Zhao Zhi took the secret letter, her fingertips gently tracing the sealing wax mark on the seal, a strange premonition rising in her heart.

She slowly unfolded the letter, her gaze fixed on the vigorous, small characters. Each character was like a sharp blade, deeply piercing her heart.

Her expression grew increasingly grave, as if shrouded in an invisible gloom. The secret letter contained few words, but she studied it for a long time.

"What happened?" Shen Hanshan's voice rang out at the right time. He gently brushed aside the beaded curtain and stood silently behind Zhao Zhi.

Zhao Zhi hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to let Shen Hanshan know everything. She turned around gently and handed the secret letter to Shen Hanshan.

Shen Hanshan's eyes sharpened instantly. He quickly scanned the contents of the letter, and his expression became complicated.

After a moment of silence, he said in a deep voice, "It seems that this matter is already irreversible and must be carried out. You should follow your elder brother's arrangements. I—"

Zhao Zhi sensed Shen Hanshan's helplessness and sacrifice, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart, mixed with deep guilt.

She held Shen Hanshan's hand tightly, slowly rested her head on his shoulder, and whispered, "I know you've been wronged. It's all because of me; I'm the one who put you in this situation. I'm sorry for making you suffer like this."

Upon hearing this, a surge of tenderness welled up in Shen Hanshan's heart. He reached out and embraced Zhao Zhi tightly around the waist.

He gently placed a light kiss on her forehead, a kiss filled with so much emotion and promise. "For you, I would gladly go through fire and water." His words, though soft, struck Zhao Zhi's heart like a hammer blow.

Zhao Zhi hurriedly covered Shen Hanshan's mouth, tears welling in her eyes. She scolded him, "I don't want you to say such horrifying things. I just hope you can always be safe and sound. I don't want to see you get hurt."

Shen Hanshan lowered his head, his gaze gently fixed on Zhao Zhi. A faint smile appeared on his lips, but a hint of bitterness was hidden in that smile.

He gently stroked Zhao Zhi's hair and said softly, "Okay, I'll do as you say. I will protect myself and I will protect you."

However, even such a tender vow could not conceal the impending storm.

Time flies, and several months have passed in the blink of an eye.

A courtyard on the outskirts of Lingyang City.

Dongling stood in the courtyard, holding a package containing an identity token and some silver.

She handed the items to Qin Wen, who was standing in front of her, her eyes revealing complex emotions. "Are you sure you want to go to Yunxuan Academy in Yichun County to be a teacher?" she asked.

Qin Wen nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "Yu'er is still serving in the army there. There's no one left in Dunyang City that I care about. If I go there, I might run into him and catch a glimpse of him." Her words revealed endless longing and anticipation.

Mentioning Qin Yu, Qin Wen's voice involuntarily lowered. "Now that I've changed my face, Yu'er certainly won't recognize me. If we meet on the street, I can boldly glance at him. Sigh, I suppose even if I hadn't changed my face, he probably wouldn't want to recognize me anyway." Her words were filled with helplessness and bitterness.

"Wah wah—"

The baby in her arms suddenly cried, breaking the silence. Qin Wen was at a loss; she clenched the handkerchief in her hand, then loosened it. Loosened it, then clenched it again.

Seeing this, Dongling gestured to the wet nurse to take the child. The wet nurse understood and took the child, then turned and went to the next room to feed him.

Dongling sighed, took Qin Wen's hand, and said, "That's fine. I hope you can learn from your past mistakes and be an upright person from now on. Teaching and educating people is a matter of conscience. Don't let yourself get involved in those unnecessary disputes again."

Qin Wen looked at Dongling gratefully, her eyes glistening with tears. "Thank you, Aunt. After going through so much, I finally understand that only living is the most important thing. Now, Wen'er's greatest wish is to find a quiet place and live out the rest of her life peacefully." She gazed in the direction of Chaoyang County, filled with longing and hope for the future.

Dongling nodded, led her out of the courtyard, and gestured to a guard to drive her out of the city.

Qin Wen, dressed in a simple dress, sat in the rumbling carriage passing through the market, clutching her new identity card in her hand, feeling both nervous and excited.