just as usual, smiling warmly at everyone and treating Madam Guo with the same dedication as always.

This day, Li Weiyang followed her usual habit and went to the Scripture Pavilion to select some books she liked. But when the carriage arrived at the East Gate, her thoughts suddenly stirred, and she instructed Zhao Yue, “Have the driver take a detour to look at the medicine hall.” When Li Weiyang mentioned the medicine hall, Zhao Yue naturally understood. She instructed the driver to turn the horse’s head and detour to the medicine hall.

Just arriving at the medicine hall entrance, they saw layer upon layer of people crowded around. Seeing this scene made it difficult to approach, so Li Weiyang only instructed them to stop the carriage not far away, then lifted the carriage curtain to see what had happened over there.

From afar, she saw a young man wearing mourning clothes shouting curses at the medicine hall entrance. “Heaven has no eyes! The medicine this shop’s proprietor prescribed killed my old father alive! How dare such a quack still run a clinic? This is completely conscienceless! Everyone come see! Come look!” His voice was hoarse and shrill. As he cursed, he wailed and sobbed. A clerk from the medicine hall rushed out hastily, then shouted loudly, “You have no reason! Clearly your father had no money for treatment. My master kindly gave him medicine to treat his illness. How can you come here to cause trouble?”

The young man pointed at a roll of straw mat on the ground and cried, “Where is your kindness? It’s clearly just pretense! Your master is truly a killer! Everyone look, my old father died after taking her medicine!”

More and more people gathered, pointing and whispering at the medicine hall. From afar, Li Weiyang saw a white-haired old man wrapped in the straw mat on the ground, his hair disheveled, his face dark blue—already a cold corpse. Seeing more and more people, the young man immediately threw himself on the ground, wailing and crying, “Father! I told you long ago there are no good people in this world. You were harmed by the people of this medicine hall, yet you thought they were living Bodhisattvas! What living Bodhisattvas—clearly killers!” As he spoke, he cried with tears and mucus streaming, as if it were truly so.

Naturally, some kind-hearted people advised, “Since they poisoned your father to death, you must make them take responsibility!” “Alas, in this world, there are truly many quacks and few good people—they harm people greatly! Harm people greatly!”

The medicine hall clerk, subjected to everyone’s accusations, flushed red with anger and rushed into the medicine hall. Before long, a woman appeared at the medicine hall entrance, wearing blue clothes, with a handsome face—it was Nalan Xue. Seeing this situation, she immediately descended the steps and bowed, “Young sir, may I take your father’s pulse?”

Before she could get close, the young man suddenly stood up and forcefully slapped her. Nalan Xue stood frozen on the spot, completely unprepared for such a situation. The young man cursed furiously, “Who wants your kindness! Don’t touch my father!”

Nalan Xue looked at him in shock. In fact, that day when this old man had come seeking help at her medicine hall, he didn’t have enough silver, so Nalan Xue had given him medicine and kindly treated his illness. She never expected that three days later, this old man would actually die—this was truly incomprehensible! That old man had initially only had a minor cold, so Nalan Xue had merely prescribed some cold-dispelling medicine. And because the old man was elderly, the medicine was very appropriate—there was no way such a situation could occur! She immediately spoke, “If you won’t let me examine him, how can you prove your father was killed by my medicine? I trust my medical skills would never kill anyone. Otherwise, let’s go to the magistrate’s court to determine the truth!”

The young man spat, spraying her face with saliva. “If it wasn’t you who killed him, am I falsely accusing you? In broad daylight under a clear sky, is there no law left in the world?” As he spoke, he moved to grab Nalan Xue. People nearby quickly held him back. “Let’s talk this through!” He kicked and struggled, shaking off those trying to restrain him. “If you don’t give me back my father’s life today, I’ll take yours!” The crowd became a chaotic mess, the scene nearly out of control. Nalan Xue gritted her teeth and said loudly, “Right and wrong have their own justice in people’s hearts. I’ve practiced medicine for so long—perhaps sometimes my abilities were insufficient, but I’ve never killed anyone! If you won’t let me examine him, how can I prove my innocence!”

A middle-aged man suddenly emerged from the crowd. He coughed heavily and said, “Making such a scene—what kind of behavior is this! Speak slowly if you have something to say!”

The young man glared at him. “What business is it of yours?”

The middle-aged man stroked his beard. “I’m a physician. Let me examine whatever the problem is!”

Hearing he was a physician, the young man sneered coldly. “There are many physicians in the world. Right in front of us is a quack—who knows if you’re a plant she hired!”

The middle-aged man’s face darkened at these words. “My surname is Wang. My family has practiced medicine in the capital for three generations. Go out and ask about the Wang Family Medicine Hall in the northern part of the city. We’ve been practicing medicine for many years—we would never deceive you! If you truly want justice, you must let this young lady clarify things.”

Someone immediately said, “Ah, so it’s Proprietor Wang from the medicine trade!” People in the crowd immediately became excited. Every trade had its own guild, and the medicine halls in the capital had always looked to the Wang family as their leader. This Wang Chuan was the head. His sudden appearance here… The young man immediately said, “Since Doctor Wang has come, please examine what caused my father’s death!”

Doctor Wang glanced at Nalan Xue, his face showing considerable concern. “Alright, I’ll take a look.” He then walked to the mat, stroked his beard and studied it for half a moment, then lifted the old man’s eyelids to look, and also grasped his hand to examine it carefully. For a full half moment, he said nothing.

Zhao Yue said softly, “Miss, should we…” Before she finished speaking, Li Weiyang extended a hand and shook it, indicating she needn’t intervene—first watch and see how things developed.

Over there, Doctor Wang finished examining the corpse and stood up, cupping his hands toward Nalan Xue. “May I see the prescription from the day you examined him?” The young man immediately pulled out a paper from his chest. Doctor Wang looked at it once, then gravely handed it to Nalan Xue. “Did you prescribe this?”

Nalan Xue only needed one glance to know this was indeed a prescription from her medicine hall. She nodded. Doctor Wang flew into a rage. “You were too careless! The old man suffered from asthma—did you know that? How could you prescribe such medicine!”

Nalan Xue was even more shocked. She said instinctively, “He has asthma? No, that’s impossible! When I examined him, he was perfectly fine!”

Doctor Wang stroked his beard and sneered coldly. “Ordinary prescriptions for treating colds include a dose of Hundred Flower Grass. Normal people taking this would be fine, but for someone with asthma, it would kill them! Doctor Nalan, you must not have clarified his condition before incorrectly prescribing medicine, which is why he died! This young man coming to your door to seek accountability is not wrong!”

Nalan Xue stood motionless. She keenly sensed something was wrong with this matter, yet insisted, “No! I must personally examine what exactly happened!” With that, she quickly stepped forward, wanting to carefully inspect the old man’s corpse. But before she could get close, the young man had already pushed her heavily and shouted like a pig being slaughtered, “Don’t touch my father!” Then he cried and yelled, “Give me back my father! Give me back my father!” As he spoke, he lunged forward to tear at Nalan Xue’s collar. The medicine hall clerks and other physicians practicing there quickly moved to restrain him, the two sides pulling at each other.

Someone in the watching crowd immediately said, “Heaven’s net is wide but lets nothing through! This Doctor Nalan truly harms people deeply! Close the shop! Close the shop! Close the shop!” Such talk instantly stirred up those around them, and more and more people echoed it. Someone picked up a stone from the ground and threw it viciously at Nalan Xue. Then more and more people did the same, more clumps of mud being thrown at Nalan Xue. “Get out!” “Close the shop quickly!” “Get lost!” At this moment, these people had forgotten that Nalan Xue had once given them free medical treatment, and forgotten that they had once praised her wonderful healing skill and benevolent heart. Now they were merely incited by others and easily believed.

Soon, Nalan Xue’s forehead became bloody. She looked at everyone in shock, not knowing what was happening—clearly she had kindly saved people yet became someone who harmed lives; clearly yesterday these people had been profusely grateful, yet now they were so vicious toward her… The medicine hall clerks, seeing this situation, quickly blocked the front, desperately protecting her. But the young man was unrelenting, absolutely refusing to let them leave. Nalan Xue sat dazedly on the steps, letting stones hit her. That blue garment was quickly stained red with blood.

Li Weiyang frowned and instructed Zhao Yue, “Go help her.”

Zhao Yue quickly descended from the carriage, flew forward, viciously grabbed the young man’s collar and slapped him. Unprepared, the man was sent staggering, blood flowing from his nostrils, his front teeth knocked out. He had completely not expected a young woman to suddenly appear to help Nalan Xue. He jumped up and shouted loudly, “The quack is hitting people! The quack is hitting people!” At this moment, ten or so large men surged from the crowd and surrounded them, obviously prepared in advance. Zhao Yue sneered coldly and drew the long sword from her waist. When the crowd saw that cold gleaming light, they immediately froze.

Zhao Yue said coldly, “If you have something to say, let’s say it in the magistrate’s court. What kind of skill is bullying a weak woman?”

Those ten or so large men, relying on their numbers, shouted threateningly, “You get lost—this has nothing to do with you!” Without further words, they charged forward. Zhao Yue raised her eyebrows. The long sword in her hand lightly turned a circle. The crowd could barely see how she moved, yet these several large men’s belts all fell simultaneously, their pants dropping to the ground, exposing their bare bottoms. The crowd burst into uproarious laughter—what a huge loss of face. The large men, holding up their pants, looked at each other, not knowing whether to charge forward according to the original plan or stop there. The young man, seeing this situation, sat down on the steps, face covered in snot and tears, crying and making a scene. “Give me back my father! Give me back my father!”

Just then, a silver ingot fell on his head. The young man was startled, then heard someone say coldly, “Go back and tell your master that this performance should not be repeated—it’s laughable!”

The young man was startled and looked up, only to discover a young lady slowly ascending the steps. Her face was beautiful, her eyes like clear springs, crystal tassels in her hair swaying slightly with her flowing movements. But she gently helped up Nalan Xue and turned to enter the great hall, already vanishing from sight. He still wanted to pursue, but suddenly a gleaming sword blocked him. Startled, he heard Zhao Yue say sternly, “Didn’t you hear what my mistress said? If you don’t get lost now, I’ll seal your mouth!”

The young man’s eyes rolled as he guessed something. He immediately took the silver awkwardly and turned to order people to carry up that roll of straw mat and slink away dejectedly.

Inside the great hall, Nalan Xue smiled bitterly. “I didn’t expect this was a trap.”

Sunlight shone through the gauze window, falling on Li Weiyang’s face. Instead, it revealed an indescribable hazy, cold quality, making her entire person like a cold moon, ethereal and unworldly. Li Weiyang said softly, “I also didn’t expect they would use such a method.”

Nalan Xue looked at Li Weiyang and didn’t speak for a long while. Finally she said slowly, “You knew that speaking out to help me would make your second sister-in-law hate you. Why did you still do it?”

Li Weiyang’s eyes, clear as springs, revealed a trace of complexity. “You helped me before, and also helped Fifth Brother. I couldn’t just watch you reach a dead end.”

Nalan Xue smiled bitterly. “Regardless, she achieved her purpose. I can no longer practice medicine in the capital.”

For a physician, reputation was most important. A corpse carried to the medicine hall entrance—even if you were innocent, others would spread the word and damage your reputation. If Nalan Xue had deep roots in the capital, this matter wouldn’t be hard to smooth over. But she was a woman who had always given free medicine—how could others tolerate her? They would certainly seize upon this incident to make a big issue of it… This stratagem was truly very effective. Li Weiyang sighed. “I think that Doctor Wang also saw your medicine hall was doing too well, taking his business, which is why he helped the other party frame you.”

Nalan Xue smiled gently, a desolate, indignant quality in her eyes. “Regardless, you resolved this crisis for me today. I thank you. What the Guo family owed me has been repaid. But I can’t continue operating this medicine hall.” With that, she instructed the clerk to bring out all the medicine hall’s land deeds and house deeds and place them on the table.

Li Weiyang didn’t even glance at them, only looking at Nalan Xue’s forehead. “Bandage it first.”

Nalan Xue’s expression showed a moment of bewilderment. Suddenly she smiled self-mockingly, touched her own forehead, and turned to go inside to bandage it. Li Weiyang couldn’t help gently shaking her head.

Zhao Yue said, “Miss, this Doctor Nalan…”

Li Weiyang thought through all the matters once more. “Given the current situation, she can no longer remain in the capital. Instruct people to arrange an escort to take her away from the capital. Hopefully this will let Second Sister-in-law calm down.”

Zhao Yue couldn’t help looking at Li Weiyang. “Miss is worried about Second Young Madam?”

Li Weiyang sighed. “Everyone in this world can become vicious, as long as you’ve tasted jealousy. So I’m worried Second Sister-in-law won’t easily let this go.”

Zhao Yue was somewhat incredulous. “But Second Young Madam behaves no differently than usual!”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “It’s precisely because there’s no difference that I find it strange.”

Zhao Yue thought of the scene just now and immediately nodded. “Then this servant will go handle it immediately.”

Li Weiyang returned to the Guo residence, her eyes seeming full of smiling intent, yet also seemingly flashing with needles. But her face showed not a trace of difference. Chen Bingbing saw her and though she didn’t say much, couldn’t suppress the hesitation in her eyes.

After the midday meal, Li Weiyang left the great hall but suddenly heard footsteps behind her. Li Weiyang whirled around, only to see Chen Bingbing standing behind her, looking at her with an unusually unfamiliar gaze. Li Weiyang said calmly, “Does Second Sister-in-law have something to say?”

Chen Bingbing said slowly, “Why did you help Nalan Xue?”

Li Weiyang looked at Chen Bingbing’s thin face, feeling more regret for Chen Bingbing’s foolishness. She spoke, “Yes, I admit I sympathize with her greatly. But everything I’ve done has been from the perspective of the Guo family’s interests and your interests, Second Sister-in-law. If today the people you sent injured Nalan Xue, when Second Brother learns of it in the future, he absolutely won’t forgive you. Doing this not only won’t win back Second Brother’s heart, it will only push him further away. Don’t you know this?”

Chen Bingbing looked at Li Weiyang through gritted teeth, momentarily unable to speak.

Li Weiyang wore an ambiguous smile. If it were herself, she would unhesitatingly leave Guo Yan. But Chen Bingbing after all was different from her—she was unwilling to give up this husband, unwilling to give up the happiness obtained with such difficulty, which was why she clung desperately to this illusory happiness. Since she couldn’t bear to let go, she should treat her husband well, treat the Guo family well, and completely exclude Nalan Xue from everyone’s sight. Why instead secretly harm the other party? Doing so would only arouse the Guo family’s sympathy for her and arouse Guo Yan’s old feelings. Last time, Li Weiyang thought she had explained very clearly, yet the other party was obviously lost in a fog.

Li Weiyang said softly, “Second Sister-in-law should have seen someone try to hold fine sand with their fist. If you grip tightly, the sand will only flow away faster.”

Chen Bingbing froze, looking at Li Weiyang without speaking, as if carefully contemplating the meaning in her words.

Li Weiyang smiled silently. “Whether it’s me or anyone else today, we would have done the same. Nalan Xue has decided to leave the capital and won’t threaten you anymore. Second Sister-in-law, I’ve said all I can say. I hope you think clearly and don’t, in a moment of confusion, commit an irreversible error.” With that, she didn’t linger and walked straight past Chen Bingbing.

Chen Bingbing stood in place for a long time without moving.

The maid Fu’er beside her couldn’t help spitting toward Li Weiyang’s retreating back. “This person just habitually pretends to be kind-hearted. Young Madam, you must not be deceived by her!”

Chen Bingbing was startled. She turned to look at Fu’er. “What did you say?”

Fu’er sneered coldly. “She keeps saying she’s thinking of you, saying what would happen if Second Young Master found out. But you should think carefully—if Second Young Master returns in the future and sees Nalan Xue still in the capital, perhaps in a moment of softness he’ll take her back as a concubine. No, not a concubine—perhaps as an equal wife. What will you do then, Miss? Everyone in the Guo residence likes her so much. She knows medicine and knows how to please people. Then no one will care about you. Even if Second Young Master doesn’t blame you, will you still be able to stay here?”

Hearing these words, Chen Bingbing’s face paled. Just now she had been moved by Li Weiyang’s words, but hearing Fu’er’s words, she felt she wasn’t wrong either. Indeed, she was Guo Yan’s wife—what was wrong with protecting her own husband? She only wanted to force Nalan Xue to leave forever and never disturb her life again. She didn’t want the other party’s life. Was even doing this wrong?

Then she heard Fu’er say in a low voice, “Young Madam, you can’t be soft-hearted now. Now that the young lady knows, we can’t let the tiger return to the mountain. This is your last chance.”

Chen Bingbing’s face showed a trace of doubt as she looked at Fu’er. “Since she’s leaving, let her go. Must we chase her back?”

Fu’er couldn’t help looking at Chen Bingbing as if disappointed in her failure to meet expectations. “Young Madam, how can you be so confused?”

In fact, Chen Bingbing was indeed from a prestigious family background. But since childhood, she had gotten whatever wind or rain she wanted, her parents doting on her, her brothers kind to her. She had never suffered any grievance. The only thing that made her feel bad was being unable to win Guo Yan’s heart. At this moment, hearing the maid’s instigation, her face showed even more incomprehension.

Fu’er said, “Young Madam, you just need to quietly send people to kill that Nalan Xue, and it will be settled once and for all, won’t it? Think about it—the Guo family has maintained constant contact with Nalan Xue. When Second Young Master returns, they tell him about this matter, and Second Young Master will definitely think it was Young Madam who drove Nalan Xue out of the capital, and resent you even more.”

Hearing this, Chen Bingbing couldn’t help swaying unsteadily, dizzy and faint, gripping the railing before saying, “Don’t speak nonsense!”

Fu’er’s eyes rolled as she spoke, “Is Young Madam worried about finding someone? No need to worry—isn’t there still Second Young Master? Our family’s Second Young Master has practiced left-hand swordsmanship since childhood. The Master forcibly made him switch to his right hand. This servant heard that after his right hand could no longer wield a sword, he started learning the left hand again. Now this sword technique is in no way inferior to his right-hand sword. Moreover, Second Young Master has always protected you. You only need to write one letter, and he’ll definitely do as you say!”

Hearing this, Chen Bingbing couldn’t help glancing at Fu’er, a trace of vigilance in her expression. “Fu’er, why do I feel you’ve been somewhat wrong recently?”

Fu’er’s face paled as she quickly said, “Miss, what are you saying? This servant is entirely thinking of you! Strike first to gain advantage; strike late and suffer disaster—you mustn’t forget this old saying. If Young Madam doubts this servant’s devoted intentions, then this servant might as well not say another word.” With that, she tightly shut her mouth.

Chen Bingbing sighed. Her beautiful face had become very haggard. Right now she simply didn’t know how to distinguish who was loyal and who was treacherous. She only felt daily headaches about to split, the surging energy in her chest constantly rising. She desperately suppressed the violent energy in her chest. Every time she looked in the mirror, she felt her own face was hateful, as if full of jealousy. But she also couldn’t suppress how the situation was developing. Though she vaguely felt Li Weiyang was right—if Guo Yan knew everything, he would instead hate her. Thinking that her husband would hate her, she couldn’t help shivering violently. But thinking again of Fu’er’s words, her mind wavered.

Finally, she sighed deeply. “Let me think about it, think carefully.”

Five peaceful days passed. In the afternoon, Li Weiyang was reading in the study when she suddenly heard Lian’ou say a guest had come to visit. Hearing this, she put down her book scroll and walked out of the study, only to see someone in white robes, plain sleeves like clouds, standing under the corridor. Hearing her footsteps, he slowly turned his head. That person wore dazzling luxurious garments without a speck of dust, his amber eyes glancing about with flowing brilliance, making one unable to distinguish heaven from earth. The world’s brightest jewels were insufficient to compete with his radiant gaze. It was none other than Prince Xu, Yuan Lie.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly and stepped forward. “How do you have time to come today?”

Yuan Lie’s expression wasn’t so cheerful. He looked at Li Weiyang and said with rare solemnity, “I have a very important matter to discuss with you.”

Seeing his unusual expression, Li Weiyang couldn’t help restraining her smile. “What happened?”

Yuan Lie nodded. “Don’t be anxious. Listen to me speak slowly.”

Li Weiyang rarely saw Yuan Lie’s expression so serious. She couldn’t help frowning. “What exactly happened?”

Yuan Lie glanced at the surroundings and made a gentle gesture. “I can’t explain clearly here. I’ll take you to see, then you’ll know.”

Li Weiyang nodded slightly, then instructed Zhao Yue to prepare a carriage.

Yuan Lie brought Li Weiyang to a separate estate in the western suburbs outside the capital. Li Weiyang saw this estate had a quiet, serene environment and simple arrangement. She couldn’t help looking at Yuan Lie. “This is the Orchid Friend Courtyard you mentioned?”

Yuan Lie smiled slightly. “Yes, this was where the old Prince Xu kept his mistress when he was alive. After he passed away, I moved a concubine who lived here back to the residence to keep the old princess company. This place has been vacant since then.”

Li Weiyang saw Yuan Lie’s smile was gentle yet held a trace of cunning. This so-called “keeping company” was probably bringing her back deliberately to annoy the old princess. However, since the Hu family had already been destroyed, the old princess was no longer worth worrying about.

Li Weiyang couldn’t help looking at him curiously. “Even now you still haven’t told me what exactly happened. Did you bring me here to enjoy the scenery?”

Yuan Lie’s smile faded as he sighed gently. “Come with me.”

Li Weiyang followed him to the courtyard. She saw orchid grass planted in the flower beds, and several maids and old women standing under the corridor, all wearing identical deep blue skirts and dresses, hands hanging at their sides. As soon as they saw Prince Xu Yuan Lie, everyone knelt down. Yuan Lie said, “Is the person inside?”

One of the maids quickly replied, “Replying to Master, she’s inside. The physician just left.”

Li Weiyang hadn’t yet entered the door, but already smelled the entire room reeking of blood. Her heart jumped. She looked at Yuan Lie with puzzled eyes and quickly entered the room. She saw a person lying on the bed, covered in blood, face pale, features thin, chapped pale lips with streaks of blood—if not Nalan Xue, who else could it be?

Deep in Li Weiyang’s voice was a slight tremor. “What happened?”

Yuan Lie saw her expression and sighed. “My people discovered fighting a hundred li outside the capital. Nalan Xue was being pursued by several expert assassins alone. If not for the guards you sent risking their lives to protect her, she absolutely couldn’t have held on until I arrived. At the time, Nalan Xue was extremely severely injured, so I saved her and secretly sent her here to recover. Before I could confirm whether she was dead or alive, I couldn’t tell you. Now she’s out of life-threatening danger.”

Li Weiyang didn’t speak for a long while. She glanced at Nalan Xue’s blood-soaked clothing and could imagine how terrifying the situation had been. Yuan Lie said, “I just had people change her clothes and apply medicine, but she lost too much blood, to the point where all her clothing was soaked through. Don’t worry—she won’t be in great danger.” What he truly cared about was Li Weiyang’s mood. As for Nalan Xue’s life or death, it had nothing to do with him.

Li Weiyang saw fresh blood continuously welling from Nalan Xue’s collar. Some blood clots had already congealed, layer upon layer together, as if repeatedly showing Nalan Xue’s tragic, unbearable struggle. Li Weiyang suddenly felt somewhat unable to catch her breath. She said through gritted teeth, “So that’s how it is. She still won’t give up!”

Yuan Lie looked at Li Weiyang. “Actually, what would be wrong with just letting her die like this? You should know that once Nalan Xue dies, Guo Yan will completely give up. Wouldn’t it be fine if you just pretended not to know about this matter?” Why affect the Guo-Chen alliance for Nalan Xue’s sake? Given Li Weiyang’s intelligence and caution, this shouldn’t have happened.

Li Weiyang gently shook her head. “I can be ruthless and merciless to enemies, but I cannot be someone who confuses right and wrong, who doesn’t distinguish gratitude from enmity! Nalan Xue is my benefactor, not my enemy. I cannot repay kindness with enmity! If she truly died at Second Sister-in-law’s hands today, how could Second Brother face her in the future? Given the Guo family’s staunch temperament, Second Brother would definitely divorce her. Then the Guo and Chen families would truly fall into an irreversible situation.”

Yuan Lie knew Li Weiyang would say this. He gently grasped her hand, trying to give her some warmth. At this moment, they heard Nalan Xue on the bed cry out “Ah!” and spit out two large mouthfuls of black blood. Seeing this situation, Li Weiyang quickly ordered, “Don’t you have thousand-year ginseng bestowed by the Emperor? Quickly get it—don’t delay.”

Yuan Lie frowned. What a willingness to spend lavishly—that was meant to supplement your body… But under Li Weiyang’s insistence, he helplessly turned and went out. Before long, he had a maid brew ginseng soup, and also cut a piece of thousand-year ginseng, instructing the maid to have Nalan Xue hold it under her tongue.

Li Weiyang personally took that ginseng tea, then took the medicine soup and diluted it with the ginseng water, feeding it bit by bit to Nalan Xue. This scene Yuan Lie couldn’t bear to watch and couldn’t help turning his head away to sulk. In his view, Li Weiyang was truly too good to Nalan Xue—even he found it excessive.

Nalan Xue struggled to open her eyes. Her gaze held some confusion. Seeing Li Weiyang’s caring expression, tears welled in her eyes, but though she opened her mouth, she couldn’t speak a word. Li Weiyang’s heart moved as she gently comforted her. “It’s alright. You’ll be fine. Whatever you want to say, say it later.”

Nalan Xue opened her mouth, dark purple fresh blood welling out. Li Weiyang couldn’t help growing anxious, looking at Yuan Lie. “Why is the blood all black?”

Yuan Lie sighed. “Those people poisoned their blades. Of course it’s black. But I’ve already had people use Toxin-Clearing Pills. There shouldn’t be any problem.”

Nalan Xue seemed to want to say something. Her eyes also brightened at the same time. A red flush appeared on her cheeks as she tightly grasped Li Weiyang’s hand. “Your second brother, second brother…” She seemed to want to say something.

Li Weiyang quickly said, “You have something to say to my second brother, don’t you?”

Nalan Xue nodded and finally managed to say with difficulty, “Back then he told me his surname was Guo… I inquired everywhere before gathering the courage to find Duke Qiguo’s residence. At that time I truly didn’t know he was the Duke’s son, didn’t know he had married…”

As she spoke, Li Weiyang looked at her, her heart becoming even softer. “As long as you live, you’ll see my second brother one day. But if you die like this, how can I explain to him?”

Nalan Xue smiled gently, two clear tears falling from her eyes. “I promised him I would… would accompany him to see the southern Azure Wave Lake, the northern Ziya Mountain, the ocean to the east… to the west, west to the Eternal Spring Gorge… These two years I’ve searched all these places but couldn’t find any trace of him…” Li Weiyang remained silent, laying her back down gently and comforting her softly for a few moments before following Yuan Lie out of the room.

As the door opened, the cool breeze rushed in. Li Weiyang didn’t look back, walking quickly forward with extremely fast steps, completely different from usual. Yuan Lie suddenly called out, “Weiyang!”

Li Weiyang barely stopped and whirled around. The shadow of sunlight congealed on her pale face. The wind billowed her robes, the garments on her body seeming about to fly up.

Seeing her like this, clearly truly angered, Yuan Lie’s heart shook. The corners of his mouth pressed into a straight line. “We’ve thoroughly offended Chen Bingbing now. She absolutely wants Nalan Xue’s life, yet I saved her. When you return this time, she’ll definitely know it’s related to you.”

The light in Li Weiyang’s eyes dimmed, dimming to cold and lightless. “So what? I’ve already said—told her not to be so foolish!”

Yuan Lie looked at her. “I just feel… you’re already a member of the Guo family now.”

Li Weiyang looked at Yuan Lie, not knowing why he suddenly said this. Yuan Lie smiled faintly. “Before, you could remain detached from everything. Now you can have emotional fluctuations. This isn’t like you anymore. Weiyang, you weren’t like this before.”

Li Weiyang didn’t speak for a long while, finally saying, “Then do you prefer me before, or me now?”

The woman before him had anger faintly suppressed in her eyes. That kind of unself-aware fresh, radiant beauty was actually captivating. Yuan Lie smiled slightly, walking close to her, saying slowly, “Whether before or now, you are Li Weiyang, you are my Weiyang.”

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows, looking at him with an ambiguous smile.

Yuan Lie said somewhat jealously, “I just don’t like seeing you expend so much effort for them. Some people simply aren’t worth it… knowing full well their actions will bring unpredictable consequences, yet still plunging headlong in.”

Li Weiyang said calmly, “Flying into flames is the moth’s nature, and people cannot see the road ahead clearly. They always think everything in the world can be grasped in their own hands, but the one in charge is Heaven. Just like Guo Yan falling in love with Nalan Xue, while Chen Bingbing came from behind—this is also the fate of these three people. But the reason they now meet on a narrow road—I do know that.”

Yuan Lie stared into her eyes. “Oh? Why?”

Li Weiyang smiled and spoke, “Because someone is operating in the shadows, instigating Second Sister-in-law to deliberately target Nalan Xue. Once Second Sister-in-law kills Nalan Xue, this matter can never be salvaged. If Second Brother returns and learns of it, he absolutely won’t forgive Second Sister-in-law. Then the alliance between the Guo and Chen families will definitely collapse. Killing people invisibly without revealing a trace—such tactics remind me of the Pei family’s eldest son.”

Yuan Lie smiled gently. “Actually this matter is quite obvious. The methods Pei Bi used aren’t particularly sophisticated, yet they’re truly effective. One sword struck right at the Guo and Chen families’ painful spot.”

He exploited the entanglement between Chen Bingbing, Guo Yan, and Nalan Xue, making this matter escalate until it reached an unmanageable conclusion. No matter how intelligent or ruthless Li Weiyang was, she had no way to control people’s feelings. She had no way to control Guo Yan not loving Nalan Xue, no way to make Chen Bingbing voluntarily give up, and no possibility of severing the karmic ties of these three people. She could only helplessly watch these three sink deeper into the quagmire, ultimately implicating the entire Guo residence.

Li Weiyang’s lips held a trace of cold smile. “This matter can no longer be concealed. I must report it to Father. Even if something happens, at least we’ll have psychological preparation.” With that, she glanced at the room. “Let her temporarily recover here. Just instruct people to care for her well.”

Yuan Lie nodded. “Alright. If there’s any unusual development, someone will notify you.”

Only then did Li Weiyang feel slightly reassured. Before she could walk out, Yuan Lie suddenly grasped her hand. She couldn’t help glancing at Yuan Lie. “What is it?”

Yuan Lie smiled, his expression incomparably gratified. “I’m just sighing that there’s no third person between us.” But as soon as the words left his mouth, he immediately thought of a certain wretch and said through gritted teeth, “No wait, what about that Prince Jing Yuan Ying?”

Li Weiyang smiled. “Yes, how do you plan to deal with him?”

Yuan Lie scoffed. “I’m preparing to…” Before he finished, his eyes suddenly blinked, and he picked Li Weiyang up. Li Weiyang naturally circled his neck and couldn’t help smiling quietly, a trace of youthful feminine charm rippling in her eyes. “Are you taking advantage of the opportunity?”

The clear wind came swiftly. Petals from the full tree suddenly fell like rain, as if wanting to reflect red on Li Weiyang’s pale face. Yuan Lie narrowed his beautiful long eyes, smiling to show a row of teeth. “Yes, I’m taking advantage. There are no outsiders here. I’ll carry you onto the carriage.” After speaking, he truly held her and walked step by step toward the carriage.

Li Weiyang laughed despite herself. But when her gaze moved to the door behind Yuan Lie, her originally relaxed mood suddenly became complex. She sighed gently. This knot would probably be difficult to untie.

Returning to the Guo residence, before Li Weiyang had time to speak of this matter, the great hall had already gathered all the Guo family members. Li Weiyang saw everyone’s expressions were very grave. She couldn’t help asking, “Father, Mother, what’s wrong with you? Has something happened?”

Madam Guo saw Li Weiyang. Her usually peaceful face suddenly crumbled as she couldn’t help crying out in distress. Li Weiyang was surprised, then looked toward Duke Qiguo. “Father, what exactly happened? Why is Mother so heartbroken?”

Duke Qiguo sighed and glanced at Chen Bingbing, whose expression was sorrowful. “Something happened to your second brother.”

Li Weiyang’s heart jumped as she frowned. “Something happened to Second Brother? What happened?”

Duke Qiguo’s expression was solemn. “Previously the Hehe tribe caused trouble. His Majesty sent your second brother to lead troops to suppress them. Zhao Zong was commander-in-chief, your second brother vice commander, commanding five hundred thousand troops, advancing toward Hehe. That Zhao Zong is a veteran general. He sat in command of the army and sent your second brother forward to attack. But this time Hehe assembled a million-strong army. Your second brother maneuvered repeatedly but still was defeated—losing four consecutive battles.”

If it were merely defeat, why would Father and Mother’s expressions be so grave? Li Weiyang couldn’t help speaking, “Is Father worried His Majesty will be angry because Second Brother’s campaign was unsuccessful? But victory and defeat are common in warfare—moreover, the disparity in strength…”

Guo Cheng beside her shook his head. “If it were just losing battles, it wouldn’t be this serious. The key point is that commander-in-chief Zhao Zong was killed, and several generals testified that the one who killed him was Second Brother!”

Li Weiyang was shocked and couldn’t help whirling around to look at Guo Cheng. “What did you just say?”

Guo Cheng took a deep breath before continuing, “Someone testified that because Second Brother was defeated in battle, he was punished by the commander-in-chief with forty military staff strikes. This made him harbor resentment. That night he secretly went to the commander’s camp and actually killed the commander, then led his own hundred thousand troops attempting to leave the camp.”

Li Weiyang heard these words and was completely stunned. She said in a solemn voice, “And then?”

Duke Qiguo’s expression showed unprecedented gravity. “Then, Zhao Zong’s son Zhao Xiangping and several other generals joined forces to capture your second brother and escort him back to the capital. But on the way, your second brother escaped.”

Li Weiyang’s eyes, like black obsidian, rippled with faint complexity. “Father, don’t you find this matter extremely strange?”

Duke Qiguo looked at Li Weiyang. “What’s strange?”

Li Weiyang said, “Although victory and defeat are common in warfare, I’ve heard Second Brother has experienced hundreds of battles since going on campaign and never once been routed. These four consecutive defeats are extremely strange. Even if the enemy forces are strong with a million-strong army, if you can’t win you can retreat. Retreating well becomes peace—this is common knowledge on the battlefield. Second Brother couldn’t possibly not know this. This is the first point.”

Everyone saw her speak thus and looked toward her. Li Weiyang continued, “Losing battles merits merely forty military staff strikes. I believe Second Brother could endure it. He’s an intelligent and wise person. He couldn’t possibly harbor resentment over forty staff strikes and kill the commander—this is a capital offense. Moreover, if he truly killed someone, he should have fled long ago. With his abilities, how could he let the Zhao family capture him? This is the second suspicious point. The third is that the Zhao family captured him and escorted him back to the capital with tight security on the road. How could they possibly let Second Brother easily escape? Isn’t this very strange?”

Duke Qiguo had been alternating between tension and grief, rage surging up. Both his hands were clenched with cold sweat. Hearing Li Weiyang speak thus, he couldn’t help nodding, forcefully suppressing his anger. “I trust your second brother would never do such a confused thing. This matter probably has great hidden depths!”

Li Weiyang exhaled gently with relief. “Mother once told me that Elder Brother and Second Brother are both extraordinary heroes. When Elder Brother was only fifteen, he went to the battlefield with Father. Hit by two arrows, he still refused to leave the battlefield. And the first time Second Brother went to the battlefield, he consecutively fought and slew seventeen enemy generals, protecting Father and breaking through safely. Such a man who stands tall between heaven and earth—how could he flee from battle for no reason? Not to mention killing his own commander merely out of momentary resentment. This is simply preposterous. I absolutely don’t believe it.”

Duke Qiguo naturally didn’t believe it either. But the Zhao family submitted a memorial with conclusive evidence, and several generals testified. To overturn the case for Guo Yan, they must first find him. Thinking of this, he had no other option. He decisively decided, “Guo Cheng, set out immediately. Search along this route and make sure to find your second brother! And you must be ahead of everyone else!”

Guo Cheng quickly acknowledged the order. “Yes, Father.” With that, he walked outside, but was stopped by Li Weiyang. “No, Guo family members cannot easily leave the capital!”

Duke Qiguo looked at Li Weiyang. His face suddenly showed a trace of surprise. Then a thought flashed through his mind like lightning, awakening him. Cold sweat seeped from his forehead. “Right! No one can leave the capital!”

Guo Cheng was infected by this father and daughter’s change in mood. He looked at them in bewilderment. Madam Guo couldn’t help asking, “Why?”

But they heard Duke Qiguo say slowly, “Killing the commanding general is already a grave crime, not to mention he also attempted to lead his own hundred thousand men away from the camp—this is treason! Now that he’s also fled, this is no longer just his own affair—it will implicate the entire Guo clan. Right now, if Guo Cheng leaves the capital, someone will definitely submit a memorial saying our Guo family long harbored treasonous intentions and indulged our son in violence. Then we’ll face the charge of complete household execution.”

Hearing this, Madam Guo’s face turned deathly pale. She hadn’t expected this matter would be so serious.

Li Weiyang slowly sat down, drank a sip of tea to calm her emotions. When she spoke again, it was still in an indifferent, refined voice, detecting not a ripple of emotion. “Father, things have reached this point—the situation couldn’t possibly get worse. Let’s wait a bit longer for news. Second Brother’s situation truly requires someone to search for him, only it can’t be Third Brother leaving the capital. Even more, we cannot let others seize any handle at this critical juncture.”

Hearing this, Duke Qiguo slightly closed his eyes. After a moment, he opened them. “Jia’er, just now I was too anxious and overlooked even this point. Fortunately you were steady and reminded me in time. Otherwise, I’m afraid house raid and clan extermination would be close at hand.”

Li Weiyang shook her head. Duke Qiguo—what an intelligent person. His panic and anxiety were entirely for Guo Yan’s sake. But connecting this series of events together—from Nalan Xue entering the capital, to Chen Bingbing wanting to kill her, to Guo Yan’s incident—in the shadows, a pair of hands was manipulating everything.

Wisps of tea mist rose, rendering her cold eyes and brows with a trace of icy smile. Perhaps the protagonist of this current drama wasn’t only Pei Bi anymore…