"Sister, please don't say that. It's my fault for being useless and unable to protect you, which is why you're trapped here."

Si Beitao lowered her head dejectedly. Since childhood, her older sister had always protected her in every way. Back then, she had defied her family's objections...

She had to come to Beiyin alone to find Yun'er, because only her elder sister supported her and spoke well of her at home. She had stayed in Beiyin for many years.

Her elder sister never blamed her. When she returned, her elder sister even allowed her to travel to Bei Yin again as an envoy of Dongchen.

In the end, he still caused his sister to suffer, and now he is being held captive in this post station by Helian Nie. He is truly useless.

"Alright, I'm your older sister, it's only right that I take care of you. You don't need to feel too burdened. Besides, the current situation is not something that you or I can easily change."

Si Bei Ling Yuan naturally knew what Si Bei Tao Hua was blaming herself for. Now that Dong Chen Kingdom had fallen and the situation was settled, she could only blame themselves for what they had done back then.

They've all underestimated the Northern Yin Emperor. It's perfectly normal for him to have ambitions; looking around, which emperor doesn't aspire to unify the world?

But how many can actually do it? Who would have thought that the tyrannical and unpredictable Northern Yin Emperor would possess such cunning, wisdom, and the ability to patiently lie dormant?

"Peach Blossom, how much do you know about the eldest prince of Bei Yin?"

Si Beiling's beautiful eyes were gentle as she spoke, seemingly unintentionally, as she reached out to remove a ginkgo leaf from Si Beitao's hair.

"Your Highness, Helian Yi? During those years, Helian Yi was just a ten-year-old boy, and we didn't have much interaction. Why did you suddenly ask about this person, Sister?"

Si Beitao frowned and pondered for a moment before giving her answer, but when she mentioned those years in Beiyin,

A tiny figure involuntarily surfaced in my mind—a chubby, pink bundle, so innocently talking like a child.

Si Beitao's thin lips, adorned with rouge, unconsciously curved upwards slightly, before her fox-like eyes dimmed again.

I wonder how that little rascal is doing now...

Si Bei Ling Yuan knew her younger brother all too well. She subtly noticed the unusual expression on Si Bei Tao Hua's face, but didn't ask anything further. She simply smiled faintly and shook her head.

"It's nothing. My sister saw that child the other day and paid a few extra glances at him. She just remembered him today and asked him casually."

Si Beitao's thoughts were disturbed by that small, chubby figure in her heart.

He didn't notice Si Beilingyuan's unusual behavior, just nodded and didn't investigate further.

A faint scent of ginkgo lingered in the air. Si Beilingyuan casually mentioned, "Peach Blossom, how close are the children of the Northern Yin Emperor to him?"

Si Beitao paused slightly, his tall frame bearing a slight tremor. Close? How could a man like Helian Nie possibly have a close relationship with his children, except for that little fool…

"Princess Bei Yin is very close to Helian Nieying..."

When she spoke, her soft, feminine voice carried a hint of unspeakable bitterness, a sorrow for the loss of her country.

He realized he would never have the chance to see that silly girl again, and even if he did, she would be the daughter of the enemy who had destroyed his country.

"In that case, the relationship between the princes and Helian Nie can hardly be considered close."

Si Beiling recalled the princes she had met that night, her fingers twirling a ginkgo leaf, a thoughtful expression on her dignified and noble face.

If she wasn't mistaken, someone would come looking for her soon. But if that were the case, then Helian Nie would truly be pathetic.