Grand Marshal Luo had no intention of discussing official matters in detail with his children, especially since some matters had yet to come to light—it was even less appropriate to explain everything thoroughly.

Luo Qing couldn’t accept this reality. After the banquet dispersed, she stayed behind alone and asked unwillingly, “Father, could you have misunderstood Eldest Brother?”

Grand Marshal Luo assumed his second daughter had deep sibling affection with Pingli and said sternly, “There’s no misunderstanding. Qing’er, I know you’ve been close to Pingli since childhood and can’t accept this right away. But you must remember—he’s someone who tried to harm your father.”

Luo Qing’s mind thundered with explosive sounds and lightning flashes, echoing with only one phrase: He’s someone who tried to harm your father…

How could this be? Eldest Brother was clearly Father’s most valued adopted son—why would he harm Father?

Tears flowed down from the corners of her eyes, sliding across the young woman’s pale cheeks.

Seeing this, Grand Marshal Luo sighed. “Go back to your room and rest.”

Luo Qing stood without moving. “Father, I… I want to see Eldest Brother…”

Grand Marshal Luo’s brow furrowed. “See him for what? He’s currently locked up in the Jinlin Guard’s imperial prison. It’s not appropriate for you, a young woman, to go there. Be good and return to your room.”

Luo Qing dropped to her knees before Grand Marshal Luo with a thud and cried pleadingly, “Father, your daughter begs you—please let me see Eldest Brother just once.”

Grand Marshal Luo’s frown deepened. Suddenly, realization dawned on him. “Qing’er, your feelings toward Pingli—”

Luo Qing’s crying faltered. Steeling herself, she said, “Long ago, your daughter already placed Eldest Brother in her heart…”

Grand Marshal Luo’s expression changed dramatically.

That beast Pingli had actually seduced his second daughter right under his nose?

When exactly had this happened? Was it within the past year or two, or even earlier?

Just thinking that the ungrateful wretch might have harbored improper intentions toward his daughter when she was still young filled Grand Marshal Luo with uncontrollable fury.

This truly was a case of guarding against everything except the traitor within one’s own household!

No, that wasn’t quite right. If his daughters had reached marriageable age and someone appreciated them, he would still be gratified. But that didn’t mean he could tolerate a man coveting his daughter from early on.

“That beast—I’m going to kill him right now!” Grand Marshal Luo’s face turned iron-blue as he strode toward the exit.

Luo Qing lunged forward and threw her arms around Grand Marshal Luo’s leg. “Father, if you take Eldest Brother’s life because of this, your daughter will have no choice but death…”

Grand Marshal Luo stopped and looked down at his daughter sobbing at his feet, his expression growing increasingly grim.

After a long while, he sighed. “Fine. Tomorrow I’ll have your fifth brother take you to see that beast once. This is the only exception—afterward, no more foolish thoughts.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Grand Marshal Luo waved his hand, signaling Luo Qing to leave.

Luo Qing wiped her tears, climbed to her feet, and silently withdrew.

Once quiet returned, Grand Marshal Luo rubbed his temples, his head aching immensely.

When it came to marriage matters, why was it so difficult for his daughters?

This day was destined to bring joy to some and sorrow to others.

Upon receiving the news, Wei Qiang collapsed directly into his chair and remained unresponsive for a long time.

The disappointment of failed calculations and the fear of possible exposure pressed down on him like massive boulders, leaving him unable to recover.

After a long while, he asked in a hoarse voice, “The County Magistrate of Liuqing was taken away?”

His subordinate official confirmed this.

“What about Pingli’s side?”

“Word came from there that Pingli has already been detained by Grand Marshal Luo.”

Wei Qiang fell silent for a long moment, his expression turning ice-cold. “Then we’ll sacrifice the pawn to save the chariot.”

The subordinate official nodded in understanding and quietly withdrew.

Wei Qiang sat withered for a long time before slowly walking out of the council hall.

Outside the hall, the bitter wind cut to the bone, chilling one to the core.

He stopped, his gaze turning toward a certain direction.

Beyond the layers of palace gates lay Qingxing Street.

He had thought he would soon achieve his heart’s desire, never expecting to fall short at the final step…

As long as Luo Chi didn’t fall, he could never establish any connection with Miss Luo.

Could it be that only by sitting in that position could he do as he pleased?

Thinking of the dragon-spirited and horse-vigorous Emperor Yong’an, Wei Qiang’s eyes filled with depths of darkness.

How long must he wait?

One or two years? Three to five years? Or ten to eight years?

What if he couldn’t wait at all—

He had waited too long already. Every moment of waiting was agony.

“Your Highness, it’s cold outside.” Dou Ren gently reminded him.

Wei Qiang suddenly looked at Dou Ren.

“Your Highness?”

“I remember you once said you felt that Miss Luo’s cook seemed somewhat like… Luo’er’s maidservant Xiu Yue?” Mentioning the person he kept in the depths of his heart, Wei Qiang felt even his tongue turn bitter.

All that unwillingness, all that torment—it all began on that night twelve years ago.

Dou Ren said in a low voice, “This servant does have that feeling.”

Wei Qiang narrowed his eyes slightly and gazed toward Qingxing Street’s direction as he said softly, “After this period of heightened scrutiny passes, frequent the Youjian Tavern often and find an opportunity to confirm whether it’s really her or not.”

If that cook was indeed Xiu Yue, and the Jinlin Guard Commander’s treasured daughter was harboring remnants of the Zhennan Prince’s household, how would Father Emperor view this?

This time, Grand Marshal Luo had managed to extricate himself from the quagmire of the Zhennan Prince’s household. But if he became entangled with the Zhennan Prince’s household once again, given Father Emperor’s suspicious nature, how could he feel at ease with Grand Marshal Luo in the position of Jinlin Guard Commander?

The fate of a Jinlin Guard Commander who had lost the Emperor’s trust went without saying.

Meeting Wei Qiang’s expectant gaze, Dou Ren responded with a low affirmative.

He had grown up accompanying His Highness. Almost every meeting between His Highness and Princess Qingyang had included him.

If the cook Xiu Gu at the Youjian Tavern was indeed Princess Qingyang’s maidservant Xiu Yue, he had the confidence to recognize her.

Wei Qiang smiled silently and lifted his feet to walk toward the rear hall.

The next day, snow fell again.

The sky was gray and overcast, with goose-feather snowflakes falling continuously, robbing many people of the courage to go outside.

Yet Director Tao had no choice but to brave the wind and snow to leave his home and submit the resignation letter he had written the previous day.

Once Grand Marshal Luo comfortably got through this year, he would certainly make an example of him. Better to take his family and leave the capital—this place of trouble—early.

When faced with an official’s resignation request, ordinarily the ruler of a nation should politely urge them to stay several times. Yet Emperor Yong’an simply nodded directly.

The entire court instantly erupted in chaos, gaining a clearer understanding of Grand Marshal Luo’s reversal of fortune.

Having come up empty last night, it seemed they would still need to go to the Youjian Tavern tonight.

Also venturing out through wind and snow was a small sedan chair of blue felt, carrying the second young lady, Luo Qing.

Walking beside the sedan chair was Yun Dong.

The sedan chair quietly entered through the rear gate of the Jinlin Guard headquarters and didn’t stop until reaching the place where Pingli was being held.

“Second Miss, we’ve arrived.” Yun Dong announced.

The sedan curtain lifted, and Luo Qing bent down to step out.

Though only one night had passed, the young woman looked considerably more haggard, her complexion even paler than the falling snow.

“Second Miss, follow me.”

She didn’t respond, only lowered her eyes and walked behind Yun Dong.

Entering the dark dungeon, the cold intensified.

Luo Qing instinctively pulled her cloak tighter, her legs feeling as if filled with lead, finding it somewhat difficult to move forward.

“Fifth Master.”

“Open it.”

The door opened. Yun Dong reminded her expressionlessly, “Second Miss may enter. Don’t stay inside too long.”

Luo Qing nodded slightly and walked inside.

She had barely entered when Luo Sheng stopped before Yun Dong.

“My second sister has gone in?”