After Yuwen An finished speaking and left, a figure landed on the large tree in the courtyard, which was shrouded in moonlight.
Yuwen An glanced back at him but didn't linger.
Yu Qingyi stood in the courtyard for a while before going inside.
"My men followed and saw Sister Qin go down the cliff, so they didn't come back up."
As Yu Qingyi spoke, she casually sat down on a chair to the side, her peach-blossom eyes flickering, her expression dejected. "I thought you would make up with Sister Qin."
"And then let her see me die a horrible death every day?"
Yuwen Yao put down his pen and stared at Yu Qingyi. "Yu Qingyi, I don't want that."
“But how heartbroken Sister Qin must be.” Yu Qingyi’s face was clouded with sadness, and her voice suddenly softened. “She has no idea that you don’t have much time left to live, more than she thinks she knows.”
"Actually, I'm glad I'm going to die. I used to think that I had everything under control and could cover up all the truths. But now... everything has been revealed. Even if I live, there will always be an insurmountable gap between her and me. Will the Yun clan forgive me when they learn the truth about Aunt Yun's death? Will they agree to let Qin'er be with the son of the enemy who killed the clan? So it's destined and can't be changed."
"you……"
"Send more people to keep an eye on the Emperor Emeritus."
"I really wanted to kill him with one blow."
"Don't act impulsively."
...
After parting ways with Nan Lingqin, Xu Yiran was wandering in a secluded alley when she saw a woman crying softly ahead.
"Hmph, just an unwanted concubine's daughter, trying to snatch her from us."
Beside the woman, several brightly dressed women were leaving with disdain and sarcasm.
The wind howled silently. Xu Yiran turned to leave, but then stopped, turned back to look at the woman crouching by the wall, weeping. She frowned slightly. "You are the daughter of the Minister of War..."
The woman looked up at the sound of her voice, her eyes slightly moist as she looked at Xu Yiran, a hint of surprise in them. "Yes, my name is Li Qingru, and you are... Teacher Xu..."
"I dare not accept such praise."
The woman was Li Qingru, the fourth daughter of the Minister of War, who had been bullied by others but later received help from Nan Lingqin.
Xu Yiran looked at the woman, then suddenly raised her sleeve, and with a gust of wind, she managed to help Li Qingru up.
“I remember you once received help from Xiao Qin. She gave you advice and strategies. Now that the eldest daughter of the Minister’s family is dead, even if you are not particularly outstanding, you shouldn’t be bullied like this.” Xu Yiran lowered her clear eyes slightly, expressing her doubt.
Upon hearing this, Li Qingru gave a slight curtsy and sighed, "Young Master Xu is right. Since you are Sister Lingqin's friend, I don't need to hide anything from you. It seems like my good days should have arrived, but since my eldest brother and eldest sister died, the Minister's Mansion has lost its pillar. Its former glory has vanished in an instant. Although the illegitimate son is supporting it, the family's reputation is not bright. Moreover, now that the new emperor has ascended the throne and is purging the court, the Minister's Mansion, which was previously disloyal to the Crown Prince, has even less reason to expect anything from him. At such a time, I cannot stand out to avoid being resented..."
As Li Qingru said this, she tugged at her sleeve again, helplessly saying, "Even though I try to be patient, I still get bullied by these young ladies, so I thought I should just bear with it."
"Your method isn't entirely bad. Once the storm passes, things will eventually calm down and rise again."
"Thank you for your kind words, Young Master Xu, but this is the capital of Beirong. Why are you here, Young Master Xu...?"
Li Qingru then cautiously looked around, her voice not lowering slightly, "But it's not easy to leave the city. I can help."
"No, you may return to your residence. I have my own place to go."
"……yes."
After Xu Yiran finished speaking, she walked away. The long street was quiet for a long time before Li Qingru turned back and headed towards the Minister's Mansion.
"Fourth Miss, I've finally found you! Madam, Madam has arranged a marriage for you..."
"What? Which company is it this time?"
"I heard that she is the son of the Prime Minister's family, and he is going to be her third concubine."
"..."
The sounds behind her faded away, and Xu Yiran closed her eyes, not wanting to pay any attention.
In this world, he didn't want to concern himself with anyone except Xiao Qin's affairs.
"Young Master Xu, please help me."
However, Li Qingru suddenly stepped forward and blocked Xu Yiran's way.
"Can you do me a favor?"
Xu Yiran looked at Li Qingru. To be honest, if it weren't for Xiao Qin, he wouldn't have stopped to talk to her. So he said calmly, "I don't want to meddle in other people's business."
"Please, for the sake of Sister Lingqin."
Xu Yiran wasn't a soft-hearted person, but because of the name Ling Qin, he stopped again. "Tell me, let me take a look."
Li Qingru hesitated for a long time before speaking with a somewhat unnatural expression.
After listening to Li Qingru's words, Xu Yiran's expression turned slightly cold as she looked at Li Qingru and asked, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, only in this way can I truly escape the fate of being married at any time."
Xu Yiran stared at Li Qingru for a moment, then looked away without any expression. "No wonder Xiao Qin was able to help you back then. In some ways, you two are similar; you are both so cruel to yourselves."
Despite the cold wind, Li Qingru stood ramrod straight, her thin clothes contrasting with her curved eyebrows and delicate features bathed in moonlight. Though not strikingly beautiful, she was nonetheless quite remarkable.
"good."
Xu Yiran lowered her arrogance and turned around. "Come with me."
Li Qingru immediately followed, but the two had only taken a few steps when they suddenly felt the air become icy cold.
Xu Yiran's expression changed, and as countless men in black suddenly surged out from all around, she took Li Qingru and quickly flew away.
"The Ministry of Personnel has actually colluded with the Hall Master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall! Quickly, report this to the Emperor..."
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