Jia Long stared at Chen Zhennan with a face full of resentment, his eyes flashing with anger and unwillingness, as if he wanted to turn his dissatisfaction into a sharp blade to stab the two people in front of him to death.

Jia Long gritted his teeth, his voice low and trembling: "With so many of you blocking my way and restricting my movements, what do I have to submit to?"

Chen Zhennan looked at him, a mocking smile playing on his lips, his eyes revealing a hint of indifference.

"If I don't restrict your movements, do you expect me to let you escape? Don't you find that ridiculous?"

These words were like a sharp needle, piercing the last glimmer of hope in Jia Long's heart.

As he spoke, Chen Zhennan slowly pulled back the bolt, and with a crisp sound, a bullet was steadily inserted into the chamber. Then he pushed the bolt back up.

Turning around, Chen Zhennan handed the gun to Song Yunyang and said with a sigh, "You come, let the two brothers reunite."

Song Yunyang nodded slightly, took the rifle, and gently stroked the gun body with her fingers, feeling the cold metallic texture.

Taking a deep breath, Song Yunyang composed herself and resolutely pointed the gun at Jia Long's head.

"It's my fate, I can't blame anyone else. Goodbye!"

"Bang!"

A gunshot rang out, seemingly tearing through the air, deafeningly loud.

A hole appeared between Jia Long's eyebrows, and blood slowly flowed down his brow, staining his nose red.

Jia Long stared wide-eyed, his face filled with resentment and shock, as if questioning the injustice of the world.

With a dull thud, his body fell to the ground like a withered leaf, lifeless, transforming into an eternal silence.

With Jia Long's death, the atmosphere in the palace finally eased somewhat.

Chen Zhennan took the rifle back from Song Yunyang and turned to Yan Shiyu, who was walking slowly towards him, and said, "Shiyu, give Jia Long a proper burial and erect a monument for him."

Yan Shiyu nodded slightly, then asked with some curiosity, "Your Majesty, he's just a petty scoundrel, why bother with all this?"

Yan Shiyu found it strange that Song Yunyang had given Wu Yunyin a grand funeral, but after all, she was the former empress of the Great Wu.

But Jia Long was just an assassin after all, and he really couldn't understand why someone like that should be given a proper burial.

"A petty scoundrel? I don't think so. The fact that he dared to break into the palace alone proves that he is no ordinary person. Just do as I say. I will always remember these people and how they opposed me."

Upon hearing this, Yan Shiyu could only nod slightly, and then reluctantly led his men to dispose of Jia Long's body.

After escorting Song Yunyang back to Yong'an Palace, Chen Zhennan returned to the Imperial Study alone.

Jia Long's problem has been solved, but now there is an even bigger problem, and in Chen Zhennan's opinion, it is even more troublesome than Jia Long's.

What should I say when we meet?

Song Yunyang went back to rest, while Chen Zhennan sat alone in the Imperial Study, pondering what gifts he should bring to meet Song Yunyang's parents.

Chen Zhennan couldn't sleep until midnight. His mind was full of ideas and plans, but he just couldn't make up his mind.

At this moment, Yan Shiyu suddenly arrived outside the Imperial Study again.

"Your Majesty, someone is requesting an audience outside the palace gates. He says his name is Ma Ying and that he is a bodyguard under Feng Zirou of the Datong Escort Agency. He says he has something to give you." Yan Shiyu's voice rang out from outside the gates, breaking the silence of the night.

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan slightly raised his head, then lowered his head and pondered for a moment before saying, "Zi Rou's bodyguard? Ma Ying? It's him!"

Chen Zhennan's voice carried a hint of surprise. He suddenly remembered that Song Yunyang had mentioned this person to him, and that it was this person who had taken his dagger.

Thinking of this, Chen Zhennan hurriedly shouted, "Bring the person here to me. Oh, and go to the inner palace to call Yun Yang over!"

Chen Zhennan's voice carried a hint of urgency and anticipation, clearly showing his surprise at Ma Ying's arrival; he hadn't expected her to actually come.

Upon hearing this, Yan Shiyu hurriedly nodded and immediately sent someone to invite Ma Ying in.

After returning to the inner palace, Song Yunyang did not rest. Although she was a seasoned heroine, the gunshot that killed Jia Long deeply shocked her.

Song Yunyang tossed and turned in bed, her mind filled with images of Jia Long before his death.

Just as I was about to get up to pour myself a glass of water, I heard light footsteps outside the door.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor has sent someone to invite you over, saying he wants you to meet someone."

The palace maid's voice sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet night, and Song Yunyang immediately began to mutter to herself upon hearing it.

"Who should we meet at this time?"

Although Song Yunyang found it strange, she thought about it again and realized that Chen Zhennan would never have sent someone to invite him at this time unless it was something important.

She raised her hand to tidy her hair, a sense of anticipation welling up inside her.

"Okay, I'll be right there after I get dressed."

After speaking, Song Yunyang slowly poured herself a glass of water. The cool water slid over her lips, and her mind became more alert.

After getting dressed and turning to leave, Yan Shiyu stood outside the palace gate with his head down, clearly having been waiting for a while.

Upon seeing Song Yunyang emerge, Yan Shiyu hurriedly turned around and led the way, the two walking one after the other toward the Imperial Study.

Walking along the winding palace path, moonlight filters through the treetops, casting dappled shadows, and a gentle night breeze brings a touch of coolness.

After walking for a while, Song Yunyang couldn't contain her curiosity any longer and asked, "Yan Shiyu, who exactly does the Emperor want me to see? Do I know them?"

Yan Shiyu shook his head slightly and said with a faint smile, "Your Majesty, you will find out who it is in a moment. If I tell you now, the Emperor will have gotten excited for nothing."

"Excited? Who is this person who is getting excited so late at night?"

As they spoke, the two arrived outside the Imperial Study. Light shone through the cracks in the door, casting soft bands of light on the ground.

However, the inside of the door was unusually quiet, as if all sounds had been swallowed up.

Yan Shiyu reached out and gently pushed open the door. The hinges creaked softly, breaking the stillness of the night.

Song Yunyang walked in slowly with a face full of curiosity, becoming increasingly curious about who Chen Zhennan had called her over so late at night.

When her gaze fell on the person opposite Chen Zhennan, she was shocked and could hardly believe her eyes.

Standing in front of Chen Zhennan was none other than Ma Ying, who had disappeared for more than half a year.

At this moment, Ma Ying was thin and looked haggard, as if she had gone through countless hardships.

His clothes were worn but clean and tidy, as if he was trying his best to maintain a semblance of dignity.

Song Yunyang's tears welled up instantly, and a wave of bitterness surged in her heart, as if she were being pulled by an invisible thread, and the torrent of emotions was overwhelming.

“Ma Ying…” Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, full of surprise and concern, her eyes glistening with tears, as clear as morning dew.

The moment Song Yunyang saw Ma Ying, she was reminded of that night in the Dayan army camp, of the bodyguards who had died tragically in front of her.