A chill ran through Si Beitaohua, her grip on the peach wood umbrella tightened, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Helian Ci was growing impatient. He pulled on the reins, the long sword in his hand gleaming coldly. The sound of the horse's hooves pounded, carrying a hint of murderous intent.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves approached. Everyone looked and saw Helian You leading a group of people, riding towards them.

"Royal brother."

Helian Ci raised an eyebrow and glanced at the carriage behind Helian You. It was quiet beneath the carriage curtain, and the people inside could not be seen.

"You caught them?"

Helian You nodded slightly. The group of people under Si Beitaohua, along with Empress Dongchen, had not escaped far before they were captured by their own men.

Helian Yi glanced at Si Beitao Hua, then looked up at Helian You, who nodded and gestured to the soldiers beside the carriage.

The soldier understood and spoke, and the carriage curtain was lifted from the inside. Inside the carriage sat a maid and a beautiful woman with a dignified and extraordinary appearance.

The maid was given to someone in Helian Yi's residence, after all, considering that Empress Dongchen was a woman, it wouldn't be appropriate to have soldiers guarding her closely.

"Sister." Si Beitao murmured, staring in the direction of the beautiful woman. Pain was evident on his face. In the end, he still couldn't protect his sister.

"Empress!" The person behind Si Beitao Hua's expression changed, gripping the long sword tightly in their hand. "Lord, what should we do?"

Si Beitao did not answer, but stared in the direction of the beautiful woman, his tall figure remaining motionless.

Suddenly, the beautiful woman's lips parted silently. Si Beitao was startled. "Sister, let him go back with Bei Yin and the others..."

Si Beitao closed the peach-colored umbrella she had been holding. The people behind her cried out in shock, but Si Beitao stopped them.

With a wave of his hand, Helian Cichanggan, the soldiers of Beiyin confiscated all the weapons of Sibei Taohua and the others, thus bringing to a close their journey tonight.

A thoughtful look crossed Helian Yi's gentle face, and his eyes held a hint of inquiry as he gazed at the beautiful woman.

The beautiful woman noticed Helian Yi's gaze, returned it with a slight smile, then looked away and quietly returned to the carriage.

Helian Yi pursed his lips. He had heard from his maternal grandfather that the Empress of Dongchen was an extremely shrewd person, even capable of handling internal strife in Dongchen to the very end.

The Empress's faction won. If Bei Yin hadn't taken advantage of Dong Chen's weakened state to attack Dong Chen, Dong Chen would now be under the control of the Empress's faction.

The reason why the remnants of Dongchen's faction still have a voice is because of this empress. No wonder Helian Nie is determined to find Si Beitao and others.

Because of the empress's existence, there is nothing short of a hidden danger. If he were to join forces with the empress, would there be any possibility of eliminating Helian Nie...?

"Brother, what are you thinking about? Let's go back."

Helian You's voice suddenly rang out beside him. Helian Yi's fingers, hidden beneath his sleeve, stiffened slightly. He looked up.

"What is it?"

Seeing that Helian Yi looked absent-minded, Helian frowned slightly. "It's nothing. It's getting late. Go back and rest early."

After saying that, he pulled on the reins, turned around, and prepared to ride away.

"etc."

Helian Yi's heart skipped a beat, and he almost blurted out, "Helian You paused, turned around, and waited for Helian Yi to speak." Helian Yi suppressed the complex emotions in his heart.

"Shouldn't the three of us escort Si Beitaohua and Empress Dongchen to the post station for their lodgings?"

"This matter?"

"Father changed his mind at the last minute. This matter is no longer our concern. My uncle will arrange their accommodations. They're leaving."

Helian You waved and followed the group led by Helian Ci, gradually disappearing into the night.