Chapter 8

Leng Xue Ran looked at the man with the wicked smile before her and sneered, "Sincere? It's only been a short time, and you're already sincere? Your sincerity is truly cheap and casual." Xi Yi Min, however, was not annoyed and laughed, "Xue Ran, you don't understand. If love in this mortal world could be clearly explained and its origins traced, there wouldn't be so much trouble. My heart's desires are entirely beyond my control. Xue Ran has entered my heart so quietly, leaving me defenseless. What should I do?" Looking at the glib-tongued man before her, she really didn't want to pay him any attention. She mounted her horse and rode away, leaving Xi Yi Min with only a wry smile.

Fengcheng

After their parting in the forest, Xi Yimin no longer openly followed her. That night, Leng Xueran entered the inn. As soon as she entered her room, she saw a man she disliked sitting there. Her face darkened, and she said coldly, "You're like a persistent ghost!" She turned to leave, but the man flashed in front of her, blocking her way, and laughed, "Xueran, do you truly dislike me that much?" Leng Xueran looked at her coldly and said, "Since Young Master Xi is so self-aware, why bother with this persistent pursuit? What am I to you? Forgive me, this humble woman cannot entertain you." With that, she slipped out the door, inwardly sneering: Another spoiled brat. How could I have believed she could find Guan Haoshan? Indeed, good-looking people in this world aren't necessarily virtuous and chivalrous. Watching the woman leave with a dark expression, Xi Yimin felt helpless. He had indeed been too hasty.

After leaving the inn, Leng Xueran headed towards the so-called camp of Guan Haoshan in the western suburbs of Fengcheng. Standing on the mountain, looking at the tents in front of her, she wondered if this was really Guan Haoshan's camp. Even if it wasn't, she wanted to find out for sure. The woman quietly entered the camp, and this time she entered so easily. After looking around, she found that there was no one in the main camp. The woman pondered for a moment, then turned around and quietly left.

The following day, Leng Xueran received a letter from her father, instructing her to set off for the capital immediately.

More than half a month later, in the Leng residence in the capital, in the main hall, the middle-aged man on the main seat looked at the woman standing in the hall and said, "Xue Ran, the reason I'm in such a hurry to summon you back this time is because of the Emperor's will. He wants you to come to the palace to meet him. I don't know why the Emperor wants to see you. He has never met you before, so why does he suddenly want to see you? I find it strange too. Tomorrow you will come to the palace with me. We'll talk about Guan Haoshan later." Hearing this, Leng Xue Ran asked, "Then when can I see Mother?" Hearing this, Leng Shouqing said helplessly, "Naturally, you can see her after Guan Haoshan dies."

"Father, can you tell me why you insist on killing Guan Haoshan? What deep-seated hatred does he hold against you? Where exactly are you hiding Mother?" Looking at his aggressive daughter, Leng Shouqing's eyes darted around as he said, "He betrayed the country and plotted rebellion; he deserves to die!" "Father, only the Emperor would believe that. No one in Fengcheng believes it. I heard that you adopted Guan Haoshan as your godson back then. You should know him well. Do you think he would plot a rebellion?" Leng Shouqing remained silent for a long time, his heart filled with bitterness. Guan Haoshan could never have colluded with foreign forces, but An Ye'er had demanded that he, Leng Shouqing, do it. He couldn't bring himself to tell this to his daughter, who longed to see her mother. If he did, he feared he would never see the woman he both loved and hated again. Leng Shouqing smiled and said, "Although I have adopted Guan Haoshan as my godson, I don't really know his character. Xue Ran, it's getting late, you should rest early. You must be tired from the journey. You have to go to the palace to meet the Emperor tomorrow morning." Seeing that Leng Shouqing was unwilling to say more, she gave up and said, "Then I will take my leave."

Inside the palace, in the imperial study, the Emperor stared at the woman standing before his desk, unable to believe his eyes. He saw a striking resemblance in her features to the woman he deeply loved. Seeing this, Leng Shouqing likely guessed the Emperor's thoughts. Everything seemed to have happened too quickly, so quickly that he hadn't even had time to think of a response. The Emperor suddenly looked up at Leng Shouqing standing beside Leng Xue Ran, his face icy, and said, "Minister Leng, do you have something to say to me privately?" Leng Shouqing straightened up and replied, "Your Majesty, I do indeed have some doubts." The Emperor looked at Leng Xue Ran and smiled, "Miss Leng, please wait outside." Leng Xue Ran replied, "This humble woman takes her leave." Leng Shouqing looked at the Emperor before him, his heart trembling slightly, and said, "I wonder if Your Majesty..." "Why have you summoned my daughter?" The Emperor looked at him coldly and laughed, "Do you truly not know, my dear minister, or are you feigning ignorance?" "I am terrified, I truly do not know the reason." "In that case, I will enlighten you, my dear minister, is that alright?" Hearing this tone, Leng Shouqing knew that the Emperor was angry, so he knelt down and said, "If I am guilty, please enlighten me, Your Majesty." "In that case, I will tell you where your crime lies, a crime deserving of death! Do you know An Ye'er!" Hearing this, Leng Shouqing's face was already covered in sweat, and he trembled as he said, "I have heard of this woman, but I dare not speak of it!" The Emperor looked at the middle-aged man in front of him coldly and laughed, "What is it that you dare not speak of? Tell me, you know!" Leng Shouqing looked up at the Emperor and said in a trembling voice, "That woman..." "Isn't she Your Majesty's beloved concubine?" "Hahaha, you know she's my beloved concubine, yet you still take her for yourself! Do you know your crime deserves death!" The emperor stared intently at the kneeling man before him, then kicked Leng Shouqing hard on the ground, roaring, "Speak! Where did you hide her? If you don't tell me, I'll kill you right now!" Leng Shouqing hurriedly kowtowed, pleading, "This humble subject truly doesn't know, please investigate, Your Majesty!" "Then who is Leng Xue Ran's mother?" "She was born to one of my concubines, who passed away many years ago." The emperor looked at him and sneered, "Do you think I'll believe what you say, or do you think I'm so easily fooled? Do you know how much Leng Xue Ran resembles An Ye'er, the one I've been searching for for over a decade?" "Woman. If you don't speak, I'll take your life right now." With that, he turned and drew his sword from the pillar, plunging it into Leng Shouqing's chest. A muffled groan escaped Leng Shouqing's lips as he clutched his chest, trembling as he said, "Your Majesty, what I said is absolutely true! If there is even a single lie, I am willing to die!" Seeing this, the Emperor's eyes flickered slightly, uncertainly asking, "But the spies reported seeing An Ye'er in your residence! What is your explanation?" "Your Majesty, I dare to report that the woman the spies saw, who resembled a concubine, was likely my deceased concubine, Xue Ran's birth mother. But she is truly not one of Your Majesty's concubines; she was merely a woman I brought back from a brothel." Looking at the blood-soaked Leng Shouqing, the Emperor sternly said, "If there is any falsehood, I will exterminate your entire family! You may leave!"

Leng Xue Ran, who was waiting outside, saw Leng Shou Qing emerge covered in blood and rushed forward to help him, saying anxiously, "Father, are you alright?" Leng Shou Qing, his face pale, waved his hand and said weakly, "Father is fine, let's go back quickly!" "Why did the Emperor treat you like this?" Leng Shou Qing looked at his daughter and smiled, "Father did all this for your mother. Remember, if anyone asks about your mother, just say she passed away a few years ago. Don't ask why, Father would never harm your mother." Looking at her weak father, Leng Xue Ran nodded and said nothing more.

This capital city truly lives up to its name. The bustling merchants and the dazzling array of goods make it exceptionally lively and unique. In a private room on the second floor of the most prestigious inn in the capital, the Yu Gui Inn, a young gentleman sat by the window, a smile playing on his lips as he watched the Leng family carriage hurry through the streets towards the Leng residence. He remarked, "Indeed interesting. This show has only just begun. I hope the performers on stage will put on a good show, so I can also join in!" The man left the inn and strolled slowly south of the city, observing the sights and people of the capital while pondering his own feelings and thoughts. Years had passed since his last visit, and his feelings upon returning were no longer the same. Upon reaching the south of the city, he found himself surrounded by the wealthy and powerful. The Leng residence was just a few streets away, but a new mansion had been built there, its existence seemingly impossible to recall among the many people coming and going. The smiling young master entered the Xi residence. A clever-looking boy opened the door and called out, "Young master is back!" The young master smiled and said, "Hmm, have you watered the flowers and plants in front of the study?" "Yes, young master, they have." "That's good." He then walked directly through the winding corridor over the pond in the courtyard and entered the study. "Leng Xue Ran, I, Xi Yimin, have actually missed you somewhat. What kind of woman are you? I'd like to know. My heart is truly sentimental; I took it upon myself to let you in." He gave a wry smile.