After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

His cheeks were stained with blood.

Zhao Yuan was surrounded by a group of guards in the center.

"Your Majesty, if we don't retreat now, it will truly be too late!"

The leader of the Feather Guard had been shot several times. If it weren't for his excellent armor, his arm would have been pierced by the dense array of spears.

"Your Majesty! As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn!"

"Your Majesty! I beg Your Majesty to retreat!"

Take care of your health, my lord!

The dense shouts outside the palace made Zhao Yuan unable to distinguish whether it was Shen Weishan's reinforcements or the garrison troops coming to his aid.

But he also knew that if he continued to persevere, there would only be one path waiting for him.

That is to die from exhaustion.

After much deliberation, Zhao Yuan wiped the blood from his cheek. Just as he turned to leave, a sharp blade pierced through his shoulder with lightning speed!

The piercing pain made Zhao Yuan look up at the sky. His eyes were dazzled by the sun, and he saw a familiar figure standing on the wall.

That's... my elder sister!

"His Majesty!"

This sudden accident threw all the guards into a panic.

Seeing Zhao Yuan take a direct hit from a flying arrow, Prince Rui was extremely pleased and immediately called for his defense team.

"All soldiers, heed my command! Charge with me!"

"This king will reward you handsomely!"

Seeing that the emperor was seriously injured, the guards behind Prince Rui realized that a great victory was in sight.

They immediately shouted in unison, "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The palace on that day was nothing short of a living hell, a place of hell and fire.

Zhao Huining remained motionless, taking in the smug look on Prince Rui's face, and closed her eyes to count the hours.

Shen Weishan will soon lead the other garrison troops that came to "assist" Zhao Yuan to capture Prince Rui.

By then, it was "too late"—the emperor had already died under the spear of the traitorous Prince Rui.

Everything was proceeding according to the pre-arranged plan. Zhao Huining lowered her eyes. She had already discussed with the Imperial Concubine that the Empress's eldest daughter would ascend the throne.

"Ah Ning!"

A gasp rang in my ears.

Zhao Huining suddenly turned around and saw Jiawan, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.

"Ah Shui... what brings you here?"

"It's very dangerous outside, Ah Shui, you should go back to the Imperial Concubine's place."

Unexpectedly, the first thing Zhao Huining did when he saw her was to advise her to hide safely, which made Jiawan very angry.

She retorted indignantly, "Ah Ning, why don't you ever tell me when you make a decision?"

"Don't you care about me?"

"No one would make a decision behind the back of their loved one. We Miao people don't have such a rule. You're not from Miao... but you should still respect local customs."

"At least, Aning... could you please listen to what I have to say to you?"

For the past month, Jiawan has been tossing and turning, unable to sleep well.

She did this because she was worried about Zhao Huining's safety, but she didn't expect this person to be so rude.

They only cared about hiding her away, but never told her anything about any danger she might be in.

Jiawan didn't like Zhao Huining acting this way; she hated it.

Stunned by Jia Wan's barrage of questions, Zhao Huining truly didn't know how to face her. She stared blankly at Jia Wan.

After a long silence, he racked his brains for a solution.

Zhao Huining finally spoke, "Alright, Ah Shui, I'll do as you say, I won't stay here."

"I'll leave with you."

"Is that okay?"

Bending down and reaching out to take Jiawan's hand, Zhao Huining was indeed reflecting on whether she was too self-centered and didn't discuss anything with Jiawan, which made Jiawan so anxious and insecure.

Jiawan: "Aning, this is more like it."

Jiawan: "Do you know how angry you were just now? You almost killed me!"

Jiawan was satisfied with the promise. She was a carefree person and all she wanted was for Zhao Huining to leave the palace, this place of trouble, as soon as possible.

Returning to the Princess's residence with her would save us a lot of trouble.

Listening quietly to Jiawan's rambling, Zhao Huining smiled softly.

Born into the royal family, Zhao Huining began to scheme from a young age, believing that even blood relatives were not trustworthy.

Just like her and her younger brother.

Ultimately, this is how it ended up.

There is no good beginning, and there is no good ending.

But Jiawan was the only one willing to lay bare her true heart for her; her heart and eyes were filled with nothing but her.

Zhao Huining cherished it very much.

...

Another month later.

The imperial city has returned to its former bustling state.

Vendors came in droves, and the streets were bustling with people.

Sang Che and Yin Huaixi were still staying at the inn, but at this point they had no intention of going to the palace.

"Ah Che, do you think... Ah Shui will stay and raise that child for Her Highness the Princess?"

The "child" that Yin Huaixi mentioned refers to the current crown prince of the Great Xin Dynasty, the only legitimate child of the emperor and empress.

She and Zhao Huining are closely related by blood.

However, no one can say for sure whether the child, if he knew the truth about the "palace coup," would draw his sword and kill Zhao Huining to avenge his father.

Sang Che was taken aback by the question. She really didn't know if Ah Shui would make this decision, after all, Ah Shui had never had much patience when raising Gu worms before.

Not to mention raising children.

She only liked obedient Gu worms; Ah Shui would leave the more temperamental ones to her to deal with.

Sang Che also strictly disciplined the naughty children. If they bit someone, he would knock out one tooth; if they bit someone again, he would knock out two teeth.

If they still don't listen, then I'll stomp them to death.

Sang Che naturally kept such an obedient child like Xiao Ya'er by his side.

I was overjoyed.

Sang Che: "I really don't know that..."

Sang Che: "If Huai Xi is so curious, why doesn't she just ask Ah Shui with the butterfly? Anyway... I'm not really interested in raising children."

Hearing her say that, Yin Huaixi felt a rebellious streak and suddenly became interested in teasing Sang Che.

She deliberately walked to Sang Che's side, chased away the butterflies fluttering around the table, and monopolized Sang Che's attention. Yin Huaixi rested her chin on her hands, her beautiful eyes sparkling, and said with a smile, "Ah Che, do you know?"

"In my world, women can have children with each other, Ah Che... don't you want one?"

Her long, black hair brushed against Sang Che's cheek, making her heart flutter. She looked up at her beloved and shook her head.

Sang Che: "Huai Xi, I've raised Gu, and I understand how much damage childbirth does to a mother's body. Don't suffer like that."

"I don't want you to suffer like that either."

She reached out and touched Yin Huaixi's cheek, wishing only that her beloved would live a carefree life and never suffer any more torment in the world.

Sang Che's expression turned serious: "As for me... if you wish, I am willing."

Yin Huaixi took a deep breath, realizing she had inadvertently fallen into Sang Che's trap.

Looking down guiltily, she said, "You've said all that, how can I bear to... Ah Che, your health is even worse than mine."

"It's better not to suffer any more of that trouble."

"I am content with just you and me."

Sang Che imitated Yin Huaixi's unrestrained manner, placing her hands on the table, her long braid hanging down, with pretty little bells tied to the ends of her hair, jingling.

Those clean and clear eyes were filled with nothing but Yin Huaixi.

She turned her head to the side and, taking advantage of Yin Huaixi's distraction, lightly kissed him on the cheek.

"Huai Xi".

"If it's you, I'm willing."