Chapter 2

In the study of the Leng residence, General Leng Shouqing sat behind his desk, gazing at the aloof woman standing before him. He sighed and said, "Xue Ran, I know you are kind-hearted, but leading troops to besiege Hao Shan was not my intention. You know Hao Shan is chivalrous and righteous, and he is my adopted son. He would never plot to usurp the throne, but the current emperor doesn't believe it! I am powerless! The emperor's command cannot be disobeyed! Although you have never met Hao Shan, you must have heard of his heroic deeds. Xue Ran, you blame me for indiscriminately killing martial arts heroes!"

"Xue Ran doesn't blame her father. What do other people's lives and deaths have to do with me? Xue Ran just wants to know where her mother is."

"But your father really doesn't know where your mother is now... Xue Ran, you..." Before Leng Shouqing could say anything more, Leng Xue Ran turned and left! At this moment, how could Leng Xue Ran still believe that her father truly didn't know her mother's whereabouts? He just didn't want to say. The only thing she was certain of was that her father had changed, become unlike before; it seemed everything had changed. Just as Leng Xue Ran left, a woman emerged from the secret room of the study, coldly saying, "Leng Shouqing, you can deceive others, but you can't deceive me! Guan Haoshan isn't dead. That time you surrounded him, you only forced him to jump off a cliff. With his martial arts skills, how could he die so easily? Hmph..."

Leng Shouqing's face darkened, and he roared, "Are you really that heartless! Guan Haoshan has no grudge against you, and Xue Ran is your own daughter! How could you be so cruel as to hurt them! Why? Why did you marry me? I, Leng Shouqing, love you, but I will not let you control me!" This beautiful young woman was none other than Leng Xue Ran's mother, An Ye'er. She coldly snorted, "Since that's the case, there's no need for me to stay in this desolate Leng mansion!" Just as she finished speaking and was about to turn away, Leng Shouqing hurriedly got up and rushed to... Before the woman, he pleaded, "Ye'er, I was wrong just now. I shouldn't have done that. Please don't leave me. Even though you don't love me, think of Xue Ran. She's still in the Leng residence! Stay for her sake and give me a chance!" The woman laughed angrily, "You should think about her properly. Go tell her that Guan Haoshan isn't dead, but he will eventually die at her hands. If you can't do that, don't even think about seeing her mother. You know what to say." With that, she turned and left with a disdainful look, leaving Leng Shouqing with a sorrowful expression.

Outside Leng Xue Ran's boudoir, Leng Shou Qing hesitated. Suddenly, the door opened, and Leng Xue Ran, her face cold, said, "Father, what is it that you've been standing here for so long without coming in or leaving?" Leng Shou Qing stammered, "Xue Ran, the scouts report that Guan Hao Shan's former followers in Fengcheng are now truly plotting against the court. They also believe Guan Hao Shan is not dead and are searching for him everywhere. If Guan Hao Shan is indeed alive, Father wants you to kill him with your own hands." With a helpless expression, Leng Xue Ran's cold eyes gleamed with amusement. "Father, can you tell me why I want to kill a chivalrous swordsman who serves the people? Don't you find what you're asking me to do ridiculous?" Leng Shou Qing said cruelly, "In that case, I will tell you where your mother is." Leng Xue Ran stared intently at Leng Shou Qing for a long time, then sneered, "Fine, I hope Father won't go back on his word." She walked out of the mansion, but after taking only a few steps, she turned back to look at Leng Shouqing, who stood stunned in front of her boudoir, and said solemnly, "I still remember several years ago when Mother was still by my side. At that time, Father was kind and benevolent, a rare official who served the people. Mother was also kind and approachable. Although my stepmother was cunning, she was not a truly wicked person. My younger sister, Leng Ying, was kind and lovely. Although she was often instigated by my stepmother to do bad things, she never disrupted the harmony of our family. I thought our family would continue to live such a peaceful life. But, for some reason, in these past few years, my stepmother suddenly passed away, and Mother suddenly disappeared. My younger sister returned a year after leaving home and married the Crown Prince. Father has also changed..." After speaking, Leng Xueran remained silent for a long time, then said softly, "Thank you, Father, for raising me for the past twenty years. Xueran takes her leave now!" With that, she departed with her sword, her horse, and her spirit. Leng Shouqing, standing behind her, had blurred vision! A long sigh escaped his lips: "What a tragedy..."

Leng Xue ran south from the capital, and Fengcheng was located just south of the capital. If Guan Haoshan were still alive, he might have returned to Fengcheng. Now, Fengcheng, located on the frontier, was probably a scene of devastation. He frowned, cracked his whip, and spurred his horse southward, unaware that someone was following behind him. He left the city gate and galloped along the official road. Looking at the trees, flowers, grass, beasts, and birds along the roadside, he suddenly felt incredibly happy! If Guan Haoshan's death could bring his mother back, then so be it!

Passing by a mountain teahouse, Leng Xueran saw a tall, handsome man sitting there. He wore a long white robe with a black outer layer, the sleeves partially concealing his slender fingers. His black hair was tied up with a black ribbon, and his sword-like eyebrows slanted into his hair. This man was none other than Guan Haoshan after changing his name. However, Leng Xueran had only heard of him and had never seen him in person. In her haste, Leng Shouqing hadn't shown her a portrait of Guan Haoshan. The former Guan Haoshan, now the merchant Xi Yimin, had seen Leng Xueran before, at least in paintings. The man she saw now was even more beautiful than in the painting. He had slender, slanted eyebrows, cold, frosty eyes, and long, flowing black hair. He also wore a white robe with a black outer layer, but the outer garment was a gauze dress. He wore white, unpatterned boots, and his skin was as white as snow. He held a sword in his left hand and led his horse with his right. He glanced sideways at Xi Yimin, who was staring at him, and then found an empty table nearby to sit down. The teahouse waiter served tea and left. The quiet teahouse was broken by the sudden arrival of two elegantly dressed young men leading fine horses. The one in the lead was clearly the master of the group behind him; he was quite handsome. He approached Leng Xueran's table with a grin, bowed, and said, "Xuelan, may I sit here?" The way he addressed her indicated that he knew Leng Xueran. Leng Xueran glanced at him and said, "Please, go ahead." She then fell silent and began to drink her tea. The young man, unfazed, sat down gracefully, ordered a pot of tea from the waiter, and began to drink. The young man laughed, "Xue Ran didn't even tell me she was coming out! I've been looking everywhere for her! If I hadn't asked your father, I probably wouldn't know which way to look for you!" Leng Xue Ran coldly looked at the young man opposite her and said, "Third Prince, why aren't you in the capital? What are you looking for me for?" The young man still smiled and said, "Xue Ran knows why I'm looking for you." Leng Xue Ran sneered, "I don't know, and I don't want to know. Please don't make things difficult for Xue Ran, Third Prince. Xue Ran will take her leave now." She put down the tea money, mounted her horse, and rode away. The young man hurriedly followed, only to see Xi Yimin chuckle, take a sip of tea, and then leave as well. It turned out that the richly dressed young man was none other than Wang Cheng, the third son of the current emperor.

Fengcheng City Gate

"Xue Ran, what brings you to Fengcheng?"

“I’m sorry I cannot tell the Third Prince, but you should return. I did not come to Fengcheng for sightseeing; the risks are unknown, and I fear it may be dangerous for you to follow me.” Upon hearing this, Wang Cheng closed his folding fan and said seriously, “In that case, I cannot return. I must stay and protect Xue Ran.” Leng Xue Ran stopped and turned to look at Wang Cheng, saying, “I do not need the Third Prince to do this. Please do as you see fit.” With that, she walked towards Yimin Manor, the former manor of Guanhao Mountain in the eastern suburbs of Fengcheng.

Looking at the ruins before her, Leng Xueran felt a pang of sorrow. The Third Prince, following closely behind, said, "Xueran, what brings you to Yimin Manor? The manor's lord, Guan Haoshan, was a usurper. Besides, wasn't he already suppressed and killed by your father?" Leng Xueran remained silent, walking towards the manor. Everywhere was dilapidated; the traces of the battle were still visible, but the bloodstains had long been washed away by the heavy rain, leaving no trace of life. She feared she wouldn't find Guan Haoshan here. Thinking this, Leng Xueran turned and walked down the mountain. Passing the Third Prince, she asked, "Third Prince, do you know what Guan Haoshan looks like?" The Third Prince asked curiously, "No, isn't he dead? Why do you ask, Xueran?" Leng Xueran coldly replied, "No reason," and continued walking down the mountain.