Princess's Residence.

Dugu Ran successfully caught up with Dugu Yue and awkwardly tried to persuade and comfort her.

Dugu Yue rolled her eyes at him, her eyes still seemingly streaked with tears. "Am I that despicable in your eyes?"

Upon hearing this, Dugu Ran was naturally pleased.

Not only because Shen Youan doesn't have to die, but also because of the sense of accomplishment and relief that I didn't misjudge him.

Because he was born disabled, the entire court did not have high hopes for him. Over the years, his father had not given him any decent tasks, as if he believed from the bottom of his heart that he could not do them or could not do them well.

Gradually, he began to feel useless.

He lived like an old man at such a young age, never taking the initiative to express himself or do anything. He drifted through life for more than ten years, living in a daze.

It's rare to have such a strong urge to help someone as I do today.

Furthermore, she mobilized her own emotions and thoughts, and based on kinship, chose to believe in Dugu Yue.

After all, Yue'er was his sister, and he knew her personality well.

Therefore, a disaster was successfully prevented.

This made Dugu Ran very happy. For the first time, she looked directly into Dugu Yue's eyes and said with a smile, "Yue'er is kind-hearted, of course I know that."

In fact, Shen You'an's disguise as a man, her presence in and out of the military camp, and her position in the imperial court are matters that can be considered minor or major, depending on whether her father, the emperor, pursues the matter.

But this must be done quietly without making a scene. If you, Yue'er, were to enter the palace crying today and wail in front of the palace servants and even the ministers, do you think Father would punish you? Would he punish you leniently or severely? It would be very difficult!

Instead of creating more problems for Father and the Shen family, why don't we calm down and think about whether there are other solutions?

For a long time after he finished speaking, Dugu Yue remained silent.

Instead, they stared at him intently from beginning to end.

This made Dugu Ran a little flustered. She couldn't help but touch the leg that was shorter, causing her to walk with a slight limp. "Yue'er, did I say something wrong?"

Dugu Yue withdrew her gaze and shook her head. "No."

She suddenly grabbed Dugu Ran's hand. "Second brother, you're right. You're absolutely right."

It's just that Yue'er is quite surprised because it's the first time she's heard you analyze things.

Yue'er then realized that her second brother had his own ideas and was not the little mute that everyone usually talked about.

"If Mother could see Second Brother like this, she would be so happy."

Praised like this, Dugu Ran became even more confident and grasped Dugu Yue's hand in return, saying, "Yue'er, you are the same."

My second brother only realized today that you are actually just willful on the surface, but you are actually very thoughtful and considerate of others.

Just like Ji Yunyuan.

Even if you might genuinely dislike her, wouldn't it be better than her dying quietly and unnoticed in unknown danger if you hadn't deliberately bullied her all these years, ensuring her continued high public profile, even if it was a bad one?

Dugu Yue's eyes widened, deeply impressed by the novelty of Dugu Ran's words.

After a moment of stunned silence, she looked away awkwardly and said, "Then you're wrong. I really don't like Ji Yunyuan. I can't stand the sight of her."

But after all these years of arguing and fighting with her, I've never really thought about doing anything to her.

The two siblings finally had a proper heart-to-heart talk, following these topics.

They also talked about Crown Prince Dugu Ling.

Dugu Yue asked Dugu Ran, "Second Brother, have you ever thought about becoming the Crown Prince?"

The book says, a prince who doesn't want to be emperor isn't a good prince!

Therefore, Dugu Yue guessed that even if Dugu Ran had a leg disability, he must still want to be the emperor, right?

Replace Dugu Ling with him.

As expected, Dugu Ran nodded.

But he said, "I want to be the crown prince more because all the officials in the court say that I am unlucky and that I was born out of the right to be in that position."

Dugu Ling's health isn't much better than mine; he looks sickly and destined for a short life.

I want to shatter the minds of these old-fashioned folks and let them know that the ruler of the world is the capable, and there's no need for so many rules and regulations; that's all.

In other words, he wasn't actually very interested in the position itself.

For example, the yearning for power, or the ambition to expand territory...

Dugu Ran then left the princess's residence.

Originally intending to return home, he ordered the driver to turn around halfway there.

Feeling embarrassed to go up the mountain again, he followed his guess from earlier that day and went to the Crown Prince's residence to request an audience with the Crown Princess.

He didn't overlook the "Ji" character that Dugu Yue had let slip earlier that day.

So, it was Ji Yunyuan who captured him and Shen Youan and took them to the mountain?

He could understand why Shen You'an was arrested; there must be some agreement between him and Yue'er. But why arrest him for no reason?

Therefore, he headed towards the Crown Prince's residence. If Ji Yunyuan happened to be absent, it would confirm his guess; if she was...

"Second Prince, the Crown Princess is pregnant. His Highness said that unless there is something important, no one should be troubled by the Crown Princess's hospitality."

Dugu Ran, "..."

So, he, a prince, can't even ask his sister-in-law for a cup of tea?

Frustrated, Dugu Ran pursed her lips, deciding to ignore such trivial matters, and asked, "Steward Qin, so your Crown Princess is in the manor now?"

Butler Qin looked at Dugu Ran with a strange expression. "Yes, why does Your Highness ask that?"

"Just answer my questions properly, why all the questions?" Dugu Ran suddenly adopted a princely air. "Your Highness, my sister-in-law, have stayed in the mansion all day and haven't left the house?"

Butler Qin lowered his head, wondering to himself, why has the Second Prince suddenly become so assertive?

But he had no choice but to answer honestly, "Yes!"

The firm tone of his voice suddenly threw Dugu Ran into a state of confusion!

If it wasn't Ji Yunyuan who captured him, then could there be someone else behind him?

Oh no! Shen Youan is in danger!

Dugu Ran almost instinctively thought of this and immediately turned around and ran away.

However, at that moment, a black horse carrying two people came galloping by.

Leading the group was Dugu Ling, dressed in black with black hair, exuding an imposing aura.

The person lying on the back of the horse behind him had an unrecognizable face; it was a bloody mess, and if you didn't look closely, you might think he had been disfigured.

But as luck would have it, Dugu Ran and Shen Youan bumped into each other today and even accidentally tore each other's clothes, so he recognized him immediately. He stepped forward with cold hands and feet and asked, "Brother, is the person you are carrying on your back General Shen?"

Dugu Jue looked down at him, raising his long eyebrows. "You...came to see me?"

How did he get away?

To this day, Dugu Jue still can't figure out why the person he personally arrested, the one who was stuffed into a sack, made stupid, and sent to a thatched hut, has suddenly become Shen You'an!

What's even more ridiculous is that Dugu Ran is now like a lamb entering a tiger's den, standing brazenly in front of him!

But clearly, Dugu Ran had also come to her senses, and flames blazed in her eyes, "So, it was actually my imperial brother who secretly wanted my life!"