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

Several days later, night fell.

The wind from the Northern Barbarians was dry and biting, making a muffled thud as it lashed against the tent.

Jiang Bingning's back injury has healed, and she is sitting cross-legged on a simple cot, practicing her breathing exercises.

The curtain was suddenly lifted, and Liu Jingyi and Ji Yunhan walked in one after the other.

Liu Jingyi's gaze fell on her daughter, with a hint of cautious inquiry.

"Ning'er, is your injury... feeling better?"

Jiang Bingning nodded slowly.

"It's all right now."

Liu Jingyi stepped forward, her eyes filled with heartache.

"That's good, that's good."

As soon as she finished speaking, a tall figure flashed in.

It's Ji Ling.

He still had that cold and aloof demeanor.

Ji Yunhan's face instantly darkened.

"What are you doing here?"

Ji Ling's lips curled into a faint smile.

"Uncle Wang, have you forgotten? Miss Jiang is my prisoner, so naturally I have to keep an eye on her at all times."

"We don't need you here, you can get out."

Ji Ling seemed not to hear, and went straight to a corner to stand with his arms crossed, clearly not leaving.

"Your Highness, Prince Yue!" Ji Yunhan had changed his way of addressing Ji Ling.

"Uncle Wang," Ji Ling interrupted him calmly, "Military orders are absolute; it's my duty."

Seeing the tension between the two escalating, Liu Jingyi quickly grabbed Ji Yunhan's arm.

Liu Jingyi turned to Jiang Bingning and said softly, "Ning'er, your Uncle Xinwang and I have discussed it."

She paused, seemingly considering her words.

"We're going to a place next, but the mountain roads are difficult to travel, and you're injured, so it's not convenient for you to travel."

Ji Yunhan replied, "I have already arranged for people to escort you to the Prince Xin's residence in the capital to settle down."

Xinwangfu.

Jiang Bingning recalled what Jiang Yuerong had said: when she first arrived there, she was not living the life of a princess at all.

The servants in the mansion are all snobbish and opportunistic.

She remembered Jiang Yuerong later crying and complaining to her father that during those days, she couldn't even get a full meal.

Prince Xin's children treated her as an outsider, an illegitimate child, and humiliated her in every way they could.

On one occasion, they even pushed her into the lake, nearly killing her.

If Ji Yunhan hadn't returned from Xiufeng Mountain in time, Jiang Yuerong would probably have become a wronged soul long ago.

"I'm not going to Prince Xin's Mansion."

Jiang Bingning's voice was not loud, but it was unusually firm.

The three people inside the tent were stunned.

Liu Jingyi said urgently, "Ning'er, listen to me, your health is the most important thing."

"Mother," Jiang Bingning raised her head, looking intently at her mother, "my injuries have healed."

She got out of bed, walked to Liu Jingyi, and gently took her cold hand.

"Your daughter can't let you suffer alone."

Her voice was choked with emotion.

"From now on, I will go wherever you go, and I will never leave you alone again."

Liu Jingyi's eyes instantly reddened, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Ji Yunhan stood to the side, letting out a long sigh, his voice carrying a tenderness he himself was unaware of.

"Okay, let's go together then."

His gaze toward Jiang Bingning held a newfound approval.

"With you by your mother's side, I feel at ease."

Jiang Bingning felt a sense of relief and was about to speak.

Ji Ling, who was in the corner, suddenly spoke up.

"In that case, I'll go too."

Ji Yunhan suddenly turned his head and glared at him, "Ji Ling!"

Ji Ling met his gaze without changing his expression.

"Uncle Wang, I'll say it again, she is my prisoner."

He pointed at Jiang Bingning, his tone cold and forceful.

"She's quite skilled in martial arts. If she tries anything funny, I can keep an eye on her and provide backup. Besides, it's my job."

"you……"

Ji Yunhan was speechless, and finally he waved his hand.

"what ever."

He turned back to Jiang Bingning and explained, "The place we're going to is called Xiufeng Mountain, to see my mother."

He frowned slightly.

"The old lady has a bit of a strange temper, so you don't need to pay attention to her. Just stay by your mother's side."

Jiang Bingning gave a curtsy.

"Your Highness, please rest assured, I am only doing this to take care of my mother and will not do anything out of line."

……

The next day, before dawn.

Two unassuming carriages quietly broke away from the main group and traveled one after the other on the winding mountain road.

Once they reached the halfway point up the mountain, the carriage could go no further, and the rest of the journey had to be done on foot.

Liu Jingyi was, after all, a woman raised in seclusion, and soon she was slightly out of breath, with fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead.

Suddenly, Liu Jingyi slipped, and Jiang Bingning and Ji Ling almost simultaneously reached out to help her, thus averting danger.

From then on, Ji Yunhan helped Liu Jingyi climb up, while Ji Ling's gaze fell on Jiang Bingning.

He had thought that this woman would start complaining within a hundred paces.

Yet her steps were light, her breathing even, and there wasn't even a trace of sweat on her face, and her reactions were so quick.

This is by no means the quality that an ordinary young lady should possess.

A hint of surprise and inquiry flashed in Ji Ling's eyes.

At this moment, Jiang Bingning was silently circulating the internal energy cultivation method she had painstakingly practiced for ten years in her previous life.

Since her rebirth, she has been practicing breathing exercises every day. Her young body has allowed her internal energy to progress extremely quickly, and this mountain path is nothing more than a leisurely stroll for her.

The four of them climbed in silence.

As a golden ray of dawn broke through the clouds, they finally arrived at their destination.

A majestic Taoist temple is nestled among ancient pines and cypresses, simple and solemn.

In front of the temple gate, a young Taoist boy with his hair in a topknot was sweeping the ground.

Upon seeing the visitor, the young Taoist priest quickly put down his broom and stepped forward to pay his respects.

"What brings you here, gentlemen?"

Ji Yunhan stepped forward, his voice gentle.

"Young master, we wish to visit the important person behind the mountain."

Upon hearing this, the young Taoist priest showed a knowing look on his face and respectfully gestured for him to enter.

"Please follow me, gentlemen."

Before long, a Taoist abbot dressed in a gray robe, with an air of otherworldly wisdom, arrived upon hearing the news.

Upon seeing Ji Yunhan, he immediately bowed deeply in respect.

"This humble Taoist priest was unaware of His Highness Prince Xin's arrival and has failed to greet you properly. I hope you will forgive me."

Ji Yunhan offered a gesture of support, "Abbot, there's no need for such formalities. My mother... how is she?"

"Her Highness, the Imperial Concubine is well and can rest assured."

The abbot respectfully led the way, taking the group to the back mountain of the Taoist temple.

It was an extremely quiet and elegant courtyard, separated from the main Taoist temple, forming its own world.

As soon as I arrived at the courtyard gate, an old woman wearing a dark brown vest came out to greet me.

When she saw Ji Yunhan, her expression first showed surprise, then turned into difficulty.

"Your Highness! You...you've come!"

This person was none other than Zhang Mama, the Dowager Empress's personal nanny.

Ji Yunhan frowned: "Zhang Mama, where is my mother?"

Granny Zhang rubbed her hands together with a troubled expression and lowered her voice.

"Your Highness, your timing is truly unfortunate. The Dowager Consort is currently meditating in the inner palace and has ordered that she will not see anyone today."

Ji Yunhan's face darkened.

"I have urgent business to attend to with my mother."

"But Your Highness..."

"Go and report it."

Helpless, Zhang Mama could only sigh and turn to enter the inner hall.

The courtyard was eerily quiet for a moment.

A moment later.

Suddenly, an old but powerful female voice came from inside the hall.

"not see!"

The voice paused for a moment, then rose eight octaves, filled with deep-seated disgust.

"Get him out!"