Seeing that Bai Yehua was about to speak, she interrupted, "General, you should first find out how Dugu Cao ended up in Yixiang Garden. If it really was Su Ma who did it, I will definitely beat her to death!"

Bai Yehua knew Shen Yu's nature well; she wouldn't kill innocent people indiscriminately without solid evidence. The most important thing right now was to keep Su Ma calm and prevent her from betraying him. So, he said some words to appease Su Ma, "Alright, Dugu grass is very precious, and Su Ma can't afford it. Tomorrow, I will definitely find out the truth and clear Su Ma's name."

------

After watching Bai Yehua leave, Chen Yu went to take a bath and change her clothes.

She leaned against the wooden tub, gazing at the villain's pendant. It was a fish-shaped pendant carved from white jade, brand new and lustrous, of excellent quality and exquisite craftsmanship. This pendant was quite valuable, and the person who had defiled her must have been a wealthy young man.

The villain was tall and slender with a thin face. The princes... the slender ones weren't tall, and the tall ones were stocky; they certainly weren't royal men. There were hundreds, even thousands, of young masters from prestigious families, many of whom she had never seen before. How could she possibly find them?

"Cuiwei, Cuiwei".

Cuiwei hurried over, "What are your orders, Miss?"

She tossed the jade pendant to Cuiwei and whispered, "Go to the jade shop and secretly inquire which young master... lost it. Only you should know about this. Under no circumstances should you tell Rong Mama."

"yes."

As soon as Cuiwei went out, Jiu'er ran in, "Miss, the eldest young master is here. He said that something happened to Young Master Liu."

Shen Yu was shocked and hurriedly got up to dress. She was extremely anxious. Liu Yu had won a battle, shouldn't he be promoted and ennobled? How could something like this have happened?

She ran towards the hall, where Mu Nanfeng came out to greet her, opening his arms wide.

Tears welled up instantly as she slowly walked towards Mu Nanfeng. Although Mu Nanfeng and Liu Yu had only been away from the capital for half a month, she had lived in constant fear, as if walking on thin ice. Her father's death, her sister-in-law's miscarriage, Madam Bai's death, her loss of virginity… she was filled with too much bitterness. She threw herself into Mu Nanfeng's arms and cried out, "Big brother, you're finally back…"

Mu Nanfeng's eyes welled up with tears. He gently patted Chen Yu's shoulder and comforted her in a deep voice, "Yu'er, don't be sad. Mother has already told me about what happened at home. Father was framed by spies from the enemy country. The Emperor has promised to clear Father's name and announce it to the world."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yu cried even harder; her father had clearly been framed and killed by Bai Yehua. To appease the emperor, she had no choice but to keep it a secret from Mu Nanfeng.

Mu Nanfeng held Chen Yu's arms and examined her carefully. "I heard from Siqiao that you went to chase after the witness early this morning and were kidnapped by villains. Are you alright?"

Shen Yu's crying stopped abruptly, and she stammered, "Big brother... how did you see Siqiao?"

"Siqiao went to the palace gate to wait for Liu Yu and reported your situation to him. Liu Yu even risked offending the Emperor and the Empress for your sake..."

Why?

"Liu Yu's victory over the Japanese pirates brought him great honor, and the Duke's family was honored. The Emperor offered Liu Yu the title of Imperial Son-in-Law, but Liu Yu refused. Upon hearing this, Princess Xinyue attempted suicide by hanging, but was fortunately saved by the imperial physician. In her fury, the Empress disregarded the Liu family's reputation, revealed Liu Yu's true identity, and demoted him to commoner status..."

After Mu Nanfeng finished speaking, he took out the contract and handed it to Chen Yu, "Yu'er, Liu Yu is deeply devoted to you. You should divorce Bai Yehua. It would be a good thing if Liu Yu had given up fame and fortune for you."

Chen Yu lowered her head and wept, took the contract, and said in a deep voice, "Big brother, take me to see Young Master Liu. I have important matters to discuss with him."

Half an incense stick later, Chen Yu got off the carriage, turned her head and froze on the spot. Wasn't this the villa where she lost her virginity?

"Yu Yu." Following the sound, Yan Ran ran over and pulled her into the courtyard.

Dozens of large boxes were piled up in the courtyard, and there were no servants around; Liu Yu was busy at work.

"Big brother, Yuyu is here."

Liu Yu was overjoyed, but his eyes were filled with tears. Si Qiao had already reported everything about Chen Yu to him. He hurriedly stepped forward, carefully examining Chen Yu and asking, "Is Yu Yu alright?"

Even Chen Yu had tears in her eyes. After half a month apart, Liu Yu had become even thinner, and his already slender oval face was even more bony.

Faced with Liu Yu's gaze, she quickly lowered her head and replied, "I was just tied up, but fortunately Prince Hong arrived in time to save us, so Young Master Liu need not worry."

Both of their voices were choked with sobs, like a newlywed couple reunited after a long separation. Yanran quickly stepped aside. Mu Nanfeng went outside the gate to keep watch for them.

Liu Yu took out a cotton cushion and placed it on the stone bench, gesturing for Chen Yu to sit down. Then, he sat opposite Chen Yu, handed her a cup of hot tea, and smiled shyly, "Yu Yu, I... I don't need to attend court meetings, fight on the battlefield, or run around anymore. I'm just an ordinary citizen now."

Shen Yu nodded, her eyes welling up with tears again. A peaceful and tranquil life without conflict was exactly what she had been pursuing. However, she had been defiled, and how could she possibly have the face to marry Liu Yu?

Strange, why would Liu Yu move here? She asked directly, "Is this Young Master Liu's residence?"

Liu Yu shook his head, "It's just a temporary stay. This is Prince Hong's villa, and it's always been well-maintained by servants. I heard from Prince Hong that some thugs kidnapped the servants and occupied the villa this morning. I don't know who was so audacious. Prince Hong has already reported it to the authorities..."

Did they report it to the authorities?

The authorities will likely trace it back to her, and news of her loss of virginity will soon spread throughout the capital. If Liu Yu marries her, won't he be ridiculed by the world?

She was terrified and could no longer hear what Liu Yu was saying. She hurriedly said, "Prince Hong has found a witness. As long as it can be proven that the Dugu grass in Hongyu's mouth was given to her by Princess Hong and that she was unaware of the harm of the Dugu grass, she can be exonerated."

"Yes, this time there are both witnesses and physical evidence, Gao Feng will definitely not be able to escape punishment. Yu Yu, do you want to avenge Master Mu?"

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