Chapter 34 He stood still, and asked her for a kiss...

Xue Lanyi naturally disliked it, even loathed it, but ultimately swallowed her words and said timidly, "I like it."

Wei Zhang's restlessness seemed to be soothed by that soft whisper, and the scent of sandalwood in his arms also calmed him down.

He hummed in agreement, then said, "Go to sleep."

Only then did he finally fall asleep peacefully.

Xue Lanyi couldn't sleep at all. Looking at the marks on her abdomen, she felt a pang of sorrow, and her eyes quietly reddened in the darkness.

At this moment, Wei Xuan should have seen her coy portrait, right?

He should know perfectly well how she and Wei Zhang had been having an affair.

Perhaps even earlier, during the time she received traditional Chinese medicine, Wei Xuan had heard the sounds of her and Wei Zhang sharing a room.

What will Ah Xuan think of her?

How will she face the person she loves in the future?

My heart is wrapped in layers of silk, aching with every thread.

She couldn't cry, nor could she leave Wei Zhang's embrace; she simply clenched her fists tightly to keep her emotions from showing.

Outside the window, the nightingale weeps, and the wind whispers mournfully.

Qingyang stepped through the knee-high grass and entered the dilapidated old wooden house.

This place has been uninhabited for many years, and even the interior is overgrown with weeds, while the doors and windows are riddled with holes from insects and ants.

In the early summer night, the drafty house was still a bit chilly.

The door creaked open.

Wei Xuan sat cross-legged on the couch covered with cobwebs, seemingly circulating his qi to ward off the cold.

Hearing the voice, he cautiously opened his eyes, but only when he saw Qingyang did he lower his guard and nod in acknowledgment.

He had no grudge against Qingyang.

Qingyang and he were simply serving different masters.

Qingyang grew up in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and had seen the eldest son in his most glorious youth.

When I saw the eldest son again, his white clothes were covered in blood, and his face was covered with thick bloodstains that made it impossible to recognize him. However, his body was still strong and upright, and his general's aura remained.

Qingyang knew that he was just holding on by sheer willpower.

Qingyang paused for half a step before stepping forward and handing the silkworm cocoon paper to Wei Xuan. "The Crown Prince's exact words were: 'On this lonely, cold night, my beloved concubine and I have prepared this to ease your weariness, brother.'"

The words "beloved concubine" stirred a ripple in Wei Xuan's weary eyes.

He took the silkworm cocoon paper with suspicion, and the delicate touch and faint fragrance immediately brought to mind that bright smiling face.

He took her hand; he knew the paper was modeled after her skin.

A tingling, itchy sensation clung to Wei Xuan's fingertips, and the suppressed longing in his heart surged into his chest.

He really wanted to take a good look at her and have a proper talk with her.

However, even now, the opportunity to restore the Ming Dynasty has not yet arrived.

After five years apart, he really missed her.

Wei Xuan gripped that familiar touch tightly with his fingers, his forced composure crumbling slightly as he gently stroked the silkworm cocoon paper.

A moment later, he threw the painting into the stove not far away.

A ten-foot-long flame suddenly erupted from the scroll, but he didn't even glance at it before it burned to ashes.

"Young Master!"

“Tell Wei Zhang that there’s no need to provoke me like this. I know what kind of person Yiyi is better than he does.”

Wei Xuan caught his breath, and the look of grief faded.

Even without looking at it, he knew how filthy the painting was.

Was Wei Zhang showing him this painting to humiliate him, or to humiliate Zhaoyang? Or was it to assert his sovereignty?

Regardless of Wei Zhang's intentions, having another person view the painting was like stabbing Zhao Yang in the heart.

Zhaoyang is not his plaything, and Wei Xuan will not be swayed by his emotions.

"You can leave now." Wei Xuan refused to say anything more.

Seeing the scroll burn to ashes, Qingyang sighed inwardly, then hesitated before saying, "I should say something I shouldn't, but whatever the young master does, his goal is to obtain evidence of the murder of Prince Qi and to find the whereabouts of the former crown prince."

The eldest son refused to admit anything, and the two sides were deadlocked. In the end, it was the eldest son and... Aunt Xue who suffered.

"If the eldest son can hold his own, how can Aunt Xue, a weak woman, possibly manage to handle this?"

Being by the Crown Prince's side is far better than enduring all sorts of tortures and living in constant fear.

Qingyang, after a moment of contemplation, decided to reveal the truth to the young master: as long as he explains those two matters clearly, the concubine will remain a concubine, and the young master will not hold a grudge against her.

Wei Xuan understood, and he could also see that Wei Zhang had really developed feelings for Zhao Yang.

As long as Wei Xuan is executed and confesses to those two matters, Wei Zhang will spare Zhao Yang and keep her safe.

Wei Xuan remained silent for a moment, then said, "If Wei Zhang wants to know anything, let him come and ask me himself."

"Yes!" Qingyang heard that the eldest son's tone had softened, so he quickly bowed and took his leave.

As he reached the door, Wei Xuan called out to him again.

"Please pass on another message to Wei Zhang: Since he calls Yiyi his beloved concubine, and the word 'love' is so prominent, is he aware that her health is not good?"

Qingyang was taken aback.

Wei Xuan's words were highly provocative towards Wei Zhang.

The young master was busy with many matters and naturally did not inquire carefully about his concubine's health.

If Wei Xuan, an outsider, knows everything about his concubine's health, but the prince, who is his bedmate, knows nothing, isn't that a blatant mockery of the prince?

The crown prince will likely be displeased upon hearing this.

"Young Master, you shouldn't say that..."

“It’s alright, just do as I say,” Wei Xuan said confidently.

Qingyang was puzzled, but since his master had asked him to pass on the message, he had no right to refuse, so he bowed and withdrew.

After the door closed, Wei Xuan leaned back against the wall and took deep breaths.

Qingyang's words had stirred something within him.

The brothers confronted each other, causing Zhao Yang great suffering.

What should be the best course of action for her going forward?

Is the plan to betray the princelings, commit suicide to atone for his sins, and let Yiyi continue to live peacefully in the shell of Aunt Xue?

Or perhaps he should let her endure the endless torment with him, relying on her courage to fight Wei Zhang to the bitter end, regardless of life or death.

Wei Xuan closed his eyes, torn between two options. Due to his poor health and mental confusion, he had a dream.

In his dream, he found the answer, and the bewilderment on his face disappeared.

...

Inside the square curtains of Chong'an Hall, it was so stuffy you could hardly breathe.

Xue Lanyi didn't convince herself to rest properly until the fourth watch of the night, so as to conserve her energy.

In a daze, she had a very long dream.

She dreamt that she and Wei Xuan were riding horses on a vast grassland.

At the horizon where the red glow spreads, a lone horse and a pair of people watch the sunset.

When they were alone, Wei Xuan asked her with a puzzled look, "Why are you so reluctant to agree to the marriage? Is there something I've done wrong?"

"It's not that you're not good enough, it's just that I'm not ready to be trapped in four walls for the rest of my life."

Dayong allowed unmarried women to attend school and take the imperial examinations.

Unmarried women can also travel the world and make many friends.

But once married, how could a noble family allow a woman to be so free? She would be too busy managing the affairs of the household to handle everything.

Xue Lanyi also likes Wei Xuan, but they haven't found a balance yet.

She tilted her head and looked at him behind her: "If I stay in the inner quarters to take care of my mother-in-law and serve my husband, am I still myself?"

"Then... Yiyi, just do what you want to do, I'll take care of the rest."

Behind him was Wei Xuan's calm and resolute aura.

He was behind her, year after year.

He endured the ridicule and sarcasm of outsiders, the bombardment of cannons and stones from the military camp, and the piercing of countless arrows on her behalf.

The scene shifts, and the blood-soaked face of General Wei suddenly comes into view.

Xue Lanyi suddenly opened her eyes, her forehead covered in cold sweat.

The words "Ah Xuan" were still on his lips when he saw Wei Zhang's muscular body, shirtless.

Wei Zhang hadn't practiced martial arts for a long time, but recently he suddenly picked up the habit of morning exercise again.

Having served as a civil official for several years, although his physical constitution remained intact, he had developed a somewhat frail and scholarly air.

But recently, I've been forced to practice martial arts, and my body feels very uncomfortable.

Especially now, having just finished his morning exercise, his strong physique was glistening with a thin layer of sweat, and a pair of deep eyes were fixed on her, like a lurking wolf.

Xue Lanyi had an "A" on her lips, but when she met his eyes, she immediately rolled her tongue and asked, "Why has A-Zhang suddenly started practicing martial arts?"

"Had a nightmare?" Wei Zhang asked instead of answering.

Xue Lanyi couldn't escape his eyes, and hummed in response: "I dreamt of that assassin trying to kill you again."

"That assassin is truly unforgettable." Wei Zhang said cryptically.

Xue Lanyi didn't want to discuss it further. She rubbed her shoulders and neck, which were sore from his rough handling, and got up from the bed. "What would you like for breakfast, Your Highness? I'll go and tell the kitchen."

As they passed each other, Wei Zhang grabbed her wrist and hesitated for a moment, "Anything is fine in the morning, but prepare some red glutinous rice cakes for the evening."

"Red glutinous rice?" Xue Lanyi paused slightly, then nodded: "Alright, I'll remember."

After saying that, she knelt down with him and went to wash up and prepare breakfast.

Wei Zhang stood in front of the bed, looking at the wrinkles that had been clenched on the soft pillow inside the bed.

The brocade fabric is not easy to wrinkle, but she squeezed it so badly that it looked like a mess, probably because she had been holding it all night.

What was he thinking about that night?

Anyway, she wouldn't call him "A-Zhang" normally, so whose name was she planning to call in her nightmare?

Wei Zhang stared at the creases on the couch for a long time.

Qingyang entered the room to help him wash up. Seeing that Xue Lanyi was not in the room, he reported, "The painting has been delivered to the eldest young master, but... he burned it without even looking at it."

"That's a real pity." Wei Zhang's face remained expressionless.

Last night, what he ultimately sent was not Xue Lanyi's private painting.

He had no interest in showing his private possessions to others.

The scroll actually contains the imperial edict of marriage bestowed upon Wei Xuan by the late emperor, who was considerate of Wei Xuan's difficulty in finding a wife.

With this imperial decree, he could marry Xue Lanyi at any time.

Now, Wei Xuan has burned this only chance himself, which is excellent.

Wei Zhang shook his head and brushed the matter aside, then asked, "Brother, you still won't say anything?"

"The eldest son requested that the young master personally go there before he would speak." Qingyang cupped his hands, "This subordinate is incompetent."

"Does he know how traitors and rebels should seek justice?"

Wei Xuan is now nothing more than a wanted criminal by the imperial court.

If he wants to see an official, wouldn't he have to lower himself and kneel down to beg?

"Let's wait until he knows how to ask for an audience."

Wei Zhang straightened his collar in front of the bronze mirror, then turned and strode away.

Qingyang followed, "The eldest young master has another message for me to convey to the young master: Concubine suffers from palpitations, fearing the dark and thunderstorms. Her qi and blood deficiency has been dragging on for three years. Is the young master aware of this?"

Wei Zhang was slightly taken aback, then his expression turned somber.

It seems that Wei Xuan had been concerned about Xue Lanyi's health before he was imprisoned, and could even be said to know everything about him.

Wei Xuan's reach has gone a bit too far.

Wei Zhang lowered his gaze and walked across the corridor with his hands behind his back.

Good morning, Your Highness!

Xue Lanyi was peeling wood ear mushrooms at the stone table when she suddenly felt a chill pass by her. She quickly got up to greet her.

Wei Zhang looked in the direction of the sound from the corridor.

Xue Lanyi was standing under the gardenia tree in the courtyard.

The weather was sunny today, and the morning light filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows that fell on the woman with her hair up in a bun. The soft glow added to her gentle and graceful appearance.

Because she had just woken up, without her hairpins or makeup, and under the sunlight, it was even clearer that her face was unusually white, and her cheeks were thin, about the size of his palm.

Wei Zhang noticed her complexion for the first time, and his gaze lingered on her.

Xue Lanyi felt that gaze lingering on her face, different from its usual coldness.

She seemed a little flustered, smoothing her hair: "Is...is there something dirty on me?"

Wei Zhang snapped out of his daze, grunted in acknowledgment, and his gaze returned to its usual cold and stern expression. "Covered in dust so early in the morning, how can you be expected of a concubine?"

Xue Lanyi quickly patted the powder off her shoulders, saying, "There are too many fragments of the wood apple shell, which can easily stick to your body. I'll wash myself after I've peeled the seeds."

Wei Zhang's gaze passed past her and fell upon a bowl of peeled Momordica cochinchinensis seeds and half a basket of fruit pulp on the stone table behind her.

Red glutinous rice needs to be colored with juice extracted from the pulp of this fruit to make it fragrant and sweet.

It turns out that she didn't come into the house this morning to help with dressing and meals because she was busy with this matter.

Wei Zhang strolled over and casually picked up a few seeds of the Momordica cochinchinensis fruit. "The flesh of this fruit is nourishing, but the seeds must not be touched. Don't get them mixed up."

"I understand. I have heard that the seeds of the Momordica cochinchinensis are both a life-saving medicine and a medicine that can destroy the heart and blood vessels. Overdose can cause lifelong paralysis. It is a truly vicious substance. I will be careful."

Xue Lanyi dared not let anyone point out any mistakes, so she peeled the fruit very carefully, ensuring that not a single seed or grain stuck to the flesh, and gently blew away all the crumbs.

That's why my body and head were covered in dust.

"Later, I will burn all the seeds of this trouble, so that no further problems will arise."

“You’re right. Only by digging out the root of the problem ourselves can we prevent further trouble.”

Wei Zhang's eyes held an inscrutable meaning. "Give the seeds you've peeled to Qingyang. He knows what to do with them."

Xue Lanyi had never handled such dangerous food before, so it was good to have someone help her. She said "Oh".

"Take your time peeling them. Peel just enough each day. There's no rush."

"good."

Xue Lanyi nodded.

After yesterday's incident, she has become much more obedient.

This pleased Wei Zhang greatly, and his voice softened considerably as he said, "Then I'll go to court."

"Alright, Your Highness, come back soon. I'll wait for you for dinner." Xue Lanyi curtsied and took her leave, really not wanting to have any more conflicts with him, and would comply with whatever she could.

Wei Zhang, however, stood still.

He didn't know why he hadn't moved, he just kept looking at Xue Lanyi.

The two looked at each other from an arm's length apart, and it was Xue Lanyi who noticed the strange look in his eyes.

She felt that it seemed to be... a look asking for a kiss.

Xue Lanyi was very surprised.

After all, Wei Zhang had never allowed her to be too intimate before, and he had even warned her about it yesterday.

She was both confused and embarrassed, but Wei Zhang stood in front of her like a mountain, so she could only tiptoe and kiss the corner of his lips as usual.

The moment her soft lips touched Wei Zhang, cracks appeared in his icy eyes.

Only then did he belatedly realize what he had been waiting for.

Perhaps he had grown accustomed to being kissed by her every day before going to court.

She suddenly stopped doing that action, and felt like something was missing.

Never mind, she was his to begin with.

He can take what he wants whenever he wants, so why should he restrain himself?

Unfortunately, she was too frail; even when she stood on tiptoe to kiss him, she was still trembling and couldn't reach the right spot.

Wei Zhang simply lifted her waist with his right arm, bent down slightly, and made it easier for her to kiss him.

A scorching heat hit me.

Xue Lanyi nervously looked around and found that the maids and servants had been dismissed by him at some point, leaving her no chance to refuse.

She had no choice but to cup his face in her hands, close her eyes slightly, and kiss him even more earnestly.

Wei Zhang did not close his eyes. When she opened her mouth slightly, he pried open her lips and teeth and easily found her sensitive spot.

His tongue teased her, the kiss deepening, until he watched helplessly as an uncontrollable tear slid down her slightly reddened eye.

Wei Zhang's gloomy heart began to relax.

What are these symptoms of palpitations, fear of thunder and rain? They're all just superficial.

The only person who truly understands her body is her man.

Thinking it over, he suddenly felt relieved, and his deep, magnetic voice teased her: "Shh softly, someone's coming."

Xue Lanyi's intermittent breathing suddenly tightened. She turned her head to look and saw Su Yin about to step over the threshold. Upon seeing this, she quickly retreated.

Xue Lanyi quickly stepped back half a step and pushed his chest.

Wei Zhang hesitated to let go of the hand around his waist.

Xue Lanyi felt guilty and flustered. She couldn't escape, and her face was burning hot. She kept pounding his chest.

Wei Zhang looked down at the girl who was running around wildly in his arms, and couldn't help but chuckle, pulling her even tighter in his arms.

Her waist was so slender that you could wrap your hand around it, and her ribs were so sharp they felt like they were digging into you. "She's so thin."

"Eat more when you have nothing to do, and nourish yourself. Don't let outsiders laugh at the fact that the Duke's mansion can't even afford to support a concubine."

"Here you go!"

Xue Lanyi didn't hear what he said at all; she was only focused on getting out of her predicament.

Wei Zhang stopped teasing her, let go of her hand, and left with his robes askew.

As he stepped out the door, he exchanged a brief glance with Su Yin.

Fearing those abyss-like eyes, Su Yin hastily bowed and retreated to the side.

Wei Zhang strolled to the back garden, glanced at the empty space under the corridor, and instructed Qingyang: "This place is a bit empty, plant two Lingnan longan trees."

"Also, move those two ugly lamps by the back door back into the yard."

Qingyang was stunned for a moment before he realized that the young master had taken the eldest son's words to heart. Knowing that his aunt was thin, he specially planted the fruits she liked and moved two lamps into the courtyard to prevent her from being frightened at night.

The eldest son risked spreading such words for no other reason than to provoke the young master into treating his concubine better.

With the Crown Prince's protection, the concubine's life will surely improve.

Such provocative words will likely only make the Crown Prince more dissatisfied with the Eldest Son.

Qingyang glanced back at the basket of Momordica cochinchinensis seeds his aunt had peeled, and a chill ran down his spine.

In the courtyard, the two girls breathed a sigh of relief after Wei Zhang left.

Xue Lanyi hurriedly grabbed a handkerchief to wipe the saliva from the corner of her mouth.

Su Yin was standing so close just now, she must have heard Wei Zhang's teasing remark, and she must have seen that she took the initiative to hug and kiss Wei Zhang.

She kept saying she only loved Wei Xuan, but now she's acting completely differently. What do others think?

Xue Lanyi felt embarrassed and kept wiping her lips until they were slightly red and swollen.

Seeing the undisguised disgust in her eyes, Su Yin grabbed her hand that was wiping it vigorously. "Auntie, you don't need to worry. I understand that you have no choice in the matter."

Xue Lanyi saw the genuine understanding in her eyes and her emotions calmed down a bit.

The two sat in silence until Wei Zhang's figure disappeared from sight.

Xue Lanyi then dared to ask Su Yin, "How is Ah Xuan doing? Did he taste the candied dates and longans I peeled for him?"

Xue Lanyi's initial purpose in asking for the golden jujubes and Lingnan longans was indeed to peel some for Wei Xuan herself, as a token of her affection.

The reason for using Lingnan longan is that the first Lingnan longan tree in the capital was planted by Wei Xuan himself.

When Wei Xuan went on his expedition, he tasted this fruit. Because it was delicious but difficult to transport, Wei Xuan brought a seedling back to the capital, hoping that Xue Lanyi could also try it.

The anecdote of General Wei carrying a tree on his back after his campaign spread throughout the capital, and young nobles and ladies of the city followed suit, using Lingnan longan to express their feelings. Lingnan longan thus became very popular in the capital.

Later, the anecdotes were forgotten over time, but Lingnan longan became a fruit that must be laid out on the wedding bed on the wedding day.

That's why Xue Lanyi specially peeled some longan from Lingnan for him, so that he would know that he had regained his memory and that eating the fruit would put his mind at ease.

"Don't worry, young lady. The young master is much more energetic after eating the sweet soup yesterday. He even talked to my husband for quite a while."

Su Yin looked around to make sure no one was there, then lowered her voice and said, "The eldest young master said that the longan from Lingnan is very sweet, and the sweetness can last for a long time after eating it once, so my husband doesn't need to bother sending it anymore."

These words were meant to tell Xue Lanyi that he understood her feelings and that she no longer needed to take risks.

Xue Lanyi nodded, and Su Yin continued, "The eldest young master also said that when he was on a military campaign, he tasted a kind of date that was not found in the Central Plains in Chen Village of Sishui Pass and Gaochang County. It was very sweet, but unfortunately it was not easy to transplant. He hopes that my husband can have the opportunity to try it."

Xue Lanyi seemed to be deep in thought and fell silent.

Given Ah Xuan's life-or-death situation, why would he casually mention sweet dates or other delicacies to someone?

He probably wanted to tell Xue Lanyi that he had people in Chencun and Gaochang County, and that these places were safe havens.

Wei Xuan wanted Xue Lanyi to find a way to escape to Sishui Pass.

What should he do then?

Why did he suddenly reveal all his secrets?

No, no, he... can't hold on any longer...

Xue Lanyi was uneasy, knowing she couldn't waste any more time, so she grasped Su Yin's hand and asked, "Has there been any reply from Qutan Temple?"

The abbot said, "Benefactors who cultivate good karma will naturally receive the Buddha's constant blessings."

By saying this, the host was essentially admitting that he had the evidence of the murder of Prince Qi and that he was willing to cooperate with Xue Lanyi in exposing Wei Zhang.

But Ah Xuan was still firmly in Wei Zhang's grasp. If he rashly exposed Wei Zhang, Wei Zhang might become enraged and kill Ah Xuan to vent his anger.

We cannot make any rash moves yet; we must first ensure Wei Xuan's safety.

Xue Lanyi pondered for a moment, then asked Su Yin, "How is the old lady?"

"Auntie, the Old Madam requests your presence!"

At that moment, a fierce-looking maid kicked open the courtyard gate.

This person was none other than Xiaomei, the most intimate maidservant of the old lady.

Xiao Mei was quite influential in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and with Wei Zhang not around, her arrogance only grew stronger.

"The matriarch is furious because the young lady took the Blood Spirit Mushroom, so she returned to the manor early," Su Yin reminded her from the side.

The matriarch was a decisive and efficient person. How could she tolerate Xue Lanyi stealing her tonic medicine?

Unable to bear it for even a moment, he dragged his still-recovering body back home and sent Xiaomei to question him.

Xiaomei stood in the middle of the yard, her eyes sweeping across the room.

With Qingyang and Yingqi absent, and Xue Lanyi having no other respectable attendants by her side, the maids and servants all retreated upon seeing this.

Granny Liu noticed that the young lady had been acting strangely lately, often staring blankly at one spot for hours on end when the young master was not around.

In this state, he could not endure any more suffering.

She hurried forward, "Miss Mei, please wait until your aunt has finished examining the patient..."

"You've contracted a dirty disease and corrupted our young master's body, yet you still have the nerve to spread it around?"

Xiao Mei suddenly kicked Grandma Liu in the shin.

Grandma Liu was old and lay on the ground, writhing in pain.

"The old matriarch of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Dingyuan's family can't even get a concubine from all walks of life to come?" Xiaomei glared at her.

Xue Lanyi stepped forward and helped Granny Liu sit down on a stool. "Mother, don't worry. Go and tell Mu Beizi in the kitchen to make sure that the rice is processed by Qingyang. Don't let the cats and dogs eat that filthy stuff and get hurt. I'll be right back."

Xue Lanyi remained calm, because the return of the Old Madam was exactly what she had requested.

The matter of saving Wei Xuan was of great importance, and Xue Lanyi could not allow anyone to pass on the message and cause any problems. That's why she used the Blood Spirit Mushroom to entice the Old Madam back to the mansion so that they could discuss it face to face.

"Please lead the way, young lady." Xue Lanyi curtsied.

"What a seductive look," Xiao Mei muttered to herself, ignoring Xue Lanyi and turning away.

Xue Lanyi had no interest in talking to her, and the two went to Shuying Hall in silence, one after the other.

The old lady missed her son dearly, and after returning to the mansion today, she stayed directly in a side room of Shuying Hall.

Before Xue Lanyi even entered the room, she could see through the screen an elderly man reclining on the couch in the inner room, slowly wiping Wei Xuan's sword.

The room was filled with an atmosphere of mourning.

That night, the Military Command and the Embroidered Uniform Guard laid a trap to arrest Wei Xuan. Later, the Emperor never gave a conclusion, and rumors spread that Wei Xuan had been secretly executed by the Emperor.

Unfortunately, the old lady suffered a stroke at that time and was unable to protect her son. Now, he has disappeared without a trace.

The old lady was inevitably heartbroken.

"Grandma..."

Xue Lanyi lifted her skirt slightly, stepped over the threshold, and went forward to comfort her.

Suddenly, he tripped over something and fell on the bluestone slab.

Completely unprepared, his head hit the hard tile, causing a dull pain.

The rustling laughter of the old women and maids could be heard all around.

Xiao Mei covered her mouth and chuckled, "You don't even kneel before the Old Madam? You don't really think the Young Master dotes on you, that you've gone from a crow to a phoenix, do you?"

Xue Lanyi was exhausted recently, and her ears were ringing. She couldn't hear what Xiaomei was saying at all. At this moment, she didn't care about anything else and went into the screen alone.

"Grandma, Ah Xuan is still alive in this world."

Upon hearing this, the old lady froze, her eyes filled with hope as she looked at the newcomer.

The moment he saw the masked woman, he sneered, "You colluded with Wei Zhang, repeatedly harming Xuan'er. Now that she's been tricked and killed by you, what tricks are you still trying to pull?"

Have you forgotten? A few days ago, Wei Zhang was able to successfully obtain the title of Duke of Zhenguo, thanks in no small part to Xue Lanyi's help.

When Wei Xuan was imprisoned, Xue Lanyi inevitably aided and abetted his evil deeds.

Xue Lanyi gasped.

The past is too painful to recall.

Whenever the topic is mentioned, no one feels more pain than Xue Lanyi.

But now is not the time for regrets.

Xue Lanyi's long, lowered eyelashes trembled slightly. She walked to the bedside, removed her veil, and said, "Aunt, it's me."