Chapter 1685: Planning to Leave

Realizing his attack had missed, Meng Pei knew things weren't looking good.

He had to quickly make sure his shocked Young Master He was out of the way, and he ushered him to a safe distance. But the wolf pursued, and Meng Pei struggled to fend it off from behind the iron bars. This situation was untenable; sooner or later, Meng Pei's strength would give out, and the guards outside would be alerted.

Meng Pei made a quick decision. He asked Young Master He to continue screaming while he exploited the cacophony of Young Master He's shrieks and the roars of the beasts to rapidly cut the chain securing the cage.

His sword sliced through the iron effortlessly, and once the door was open, he charged into the cage. He pulled Young Master He away from the imminent danger, narrowly dodging the lunging wolf.

However, in his attempt to evade, Meng Pei couldn't escape unscathed. The wolf charged forward and slammed into his back, throwing him against the iron bars.

Weakened by two days of hunger and his previous struggle outside the cage, Meng Pei was exhausted. His right hand banged against the iron, and the sword slipped from his grasp, falling outside the cage.

The wolf charged relentlessly, leaving Meng Pei no chance to retrieve his weapon. He had to wrestle with the wolf barehanded.

After a few rounds, Meng Pei's injuries worsened, and he even suffered internal injuries.

Thankfully, Young Master He eventually realized what was happening and quickly fetched Meng Pei's sword. After Meng Pei kicked the wolf away, Young Master He tossed the sword back.

Equipped with a weapon, Meng Pei endured the pain, switched the sword to his left hand, and thrust it into the wolf's exposed throat, finally killing it.

Meng Pei, depleted of strength, sat on the ground, taking some time to recover. Despite his condition, he propped himself up, directing Young Master He to help him place the wolf's body in a lifelike posture on the ground, to avoid arousing suspicion from anyone passing by.

Once everything was arranged, Young Master He assisted Meng Pei out of the cage and pretended to lock it again, as if nothing had happened.

Meng Pei asked Young Master He to continue screaming for a while, feigning a state of near-collapse from the wolf attack.

Once the screams subsided, he ceased altogether.

Originally, Meng Pei had contemplated making another attempt to escape, but his injuries made it impossible. He had no choice but to continue hiding in the Beast Camp and wait until he was in better condition.

Young Master He remained silent throughout the ordeal. Fortunately, Meng Pei had some medicinal herbs with him, which he used to treat his wounds. He also gave him some water.

The two of them eventually settled in a corner to rest.

After his narrow escape from death, Young Master He was still in a state of shock. The cacophony of beast roars outside only added to his unease, and he stayed huddled beside Meng Pei.

Meng Pei desperately needed sleep. He hadn't rested the night before, spending it searching for an exit in the secret passage. Last night's rest was brief at best. Now, with his injuries, attempting to save Meng Xiaoshu was out of the question. He had to recover first.

Although Young Master He was timid, at least he was company. Unable to sleep due to his anxiety, he watched over Meng Pei throughout the night.

By the next day, Meng Pei felt somewhat better and decided he couldn't wait any longer.

At noon, there was only one guard at the entrance.

Seizing the opportunity, Meng Pei sneaked up behind the guard, covered his mouth, and swiftly dispatched him with his sword. He dragged the body inside.

He then changed into the guard's clothes and, keeping his head down, left.

He didn't allow Young Master He to follow him. With no martial skills and unfamiliar with the area, Young Master He would only slow Meng Pei down by being at his side.

 Chapter 248.1: Idiotphobia

Li Yi had been sitting firmly in Shou Prefecture, originally intending to wait until Xu Zhengye took Hezhou. Only then would they meet to sit down and discuss the details of their cooperation.

However, as Hezhou remained unconquered for a long time, his impatience began to grow.

Later still, when there was still no news of Hezhou’s fall, what reached his ears instead was that Xu Zhengye had been defeated and had retreated to Jiangning!

To Li Yi, this was simply absurd!

How could Hezhou, already at the end of its strength, not be taken down?

How could Chang Kuo, who went with less than twenty thousand reinforcements, still be alive?

And how could the Grand Princess of Xuan’an, who had always kept away from political disputes, suddenly step in and intervene?

Li Yi was filled with both astonishment and resentment.

Yet, once all those emotions faded, it was the panic and anxiety buried deep in his bones that took over. His nerves were stretched taut as he paced restlessly in his tent.

“It’s over! Chang Kuo will surely come back for revenge!”

“And the Holy Emperor and the court… they must have already learned of He Wei’s death. Once the imperial edict is issued, all forces will join hands to punish me… Xu Zhengye has retreated to Jiangning — what should I do now!”

The only reason he had dared to sit tight after killing He Wei was because he was certain Xu Zhengye would soon take Hezhou. Once they united with the Xu army, the entire Huainan Circuit would be in his pocket. Then, even the court’s punishment would no longer be something to fear!

But the current situation was the complete opposite of what he had imagined, and his position had suddenly become perilous.

At that moment, one of his two advisors spoke up.

“General is right — once Hezhou is secured, Chang Kuo will surely return. If he rallies the imperial army to march against you, your position will indeed be in danger…”

“You think I need you to remind me of that?!” Li Yi snapped irritably, angered by anxiety itself. “This was all your brilliant idea! Weren’t you the ones who swore Chang Kuo would die in Hezhou?”

The two advisors exchanged a glance and could only lower their heads and plead guilty to the furious, impotent man before them.

Li Yi kept pacing back and forth.

“These days, the soldiers have been whispering nonstop about the Hezhou battle. They’re suspecting that I deliberately sent Chang Kuo to his death!”

He spoke in fury — though the accusation was true.

What angered him was not that the men had guessed the truth, but that from the tone of the army, most of them still favored Chang Kuo!

Some had even demanded to go reinforce him. It was only by claiming, ‘The Grand General and I have our own plans,’ and by forcefully suppressing dissent, that he had silenced them.

If Chang Kuo had died, that would have been the end of it. Without a leader, the men wouldn’t dare cause trouble. But now that Chang Kuo still lived… once he returned, they would all side with him!

One advisor spoke again.

“We fully understand your concern, General. The current situation is unfavorable — a direct confrontation with Chang Kuo would not be wise.”

“Indeed. The priority should be to leave Shou Prefecture immediately.”

“Leave Shou Prefecture?” Li Yi stopped in his tracks, looking up sharply. “To where?”

Just as the two advisors were about to answer, a soldier’s voice came from outside.

Li Yi allowed him in. The soldier, one of his personal guards, hurried in, saluted, and presented a sealed letter.

Li Yi tore it open impatiently. His eyes lit up immediately.

It was from Xu Zhengye!

Xu Zhengye, aware of his dire situation, invited him to come quickly to Jiangdu and Yangzhou to discuss urgent matters.

After consulting with his advisors, Li Yi concluded that this was the best option for now.

Originally, eighty thousand troops who were supposed to join Chang Kuo in reinforcing Hezhou had instead been sent by Li Yi under the pretense of “marching to attack Yangzhou” — in reality, to delay movement and avoid battle. Whenever they encountered Xu’s forces, they would conveniently halt. So after half a month of slow progress, they were still en route.

“The General should strike camp at once. Once you reunite with the eighty thousand ahead, you can march together to Yangzhou.”

Another advisor added,

“Xu Zhengye has just lost a battle and is in desperate need of men. If you arrive now with over a hundred thousand troops, he will surely treat you as an honored guest. Once you take Yangzhou and hold it, the court can do nothing to you — and what need have you to fear a mere Chang Kuo?”

Li Yi didn’t hesitate any longer. He immediately ordered the camp to move.

When word spread through the army, it caused an uproar.

“Deputy Commander Chang chose to station us in Shou Prefecture to guard the Huai River line — to protect the route to the capital and prevent Xu’s rebels from advancing toward the Central Plains. How can we just abandon such a strategic stronghold?” some officers protested.

“Indeed! If we leave Shou Prefecture entirely, what if Xu’s men lying in wait in Huainan take the chance to invade?”

The deputy general delivering the order sneered,

“War is ever-changing. It would be foolish to cling to one position and die defending it!”

“But we heard Hezhou has already been taken. Deputy Commander Chang will soon return. Such a matter should be discussed with him first…”

“Nonsense!” the deputy general barked. “Who says Deputy Commander Chang is returning to Shou Prefecture? He has already sent word — he will march from Hezhou straight toward Yangzhou. The Commander himself will lead the main force to join him there. This was their joint decision!”

Finally, he shouted,

“Deputy Commander Chang crushed Xu’s rebels at Hezhou. Now is the best time to take Yangzhou and end this rebellion once and for all! Anyone who dares to question military orders or spread rumors will be executed for disturbing morale!”

To make an example, two officers who had expressed doubts were flogged to death on the spot.

Soon after, the army began preparing to march.

But they had been encamped there for a long time, so it wasn’t a move they could make immediately. Li Yi, restless and terrified that Chang Kuo might attack at any moment, refused to wait. He took his trusted guards and cavalry and rode off ahead.

His advisors tried to persuade him to wait, but he was too agitated — like an ant on a hot pan — to stay put another moment.

When the troops learned that their commander had already left with the cavalry, more men began to sense something was wrong.

Ever since they left the capital to suppress Xu Zhengye, this commander had always avoided battle whenever he could. He’d retreat rather than advance, flee rather than fight — when had he ever been so proactive?So proactive, in fact, that it looked less like a march to retake Yangzhou… and more like a desperate attempt to escape.

Many suspected something was amiss, but under strict orders, they had no choice but to obey for now.

The commotion of such a large army’s withdrawal couldn’t possibly go unnoticed.

Hearing the news, Xi’er, Ah Zhi, Ah Dian, and Old Kang — who had remained in Shou Prefecture under Suining’s orders — immediately left the city that night.

This had all happened three days before Chang Kuo and Chang Suining departed Hezhou.

The day after Xu Zhengye’s retreat to Jiangning, he had already sent a secret letter to Li Yi.

Thus, when Chang Kuo and Suining were only two hundred li out of Hezhou, they encountered Old Kang and his party coming toward them.

Hearing that Li Yi had ordered a retreat from Shou Prefecture and was heading toward Yangzhou, Suining immediately frowned.

“He doesn’t have the guts to fight Xu Zhengye.”

Chang Kuo’s brows furrowed tightly as well.If not to fight… then he must be planning to join him!

Suining lifted her gaze to meet his, her tone sharp and decisive.

“We must intercept him halfway. We cannot let him reach Yangzhou alive — or with his army.”

Though Li Yi was a fool, his imperial blood and the troops he commanded would become a great threat if he joined hands with Xu Zhengye.

Chang Kuo nodded solemnly. At Suining’s signal, he immediately ordered the army to change course and move to cut off Li Yi’s path, while Old Kang and the others explained what they’d learned along the way.

“I knew that turtle Li Yi would run! I sent scouts to keep watch at Shou Prefecture — I just didn’t expect he’d try heading for Yangzhou!” Chang Kuo cursed on the march. “The man’s courage is small, but his greed is huge!”

To dare collude with Xu Zhengye — wasn’t that the same as seeking his own death?

Meanwhile, Suining questioned Old Kang about the court’s movements.

He Wei’s death would surely have reached the capital by now, and the court would be taking action against Li Yi’s rebellion.

She carried the imperial edict entrusted to her by He Wei, but she and Old Chang, with only ten thousand men, could not be sure of success. If the imperial forces moved in concert, their odds would be much better.

Old Kang replied,

“When we left Shou Prefecture three days ago, we heard that the capital had already dispatched an imperial envoy. He must be on his way even now.”

Once the envoy arrived, he would immediately rally loyal troops to reclaim command from Li Yi — and the news of Li Yi’s betrayal would spread quickly across the realm.

But mobilizing forces from all regions would take time. If Li Yi truly joined Xu Zhengye, then his march to Yangzhou would be unhindered — and waiting for the envoy might be too late.

So they had no choice but to move first — to cut him off themselves.

 Chapter 247.1: The sun was fine, perfect for travelling

Hearing the servant’s announcement, Chang Kuo’s hairs stood on end and he immediately went on full alert.

He glanced around the mourning hall as if searching for a place to hide. The only possible choice seemed to be the coffin standing in the hall — but that would be too offensive, too disrespectful. The thought flashed through his mind and he silently muttered Amitābha in repentance.

He grabbed his daughter’s arm and marched for the exit, urging, “Go — Father has matters to discuss with you.”

But no matter how fast they hurried, as they stepped down the stone steps out of the mourning hall they ran straight into the Grand Princess of Xuan’an and her daughter.

Chang Kuo’s foot paused and his expression froze.

The Grand Princess looked imperious and languid; she slowly surveyed him from head to toe.

Chang Kuo felt irritated under her gaze; the feeling showed on his face — he frowned but said nothing.

The Grand Princess had no intention of speaking either. The two of them seemed to be observing a tacit rule in silence: the one who speaks first loses.

Seeing this, Chang Suining quietly counted in her head.

Three years old...

The two of them together couldn’t be any older than that.

Split it up, each gets a year and a half.

With two one-and-a-half-year-olds present, the duty of opening one’s mouth naturally and rightfully fell to her and Li Tong.

“Your Highness the Grand Princess, Sister Tong.”

“Grand General Chang.” Li Tong bowed to Chang Kuo, then looked to Chang Suining. “Young Miss Chang, are you going back now?”

Chang Suining nodded.

“Wait a moment, Ning Ning.” The Grand Princess’s gaze landed on Chang Suining and for the first time looked gentle. “No need to hurry home. Let me go in and offer an incense — I have a few things to say to you.”

Chang Suining naturally agreed.

The Grand Princess then took Li Tong into the mourning hall to pay respects.

“Let’s go.” Chang Kuo tugged at his daughter.

Chang Suining didn’t move. “…We promised to wait until the Grand Princess left.”

“Why wait for her? What proper business could she possibly have!” Chang Kuo waved the remark away without concern. “That woman is no good — stay away from her in future or she’ll corrupt you!”

Chang Suining looked at him and lowered her voice, curious: “This is my aunt — do you know her better than I do, Father?”

Chang Kuo’s face changed — he’d actually forgotten that relationship for a moment!

He was more absent-minded than an outsider!

“Fine, I’ll go…!” He released his daughter and tried to leave on his own.

Chang Suining hauled him back.

She pulled him to the corridor and, reading his expression, treated the stubborn man as if she held a rope tied to a bull.

Under the corridor she looked him in the eye. “The Grand Princess personally led troops to support Hezhou and helped a great deal. If you avoid her like this, Father, isn’t that rude?”

Chang Kuo answered with righteous indignation: “She helped Hezhou — she looks after Xuanzhou’s interests. What has that to do with me, Chang Kuo?”

Hadn’t she said herself: when you beat the dog, check the owner!

In any case, he was not the dog she meant.

“But she’s someone I invited.” Chang Suining looked at him. “And she even helped rescue Brother.”

“That doesn’t count as help! Who asked her to do it —” Chang Kuo’s voice abruptly stopped; then he said, “She meddled on her own, I never asked for her help!”

Chang Suining was momentarily speechless. “If you keep acting so unreasonable, Father, I’ll really start imagining things.”

“Imagine what!” Chang Kuo’s expression flickered: “We simply don’t get along… our natures clash, we can’t talk!”

“You even know her ‘bazi’?” Chang Suining stared. “What, have you secretly matched charts with her?”

“…!” Chang Kuo’s expression twisted. “Nonsense!”

“I don’t know what grudge you two have,” Chang Suining said helplessly, “but someone helping you is a fact. Your behavior makes people laugh. It even embarrasses me.”

Chang Kuo’s expression grew complicated.

If a subordinate caused his lord to be embarrassed, that would be disloyal and shameful — what kind of subordinate could one keep?

“Weren’t you supposed to be thinking about the future?” Chang Suining went on. “Someone as important as the Grand Princess — you shouldn’t make enemies of her or refuse to form ties. You don’t have to fawn, but you shouldn’t push her away either.”

Chang Kuo clenched his fist again and swallowed down his thoughts about loyalty and dishonor.

At that moment the Grand Princess stepped from the mourning hall and peered down the corridor. Seeing Chang Kuo still there, she immediately drew her gaze back, graceful and composed as she walked toward them.

“Your Highness.” Chang Suining bowed.

Chang Kuo shifted his stance and looked out into the corridor.

The Grand Princess inclined her head and asked in a soft voice, “Are the injuries better?”

“Much better — only surface wounds.” Chang Suining replied. “Thanks to Your Highness’s personal aid, Hezhou would surely have fallen to Xu Zheng otherwise.”

They had offered thanks many times over the past days, but she still needed some topic of conversation — after all, their current interaction was only one move in the silent game of one-upmanship between the two older people.

The Grand Princess’s visit was ostensibly to offer condolences, but it was clear she’d timed herself to make this meeting unavoidable.

As for “there’s something to say to you” — that was obviously not really the point.

“That’s not correct.” The Grand Princess, hearing Chang Suining’s modest words, replied seriously: “If I hadn’t learned that Xuanzhou mobilized its troops, Xu Zheng wouldn’t have rushed here in such haste. Without his arrival, that battle would have had no suspense — you would have already won.”

Chang Suining: “But if you hadn’t shown up, Xu Zheng wouldn’t have withdrawn to Jiangning.”

“But I was only able to come because of the letter you sent.” The Grand Princess looked at the young girl with genuine praise in her eyes. “That credit is yours… You’re remarkable — so young yet so thorough in planning, so reasonable and loyal. Truly impressive.”

Chang Suining accepted the praise with a touch of shamelessness and, knowing where the credit belonged, deflected: “…All thanks to Father’s teaching.”

The bridge had been placed — the Grand Princess smoothly shifted her gaze to Chang Kuo.

Sensing that look, Chang Kuo still stared out at the corridor but could not hide a trace of silent pride. “My daughter — natural talent.”

The Grand Princess: “Yes, it must be natural. She doesn’t look like someone any elder at home could’ve taught.”

Chang Kuo turned to her, affronted. “What do you mean by that?”

Was she implying his child couldn’t have been taught by him?

The Grand Princess replied lightly, “What meaning could I have? I was only echoing your praise — is that wrong?”

Chang Kuo’s face reddened.

The Grand Princess gave him a sidelong glance. “Mind yourself. Don’t get so worked up you faint again; that would be a disgrace.”

Chang Kuo pointed a finger at her. “You—”

“Ah—” Li Tong suddenly exclaimed and hurried over to Chang Suining. “Sister Chang, I just remembered — I have something to show you!”

She grabbed Chang Suining’s hand and dragged her away from the scene of conflict.

Outside the long corridor Li Tong rummaged in her sleeve but came up empty-handed.

Chang Suining began to feel sorry for her.

Li Tong panicked for a moment, then seized some snow, quickly rolled it between her hands, and presented it to Chang Suining with a smile. “Sister Chang, look — I made you a little rabbit. Do you like it?”

Chang Suining took it. “…I do.”

From inside the corridor a quarrel could still be heard.

Li Tong hurriedly said, “Sister Chang, don’t worry. I’ve often heard the maidservants at my mother’s side say my mother and Grand General Chang are very close — they quarrel a lot!”

She laughed it off without surprise: “As the saying goes, couples quarrel at the head of the bed and make up at the foot…”

Her voice faltered, then she corrected herself: “Ahem, what I mean is — scolding is love…”

She paused again.

Her mouth ran ahead of her brain; the brain struggled to catch up.

The two of them looked at one another; Chang Suining was silent while Li Tong cleared her throat, embarrassed. “…In short, they’re both bristly but soft-hearted. Quarrels aren’t a big deal.”

Chang Suining nodded: “…Understood.”

If Li Tong continued, her mouth would surely force her brain to strike, and the two of them would be driven to distraction.

Meanwhile Chang Kuo, not wishing the younger people to hear unpleasant words, dragged the Grand Princess further away for private talk.

When Chang Kuo finally stopped, the Grand Princess let go and snapped angrily, “What are you trying to do!”

“What do you think you’re doing!” Chang Kuo shot back. “You came while I was away from the capital and lured away my two children. Now you keep my son back… Li Rong, you’re acting treacherously — taking advantage of others. Do you know what propriety and shame are?”

 Chapter 872: The Fame of the Imperial Examination (Part 2)  

The two individuals had not undergone body tempering with spiritual spring water. Hastily giving them undiluted spiritual spring water would be too much for their bodies to bear.  

Although Shen Ji did not achieve the rank of Gongshi (tribute scholar), he found love while awaiting the results of the Huishi (metropolitan examination). With his efforts, Master Liu and Madam Liu abandoned the idea of recruiting a live-in son-in-law for their daughter. They grew fond of Shen Ji, who was outstanding in every way, and subtly hinted that he could inform his parents of his intentions. As long as the Shen family had no objections, they could find a matchmaker and choose an auspicious day for a proposal.  

After the results of the Huishi were announced, Shen Ji did not rush home. Instead, he wrote a letter to his parents explaining everything. He continued living in his rented courtyard, focusing on his studies, planning to return home with his parents only after the Liu and Shen families formalized their union.  

The Liu family and the Shen family were of similar status. If one looked closely, the Shen family initially rose from merchant origins, transitioning to gentry status only after Shen Ji’s father achieved the title of scholar (Xiucai). The Liu family, however, had a legacy of scholarly achievement, with generations of poets and scholars earning them recognition as a distinguished literary family. In terms of lineage, the Liu family held a slight advantage. However, given Shen Ji’s talents and prospects, this difference was negligible.  

In their hometown, Shen Ji’s parents, worried about his marriage prospects, were overjoyed upon receiving his letter. Learning that their son had found such a good match, they were so elated they couldn’t sleep. Late at night, they ordered servants to open the storage room and personally selected gifts for visiting the Liu family in the capital.  

Within two days, the elderly couple arrived in the capital with a cart full of gifts. After learning more about the Liu family, they were 80% satisfied. After resting for just one night, they couldn’t wait to engage a trustworthy matchmaker and visit the Liu family the following day.  

Shen Ji’s parents were kind and easygoing, making a good impression. They had already thought highly of the Liu family, considering them an excellent match. Upon meeting the graceful and well-mannered Liu Tinglan, they were even more satisfied.  

Master and Madam Liu, who admired Shen Ji, naturally extended their regard to his family. Observing that the elderly couple were indeed as Shen Ji described—pleasant and reasonable—they concluded there was little likelihood of future conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. This greatly pleased them.  

With mutual satisfaction, the two families quickly agreed on the marriage, exchanged betrothal documents, and decided to host the engagement ceremony on an auspicious date. They planned to finalize the wedding at the end of the year on another fortunate day.  

Liu Tinglan’s wishes were fulfilled. Even though outside rumors persisted, they no longer affected her, as Shen Ji’s parents were indifferent to them.  

Mo Yan was genuinely happy for her friend but couldn’t find time to visit the Liu family personally—because the imperial examination was approaching.  

This year’s imperial examination was delayed by a few days. On the fifth day after the results were announced, the date was finally set: the sixth day of the fifth lunar month, right after the Dragon Boat Festival.  

The imperial examination in Da Chu consisted of two rounds. The first round was the re-examination, held in Baohe Hall. Results were announced the following day, with the top 30 candidates advancing to the second round. The second round was the true imperial examination, where the emperor personally posed questions, and the 30 tribute scholars answered on the spot.  

Both rounds tested policy essays. There was no word limit, though essays typically comprised around 2,000 characters, with a time limit of one and a half hours. For the top 30 scholars who had overcome numerous challenges, writing a policy essay within this timeframe was not difficult. However, standing out required not only solid skills but also the ability to grasp the intentions of the examiner, making it a real challenge.  

Policy essays were usually tied to current affairs. Without an understanding of these issues, it was impossible to produce an exceptional essay. Therefore, those who made it into the top 30 were never mere bookworms but individuals capable of applying their knowledge to practical matters.  

The final round of the imperial examination was of paramount importance, determining one’s future prospects. Consequently, the competition in the first round was particularly intense.  

[End of Chapter]   

 Chapter 871: The Imperial Examination Fame (1)

The fact that Chen Ji died at the hands of his own daughter was a death that certainly sent chills down one’s spine, but it was also deeply satisfying, and Mo Yan felt no sympathy at all.

With the latent threat finally gone, Mo Yan’s mood couldn’t be anything but light.

Xiao Ruiyuan seized the opportunity, trying his best to gain the forgiveness of the woman he loved. However, no matter how much he apologized and tried to comfort her, even though Mo Yan's earlier anger had completely subsided, she had no intention of letting the matter go easily.

In the end, Xiao Ruiyuan was coldly and "mercilessly" pushed out of the room by Mo Yan.

Standing in the yard, Xiao Ruiyuan stared blankly at the door to the small hall, which slammed shut with a loud noise. Then the lights inside the room went out, plunging everything into darkness. Despite his many thoughts, the cool night wind swept them all away.

Mo Yan lay in bed but couldn’t fall asleep no matter how much she tossed and turned. Her eyes were fixed on the window as though she could see through it, wondering if the person outside was still there.

Half an hour passed, and Mo Yan couldn’t hold out against her own emotions any longer. She quietly got out of bed, went to the window, and gently opened a crack, making a soft noise.

Xiao Ruiyuan was no fool. How could he not hear such a subtle sound? In the darkness, his gaze locked onto the slightly open window, but he pretended not to notice that someone was standing behind it. He remained still in the yard, the corner of his lips curling up in a subtle smile that no one could see.

Behind the window, Mo Yan was conflicted. This man was obviously busy, and tomorrow he couldn’t afford to rest, yet he insisted on wasting his time in her small yard. Did he think that if he stood there all night, she would "forgive" him? How could things be that simple?

Hmph, let him stand if he wishes. It would serve him right if he missed tomorrow's morning court session and was late to work at the office—let them laugh at him!

Mo Yan thought this to herself, but she didn’t move from the window. The two of them stood there, separated by the window, silently staring at each other for another half hour without either leaving.

Even Xiao Ruiyuan, as oblivious as he might be, understood the intent of his beloved girl. He felt increasingly regretful about his actions. If he hadn’t been awakened by her sharp words in the critical moment, he would have made a huge mistake. It was no wonder that Mo Yan was so upset with him.

The painful reminder on his tongue only added to his remorse. Though he now understood Mo Yan's true intentions, he still didn’t know how to earn her forgiveness.

Reluctantly, not wanting his beloved to stand there with him all night, Xiao Ruiyuan finally turned to leave the small yard. As he walked away, a long, wistful sigh escaped his lips, clearly heard by Mo Yan.

When Mo Yan finally came to her senses, the yard was empty, with only the branches swaying in the wind. Xiao Ruiyuan’s figure had completely vanished.

...

For several days, people both familiar and unfamiliar came to the Mo household to offer their congratulations. By the end of it, the Mo family was completely exhausted from dealing with visitors. Although they understood that these people were acting out of good intentions, it still left them feeling weary and disturbed. Mo Yan, on the pretext of Mo Qingze studying for the imperial examination, refused visitors and closed the door during the day.

This spring’s imperial examination saw neither Han Zhiyun nor Shen Ji passing. Though disappointed, they had prepared themselves for the possibility of failing and didn’t take it too hard. They simply resolved to try again three years later.

Not everyone could have such a mindset. Though Mo Yan felt regretful for their failure, she couldn’t go so far as to send them spiritual water every day, to help them, as she did with Mo Qingze, in enhancing their mental clarity.

What she could do, however, was send them fresh fruits and vegetables from the family’s surplus crops, inviting them to visit often, and ensuring they had enough of the spiritual water she had prepared.

(End of chapter)

 Chapter 1684: Saving People

Fortunately, this time luck was on Meng Pei's side as the group moved in a different direction.

They were pushing carts, and the entrance of the secret passage could only accommodate two people side by side, making the carts quite narrow.

The person pulling the carts was in front, leading a group of five carts.

The carts emitted a strong smell of blood, and once they had moved far enough, Meng Pei stealthily followed from behind.

Thankfully, these people were all focused on pushing forward and didn't notice the person trailing them.

When they reached the entrance to the black market, the leader pressed the protrusion, and they were questioned by the gatekeeper.

Taking advantage of the situation, Meng Pei hid under one of the carts and infiltrated the black market with the group.

When Meng Pei arrived, a group of people had just left the black market, so there weren't many people inside. Only two or three were guarding the Beast Camp.

The carts were destined to be brought into the Beast Camp.

These carts were loaded with food for the beasts. Originally, this food was imported from outside the city, but with people from other counties coming and going lately and official soldiers searching for the bandits, it was more convenient to transport the food to the magistrate's private residence instead.

After getting off the cart, Meng Pei hid in the rafters at the innermost part of the Beast Camp.

The environment inside was dimly lit, spacious, and filled with various sounds from the beasts. This made it easy for Meng Pei to stay hidden.

However, the Beast Camp only had one exit, guarded by three individuals. It would be quite difficult for Meng Pei to escape without drawing any attention.

He waited for the right opportunity in the Beast Camp, enduring his hunger. The people in the black market provided only raw meat for the fierce beasts, with no leaves or any other form of sustenance. Meng Pei found it uncomfortable to look at, let alone consume.

Fortunately, there were several large and clean water buckets, allowing him to quench his hunger by drinking water.

He remained hidden for an entire night but never found an opportunity to escape. The guards at the entrance didn't decrease, and others even came to join them, preventing any chances of escape.

Growing increasingly restless, Meng Pei decided to take matters into his own hands. Just as he was about to make a move, Young Master He was brought in at that moment.

Meng Pei could only watch as the bandits laughed and dragged the cursing Young Master He towards the innermost part of the camp. There, they locked him inside an iron cage, which housed a wolf that hadn't eaten for over a day.

The wolf had apparently shown no interest in the food sent by the magistrate and had been staring menacingly at the humans instead.

The bandits threw Young Master He into the cage without hesitation. As the door was locked behind him, Young Master He shivered in fear.

Although he had initially railed against the people in the black market, facing the hungry and ferocious wolf, he wished he could faint immediately.

He banged on the iron door, but all he heard was arrogant laughter from outside.

Helpless, Meng Pei watched as the wolf on the ground lifted its head, its bloodthirsty gaze fixed on Young Master He His heart skipped a beat.

With a person in front of him, Meng Pei couldn't stand idly by.

He leaped down from the rafters, drew his soft sword from his waist, and quietly positioned himself outside the iron cage.

Just as the fierce wolf lunged menacingly towards Young Master He, who was trembling in fear and close to passing out, Meng Pei thrust his sword forward.

However, separated by the iron bars, the wolf, experienced in combat, managed to evade Meng Pei's attack.

 Chapter 1683: Trapped Alive Inside

After entering the secret passage, Meng Pei noticed a protrusion on the wall.

He reached out and pressed it, causing the wall outside the secret passage to return to its original position, sealing the entrance.

As he groped his way forward, he carefully observed his surroundings.

The secret passage was long, and since he was alone and had no guide, he was uncertain which direction to choose at the fork in the path. He randomly picked one, and by chance, he chose the path that led to the magistrate's private residence.

However, when he reached the end of the chosen path, there was only another wall before him. It was the same wall he had entered through, complete with a protrusion.

After hesitating for a while, Meng Pei decided to press the protrusion, but there was no response.

Meng Pei waited for a moment, then turned around and retraced his steps to the fork, choosing the other path.

This time, he ended up at the black market entrance. Though the journey was long, when he reached the end, he was faced with yet another identical wall with a protrusion.

He pressed it, and still, there was no response.

Meng Pei's head buzzed. All three directions led to a protrusion, and none of them yielded any results. Was the one he had entered through simply a mechanism to close the door, rendering him unable to exit?

Suddenly, Meng Pei understood the meaning behind that person's eerie smile before he left – even if he entered the secret passage, it was futile. With no one to open the doors, he couldn't get out at all!

This secret passage would trap him alive inside.

Upon hearing this, Meng Yunzheng paused. "The protrusion you pressed didn't respond?"

Wait a minute. They hadn't tried the protrusions leading to the abandoned mansion and the magistrate's private residence. They didn't know if they were functional. But the wall that led to the black market, Meng Yunzheng had definitely seen the bandit press that protrusion, revealing the face of the gatekeeper behind it.

Meng Yunzheng turned his head to look at the bandit trailing behind.

The bandit was cautiously looking around, afraid that a wild beast that hadn't left the Beast Camp might suddenly leap out from a corner and tear him apart. With Shu Yu and Young Master He in front of him, he hadn't heard the hushed conversation between Meng Pei and Meng Yunzheng.

Seeing Meng Yunzheng's gaze, he became flustered. "Wh-what's wrong?" he stammered.

Meng Yunzheng squinted. "You said that the protrusion leading from the secret passage to the black market had to be pressed simultaneously with the third tile beneath it?"

The mountain bandit nodded. "Yes, yes. There's a brick under the third tile beneath that protrusion. You need to press them both at the same time."

Meng Yunzheng recalled the situation. When the mountain bandit pressed the protrusion earlier, he had indeed noticed the bandit placing his other hand on a tile below.

At the time, he thought the bandit was simply leaning in a bit, as there was no visible change in the tile's appearance.

He hadn't anticipated such a subtle detail.

Upon hearing this, Meng Pei also had an epiphany.

He gave a wry smile. If it weren't for his familiarity with the area, who would have thought of this?

He examined every part of the wall, but he still couldn't find a way out.

As a result, he was trapped in the secret passage for the entire night. It wasn't until the following afternoon that he was attempting the wall leading to the magistrate's private residence when he heard faint movements outside.

Someone was about to enter the secret passage!

Meng Pei instantly became alert and hurriedly hid back at the fork in the path.

It didn't take long before he heard faint sounds, and a group of people arrived, pushing a cart.

Meng Pei was nervous the whole time. Even though he was hidden in the fork, he couldn't be sure which direction the group was going. If they happened to turn towards him and they met face-to-face, wouldn't that expose him completely?

 Chapter 246.2: Across the Mountains of Difference... Where Is the Mountain?

She still had many things to do in the days ahead. Since they had already formed such a fated bond, if they could maintain contact and help one another, what harm could there be?

Speaking of the word “future,” Yun Hui took out a folded memorial and handed it over to Chang Kuo with both hands.

With the words spoken by the Grand Princess of Xuan’an that day, Xu Zheng had already withdrawn and fortified Jiangning. The battle of Hezhou had temporarily come to an end, and it was now necessary to report the details of the battle—its losses, casualties, and every particular—to the capital and present them before the Holy Emperor.

“…This is a draft prepared by me and officer Peng. Please, Grand General Chang, take a look. If there is anything inappropriate or missing, I will make the necessary corrections.”

Chang Kuo instinctively said, “Let Suining take a look.”

To make it sound more natural, he added with a smile, “Let Suining look it over for me!”

Yun Hui responded with a “yes,” and handed the memorial to Chang Suining.

Chang Suining accepted it and sat down on the drum stool behind her.

She was of the build and frame of an ordinary young woman. Sitting upon the low drum stool, holding the memorial carefully in her hands, she looked unexpectedly well-behaved.

Yun Hui, for some reason, drifted into distraction for a moment, wondering what she would look like if she changed into a woman’s ruqun. Yet, he found he couldn’t picture it at all.

Before long, he saw the young girl hand the memorial back to him with a gentle smile. “It’s very good. Thank you.”

“It’s very good” because its contents were fair and objective, written with integrity and without exaggeration for the sake of securing more compensation from the court.

“Thank you,” because the document repeatedly detailed her and Chang Kuo’s actions and emphasized the difficulty of Chang Kuo’s position, the preciousness of his decision to send troops to aid Hezhou, and Li Yi’s contribution.

In the list of those who had rendered meritorious service in defending the city, the names of Chang Suining and Chang Kuo were written at the very top.

From this, one could see Yun Hui’s sincerity and that of the Hezhou officials involved in drafting the memorial.

In the face of such sincerity, Chang Suining did not refuse. When she and Chang Kuo chose to rush to Hezhou, it had not been for fame or gain—but what was rightfully theirs, there was no need to reject.

Moreover, she now needed “reputation.” With that word, “reputation,” many things could be accomplished.

The girl’s words were concise and straightforward, calm and open. Yun Hui nodded. “So it should be. No need to thank me.”

Seeing that Chang Kuo also nodded without even looking at the document, Yun Hui put the memorial away, ready to have it sent to the capital upon his return.

He then said, “Yun Hui is unworthy, but there are still matters I wish to consult the Grand General about.”

Chang Kuo gestured for him to speak.

The youth’s expression showed faint embarrassment. “After the battle, many matters in the city require decision-making. Affairs of the Prefect’s office were previously handled by my father and brother… and as for postwar administration, the officials here lack experience. There are differing opinions, constant disputes and noise—I truly don’t know how to discern the proper course.”

Chang Kuo understood and turned to his daughter.

Shamelessly, he said, “Over the years, I’ve already taught Suining everything I know. If you’re ever uncertain about something, you can ask her—it’s all the same.”

Thinking of his daughter’s abilities, Chang Kuo felt both guilty and proud—yes, this was exactly the kind of vain glory that made him willing to risk the wrath of his ancestors!

Chang Suining understood his meaning and turned to Yun Hui. “Where are you holding the discussions? If you need an additional advisor, I can go with you.”

With Chang Kuo’s words in mind, Yun Hui had no doubts at all. He nodded his thanks and immediately sent someone to summon the officials to the front hall for the meeting.

On the way there, Chang Suining encountered the Jicai Niangzi.

Hearing that Chang Suining was going to discuss city affairs with those officials, the JicaibLady volunteered to come along—most of those officials were civil officials, full of sour and pompous talk. Some were shameless, treating women soldiers with a double face—respectful during battle, disdainful afterward. And Young Miss Chang, after all, was still a young girl with little experience dealing with such people; she might be bullied!

Chang Suining first looked at Yun Hui. Seeing him nod, she allowed the lady to come along.

When they arrived at the council hall, everyone was already present. Yun Hui invited Chang Suining to sit at the chief seat.

Just as murmurs began to rise below, the Lady Jicai, standing beside Chang Suining, seemed to find the brazier burning too fiercely. She unfastened her cloak, revealing the wood-cutting knife strapped to her sturdy waist.

“…”

That single motion was very effective—the hall instantly became much cooler.

The rest of the meeting went much more smoothly. Compared to previous sessions, everyone was far more polite and accommodating.

But the reason for this newfound civility was not entirely the wood-cutting knife.

At first, upon seeing Chang Suining, many had still harbored doubts. Over these days, they had seen or heard of this young girl—how she had given countless strategies for training troops and defending the city, and how even Ge Zong had died at her hands. Though she was a girl, she was by no means to be underestimated.

They were grateful to her.

But a girl born into a military household—being skilled in the arts of war was understandable, a matter of family tradition and exposure.

Yet today’s meeting concerned city governance—an area handled by civil officials. What could a young girl like her contribute here?

Gratitude was one thing, but as the saying went, different trades are like separate mountains!

The young girl sat there quietly at first, saying nothing, occasionally sipping her tea. It was unclear how much she was listening.

After everyone had expressed their opinions, she finally spoke. First, she summarized what had been said, identifying the points that required resolution and the areas of dispute—without missing a single one.

The room fell silent without anyone realizing.

Then, she proceeded to sort through the issues one by one, highlighting each difficulty for collective discussion. Combining everyone’s ideas with the current situation in the city, she determined the most suitable solutions.

Her words were neither domineering nor offensive. She respected everyone’s opinions—when she refuted something, she first acknowledged its merits before pointing out where it was flawed.

Her manner of conduct bore none of the roughness or arrogance typical of a soldier, according to their prejudices.

Moreover, she seemed very familiar with city affairs and well-versed in the principles of governance—not indulging in fanciful theory, nor blindly clinging to procedure, but diagnosing problems precisely and applying practical, flexible solutions.

After two hours of discussion, the hall was free of disputes.

The only doubt lingering in everyone’s minds was—Different trades are like separate mountains… but where was the mountain?

After the meeting, as the crowd dispersed, some officials left together, whispering among themselves. “Tell me, what exactly does the Grand General intend, raising such a daughter?”

If he had taught her so much, surely he had plans for her talents?

If she were only to marry and bear children, wouldn’t that be a waste?

Should she be sent to war? That too would be beneath her abilities.

Their chatter faded as they departed.

Chang Suining and Yun Hui left the council hall together.

Outside, dusk had fallen. Most of the snow had melted, and a chill lingered in the air.

As they walked, they continued talking.

Yun Hui looked at the young girl beside him differently now. “...If I encounter problems again, may I come to consult you?”

“It’s not really ‘consulting.’ What I say might not always be right,” said Chang Suining. “But the more people, the more perspectives. Many answers are born from collision. Before I leave Hezhou, you can come find me anytime.”

Yun Hui paused, then asked, “You and the Grand General are leaving?”

“Yes, likely within these few days.”

Chang Suining turned her head to him and said at last, “You need not be so uncertain. Just remember this: at a time like this, the city’s circumstances are special. Rules are dead things—the city is alive. Govern with that thought, and Hezhou will thrive again.”

Yun Hui looked at her, nodding deeply, feeling enlightened.

…

That night, Yun Hui kept vigil in the mourning hall for his father and brother.

Chang Kuo and Chang Suining came to offer incense.

When they had finished paying their respects and were about to leave, they suddenly heard a servant announce that the Grand Princess of Xuan’an had arrived

 Chapter 246.1: Across the Mountains of Difference

Deputy General Jin had not missed the expression on Chang Kuo’s face.

Combining it with his earlier realization — “it’s enough to bring the gift when visiting; what matters is who comes” — he deduced that his Grand General’s mood right now was probably like this:

After fainting for two days, he woke up only to find that the guest was still at home and hadn’t left.

This meal… was inevitable.

But as Deputy General Jin thought it through more carefully, he felt that something still seemed off.

He was usually only afraid of guests coming to visit because that meant he had to personally cook for them.

But the Grand General didn’t need to personally wash and cook for Princess Xuan’an!

Besides, the Grand General had always been known for being open and hospitable — so why was he acting this way now?

What Chang Kuo was truly thinking, Deputy General Jin couldn’t guess.

But toward Li Tong, who had come to pay a visit, Chang Kuo’s attitude was perfectly proper — politely respectful, with the right measure of warmth due to an elder. He showed neither a cold face nor any excessive seriousness.

Privately, Chang Kuo felt that this young girl, Li Tong, wasn’t bad at all.

She was pleasant-looking, her temperament was frank and cheerful, and most importantly — she knew how to speak “human words.”

Unlike certain people, who always spoke so mockingly that even the Black and White Impermanence would have to kneel before her and call her “teacher.”

However, Chang Kuo soon discovered that while the girl’s words were pleasant, there were simply too many of them…

Li Tong expressed concern over Chang Kuo’s injuries, then, full of admiration, began talking about everything she had heard over the past few days — one “Grand General Chang’s great righteousness” after another, one “Sister Chang’s unparalleled bravery” after another.

Her mouth never stopped, and her tone was brimming with a sense of pride and joy as if she shared in their glory.

Judging by this, she could probably talk about it for three days and three nights nonstop.

For the sake of the girl’s tongue — and for his own ears — Chang Kuo smiled and changed the subject, bringing up his “precarious” son:

“…I wonder, has my son caused any trouble to your household?”

“Of course not! Grand General Chang, you’re being too formal.”

At the mention of Chang Sui’an, Li Tong’s smile grew even brighter.

“This time, Young Master Chang originally wanted to come to Hezhou with us, but Mother said that he should focus on recovery for now, so she persuaded him to stay.”

Chang Kuo’s fist clenched silently.

Persuaded?

That was house arrest!

That woman, Li Rong — she had always been overbearing, acting without the slightest regard for anyone’s will.

She had treated him like that in the past, and now she was doing the same to his son!

All his life, Chang Kuo had lived boldly and freely, never bound by trifles.

In theory, it was only a son — something he could bear to part with.

But when it came to her— she could dream on!

Even if he had to throw his son into a dung pit, he would never let that woman have him!

Chang Kuo silently resolved that he would rather shatter jade than let it be sullied.

While his mind was full of thoughts of “shattered jade,” Li Tong’s thoughts were the exact opposite.

One wanted to split apart; the other wanted to bring together — their hearts moved in opposite directions.

To create a harmonious atmosphere, Li Tong animatedly began recounting funny little stories about Chang Sui’an in Xuanzhou.

Chang Kuo, upholding his principle of “do not vent your anger on the innocent girl,” forced a smile on his face while inwardly plotting how to retrieve his son.

Beside them, Chang Suining drank tea quietly, observing the scene with relish — though she had no melon seeds in hand, her enjoyment was as if she did.

After a while, someone from Princess Xuan’an’s residence came to deliver a message — Li Tong was to return.

Li Tong’s scalp tingled at once; she knew she would surely get scolded for this visit.

She quickly rose and bowed:

“This junior will come again to visit Grand General Chang when there’s time.”

Chang Kuo smiled politely and nodded.

Deputy General Jin escorted Li Tong out.

Then Chang Suining turned her gaze toward Chang Kuo, who instinctively sat up straighter.

“…What is it?” he asked.

Chang Suining blinked at him.

“Father, do you have… some kind of secret you’re hiding?”

Chang Kuo’s face darkened — and then flushed.

“What nonsense are you talking about!”

Chang Suining was just about to pry further when another soldier came to report:

“Young Master Yun has arrived.”

Yun Hui had come to visit and give thanks upon hearing that Chang Kuo had regained consciousness.

Along with him was Yun Gui.

His wounds had been healing for over ten days, and only today was he allowed to get out of bed and walk.

As soon as the boy entered behind his elder brother, he knelt down solemnly before Chang Kuo and spoke:

“Yun Gui thanks Grand General Chang for your life-saving grace! You not only saved our Yun family, but you saved all of Hezhou. From today onward, you are Yun Gui’s greatest benefactor!”

As he said this, he knocked his head firmly against the floor.

Seeing that his younger brother had singlehandedly raised the standard of gratitude so high, Yun Hui felt that if he didn’t kneel too, it would seem insincere — so he knelt and kowtowed as well.

Chang Kuo quickly motioned for Deputy General Jin to help the two brothers up.

But Yun Gui, just as he was lifted, turned around and — thud! — knelt down again before Chang Suining.

“And to Young Miss Chang as well — benefactor above, please accept Yun Gui’s bow!”

Over the past two days, he had heard his elder brother speak many times about this lady of the Chang family, and he now knew clearly that it was this “Young Miss Chang” who had saved his life.

Facing his savior, Yun Gui’s kowtows were loud and earnest.

Hearing the sound and looking at the girl who stood half a head shorter than himself, Yun Hui suddenly felt a strange discomfort.

He hesitated for a moment — and just as he lifted his robe, about to kneel and kowtow too, Chang Suining had already helped Yun Gui up.

Chang Kuo, too, raised a hand in time to stop Yun Hui.

“All right, both of you are still injured. You’ll only knock your heads worse that way!”

So Yun Hui changed it to a deep bow toward Chang Suining instead.

“Young Miss Chang’s great kindness — Yun Hui will remember it always. Should there ever be anything you need of me, I will go through fire and water without hesitation.”

There was too much he owed her for.

She had saved him not once, but many times.

She was his entire family’s benefactor.

She had even helped him take revenge on Ji Xi for his father and brother.

Thus his promise to go through fire and water was no empty courtesy.

He expressed his gratitude sincerely.

The young girl did not decline, but — most unusually — said,

“Then you must strive to improve yourself. Who knows, perhaps one day I really will come to collect on this favor.”

Yun Hui straightened, looked up at her, and nodded solemnly.

“Rest assured, I will.”

Chang Suining nodded in satisfaction.

“…” Yun Hui suddenly felt as though he were a dutiful student being praised by his teacher.

Seeing this scene, Deputy General Jin felt that he understood something again.

He knew too well the devastation war could bring.

Many people who were like steel during battle would collapse afterward — even if victorious — as though their taut breath had been released, plunging instantly into sorrow and despair, destroying both life and hope.

With Yun family’s younger son having gone through so much, it would be all too easy for him to follow that path.

But the young lady, as his benefactor, had instead given him a goal to look upward and forward to — saving him from being trapped in endless grief.

What a wise and kind-hearted young lady.

Deputy General Jin was deeply moved once more, completely won over by her — first by her capability, and then by her character.

He didn’t realize, however, that even Chang Suining herself would have been startled by such a noble interpretation.

In her eyes, whether she expected repayment for her good deeds depended entirely on whether she needed it.

Yun Hui had now earned great merit in defending Hezhou, and with the loyal spirits of his father and brother preceding him, his whole family were heroes.

He naturally deserved a bright future ahead.

Chapter 870: The Death of Chen Ji (4)

Mo Yan refused to look up at him, suddenly reaching out and pushing the unguarded Xiao Ruiyuan aside, quickly standing up and trying to retreat back to her room.

Xiao Ruiyuan panicked and acted faster than his thoughts, grabbing her wrist tightly. "Yan'er..."

Mo Yan forcefully shook her wrist but couldn't break free from his grip. She couldn't help but turn her head and glared at Xiao Ruiyuan fiercely, "Let go!"

Xiao Ruiyuan refused to let go. Looking at her lips, which were swollen and even slightly broken, a deep regret flashed in his eyes. "Yan'er, I'm sorry!" he said, reaching out to pull the startled girl into his arms, intending to comfort her properly.

Mo Yan glared at him and stepped aside, not giving him a chance to come closer. "Go away. I'm angry now, and I don’t want to talk to you."

Whether people called her pretentious or melodramatic, this guy had forced a kiss on her despite her unwillingness, almost suffocating her. She even pleaded, but he still wouldn’t let her go. If this continues, what would happen when they’re married? She was determined to make him remember this lesson!

Xiao Ruiyuan misunderstood Mo Yan’s intentions, thinking that she truly despised him. His expression changed, and he almost slapped himself.

Noticing the regret and guilt in his eyes, Mo Yan’s anger subsided a bit. She still wasn’t willing to forgive him easily and spoke in a cold tone: "Go away. If there's nothing urgent, don’t come here in the middle of the night again. I don’t want to anger my father." She forcefully pulled her wrist from his grip and pushed him toward the door.

Seeing that Mo Yan was really upset, Xiao Ruiyuan suppressed the panic in his heart and tried his best to calm himself, quickly thinking of a way to get her forgiveness. Surprisingly, he thought of something.

"Yan'er, I have something important to tell you. Let me finish!" Xiao Ruiyuan’s eyes lit up, and he tightened his grip on Mo Yan's wrist, a layer of sweat forming on his forehead.

Mo Yan, curious about what he could possibly have to say, stopped trying to push him away.

Xiao Ruiyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and tentatively led the girl toward the sofa.

Mo Yan had just been trapped under the weight of the sofa, unable to move, so she was reluctant to go over. She looked at Xiao Ruiyuan warily and said, "Just stand here and talk."

Xiao Ruiyuan’s eyes flashed with disappointment. He took a deep breath and said, "Chen Ji is dead. This morning, he was killed by his own daughter in the prison."

When the Chen family was captured, it was close to the New Year, and in order to avoid offending the gods, the authorities didn’t execute the Chen family members immediately. Later, after Du Shi was saved by Mo Yan and secretly sent back to her homeland by Xiao Ruiyuan, she could never return to the capital. The prison was left with only Chen Ji and his daughter.

Chen Ji had committed many heinous crimes, and he was supposed to be executed after the New Year. However, Emperor Hui'an suddenly changed his mind and decided to make the culprit who had poisoned Empress Chunyi suffer endless torment and humiliation before dying. So, Chen Ji was subjected to cruel tortures in the Ministry of Justice’s prison every day, until he couldn’t endure anymore. The Physician would save his life, and then the torture would continue...

Chen Ji was dead? Killed by Chen Shanshan?

Mo Yan was momentarily stunned, and Chen Ji’s somewhat blurry face appeared in her mind. She couldn’t believe that the man who had bad intentions toward her and her family was now dead, and worse, had been killed by his own daughter.

No matter what, the heartache had finally died, which was a good thing. Mo Yan snapped back to her senses and sneered, "Hmph, letting him live this long before dying is already letting him off easy!"

But why did Chen Shanshan kill her own father? Chen Ji had treated her well in the past; otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken her along when they escaped.

As if sensing her confusion, Xiao Ruiyuan explained, "Someone hinted to that woman that as long as she killed her father with her own hands, she could leave alive."

So, Chen Shanshan, in order to survive, stripped off her filthy and stinky clothes and, without any strength to resist, suffocated Chen Ji, who had been tortured for months and had lost all his strength.

Mo Yan immediately realized whose work this was, and she felt a cold chill. Even in death, Chen Ji had to die at the hands of his own daughter, unable to rest in peace. This was a truly vicious move, and it showed how deeply Emperor Hui'an hated him.

"So what about Chen Shanshan? Will she really be let go?" Mo Yan didn’t think Emperor Hui'an was so kind. He hadn’t eradicated the entire Chen family because he had no family to wipe out, but who knew how many innocent people would die with him if he could?

Xiao Ruiyuan shook his head. "She’ll be sent to a northern mine."

Mo Yan’s face showed a trace of surprise. Was Emperor Hui'an really so kind? But even though Chen Shanshan was despicable, she was indeed innocent—she hadn't killed anyone, and her crime didn’t deserve death.

Xiao Ruiyuan noticed Mo Yan’s thoughts but didn’t say anything. That woman had nothing to do with Yan’er. Why should she know such dirty matters?

(End of chapter)