I warned Shen Jing countless times not to get too close to anyone from the Murong family.

"The court is currently in turmoil, and the situation is unclear. Although the Crown Prince is quite powerful, he must not take sides lightly until the very last moment."

"Remember, don't be fooled by the power and wealth of the Murong family. Keep your distance, only then can we keep our family safe."

However, Shen Jing always looked nonchalant, which made me worry even more.

My worries had finally come true. Somehow, Shen Jing was actually connected to the Crown Prince. When I heard the news, I felt a wave of annoyance, as if a knot of knots were blocking my chest, making my breathing heavy.

"Madam, please take more care and teach our two daughters. Don't let them go astray." I said to my wife.

However, the lady seemed to be bewildered by Shen Jing's appearance. Not only did she not try to persuade her, she was also determined to help Shen Jing win the position of Crown Princess.

"Madam, why are you so confused?" I asked angrily.

"General, Jing'er becoming the Crown Princess will be a great help to the Shen family." The lady defended.

"You don't understand why I want Shen Jing to stay away from the Murong family. Royal families have always been ruthless. If she really becomes the Crown Princess with her status, the Emperor will definitely punish the Shen family for deceiving the emperor!"

I didn't just stand by and watch when Shen Jing got into trouble. I also tried my best to intervene on her behalf. I remember that time, the mistake she made was enough to implicate the entire Shen family, and I was extremely anxious.

In the majestic hall of the imperial palace, I knelt before the emperor in fear and trepidation, with beads of sweat on my forehead.

"Your Majesty, my daughter Shen Jing is young and ignorant. The mistake she made this time was purely due to momentary confusion. I hope Your Majesty will show mercy." I spoke sincerely, trying to excuse her in front of the emperor.

However, she herself was narrow-minded and didn't know how to restrain herself. Even though I had secured a lighter sentence for her, she still didn't repent and continued to do as she pleased.

Looking at her ignorant face, my heart ached. For the safety of the Shen family, for the legacy of my ancestors, for the survival of hundreds of people, I had no choice but to abandon her. Even though I felt extremely reluctant, even though she would resent me, I had no choice.

Since then, the lady has completely changed. She can't stand Shen Qing and makes things difficult for her. She also secretly contacted Shen Jing without telling me. If Qing Qing hadn't told me in time, I wouldn't have known about these things.

Since then, the Madam has completely changed. The gentle, virtuous, and understanding woman she once was seemed to have vanished. She couldn't stand Shen Qing. The eyes that were once filled with love now looked at Shen Qing with disgust and criticism.

No matter what Shen Qing did, Madam always found fault. Sometimes she complained that her gait wasn't dignified enough, sometimes she complained that her tone of voice wasn't gentle enough. At the dinner table, if Shen Qing took a little more food with her chopsticks, Madam would sternly accuse her of being unruly.

Not only that, Madam had also been secretly contacting Shen Jing without my knowledge. In a corner unknown to me, they were secretly plotting something. If Qingqing hadn't informed me in time, I wouldn't have known of these things.

How did she become like this? Qingqing is obviously our daughter! She is a hundred times better than Shen Jing, so why doesn't the lady like her?

Later, Jiang Zhuo, the Minister of Justice, and Qin Wanming, the second son of Qin Taiwei, came to propose marriage. Looking at these two talented young men, I already had a plan in mind.

I know Qingqing also likes Jiang Zhuo. That boy is handsome and responsible, and he is a perfect match for Qingqing, so I am inclined towards Jiang Zhuo in my heart.

"Master, in my opinion, you should let Qingqing marry Qin Wanming." The lady said this with a hint of determination on her face and no sign of compromise in her eyes.

I frowned and asked in confusion, "Why does Madam say that? Qingqing's heart clearly belongs to Jiang Zhuo, so why do you want her to marry Qin Wanming?"

The lady snorted and replied, "Master, Qin Wanming is the son of the Grand Marshal and has even greater power. If Qingqing marries him, it will bring more benefits to the Shen family. Besides, Qin Wanming also said that he can make Jing'er the Crown Princess as well. Why not kill two birds with one stone?"

"Madam, don't just focus on the immediate benefits. Isn't your happiness more important than these?"

The lady turned her head away, her tone still firm: "Master, I am doing this for the sake of the Shen family."

Looking at my wife's stubborn look, I felt helpless and disappointed.

I also understand Qingqing's temper. I don't want to see Qingqing arguing with the lady. That scene makes me feel helpless and heartbroken.

So I had no choice but to send my wife to the farm, thinking of bringing her back on Qingqing's wedding day. When I made this decision, my heart was filled with helplessness and bitterness, but for the peace of my family and for the smooth preparation of Qingqing's wedding, I had no other choice.

After dealing with the affairs at home, I went to Qingzhou in person to apologize to the Cheng family.

As I stepped into the Cheng family's gate, I felt filled with guilt. I lowered my head and said to Old Madam Cheng, "Old Madam, I have let the Cheng family down and Xue Niang down."

Madam Cheng looked at me with a look of dissatisfaction and helplessness in her eyes. She sighed and said, "Forget it, now that you have admitted your mistake, tell me why you came here."

I hurriedly said, "My daughter Qingqing is about to get married. I hope the old lady will consider our past friendship and prepare the wedding for Qingqing."

With the consent of Mrs. Cheng, I finally felt relieved.

But when Qingqing told me that Murong Zhi wanted to kill the Shen family, I was shocked. I thought this day would come, but I didn't expect it to come so soon.

"Father, we can't just sit there and wait for death." Qingqing's eyes were firm.

"So what do you think?" I asked.

Qingqing proposed a very bold idea, "Let's overthrow the Murong family and become emperor ourselves."

I was a little hesitant at first, but for the Shen family and to no longer be manipulated by others, I agreed.

"Father, you just go and recruit soldiers, I will handle the problems in the capital." Qingqing said confidently.

Murong Zhi's cruelty had already incited widespread public outrage, and many were eager to rebel. I easily gathered my forces and led them back to the imperial city.

When we entered the city, everything in it had already been arranged.

My daughter is really amazing.

But my wife was captured by Murong Yu. She even sacrificed herself to save Shen Jing, that ungrateful person.

Shen Qing ordered everyone to try their best to treat her, but the lady eventually did not make it and passed away.

She and I were young and deeply in love, and we once shared a romantic moment under the moonlight, vowing to each other forever. But people change, and I thought I could accept her changes, but I overestimated myself.

"Madam, you are tired. Please have a good rest." I stood in front of Madam's coffin, my eyes blurred with tears.

The beautiful memories of the past flooded into my heart like a tide, but now all that remains is this cold farewell.