Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

The group entered the main hall, and Han Fei sat directly in the main seat, while Liu Yunshu sat on the soft chair beside him.

Li De stepped forward with a cup of hot tea and respectfully handed it to the two of them.

Liu Cheng'an bowed deeply, not daring to even lift his head, and asked cautiously:

"Your Majesty's presence is an honor to my humble abode... May I ask what Your Majesty's purpose is in visiting today?"

Han Fei picked up a Ru kiln celadon teacup, his fingertips casually stroking the warm rim of the cup.

His gaze remained fixed on Liu Yunshu beside him, his tone languid:

"Didn't your Marquis's residence send a petition to the palace, saying that the old lady is seriously ill, misses her granddaughter, and wants to bring Yunshu back to the residence to visit her?"

He raised his eyes, his gaze lightly sweeping over Liu Chengan's face, which instantly stiffened.

"I'm merely accompanying her on this trip. What, is the Marquis of Puyang not welcoming me?"

"I wouldn't dare! I absolutely wouldn't dare!"

Liu Cheng'an was so frightened that he waved his hands repeatedly, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

"The old lady is indeed seriously ill. Upon learning that Yun Shu was coming back, her spirits improved considerably, and she is currently waiting at Songhe Hall."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yunshu finally spoke, her voice clear and calm, yet carrying a subtle hint of aloofness:

Please show me the way.

How could Liu Cheng'an dare to utter a single word of dissent? He quickly bowed and said:

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty will take the young lady there immediately."

Looking at Liu Yunshu being protected by Han Fei, Liu Yueyao suddenly had a wicked thought.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

As I passed by the garden, a crazy old woman suddenly jumped out from behind the rockery.

With disheveled hair, waving a wooden stick, and shouting:

"You lowly servant! You usurper! How dare you even dream of the wealth and power of the Marquis's mansion!"

The old woman rushed straight at Liu Yunshu with great speed.

"Stop her! Stop her now!"

Liu Cheng'an's expression changed drastically, and he cried out in alarm!

The guards rushed forward, but they were still a step too late.

"south wind!"

Han Fei pulled the person into his arms and kicked the old woman away.

"Bang--!"

With a muffled thud, she was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the artificial rockery.

It rolled to the ground again, twitched twice, and then fell silent.

Han Fei gently patted her trembling back with his palm, his eyes as cold as ice, yet he whispered tenderly to her:

"South wind, don't be afraid."

Liu Cheng'an was so frightened that he fell to his knees with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me! I had no idea this madwoman had managed to sneak into the mansion! I deserve to die!"

Han Fei slowly raised his eyes and glanced at the people from the Marquis's mansion who were kneeling on the ground behind him, trembling with fear.

"The guards of the Marquis of Puyang's residence have certainly broadened my horizons."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was like an icicle.

"In broad daylight, a madwoman dared to launch a weapon-wielding attack. If she were an assassin..."

He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife, fixed on Liu Cheng'an.

"Will my southern wind today splatter blood in your Marquis's garden? Or perhaps—"

He drew out the last syllable, his eyes flashing like lightning.

"Was this play staged specifically for me?"

The last sentence was earth-shattering!

"My lord...my lord..."

Liu Cheng'an trembled violently, his body covered in cold sweat that soaked through his undergarments.

He was speechless, his mind went blank, and he couldn't utter a single complete word.

He could only keep kowtowing, his forehead covered in blood mixed with cold sweat, looking utterly pathetic.

Liu Yueyao knelt to one side, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes, but she still forced herself to remain calm, sobbing as she said:

"Your Majesty, please calm down. It seems that this old woman suffered some injustice at the estate, which is why she ran back in a mad manner. It has nothing to do with the Marquis's residence."

"Irrelevant?"

Han Fei raised an eyebrow and looked at Liu Yueyao.

That gaze wasn't sharp; it was even somewhat indifferent, yet it instantly made Liu Yueyao feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave, her blood seemingly freezing.

It was a kind of indifference that saw through everything and looked down upon ants.

"Second Miss Liu,"

He spoke slowly, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger, yet it made Liu Yueyao's heart leap.

He called her "Second Miss Liu"!

Is this a reminder to her, and indeed to everyone else, of who the "eldest daughter" of the Marquis's mansion is now?

"He is quick-witted and good at making excuses."

Liu Yueyao's face turned deathly pale, her fingertips digging into her palms, the pain barely allowing her to maintain her shaky composure.

Han Fei stopped looking at her and instead called out, "Li De."

"Your servant is here," Li De replied, bowing.

"check."

Han Fei spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice suddenly turning stern.

"Investigate thoroughly! Investigate this old woman's background and how she infiltrated the Marquis's residence."

"Investigate whether her actions today were instigated by someone, or if she is truly insane!"

He paused briefly, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over the kneeling members of the Marquis's household:

"We must find out exactly who is behind this."

He emphasized the last four words.

Liu Yueyao's body trembled violently uncontrollably, and the last trace of color drained from her face.

She kept her head down, not daring to let anyone see the fear and resentment churning in her eyes.

Liu Yunshu raised her head and looked at Han Fei's cold profile, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.

She knew he was standing up for her.

She reached out and gently grasped his fingertips, her voice soft and sweet: "Junhuai, I'm alright."

Han Fei looked down at her, and the coldness in his eyes instantly vanished, replaced by boundless tenderness.

He raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes, his voice low and tender:

"With me here, no one can hurt you."

Liu Cheng'an knelt on the ground, listening to the conversation between the two, his heart sinking to the bottom.

Today's visit wasn't really to see the old lady; it was clearly... to support Liu Yunshu and establish her authority!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Songhe Hall.

The silver-thread charcoal burned brightly in the bronze incense burner inlaid with gilded dragon and beast patterns, emitting a warm glow that dispelled all the winter chill.

The strong aroma of medicine mingled with a faint, calming sandalwood scent, quietly permeating the air.

When Liu Yunshu followed Han Fei into the inner room, she immediately saw Old Madam Hou leaning against the bed.

The old man's temples were as white as snow, his face was withered, and the deep-set eyes were etched with the lines of time.

Only one pair of eyes suddenly shone with an astonishing light the moment they saw Liu Yunshu.

"Shu'er...is my Shu'er back?"

The old lady's voice trembled and became incoherent. She struggled to get out of bed, her movements so urgent that she almost fell.

"grandmother!"

Liu Yunshu felt a sudden pang of sadness, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

She rushed forward and steadily supported the old woman's frail body before she fell off the bed, her voice choked with emotion.

"It's me, Shu'er has come back to see you."

The old lady trembled as she reached out her withered hand and touched Liu Yunshu's warm and delicate cheek.

"You've lost weight..."

The old lady's cloudy eyes filled with tears, which streamed down her deep wrinkles.

"She's grown up...and looks even better...It's good to be back, it's good to be back..."

Only then did she notice the tall and noble figure beside Liu Yunshu. She was startled at first, and then hurriedly tried to bow.

"This old woman greets Your Majesty..."

Han Fei reached out to help him up, his tone unusually gentle:

"Madam, there's no need for such formalities. You're not feeling well, so please rest and rest. I've come back today with Yunshu to visit you."

With Liu Yunshu's help, Old Madam Hou leaned back against the soft pillows, but her gaze kept lingering between the two of them.

She was a wise and experienced woman; how could she not see the undisguised affection the emperor held for his granddaughter?

A fleeting look of knowing relief crossed his cloudy eyes, followed by a deeper, relieved ease.

She gently patted Liu Yunshu's hand, which was supporting her, with her thin, withered hand. The force was light, but it was full of comfort.

She turned to look at Han Fei, her aged voice hoarse with excitement, yet carrying an unprecedented solemnity and a hint of pleading:

"Your Majesty, Shu'er... has suffered too many unspeakable grievances..."

She paused, took a deep breath, and then continued:

"Now, she is fortunate to have won His Majesty's favor..."

She looked at Han Fei with clear and earnest eyes.

"I only ask that Your Majesty will protect her more in the future, and not let her suffer any more grievances or hardships."

Liu Yunshu's throat tightened, her eyes reddened, and tears silently streamed down her face.

She grasped the old lady's withered yet warm hand tightly, a wave of bittersweet warmth washing over her.

"grandmother……"

Han Fei lowered his eyes, gazing at the old man's wrinkled face on the couch, a face filled with sincere pleading.

He nodded slightly, his tone solemn.

"Don't worry, Madam. Yunshu is someone I cherish and will treasure for the rest of my life."

"I will naturally protect her, pamper her, and not let her suffer the slightest hardship or injustice."

He paused, then added in a steady and powerful voice:

"What she lacked before, I will make up for in double measure. From now on, no one will be able to harm her in the slightest."

Upon hearing this, Madam Hou's eyes welled up with tears, but a smile of immense relief spread across her face.

She nodded repeatedly, her withered hands gripping Liu Yunshu's hand even tighter.

"Good...good...with Your Majesty's words, I can close my eyes in peace even if I have to die now..."

"Grandmother!" Liu Yunshu cried out urgently, her tears falling even more fiercely.

The old lady smiled and shook her head, gesturing for Granny He, who had been serving her for many years and whose eyes were also red, to come forward.

Granny He was holding a carved sandalwood box in her hands. The box was not large, but it had an antique feel to it.

The edges and corners were worn smooth and shiny, clearly indicating that the owner often took them out to check them.

"Shu'er,"

The old lady tremblingly took the box and solemnly placed it in Liu Yunshu's hands.

His thin, bony fingers gripped her wrist tightly, his eyes filled with tenderness and reluctance.

"This is the dowry that your grandmother prepared for you."

As she spoke, she coughed violently again, her thin body trembling like a flickering candle in the cold wind, her face flushed with a sickly redness.

Liu Yunshu quickly patted her back to help her catch her breath, her fingertips brushing against her thin, almost skeletal back, the bitterness in her heart almost overwhelming her.

"Grandmother, please speak slowly, don't rush..."

As the old lady caught her breath, she gripped Liu Yunshu's hand even tighter, as if she wanted to pass on all the strength and concern she had accumulated throughout her life.

She personally opened the copper clasp of the sandalwood box, which was lined with soft red velvet.

At the very top are a pair of mutton-fat white jade bracelets, the jade is lustrous and flawless, like solidified fat, like the first snow, and is an extremely rare and exquisite piece.

Beneath the jade bracelet lay a neat stack of land deeds and silver notes, amounting to a huge sum.

It was clearly a private savings that had been secretly accumulated little by little over the years.

"These... are all things I've secretly saved up over the years."

The old lady's voice was low, but every word was clear.

"The deeds to the estate and the shop, and the cash... you can accept them without worry."

"Grandmother asks for nothing else but that my Shu'er... may have a prosperous, healthy, peaceful and smooth life from now on."

She changed the subject and looked at Han Fei again.

His eyes held a more complex plea, even a hint of unspeakable shame.

"Your Majesty, I... have another request."

She glanced at Liu Cheng'an and Wang Shi, who were standing at the door, their faces pale and almost unsteady.

A deep sense of pain and helplessness flashed across his cloudy eyes.