"Your subordinate has already sent the remains of the Loyal Marquis to the border. Now, in accordance with the last wishes of the Loyal Marquis, I have come to report back and beg you, my master, to take me in."

More than ten men in black spoke in unison, their voices loud and clear, their voices so powerful they seemed to stop the clouds in their tracks.

The title "Loyal and Chaste Marquis" was the posthumous title of Zeng Yaxian. It was not because she was loyal to her husband or her family that she received this title.

It was precisely because she personally ruined Zhao Qingshu's plan, lived up to the expectations of Da Gan, and remained loyal to the people that the emperor bestowed upon her such a title.

Song Xizhi and Siqin heard their words and then recognized the woman in black in front of them. It turned out that they had been Zeng Yaxian's bodyguards before.

They sent Zeng Yaxian's body to the border and then returned to Beijing.

Song Xizhi was slightly taken aback, and Siqin slowly sheathed her sword: "Yaxian's last wish?"

The men remained kneeling before Song Xizhi, unmoved, and nodded: "The dying wish of Marquis Zhongzhen was that we continue to serve you."

Song Xizhi understood, and slightly curled the corners of his mouth, but his eyes became more sore.

So it turns out that Zeng Yaxian thought of her even when she was in so much pain and suffering before she died.

Concerned that she lacked capable and loyal martial artists by her side, he was determined to make arrangements for her even as he faced death.

Song Xizhi nodded: "I know her last wish, but is it her wish or yours?"

“If you returned to the capital only because of her last wish, then I will make the decision for Ya Xian and let you go back to where you want to go.”

"Whether it's the vast desert frontier or the deep mountains and valleys, your mission is complete, so live according to your own wishes."

Upon hearing Song Xizhi's words, the group remained kneeling in place without moving.

They all looked up, gazing deeply into Song Xizhi's eyes, and almost in unison said, "This is her wish, and it is also our wish."

"Only by staying by your side can we accomplish what we want to accomplish."

Upon hearing this, the renowned physician Rihua, sitting inside the carriage, couldn't help but smile, looking at Song Xizhi's face with great admiration.

She nodded to Song Xizhi, her eyes filled with affection: "Then agree. They need you, and you need them."

Song Xizhi wasn't trying to shirk responsibility; she just wanted to understand whether this was truly their own idea.

Hearing them say that, I agreed.

"Thank you for your trust. From now on, you will stay by my side, and Siqin will arrange your duties."

Upon hearing this, Siqin's body trembled, and the joy on her face was palpable.

Hehe, not only did I get promoted, but I also won't have to fight multiple people at once anymore, and Ah Lian will finally have a master!

The group's eyes lit up, and they nodded in agreement. Then, they leaped into the air and disappeared into the vast sky, secretly following behind Song Xizhi's carriage.

The carriage set off again, but it hadn't gone far before it stopped again, just as it reached a bustling street.

Siqin gripped her longsword tightly once more, while the Divine Physician Rihua frowned in confusion again. Song Xizhi lifted the carriage curtain once more—

The person standing in front of the carriage at this moment was none other than Song Juncai himself.

Song Juncai was wearing a white robe, his forehead wound was thickly wrapped in gauze, and his knee wound had not yet healed, making it difficult for him to walk.

He had dark circles under his eyes, puffy skin, and looked weak and clumsy.

He saw Song Xizhi's face, his eyes lit up at first, then hesitantly and ingratiatingly called out to Song Xizhi, "Zhizhi..."

Song Xizhi paused in his actions, frowning as he looked at him: "Is there something you need?"

Song Juncai moved his pale lips slightly: "Father...I've come to apologize to you..."

"I used to treat you badly, and I know I was wrong."

Song Xizhi nodded, looking at him expressionlessly: "And then?"

Song Juncai stepped forward, approaching the horse in front of the carriage with a mixture of fear and unease. Seeing the horse snorting angrily at him, he took a few steps back and then spoke:

"Zhao Qianlan is dead, and I will not remarry. I have decided to live a good life with your mother."

Song Xizhi was startled by Song Juncai's words. She struggled to understand the meaning behind them: "Live well...?"

Song Juncai nodded hurriedly, his eyes slightly reddening as he looked at Song Xizhi, still containing a hint of tenderness, making him look like a loving father who adores his child.

"Zhao Qianlan will not be buried in the Song family's ancestral cemetery, nor will she be buried with me after my death. I have decided to have your mother's remains buried with me after my death."

Seeing his expression, Song Xizhi asked directly, "So, what are your conditions?"

The loving father-son relationship that Song Juncai had painstakingly cultivated was so directly shattered by Song Xizhi, leaving him feeling somewhat embarrassed.

After his Adam's apple bobbed twice, Song Juncai scratched his head before finally speaking again: "I want you to change your name."

Song Xizhi raised an eyebrow, then released the curtain, got off the carriage, walked to Song Juncai's side, and looked him in the eye: "What name do you want me to change to?"

Seeing Song Xizhi's gentle attitude, Song Juncai felt that there was hope for this matter, so he hurriedly said, "Just change one character, change it to Song Xizhi, the Xi of Fuxi."

“I have already discussed it with several clan elders. After you change your name, you will be included in the family genealogy.”

“In any case, you are now a vice judge with an official position, recorded in the family genealogy, and registered under my name. After a hundred years, no one will know whether you are male or female. Your mother will also have honor, and your memorial tablet and coffin can be moved from the dilapidated Buddhist hall in the suburbs of Beijing and sent back to the ancestral hall. The clan elders have all agreed.”

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!