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

Ji Ling stopped three steps behind Jiang Bingning.

The wind blew a stray lock of hair from her temple, carrying a hint of desolation.

Jiang Bingning seemed unaware of Ji Ling's arrival, still quietly gazing at the tightly closed doors of the ancestral hall, lost in thought.

The fierce confrontation with Ji Zhaowu just now had completely vanished, leaving only cold silence.

Ji Ling's throat bobbed, wanting to say something comforting, but in the end he only took a step forward and stood beside her.

"I've thought about it."

He was the first to break the silence.

Jiang Bingning finally looked away, turned her head to look at him, and her emotions had calmed down.

"How so?"

"I would like to present the account books directly to His Majesty."

A flame ignited in Ji Ling's eyes, an uncontrollable rage and killing intent.

"That old scoundrel Lin Wei dared to extend his reach into the Northern Border Camp! This time, I'll make him pay back with interest!"

"Not now."

Jiang Bingning's voice ignited the fire in Ji Ling's heart.

Ji Ling frowned.

Why?

His tone carried a hint of confusion and urgency.

"Jiang Bingning, do you even know how many of my Wolf Guard brothers have died?!"

"I know."

Jiang Bingning's eyes did not flinch at all. In her previous life, Ji Ling had fallen into the hands of Prime Minister Lin.

"It is precisely because we know this that we must not act rashly."

Ji Ling's fists clenched so tightly in his sleeves that they cracked.

"What exactly are you worried about?"

Jiang Bingning did not answer immediately.

After a moment of silence, when she spoke again, her voice was calm to the point of being cruel.

"Ji Ling, have you ever wondered why Li Chong died so easily?"

Ji Ling was taken aback.

"In Lin Wei's eyes, he was just a pawn that could be discarded at any time, a mere deputy general of the northern border."

"Once a chess piece is ruined, it's simply thrown away; there's no need to bother trying to cover it up."

Her voice paused.

"Lin Wei has been able to wield immense power in the imperial court for twenty years. Do you think he would leave such obvious incriminating evidence for us to accuse him upon our return?"

"Since he dared to abandon Li Chong, it means he wasn't afraid of Li Chong being exposed at all."

"Since he dared to let us take the account book back to the capital, it means that the account book can no longer harm him."

"Or rather..."

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Bingning's eyes.

"He probably already had a backup plan and dug a trap, just waiting for you and me to walk into it with this so-called 'ironclad evidence'."

Every word he said pierced Ji Ling's heart.

Yes.

He was blinded by hatred.

How could Lin Wei, that old fox, be so incompetent?

Can……

"What should we do with the dead wolf guards?"

Ji Ling's voice carried a hint of pain.

"Shouldn't they avenge themselves?"

Report.

"Not only should we seek retribution, but we should also make him pay for his crimes with interest, in blood."

Jiang Bingning looked into Ji Ling's bloodshot eyes and said, word by word.

"But not now."

Ji Ling took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

He looked at the woman in front of him, who was a few years younger than him, and how she could still maintain such a clear mind under such tremendous changes and pressure.

"Then tell me, what should we do?"

Jiang Bingning met his gaze with a firm look in her eyes.

"The details of the account books must never be known to a third party."

"Then, give me some time."

"Give me time to investigate."

"Investigate what?"

"What is Cha Linwei's real backup plan?"

"Since he dared to set a trap, he will inevitably slip up. What I need to do is find his weakness and then deliver a fatal blow."

Her voice carried a hint of ruthlessness and determination.

Ji Ling remained silent.

He looked at her for a long time before slowly speaking.

"How long will it take?"

"I don't know." Jiang Bingning shook her head.

"However, if no information is found within a month, it will not be too late for you to submit the account books to His Majesty then."

Ji Ling finally nodded.

"it is good."

I believe you.

-----------------

Meanwhile, at the Lin family villa in the east of the city.

Jiang Yuerong was sitting by the window, holding a book in her hand, but her mind had already flown far away.

She has been living in the Lin family's villa for some time now.

The Lin family treated her well, providing her with the finest food, clothing, and daily necessities.

But she knew in her heart that all of this was nothing but a mirage.

She needs a real identity that will allow her to make a living.

An identity that would allow her to forever escape the shadow of Jiang Bingning.

The sound of footsteps grew louder as they approached; it was Lin Wenbo.

Jiang Yuerong immediately put down her book, stood up to greet her, and wore a gentle and polite smile.

"Brother Wenbo."

Lin Wenbo smiled and waved his hand, gesturing for her to sit down.

"Sister Yue Rong, I've come today to tell you some good news."

good news?

Jiang Yuerong's heart skipped a beat, but she remained expressionless, feigning curiosity.

"Oh? What good news is it?"

Could it be... that the Lin family is finally going to give her a formal status?

She could hardly bear to think any further, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears as she gazed at Lin Wenbo.

Lin Wenbo's smile deepened as he looked at her.

"My father has arranged an excellent marriage for you."

Jiang Yuerong's smile froze for a moment.

Lin Wenbo seemed oblivious to her odd behavior and continued talking to himself.

"The other party is the son of the Vice Minister of War, named Wang Kun."

The Vice Minister of War... a son of a concubine?

Jiang Yuerong's fingernails were almost embedded in her palm.

She went to great lengths to seek refuge with the Lin family, only to end up with a marriage contract with the son of a vice minister.

She is not reconciled!

Lin Wenbo took in her expression.

"Although Prince Wang is born out of wedlock, he is handsome and talented, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and is a rare young talent in the capital."

He paused, his gaze falling on Jiang Yuerong's somewhat pale face.

"More importantly, he is deeply favored by Vice Minister Wang, and his future is limitless."

Jiang Yuerong forced a smile, a smile that looked worse than a grimace.

"Brother Wenbo, you are joking. I... I am of humble appearance, how could I be worthy of Young Master Wang?"

"You're worthy, how could you not be?"

Lin Wenbo's tone became meaningful.

"Yuerong, you must understand that your status is different now than before."

Yes.

She is now just an orphan living under someone else's roof.

Lin Wenbo's voice continued, like a bewitching spell.

"To be able to marry into the Vice Minister's mansion and become the young mistress of the Vice Minister's mansion is already the best choice."

"Vice Minister Wang holds real power in the Ministry of War and has a very close personal relationship with my father. Your marriage to him is not a mistreatment, but rather another bet that our Lin family has placed on you."

"Although Wang Kun was a son born out of wedlock, it was precisely because of this that he was better at assessing the situation and needed assistance."

"And you and him are a match made in heaven."

Lin Wenbo stood up, walked up to her, and looked down at her.

"Yuerong is a smart girl; she should know which choice is most beneficial to you."

Jiang Yuerong slowly raised her head.

Looking at Lin Wenbo's handsome but cold face, the resentment and disappointment in her heart were gradually replaced by another emotion.

Yes.

She is a smart person.

The Lin family will not marry her.

Instead of indulging in unrealistic dreams here, let's seize the opportunity before us.

The Ministry of War Vice Minister's Office...

Although not a top-tier wealthy family, they still wield considerable power.

A son born out of wedlock who is deeply loved by his father is often more valuable than a good-for-nothing son born out of wedlock.

Having figured this out, the gloom in Jiang Yuerong's heart vanished.

She stood up, bowed gracefully to Lin Wenbo, and a shy blush rose on her face, just right.

"It all depends on...it all depends on the Grand Secretary and Brother Wenbo to decide."