I love your daughter.

The Eastern Palace.

Jiade Hall.

On the archives, memorials and petitions piled up like mountains and seas.

These are all government affairs accumulated during the Golden Register Grand Fasting at Heming Mountain.

Xiao Zhian buried his head in his memorial, his eyes dry and the whites of his eyes red. The calluses on his right fingers, which held the vermilion brush, were bluish-white and translucent.

He unfolded the memorial, read it, pondered it, folded it in red ink, affixed his seal, and closed it.

The Crown Prince, who was in charge of the state, was tireless and should not be tired, devoting himself entirely to official duties.

Xiao Zhian was hacked and slashed by Lin Huaiyin's swords. He was left barely alive, half-dead and half-ghost, and then disappeared without a trace.

Zhi'an, who existed because of Lin Huaiyin, because of Yinyin, and because of Yinyin's love, temporarily retreated into the shell of the Crown Prince Regent and under the golden book and seal, not knowing where to go or if he would ever see the light of day again.

The incense burner burned out, the water clock dripped slowly, and the setting sun slanted through the window, casting beams of lasting light.

The crown prince remained silent for a long time.

Unlike his usual practice of reviewing memorials, where he showed appreciation or anger, and whose writing was sometimes fast and sometimes slow, always leaving a trace that could be recorded in the Crown Prince's daily records.

Two hours passed in the afternoon. The two officials in the palace, the scribe and the recorder, had nothing to write down and stared at Xiao Zhi'an, at a loss. They then turned to Xuan Ge for help.

Xuan Ge simply lowered his head to grind ink and move memorials, his resolute expression fixed on his face, his lips pressed into a thin white line.

Just then, a guard came to report – “Your Highness, General Lin Zhenlie is requesting an audience outside the palace.”

"pass."

Xiao Zhian replied mechanically, saying he hadn't heard clearly who the person was, and didn't care who it was.

However, just as the guard clasped his hands in greeting and left the hall, Xiao Zhian's right hand suddenly paused, a red mark fell from his vermilion brush, and his mind flashed with the six words "General Lin Zhenlie".

Immediately, Lin Zhenlie stepped into the hall.

Xuan Ge immediately gave the two officials a look and led the way out of the hall.

"This humble general pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince." Lin Zhenlie did not see Xiao Zhian, but bowed to a table of memorials.

A golden crown and jade hairpin slowly rose from the memorial.

Xiao Zhian, with his clear eyebrows and bright eyes, stood tall and elegant before the throne, gripping the ivory handle of the vermilion brush tightly, his eyes lowered in the hall.

The man in the palace is the Imperial General, an unspoken "ally," and also Yin Yin's father.

In what capacity did he stand in the Jiade Hall of the Eastern Palace during this visit?

Setting down his vermilion brush, Xiao Zhian walked around the storage table, slowly descended the steps, and walked to the altar of mountains and rivers in the hall. He lightly raised his right hand and said, "No need for formalities."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Lin Zhenlie raised his fist, his manners impeccable, and stood tall and imposing, speaking directly and bluntly: "This humble servant has come for my daughter."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhian's pupils contracted slightly, his fingertips unconsciously curled up, and a flicker of hope rekindled in his heart.

His phoenix eyes turned to Lin Zhenlie, his hand gripping the railing of the Mountain and River Terrace. Xiao Zhian silently cried out in his heart—had he come for Yinyin? Had Yinyin gone home to complain? Did Lin Zhenlie know about his relationship with Yinyin? He finally had a legitimate status, even if he was the villain Yinyin hated, no longer just a crown prince and his subject's daughter with no relation to Yinyin whatsoever?

With phoenix eyes full of expectation, Xiao Zhian regarded Lin Zhenlie only as his father-in-law and father-in-law of the emperor, and was prepared to accept the blame.

Unexpectedly, Lin Zhenlie clasped his hands again, raised his fist above his forehead, ignoring Xiao Zhian's expectant gaze, his eyes as deep as an abyss, and said: "This humble general dares to report a matter—it seems that the sinful subject Shen has had some dealings with Princess Pingyang. Previously, the Imperial City Guard discovered that Princess Pingyang's Erwang Temple harbored White Lotus rebels. In addition, Shen is the son of the tomb guard and was active in the imperial tombs in his early years."

Lin Zhenlie paused at the right moment, silently reminding Princess Pingyang of her imprisonment in the imperial mausoleum in her early years, before saying, "The emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people. If Princess Pingyang was involved in the Shen family's collusion with the White Lotus Sect to plot a rebellion, I implore Your Highness to thoroughly investigate Princess Pingyang for the sake of my daughter and for all the people of the land."

Upon hearing this, the "Zhi'an" that Xiao Zhi'an had just picked up shattered into pieces.

He was trembling with fear, regarding the other party as a great mountain, and longed to be held accountable and recognized as "Zhi'an". Even if he was reprimanded, he would be happy to accept it. He only wanted to have a tiny connection with Yinyin that could be seen by others.

But Lin Zhenlie, with the most standard court etiquette, official tone, and the posture of seeking justice for his daughter, casually pushed Xiao Zhian back to the lonely throne of "Crown Prince", and reminded Xiao Zhian with the bloody facts that they both knew - your sister hurt my daughter, what are you delusional about?

Lin Zhenlie is not the father-in-law, but the aggrieved party.

Xiao Zhian was not a son-in-law, but a monarch.

Lin Zhenlie took action to drive them away.

Xiao Zhian doesn't even have the right to be troubled by love.

"Furthermore," Lin Zhenlie continued, "Today at the imperial prison, my nephew Xie went to interrogate the criminal Shen at my request, to seek justice for my daughter. I don't know why this caused so many misunderstandings. My nephew Xie is a highly skilled physician and of pure character. He is the ideal husband I mentioned to Your Highness last time. Soon he will take my daughter away from this place of sorrow to the New Liao Kingdom to get married. I beg Your Highness to have pity on my daughter's suffering and her inability to shoulder such a great responsibility, and to allow my nephew Xie to reunite with her."

The landscape and topography are laid out silently.

Lin Zhenlie chose his words carefully and was very respectful.

He was a courteous and respectful minister who reported official business to the monarch, stating the important national matter of "Princess Pingyang's possible involvement in the case," requesting justice for his daughter, and informing her of the family matter of "his daughter's impending marriage to another man."

Every word was flawless, leaving no room for rebuttal. Each sentence was like a cold dagger, precisely piercing Xiao Zhian's most painful wound, sealing the fate of his relationship with Lin Huaiyin.

Xiao Zhian was speechless and ashamed to face him.

His empire was a place of heartbreak for Yin Yin.

Pingyang harmed Yinyin; the blood feud between them, past and present, far exceeded Lin Zhenlie's imagination.

This one incident alone will ensure that Xiao Zhian will never be able to hold his head high in front of the Lin family again.

The arm that lay across the landscape altar tightened and sank little by little, colliding head-on with the sharp railing.

The surging passion was forced back into the shell of the Crown Prince Regent. Xiao Zhian maintained a cold and stern demeanor, and had no right to say anything except to give a reply that there would be a thorough investigation and severe punishment.

He couldn't even accuse Xie Xincun of bullying Yinyin because he was incompetent. He failed to protect Yinyin unharmed and win her back. What he did to Yinyin was even worse than what Xie Xincun did.

A single breath passed through Xiao Zhian's throat, releasing his soul.

Lin Zhenlie, through the martial arts ceremony, accurately discerned the collapse of the Eastern Palace.

He personally came to draw a line. The Crown Prince Regent is a smart man. He should accept this last bit of dignity, uphold the bottom line of the Crown Prince Regent, and should not do anything inappropriate. Silence means understanding and tacit approval.

Lin Zhenlie, being of a "gentle and kind" nature, "dared not" continue to pressure the Crown Prince, and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. This humble general will go to the imperial prison to fetch the person immediately."

Xiao Zhian remained silent, unable to utter a sound.

The sound of military boots clattering, the footsteps restrained, the manner of a subject, yet echoing throughout the Jiade Hall, each step like a millstone, crushing Xiao Zhi'an.

Just as Lin Zhenlie turned around, Xiao Zhian's heart, which was riddled with holes, letting in a gust of wind, and about to bury "Zhian's" corpse, suddenly trembled.

Yinyin doesn't want him.

Lin Zhenlie also did not approve of him.

What else does he have to lose?

All his unbearable experiences, everything he went through in his short twenty-three years—losing his mother at the age of eight, his father being a beast, his younger sister degenerating into a venomous snake—all his secrets and unbearable deeds were seen through by Lin Zhenlie.

He was rescued by Lin Zhenlie from the front of the funeral hall fifteen years ago. It was Lin Zhenlie who reminded him to keep his position as crown prince and taught him that being crown prince meant "protection". Why should he put on airs of the crown prince in front of Lin Zhenlie? What is there to be ashamed of?

Even if his love for Yinyin is broken and has no future, even if it is despicable and unworthy, even if he is completely wrong and deserves to be punished, he still wants people to see it, even in his most wretched state.

"General Lin."

Xiao Zhian spoke.

Lin Zhenlie was suddenly transported back to the weeping young prince of fifteen years ago.

But he pretended not to hear and strode on.

"General Lin."

Xiao Zhian called again, his voice hoarse.

Xuan Ge's heart stirred, and he stepped forward to block Lin Zhenlie with his arm.

Lin Zhenlie's tiger-like eyes widened in shock, and everyone fell silent. Xuan Ge, unable to bear it any longer, turned his face away and forced himself to stop him: "His Highness has summoned you, General, please wait."

Seeing this, Lin Zhenlie's expression turned serious, and he couldn't help but look at Xiao Zhian with newfound respect.

Slowly turning around, Xiao Zhian remained standing still. The water clock dripped in the hall, and a series of summons echoed. Lin Zhenlie let out a deep breath, walked back, and clasped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness, what are your instructions?"

Across the mountains and rivers, Xiao Zhian smiled with a resolute yet gentle expression, and said frankly, "General Lin, I love your daughter."

Lin Zhenlie was dumbfounded—had the Crown Prince gone mad?

Xiao Zhi'an's confession echoed in the empty hall—

"I love your daughter."

"I love your daughter."

"I love your daughter."

The dripping sound is like an accompaniment.

The imperial landscape serves as a perfect backdrop.

Lin Zhenlie took a deep breath, savoring Xiao Zhian's desperate gamble amidst the echoes—the Crown Prince was infatuated with love, completely infatuated, and utterly humble.

The Xing Dynasty is doomed! His eyebrows shot up, and he couldn't help but want to curse—couldn't the Xiao royal family produce a normal person? Losing their soul over a woman, so subservient, where is the slightest bit of the dignity of a crown prince? They might as well just quit!

However, right after he finished cursing, Lin Zhenlie remembered that the Crown Prince was infatuated with his own daughter. The old father's vanity was satisfied to the point that he turned red in the face.

“Today, I broke her heart. She said we shouldn’t see each other for the time being, but she didn’t say we should never see each other again.” Xiao Zhian’s eyes were red.

Lin Zhenlie was still disgusted, but his curiosity exploded. He really wanted to know how Xiao Zhian had managed to trap Xie Xincun and at the same time anger his precious daughter.

Xiao Zhian was completely oblivious to Lin Zhenlie's thoughts, still heartbroken: "You're right. Both publicly and privately, I have wronged Yinyin. If she doesn't want me, I will try my best not to pester her. But Xie is not a good man. He once made a false claim that he would ally with the Japanese to destroy my Daxing. If he doesn't restrain himself, or if Yinyin is unwilling to be with him, I will do everything in my power to imprison him again."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhenlie's eyes widened in shock, his mind sharpening. He cast aside all personal feelings and sighed inwardly, wondering if the turmoil on the mainland had already begun, and if war was about to break out.

"Your Highness, you said that my nephew Xie intends to ally with the Japanese to destroy my Daxing?" Lin Zhenlie asked cautiously for confirmation.

“Exactly.” Xiao Zhian lowered his eyes bitterly, looking down at the rolling mountains and rivers in the topographical altar. “The Xie family wants to take away what I love and threaten the safety of Daxing. How can I tolerate and let them do as they please, and let them swagger around and become your Lin family’s son-in-law?”

I see.

Having received confirmation, Lin Zhenlie released his fist, which he had respectfully raised above his head, removing the barrier between him and Xiao Zhian. He nodded silently, lost in thought.

At first, he thought it was just a jealous rivalry, but he didn't expect it to escalate to this point. Xie Xincun was indeed unruly, and this test was quite effective.

Looking at Xiao Zhian again, Lin Zhenlie's gaze was burning with admiration. He nodded repeatedly, unable to help but praise the Crown Prince for his decisiveness and courage. Hearing such words, it would be a disgrace for a crown prince not to take action, which would only embolden Xie Xincun. The Crown Prince's ruthless and decisive attack, which hit the target with one blow, truly impressed him.

Over the years, Lin Zhenlie knew that Xie Xin had real strength, and the more he thought about it, the happier he became.

At this moment, as he glanced at the vast landscape of the Great Xing Dynasty stretching before him, he realized for the first time that the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, whom he had bet on to protect, who seemed to be troubled by love and weak and unruly, actually already possessed the qualities of a great ruler.

However, one-sided defense has its limits. Xie Xincun has become so arrogant that Lin Zhenlie, after much painful reflection, felt that although it was dangerous, he should still go deep into the tiger's den to spy on the tiger guarding the forest in order to gain the upper hand.

No, that's not right. Lin Zhenlie thought again: This test was originally intended to find out Hu Shoulin's movements and temper his daughter, but the result unexpectedly forced the Crown Prince's palace.

The Crown Prince's imprisonment of Xie Xincun proved his ability.

Despite his relentless pressure, she still refused to give up her feelings for her daughter.

Lin Zhenlie silently looked down at his left hand, then at his right, and suddenly felt a surge of emotion—he had underestimated the Eastern Palace; they were willing to sacrifice both the empire and the beauty.

Such a greedy emperor is truly rare.

Lin Zhenlie gazed at the boundless landscape, clenching his fist, his heart surging with emotions—should his daughter be sent to Hu Shoulin to experience the vast world, or should she remain in Xingchao for the time being to push the limits of the Eastern Palace and strengthen her body?

Both paths have their advantages.

Should we focus on external threats or internal stability?

Lin Zhenlie made no choice.

He wants Xie Xincun, and he wants the Crown Prince too—since there's an ancestral rule against marriage alliances, let his daughter pressure the Crown Prince a little more, and leave when the time is right. Then, with just an ancestral rule, what can the Crown Prince do to him?

Lin Zhenlie had high hopes for how far his daughter and the crown prince would grow up.

Since things have come to this, we should first save Xie Xincun to avoid angering him and Hu Shoulin, who would then have no chance to catch their breath.

Having made up his mind, Lin Zhenlie clasped his hands in a fist again, his old face hidden behind his fist revealing a hint of cunning, and said, "Your Highness's advice is something I will take very seriously, and I will also have my daughter keep an eye on my fiancé's movements. Tonight's family banquet is just waiting for my nephew Xie to go, please excuse me for taking my leave, I'm going to the imperial prison to pick him up."

Having said that, Lin Zhenlie swiftly retreated, turned around, and left without warning.

This scene left Xiao Zhian stunned, his pupils dilating in shock.

He clearly saw Lin Zhenlie casting an admiring glance at him, looking him up and down as if evaluating his physical condition. He even deliberately puffed out his chest to show his masculinity. So why did Lin Zhenlie still choose Xie Xincun when he turned his head, still calling him his fiancé?

At the entrance, Xuan Ge watched Lin Zhenlie leave. He sensed that the general's back was strong and his steps were light, indicating that he was in a very good mood, quite different from when he arrived.