Without saying a word, Shen Xi pulled Mai Zizi out of Shen Qianxue's courtyard.

Mai Zizi's punches and kicks were to no avail.

Shen Xi was in a bad mood, her face slightly darkened. "Young Master is in a bad mood, don't disturb him."

Mai Zizi raised her eyebrows slightly, put her hands on her hips, and said, "Did you and Yang Jiaoru disobey him and make him angry again? Can't you two be a little more considerate!"

That hits the nail on the head!

The past...

"We are also afraid that Su Jin might harm the young master."

"How could that be!" Mai Zizi rolled her eyes at Shen Xi. "Su Jinxia cherishes Qianxue brother to death, how could she bear to hurt him?"

If I hadn't realized this, I wouldn't have given Qianxue to her!

The past...

Mai Zizi stretched out her finger and poked Shen Xi's chest. "Also, mind your own business. Relationships are a matter between two people, and no one else can understand them except them."

Mai Zizi gave a long and earnest lecture, as if she were very experienced.

"You think you know a lot?" Shen Xi asked dismissively.

Mai Zizi retorted, "Anyway, I know more than you. Think about it yourself, if you like someone, but others point fingers at her, how would you feel? Would you think that's for your own good?"

Sink to the past!

It seems quite annoying.

"But, but Su Jinxia..."

Mai Zizi impatiently pushed Chen Xi away, "Stop it, you blockhead, you wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you."

Mai Zizi ran off angrily.

Chen Xi was left alone, struggling with his own thoughts. Was he really wrong?

As night deepened, Chen Xi sat alone in a secluded spot, drinking alone in silence.

"Stop looking and come out!" Shen Xi suddenly shouted.

Captain Qu Yi of the Dark Guard stepped out of the shadows.

Shen Xi handed him the wine, "Have a drink with me."

Qu Yi pushed him away, saying, "I can't drink alcohol while on night duty."

Feeling utterly bored, he put the wine aside, lowered his head, and his back exuded boundless sadness.

"What's wrong with you?" Qu Yi asked calmly. Shen Xi had always been the strongest in his heart, and he rarely saw him so dejected.

Shen Xi covered her face, "I don't know, everything has changed, the young master no longer trusts me..."

Qu Yi...

Such a tough guy, acting like a little girl, it's unbearable to look at!

"Really? I don't think so." Qu Yi was very calm. Being in the shadows, he could see things more clearly than others.

Shen Xi raised her head, her eyes filled with confusion.

Qu Yi said, "I don't think it's that the young master doesn't trust you, but that he's been too good to you and Yang Jiaoruo."

They were so good to them that they forgot who they were.

"Do you still remember my master? He told me that the young master is kind and treats us like family, but we must know our place and always remember that he is our master."

Shen Xi remained silent for a while, still unconvinced, "It wasn't like this before, it was Su Jinxia's appearance that caused the young master to drift apart from us."

Qu Yi sat down. “No, it’s always been like this. It’s just that you and the young master didn’t have much disagreement before. Even though the young master didn’t like you interfering in his life, he would tolerate you because you were doing it for his own good and because you grew up together. But it’s different now. Su Jinxia is the person he likes. If he can’t even protect the person he likes, what kind of man is he?”

"Perhaps you think that Young Master has become indecisive and keeps backing down because of this, but if Young Master treats Su Jinxia like he does with the martial arts sects, using threats and inducements, and killing those who don't obey, aren't you afraid?"

"You still don't understand love. You'll understand when you find someone you like."

Qu Yi spoke with the air of someone who had been through it all.

Shen Xi was even more unconvinced, "You talk as if you have it."

"Yes, I do. I have someone I like." A strange blush crept onto the tough guy's face. He knew his feelings clearly and dared to admit them openly.

Shen Xi's jaw dropped in astonishment. "Who is it?"

Qu Yi shook his head mysteriously, "I can't say yet."

Shen Xi didn't understand. "Why?" She had just admitted that she had someone she liked, but now she didn't dare to say it.

Qu Yi took a deep breath, his face showing a hint of seriousness. "People like us, who have risked our lives and lived on the edge, how could we dare to easily delay a young lady's life? It would only cause more trouble if we talked about it."

"If one day, when the great cause is accomplished and I am still alive, then I will ask the young master for permission to retreat to Phoenix Pavilion, and then confess my feelings to her."

Shen Xi sighed, feeling the same way; people like them dared not talk about love.

"She must be an excellent girl," Shen Xi remarked.

Unexpectedly, Qu Yi shook his head, "She's very ordinary, perhaps worthless in other people's eyes, but I like her because although she's ordinary, she works hard to live her life, she's diligent and strong..."

Shen Xi fell silent, and suddenly the image of Mai Zizi appeared before his eyes.

So willful and domineering, she always beat and kicked him.

Yet it is so vivid, lively, bright, and lovely.

No one is perfect; everyone has flaws.

People who don't love are picky, while people who love are tolerant.

Even though Su Jin was utterly wicked and treacherous in the hearts of Shen Xi and the others, it couldn't compare to Shen Qianxue's love for her.

After getting drunk and taking a nap, Chen Xi woke up with a much clearer mind.

"Young Master, the Prince has sent someone to invite you, and it seems quite urgent." Shen Xi stood solemnly inside and outside Shen Qianxue's room and reported.

Shen Qianxue's brow twitched; she suddenly had a bad feeling.

Everything that needed to be said yesterday, so why the sudden invitation? Something must have happened.

Shen Qianxue rushed to the Prince's Mansion with Shen Xi and received some shocking news.

His Majesty has passed away!

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the emperor passed away, and the crown prince ascended the throne.

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