"Not necessarily, but it's at least a direction."

Cen Xicheng said.

“Alright, I’ll tell you! My surname is Bai, and I am the eldest son of Lu Muran, the city lord of Baicheng. Actually, my father wasn’t the city lord of Baicheng before; he was just a deputy general under my maternal grandfather.”

"Because of a major military exam, my mother accidentally peeked at their competition. My father won first place in all seven events. In addition, he was very handsome. My mother then told my maternal grandfather about her crush on my father."

“My maternal grandfather, Bai Yanchuan, originally liked my father, the deputy general, and also intended to marry my mother to him. However, since my mother was the only son in the Bai family, my grandfather’s best plan was to find a son-in-law. Therefore, he did not mention this matter to my father.”

"Because he felt that my father might be wary of becoming a live-in son-in-law. After my mother brought it up, my maternal grandfather reconsidered the matter and eventually called my father to the city lord's mansion to discuss my mother's situation."

"According to my mother's later recollection, my father was overjoyed at the time, saying that he was extremely fortunate to be able to marry the daughter of Lord Bai, and that he was willing to marry into the Bai family and uphold the family's reputation."

“My maternal grandfather was very pleased at the time. When my father and mother got married, Baicheng held a grand banquet for three days. The local people ate a continuous feast for three days. Everyone said that my father and mother were a match made in heaven, and that there was hope for the future of Baicheng.”

“They were indeed very loving for the first few years of their marriage. My sister and I grew up under their care. But six years ago, when Baicheng and Weicheng went to war and my grandfather died, my father was appointed to take over the Baicheng army. After that, my father’s attitude towards my mother changed.”

“He first changed our surnames, then confined my mother to the backyard and stopped her from managing affairs in Baicheng. After he completely took control of the Bai family army, he became increasingly displeased with my mother, and we also lost our place in his heart. Over the years, he has taken in one concubine after another.”

"My mother was disappointed year after year because of his change in attitude, and she passed away at the beginning of this year due to depression."

"After that, he let his favorite concubine, Aunt Fang, take over his backyard. We were legitimate children, so naturally we were in Aunt Fang's eyes, and she wanted to get rid of us as soon as possible."

"During the past six months in Baicheng, my sister and I have encountered a lot of inexplicable troubles. If it weren't for our good fortune and the protection of our grandfather's loyal servant, we... we wouldn't even have been able to get here."

As he spoke, the boy's eyes grew increasingly fierce, as if they could destroy the world.

"So, from what you're saying, your mother's tragedy was entirely caused by that ungrateful father of yours, right?"

"Or I might guess that your father had long coveted your maternal grandfather's military power, so when your grandfather asked to marry into the family, it suited his purposes perfectly, which led to the changes after your grandfather's death, right?"

Cen Xi glanced at him, then analyzed the situation on her own based on the information she had obtained.

"I, Bai Ze, will only ever bear the surname Bai. I have absolutely no relation to that man surnamed Lu. He will only ever be an enemy of me and my sister!"

Seeing that Cen Xi had hit the nail on the head about his father's intentions, the boy clenched his fists, his anger intensifying.

"I have a question: why are Baicheng and Weicheng fighting? Isn't there only one dynasty in this world? Why do the two cities dare to fight so openly?"

To be honest, this has always been a question Cen Xi had.

She has been in this world for over a year. She went to Yucheng and found an army there, and she also went to Shangyang City and found an army there. Now this young man is telling her that Baicheng and Weicheng also have armies.

She gives off a sense of déjà vu, like something out of a warlord era during the Republic of China period.

"When Emperor Taizu of Da Yan seized the throne, his position was illegitimate and his words were not legitimate. After he ascended the throne, perhaps Heaven saw that he had done too many bad things, so he only allowed him to be emperor for half a year before taking his life! Afterwards, his son succeeded him, but because he did not have Emperor Taizu's iron-fisted methods, the powerful people of Da Yan did not take the new emperor seriously."

"Emperor Gaozu reigned for less than five years when a civil war broke out in the capital. His cousin, Yan Junqi, seized the throne and became the new emperor of this land. After ascending the throne, he saw that various regions were already governing themselves, so he issued an imperial edict."

“Yan Ming said that each region could be ruled by a separate king, but they must acknowledge the absolute status of the Da Yan Dynasty and pay 30% of their taxes annually, and then he would not send troops to attack them.”

"The powerful and influential people in various places were naturally happy to be local emperors, but they were ultimately wary of the hidden guards who were spread all over the country, so they accepted the new emperor's decree."

After thinking for a moment, the young man recounted to Cen Xi the major events that had occurred over three generations of the Great Banquet Dynasty.

"Oh! I see. I didn't know your little head held so much knowledge. So, which emperor is Da Yan now?"

After listening to the young man's words, Cen Xi had a rough understanding of the grand banquet. However, what she ultimately wanted to ask was what role she played in it, but she just couldn't bring herself to ask.

She could only try to find out the current situation indirectly.

"The current emperor is Emperor Yanwen, the third son of the emperor who established the system of dividing the country into kingdoms, Emperor Zhao, Yan Lihan. As soon as he ascended the throne, he continued the imperial examination system of the previous dynasty. Prime Minister Shen Jinchen was a man of both literary and military talent that he found through the imperial examination."

The boy paused for a moment, then explained to Cen Xi.

"Oh, I see!"

"I've already figured out how to get your repayment, but you're from a noble family, and I'm afraid..."

Cen Xi nodded, indicating that she had taken the boy's words to heart, and then changed the subject. She really didn't want to hear the name of that scoundrel.

“Please speak freely, my benefactor. I can repay your life-saving grace in any way I ask.”

The boy suddenly pulled his sister to kneel in front of Cen Xi and said solemnly.

"Uh, there's no need for such a grand ceremony. You two, please get up. Here's what I'm thinking: I need a servant boy and a maid to do the work. If you really want to repay me, you can stay by my side for three years. After three years, you're free to leave. I won't interfere. How about that?"

Cen Xi thought that she couldn't very well let them draw their swords and commit suicide, and she just happened to be short of a maid and a servant.

Therefore, she made this request.

"That's possible, but my sister doesn't know anything. If she doesn't take good care of you, I'm afraid..."

The boy thought for a moment, then nodded, then shook his head.

"Do you know how to serve tea and water, or do needlework?"

Cen Xi felt that the maids were only of this use, and she could make do with everything else.

"Yes, yes, my mother taught me all of these things when she was alive."

The younger sister answered first.

"Yes! These women taught her before, so what use am I if I follow my benefactor?"

After the younger sister finished speaking, the boy interrupted and said something as well.

"Follow along for now, we'll talk about it later. That's settled then, you all come back to the Hidden Sect with me."