The emperor stared intently at her and said, "I originally thought that keeping you by my side was the safest and most secure decision, but I never expected that this decision would put you in danger. It would be safer outside."

His eyes dimmed as he said this.

The torture and interrogation that took place three days ago is still vivid in my mind.

At that time, he held a horsewhip with barbs embedded in it and personally interrogated and whipped the assassin in front of him.

With each lash, the assassin's skin was torn open, blood spurting out, and the barbs on the whip could tear off chunks of flesh.

Even so, he gritted his teeth and refused to reveal the name of any of the masterminds behind the scenes.

He endured all sorts of torture in the prison all night long, and only when he was on the verge of a mental breakdown did he finally utter a single sentence.

"By killing the emperor's woman, we can make the emperor suffer, hahahaha..."

Before he could finish laughing, the emperor personally took the knife and beheaded him.

It was at that moment that he decided to send Jian Yang out of the palace.

Jian Yang lowered her eyelashes and said in a muffled voice, "Then Your Majesty must also take care of your health."

"Don't worry, A-Yang," the emperor said in a relaxed tone. "But you, you must take good care of yourself while you are away. If you wish to return after I have cleared away the obstacles, the palace gates will always be open for you."

Jian Yang nodded, but did not reply.

It wasn't that she didn't want to answer, but she was afraid that she would burst into tears as soon as she opened her mouth.

Just a few days ago she felt a deep loathing for everything here, but now that she was about to leave, her throat felt unbearably sore.

The imperial physician changed her dressing and bandaged her wound. Then, Jian Yang boarded the carriage prepared for her by the emperor.

"This is medicine for wounds. Remember to change it frequently on the road." The emperor handed her an exquisite porcelain jar.

Jian Yang accepted it and thanked her.

"Let's go." The emperor raised his hand and touched her cheek before withdrawing it.

Jian Yang sat back in the carriage, lowered the curtain, and blocked the two from seeing each other.

The carriage was escorted by twenty of the most elite bodyguards, heading north. Half a month later, it finally arrived at the northern frontier.

Upon arriving in the area, Jian Yang learned that Jian Hong had led an army of 200,000 men to victory ten days earlier.

It seems the emperor had informed Jian Hong well in advance, because Jian Yang saw her brother already waiting at the city gate before she even entered the city.

"Have you suffered any hardships along the way?"

Jian Yang shook her head: "Everyone has taken good care of me, but..."

She paused, then continued, "The guards my brother sent to protect me last time all perished. The Emperor said that these secret guards are his compensation to you."

"Okay, let's go into the city first."

After spending some time in the North and fully recovering, she requested to return to Hundred Flowers Town.

Compared to the North, where it was still snowing in March, the year-round spring-like town of Hundred Flowers was something Jian Yang really missed.

Jian Hong agreed and suggested that he go with her to visit that small southern town.

Of course, his main purpose was to escort her; he didn't trust anyone else.

After the Flower Festival, the brother and sister set off by water again, heading south.

Eight days later, they arrived at Baihua Town, where Jian Yang had already disguised herself.

When Yang Shichang learned that Jian Yang had returned, he personally went to the dock to welcome him.

"Brother Jian, you're finally back! I've missed you so much!"

Yang Shichang went up to give her a bear hug, but was blocked by Jian Hong's imposing palm.

Yang Shichang was greatly surprised: "Who are you?"

Jian Yang smiled and said, "It's my elder brother."

"No way?" Yang Shichang's gaze swept back and forth between the two of them. "Are you sure you're their biological children?"

After all, the two are very different in height and appearance, making it hard to believe they are brothers.

Jian Yang laughed and said, "When my parents gave birth to me, they were no longer as loving as they used to be. That's why my older brother was born so handsome and extraordinary, but I never grew tall."

Yang Shichang suddenly realized and said, "So that's how it is."

It seems he really believed it.

Jian Yang and Jian Hong exchanged a smile.

That day, Yang Shichang treated the two to a lavish meal at the best restaurant in town.

“Little A-Yang has really grown up,” Jian Hong said with satisfaction after returning to the clinic. “She can not only support herself, but also make good friends. That’s great. I can finally rest assured.”

Jian Yang cleared out a bed on the second floor of the clinic for Jian Hong to stay in. As she made the bed for him, she laughed and said, "Look at what you're saying. Tomorrow, let your brother see your sister's professional skills again. You'll definitely praise her to the point of being speechless."

As expected, after learning that Dr. Jian had returned, the townspeople flocked to him for consultations.

Jian Yang methodically took everyone's pulses, diagnosed their illnesses, and prescribed medicine, while Jian Hong assisted her from the side.

"Not bad, Ah Yang."

"That's right!" Jian Yang proudly puffed out her chest.

Because Jian Hong is very handsome and tall, everyone from three-year-old girls to eighty-year-old grandmothers became his fans.

Many girls, even though they were not sick, pretended to be ill and came to see Jian Hong just to catch a glimpse of him.

Jian Yang didn't expose their thoughts. Seeing her brother so popular, she, as the younger sister, was happier than anyone else.

The happy times continued until a carrier pigeon arrived.

The carrier pigeons were kept by Jian Hong's deputy general and were used specifically for communication.

The deputy general treasured his pigeons and rarely used them unless in an emergency.

Now that this pigeon has arrived in Hundred Flowers Town, something big must have happened in the North.

Seeing Jian Hong read the information on the note with a very serious expression, Jian Yang asked cautiously, "Brother, has something happened? Is there another war?"

Jian Hong shook his head and said, "Nothing is wrong in the northern border, but someone in the court has impeached me."

Jian Yang asked in surprise, "Huh? Why are you being impeached?"

Jian Hong handed her the note.

Jian Yang took the book and quickly read it, then was speechless.

It turns out that some officials said Jian Hong had abandoned his post and intended to rebel.

"You're killing someone by destroying their spirit!" Jian Yang couldn't help but curse. "Are these censors just bored and have nothing better to do? If you wanted to rebel, would you have waited until today?"

Jian Hong said, both amused and exasperated, "Ayang, you can't just say things like that."

Jian Yang said angrily, "I'm not talking nonsense. For the past ten years or so, you've worked so hard for the Northern Border and just won a battle. These old geezers not only don't know how to be grateful, but they also put such a big accusation on you. It's really infuriating."

Jian Hong laughed and said, "Don't be angry. The Emperor won't believe it. He's my good brother-in-law."

Upon hearing this, Jian Yang's face flushed slightly, and she said somewhat awkwardly, "Three men can make a tiger. Besides, the emperor is most afraid of others coveting his throne. If those ministers keep talking in his ear for a long time, he might actually believe it."

Jian Hong chimed in, "Ayang is right."

Knowing that Jian Hong was just giving her the runaround, Jian Yang said angrily, "You can't be too careful. Brother, don't put all your hopes on others. You should also make your own preparations!"

"What suggestions does A-Yang have?" Jian Hong adopted a listening posture.