At Xiao Yugan's command, the eunuchs around him immediately began to make arrangements.

The melodious sounds of string and wind instruments filled the hall, and dancers gracefully entered, their light veils swaying in the breeze, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

As for Ji Zhuo and Lin Xihe, who were still kneeling on the ground, Mu Ruoyan and Xiao Yugan seemed to have forgotten about them.

Ji Zhuo helped Lin Xihe slowly stand up. After the two sat down again, Lin Xihe noticed that Ji Zhuo's hand holding the wine glass tightened slightly, and his knuckles turned white.

A pang of sadness struck her, and she whispered, "Ah Zhuo, I'm sorry. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been put in such a difficult position."

Ji Zhuo immediately shook his head, his tone firm yet gentle: "No, Xi'er, it's not your fault. It's because I couldn't protect you."

Lin Xihe sighed softly and said in a low voice, "Your well-being is what brings me peace of mind. Azhuo, I understand everything."

She understood his helplessness and his heartache.

In this era of clear class distinctions and absolute power, resistance now could not only result in Ji Zhuo's execution but also implicate his entire family. The life of one man could bring peace to two nations, so Xiao Yugan would naturally sacrifice Ji Zhuo without hesitation. Besides, he was currently single-mindedly focused on eliminating Ji Zhuo.

Even though they had a thousand words to say, they could only swallow them silently and bear the bitterness in their hearts.

At this time, under the arrangement of the eunuchs, the daughters of the ministers took turns to perform their talents on stage.

Lin Xihe occasionally looked up and noticed that Mu Ruoyan showed little interest in the women performing, his gaze indifferent, as if it had nothing to do with him.

Until the eunuch loudly announced: "Sun Ningxiang, daughter of Sun Mozhi, Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices!"

Lin Xihe's attention was instantly drawn to it.

Sun Ningxiang was dressed in a moon-white gauze robe embroidered with stars, with a white inner garment underneath and a white jade pendant at her waist. She looked ethereal and otherworldly, like a fairy descending to earth.

Lin Xihe hadn't seen her for a long time, and had almost forgotten about her.

The female protagonist in the original book was once engaged to Ji Zhuo, but the engagement was later broken off. Lin Xihe didn't know how Sun Ningxiang was doing after the engagement was broken off, but seeing her today, she was still radiant and beautiful, so she must be doing well.

Lin Xihe paid special attention to Sun Ningxiang, and her attitude was different from that of others. This subtle behavior naturally caught Mu Ruoyan's attention.

Mu Ruoyan had investigated this person before; she was just a woman who had been engaged to Ji Zhuo. Why was she so concerned about her? Mu Ruoyan sneered inwardly and turned her gaze to Sun Ningxiang.

However, the coldness in his eyes ran even deeper.

He knew Sun Ningxiang's true identity all too well—she was nothing more than a spy planted in Da Hao by the Western Regions, destined to die sooner or later. Moreover, she had sent assassins to kill Lin Xihe and even participated in the plot by Gu Qinghuai's cousin to kidnap Lin Xihe.

The only reason Mu Ruoyan spared her life was because she still had value to him. He also sent people to keep a close eye on Sun Ningxiang's movements, fearing that she might try to frame Lin Xihe again.

Lin Xihe suddenly remembered that Sun Ningxiang and Mu Ruoyan had a romantic relationship in the book. Mu Ruoyan would be healed by her, and might even fall in love with her.

Thinking of this, Lin Xihe couldn't help but look up at Mu Ruoyan.

She noticed that Mu Ruoyan's gaze was fixed on Sun Ningxiang, never leaving her for a moment. When the other noble ladies went on stage, he would only glance at them casually, but his eyes were particularly focused on Sun Ningxiang.

Does he like her?

Or... the person he hid was her?