In Kyoto, there is a teahouse called Shisen-dō, located in the midst of a cluster of naturally formed boulders south of the city. The tea tables are scattered and separated by tall stone screens, with green bamboo growing in small clumps between them, resembling an array laid out by some high-ranking person from afar.

  Hua Yu sat here with a jade pendant and green silk, listening carefully to the movements around her.

  She didnt have to come today, let Qing Si bring the jade pendant to give it to Liu Yunlie. But Liu Yunlie passed on a message saying that she had to come in person to deliver it, just as Jiang Xuanjin went to confront Qi Han, Huai Yu thought for a moment and still came over as he wished.

  Cant bear to part with ones children, cant make the wolf wear a sheepskin.

  After two sticks of incense, Liu Yunlie arrived late, and Huaiyu straightened his back as soon as he saw him. Subconsciously, he glanced at the stone screen on his left with a sidelong glance.

  They all followed him afterwards.

  This place has an advantage, the bamboo will always make a "rustling" sound, which can cover up the breathing of people next to it, and even if someones martial arts skills are high, they wont be able to detect the ambush.

  Liu Yunlie apparently didnt notice, and walked in alone. Seeing her, he smiled slightly and bowed: "Ive seen Your Highness."

  "Sir, what do you mean by this?"

  Calling her "Your Highness" in broad daylight?

  Liu Yunlie laughed and said: "Youre wearing a green ribbon, I find it quite familiar, couldnt help but burst out laughing."

  The green silk frowned at him.

  "Its strange to say." Liu Yunlie brushed off his clothes and sat down in front of her, pouring himself a cup of tea. "Dont you think its strange? Qing Si has always only listened to Princess Dan Yang, but now she suddenly acknowledges you as her master."

  Hua Yu said with a glance: "Qing Si is his person."

  She didnt take the initiative, Jiang Xuanjin took it himself, how could he think its strange?

  Liu Yunlie sighed: "Your Highness is indeed capable, even Zi Yangjun can be played by you like a drum."

  This persons eyes were full of ridicule, and his face still had a smile on it. Looking at him was really annoying. Huai Yu coldly said: "Dont you want the masters things?"

  "Not urgent," said Liu Yunlie. "Before taking things, I still have something to ask Your Highness."

  "How did you persuade Prince Zi Yang to let Li Feng take action?"

  On the table, a plate of fragrant pastries was lit up, and the rich aroma was blown by the wind, filling their tea seats.

  Holding her jade pendant and lowering her eyes to gaze at Xiang, she slowly and elegantly lifted the teacup to take a sip: "Sir, have you come to review the case?"

  "His Honor thought about it all night and still couldnt figure it out." Liu Yunlie shook his head, "A mere woman, how could she control Prince Zi Yang to such an extent?"

  "I didnt control him," said Huai Yu. "Li Feng Xing protected Meng Heng Yuan in the front, and Tan Wu was discovered later."

  "In the eyes of the previous lord, Li Feng Xing was a good official." Liu Yun Lie said firmly, "You must have done something, or the lord wouldnt have changed his opinion about him, and even reported his crimes to the emperor."

  Holding a silk fan and gently fanning herself, Huaiyu said: "Heavens fault can be forgiven, but ones own fault cannot be survived."

  With a hint of displeasure, Liu Yunlie said: "Your Highnesss words are just as good as unsaid."

  "Whats the point of asking these questions now?" Huai Yu said, "Ive said it before, my goal is just to clear myself, once Sima Xus case is over, I wont use Zi Yang Jun for anything again."

  Liu Yunlie narrowed his eyes: "You also admit youre using Zi Yangjun?"

  "Whats wrong with admitting it?" Hua Yu smiled lightly, "I was close to him at first and even thought of killing him."

  Liu Yunlie was taken aback, seemingly startled by her outrageous idea. He then looked at her with a complex expression and said: "You truly live up to your reputation as the eldest princess of Danyang. How can you bear to do this when Xuan Jin treats you with such sincerity?"

  She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do you have the right to say that about me? Havent you taken advantage of him before?"

  "When did I take advantage of him?"

  "This is not an acknowledgment? Huai Yu sneered: "In the case of Sima Xu, if it werent for you using his hands to settle the case, how would the crime have fallen on my head? Lord Liu, youve wanted to kill me for a long time, right? Qi Han made a move against Sima Xu, and you took the opportunity to pin the blame on me. Now that Qi Han has been caught by the Emperor, youre still carefree and untroubled, your methods are not weak at all."

  Liu Yunlie frowned and said: "The case of Sima Xu, I was also deceived by Qi Han. He killed someone and turned around to accuse you, I didnt expect it either."

  Deceive a ghost? This is clearly framing and slandering, colluding with each other, how can you still pretend to be innocent in front of her?

  Li Huaiyu was very disgusted with this hypocrite, who always spoke in a roundabout way in front of everyone, not at all straightforward.

  "I previously heard from someone that Bai Si had a dowry added by Lu Jinghang," said Liu Yunlie, "At the time, I didnt quite understand what kind of good intentions Lu Dazhang had. But after learning that Bai Si was the princesss borrowed body for rebirth, I did feel some emotion."

  "This hypocritical expression makes people want to vomit. Huai Yu frowned: Youre a big man, cant you speak without being so disgusting? Cant stand me and Lu Jinghang, just say its not good, okay? Still pretending to be moved, is this fake or what?"

  "Its really touching." Liu Yunlie said, "He has been following you since five years ago, not even asking for a name, but still helping you with things. The literati in Kyoto say that the two of you have long been secretly engaged, but after your rebirth, you didnt end up with him, instead marrying Prince Ziyang."

  "Your Highness, your heart is truly ruthless. To avenge yourself, you wouldnt hesitate to sacrifice your own beloved and marry the person who killed your enemy."

  The incense on the table had almost burned out, and Huai Yu let out a soft sigh, no longer having the patience to accompany him in his nonsense. She directly took out a brocade box and placed it in front of him: "What you wanted."

  Seeing it, Liu Yunlie wasnt very excited, he just took it over and opened it to take a look. He tapped the box lightly with his index finger and said: "How can I know if this thing is real or fake?"

  "There is a way." Huai Yus face smiled but his heart didnt, "The adults can try it out."

  "What?"

  As soon as his fingers loosened, the small teacup fell to the ground with a "pa" sound. Li Huaiyu glanced at the people who jumped out from behind the stone screen, including Jiuwu, and replied softly:

  "Youll know once youve died."

  Liu Yunlie was shocked, got up and dodged the long knife that was chopping down. "Clang" a loud sound, the stone bench where he had just sat was chopped out of a deep gap.

  "Sha Ren, silence?" He looked at the ten people who came out in front of him, and after being stunned, he burst out laughing. "Chang Gong Zhu, good Chang Gong Zhu, changed a face to come back, these people are still by your side helping you, only Zi Yang Jun is an idiot, only he doesnt know who you are!"

  "Do you want to tell him?" Hua Yu sat still and said in a light tone, "Theres no chance now."

  After two moves, Liu Yunlie was surprised to find that his hands and feet seemed to have no strength at all, soft and weak.

  "What have you done?"

  Looking at the burnt incense ash on the table, Huai Yu said disdainfully: "If it werent for letting you take this Soft Tendon Incense, do you think I would have spoken so many useless words with you?"

  Theres still Rou Jin Xiang? Liu Yunlie dodged and weaved, but couldnt help laughing: "Your Highness appointment is indeed not to be taken lightly."

  "But fortunately, I was also prepared for this."

  Just as the long knife was about to reach his throat, a large group of yamen runners suddenly rushed in from outside the teahouse, surging forward with great momentum and surrounding the entire area.

  Wu and others reacted extremely quickly, regardless of everything, they wanted to take Liu Yunlies head first.

  In a flash of lightning, a stone suddenly flew over from the side and heavily deflected his knife blade.

  Is there an ambush? You Wus face sank, and he reversed his knife back onto the mans neck, vigilantly looking around.

  Liu Yunlie laughed and said: "Surrender now, I have brought enough people to tie you all up and take you back to the government office. This time its still me who wins, Princess Chang."

  Li Huaiyu was protected by Qing Si and others, looking at the surrounding yamen runners, seemingly not in a hurry at all. He got up and walked towards Liu Yunlie, casually taking over the bǐshǒu held by Qing Xuan beside him, and smiled at him when he reached his side.

  "Did you win?"

  "You also underestimate me, Dan Yang."

  The words fell, and with a swift motion, the dagger was thrust into his waist, slicing through skin and flesh. The sound of tearing flesh was somewhat eerie, but her eyes didnt even blink.

  "Huh." With a stifled hum, Liu Yunlies eyes widened, "You... you want to perish with me?"

  How dare she lay hands on so many officials? Has she gone mad?

  "Die together?" Hua Yu laughed, "You really think highly of yourself. You harmed me in the past and now youre going to die with a belly full of secrets? Im going to live a good life."

  His waist and abdomen hurt so badly that Liu Yunlie didnt dare move at all. He gritted his teeth and said, "Youre really ruthless!"

  "If the heart is not ruthless, it will not be stable. If the hands are not numb, who would still be afraid?" Muttering to himself in a stuffy tone, Huai Yu let go of his fist and said to the person behind him, "Make your move."

  He nodded at Wu, blew a sharp whistle, and as the sound fell away, a large group of masked men surged out from behind the constables.

  "Are you still moved?" Li Huaiyu patted Liu Yunlies shoulder with his hand, "It was all thanks to Lu Dazhangs help."

  Liu Yunlies face looked very unsightly, he hastily glanced in the direction of the stone screen on the left, as if there were still reinforcements over there.

  Holding jade and narrowing her eyes, she waved her hand to let Qing Si pass by. Qing Si flipped over the stone screen and quickly returned, shaking her head.

  Theres no one else.

  One by one, the officials fell to the ground. Liu Yunlies face also turned pale, he seemed unwilling, opened his mouth wanting to say something, but was stopped by the pain.

  "Ill ask you one last question," said Hua Yu with a smile, "where did you put the document that you were holding in the secret room?"

  Panting heavily, Liu Yunlie said: "I wont hand it over to you."

  "You wont give it to me, I can still get someone to find it. The secret room, your mansion, it will be found eventually." Huai Yu shrugged indifferently, "Its just that if you dont cooperate, you might not be able to rest in peace after you die."

  "Your...!" His hand clutched tightly over the place where the dagger was inserted, and blood began to gush out profusely. Liu Yuns face twisted in rage as he shouted, "Ill never let you go even if I die!"

  His face was twisted into a ball by anger and fear, looking like a real fierce ghost.

  However, Li Huaiyu was not afraid at all, and calmly looked at him saying: "I thought the same thing when I died back then."

  Jiang Xuanjin was pushed out by him as a scapegoat, and her hatred fell in the wrong place.

  The yamen runner and the masked man began to fight, and the entire mountain forest was filled with blood and gore.

  Liu Yunlie slowly fell to the ground, and Huaiyu crouched beside him, quietly waiting for his last breath.

  "Master." Qing Si returned from outside, furrowing her brow and saying, "Hurry up!"

  Are there any reinforcements? Huai Yu frowned, picked up her skirt and stood up, and quickly led the people including Rong to retreat.

  "Are they all clean?" she asked as she walked.

  "Cleaned up, there are some outside who havent come in and seen us, lets spare them for now."

  "Hmm." Passing by the stone screen and heading west, Huai Yu said, "Wait for news of Liu Yunlies death. If there is no news within two days, go to the Tingwei Fu again to take a look."

  "Yes."

  Outside the west gate of Shanshi Zhulin, a horse-drawn carriage was parked. Huaiyu took a glance and lifted the curtain to get in.

  Lu Jinghang fanned himself and looked at the bloodstains on her, making a clicking sound with his tongue: "Youve been obedient for so long, I almost forgot that you used to be such a ruthless person."

  Huai Yu raised her bloody hand at him and said: "The people of Danyang are as numerous as the hairs on his head, are you afraid?"

  "Im so scared." She put down the fan and placed it aside, Lu Jinghang took out his handkerchief and gently wiped her hands clean, his eyebrows and eyes soft as he said, "Liu Yunlie is dead, Qi Han will also be punished, your great revenge has finally been avenged."

  The thing that had been weighing on her mind was finally lifted, and Huai Yu cracked a smile: "Yes, its reported."

  "What are you planning to do after this?" Lu Jinghang raised his eyes to look at her, "Want...to continue staying in the Jiang Manor?"

  "Im still a nominal member of the Jiang government, so Ill naturally stay there." Li Huaiyu said with a wave of his hand, "As for what to do next, Ive already thought it through. Lan Qing is suitable to be the Prime Minister, we can help him out and with him assisting Huailun, you can focus on your business without worries. Once youve earned enough silver, then consider getting married."

  "Now I can have a good conversation with those official ladies, and they wont be afraid of me just because Im from Danyang. So if you meet a nice girl, I can still help you as a matchmaker."

  "There are still those who want to be officials, let them enter the court and become officials. Those who want to roam the world can go their separate ways. After all these years, everyone should live the life they want."

  The more she talked, the more excited Cui Yu became. Her eyes sparkled as she danced with joy, saying: "In two years time, I might even have a child! When that happens, we can all get together again to celebrate the full moon and talk about what weve done in the past two years. Well drink until were drunk!"

  Imagining the scene she described, Lu Jinghang hooked his mouth and then shook his head: "Everything else is fine, but my lifelong event doesnt need you to worry about it."

  "Why?" Hua Yu frowned, "Dont you trust my judgment?"

  "Not necessarily." Lu Jinghang said with a smile, "There are so many beautiful flowers in the world, I dont want to hang myself on just one tree."

  Hua Yu was taken aback and looked at him with a complex expression: "You are indeed more charming than Jiang Er Gongzi."

  Jiang Sheng is still married and has concubines, does he want to monopolize all the beauties in the world?

  Lu Jingxing narrowed her phoenix eyes, pursed her lips and remained silent for a moment before asking her: "Have you made up your mind to spend the rest of your life with Jiang Xuanjin?"

  This sounds a bit corny. Huai Yu scratched her temples, looking slightly embarrassed, and said: "Thinking about it, its not bad, he treats me pretty well."

  "Have I been treating you badly?" he asked.

  Hua Yu was taken aback, blinked at him, suddenly blurted out a crude sentence, and then said incredulously: "You dont really have any thoughts about me, do you?"

  "Whats wrong?" Lu Jinghang glanced at her sideways, "Dont you have any self-respect?"

  "Thats not it." Huai Yu shook her head, "Im such a unique and unparalleled, stunningly beautiful girl, its normal for you to have thoughts about me!"

  One of them couldnt help it, Lu Jinghang still rolled his eyes: "Speak with some respect, dont throw your face away."

  Li Huaiyu: "......"

  He unfolded his fan and shook it again, Lu Jinghang lowered his eyes and said: "Teasing you, one day is a brother, a lifetime is a brother, you and I have sworn to Guan Yu, just dont lose contact with me in the future."

  "How is that possible?" Yuexiu laughed, "You are a member of my mothers family."

  One mornings mistake, a lifetimes regret. Lu Jinghang pursed his lips and fanned himself, thinking that if he had known his own heart earlier, would he have missed her?

  Its not necessarily so. The person in front of him seems to have never had any thoughts about it, and some words, once spoken, may even make them no longer brothers.

  Its just like this then.

  The horse carriage arrived near the Jiang Mansion, Huai Yu got off the carriage with Qing Si in advance and bid farewell to Lu Jing Xing. After taking off his outer cloak stained with blood and letting Qing Si hold it, he returned to the Ink Dwelling through a side door.

  Mo Jus residence is quiet, the house slave reported that the master has gone into the palace and hasnt returned yet.

  Zi Han is after all a prime minister, its not easy to use an old case to suppress him, Im afraid some effort will be needed. Huai Yu didnt take it seriously, she felt very tired and didnt care if the sky was still dark, she went to sleep first and talked about it later.

  This time, she finally didnt have a nightmare. Her dream was peaceful, with the tree shadows at the gate of Fei Yun Palace, the tender smile of Huai Lin, and a person in the distance wearing a cyan-colored robe, gently waiting for her to approach.

  Even when Im asleep, the corners of my mouth cant help but curve upwards.

  Waking up from a nap, it was already evening. Looking around the house, Huaiyu asked Qingsi: "Has your husband not returned yet?"

  Qing silk said in a low voice: "Just now, the wind came back to report that you want to stay in the palace for a few days and discuss old cases with His Majesty."

  "Ah..." Hua Yu pouted in disappointment, "Now Im left here all alone again."

  Qing Si thought for a moment and said: "Just now, Second Young Masters wife sent someone over to ask about you. Do you want to see her now?"

  "What about Xu Jias daughter? Huai Yu showed some enthusiasm: Alright, invite her over."

  She had previously heard that Xu Chuyan and Jiang Shen were at odds, but she only knew the general idea and didnt know what exactly happened. Now that she was bored anyway, she might as well go find her to chat with.

  The blue silk responded to the sound and left.

  Xu Zhuni arrived very quickly, still carrying a quilt and pillow.

  Hua Yu looked at it and was stunned: "Second sister-in-law, I dont lack these things here, why did you send them over?"

  "Its not for you." Xu Chuyan said in a low voice, "I was thinking of coming over to sleep in the guest house."

  "Ah?" Yu was surprised, "The peaceful Wangshu Courtyard is fine, why come over here to sleep?"

  Xu Chuyan bit her lip and didnt respond, her eyes getting a little red.

  Then Huaiyu understood: "Second brother bullied you again?"

  "Its not like Im being bullied." Xu Chunye said, "Im humiliating myself, cant blame others."

  Listening to her tone, Huai Yu couldnt help but feel a pang of heartache. She pulled her to the guest house and had Qing Si help change the bedding and pillows. Then she asked: "Whats going on?"

  Xu Chuchan lowered her eyes, holding her hand in silence for a while before saying: "Last time he gave the handkerchief I embroidered for three months to his concubine, I felt wronged and returned to my parents home. The old master told him to bring me back, but he thought I was using the old masters authority to threaten him, so he has been cold towards me."

  "Today, I even made ginseng soup to try to talk him into it, but he was busy being affectionate with his concubine and let me stand there without even looking at me. In the end, he said that he would follow the old masters orders and sleep with me tonight in order to have a legitimate son as soon as possible."

  Tears fell onto her hand with a "plop", and Xu Chuyan choked back a sob: "Who cares about having a legitimate son."

  She just likes him, thats all.

  Hua Yu sighed: "Second Brother is indeed being a bit excessive."

  "Its what I get for doing it myself." Wiping away tears, Xu Chuyan said, "If I hadnt liked him that much, I wouldnt be feeling so down now."

  In emotional matters, its always been that whoever is more emotionally invested loses. If youre too deeply invested and the other person doesnt care, then youre doomed to suffer a loss.

  Hua Yu wasnt very good at comforting people, so she could only stare at her foolishly. Fortunately, Xu Chuyan didnt come to seek comfort either, just someone to talk to, and now that she had, she felt relieved.

  "When I went back to my hometown for a few days, Father often asked about you." Taking a deep breath, Xu Chuyan changed the subject, "He said that you have helped our family and told me to help you more."

  She actually found it a bit strange, after all, the one who saved her father was Zi Yang Jun, but he didnt mention Jun Shang at all, only reminding her to take good care of Jiang Bai Shi.

  Hua Yu smiled: "Lord Xu has a heart."

  Yun Lengqing knew her identity, it was equivalent to Han Xiao and Xu Xian knowing too, no harm done. With Liu Yunlies death, everything would be resolved, even if they found out, they wouldnt be dragged into this again.

  Xu Chunian looked very tired, so Hua Yu didnt disturb her much and left for the main building after settling her in.

  For five consecutive days, Jiang Xuanjin did not return to his residence.

  Hua Yu was somewhat puzzled and asked Qing Si as she lay in bed: "With such conclusive evidence, why would it take so long?"

  Qing Si said: "There is no news from the palace."

  Her heart felt a little uneasy, Huai Yu supported herself up and asked: "Are you certain that Liu Yunlie is already dead?"

  Qing Si nodded: "The body was sent out of Kyoto, and the news was also covered up very well. No one knew what happened in the mountain stone bamboo forest that day."

  Everything seems to be going smoothly, but why does she always feel anxious?

  "Think of a way to get someone into the palace to gather some information," she said.

  The sky is overcast with dark clouds hanging low, as if its going to rain again soon.

  Qing silk went out, Huai Yu sat at the table edge looking at the food in front of her, feeling no appetite.

  "Miss." Lingxiu stood beside him with her head bowed, hesitantly asking, "Should we find a female doctor to take a look? Your complexion doesnt look good."

  She nodded with a slightly bitter taste in her mouth: "Find it."

  Moju has no female doctors, and the one from Jiangfu looks quite familiar.

  "The slave girl Xi Jin has seen the mistress." The doctors daughter put down her medical box and paid her respects.

  Staring at her for a while, Huai Yu suddenly realized: "Ive seen you before."

  "Good memory, madam."

  She was still a young Miss Bai when the Lord had her come over to examine her illness, who would have thought that this poor-looking girl would become the envied Lady of the Lord in the future?

  He reached out and felt her pulse, and Qi Jin asked seriously after a moment, frowning: "Has your period come this month, madam?"