Wu Shunian’s expression gradually grew somber.

“When assassination failed, they turned their attention to me and my grandfather. The order to kill Grandfather was actually personally issued by the Princess Imperial.”

“Wife killing husband?”

Pei Xiao’s voice rose three pitches in shock.

Wu Shunian glanced at Pei Xiao.

“Before acting, the Princess Imperial wrote a letter to my grandfather, asking him to persuade his son.

My grandfather replied, saying it was you who made him enter court as an official—whoever commits sins bears them. After reading the letter, the Princess Imperial didn’t even blink before saying one word to her subordinates: Kill.”

Even after so many years, Wu Shunian speaking of this still felt a wave of grief.

“Actually, I don’t understand much about the grievances between them. Father rarely discussed it with me.

But late at night in quiet moments, I always wonder—what made my grandfather prefer living alone on dilapidated Old Street rather than return to that magnificent Princess’s residence?

Husband and wife for one day, kindness for a hundred days—what made my grandmother say that word ‘kill’ without hesitation? Just for her Chen family behind her?”

Yan Sanhe turned her head to look at Wu Shunian, seeing his eyes full of ice, his chest rising and falling, forcefully suppressing pain.

Just then, Zhou Ye’s large palm fell on Wu Shunian’s neck, very slowly, very gently kneading.

Silent comfort.

Gradually, Wu Shunian’s emotions calmed. He continued slowly:

“Grandfather’s death was the final straw that broke my father. Using illness as an excuse, he placed the Princess Imperial under house arrest. After years of planning, that slaughter targeting the Chen family arrived quietly.

Wu Guanyue, my father, killed nearly all the Chen clan and seized the throne of Great Qi.”

A torrential slaughter, concealed in Wu Shunian’s plain, mild words.

The three at the table felt cold rising from the soles of their feet, all their body hair standing on end.

“Several months after Father took the throne, he brought me back to Old Street. This was my first time back to Old Street, and the last.”

Wu Shunian’s gaze shifted toward Pei Xiao.

“The two of us stood by the Beicang River. Father told me about his childhood past.”

Here it comes!

Finally here!

Pei Xiao’s heart surged, all the blood in his body racing.

“My father said, on the other side of the Beicang River, there was a little girl called San Mei, and a dog called Heidan. Young Master Pei, is your maternal grandmother’s girlhood name San Mei?”

It matches!

Pei Xiao nodded vigorously with excitement. “What else did your father say?”

“After saying this sentence, he said nothing more. But the expression on his face…”

Wu Shunian sighed and closed his eyes, as if recalling.

“How to describe it? I’d never seen such an expression on his face. His brow smoothed, the corners of his mouth turned up, the corners of his eyes curved down—like his whole person was soaking in hot water, even his hair softened.”

This description made Yan Sanhe feel a strong sense of discomfort.

From the moment she heard the name Wu Guanyue, this person had been equated with slaughter.

No matter how much he harbored nation and heaven-under-heaven in his heart, how much he harbored the common people in his breast, the Chen clan, the hundred-plus members of the Zheng family, and those who died in the war he started—all were living wronged souls under his blade.

For such a cold-hearted person to show even the slightest tenderness was extravagant.

“I asked Father, did you love her? Father was silent for a very, very long time, finally nodding.”

Pei Xiao’s eyes blazed with light at hearing this.

“I asked Father again, since you loved her, why not marry her? Even if she couldn’t be the proper wife, having her as a concubine would be good.”

Wu Shunian glanced at Pei Xiao again.

“I didn’t mean to insult your maternal grandmother. Father had many wives and concubines, but not one he could talk to.

I thought at the time that if that girl called San Mei could be by his side, at least he wouldn’t be so lonely.”

“How did your father answer?” Pei Xiao held his breath.

“My father was silent again. Just when I thought he wouldn’t speak, he suddenly said…”

Wu Shunian paused, slowing his speech.

“What she wanted was a few tiled rooms, a small courtyard, a prosperous household. What she wanted was too little—I couldn’t give it.”

Pei Xiao: “…”

“It’s not that he couldn’t give it—his heart was too big.”

Yan Sanhe said calmly: “It held court struggles, common people, all under heaven—naturally it couldn’t hold a single woman.”

Wu Shunian smiled bitterly. “Is Miss Yan always so piercing?”

“I’m just more clear-headed than many.”

Yan Sanhe also glanced at Pei Xiao.

“Moreover, he and Hu San Mei—one high, one low; one read ten thousand books, one was illiterate. Even if they truly came together, the final outcome wouldn’t have been good.”

Wu Guanyue was the most clear-headed person in the world.

Hu San Mei was a splash of color in his lonely Old Street life, a sigh after ruling all under heaven, a memory in the depths of night.

But she absolutely could not be his pillow partner.

“Yan Sanhe.”

Pei Xiao looked at her, eyes anxious. “Then my maternal grandmother’s heart demon should be him.”

Yan Sanhe pondered for a long time, then nodded. “It should be.”

They truly were childhood sweethearts, innocent playmates.

Truly the man had feelings and the woman had interest, secret affections growing.

Also truly like swallows parting, each going their separate way, each harboring longing.

At first, she’d felt the old lady shouldn’t bring disaster to her descendants over a past romantic attachment. But after hearing Wu Guanyue’s story and seeing Wu Shunian in person…

Probably—

Any woman in this world would be unable to forget a man like Wu Guanyue.

“Then let’s light the incense!” Xie Zhifei’s tone held considerable impatience.

Both Yan Sanhe and Pei Xiao were shocked.

Why light incense now? Wu Shunian hadn’t yet said why they’d lured them here!

Wu Shunian looked toward Xie Zhifei and smiled.

“This story is only half told. Is Third Master Xie so impatient?”

“What else is there to say?”

Xie Zhifei’s peach blossom eyes tilted up slightly.

“One matter is your father warring with our dynasty, finally defeated, becoming an exiled monarch. Another is you sending people to massacre Old General Zheng’s entire household, hunted by our dynasty to this day.”

Zhou Ye lowered his head, his gaze at Xie Zhifei like a blade.

Xie Zhifei pretended not to see, sneering coldly: “These two major events are shameful past for you. Better not to speak of them.”

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Wu Shunian suddenly coughed violently.

Zhou Ye’s expression changed drastically. One hand lifted the teacup from the table, the other quickly rubbed Wu Shunian’s back.

Perhaps too rushed, tea water flowed from the corner of Wu Shunian’s mouth.

Not wanting others to see his wretched state, he quickly pulled out a handkerchief and wiped fiercely several times, then hurriedly folded the handkerchief.

His hands were fast, but how could they be faster than human eyes?

On that handkerchief was a smear of deep red—blood.