"So this is Princess Wuxia, one of the two beauties of Yong Kingdom. I've heard so much about you." Jin Mingrui's tone was deep, his eyes were burning, his Adam's apple bobbed, and an indescribable longing rose in his heart.

He Lanmin had been married to him for many years, so what was there for her not to understand when she saw him like this? He lowered his eyes, concealing the faint sadness in them. After all, Wuxia was his niece. If she really became the prince's woman, the two of them, aunt and niece, could support each other.

Helan Wuxia's eyes were filled with doubt as she scanned Jin Mingrui's face, finally fixing her gaze on Helan Min. Through his vaguely familiar features, she quickly recognized the other person's identity.

"Auntie, you're back! It's been so long! I thought I'd never see you again. I'm so happy to see you!" Helan Wuxia broke into a big smile and hugged Helan Min's arm, oblivious to Helan Min's subconscious stiffness.

Feeling the softness in his arms and smelling the faint fragrance of Helan Wuxia, Helan Min's restless heart calmed down. This was his own niece. He hadn't seen her for 12 years, and she was still so warm to him and remembered his appearance. He should feel gratified.

"Wuxia, seeing how good your relationship with your aunt is, I'm relieved. Your aunt and uncle will be staying here for a while, so you'll be in charge of receiving them!" He Lanxiong said with a pleased tone and a smile, his eyes full of affection as he looked at He Lan Wuxia.

"That's wonderful! I love being with Auntie the most. I will definitely treat Auntie and Uncle well." Helan Wuxia clapped and cheered, resting her head on Helan Min's body, her tone affectionate, which made Helan Min even more delighted.

"Alright, your aunt and uncle just arrived, so stop bothering them. Come back with us and get ready properly so we can formally pay our respects to them." After saying this, He Lanxiong led a group of people into the city.

Helan Wuxia stopped in his tracks, frowning as he pondered for a moment. He seemed to have forgotten something. Oh well, it wasn't a big deal if he couldn't remember. After that, Helan Wuxia stayed right beside Helan Min, chattering away about the interesting things that had happened in recent years, making everyone chuckle.

Laughter and cheerful voices spread around the group, and everyone's face was filled with smiles, as if they were infected by Helan Wuxia's vitality, and the fatigue and frost of the journey over the past few days disappeared.

Outside the city gate, the white horse came to a stop, and the white figure on its back remained motionless, its deep black eyes gazing at the gradually disappearing crowd with a leisurely look.

She dismounted slowly, her every move slow and clumsy. The white figure led the reins into Wancheng, the surrounding chatter carried on the wind, providing her with a lot of information.

The royal palace of Yong Kingdom is located in the very center of Wancheng. The city gates are tightly secured, and the area is not large. The overall style has a primitive and casual feel to it, which is far inferior to the exquisite luxury that Wuyou experienced.

Anning Palace, Helan Wuyou's residence, is located at the westernmost part of the royal palace, tranquil and secluded. Large swathes of pear blossoms grow within Anning Palace, and a gentle breeze carries their delicate fragrance. Large flakes of white snow fall gently, like snowflakes drifting in winter, instantly transforming Anning Palace into a snow-covered wonderland.

Wuyou stopped in her tracks, standing in front of the pear tree, savoring the moment of tranquility, her heart undisturbed.

She wore a flowing white dress, her long, ink-black hair cascading smoothly down her back. Her skin was fair and delicate, and beads of sweat glistened on her forehead from her previous exertion, sparkling in the sunlight. A white veil covered her face, revealing only a pair of bright, captivating eyes and delicately arched eyebrows.

"Princess, you're back?" As soon as Xiaotang, dressed in green, came out, she saw the graceful figure under the pear tree and immediately exclaimed in surprise. She quickly walked to Wuyou's side and helped her up.

"Princess, you're back. Why don't you go inside? You're not feeling well; you should rest properly."

Towards the end, Xiaotang's tone became more reproachful, not to Wuyou, but to Helan Wuxia. Helan Wuyou was a premature baby, frail and quiet by nature. She lacked the passionate and unrestrained nature of the grassland children, but possessed the gentle and graceful qualities of a woman from Jiangnan, and was proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Five days ago, Princess Wuxia took her mistress to the river to fish. They were caught in a heavy rain, and she developed a high fever on the way back. Just when she was feeling a little better, Princess Wuxia dragged her to go horseback riding. Who knows how sick she'll get then?

Seeing Wuyou's excessively pale face, Xiaotang became even more resentful. What was wrong with Princess Wuxia? Every time he dragged the princess out, she would come back covered in bruises. He had fun, but how much suffering did the princess have to endure?

"I'm fine. Go back and make me some ginger soup. I'll take a nap and I'll be fine." Wuyou gently shook her head. This body was indeed weak. The ailment she had from birth was difficult to cure. With the "help" of her younger sister Helan Wuxia, everything was just as it should be.

He needs to take some time to properly recuperate, and he can't recover too quickly, lest people become suspicious.

"Princess, didn't you say that distinguished guests were coming today and that you were going to Zixia Palace to receive them this afternoon?" Xiaotang asked in surprise. The princess had never changed her mind so easily.

Especially since the princess had been talking about this matter for half a month, it's clear she took it very seriously. Why did she change her mind today?

Receiving guests? More like being a mere supporting character! Recalling scenes from her past life, Wuyou's lips curled into a slight, cold smile.

Helan Wuyou's temperament and physical condition never allowed him to roam the grasslands, ride horses, and hunt like an ordinary Yong Kingdom child. He was always quiet, like a wisp of wind at the tip of the nose or a blade of grass by the tree.

His presence was so inconspicuous that, especially with his lively and energetic younger sister attracting most of the family's attention, he gradually became a marginalized figure in the Yong Kingdom's royal family.

This perfectly reflects Helan Wuyou's life. He was always just a foil to his sister. Everyone loved his sister, while he could only ever be a decoration, a puppet, and even a victim of a political marriage.

Even though Helan Wuyou tried her best to please her relatives and aunt, their eyes and hearts only belonged to Helan Wuxia. When other countries proposed marriage alliances, it was Helan Wuyou who was pushed forward. In the end, Helan Wuyou turned to the dark side, using everything she had to seek revenge and seize what she could, but ultimately she still became cannon fodder at the feet of others.

Since flattery and fawning are useless, why should he bother trying to curry favor with someone who doesn't reciprocate? Besides, he had no intention of doing so anyway.

Helan Wuyou's wish is to destroy the Yong Kingdom, take revenge on Helan Wuxia and those who betrayed her, let her son grow up safely and in great glory, and let everyone see her existence and affirm her abilities.

“Going would be pointless, after all, I…” Wuyou lowered her eyes, looking heartbroken, and Xiaotang immediately dared not ask any more questions.