Jiang Zhengming looked up and saw Jiang Shuyue walk in calmly.

His daughter was more radiant than ever before, and his eyes welled up with tears. He instantly forgot all the words he had prepared.

"Daughter, come home! It was your father's fault." A wave of guilt washed over him again, and Jiang Zhengming stood up abruptly to greet her.

Seeing him approach, Jiang Shuyue took a step back and said calmly, "Lord Jiang, there's no need for this. We've long since lost our father-daughter bond."

Meeting Jiang Shuyue's indifferent gaze, Jiang Zhengming sighed sadly, "Daughter still refuses to forgive her father. I have already divorced Yang Shi. What do you want in return? Just tell me, and I will do as you say."

Jiang Zhengming later heard from Zheng that Yang was good at putting on a show, and that Yang should be credited for getting him and his daughter to this point.

"Lord Jiang, let's not talk about the past anymore. Just think of your former daughter as someone who has passed away and reunited with her mother," Jiang Shuyue said calmly.

It is said that there is always something hateful about a pitiful person, and Jiang Shuyue deeply understands this at this moment.

If the original owner of this body were to pretend to have a deep father-daughter bond at this moment, she would probably soften her heart.

She wasn't the original owner of this body; even if Jiang Zhengming fainted in front of her, she wouldn't even flinch.

Jiang Zhengming swayed and stumbled, quickly reaching out to grab a nearby pillar.

The vermilion pillars are carved with auspicious clouds. Following the pillars upwards, the hall is decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, making it more magnificent and spectacular than the former residence of the Minister.

Seeing that Jiang Shuyue was looking at him as if he were a stranger, Jiang Zhengming's lips trembled slightly, and the words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat, unable to come out.

Just as Jiang Shuyue was about to ask Qiuju to see the guests out, Jiang Zhengming shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Forget it, forget it, it's all my fault. I don't ask you to forgive me right away. As long as you understand, the door to our home is always open for you."

Jiang Shuyue understood perfectly well that he was using a retreat as a tactic to advance.

How could she let the original owner's cheap father still harbor illusions?

"No need. I, Jiang Shuyue, will never step into your house in this life, no, in the next life. Whether I am rich and powerful or wandering in misfortune, we will never have anything to do with each other."

"Chrysanthemums, seeing off the guests."

"Please, Lord Jiang," Qiu Ju said expressionlessly, gesturing for him to proceed.

Jiang Zhengming shook his head and sighed helplessly. He glanced at Jiang Shuyue's departing figure and left the Jiang residence reluctantly.

...

The palace was exceptionally magnificent at night, with the shimmering lights highlighting the splendor of the Cining Palace.

To prevent outsiders from knowing that Sui Sui was in the palace, Xiao Jingzhao ordered the palace roads leading in and out of the inner palace to be sealed off. Without the Empress Dowager's permission, even palace maids and eunuchs could not enter or leave at will.

In the hall, Xiao Jingzhao and Sui Sui sat facing each other, playing chess.

Chang Le sat next to Sui Sui and saw that her beloved nephew had lost two games in a row, and that he had very few black pieces left.

She stared wide-eyed at the chessboard and whispered to Sui Sui, "Move to the right and break out of the encirclement."

"Chang Le, go back to the palace to rest and let him play the game himself," Xiao Jingzhao said, stopping him.

Chang Le leaned closer to Sui Sui, "I'll stay in the same palace with Sui Sui tonight. Second brother, your chess skills are better than ours. You're an adult, so it's fair for the two of us to play against you."

With Sui Sui by her side, Chang Le felt fearless and was no longer afraid of Xiao Jingzhao.

After thinking it over, each year the piece is placed on the opposite side.

Chang Le exclaimed, "Danger!"

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Auntie, you wait and see. A real man shouldn't be afraid to lose."

"My son is really great. A real man can bend and stretch, and he even dares to take unconventional approaches. Well done!" Xiao Jingzhao said, glancing at where Sui Sui had placed her chess pieces.

They struck at the heart of the enemy's territory in one fell swoop, catching him completely off guard.

The game ended in a draw.

"Your Majesty, it's getting late. Sui Sui has had a long day and should rest." Just as Xiao Jingzhao was about to set up the chess pieces again, the Empress Dowager dismissed him.

Sui Sui finally got to enter the palace, but before she could even enjoy it enough, her son carried her away.

“Yes, let’s go to sleep.” Chang Le said, pulling Sui Sui up to stand up.

"Daddy, see you tomorrow." Sui Sui waved her little hand.

Xiao Jingzhao: "..."

He came to Cining Palace without anyone with him. As he walked out of Cining Palace, he suddenly remembered Lin Xiangzhi, whom he had left in the Imperial Study.

In the Imperial Garden, soft lights illuminated the palace path as he quickened his pace toward the Imperial Study.

Suddenly, a whooshing sound came from behind him. He instinctively dodged to the side and struck backward with a palm with lightning speed.

"master!"

Upon hearing Xiang Yang's voice, Xiao Jingzhao quickly stopped. Fortunately, Xiang Yang dodged in time, and the palm strike did not injure him.

What are you doing here?

Forced back by the palm strike, Xiangyang stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Your Majesty, I am in a hurry to find you. Just now, my secret guards reported that Song Yunzhi has been frequently leaving the mansion recently. She has been to teahouses and inns, and the man she met was a branch leader of the Qingyi Sect. The man introduced himself as the sect leader in front of her."

"What does this mean? Is she trying to get help? Or is she trying to get a fake?" Xiao Jingzhao's lips curled into a cold smile.

The messenger Song Yunzhi sent out to deliver the message had been captured by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and secretly imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. In order not to alert the enemy, he did not personally go to interrogate him.

He already has all the evidence of Song Yunzhi's treason in his hands.

Given the close relationship between my grandfather and Emperor Renzong, and the fact that a single letter and a guard would hardly convince the ministers, I'm afraid they won't believe me.

To avoid being criticized for being ruthless, Xiao Jingzhao hesitated to make a move, wanting to see what other tricks she would pull. If she made another move, he would settle all old scores with her.

Xiang Yang scratched the back of his head. "The guards said she spent about an hour with that man in the inn. I don't know if that's true... Hehe, Your Majesty understands what I mean."

"It's probably not what you think. Song Yunzhi isn't that stupid."

Xiao Jingzhao's eyes darkened slightly, and he said in a low voice, "Keep an eye on things, and report back as soon as you have any news."

"Yes, sir!"

With a flash of black shadow, Xiangyang disappeared from the spot.

...

In the early morning, the birds outside the window chirped incessantly, and Jiang Shuyue slowly opened her eyes.

Jiang Shuyue went to the grain shop again last night. She didn't know if she went to bed too late or was too tired yesterday, but she woke up a little late today.

She rolled over, curled up slightly, closed her eyes, and thought about what she needed to do that day.

Just then, a soft clattering sound came from the beaded curtain, and Jiang Shuyue sat up abruptly and lifted the curtain.

"Qiuju, is that you?"

“Miss, it’s me.” Lan’er responded and entered the room.

"Why is it you today? Where did Qiuju go?"

Normally, Qiuju would come in to serve her, but when Jiang Shuyue wasn't in the mansion, Lan'er would help manage the household affairs.

"Sister Qiuju has gone to the front hall. A servant just came to report that a group of people have arrived at the front hall. Sister Qiuju told me not to disturb Miss, and that she is taking Young Master Su to the front hall."

"A group of people? Who are they?"

Jiang Shuyue felt her head buzzing, wondering if Jiang Zhengming had brought his family members to pester her relentlessly.

"Lan'er, quickly help me prepare my clothes." Jiang Shuyue said this and strode towards the washroom.