The male supporting character was actually myself.

The loving faces and smiles of my parents flashed before my eyes. My mother's worried and admonishing voice, holding my hand before I left, still seemed to echo in my ears. In just a few months, we were separated forever!

He felt a sharp pain in his chest, coughed up blood, and then tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Young master, take care of yourself! Now we can only rely on ourselves!" Ah San hurriedly wiped the blood from his lips and brought him some hot tea to help him catch his breath.

With a heart-wrenching pain that made it hard to breathe, Shangguan Xuanyu clutched his chest for a long time before recovering. "A-San, don't let anyone notice anything amiss. Go get me a clean set of everyday clothes to change into, and while you're at it, have the kitchen prepare some medicine to dispel the cold. Tell the staff below not to stop anyone who comes to visit again."

Ah San asked with a worried look, "Young Master... there's no need to push yourself. Please rest for a couple of days."

“You’re right. Now it’s just the two of us, master and servant, supporting each other. I must hold on and stand firm, relying on ourselves to gain a foothold in the enemy’s capital, and then…” His expression hardened and his voice grew deeper, “find the murderers, and I will make them pay for their crimes in blood!”

"No matter what dangers we face, Ah San will stay by your side, young master!" he said solemnly as he knelt down to pay his respects.

On the morning of the third day after Shangguan Xuanyu learned the truth, the two people he had sent out first returned, travel-worn.

He originally trusted these two people quite a bit.

My father was fair and honest throughout his life. Although he was the deputy director of the Imperial City Guard, he was never extravagant. Even the servants in his household were the lowest standard for their respective official positions. If His Majesty had not personally issued an edict to bestow so many servants upon him, I'm afraid my father would not have kept so many servants in his household, given his temperament.

Both of these men were sent by the Imperial City Guard to assist my father with daily affairs. My father was very loyal and trusted the Imperial City Guard, so he treated them as his confidants and often arranged for them to do some secret things.

This time, the father felt more at ease having the two of them accompany him when he was dispatched to the enemy capital to take over the intelligence network.

Ah San was the only one who had grown up with him since childhood and could truly be considered family.

"Young Master!" The two men knelt down calmly and reported, "We went back to investigate and learned that some of the rumors circulating in the streets are true. His Majesty was indeed attacked by assassins during the spring sacrifice and died; His Highness the Crown Prince was seriously injured, but is out of danger and will soon ascend the throne."

We went to see the master and mistress, and they instructed the young master to be careful and follow the master's instructions, and not to worry about the family.

The master personally wrote a letter, please take a look!

After saying this, one of them presented the letter, while the other presented the package, saying, "This is a simple dried vegetable dish that the lady prepared for the young master. If the young master misses his hometown and relatives, it can help alleviate his homesickness."

Shangguan Xuanyu's face showed a relieved expression as he took the letter and package and smiled, "How are you and Madam? With the spring flowers in full bloom, Madam's cough has probably flared up again. What do you think?"

The two men exchanged a glance and replied with a smile, "You two are in good health, but since His Majesty was assassinated, my husband has been busy investigating the assassin and hasn't been getting enough rest, so he has lost a little weight."

The lady's cough is not serious, and the fragrant, pollen-rich flowering trees in the manor have been moved, so she won't cough as often as in previous years. The lady misses and worries about the young master, and repeatedly instructed us to make sure he is careful in all matters, so that he can return home victorious as soon as possible.”

"You two must be tired from your long journey. Go wash up, have a meal, and rest for a couple of days."

"Thank you, young master!"

After the two left, Shangguan Xuanyu looked down at the letter and package in his hand, a faint smile on his face, and returned to his room.

Chapter Twenty-One: The Collapse of Faith

The letter contained no flaws in its handwriting or wording;

Even the package was no different from the one her mother had prepared for her before. The corners were embroidered with her favorite crabapple blossoms using exquisite techniques, and inside were various kinds of pickled dried vegetables with the familiar taste made by the family chef.

Shangguan Xuanyu held the newly delivered items in his hands, his body trembling slightly. His eyes were filled with tears, and his face was distorted, making it impossible to tell whether he was crying or laughing.

"Hahaha, Master Huang, you've really played a brilliant move! Excellent, truly excellent! It turns out that all these years our family has been living in lies, surrounded by spies everywhere! Even after death, we can still write letters that are hard to distinguish from the real ones, cook dishes that are indistinguishable from the real ones, and even embroider the same things! Master Huang, you've really put your heart into this!"

Years of faith crumbled in an instant, and Shangguan Xuanyu only then realized that his family of three had been used as pawns and manipulated for so many years. Living in Huang Xiuqi's meticulously arranged world, his hypocritical face finally revealed its true fangs!

It's likely that not only their own families were targeted, but other deputy directors and organizers were probably also set up.

It just so happens that her father's temperament was easily manipulated, and she herself was deceived for many years. Perhaps Huang Xiuqi had already planned this move, secretly sending out the most threatening person among the younger generation to then kill and seize power!

Huang Xiuqi has only one daughter. Now it seems that he is openly taking sides as the head of the Imperial City Guard. He must have reached some kind of agreement with the Crown Prince to ensure that his position is not threatened.

If it were the murder of his father and mother that had caused so many deaths in the mansion, he would have sought revenge himself. But now, a letter from home and a package of dried vegetables made Shangguan Xuanyu realize that this was no longer just a blood feud over power, but a humiliating disgrace and a deep-seated hatred that could overturn his life by being manipulated and played with for so many years!

Revenge could no longer quell the rage in his heart; he wanted to utterly crush Huang Xiuqi and the Crown Prince's faction! He wanted them to watch helplessly as the power and status they craved vanished; he wanted them to experience despair, humiliation, and a fate worse than death!

With trembling hands, Shangguan Xuanyu placed the items on the table, then covered his face for a long time before finally calming down.

There was no way out at this point. He knew that everyone in the courtyard could return to Yong'an, but he couldn't, otherwise Huang Xiuqi would have a reason to issue a treason warrant and execute him.

Based on Ah San's report, Yong'an is unlikely to truly stabilize for at least the next three to five years, let alone embark on any expansionist endeavors. I'm just a pawn here. Even if the two countries go to war, given Huang Xiuqi's cunning, he would never trust or employ me again, and might even betray me for his own future!

What can one do while lurking in the enemy capital with only one trusted confidant by one's side?

Suddenly, the image of Shen Qingluan looking at him with tender affection flashed through Shangguan Xuanyu's mind, and a bold idea instantly came to mind.

He couldn't help but breathe rapidly, forcing himself to calm down and carefully consider whether this path was feasible.

A moment later, Shangguan Xuanyu composed himself and walked out of the room with a beaming smile. He instructed, "A-San, bring me the kite I made myself, and some suitable gifts. I need to send an invitation to return the favor."

"Your Highness, Young Master Yu has sent an invitation to see you. He said that he had just recovered from a cold, and that Miss had brought some novelties to our residence during our chat. He has come to express his gratitude and has also composed new poems that he would like to ask Miss to appreciate."

Soon, a subordinate from the Regent's Palace came to report that Jiang Chen was in his study working on the recipes for a series of essential items for time travelers, such as refined salt, refined sugar, soap, scented soap, and glass mirrors. Upon hearing this, he didn't even look up and replied, "Please have him wait in the hall and send someone to inform Miss. Once I'm done here, I'll go and sit down and see what kind of person this legendary 'peerless' Young Master Yu really is."

"Yes!" The subordinate accepted the order and left.

In the Agarwood Pavilion, Shen Qingluan was engrossed in reading a storybook.

A few days ago, Lin Muwan finally managed to bring the limited edition storybook into the mansion, and she loved it the moment she saw it!

Five handsome men and a delicate girl spark a romance, and through various coincidences, they overcome obstacles together and their tender affection brings a knowing smile to her face from time to time.

It's so sweet!

Each male lead will pamper the female lead in his own way, never looking down on her ordinary background and average appearance.

Especially when she sees the interaction between the gentle and mysterious handsome man and the female lead, Shen Qingluan's mind flashes with the smile of Young Master Yu. She seems to have become the protagonist in the storybook, having a sweet and loving romance with him during their adventure.

"Miss, what are you grinning about again? Young Master Yu is here, hurry up and change into your guest clothes!" The maid Honglian rushed into the room and saw her resting her chin on her hand, staring at a book with a silly grin. She couldn't help but remind her, "The Prince is also going to see him today, Miss, why don't you hurry over?"

Shen Qingluan was imagining the scene where Young Master Yu and she, transformed into the male and female protagonists of a story, would embrace tightly and gaze into each other's eyes due to an accident, when she suddenly heard her say Young Master Yu, and she suddenly realized, "Who did you say came?"

“Young Master Yu, Miss has been asking around these past few days. Didn’t they say that Lan Yuan had caught a cold and was staying home to avoid visitors? Today, I see that he looks quite well and his spirits are high. He must have recovered completely. He’s already waiting in the main hall! My dear Miss, you should go and change your clothes quickly. I’ll help you fix your hair.”

Her heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself, "Yes, that's right." After she shared the "good news" with him, he claimed to be ill and stayed at home, clearly to inquire about news from Yong'an Kingdom.

Now that he has come to visit, it seems that the overall situation in the country has been settled and his mission remains unchanged.

How can I win him over and keep him by my side?

Shen Qingluan looked at her pretty face in the mirror and was momentarily at a loss.

Shangguan Xuanyu sat calmly in the main hall of the Regent's Palace, sipping his tea and waiting quietly. He hadn't brought Ah San with him today, but instead had him keep an eye on the two who had just returned from Lan Garden.

It was obvious that they were ordered to return to Yong'an to see Huang Xiuqi. Before they went back, they were unused informants. After returning from Yong'an, they were specifically assigned to lie in wait by his side and keep an eye on his every move.

If the Indians can find out their secret contacts within Yong'an, at least they can remove the thorn in their side!

Anyway, it's quite normal to suddenly lose contact with someone in the distant capital of an enemy state, right under the nose of a ruthless regent. Besides, with the crown prince in dire straits and Yong'an in turmoil, he probably wouldn't have the energy to worry about a discarded pawn after he knew he'd been deceived.

The most important thing is to take advantage of this period of temporary safety due to information blockage and plan for yourself to gain assistance!

From today onwards, we will continue with the original plan and try to get close to Miss Shen.

Firstly, it can deceive the spies hiding in the shadows who are watching you;

Secondly, they wanted to treat each other with sincerity, hoping to gain the regent's trust in return.

With the support of the powerful Ninth Prince of Southern Qi, returning to Yong'an to avenge our grievances is just around the corner!

"Miss has arrived!" Shangguan Xuanyu was pondering when he suddenly heard a report from outside the door. He quickly put down his teacup and stood up to greet her.

With a mix of trepidation and excitement, Shen Qingluan entered gracefully, her jade pendants jingling. Upon seeing the handsome young master Yu, a smile involuntarily appeared on her face. "I heard a few days ago that you were bedridden, and I was very worried. I wonder if the Cold Spirit Powder sent to your residence was effective?"

Chapter Twenty-Two: Selfish Motives

"Thank you for your concern, young lady. That prescription was exactly what I needed and I feel much better after taking it."

Shangguan Xuanyu presented a beautifully crafted large butterfly kite with both hands, saying, "The novelties you brought during your visit were truly fascinating. I have no way to repay you, so I have made this kite myself as a token of my gratitude. I hope you won't find it offensive."

Shen Qingluan was overjoyed, her face full of shy smiles.

The two talked about poetry and songs, spring flowers and autumn moon. During this time, Jiang Chen came over and sat down for a while to chat about government policies and strategies. When Shangguan Xuanyu took his leave, he had already made an appointment with Shen Qingluan to go out outside the city to fly kites the next day.

"Brother, I feel that Young Master Yu seems a little different from usual today."

After seeing the guests off, she went to the study and hesitated slightly before saying, "When I was with him before, although he was warm, cheerful, and understanding, I always felt like there was an invisible barrier between us. It was the kind of feeling that he could only be admired from afar and not touched. Today, Young Master Yu's words and actions seemed to have less of a barrier and more of something else..."

The fluffy little thing squatted on its host's shoulder, licking its paws and laughing, "Hey, your little sister isn't stupid. She can even sense the change in the male lead's aura."

Jiang Chen looked at the vibrant spring garden with his hands behind his back and smiled lightly, "Girls are indeed sensitive and can sense his emotional changes. Don't worry, this is a good thing for us. He's starting to treat you with sincerity."

The Shangguan Xuanyu of today is naturally different from before. He carries the burden of national and personal vendettas. He used to be only concerned with completing his mission and had no personal grudges or entanglements. But things are different now, and his motives for approaching you have changed.

There are no eternal enemies in this world, only eternal interests.

He is a smart man, and after weighing the pros and cons, he will naturally make the right choice.

From this day forward, my sister can rest assured that she can talk and fall in love with him. Shangguan Xuanyu is no longer our enemy but a potential partner.

"What does my brother mean?"

"Congratulations, little sister, on your wish coming true and you will soon find a perfect husband. As your brother, I will naturally plan a grand gift for you both!"

Shen Qingluan didn't quite understand the deeper meaning behind her brother's words, but since her brother had agreed, she could enjoy happy times with her beloved without having to worry about anything else. Indeed, her brother was the best!

How wonderful it would be if I could establish my own residence in the future and stay with Young Master Yu forever...

From that day on, Jiang Chen no longer restricted Shen Qingluan's freedom, and even specially granted her a pass. As long as Xiao Wu and his guards accompanied her, she could freely enter and leave any place except military and classified areas.

Upon seeing the pass, Shangguan Xuanyu was overjoyed. This showed that the Regent Prince truly cherished his only sister! If he could win her over, he would have a way to protect himself even if his identity was exposed in the future.

Even more smoothly, he would disguise himself as a citizen of Southern Qi and cultivate his loyal followers by leveraging the power of the regent. He believed that with his unparalleled scheming and thorough preparations, he could secretly return to Yong'an, stir up trouble, and wipe out the Crown Prince's faction to avenge his parents and family!

The capital of Yong'an Kingdom, the Imperial City Guard.

In the brightly lit Bagua Hall, Huang Xiuqi sat at the head of the table, flipping through the roster of officials, pondering which people he could appoint to better control the current chaotic political situation.

"Master, an urgent secret document from Southern Qi!" A man in black robes quickly entered and handed over a scroll.

His eyes never left the roster. He casually picked it up and glanced at it. "As expected, he's still young. The late emperor was right. This child is good in every way, but he lacks experience, so he's far from good enough."

"Master, will Shangguan Xuanyu suspect anything? Those few days were too chaotic. Besides our people, there were other forces dispatched by the organizers to obstruct the Shangguan residence. There were also the forces of several princes to resist. There were too many loopholes and flaws. Although we burned everything down in the end, it still couldn't silence the gossip."

The man in black robes had his entire face hidden in shadow, and his voice was low and deep, like a ghost in the night. He said worriedly, "What's more, those two guys have been lurking around Shangguan Yuntao for too long. What if they've already been turned and reveal the truth when they go to Southern Qi?"

"Tell them everything?" Huang Xiuqi finally raised his head, a smile appearing on his face. "Then they probably want their whole family to die without a burial place."

Shangguan Xuanyu has more than just the two of them by his side. Don't forget that all the people he sent there, including the contact agents and the intelligence network, are all from our Imperial City Division.

They were keeping an eye on Shangguan Xuanyu, and naturally, others were keeping an eye on them as well.

He pointed to the secret report that had just been delivered, his voice becoming more relaxed. "Look, this is the secret report that was just delivered. Shangguan Xuanyu has read the letter and checked the things at home and believes it all. He is currently enjoying a romantic time with the Regent's sister, Shen Qingluan."