As the snow fell, Qin Weixi smiled and said, "Then I'll be your friend..."

She suddenly stopped and turned to look at Zhu Ruo, who was watching her go. However, Zhu Ruo was already in tears.

She stepped forward, knelt down, and tightly gripped Zhu Ruo's skirt.

My heart sank to the bottom.

"Sister-in-law, do you want to abandon me?" Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Zhu remained silent.

Qin Weixi gripped her skirt tightly and said again, "Sister-in-law, do you also want to leave Jiubao? Sister-in-law, do you still remember Third Brother's parents? Third Brother was precocious and more sensible than other children his age. I remember when I first met him, he gave me candy and chattered on and on to me, making me feel comfortable with him."

"He can read people's expressions and observe their every word and action. But isn't that a result of the changes he experienced in his childhood? Sister-in-law! Think of Jiu Bao, think of me! Do you want me to depend on Jiu Bao for everything from now on?"

Zhu Ruo wiped away her tears and said in a hoarse voice, "Little sister, you still have A Ling, Qing Yun, Ye Ning, A Jun, and A Fu."

"You have the Luo family behind you."

"Little sister, but I only have your brother."

"In Zhu Jia's heart, there is only Qin Jia's Shuoguang."

Qin Weixi said, "Sister-in-law, don't you love your brother anymore? Think about him, how could he want to see you like this!"

Zhu Ruo shed tears, biting her lower lip tightly: "Little sister, it's because I love him so much, and I want to see him so much."

Sparrow Tongue burst through the door and saw Qin Weixi kneeling on the ground, trembling. She quickly stepped forward and pulled her up, her eyes red with resentment, and said, "Princess Consort, have you thought about the Prince in the afterlife if you do this? Old Zhong used to teach him swordsmanship. With his swordsmanship, he could have easily killed that little thief from the Liang family."

"But why did the Liang family kill the Crown Prince in Penglai with the excuse of 'resistance to the bitter end'? Crown Prince's wife, have you ever considered that he simply wanted you to live, and for the women of the Qin family to live well? He wanted to go to the palace to demand an explanation from that old emperor, from the world, and from those who had plunged the Qin family into misery. But that little thief from the Liang family didn't let him go back alive!"

Qin Weixi suddenly turned around to look at Que She, and Zhu Ruo also looked on in disbelief.

Sparrow Tongue continued, “The heir is gone, and speaking of these things would only add to the sorrow of the living. Over the years, the Marquis has not only been searching for the true culprit who murdered the old Marquis in the Northwest, but has also been working hard for the Qin family. Back then, when we followed the Marquis to the border to fight the enemy, we saw with our own eyes the Marquis return seriously wounded, his horses dying one after another on the way, drinking snow water and spring water along the way when thirsty, and swallowing a whole cake when hungry, which would last for a whole day. When the Marquis sent people to look for Miss Qin, they learned from the letter that Miss Qin had died in the river, murdered by bandits, and had gone mad. He locked himself in his study for more than half a month without ever leaving the room.”

"But Miss Qin also lived in regret in Jiangnan for ten years, and there's also Xiao Jiubao. Back then, the young master risked his life to let Lao Zhong take him out of the city, and Lao Zhong braved the wind and snow to search for women who had just given birth, to find him a wet nurse so that he could live healthily in this world for those two years. Young master's wife, everyone is trying their best to live, why can't you?"

Qin Weixi stood up, his face now deathly pale. Aside from the matter of Jiu Bao, he hadn't told her anything else last night. The room was completely silent. After a moment, Zhu Ruo suddenly stopped crying and said to her, "Little sister, Miss Que She, you're right."

Seeing this, Que She hurriedly said to Qin Weixi, "Miss Qin, we need to give the young master's wife some time. She will definitely figure it out."

The soft sound of chanting sutras drifted from outside, and Zhu Ruo regained her usual expression. Qin Weixi looked again and saw that Zhu Ruo could now express all her joys and sorrows on her pale, paper-like face. Seeing this, she was slightly relieved. Moreover, there were many people and many eyes in the nunnery, so she should not stay long. She quickly concealed the strange expression on her face and said to Zhu Ruo, "Sister-in-law, please take care."

She and Sparrow Tongue were about to leave the nunnery when Sparrow Tongue asked her to wait a moment. Soon, she had a square handkerchief in her hand, with several pieces of crushed ice inside.

Sparrow Tongue smiled and said, "This was taught to me by Miss Qin when she was little. I thought there were many worshippers in this nunnery, and now that it's summer and the weather is getting hot, there must be ladies from noble families who like to eat some cold food, so I asked the nuns for some ice. Quickly, use it to cool your eyes."

Qin Weixi accepted it with a smile. Upon seeing this, Que She blinked her large eyes for a moment, then looked at her with displeasure: "So that's why you called me by my name at the foot of the mountain that day. It was you! I was so blind. You were so kind to me and Jiu Qu back then, yet I didn't recognize you then." She thought for a moment, then asked curiously, "What kind of painting is this? It's so exquisite! It doesn't look like a human skin mask at all. How strange!" Finally, she couldn't help but say, "Miss, you're still alive! Heaven has eyes! It's so good, so good!"

Seeing her curious expression, Qin Weixi instantly burst into laughter through her tears. After a while, her emotions stabilized, and she walked out of Chengxin Nunnery with Queshe and the other person. Even so, traces of tears still remained in her eyes. When she looked up, she saw Chu Yening, dressed in black, standing tall and straight under the weeping willow.

Her heart tightened. Not far away, Tao Qingyun was talking to Jiu Bao, who was laughing heartily. Seeing her come out, Jiu Bao ran over and asked, "Female benefactor, have you met Master Mingjing? Are you two very familiar with each other?"

Upon closer inspection, she vaguely noticed that Jiu Bao's prominent ears resembled those of her brother when he was a child.

Qin Weixi forced a smile, reached out and patted his head, and told him, "You must eat well, sleep well, and grow up well."

Jiu Bao tilted his head back, looking puzzled.

Qin Weixi asked him, "Do you like big-bellied clay dolls?" Then, remembering that the nunnery was full of elderly nuns, she added, "Do you have any friends to play with?"

Upon hearing this, Jiu Bao pretended to be an adult and sighed deeply: "I've never played with it, nor have I ever seen it. As for friends, I don't have any either." He then spread his hands and shook his head.

Hearing this, her heart ached. Looking at the young child, she longed for him to call her "Little Aunt" sweetly, just like in her dream that day.

Qin Weixi smiled and said, "Then how about I be your friend? Well, your big friend, little Jiu Bao!"

"Ah!" Jiu Bao exclaimed, mouth agape. "It seems Master Mingjing has told you everything, and you know my name. Then you must also know I'm a man." He spread his hands. "In that case, men and women shouldn't touch each other!"

Qin Weixi laughed sincerely: "You little brat, how do you know what 'not touching hands' means? Just because you're a boy, does that mean I can't be your friend?"

Upon hearing this, Tao Qingyun pretended to flick him on the head, but Jiu Bao quickly dodged, saying, "Don't hit me, you'll become stupid if this goes on for too long. I promise you."

Chu Yening watched the three of them bickering with a smile.

Seeing that it was getting late, Qin Weixi suppressed his smile and solemnly said to Jiu Bao, "You must remember this: you must not go out casually while staying in the nunnery. The world outside the nunnery is vast, and there are all sorts of people. You are also not allowed to go down the mountain alone again!"

"Why! Why won't you let me go down the mountain!" Jiu Bao was confused, his little face turning bright red. He looked up and glanced at Chu Ye Ning, who had a calm expression on his face, and couldn't help but shiver. He pouted and could only say, "I know, I know."

Qin Weixi couldn't help but chuckle at his appearance. After a moment of contemplation, he comforted him, "When the world is at peace, you will be able to enjoy the magnificent landscapes, mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, just like your Uncle Tao. You can travel freely among these beautiful places."

Tao Qingyun, who was standing nearby, pretended to be displeased when she heard this: "Hey! Doesn't calling me Uncle make me look much older?"

Qin Weixi laughed and said, "What's his name? Uncle Tao?"

Jiu Bao asked, "Why is it Uncle Shi?"

Qin Weixi patted his head: "Children shouldn't ask so many questions."

As the group prepared to leave, Qin Weixi stepped forward and looked at Chu Yening. Their eyes met, and they exchanged knowing smiles. Just as she was about to speak, Chu Yening interrupted her, saying, "Don't say thank you. Don't say anything unnecessary." He looked into her eyes and smiled faintly, "This is not the time to talk about such things, and neither of us needs to be so formal."

Tao Qingyun chimed in at the opportune moment, "That's right, are we getting too distant?" He then glanced at the two of them, "I'm hungry, why don't you two go down the mountain and treat me to something to eat? I don't mind who treats me." Then he moved closer and whispered to Qin Weixi, "I almost forgot to tell you, don't tell A-Shuo about leaving a child to A-Fu beforehand. There are many people and eyes in the palace, and it's hard to guarantee that some trouble won't arise. Besides, she's a woman, so it might be difficult for her to deal with."

Upon hearing this, a hint of doubt flashed in Qin Weixi's eyes. Suddenly, she remembered the time she wanted him to bring back the topical ointment for Afu to the capital. She asked, "Third Brother, did you and Afu have some past grievances?"

Tao Qingyun was taken aback, then laughed and said, "What do you mean? That's nonsense. Who's making this up!"

The faint sound of chanting sutras from inside the temple once again drifted over the wall.

Qin Weixi gazed at the distant Taiji Lake, as if he were witnessing with his own eyes the day the temple was first built, with countless river lanterns drifting on the water. Jiang Yuanjun, dressed in white, kept chanting: "The radiant soul of the Qin clan, return! Weixi, return!"

Tao Qingyun, dressed in blue, stood outside the nunnery, lost in thought. She sighed, lamenting that the cause and effect of this world were already predetermined.

It was raining at night.

Song Zijin had been infiltrating the Liang family for many days without finding a single useful clue. Until the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, when the Liang family held a family banquet, after the banquet, Liang Xu was helped by a servant to the study, where he met Liang Lang who had returned from outside.

Liang Xu frowned and asked in a cold voice, "Hanyu, where have you been all this time? Why haven't you come home?"

Liang Lang looked at his elder brother with a calm expression: "Brother, I am no longer a child."

Liang Xu's face darkened: "Did you go to see the Luo family girl again?"

Upon hearing this, Liang Lang looked up at him again, then turned to leave. Liang Xu called after him, "Hanyu, remember this: if you want Luo Lingzhi to enter the Liang family, then you'd better give up the Liang family name!"

"Remove from the family genealogy?" Liang Lang stamped his foot, turned around, and gave a cold smile.

Liang Xu flew into a rage, and his servants, while supporting him, tried to calm him down. Liang Xu roared again, his eyes blazing with fury: "Get out! If these three iron certificates aren't found, and the higher-ups blame us, they'll be the first to chop off your head! If Luo Songyue returns to the capital one day, and if the Luo family regains power, will my Liang family still have a place to live? If we find these, my Liang family will have no more worries!"

"Iron certificate?" Song Zijin murmured to herself, hidden in an inconspicuous patch of grass under the moonlight. Suddenly, she looked up and saw two dark figures on the eaves. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was Songyang from the Jingning Marquis's residence and A'Xiao, a servant of the Crown Prince. The two seemed to have noticed her presence long ago, watching her with their arms crossed. She was startled, and without delay, she used a sleeping incense in the side room where the maids rested that night. Only after feeling that everything was in order did she return to the Luo residence.

Luo Ling also came to Tingyu Pavilion. Song Zijin said, "Young master, young lady, the Liang family seems to have been searching for an iron certificate, which seems to be related to the three major families."

"Iron certificate?" Qin Weixi asked.

Luo Ling pondered for a moment: "Iron certificate...Iron certificate with cinnabar inscription? Does he mean that my Luo clan, as well as the Chu clan and the Qin clan, these three major clans, possess iron certificates with cinnabar inscription?"

Zi Jin recounted to the two of them everything he had overheard at the Liang residence that night, without omitting a single word. Luo Ling's expression grew increasingly solemn as she listened, as did Qin Weixi's. Then, Luo Ling and Qin Weixi exchanged a glance, and Qin Weixi said, "Brother, I have never seen it before." She then sighed almost imperceptibly, "Besides, if there really was such an imperial edict, how could Father have hanged himself in the Hall of Mental Cultivation?"

Luo Ling said, "Little sister, your brother has never seen it either. Your brother should write to Father immediately to ask about this matter."

Qin Weixi nodded, then looked at Song Zijin. Their eyes met, and they remembered the evasive look in Yao Zizhu's eyes that day. Zijin quickly said, "Yao Zizhu!"

"I'll go ask that little thief!"

Luo Lingdao said, "Liang Xu is an unpredictable man. Zijin, you should extricate yourself from this situation as soon as possible. Besides, judging from Yao Zizhu's appearance, he may just be doing things for Liang Xu for money and doesn't know much more." He then looked at Qin Weixi: "Brother, you should deliver the letter to Father as soon as possible." He pondered for a while: "But what use is this iron certificate to him?"

Qin Weixi pondered for a moment, then his eyes flashed with sarcasm, and his voice was cold and indifferent: "Liang Bai died mysteriously in Penglai back then. He was afraid that one day someone from the Qin family would come to seek revenge on him. Or that one day the Luo family would go to the capital to file a complaint with the emperor!"

When Liang Bai and the other two mentioned Mu Tong, they all thought of him, who had disappeared without a trace since that day.

Zi Jin pondered for a while: "Then who exactly is the person Liang mentioned who is above him?" She recalled the matter of investigating Prince Jing that the girl had told her to do that day, and said: "Could it be related to Prince Jing? However, during my time at the Liang family, I haven't seen this Liang thief have much contact with the outside world. He goes back to the mansion after finishing his duty."

Qin Weixi recalled that day at the Qin family's old residence when Chu Yening mentioned Prince Jing: "The man who went to the meeting that day was wearing a bamboo hat with the brim pulled down very low. I only saw the face of the square-faced man in the pavilion."

Luo Lingdao said, "I discussed this matter with Qingyun and Ajun a few days ago. The late emperor had three younger brothers: the Prince of Liao and the Prince of Yan, who were far away in their fiefdoms, and the Prince of Jing, who had never taken up his post. The Prince of Liao went there more than ten years ago, while the Prince of Yan was relatively well-behaved in his fiefdom. However, the Prince of Jing was born with an illness, and he was indifferent to worldly affairs, extremely soft-hearted, and only wanted to eat and drink well, live a life of leisure in the capital. The Taizu Emperor pitied his younger brother's weak health and never allowed him to live in his fiefdom. The current emperor has always been very close to this uncle."

So what is the purpose of Liang Xu's close private relationship with the Prince Jing, who is so carefree and detached from worldly affairs, and his family?

Luo Ling smiled at Qin Weixi and continued, "But Liang Xu is a cunning man who doesn't easily alert the enemy. A-Jun originally wanted to send people to keep a close eye on Sun Zheng and the Liang family, but Brother has already told him that Ye Ning has been secretly investigating this matter. However, Brother thinks that this should be the key to bringing down the Liang family."

Just then, Feng Hua, holding an oil-paper umbrella, climbed the wooden steps. She walked quickly and knocked on the tightly closed door of the second floor of Tingyuxuan with a slightly flustered expression.

"Miss, young master, it's His Highness the Crown Prince who's visiting. For some reason, His Highness came through the side gate. He's leading a horse and is completely soaked. Ah Xiao isn't with him either."