Liang Shuyan was sweating profusely and waved her hands repeatedly, her voice trembling: "Princess, this, how can this be? If outsiders hear this, our Jin family will be beheaded. Please forgive this humble subject for daring to accept such treasonous words!"

Her words were filled with fear and unease, as if in those few words she had already foreseen the tragic fate of herself and her family being executed.

The princess looked at Liang Shuyan, a hint of confusion and disappointment flashing in her eyes. She couldn't understand why her mother, who seemed so kind and simple in her eyes, would be so afraid to tell the truth.

The scene freezes on the moment the princess and Liang Shuyan lock eyes, and everything around them seems to stand still. A tense atmosphere fills the air, making even breathing seem cautious.

"Mom, Grandma, please get up quickly," Niu Niu said, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at her two relatives. The sorrow and pain in her heart were like the surface of a shimmering lake, rippling at the slightest touch.

“The formalities are over, now we are family.” Niu Niu’s voice was gentle yet firm, as if it had a magical power that instantly eased the tense atmosphere.

“The servants are all waiting in the courtyard; we have nothing to be afraid of.” Niu Niu looked at the servants standing meekly in the courtyard, as if they had etched her words into their hearts. She paused, an irrepressible urge welling up inside her. “I just want to talk to Mother; I’m not happy at all in the palace.”

Liang Shuyan's eyes were fixed on Niu Niu, as if trying to find the answer in her face. She held Niu Niu's hand, the warmth of her palm conveying a mother's worry and anxiety. Her voice trembled slightly, as if she was trying her best to suppress her emotions.

Niu Niu lowered her head and remained silent for a moment. Her thoughts seemed to return to that magnificent palace, the elaborate rules and regulations, and the fiercely competitive concubines in the harem. She remembered the power struggles and scheming she had to learn to survive, and the weariness and helplessness of those days.

“I…” Niu Niu’s voice choked up a little, “I miss home, I miss my parents, I miss those carefree days.” A glint of light flashed in her eyes, “In the palace, although I lived a life of luxury, I lost myself and had to face deceit and treachery every day.”

Liang Shuyan was at a loss for words to comfort Niu Niu, who had lived with her for over a decade.

Liang Shuyan gently hugged Niu Niu, her heart aching as if pricked by needles. She remembered when Niu Niu first entered the palace, she was still an innocent and carefree little girl, full of curiosity and longing for everything. But now, that innocent and carefree little girl was gone, replaced by a young woman burdened with worries.

“Niu Niu, I know you’re not happy in the palace.” Liang Shuyan’s voice trembled slightly. “It’s my fault. I didn’t protect you well. But you have to believe that one day we will leave this place.”

Niu Niu looked up, her eyes filled with tears, but she bit her lip to keep from crying out loud. She knew that even crying was a luxury in the palace. All she wanted was for it all to end quickly, to go home, to be back in her parents' arms.

"By the way, do the Emperor and Empress know about this trip out of the palace? I already offended the Empress last time. Niu Niu, you must be a good princess and make the Emperor and Empress worry less. Good child, your mother is incompetent."

Niu Niu hugged her mother tightly, tears welling up in her eyes. She knew her mother's worries and helplessness, and she also understood the weight of her responsibility. She couldn't let her mother and the Emperor and Empress down; she had to be a good princess and make everyone proud of her.

So, Niu Niu straightened her back, her eyes shining with determination. She nodded vigorously and said softly, "Mom, don't worry, I will."

She knew that from this moment on, she was no longer that willful little girl, but had to shoulder the heavy responsibility of a princess. Every action and every word she spoke concerned the well-being of the country and its people.

So, Niu Niu silently vowed in her heart that she would be a good princess and live up to her mother's and the emperor's expectations. She would bravely face all challenges and difficulties for the benefit of the country and its people.

Liang Shuyan bid a reluctant farewell to Niu Niu. A surge of intense emotion welled up within her, and the scenery before her blurred. She knew that she was about to enter a strange world, while Niu Niu would remain in the palace, living a life completely different from hers.

Liang Shuyan held Niu Niu's hand tightly; she could feel Niu Niu's trembling and nervousness. Her eyes were filled with worry and reluctance, but the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, trying to offer Niu Niu some comfort.

“Be careful in the palace,” Liang Shuyan advised. “Don’t trust others easily, and don’t let anyone see your thoughts. People here are complicated, so be careful everywhere.”

Seeing Liang Shuyan and Niu Niu's reluctant parting, Grandma Jin breathed a sigh of relief: "Niu Niu, you are a princess now. You must always remember your status. If you think about this place, it is disobeying the Emperor and Empress. So don't worry about home. Your brothers are all fine, and your mother will protect us. We only hope that Niu Niu can find a good family in the future."

Grandma Jin's words struck Liang Shuyan's heart like a heavy hammer.

She knew that she was about to embark on a path of no return, far from her hometown and her family.

Looking at Niu Niu's innocent face, her eyes were filled with reluctance.

Niu Niu held her hand tightly, tears welling up in her eyes, but they didn't fall.

The scene seemed to freeze, leaving only the two figures reluctant to part. The people around them watched silently, each with a hint of regret on their face.

Upon learning that the princess had arrived in Daling Village, the county magistrate rushed to Liang Shuyan's house.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"

Niu Niu composed herself, adopted her princess-like demeanor, and walked over: "What crime?"

"Your Majesty, I just received a report from the people that a group of bandits in Dongshan were plotting to assassinate Your Majesty. So I led my men to capture the real culprit. I am late and have not been able to greet Your Highness in time. Please forgive me."

Niu Niu was startled. Dongshan bandits? She vaguely remembered that when she was discussing with Song Zheng that day, he mentioned that there was a group of bandits in Dongshan who were ruthless and unpredictable. But Niu Niu never thought that they would be so audacious as to murder the emperor.

"You mean, His Majesty... is in danger?" Niu Niu tried to remain calm. She glanced at the guard and saw that he was covered in dust, clearly having been through a fierce battle.

“Your Highness, the Emperor should be safe by now. Our men have brought the situation under control, but we must get there immediately,” the guard said, his eyes filled with anxiety.