"You insist on hurting my heart, so I can only hurt yours. An eye for an eye, isn't that fair?" He Lian said, "It's you who from start to finish never treated Huiyu as a good friend, that's why you hid your true intentions, yet because of her relationship with the Crown Prince of Yue, you deliberately got close to her. Don't pretend your fake feelings are real and come crying to us again, we detest it!"

  "I now understand that on the day of Xinghua Garden, you didn't just want me to die because of our relationship as siblings. She said, "I suppose Huiyu has also guessed it, even though everyone knows that the King of Yue is dead, you still don't want to let me go."

  He Le'an suddenly smiled complacently, grasped Xi'e's arm and said, "Now that you know the King of Yue is not dead, but my husband, do you hate me even more? However, rest assured, I deeply understand the principle that only the dead can keep secrets, and I won't give you the opportunity to make it public——"

  She took the long sword from Xie's hand and walked towards Dongfang Niangxiang, who was leaning against a pillar with severe internal injuries. In her terrified gaze, she raised her hand and ruthlessly stabbed into her shoulder!

  "Ah!" Dongfang Niang's painful cry echoed. Her eyes were wide with anger, and she raised her hand to grab He Le'an, but just as she did, a powerful gust of wind shattered the bones in her hand, "Ahhhhh!"

  Heart-wrenching pain, voice after voice squeezed out from her throat, she desperately looked past He Le'an at Xie Ye, "Why! Why do you have to treat me like this for the sake of that lowly concubine! I, I liked you! I've liked you for many years! What is it about me that's not as good as her! Why do you have to treat me like this!"

  "You'd rather like yourself than me, even if I'm dead, you still don't want to treat the woman I liked well. Such a selfish and self-serving liking, I dislike it. You almost ruined my wife and best friend today, even if An'er wants to spare you lightly, I won't agree."

  "Don't worry, I'm not the kind of person who would let someone slap me on the left cheek and then offer them my right cheek." He Lian's eyes curved into a smile as she forcefully stabbed her sword into Dongfang Niuxiang's shoulder. "Dongfang Niuxiang, let me tell you another secret: if you don't return to Fengzhou City, you'll find that your husband Su Xuan has already gotten together with your cousin Meng Duojiao. In order to marry into the Tai Ning Marquis' household, Meng Duojiao and Su Xuan have conspired to kill you."

  "Do you think that the miscarriage was just a malicious revenge of the concubine? If Su Song hadn't shown his intention, how would the concubine who controlled the entire household have dared to poison you? Didn't you realize this after marrying into the Tai Ning Hou Fu? In the Tai Ning Hou Fu, Su Song is like an emperor, even his mother has to listen to him, her only son."

  "Ah!" Dongfang Niang felt the pain in her shoulders seemed to gather in her heart, and she was wrapped in a cold icy feeling that made her shrink her body. She was in so much agony that she wished she could die immediately, but she greedily looked at Xie Ye behind He Le'an. Suddenly, she laughed mockingly, "Prince Yue, you said you wouldn't let me go, then why don't you just kill me!!"

  "It's not that easy to fulfill yourself." He Lian returned the sentence calmly, suddenly drew out the sword blade and stabbed it into her chest without changing his expression. Even as she was about to die, she still stared at Xū Xié who remained unmoved.

  He Lian did not turn back until she was really dead, then he turned around and left with Xie Ye.

  **

  He Lian and Rui Yi Hao returned to the He Manor at midnight, and when they saw Shi Qing being tied up on one side waiting for trial, he felt that all his kindness towards her over the years had been fed to dogs. With a tired expression, he said:

  "I only ask you why you want to treat me like this, I ask myself if I have ever been unkind to you in the past. As a servant girl, I have never been harsh on you, even when there were small mistakes or big problems, I have never punished you severely. Every festival or New Year's Day, I would give you gifts——"

  "How could you, a master, possibly understand!" The poem's emotions seemed to have resigned itself to its fate, coldly laughing and interrupting, "Even if you were just a lowly born child, you've been pampered and protected by Old Lady He since childhood, and after marriage, you had your husband's deep love and favor."

  "Even if there are occasional troubles, they're never anything major. How could you possibly understand the longing in the heart of a slave? I just wanted to use this chance to escape my slavery, was I wrong?!"

  He Le'an looked at her, unsure whether she was angry or what, and before he could speak, she fainted directly. Xié yī quickly hugged her and ordered the guards watching Shī Qíng to "take her away first". Then he ordered the maidservants to "call a few doctors over".

  **

  The crescent moon was gradually swallowed up by the pale horizon, like a flawless water-blue silk sky. Suddenly, a gentle rain started to fall, and He Le'an, who was half asleep, felt a little uneasy and leaned towards Xi'e beside him. He gently patted her back in a soothing rhythm, easing the anxiety etched into her bones.

  He Lian woke up slowly, but didn't open her eyes. She listened to his heartbeat for a while, and whispered: "You are the best in this world. If I get you, I will definitely suffer from thousands of jealousy. I accept it." She couldn't bear to let him go anymore.

  He bowed his head and kissed her forehead, "The doctor said you're overthinking, your pulse is unstable, it's best to stay home and rest for the next few days, don't think too much." Thinking of the trick he had just played on her, he pushed her away, but his heart ached, and he kissed her lips again with a pang.

  He Lan rubbed his neck with her face and said, "Let's still go out for a walk as planned."

  "The trip can't be cancelled, but you must rest well before going out."

  "Uh-huh."

  **

  Spring rain has been continuous for days, and Xi Ye has been accompanying He Le An in the Langya residence to read books or play chess. Her chess skills are quite exquisite, never rushing her opponent, if the other party is not anxious, a game of chess can last for two hours, it's a great way to pass the time.

  Xue Huiyu arrived at the Xi manor when the black and white pieces on the chessboard were in a life-and-death struggle, which left her speechless and rolling her eyes, saying: "I've always thought that killing each other was the fun of playing chess. You're playing like you're splashing water by the river, do you really think it's interesting?"

  "It's also good to change flavors occasionally." Xie Dao said.

  "He Le An pursed his lips and said, 'How is your brother's injury now?'"

  "It's recovered quite well." Xue Hui said lightly, "This morning, the people from Zhi Yi Bo's mansion have already transported Dong Fang Wu's body to Beijing. However, news has come from Beijing that Su Song is going to marry Meng Duo Jiao who is pregnant, which made Mrs. Zhi Yi Bo faint directly. Zhi Yi Bo and Dong Fang Shengzi are both going to Beijing to ask for accountability."

  "Ke Zheng's wife is dead, and it's probably impossible to investigate the cause of death. I just didn't expect Meng Duo Jiao to be so... willing to abandon her dignity and reputation, and bear the shame of seducing her sister's husband, all for the sake of marrying Su Shuang."

  In Su Meng's eyes, Meng Duo Jiao was just a pawn to be used and discarded, no different from Dong Fang Niang Yi who was not worth mentioning. He was in such a hurry, only wanting to get his hands on the things hidden by General Zhen Xi, how could he care about this high-profile concubine being pointed at and scolded behind her back?

  "What a wonderful thing!" He Le'an said, "This marriage was originally arranged by Mrs. Zhi Yi Bo with careful consideration for the East's second son. Otherwise, they wouldn't have given up on the more intimate relationship with General Town West and instead chosen the son of the Duke of Tai Ning. There is no wall that doesn't leak wind, even if Su Xuan Zhe's concubine was hidden, it wasn't something their duke's family could keep hidden if they wanted to. Mrs. Zhi Yi Bo knew this clearly, yet she still insisted on marrying off her daughter, how can you blame someone who never had a heart for being so cold and unfeeling?"

  "Since ancient times, women have always been the sacrifices under the power." Xue Hui sighed.

  "But as long as one is not willing to become a sacrifice, wanting to resist to the end, it's not that there's completely no way. However, most people are tightly bound by their family's honor. Faced with all sorts of harm, in the end they choose to endure and hide, isn't this essentially condoning?"

  Xue Hui let out a deep sigh, "Sometimes shackles can't be unlocked just because you want to. Many people lack the courage to break free and instead settle for superficial glory, sinking deeper and deeper until there's no turning back."

  "You can rest assured, your parents don't have any intentions of seeking fame or fortune, you won't end up like them one day." Xū Xié said lazily. Even the Proclaimed King's Palace was just an idle palace that didn't care about court affairs.

  "Indeed." Xue Huiyu smiled and said, "My brother also said that it's better to fight on the battlefield for a few months than to engage in clever tricks and city strategies with those people. It's more convenient and quick, and there's no need to worry about anything afterwards."

  Chatted till late afternoon, He Le'an asked Xue Huiyu to stay in the mansion for dinner before leaving.

  Before parting, Xue Huiyu instructed: "It's still a bit cold in the spring, pay attention to keeping warm. I don't know when you'll be back, but once you arrive at a place, write me a letter, okay? I won't be able to return. But seeing your happy things will also make me happy." After speaking, she suppressed the faint smile on her lips, "That day my heart was soft, and I went out with Dongfang Wu, almost harming myself and you as well... I'm very regretful..."

  "Let's not get into these pleasantries, or I'll get angry," He Le'an interrupted. "She targeted me and you got dragged in, after all the decades of friendship between us, your kindness and soft heart are understandable, but I don't want this scheme to hurt our feelings. There are some things that I know even if I don't say them out loud, you can guess, it was my doing."

  "She brought it upon herself, I don't think you've gone too far." If not for the poison that her brother ultimately used to harm himself, it would be unthinkable. Even if they had let her off lightly, her brother would never have spared Dongfang Niangxiang.

  He Le'an smiled and said, "Mm, be careful on your way back."

  **

  In early April, He Le'an and Xie Ye were having a more enjoyable time playing together. After arriving in a certain town, Xie Ye immediately invited a doctor to take her pulse. The doctor carefully examined her and smiled, saying: "Indeed, you are pregnant! Congratulations to both of you."

  "!" He Le'an looked at Xū Xié with a mix of surprise and bewilderment, even she herself hadn't noticed how he suddenly...

  After the doctor left, Xie Ye pulled her into his arms and said, "Do you still remember when you fainted during the poetry interrogation last time? The doctor suspected that you were pregnant then, but it was too early to tell, with a faint pulse, making it difficult to diagnose. I wanted to wait for some time before asking the doctor to take your pulse again. I was afraid that if it wasn't true, it would be pointless to get your hopes up, so I never told you."

  He couldn't help but kiss her forehead, then kissed the corners of her eyes and nose, finally rolling over to her lips, their eyes locked, both seeing the joy that was almost overflowing from each other's eyes. "An Er, thank you for making me so happy."

  "Also thank you for letting me have this happiness that I didn't even dare to think about before." He Lan held up his face and kissed him.

  **

  Time is sometimes like a gentle brook flowing quietly, and sometimes it's like a waterfall rushing away. Before you know it, two years have passed and it's early summer again.

  He Le'an was reading in the room when Xi Ye came in with a puzzled expression, holding an old small iron box. Before she could ask, he smiled and said: "We've been waiting for more than two years, this is what Rui Qin Wang got from General Zhenxi through Su Xuan's trickery using Meng Duo Jiao, Meng Duo Jiao almost killed her father to save her son."

  "What!" He Lan was shocked and re-examined the iron box that looked ordinary.

  He walked up to her side, using his internal force to open the iron box made of refined iron. Inside was a piece of leather with ancient marks on it, which felt like human skin to the naked eye and touch. When opened, there was a small, exquisitely painted map-like picture inside, with some unclear red dots in the middle. It looked like some kind of mark. He handed it over to her, saying: "You said you had never seen anything like this before, but I seem to remember something. In my childhood, I vaguely heard my father mention the dowry of the previous emperor's empress - a treasure map."

  "Yes, I've never seen it before, but I know that many influential people have this thing. It's not necessarily in the hands of loyal people, and not every one is useful. Some must be fake to deceive people, but the owner doesn't know whether it's real or fake, so they carefully keep and pass it down."

  Xu Xiachen murmured, "If my father were in a position of power like this, he wouldn't have it. It's likely that the original intention of its existence was to guard against all those who hold military power and plot rebellion. If it can really counteract those with massive military power, then it's clear why Rui Wang would stop at nothing to find it."

  After the new emperor ascended to the throne, he killed many blood relatives who refused to surrender and stripped all military power from his direct blood relatives, such as Prince Rui and Prince Xuan, who were his biological brothers but held no official positions or actual power. To plot a rebellion, aside from secretly crossing the Wei River, one would also need to have the actual strength to threaten the capital.

  He Le'an examined the map, "It looks like this. I don't know where it is, and how to distinguish between true and false."

  He silently memorized the lines and red dots on the person's skin, trying to burn it with fire or soak it in water, looking for any hidden clues. After a series of manipulations, they confirmed that this was indeed a straightforward map. He said: "The Empress Dowager is a princess from a neighboring country, what she brought with her, An Er, do you think it would be within our borders?"

  "This is a guess, but it's endless." He Lian said, "If this treasure map was passed down by the previous emperor's father to her, I would have hidden my secret in another country. If that's the case, as the princess of another country who married into our royal family, don't you think the location is likely to be our own country? Especially since the previous emperor was able to ascend to the throne relying on his in-laws, do you think distant water can put out a nearby fire? The struggle for the throne has always been a spark away."

  Xie Ye stroked her hair with his fingers, "I think so too."

  He Lian and Xie Ye both copied down the map, repeatedly verifying that it was correct before destroying the human skin map.

  "Tomorrow is the third uncle's family Qiu Er's three-year-old birthday, and we'll pick up the two little ones too." Thinking of his own dragon and phoenix twins, He Le'an couldn't help but smile and say, "Otherwise, Grandma and them will spoil those two little brats to no end."

  Xu Xie wanted to speak, but An Wei suddenly blew a short and urgent whistle. He furrowed his brow, signaling He Le'an to wait, and as soon as he went out the door, he saw An Wei hurrying over, kneeling down and sorrowfully saying: "Qian Wang was ambushed, and when General Shi arrived with his troops, they were only able to retrieve half of his remains!"

  He Le'an, who had taken off her outer garment and walked out with him, felt as if her brain had exploded, and a chill ran from the soles of her feet to her heart. She moved her stiff hands and walked over to hug Xū Xié, who was still unable to react, and asked ān Wèi: "Do you know more specific details?"

  The granary caught fire and General Shi went to inspect. Prince Qian was ambushed, but after investigation, it was found that the assassin was from the Western Regions.

  Since there was nothing else to do, He Lianan dismissed the dark guard and led Xie Ye back to the bedroom. She had him sit in front of the dresser, and as he slowly regained his senses, she carefully peeled off the disguise on his face, revealing that handsome face which had been white as a cloud from years of not seeing sunlight. Looking at each other through the mirror, she said: "You were first the son of Prince Qian, then my husband."

  She grasped the hand that caressed his cheek, and before he could speak, she continued: "These years I have been able to own you without worry or care, it's already enough." The military power of 100,000 soldiers is a sweet pastry that everyone wants to get. Although Qianqin Wang Shizi was born in the capital since childhood, and although he is intelligent and wise, he has no way to take charge of the complex affairs of guarding the border. If there is even a slight mistake, the entire Qianqin Wang Fu will be implicated.

  "An er, I——"

  "Master and mistress, the Duke of Jin Ning and the Governor-General have arrived with all the officials from Fengzhou City. They want you to come out and receive their edict!" At this moment, a maid rushed in hastily and reported urgently, interrupting Xi'e's words.

  **

  In front of the Xiufu Hall, 47 officials, led by the Marquis of Jin Ning, stood in a row, all dressed in official attire and looking nervous. Among them was He San Shu, the Prefect, who immediately became anxious when he saw He Le An and Xiu Ye, wearing a mask, come out.

  The Duke of Jin Ning solemnly raised the imperial edict, and Xié Yǎn, He Lè ān, as well as the surrounding officials and servants all knelt down in unison. After the edict was unfolded, a loud, clear male voice declared: "By Imperial Decree, We recall that the humble and virtuous Prince's Manor has served the country and its people for generations, with countless merits. Previously, We tacitly allowed the false death of the King of Yuè, Jiǎo Tú Yuè, who then changed his name to Xié Yǎn and lived on. Now, in response to the needs of the nation and the safety of the imperial family, Jiǎo Tú Yuè is appointed as General Xié Yǎn, leading 100,000 elite soldiers to garrison the Jade Gate Pass. Let it be so!!!"

  In the midst of unbelievable astonishment, Situ Yan calmly concealed his shock and suspicion, removed his mask to thank and accept the order.

  As the uncle, Duke of Jin Ning looked at that familiar yet bewitching face, he really didn't know whether to be angry for others or laugh for his relatives, "Good kid, you've exhausted everyone's hearts, but you're living a carefree life with the title of the richest man!"

  "I'm afraid I've also caused you and Auntie to worry, and for that, I apologize." Si Tu Yue's voice was as gentle as washed silk. "However, now that Father has encountered trouble, I must set off immediately to rush to the border, and temporarily cannot come to visit and apologize in person. I hope Uncle will also convey my apologies to Auntie, and another day I will definitely come to visit and make amends."

  "Ah, a family shouldn't speak of two households," said the Marquis of Jin Ning with a sigh. "You must have your own difficulties, hurry up and pack your bags."

  **

  He Le'an and Situ Yan simply packed up their things and went to the Hou Mansion's other courtyard to pick up Mi Mi and Chun Juan. Unexpectedly, in the remaining sunlight of the setting sun, Xue Shi Zi and Xue Hui Yu were standing at the door. Xue Hui Yu's entire eye socket was red, and as soon as she saw Situ Yan approach, she punched him in the chest with a fist. "Bastard!"

  "Brilliant!" He Le'an hastily grabbed her hand and said with a guilty conscience: "He did it for me, that's why..."

  "It's come to this. I understand, it's just that..." Xue Hui said with tears in her voice, "Never mind, as long as we're alive." She then hugged Xi Tu Yue and He Le An beside him, sobbing quietly:

  "I don't know anything else, but I accidentally discovered that this secret edict was hidden in Father's secret room half a year ago. Now that Shao Ye is in trouble, it must be very dangerous for you to go there with the children. Since your identity has been restored, my brother and I have discussed it. It would be better if we secretly take them back to the Qian Qin Wang Fu."

  Situ Xuan looked at Xue Shizhi, only to see him nodding heavily, and then smiling playfully: "When I suspected you, you still flatly denied it. As for your incredible acting skills, I must say I'm impressed."

  "Even if I deny it outright, you'll still be suspicious." Xī Tù Yuè also smiled, but Hé Lè ān took the opportunity to whisper something in Xūe Huì Yǔ's ear without leaving a trace. After a few polite words of farewell and reminder, Xūe Shì Zǐ and Xūe Huì Yǔ reluctantly left, hand in hand, walking into the Hou Mansion's separate courtyard.

  Night falls quietly. The lights in the mansion are all lit up.

  As soon as He Le'an stepped into Mrs. He's Xuan Su Residence, two small figures rushed towards her, one hugging her leg and calling out in a sweet voice, "Mother!" After receiving her gentle caress, they then called out to Sutu Yue in a sweet tone, "Father!"

  Xīng Tuò Yǎn effortlessly picked one up in her arms and couldn't help but smile, saying "Good kids, let's talk inside."

  In the Xuan Su Residence, everyone was present. After bidding farewell several times, He Le'an and Situ Xuan took Huanhuan and Chunjuan back to their former residence in Fuli Courtyard, opening up the secret passage they had previously built in secret as a precaution. They instructed the two children:

  "Dad and mom are not around, you guys need to be more sensible and take good care of grandma on behalf of dad and mom, got it?"

  As the elder brother, Ah-tai tightly held his sister's hand and nodded: "Father and mother be careful on the road, we will listen to Aunt Huiyu and you don't have to worry about us, peck~" He kissed He Le'an's cheek and then kissed Si Tu'yan's.

  He Le'an reluctantly bid them farewell, hugging and kissing them before handing over the Night Pearl and sending them into the secret chamber. He then used a horse carriage from the Hou Mansion's other courtyard to exit through the side door and head straight for the city gate.