Daqing Imperial Palace.

Jiang He was summoned to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Just before stepping into the hall, Jiang He suddenly felt a sense of unease.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

Jiang He knelt on the ground, and after a long time, he still didn't hear Gu Heng call out. Jiang He's heart sank little by little.

"My dear minister, now that Hengxian has fallen to Da Ning, what are your thoughts?"

Even with his head down, Jiang He could feel Gu Heng's gaze fixed intently on him.

"Not an inch of Daqing's territory can be lost."

Jiang He's tone was somewhat heavy, but when Gu Heng actually stood in front of him and asked such a question, this was the only answer he could give.

His answer was forged with the blood and sweat of generations of the Jiang family.

"good!"

Gu Heng patted Jiang He on the shoulder, "Get up."

Last time, Gu Heng underestimated the enemy and took away Jiang He's military power. This time... he handed the military power back to Jiang He.

"I am entrusting military power to you. I believe you will be able to reclaim Heng County."

Jiang He remained silent the entire way from the Hall of Supreme Harmony to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.

After returning to the Marquis's residence, Jiang He went to the ancestral hall.

In the courtyard where Gu Lin was.

"My lord, the Marquis has gone to the ancestral hall."

Gu Lin put his hands behind his back and narrowed his eyes slightly. "After returning from the palace, I went straight to the ancestral hall."

That must be a matter concerning Heng County.

"I understand."

The Jiang family... the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion... have finally reached a crossroads where Jiang He needs to make a decision.

Inside the ancestral hall.

Jiang He knelt before the ancestral tablets, his head bowed deeply.

Gu Lin assured him that he would not harm any of the people in Heng County of Daqing, and that he would make Ayan the rightful heir.

Ayan has the blood of the Jiang family flowing in his veins.

Jiang He twitched the corner of his mouth. "If that day ever comes, I will not stop you."

"At that time, Ayan will lead the Jiang family to a higher position."

And he...

Jiang He's mouth was full of bitterness; he was determined to protect the loyal martyrs of the Jiang family with his life.

Call him rigid or whatever, he is loyal to Daqing, while Ayan will personally wipe Daqing out.

When Jiang He walked out of the ancestral hall, his steps were a little unsteady.

"My lord."

"What is it?" Jiang He's voice trembled slightly.

"Da Ning has captured the border city of Da Xia, and General Chen of Da Xia... has committed suicide by jumping into a well."

A thunderbolt exploded in Jiang He's mind, and his vision went black for a while.

"My lord!"

"I have nothing to do. Prepare the carriages and horses. I am going to the military camp."

......

Gu Heng then gave military power to his elder brother...

Inside Zhaoning Palace, Jiang Yu's brows were furrowed.

With the injustice of General Chen of the Great Xia Dynasty still fresh in our minds, I wonder what my brother is thinking now...

As she pondered, Jiang Yu felt a pang of unease. She stood up and paced back and forth in the courtyard. She had a nagging feeling that when the day came for A Yan to unify Daqing and Daning, her brother would...

No, we have to find a way to stop it.

"Wanji, I need to go back to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence tomorrow."

The next day, Jiang Yu's imperial carriage stopped at the gate of the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence, but Jiang He was not there.

"Your Highness, the Marquis said he needs to go to the military camp to train the troops first, and he will return at noon. He asked you to wait for him at the Marquis's residence."

Jiang Yu nodded slightly and headed straight for Gu Lin's courtyard.

"Gu Lin."

Still slightly out of breath from her anxiety, Jiang Yu said, "My brother..."

“If he didn’t do this, he wouldn’t be Jiang He.”

With just one sentence, Jiang Yu was speechless. Yes, that was just her brother's nature.

"If anything were to happen to my brother, I would not live on alone."

She, Jiang Yu, also has the blood of the Jiang family flowing in her veins.

Just then, Gu Lin's voice rang out again, "But what if the Daqing royal family and your Jiang family have a blood feud?"

Jiang Yu suddenly looked up, "What do you mean?"

Besides Gu Heng, what other deep-seated hatred does the Jiang family have with the Daqing royal family?

"In the battle of Lingzhou back then, both the old Marquis and his wife died in battle, and a few years later Gu Heng ascended the throne as emperor." Gu Lin pursed his lips. "Ayu, didn't you notice?"

Jiang Yu stood there, stunned, her mind filled with nothing but Gu Lin's next words.

"Before each change of the throne in the Great Qing Dynasty, the old Marquis of Dingyuan would die in battle."

"In other words, every time a new emperor ascended the throne in Daqing, the Marquis of Dingyuan was a young man."

Jiang Yu's eyes narrowed sharply, and her hands clenched into fists.

"If the old Marquis hadn't died when Gu Heng ascended the throne, how could Gu Heng have dared to look down on the Jiang family in the slightest? He wouldn't even have dared to mention marrying you."

Gu Lin's fingers also twitched almost imperceptibly for a few moments; he was also a member of the Daqing royal family.

Do you have any evidence?

"For so many years, I have been investigating the great battle in Lingzhou back then. Ayu, give me some more time."

Gu Lin couldn't help but reach out and grab Jiang Yu's shoulder, but a bitter smile appeared on Jiang Yu's face.

"Therefore, the blood of so many members of my Jiang family, the so-called loyalty and martyrdom, is actually a joke."

What a huge joke.

Jiang Yu gradually came to her senses, gave Gu Lin a deep look, and then strode away.

......

"My lord, weren't we supposed to tell the lady about this after we found the evidence?"

Ling Hai looked at Gu Lin with some worry. By doing this, the master was undoubtedly putting himself in opposition to the lady.

"The truth doesn't actually need to be investigated anymore."

Gu Lin lowered his eyes helplessly. He had thought he would have a chance to spend some time with A Yu.

"The blood of the Daqing royal family is so cold."

The marks left on the back of Gu Lin's hand were faintly hot. He had undergone a blood transfusion. Could he sever his connection with the Gu family?

On the other side, Jiang Yu's steps quickened, and her eyes turned crimson.

She lost both her parents in the battle of Lingzhou. It turned out that the late emperor was clearing so-called obstacles for the next emperor. If Gu Lin were to ascend the throne, he would be the biggest beneficiary.

And she gave birth to a child with Gu family blood.

"Your Majesty."

Jiang Yu wiped her eyes and raised her chin. "I'm fine."

"Let's go and wait for our brother to come back."

She couldn't cry; she had to stay calm and plan carefully.

When Jiang He returned to the mansion, he was greeted by Jiang Yu's big smile. Jiang He was stunned. He had thought that Jiang Yu would look at him with a worried expression when she came today.

"Brother is finally back."

"What brings Your Highness here today?" Jiang He's coldness gradually melted away as he looked at Jiang Yu with doting eyes.

"I want to go see Father and Mother with my brother."

Jiang Yu's smile widened even more. "Brother, I miss our parents."

"You're all grown up, and you still miss your parents..." Jiang He was clearly not being sincere. He turned around and ordered the servant to prepare the carriage. "Your Highness didn't say anything in advance. We should also arrange for Your Highness's guards to be on the way."

"I suddenly miss my parents. I have no ability to foresee this."

Jiang Yu smiled with her hands on her hips, but her mouth was full of bitterness.