However, Yu Nanqing had no intention of letting go and tightened his grip on her neck even more.

Just as Yan Gongyi was about to lose consciousness, suddenly, a surge of internal energy erupted from her body, and the unexpected internal force attacked in all directions centered on Yan Gongyi.

At that very moment, as if he had anticipated this, Yu Nanqing's gaze darkened, and he flung Yan Gongyi away. She formed a perfect semi-circle in mid-air, then stabilized herself at the highest point and slowly landed on the snow.

Yu Nanqing had already noticed that Yan Gongyi was skilled in martial arts.

She stared at Yu Nanqing with a sullen face and a look of anger, her pursed lips revealing a hint of grievance: "I clearly... I clearly didn't ask for anything... Why?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Xue couldn't help but chuckle.

Yan Gongyi frowned: "What are you laughing at?"

Luo Xue looked at her and sneered, "You really don't ask for anything? Do you think we're all fools? If you don't ask for anything, why did you make a deal with the Empress Dowager? If you don't ask for anything, why did you go to such lengths to get close to the Prince? If you don't ask for anything, what are you so unwilling to accept here?"

Luo Xue laughed and asked, "What deal did you make with the Empress Dowager? What benefits did she promise you? Did she promise you a king or generalship, or wealth and glory?"

Yan Gongyi gritted her teeth: "All I want is to stay by Brother Nanqing's side!"

"Who knows?" Luo Xue said with a smile, but her tone was condescending.

Yu Nanqing turned around, took a step towards the village, and before leaving, uttered a curt "Lock him up."

"Yes." Tanaka and Rakuyu accepted the order.

As Yan Gongyi approached step by step, her heart sank to the bottom. Gritting her teeth, she suddenly turned around and prepared to run away.

However, Tanaka was one step ahead of her, and the instant she used her lightness skill, he pinned her down in the snow!

"Ah—" Yan Gongyi struggled, channeling his inner strength: "Let me go! You beast!"

Tanaka raised his hand to block, and with two fingers he sealed her acupoints. In the blink of an eye, Yan Gongyi fell into a deep sleep.

Yu Nanqing walked slowly along the path back to the village. Snowflakes began to fall from the sky and gently landed on his shoulders, blending seamlessly with his white velvet robe.

As soon as he became suspicious, he immediately sent a letter to the snake clan.

Although the snake tribe is secretive, it is not without clues.

At the same time, he sent someone else to investigate Yan Gongyi's movements before he was captured by the bandits. If this person had not appeared, Yu Nanqing might not have been able to find out anything.

However, now that Yan Gongyi has appeared before him, all her traces and activities will be documented.

The reason he had previously let Yan Gongyi go unchecked was to have enough time to investigate these matters.

As it turned out, everything was a meticulously planned scheme by Yan Gongyi. He was captured by the people of Baiyou Valley because they knew that he and Su Wanyan had settled in this village, and he took advantage of the bandits' power.

The snake tribe lives by extracting snake venom, and all members, adults and children alike, come into contact with snake venom from a young age.

Therefore, she may have known about poison, which is why she survived the bandits, or perhaps she had already made a deal with them, giving her an opportunity.

Yu Nanqing leaned towards the latter. The environment was harsh, and it was winter. If it weren't for the agreement with the bandits, Yu Nanqing didn't believe that he could be free from the bandits' attacks simply by detoxifying.

Naturally, given her martial arts skills, it's not impossible that she might be lurking near a bandit's hideout.

However, Yu Nanqing did not intend to investigate the matter further, nor did he intend to ask Yan Gongyi for clarification.

He had no interest in knowing what deal she made with the Empress Dowager.

He only needed to understand that Yan Gongyi's motives were impure.

In his communication with the snake clan chief, the chief did not mention the Empress Dowager, but only said that several mysterious people wearing cloaks had come to make a deal with him.

They promised the entire snake clan wealth and honor, in exchange for the snake clan helping them deal with Yu Nanqing.

The letter stated that the clan chief had refused the offer.

only……

The clan leader didn't know when, but they secretly contacted Yan Gongyi. If Yan Gongyi hadn't contacted Yu Nanqing, he would have really thought that Yan Gongyi's departure was due to an argument with them.

The clan chief's letter was full of remorse towards Yu Nanqing, and he hoped that Yu Nanqing would be lenient in handling the matter, considering that Yan Gongyi was still young, and took all the consequences upon himself.

At that time, the snake clan rescued not only Yu Nanqing, but also a small squad of their army.

This is also why Yu Nanqing was so lenient with Yan Gongyi.

He didn't know how the Empress Dowager had found out about his affair with the snake clan, but...

If the Empress Dowager has already uncovered even the affair between him and the snake clan, then what about the rest...?

Yu Nanqing lowered her gaze, lost in her own thoughts, unaware that she had already returned to her residence.

Then the village chief's voice rang in his ears: "Young Master Yu, where have you been?"

Yu Nanqing's soul returned to the surface.

The snow in the yard had been cleared by the villagers, and lively laughter could be heard coming from the house on the first floor.

Inside, there was also praise for Su Wanyan: "Dr. Su, you are so skillful. You learned it so quickly. I wish you were my daughter."

"If you're not married, being my daughter-in-law wouldn't be bad."

"What nonsense are you spouting? You think Doctor Su would give up his wealth and luxury to suffer in your house? You wish!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter again, having a great time.

Yu Nanqing smiled, feeling infinitely satisfied as long as she was safe and well.

At this moment, the village chief interrupted his thoughts again: "Young Master Yu, isn't it almost the New Year? My wife is an excellent cook. If you and Doctor Su don't mind, you can come to my house for a meal during the New Year."

The village chief's house is located directly below this building, built on the same slope.

You can go directly to the rooftop of the village chief's house by crossing the suspension bridge on the roof.

However, most houses don't open their rooftops in winter, so the village chief always walks along the small path on the slope.

Yu Nanqing lowered his eyes: "Yes, I will talk to my wife."

"Yes." Seeing that he agreed, the village chief beamed with joy: "Remember to come over on New Year's Eve."

Despite living here for so long, they haven't formally introduced Yu Nanqing and Su Wanyan to his family yet.

After the village chief left, Yu Nanqing slowly stepped forward and lifted the warm curtain at the door.

Upon seeing Yu Nanqing return, the laughter and chatter of the crowd immediately subsided.

"Oh, Young Master Yu is back." Then they should leave.

Whenever they came here to chat, Yu Nanqing would usually return right on time, either around lunchtime or dinnertime.

As the villagers bid farewell to Su Wanyan one by one, Yu Nanqing patiently waited at the door until everyone had left before slowly entering the house.

The room still seemed to retain the warmth of the lively atmosphere.

Su Wanyan couldn't help but stretch, and Yu Nanqing walked behind her and gently massaged her shoulders: "Tired?"