Gu Nanjiao felt a little panicked. She couldn't help but think of the nanny who had said she looked like her master a few days ago. Her intuition told her that the nanny was not a good person.

But ever since she entered the capital, she has been cautious in her words and deeds, and has never made enemies. Who wants to harm her?

Could it be that old nanny? Gu Nanjiao caught a fleeting glimpse of murderous intent in her eyes, though it was only for a moment.

Gu Nanjiao quickened her pace and started running, and the people behind her also quickened their pace.

This person has been hesitant to make a move, presumably intending to corner her in a secluded spot before striking. She absolutely must not run in a narrow direction.

Gu Nanjiao was running very fast and didn't pay attention to her feet. Suddenly, she felt a pain in her groin, lost her balance, and fell forward.

Ignoring the pain in her groin, Gu Nanjiao continued running forward, limping on one leg. Unfortunately, this time the dark figure behind her didn't give her a chance to run any further. It kicked Gu Nanjiao in the waist, and before she could get up, a gleaming large knife was thrust fiercely at her.

Gu Nanjiao fiercely raised her head and rammed it into his crotch. The man had not expected the weak woman in front of him to make such a move.

He covered his face with one hand and gritted his teeth, saying, "You bitch, I'm going to tear you to pieces."

Gu Nanjiao felt dizzy and saw stars. Two streaks of blood flowed from her nose. She wiped them away hastily and continued running.

But she was no match for the fierce-looking man. She hadn't run two steps before he grabbed her hair and slammed her to the ground.

He gripped Gu Nanjiao's neck tightly, a sinister glint in his eyes: "You bitch, you're pretty good at running. You dare kick me? I'll send you to meet the King of Hell."

Seeing the woman in front of him being choked and unable to breathe, the man burst into laughter.

When he is at his most triumphant, he is often most relaxed in his vigilance.

Gu Nanjiao's eyes rolled back as she was being choked. Her instinct for survival made her pull out the hairpin from her hair and stab it fiercely into the man's eyes...

It happened so fast that the man didn't have time to react. He covered his eyes and screamed.

"ah!"

Gu Nanjiao raised her leg again and kicked him in his most vulnerable spot, but the man covered it tightly with his other hand.

In the blink of an eye, Gu Nanjiao quickly picked up the knife he had dropped and stabbed him viciously...

Before she could even stab him, the man kicked her against the wall.

A gleaming broadsword approached Gu Nanjiao. She thought, "It's over. I won't see the sun rise tomorrow."

In a daze, she seemed to see Lu Yanzhao.

Lu Yanzhao went to attend the Qionglin Banquet, and I heard he was staying at the palace. How could he possibly come back?

Before she died, the person she most wanted to see was Lu Yanzhao.

No, the person in front of me is Lu Yanzhao. He kicked that man away, and there's someone else helping Lu Yanzhao. He vaguely looks like Zheng Shiyi.

Gu Nanjiao wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and struggled to her feet.

Lu Yanzhao came to save her; she won't die.

Zheng Shiyi pinned the man to the ground, and Lu Yanzhao picked up his broadsword and slashed at him fiercely.

Crimson blood splattered on his face, hair, and clothes, adding to his bloodthirsty appearance.

The person on the ground was dead, and Zheng Shiyi dragged him away. Lu Yanzhao came to Gu Nanjiao and touched her cheek with trembling hands.

Gu Nanjiao grabbed Lu Yanzhao's waist and burst into tears, ignoring the blood on her body.

Since transmigrating, she had never cried. This was the first time she had cried so pathetically in front of Lu Yanzhao, looking as wronged as a child.

"Don't be afraid!" Lu Yanzhao gently patted Gu Nanjiao's shoulder, coaxing her softly. But a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

Didn't Chu Luoxun say that all the tails following Gu Nanjiao had been cleared out? Why did this still happen?

Gu Nanjiao leaned on Lu Yanzhao's shoulder, feeling inexplicably at ease. He carried her on his back, slowly walking towards the rented courtyard.

"Fire! Fire! Quick, put it out!"

Flames were shooting into the sky and smoke was billowing in the distance. People crowded around the alley entrance, men and women carrying wooden buckets and basins to put out the fire.

The chaotic crowd in the alley scattered like headless flies, crying and shouting.

"Who was the wicked one who set this fire?! My newly bought yard is gone in a single fire."

"I heard that the top scholar's house was flooded, and it affected the neighbors. It's a pity. He just became the top scholar, and he's probably being envied by others."

"My father-in-law is a scholar who passed the imperial examination, and my son-in-law is the top scholar in the imperial examination. We can't help but attract envy!"

Lu Yanzhao's pupils contracted, and Gu Nanjiao, ignoring the pain in her body, slid off him and rushed into the alley, only to be grabbed by Lu Yanzhao.

"What are you doing? My father... my father is still inside."

Lu Yanzhao's eyes were bloodshot as he tried his best to suppress his emotions. His voice was hoarse and deep: "You can't go."

"Let me go!" Gu Nanjiao was very strong. She slowly pried off Lu Yanzhao's fingers that were holding her and rushed towards the thick smoke.

While running, Gu Nanjiao accidentally bumped into a woman carrying a bucket of water. She snatched the bucket and poured the water over her head.

Lu Yanzhao also picked up a basin of water, soaked himself, and rushed in with Gu Nanjiao.

The fire raged fiercely, choking Gu Nanjiao so much that she couldn't open her eyes and coughed violently. She couldn't find her father anywhere, nor could she find Lü Siniang or Huang Qingqing.

Gu Nanjiao knew that they were probably in grave danger.

A dull ache throbbed in her heart, as if thousands of ants were gnawing at it.

Her loving father, her fiery yet tender fourth sister, and her spirited Qingqing—where were they? She couldn't find them anywhere.

Even though her throat was burning from the smoke, Gu Nanjiao still opened her mouth and called out, "Father, Mother, Qingqing, where are you?"

The broken roof beams fell like scarlet tongues of fire. Lu Yanzhao reacted quickly, scooped Gu Nanjiao into his arms, and carried her out.

Gu Nanjiao collapsed weakly to the ground and looked up at the sky.

From now on, there will never be a sunny day again!

I touched my heart. Is this the pain of being separated from family?

It turned out she was in so much pain she couldn't breathe.

Lu Yanzhao held Gu Nanjiao quietly as her hot tears fell onto his soft chest, causing him pain so intense he could barely breathe. His hands gradually tightened, clenching into fists.

Why? He hated himself for not being able to protect his family; he hated it so much.

At that moment, Lu Yanzhao felt an overwhelming desire for power. He was determined to climb higher, to reach the pinnacle of power.

He is determined to get to the bottom of this incident.

Who exactly is it that repeatedly harms the people he cares about?

...

After settling Gu Nanjiao in the inn, Lu Yanzhao bought some calming incense and lit it.

After she fell asleep, Lu Yanzhao put on his robe and quietly left the inn.

Although it was springtime, the wind was still quite chilly. Lu Yanzhao moved with the agility of a swallow and went into a secluded courtyard.

The villa was said to be Zheng Shiyi's residence, but it was actually where the Crown Prince met with his advisors.

Chu Luoxun seemed to know that Lu Yanzhao would come tonight, and stood in front of the hall dressed neatly.

Upon seeing Lu Yanzhao, he greeted him with a smile, "Please sit down!"

"Your Highness!"

Lu Yanzhao's eyes were bloodshot, the veins on his forehead bulged, and his fists were clenched tightly as he tried his best to control his emotions.

"You promised me that you would do everything in your power to protect my family. Why is it that today my wife was nearly killed while being chased, and my father-in-law's family perished in a fire?"

Ignoring Lu Yanzhao's restrained rage, Chu Luoxun smiled faintly: "Don't be in a hurry, I have a gift for you!"