People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

Chang Wenjun said, "I know Lian'er's life isn't in danger, but you know, sometimes, living can be more painful than dying..."

He said out of the blue, "Lian'er hasn't eaten for two days."

Cao Ze said, "Want a drink?"

Changwenjun looked at the sake cup filled with sake below him, reached out and grasped it, then drank it all in one gulp.

Cao Ze said, "May I go in and check on her?"

He will give Chang Wenjun, a former master of swordsmanship and a loyal and devoted brother, the full respect he deserves.

Simply because he deserves respect.

"……Can."

After Chang Wenjun finished speaking, he picked up the wine jar and began drinking from it, cup after cup.

Cao Ze got up and walked into the house.

The sky was overcast, and the house was dark and quiet with no lights on.

Cao Ze stood in front of the door inside the room, holding his breath, and pondered how to deal with Mi Lian's matter.

As he and Changwenjun said, Mi Lian is most likely out of danger.

If Empress Dowager Huayang were to return, the situation would be even more dire.

However, given the heinous crimes committed by Lord Changping, even if Ying Zheng spared the extermination of Lord Changping's entire clan out of consideration for Ying Zheng's own family, the necessary punishment would certainly not be lacking.

They might demote Mi Lian to a lowly status, or, as she is now, confine her to a small, cramped room for the rest of her life, forbidden to see anyone or go out, condemned to a life of loneliness.

Regardless of the method, it is a form of physical and mental torture for a young girl in the prime of her life.

"Dong dong..."

Cao Ze took a deep breath and gently knocked on the door.

There was no echo in the room, only silence and emptiness.

Cao Ze paused for a moment, then slowly pushed open the door.

The creaking sound of the door opening was particularly jarring in the quiet room.

It was still dark and cold.

The girl hugged the quilt, curled up in a corner of the bed, her head buried between her legs.

Her once glossy long hair had become dry and brittle, obscuring the girl's delicate face.

Cao Ze approached.

The girl remained motionless, as if she had already lost her life.

Cao Ze paused for a moment, then sat down on the edge of the bed.

“...Lian’er”.

He called softly, afraid of startling the poor girl.

Although he had previously harbored some lustful thoughts and ulterior motives towards Mi Lian, he now felt no other ulterior motives, only a gentle pity.

Anyone who sees someone who loves and likes them end up in a miserable state, unless they are a beast or scum, will feel pity and compassion.

The girl remained curled up, stiff, and motionless, just as she had at the beginning.

If Cao Ze hadn't been able to still hear Mi Lian's soft breathing, he would have truly believed that the poor girl before him was already dead.

Cao Ze reached out to pat Mi Lian, but hesitated at the last moment.

He felt a chill.

February is still very cold.

Cao Ze used his inner strength to dispel the surrounding chill, warming the girl before him like the sun.

He waited patiently.

After a long while, the girl who had been curled up finally moved.

It was very subtle, but Cao Ze still managed to catch it.

"Lian'er, it's Cao Ze. Are you feeling better...?"

The girl slowly raised her stiff neck and stared blankly at the man in front of her.

Her once gentle and lovely eyes were now bloodshot and swollen.

"Who are you? You're so warm..."

Mi Lian's voice was very hoarse, having lost its usual crisp and sweet quality.

The room was dimly lit, and she seemed to be unable to see anything; her vision was blurry.

Cao Ze said softly, "It's me, Cao Ze."

He gently placed his hand on Mi Lian's shoulder.

Upon first contact, Mi Lian curled up into a ball again, like a frightened little rabbit.

"Don't touch me!"

The hoarse scream made Chang Wenjun, who was sitting quietly outside, turn his head.

He threw down his wine glass, stood up unsteadily, and limped towards the house.

Cao Ze opened his mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back.

He walked out of the room and bumped into Changwenjun who was coming in.

Cao Ze nodded to Chang Wenjun, then walked past her to find someone to get some food.

Chang Wenjun stopped, glanced at Mi Lian's room, sighed, and then limped out.

A short while later, Cao Ze brought steaming hot food into the courtyard and casually placed a plate of fried peanuts in front of Chang Wenjun.

We entered the room.

Perhaps after a period of calm, Mi Lian stopped curling up and sat quietly on the side of the bed.

Cao Ze held the food and looked at Mi Lian.

"Want something to eat?"

Mi Lian nodded slightly. "Okay."

Cao Ze walked to Mi Lian's side and placed the food aside.

Mi Lian raised her stiff arm and grasped the chopsticks with her hand, but when she tried to use her fingers, she couldn't control them at all; her fingers seemed to have lost all feeling.

"Could you give me your hand first?"

Mi Lian hesitated for a moment, then handed her small hand to Cao Ze.

Cao Ze held Mi Lian's hand as if he were holding a block of ice.

“You have chilled your body, I will help you get rid of the chill.”

With his mediocre medical skills, he could tell that Mi Lian was suffering from a cold constitution when he saw her.

Furthermore, she had not eaten or drunk anything for two days, so her life was hanging by a thread.

Mi Lian whispered, "Thank you..."

While Cao Ze used his internal energy to help Mi Lian regulate her body, he carefully fed her food.

"feel better now?"

Cao Ze asked.

"...Okay, much better."

Mi Lian replied.

"Don't be nervous... Oh, by the way, I have good news for you. Your father and mother have returned safely to the State of Chu."

Cao Ze smiled.

"Oh……"

Mi Lian simply responded with a faint sound, showing no emotional fluctuation.

Cao Ze didn't know what Mi Lian was thinking, so he could only say, "Let me arrange a new place for you first."

"no need……"

Mi Lian instinctively refused.

Cao Ze said, "The cold and damp air here is bad for your health."

Mi Lian pursed her chapped lips and tasted a salty and savory flavor, the taste of leftover food.

"no need."

Mi Lian said, "Just arrange a room for Second Uncle."

She will never forget what happened that day.

In an attempt to save her, her second uncle had his cultivation crippled and his hands and feet disabled by the eunuch's claws.

If it weren't for her dragging my second uncle down, he might have already escaped and returned to the State of Chu to be with my father.

Mi Lian thought to herself.

Cao Ze said, "Make all the arrangements."

"I don't need it."

"If you refuse, then none of these arrangements can be made."

"……it is good."

Cao Ze ordered two rooms to be cleared out in the mansion, and prepared with heating appliances such as silver charcoal stoves. He also ordered the guards not to neglect their duties.

He knew that his actions would reach Ying Zheng's ears, but he didn't care.

Perhaps this was the purpose for which Ying Zheng sent him here.

How could Ying Zheng not know about the rumors about Mi Lian and himself from last year?