Shen Xingmian nodded in satisfaction. Just then, she arrived at the door of Xiao Yanyue's room, waved goodbye, and went to prepare the room next door.

Thinking that older people would be more afraid of the cold, she prepared a slightly thicker new cotton quilt and laid out several layers of mattress, which was very soft.

But there was no mattress; she had checked carefully to make sure there was nothing in the room that didn't belong to this era.

It's still too early to tell how things will go, so it's best not to let them know more for now.

She believed that Dao Dao would never tell anyone about this.

Also, since Grandma Wanrong should be staying in this room, where should her husband stay? He certainly can't stay in this room too.

If we arrange for them to live next door, wouldn't that mean the couple would be separated?

Alright, she'll prepare the basic items first, and let them arrange the rest themselves. She just needs to tell Daodao that if she needs anything, she can come directly to her.

His maternal grandmother might be embarrassed to trouble him, but after spending so much time together, Dao Dao is definitely fine in that regard.

After tidying up the room, she returned to her kang (heated brick bed). The fire had already been lit, and as soon as she entered, she could feel the warm and cozy atmosphere inside, which was very comfortable.

Shen Xingmian felt she was getting lazier and lazier. She was too lazy to heat the kang (a traditional heated bed), and just wanted to close the door as soon as she entered the room and immediately hide back in her space.

But her mother wouldn't allow it, feeling that the room was too cold and unappealing, so she insisted on adding a few more bundles of firewood for her.

Looking at it this way now, it's not so bad. Staying in the room, anyone who needs to find her can reach her.

She waited until dark before going out to call Xiao Yanyue, and together they went to the address left by Grandma Wanrong.

Yong'an Town is certainly not as big as Beijing, but it is still a town, and it is quite large.

They lived in the middle of the front street, while Xiao Yanyue's maternal grandmother lived in the back street, about a 20-minute walk away.

Of course, slippery roads due to snow also contributed to the slow speed.

The two drove their electric scooter nimbly through the alleyways, and in less than ten minutes, they found the courtyard with a small peach tree at the entrance.

Although it was winter and all the trees were bare, the peach tree's branches were clearly different from the other trees, and Shen Xingmian recognized it at a glance.

After putting the car back in their storage space, the two of them climbed over into the yard and gently knocked on the window a few times.

Soon, they heard movement inside. Liang Wanrong quickly opened the door and warmly invited them in in a low voice.

As she closed the door, she cautiously looked around to make sure no one was following them before she confidently bolted the door from the inside.

The old lady inside knew who had come. Although she couldn't see clearly, she still groped her way down to greet them.

She was so excited that she almost stumbled and fell to the ground, but Xiao Yanyue rushed over and caught her.

He looked at the excited old woman in front of him, and saw her squinting her eyes, trying to see his appearance clearly. His heart softened instantly.

It turns out that in this world, besides the Shen family, there are other people who care about me, and even hold me in their hearts.

Without hesitation, he called out softly, "Grandmother, it's me, Yanyue. I've come to see you. I'm an unfilial son. I was afraid of bringing you misfortune, so I held back until now. I'm sorry for making you worry."

Tears welled up in the old lady's eyes. Her withered, thin fingers touched his cheek, tracing his eyebrows and eyes little by little. She was so excited that her lips trembled, and for a moment she choked up until her throat ached and she couldn't make a sound.

Upon seeing this scene, Liang Wanrong couldn't help but wipe away her tears and took on the responsibility of being a qualified "mouth double".

“Ever since the old master had his accident, the old lady’s eyes have been so blurry from crying. Then that incident happened... it really took a toll on her health. She was worried about the young prince and was so anxious on her way to the northern border that she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to see him again before she left. That’s why she kept urging me to go to the general’s mansion every day. Waaah.”

After saying that, she lost control of her emotions and started sobbing.

Shen Xingmian felt heartbroken seeing this and gently patted her back to comfort her.

In her heart, there was little class consciousness. In her eyes, Liang Wanrong was not a servant, but simply an elder who worried about the children in the family.

Seeing how genuinely she cried, the old lady opposite her was also momentarily speechless.

It's all the fault of that damned emperor!

The original thought was that with an emperor on the throne, at least there wouldn't be too much chaos or cause the people to suffer.

But now it seems that enduring the pain of losing a loved one must have been a torment for Xiao Yanyue's family.

My maternal grandfather's family remained calm, as they had many things to do every day, including preparing for revenge.

Moreover, since their family did not have the status of royalty, their military campaigns would inevitably be seen as illegitimate and unjustified in the eyes of the people.

That's why my maternal grandfather and eldest uncle preferred to stay in the northern border and develop their territory, focusing on being able to withstand the risk of the emperor coming to settle scores, rather than amass an army and march north to declare themselves kings.

In Shen Xingmian's view, there was nothing wrong with their idea; their family had never intended to seize the throne.

That position, if it were occupied by a diligent person, would be so tiring that they would be exhausted and wouldn't experience much joy.

Unless one is a foolish person who only wants to sit on the throne and start enjoying the ultimate life, with all sorts of pleasures like wine pools, meat forests, and three palaces and six courtyards arranged for them.

However, if they do that, they'll likely be kicked out soon.

In short, the throne was like a hot potato to Shen Xingmian and the other members of the Shen family. It wasn't that they were incapable of sitting on it, but rather that they felt it was unnecessary.

But for Xiao Yanyue, it must be a different story.

According to the original trajectory, the crown prince would succeed to the throne, and then he, as the eldest grandson of the emperor, would inherit the throne, which should rightfully be his.

Not that despicable man who framed his father.

Looking at the most hated enemy in the world, sitting in that supreme position that originally belonged to him and his father, what was this little boy feeling?

Shen Xingmian simply couldn't bear to think about it.

The reason he practiced martial arts so diligently every day, never uttering a sound even when his hands were blistered from the knife hilt, was probably because he was driven by hatred.

She was so heartbroken.

Such a kind and sensible person shouldn't have to go through all this cruelty.

Seeing him in the arms of his only relative, showing a rare expression of vulnerability and pain, Shen Xingmian felt a dull ache in her heart and wanted to do something for him.

At the very least, we should help him keep this only family member who loves him very much.