He remarried after his mother's death, seized power over the world, and slept on the emperor�

The sky was overcast on the third day after the palace banquet.

A small sedan chair made of blue cloth silently stopped at the side gate of the Prince Xin's Mansion.

There were no ceremonial processions, no commotion.

Lin, who had been stripped of her position as a concubine, was helped out by two rough-looking old women.

She looked up and stared intently at the gilded plaque that read "Prince Xin's Mansion".

"I will come back."

Her lips moved.

"I will definitely come back!"

The sedan curtain fell, blocking the venomous gaze.

In the pavilion not far away, Ji Yunhan and the Dowager Empress stood side by side, taking in the whole scene.

"I'm gone."

Ji Yunhan uttered two words softly, his tone conveying a sense of relief, but also a hint of inexplicable emotion.

Over the years, this woman has been like a poisonous thorn, something that Ji Yunhan has never been able to let go of.

Now that the thorn has been removed, the wound remains, but at least there is relief.

The Dowager Empress's voice was calm.

Don't get too excited yet.

"Why do you think His Majesty only sentenced her to 'divorce' instead of 'imposing death'?"

Ji Yunhan frowned.

"What Mother means is..."

"Using someone else to do the dirty work."

The Dowager Empress flashed a knowing glint in her eyes.

"The Lin family's power has grown daily, and they have long been a major concern for His Majesty."

"What His Majesty did today may seem like he was doing it for you and to avenge Cheng Yun, but in reality, he was using you to give the Lin family a severe beating."

"The dismissal of a concubine is a great disgrace to the Lin family. They dare not hold this grudge against His Majesty."

"Naturally, it will all be attributed to your Prince Xin's Mansion."

The Dowager Empress sighed.

"From now on, we will be the ones standing in the open, the ones shielding His Majesty from the Lin family's wrath."

Ji Yunhan remained silent for a long while before suddenly smiling.

"target?"

"I've been this target for over a decade, and I don't mind being this target for a few more years."

He turned around and bowed solemnly to the Dowager Empress.

"Mother, I've figured it out."

"My son has already submitted a petition to His Majesty, requesting some official duties."

"The Prince Xin's mansion can no longer be manipulated like before."

The Dowager Empress looked at her son's finally straightened back, her eyes filled with tears of relief.

Her Yunhan is finally waking up from that long dream that has lasted for more than ten years.

On the same day, Liu Jingyi officially moved into the Prince Xin's Mansion.

The courtyard where she lived was called "Tingxuexuan" and was right next to Jinseyuan.

Every plant and tree in the courtyard exudes an air of careful arrangement.

Ji Yunhan stood awkwardly to the side.

"Jingyi, do you... still like it?"

Liu Jingyi looked around, her gaze gentle.

"Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."

She paused, then said softly, "However, I am merely a guest in the manor, 'Madam Liu,' so Your Highness need not go to such lengths."

"I don't want the prince to show favoritism or mistreat the other people in the manor because of me."

Ji Yunhan shook his head.

"Jingyi, don't worry."

"From today onwards, the Prince Xin's Mansion is no longer the Prince Xin's Mansion it once was."

"I will never let anyone have the chance to bully you again."

He needs to do more than just make amends.

Furthermore, he wanted to declare to the entire Northern Di that he, Ji Yunhan, was no longer the useless prince who only knew how to drink and make merry!

Soon, the Dowager Empress summoned all the servants in the mansion and made the announcement in public.

"Listen up, everyone!"

The Dowager Empress leaned on her dragon-headed cane, her voice booming like a bell.

"From this day forward, Bingning is a proper young lady of the Prince Xin's Mansion!"

"Madam Liu is the most distinguished guest of my Prince Xin's residence!"

"Anyone who dares to be the slightest bit negligent, or who goesssips and spreads rumors, will be punished."

"Disciplined according to family rules!"

The servants were terrified and fell silent.

"Yes, ma'am!"

Standing beside the Dowager Empress, Jiang Bingning felt a warm current welling up in her heart.

"Thank you, Dowager Consort Xie."

She naturally moved into Tingxuexuan to live with her mother.

Before long, Chang Fu, who was by Ji Chengyun's side, led a group of people and delivered a large number of items.

"Miss, this was sent by the young master."

Chang Fu chuckled as he directed the servants.

"The newly tribute brocade from Jiangnan, the finest pearls from the East China Sea, and a few old ginseng roots are for Lady Liu to nourish her body."

"The young master also said that since you and Madam Liu are new here, please just tell him if you need anything."

This is not just about supplies, but also about an attitude.

In this way, Ji Chengyun demonstrated to the entire Prince's Mansion that he had accepted this mother and daughter with special identities.

Where there is joy, there is also sorrow.

The Lin Family Villa on the outskirts of Beijing.

Jiang Yuerong was politely placed here, ostensibly to "learn the etiquette of a noblewoman".

She was overjoyed, thinking that she was one step closer to becoming the young mistress of the Lin family.

"Brother Wenbo, is this my residence?"

She grabbed Lin Wenbo's sleeve, her eyes brimming with barely concealed glee.

Lin Wenbo pulled out his sleeve, a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes were devoid of any warmth.

"yes."

He patted Jiang Yuerong's hand reassuringly.

"Yuerong, don't worry."

"Don't worry about staying here. Our Lin family will treat you well."

Jiang Yuerong blushed and lowered her head.

She couldn't see that Lin Wenbo's gentle smile vanished the moment he turned around.

Jiang Yuerong?

She was nothing more than a pawn that could temporarily appease Jiang Chengxuan, and then disgust Liu Jingyi and Jiang Bingning at crucial moments.

My aunt was divorced by Ji Yunhan, and this Jiang woman actually wants to be the young mistress of his Lin family.

A fool's dream.

It was late at night.

The candlelight in Tingxuexuan was still bright.

Liu Jingyi sat on the edge of the bed.

"Ning'er."

Her voice was full of heartache.

"It's your mother's fault for making you bear so much and get involved in all this trouble."

Jiang Bingning leaned against her mother's chest.

She shook her head.

"It's not Mother's fault."

She looked up at her mother's gentle eyes.

"Home is where your mother is."

Liu Jingyi could no longer hold back and hugged her daughter tightly, tears streaming down her face silently.

Outside the window, bamboo shadows sway.

Ji Chengyun, dressed in white, stood alone in the shadows of the courtyard.

He gazed quietly at the warm light shining through the window.

There seemed to be a slight tremor in some corner of that heart.

Under the same night sky, the study in the Yue King's mansion was icy cold.

Ji Ling stood with his hands behind his back by the window, looking at the secret report presented by the guards on the table.

Each sheet, each roll, records every little thing that has happened in the capital these past few days.

Jiang Bingning's wolf-head birthmark on her shoulder.

The connection between the Liu family and Princess Zhaowu of the previous dynasty, which began sixteen years ago.

The unusual activity at the Prince Xin's residence prompted Ji Yunhan to submit a petition requesting a new position.

The Lin family's suppressed anger and clandestine actions.

And... the unusual movements of Jiang Chengxuan's delegation over the Great Zhou.

All the clues, like countless invisible threads, converged from all directions.

Ultimately, it all came down to that woman named Jiang Bingning.

Who is she?

Is it a sharp blade that can be used by the Northern Barbarians, or a source of disaster that will overturn everything?

Ji Ling's brows furrowed tightly.

He felt as if he were standing right in the center of a giant spider web.

Both he and Jiang Bingning were prey in the net.

Or perhaps... a hunter wielding a chess piece?