"You people in the capital, you've been scheming and plotting all this time, and you think you can control everything. You're completely unaware that you're already in danger!"

Wang Fan made no attempt to hide the mockery in his words. After he had finished laughing, he turned to look at Su Qingcai.

A hint of coldness flashed in his eyes as he sneered, "Our ancestral precepts only instruct us to treat the Holy Maiden with respect. As for those around the Holy Maiden, if they do nothing, that's fine. But if they have any ill intentions... then don't blame us for being impolite."

"I must say, Your Highness is indeed a smart man, but your subordinates are far too impatient. I have long known that your identity is extraordinary. If you continue to refuse to confess, then you will never be able to leave this island."

The murderous intent implied in Wang Fan's words startled Su Qingcai, and he broke out in a cold sweat, thankful that he had made the right decision.

After all, two fists can't fight four hands. If Wang Fan intended to kill them, they could only hold out for a while at most, and couldn't change the situation.

It seems that Su Xiaoning was right after all. One should not be too clever for one's own good, and winning people's hearts is also an art.

Su Qingcai gave a bitter smile and couldn't help but sigh, "If I hadn't listened to Su Xiaoning, I probably wouldn't have confessed to you in the end. It seems she saved my life again this time..."

Su Xiaoning was the one who pulled her out of the sea, and now Su Xiaoning is giving him guidance. He can never repay the kindness she has shown him.

"Did the Holy Maiden mention this to you?" Wang Fan regained his normal expression, becoming the gentle person he was when they first met. "If you can listen to others, you're not entirely hopeless. Although you're a member of the royal family, the Holy Maiden seems to trust you a lot, so you shouldn't be some petty person."

Wang Fan seemed to have lost all hostility towards him, and Su Qingcai's mind began to wander again.

He weighed the options in his mind for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Actually, I still want to ask you one more question: are you really unwilling to work under me? If you have any unfulfilled wishes, I will do my best to help you achieve them."

"Are you still not giving up?" Wang Fan looked at Su Qingcai with surprise, but unlike before, he did not refuse outright. "I see that you have some courage and are someone close to the Holy Maiden. I don't want to make things difficult for you now. However, if you want us to leave this place where we have lived for hundreds of years, you have to offer some bargaining chips."

Neither of them beat around the bush and got straight to the point.

After a moment's thought, Su Qingcai finally made a promise.

"You previously said that your ancestors were persecuted by corrupt officials, suffered injustice and endured great hardship, and that your ancestors must have died with resentment. I can promise you that once I gain power, I will definitely clear your lineage of injustice and let you enjoy the glory you deserve!"

Wang Fan's ancestors did indeed die with resentment. Although his descendants are not competitive, the resentment ingrained in their bones cannot be erased.

The conditions proposed by Su Qingcai were extremely tempting, and after careful consideration, Wang Fan agreed without hesitation.

"Alright, when the koi fish mark reappears, it will be the time for our rebirth! Since you are by the Holy Maiden's side, we are willing to believe in you. We only hope that when you gain power in the future, you will remember these words!"

"Of course! I may forget my life, but I will never forget my promise!"

Su Qingcai and Wang Fan exchanged a firm look, reaching an agreement with their eyes.

...

After Wang Fan completely submitted to Su Qingcai, he explained the situation to the people in the tribe and then sailed away with a group of naval soldiers, accompanying Su Qingcai and Su Xiaoning.

The sun was shining brightly, and Su Xiaoning, sunbathing on the deck, squinted comfortably. Thinking about returning to her beloved Carp Village soon, she couldn't help but hum a little tune happily.

Su Qingcai walked to Su Xiaoning's side, seemingly infected by her emotions, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Upon seeing Su Qingcai, Su Xiaoning couldn't help but ask curiously, "That's amazing! I didn't expect Chief Wang to actually submit to you. How did you do it?"

"It's not because I'm good; the credit goes to you." Su Qingcai smiled slightly, his gaze towards Su Xiaoning exceptionally gentle.

Su Xiaoning blinked, somewhat confused. "Me? What did I do?"

"You saved my life, wouldn't you say that counts as a merit?" Su Qingcai raised the corners of her lips, in a very good mood.

He looked earnestly into Su Xiaoning's eyes and solemnly said, "Thank you."

Because Su Xiaoning was by his side, his luck was always good, and he embarked on a completely different path from his previous life. The two had gone through so much together, and their fates were already intertwined.

For all of this, Su Xiaoning deserves a "thank you".

Su Qingcai didn't intend to reveal all her thoughts. After thanking him, she left to discuss matters with Wang Fan.

Su Xiaoning was still confused and was about to ask Su Qingcai for more information when she caught sight of the distant coastline and several familiar houses standing there. It was Carp Village!

We're home!

Su Xiaoning shouted excitedly, and after the boat docked, she pulled Su Qingcai and rushed to the village without stopping.

As soon as they entered Carp Village, an eerie atmosphere enveloped Su Xiaoning and her group.

White banners were hung everywhere, and unburnt paper money lay by the roadside. The faint sound of suona horns could be heard in the distance…

What's going on? Is there a funeral being held there?

Su Xiaoning's heart tightened, and she hurriedly ran towards the direction from which the suona sound came from. Unexpectedly, she ended up at Aunt Xu's house, where a group of people dressed in white were standing and wiping away tears.

“Little girl, although we are not related by blood, your uncle and I have long regarded you as our own child. If we had known that going to sea would be so dangerous, we would not have let you go. Now, we, the white-haired, are burying our black-haired child. How can we live with this…”

Aunt Xu was sobbing, and Uncle Qingshan beside her also looked very worried.

"Even that young master went with her. Sigh, their wedding hasn't even taken place yet, so I guess I won't be able to attend their wedding banquet..."

"Waaah, Su Xiaoning, how could you just abandon me like this!"

Suddenly a loud wail rang out, and upon closer inspection, it turned out that even Ru Xing had arrived.

Ru Xing completely disregarded her image, pounding her chest and sobbing uncontrollably, "It was all my fault before, come back and scold me, I don't mind! Please come back, waaaah..."

The room was filled with gloom and despair. After listening for a while, Su Xiaoning was left speechless, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

So, everyone thought she and Su Qingcai were dead, and now they're holding a funeral for them?

Feeling helpless, Su Xiaoning pulled Su Qingcai over.

"Don't cry, we're back."

Everyone was expected to be overjoyed, but instead, they all stared at Su Xiaoning with horrified eyes. Someone shouted "A ghost!" and instantly all the villagers knelt down before Su Xiaoning.