The Opening Move

  In the eleventh year of Qi Tai, in winter, Lin was appointed as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

  "Something's wrong, General! The Emperor has issued an imperial decree, saying that you are in league with the enemy and have committed treason!" Ku Yü rushed in, flustered.

  The teacup in Qing Luan's hand fell to the ground, her face suddenly turned deathly pale. She stood up abruptly and grabbed Gu Yu's hand, asking: "What did you say? How could brother be a traitor, this must be a frame-up!"

  "I don't know the specific situation, madam. Why not ask Master instead? As a minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he has extensive connections and is more informed than I am. If no one intervenes, General Gu will definitely not have an easy time in prison!" said Gǔ Yǔdào.

  Qing Luan's body couldn't help but tremble, and after taking two deep breaths, she finally suppressed the fear in her heart. She straightened her back and said, "Follow me to the outer study!" As she spoke, she took a step forward, naturally missing the fleeting strange color in Gu Yu's eyes.

  Outside, snowflakes were still floating in the air. Qing Luan was worried about her brother's situation and didn't even wear a cloak, so when the cold wind blew, she couldn't help but shiver. However, she couldn't care about that now. When she was just a baby, her parents had died in an accident, and at that time, her 15-year-old brother had taken on the heavy responsibility of supporting the Wei family. So for Qing Luan, Wei Cheng was not only her elder brother but also a father-like figure.

  Outside the study, a few plum blossoms were in full bloom, but Qing Luan had no heart to appreciate the beauty. She stepped up onto the steps and was about to knock on the door when a soft, melodious female voice came from inside: "Big brother, Wei Cheng is truly treating you as his own brother, now he's suffering in prison, sister must be worried sick, shouldn't you go help him?"

  This voice is none other than Bai Shuangshuang's.

  "Betrayal, treason, selling out the country - you think it's a minor offense? That's a capital crime that'll get your whole family beheaded! How can I help? If I speak up for him now, who knows what others will think? They might think we're in cahoots!"

  Qing Luan's body suddenly stiffened, as if she had been doused with a bucket of ice water. The one who spoke was Lin Zixuan, her husband of five years. His nonchalant tone made Qing Luan's hands tremble uncontrollably.

  "Aren't you afraid of hurting your sister?" asked Bai Shuangshuang.

  "Disheartened? I married Wei Qinglan in the first place because of Wei Zhen's sake. She is such a person, with a dull and uninteresting personality, where is she comparable to you?" Lin Zixuan pulled Bai Shuangshuang into his arms, earning a giggle from her.

  Qing Luan's face was completely drained of blood, her body swayed slightly, her teeth tightly biting her lower lip, almost squeezing out a drop of blood.

  Before long, a woman's soft humming came from the study. Gǔ Yǔ said indignantly: "Miss, that white concubine is too much! She's just the daughter of a criminal official. If it wasn't for Miss's kindness in buying her out back then, she would have become a palace slave. Doesn't she know gratitude!" The more Gǔ Yǔ spoke, the angrier he became, his voice suddenly rising as he kicked open the door to the study.

  Qing Luan hadn't reacted yet, and what entered his eyes were two white-clad bodies stacked on top of each other. The white-clad duo saw Qing Luan's figure and let out a shrill cry, wanting to push Lin Zixuan away.

  Lin Zixuan was in high spirits and didn't notice the two people standing at the door, and with a burst of strength, he pressed down on Bai Shuang.

  "Ah, Dalang, be gentle!" Bai Shuangshuang moaned softly, her eyes darting towards the door where Qing Luan stood, her watery gaze flashing with a triumphant light.

  In front of him, Huo Chun's face turned pale, and Gong Lianqing's eyes went dark one after another. His chest felt suffocated, almost unable to breathe. He wanted to leave, but his feet couldn't move.