The news of Xin Wenhai's attack was firmly suppressed by Xiao Xun within the high walls of the Prince's residence.

You Ye accepted the order and set off, carrying Xiao Xun's boundless rage and icy killing intent, traveling day and night towards Yuncheng. Xiao Xun's study was brightly lit all night, and a series of orders, like an invisible spider web, rapidly radiated from the capital to Yuncheng in Yingzhou and its surrounding areas.

Inside the warm pavilion, Xin Jiuwei was completely unaware of everything. She was sorting the dried herbs, preparing to send them to her brother Xin Yunzhou and Lin Wanyi. The sunlight outside the window was lovely, dispelling the winter chill and calming her heart, which had been heavy with worry due to the flooding in Yuncheng.

My maternal grandparents' family was the richest in Yuncheng. With my uncle, sister and brother-in-law there, their ability to cope with floods should be much stronger than that of ordinary families.

In the evening, Xiao Xun arrived at the warm pavilion as usual. He looked no different from usual, still wearing his black casual clothes, with a faint weariness between his brows after handling official business. However, Xin Jiuwei keenly sensed that his aura seemed more somber than usual today, and a layer of unyielding ice seemed to have solidified deep within his deep eyes.

"Your Highness." Xin Jiuwei put down the pestle in her hand and stood up to greet her.

"Hmm." Xiao Xun nodded and sat down in his usual spot. Xin Kui served him hot tea.

Xin Jiuwei hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "Your Highness... are you troubled by affairs of state? You look... somewhat tired." She noticed that the shadows under his eyes seemed deeper than they had been a few days ago.

Xiao Xun picked up his teacup, his fingertips tracing the warm rim, his gaze fixed on the flickering firelight. "It's nothing. Just some trivial matter," he said in a low, steady voice, devoid of any emotion.

Seeing that he didn't want to say more, Xin Jiuwei didn't press him further. She sat down again and picked up the unfinished needlework—it was a thick knee pad she was sewing for Xin Yunzhou. The warm room fell silent for a moment, with only the soft crackling of the charcoal fire and the delicate sound of needle and thread cutting through the fabric.

Xiao Xun's gaze shifted from the stove fire to Xin Jiuwei's lowered eyes. She was focused, her slender fingers moving deftly. The dim light cast soft shadows on her face, making her appear serene and beautiful. Looking at her like this, the violent killing intent surging within Xiao Xun due to the devastating news from Yuncheng and the mastermind behind it all was strangely soothed a little. But only a little. Xin Wenhai's serious injury and coma, Xin's mother (though deceased, the attack on Xin's father was equally devastating for the Xin family), Qi Huaihe's terrified and desperate pleas for help… these images burned like a red-hot iron into his heart.

He couldn't let that bloodshed and darkness taint her. At least, not until the dust settled and her safety was assured.

"The flood in Yuncheng," Xiao Xun suddenly spoke, breaking the silence, his voice still calm, "how did your maternal family handle it?"

Xin Jiuwei looked up, somewhat surprised that he would bring this up. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My elder sister wrote the other day, saying that my maternal grandparents' family has opened the granaries to distribute grain and organized manpower to reinforce the river embankment. My uncle has also contacted other wealthy households in the city to help. Although losses are inevitable, the situation is still under control." She paused, a trace of worry on her face, "However, my father, as the village head, has been working tirelessly on the embankment for days. My sister is worried that his health may not be able to handle it." This was her biggest concern at the moment.

Xiao Xun's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around the teacup, causing a slight ripple on the surface. He lowered his eyelashes, concealing the fleeting coldness in his eyes. "Your father's tireless efforts for his hometown are truly admirable," he said slowly, his voice betraying no emotion. "I have already informed the garrison in Yingzhou that manpower can be allocated to assist in local disaster relief if necessary. If the prefect of Yuncheng is sensible, he will know how to cooperate." This was the only "assistance" he could reveal, one that was consistent with his status and logic.

Upon hearing this, Xin Jiuwei's eyes immediately lit up with gratitude. With the assistance of the garrison, the pressure on Yuncheng would be much less! Her father and neighbors would also be much safer! "On behalf of the elders of Yuncheng, Wei'er thanks Your Highness for your help!" She rose and gave a solemn curtsy. This timely kindness warmed her heart.

Looking at the pure gratitude in her eyes and the sparkle that shone from it, Xiao Xun felt as if a massive boulder was pressing down on his heart. He couldn't bear this gratitude. He had failed to protect her father. This weight made it almost impossible for him to look her in the eye. He turned his head slightly, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hoarseness: "No need for formalities. It's my duty."

In the following days, Xiao Xun behaved even more "normally" in front of Xin Jiuwei. He still came to the warm pavilion every day to sit and listen to her talk about what she had discussed with the old lady, to see if her calligraphy practice had improved, or simply stay in silence for a while. But Xin Jiuwei still vaguely sensed something different. His silences seemed to last longer, and his gaze would occasionally drift to the window, carrying a deep, solemn air, as if he were plotting something important. Moreover, You Ye appeared much more often, each time conversing quietly with Xiao Xun in the study or a secluded corner of the corridor, his expression solemn.

Xin Jiuwei felt a little uneasy, but since Xiao Xun didn't say anything, she didn't ask. She trusted him; this trust had been deeply rooted after the Qi Huaiyu incident and the turmoil in the Northern Border. She simply made sure the tea she had prepared for him was warmer, the pastries were more delicate, and that she covered him more thoroughly with the thin blanket while he closed his eyes to rest.

That morning, just as Xin Jiuwei finished washing up, Xin Kui rushed in, her face showing a hint of panic: "Miss! Yuncheng... Yuncheng has sent another letter! It's in the handwriting of Young Master Qi Huaihe!"

Xin Jiuwei's heart sank! Her sister had just written a few days ago to let her know she was safe, so why was her brother-in-law writing again? Could it be her father...? She grabbed the letter and opened it with trembling fingers.

The handwriting on the letter was still messy, even more so than when it was written last time about the flood, conveying an indescribable sense of terror and despair:

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