He chuckled self-deprecatingly.

His eyes were filled with cold mockery: "And then there's my grandmother. Outsiders say she dotes on me, but in reality, she only values ​​my ability to fight and make military achievements. She wants to use my merits to secure a title of Lady of the First Rank for herself. While I'm risking my life on the front lines, she's in the mansion using my achievements to ask the court for rewards, and then she turns around and throws me aside, letting the Qin family torment me."

As he spoke, it was as if he had shed all pretense.

Wearily resting her head on Shen Qingtang's shoulder, her voice trembled slightly: "Qingtang, I always thought I was just someone no one cared about, that this was how my life would be. But now someone suddenly tells me that my mother isn't an ordinary person, that I still have family..."

"Was it Wang Xiulian who told you?"

Shen Qingtang gently patted his back.

His tone was gentle, yet tinged with a hint of wariness.

Pei Wuwang nodded, his voice muffled: "Yes. She said my mother was Princess Anhe from the neighboring country. She fled here because of the palace strife and was later murdered. She also said I have two uncles, both princes from that country, and they are now looking for me to go back and help them fight for the throne."

Shen Qingtang frowned.

Her fingertips tightened slightly: "This Wang Xiulian has an unknown background, and what she says may not be credible. She might be plotting against us again. After all, we haven't even figured out Fang Yun's matter yet, and now your background has surfaced. It's too much of a coincidence."

“I know.” Pei Wuwang raised his head, his eyes becoming clearer. “I suspected her from the beginning, so I didn’t agree to her request. Actually, I had already investigated my own background in secret, but I never dared to confirm it.”

He paused, then slowly revealed more details: "I found out that my mother did indeed meet my father after losing her memory. They fell in love and got married, but not long after, she was secretly poisoned. My mother's true identity was Princess Anhe of the neighboring country, and her father, who was also my maternal grandfather, was the emperor of that neighboring country who had reigned for many years. That emperor was diligent and hardworking, and he governed the country very well. However, he was getting old, and his princes had long since begun to fight openly and secretly for the throne."

“My two uncles are the most powerful competitors among them. They probably didn’t really want to acknowledge our kinship, but rather wanted to use my identity as ‘the son of Princess Anhe’ to increase their bargaining power in the struggle for the throne.”

After hearing this, Shen Qingtang felt even heavier in her heart.

Pei Wuwang's background is intertwined with the power struggle within a neighboring country.

And behind this, there seems to be a hidden connection to a conspiracy targeting them.

She grasped Pei Wuwang's hand, her eyes resolute: "No matter what they're up to, we don't need to pay them any mind. Your past is your history, but your future is with us. As for those who want to take advantage of you, we'll deal with them as they come."

Looking into Shen Qingtang's clear and determined eyes, Pei Wuwang's confusion and unease gradually dissipated.

He gripped her hand tightly and nodded vigorously: "Yes, with you here, I'm not afraid of anything."

As night deepened, the lanterns under the eaves emitted a warm yellow light, casting long shadows of the two people.

Shen Qingtang looked at Pei Wuwang's eyes and saw the determination that had faded after the confusion, yet also a hint of vulnerability.

My heart melted completely.

She gently smoothed the wrinkles between his brows, her tone tender yet resolute: "The past is the past. Those who wronged you and hurt you are all in the past. Now you have me, Nian'an, and the Shen family. You will never be alone again."

Pei Wuwang gazed into her clear, gentle eyes, feeling the warmth emanating from his palm.

The emotions that had been building up inside surged up instantly.

He turned around and pulled Shen Qingtang into a tight embrace, resting his chin on the top of her head.