When Ji Fengyao came out after taking a bath, she found that all the maids were gone.

Shang Xiye, who had said he would be home late, sat alone on the cool couch in the side hall. When she saw her come out, he silently extended his right hand to her.

Ji Fengyao was momentarily stunned. She wiped her damp hair with a handkerchief and walked over hesitantly: "Your Highness, what's wrong? Didn't you say you were going to come back late? Why are you back already?"

“That was a trap,” Shang Xiye said, taking her hand and taking the handkerchief from her grasp.

He naturally, gently, and skillfully braided the little bandit's hair.

Although Shang Xiye's words were brief, considering the fight in the courtyard earlier and the abortion and sterilization drugs thrown into the room, Ji Fengyao could easily guess the cause of tonight's events.

It's highly likely that he personally told the Empress Dowager about her pregnancy during the day, which made some people who didn't want him to have an heir restless. So they used a diversionary tactic to lure him away and take advantage of the situation to make their move on her.

As the God of War of the Great Zhao Dynasty, he had never been defeated on the battlefield throughout his life. Unexpectedly, upon returning to his country and home, he was betrayed by his closest relatives. He must be feeling quite distressed right now.

"It's alright, Your Highness. Even the wisest person can make a mistake. As the saying goes, failure is the mother of success. You learn from your mistakes," Ji Fengyao said lightly, picking up where Shang Xiye left off.

Shang Xiye paused slightly in his movements: "You... don't resent me?"

Ji Fengyao turned around, her clear phoenix eyes looking at him with a bright smile, revealing two rows of pearly white teeth: "Your Highness, have you forgotten? We are husband and wife, allies, meant to share both fortune and misfortune. If I am powerless to protect myself, it is because I am incapable of withstanding the storms of your world. I am not qualified to stand in the same world as you, and naturally, I am not qualified to enjoy the respect and glory in your world. Why should I complain to you?"

"You're quite the strong-willed one," Shang Xiye thought, feeling both love and pity for this little bandit.

However, she was right about one thing: once bitten, twice shy. From now on, no matter what happens, he will always prioritize her safety.

And some things, he's tired of, it's time for him to slowly let go.

"I'm not being strong-willed. I just don't want to be a burden to Your Highness. I want to be Your Highness's comrade-in-arms, the kind of comrade-in-arms who can reach the pinnacle of life together," Ji Fengyao said with a playful tone, her little head tilting slightly as she spoke.

Even though Shang Xiye could only see the back of her head, he still thought she looked extremely cute.

His lips were slightly pursed, and his eyes were soft and gentle.

Very well, if she wants to be a swan soaring in the clouds, he will find her a patch of blue sky and pure land.

"Those medicines they threw into the room..." Shang Xiye held a sliver of hope in her heart. Her medical skills were superb, so perhaps they hadn't been injured.

When this was mentioned, Ji Fengyao frowned slightly, but still said, "It's nothing. Although it hurts my body a little, I'll take care of it in the future."

Well, we'll have to wait until she forms her core, then refine the Life-Giving Pill and begin cultivating her body.

It was only thanks to the timely arrival of the young man in the green robe that she was able to dispose of the remaining medicine in the room; otherwise, she would have had to wait until she was reborn and transformed to regain her fertility.

Fortunately, marriage and having children are not currently on her agenda, so she doesn't mind them much at the moment.

But how should she take revenge on those who hurt her?

Is it an act of revenge to ensure their descendants are wiped out?

Or will the abuse intensify, causing them to suffer from lifelong illness and pain?