After the guards left, Hua Qingcheng slowly bent down and picked up the zither from the ground. She gently stroked the strings, feeling the subtle vibrations from her fingertips, a hint of sadness in her eyes. Then, without hesitation, she put the zither away in her own space villa.

"Gongyang Yuheng, I have already killed Xiahou Jing and Xiahou Yu, avenging your blood feud and repaying your debt of gratitude. I hope that in your next life... you will never be so foolish again!"

Hua Qingcheng's voice echoed in the air, carrying a hint of determination and helplessness. She slowly turned her head, her gaze falling on Xia Houjing and her daughter lying on the ground, a trace of undisguised disgust flashing in her eyes.

After a moment, she resolutely turned around and left the prison.

At the end of the Wei hour, Hua Qingcheng returned to the East Palace on Xiangyun horse.

Hua Qingcheng frowned slightly as she gazed at the deserted Princess's bedroom. Her gaze swept across the empty palace, as if searching for something. However, she found no answer. After a moment's contemplation, Hua Qingcheng left the bedroom and headed towards Lingkun Courtyard.

Walking in the courtyard, before entering the dormitory, Hua Qingcheng heard a familiar voice. It was Mu Lige's voice, full of tenderness and love, coaxing the children.

"Be good, Longlong... Be good, Fengfeng... Xiao Qingguo, you are your uncle, why are you crying so loudly? Your nephews and nieces will laugh at you!" There was a hint of teasing in Mu Lige's tone, but more of it was doting on the children.

Hua Qingcheng walked into the house and saw Yu Xiaotian and Si Chengfeng holding the well-fed Fengfeng and Longlong, while Mu Lige was holding Hua Qingguo, who was crying loudly and had only taken a few sips of milk, and coaxing her gently.

At this time, Ye Maochun on the side said with a little embarrassment: "Xiao Qingguo, can Daddy feed you another meal? Don't always pester your brother-in-law, he still has to take care of your nephews and nieces!"

Hua Qingcheng watched this heartwarming scene, feeling an inexplicable warmth well up in her heart. She walked over to Mu Lige and gently took Hua Qingguo in her arms, but remained silent, simply looking at the little one. Miraculously, Hua Qingguo, held in Hua Qingcheng's arms, soon stopped crying and quietly nestled in her arms.

However, the next moment, when Hua Qingcheng handed the child back to Ye Maochun, the words she said shocked everyone: "Dad, Hua Qingguo is your son. You should raise him. Don't let him keep pestering Su Mulige."