Qin Shufen's mother-in-law, Qi Zhiyan's mother, finally hanged herself on the beam of the dilapidated temple.

The dilapidated temple was dedicated to the God of Land, whose statue had long been broken and tattered. The place where the old woman hanged herself was exactly where the God of Land's gaze touched, and the statue's eyes seemed to tell of this misfortune.

Linghu Yunlong and Cao Dongsheng helped the old woman down. Nangong Lian'er volunteered to go to Caizhou City to buy a high-quality coffin and hired several sedan chair bearers.

The sedan bearers brought the coffin and helped bury the old woman. Nangong Lian'er gave the bearers five taels of silver, and the bearers took the money and left happily.

It is said that Qin Shufen was grateful to her benefactor for his help and was very grateful to Zhao Huan and others.

After burying the old woman, everyone returned to Caizhou City and found an inn to stay temporarily.

In the inn room, Zhao Huan was in a depressed mood. Nangong Lian'er asked with concern: "Brother Zhao, what's wrong with you?"

Zhao Huan said with a sad face: "I have been poisoned."

Nangong Lian'er was startled: "What, what poison?"

Zhao Huan clutched his chest and trembled, "Just now, while I was eating, someone gave me a dose of Hehuan Powder. This poison is incurable, unless..."

Nangong Lian'er was shocked and hugged Zhao Huan in her arms: "Unless what?"

"The poison can only be removed if I have a beautiful girl to spend the wedding night with me and perform the Zhougong ritual." Zhao Huan stuck out his tongue and acted like a hanged ghost.

"You!" Nangong Lian'er let go in anger.

"Ouch!" Zhao Huan was thrown to the ground.

The next day, everyone set off. Zhao Huan hired two carriages, one for himself and one for Nangong Lian'er. Inside, the two of them played and played, Zhao Huan spouting nonsense, constantly referring to the bridal chamber, the Zhougong ritual, and "hehehe." This angered Nangong Lian'er, who ignored him. But the carriage was so small, and she couldn't avoid him, so she let Zhao Huan's nonsense run wild.

Qin Shufen and her mother and three other children rode in another carriage. They had never experienced such a luxurious life before. They rode in carriages, stayed in the best inns, and ate all kinds of delicacies. Along the way, the three of them expressed their gratitude to Zhao Huan and the others.

Linghu Yunlong and Cao Dongsheng rode on horseback to protect each other, and the wheels rolled all the way north.

Once we reached Chenliu Town, we were not far from Bianliang Kaifeng.

Qi Bin is Qin Shufen's youngest son. He is a well-behaved and sensible child who particularly likes Nangong Lian'er. Nangong Lian'er is delighted to hear him call her "Sister Lian'er".

Qi Cuihua, Qin Shufen's eldest daughter, was already eight or nine years old, possessing a maturity unbelievable for her age. The little girl was very perceptive, and Zhao Huan figured it was all forced upon her by life.

Zhao Huan and his companions stayed in Yuelai Inn, the largest inn in Chenliu Town.

The dinner was particularly sumptuous. For Qin Shufen and her son, every dish was something they had never eaten or seen before.

The closer they got to the capital, the more frightened Qin Shufen became. She began to think Zhao Huan had an unusual background. He was the one who could make decisions for her, and act so generously and openly—something no ordinary person could do.

"My benefactor, what should we do if my husband still refuses to accept me and my son?" Qin Shufen expressed the problem she had been worried about.

Faced with a table overflowing with delicacies, Zhao Huan only ate a few bites. Hearing this, Zhao Huan put down his chopsticks and said, "If what you say is true, then if Qi Zhiyan is willing to accept you and your son, then he is deceiving the emperor and should be executed according to the law! If he refuses to recognize you, then he is abandoning his wife and child, a heinous crime."

Qin Shufen shuddered all over and was too scared to ask any more questions. She ate her meal very carefully.

"Mom, I'm full." Qi Bin put down the soup spoon and said.

Qi Cuihua also stood up and said: "Mom, I'm full too."

Qin Shufen then took the two children's hands, stood up, and bowed to Zhao Huan, saying, "My benefactor, we've finished eating. I want to go back and rest early."

Zhao Huan waved his hand and said, "Go ahead. You've worked hard on this journey."

Qin Shufen said with infinite gratitude: "What are you talking about? We have never enjoyed such a great blessing. You have taken care of us all the way. Thank you again."

As she spoke, Qin Shufen took the child's hand and knelt down.

Zhao Huan was startled: "What are you doing? Youwei, help them up quickly. Send them back to their room to rest first."

Cao Dongsheng bowed and agreed, then took Qin Shufen and her son away.

Zhao Huan sighed, picked up the wine glass on the table and drank it all.

Linghu Yunlong ate his food beside him, not daring to speak. Nangong Lian'er couldn't help but ask, "Brother Zhao, you said that Qi Zhiyan is really a bastard who abandoned his wife and children. Should we really kill him?"

Zhao Huan put down his wine glass heavily and said, "Such a beast with a human face and a beastly heart, I wish I could cut him into pieces!"

"But, he is the prince consort after all, and Princess Dexin..." Nangong Lian'er didn't dare to say anything more.

Zhao Huan sighed: "If the emperor breaks the law, he is guilty just like the common people. Even if he is the prince consort, even if the princess comes to me to plead for mercy, this man must be killed!"

Linghu Yunlong hesitated and said, "But, but how should I explain this to the princess?"

Zhao Huan slammed the table and said, "De Xin is my sister. If she is smart, she should thank me for killing this unkind and unjust beast."

Nangong Lian'er sighed: "Brother Zhao, you don't understand women's hearts at all. Once a woman falls in love with a man, even if he is an unforgivable criminal, her heart will always be with him. It's like she chose this glass of bitter wine, she will drink it without hesitation." As she said that, Nangong Lian'er drank the wine in the glass.

Zhao Huan was startled, unsure if Nangong Lian'er's words were a literal expression of emotion or a hidden agenda. He was the emperor, and now he had four wives and concubines. Although he knew every woman loved him, love was ultimately selfish. They wanted to be together, not share a husband.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!