The chief eunuch knelt in front of the dragon table and added a few pieces of green turmeric to the Suan Ni incense burner. The smoke was thick and a faint bitter aroma floated in the air.

Li De looked in the direction Yao Ying left, lost in thought for a moment, and suddenly asked, "Do you think Qi Niang looks like a person?"

The eunuch put down the gilded silver spoon and answered carefully: "The Seventh Princess is extremely beautiful, with some of the grace and charm of the young emperor."

If you look at the eyebrows and eyes, the Seventh Princess is not like anyone else. Among all the princes and princesses, she is the only one with a pair of big and slender charming eyes.

Li De's mouth twitched, "Fu Nian, who do you think understands me the best in this world?"

The eunuch thought for a while and said, "Of course it's the late queen."

Li De's face was covered with fine wrinkles as he smiled, and a hint of melancholy flashed across his phoenix eyes.

He had only loved one woman, Tang Ying, in his life, but Tang Ying never understood him. What she wanted was a devoted husband and a warm and happy family, not an emperor.

"The person who understands me best in this world is Xie Wuliang."

A flash of surprise passed across the eunuch's face.

Li De understood what the eunuch was thinking: Since Xie Wuliang understands you best, why are you so cold to Concubine Xie and her children?

Just like Tang Ying questioned him again and again back then: My husband loves and respects me, why do you want to marry other women?

Because he was not only Li De, but also the great general of Weijun to whom countless soldiers were loyal.

After Tang Ying's death, many people asked Li De: Do you regret it?

Li De, who had just lost Tang Ying, of course regretted it. His hair turned white overnight and he was furious. He took out all his anger on Xie Manyan and Li Zhongqian.

There was only one person who never asked Li De whether he regretted it.

He calmly packed Xie Manyan's luggage and sent her away to avoid disaster. He asked Li Zhongqian to give up his military career and focus on studying books from now on, and never touch the pair of drum-beating jars and golden hammers again in his life.

After finishing everything, he returned to Jingnan and never set foot out of Jingnan again.

Finally died in Jingnan.

The only person in the world who understood Li De is dead.

The only woman he had ever truly loved in this world had also turned into dry bones.

His only favored and beloved son is capricious, gloomy and deep-seated. When he grows up, he will definitely kill his father to avenge his mother.

Li De knew that he would suffer guilt and pain for the rest of his life because of Tang Ying's death.

But he has no regrets.

The Wei army recovered most of the country and the Wei Dynasty was established. Given time, he and his descendants would surely accomplish the great cause of unifying the country and conquering the world.

The rivers are clear and the seas are calm, the country is peaceful and the people are safe.

This road is destined to be difficult and lonely.

He can go on alone.

Even if the result is being abandoned by everyone and living alone for the rest of your life.

This is what a ruler should do.

Li De opened a memorial and said, "I just realized today that the one who understands me the most among all my children is actually Qi Niang."

A glimmer of joy flashed across the eunuch's eyes: Is His Majesty going to treat the Seventh Princess well?

Li De took in his expression and looked mocking.

He was about to issue an edict to have Qiniang marry a foreigner.

If Qi Niang was not Xie Manyuan's daughter, and not Li Zhongqian's biological sister, just based on her insight, he might have kept her by his side.

Unfortunately she is.

He would not leave any hidden dangers for Li Xuanzhen. The more Qiniang understood him, the more he could not keep her.

…

Yaoying slept for a day and a night.

The next morning, the Eastern Palace sent someone to inquire about the news, but he was driven away by the Zhonglang Jiang Xu Biao who was wielding a spear.

Half an hour later, Li Xuanzhen came in person.

Hu Changshi stood in front of the door and sneered: "Your Highness, can you wait until our noble master can get out of bed before coming?"

Li Xuanzhen frowned slightly.

Wei Ming stood behind him and asked with a smile: "Is the Seventh Princess really that ill? I know a little bit about medicine, why don't I take the princess' pulse?"

Li Yaoying fell ill just after the deal was finalized. Why did she fall ill in such a strange way?

Changshi clenched his fists, his face full of anger. Just as he was about to start cursing, he heard the sound of a door opening behind him.

Xie Qing opened the door and signaled him with his eyes that he should not stop her.

Changshi gritted his teeth and made way.

Li Xuanzhen stepped into the room and heard Wei Ming sniffing.

There was no smell of medicine in the room.

Wei Ming whispered, "It's really weird! The Seventh Princess must be pretending to be sick..."

He spoke with great conviction.

But when his eyes fell on Li Yaoying who was half leaning on the bed, his tone immediately became uncertain and he slowly lowered his voice.

Yaoying's face was pale, her lips were slightly blue, without a trace of blood, and she looked like she was seriously ill.

Wei Ming wondered in his heart: Is the Seventh Princess really sick?

Li Xuanzhen stood in front of the footstool, far away from the bed, and his eyes stayed on Yao Ying's face for a moment.

Sunlight streamed into the room, filtered through a large floor-standing screen inlaid with embroidered landscapes and figures, and shrouded his shoulders. In the melting golden light, his handsome face was hidden in a semi-darkness.

A pair of narrow and long phoenix eyes, cold and dark.

Yao Ying was in a trance. She stared at Li Xuanzhen for a moment, then suddenly called softly, "Brother..."

Everyone in the room was stunned.

Yao Ying panted slightly, her eyes fell on Li Xuanzhen's face, and she murmured in a low voice: "Brother is back."

The chief historian lowered his head and wiped away his tears.

Li Xuanzhen said nothing.

Xie Qing stepped forward and bowed, "Princess, this is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Yao Ying looked a little confused. She was stunned for a moment, and the confusion and haziness in her eyes faded away little by little. Her pupils were clearly black and white, and her eyes were rippling.

She looked at Li Xuanzhen, slowly recognized him, and her expression gradually became cold.

"Brother Changsheng, how did you become like this?"

The sigh was vague, as if it was just Li Xuanzhen's illusion.

He raised his eyelids, and it felt as if someone had gently dropped a stone into his heart, causing ripples to spread out.

When he came to his senses, Yao Ying had already regained consciousness and regained her usual expression. She said calmly, "I have already informed the emperor of my intention to marry in his place. The imperial edict will be issued in a few days. Your Highness, don't worry that I will go back on my word."

She spoke weakly, her voice sounded delicate and soft, yet with a sense of distance.

Li Xuanzhen looked at her in silence.

Wei Ming couldn't help but say, "I'm so brave. Princess, please give me a token that can serve as a certificate. Otherwise, the Flying Cavalry will not set foot in Huangzhou."

Yao Ying raised her lips slightly and said sarcastically, "This token must be sent to Chief Yelu, right?"

They were afraid that she would change her mind.

Wei Ming said with a fake smile: "The princess is very smart."

According to his idea, the Eastern Palace should not save Li Zhongqian, but Li Xuanzhen was determined to save Zhu Luyun. After weighing the pros and cons, he felt that this was a good idea. The Seventh Princess would marry far away, and Li Zhongqian would not have to worry about losing his right-hand man.

Maybe Li Zhongqian would get so angry that he would destroy himself... that would be even better.

Wei Ming came to the palace just to ask Li Yaoying for a token of trust so that she would not have any chance to regret.

The Chief Secretary was so angry that he was shaking all over: The princess is so sick, and they are still forcing her!

Yao Ying's expression was calm. She coughed softly and looked at a small box beside the bed.

Xie Qing understood and picked up the box and handed it to Wei Ming.

Wei Ming took the box, opened it, took a look, and a look of delight appeared on his face.

In the box was Feng Yaoying's handwritten letter and her personal ornaments, which were enough to serve as keepsakes.

Yao Ying covered her lips and coughed, looking at Li Xuanzhen, and said weakly: "Your Highness, are you satisfied? Or does Your Highness have to send me to Chief Yelu's bed immediately before you can rest assured?"

The tone was gentle, but the question was the most pointed.

This sentence made Wei Ming frown, and he smiled awkwardly, "I won't disturb the princess's cultivation."

He glanced at Li Xuanzhen.

Li Xuanzhen looked away, turned around and was about to leave.

The chief historian's eyes widened and he shouted, "Wait! Where are your tokens? Who knows if you will keep your promise? The princess gave you the tokens, so you have to show them to her too!"

Wei Ming frowned and looked at Li Xuanzhen.

Li Xuanzhen turned around and stared at Yaoying for a while: "What certificate do you want?"

Yao Ying smiled, her breath was as light as a thread, but her eyes were clear and bright: "Your Highness, your words are as good as gold, why do you need proof?"

Wei Ming was stunned for a moment, looking embarrassed.

Li Xuanzhen pursed his lips slightly, with undercurrents in his eyes. He stood there for a while, then turned and walked out.

The chief secretary immediately ordered the maid to hang the curtains, ran to the bed, and said worriedly: "My lord, do you really not need to ask the prince for a token of trust? What if the prince doesn't keep his word?"

Yaoying took a few breaths and shook her head.

"The prince will not break his promise."

Li Xuanzhen promised to save whoever he wanted, and he would do it, even if that person was his mortal enemy. She was not worried about this.

…

After leaving the palace, Wei Ming suggested that Li Yaoying's token be immediately delivered to the residence where Chief Ye Lu was staying.

"Now, the Seventh Princess can't regret it even if she wants to."

Li Xuanzhen said nothing, but reached out and grabbed the box.

Wei Ming was startled and raised his head.

Li Xuanzhen said, "Keep it for now, and wait until there is news from Huangzhou."

Wei Ming's eyes flashed and he nodded.

When they returned to the East Palace, the servant came to report: "Your Highness, the lady has been waiting for you for a long time."

Li Xuanzhen changed his clothes and went to the inner courtyard to meet Zheng Biyu.

Zheng Biyu looked worried: "Your Highness, is it really only the Seventh Princess who can marry in my place? Can someone else do it?"

Li Xuanzhen rubbed his brows and said, "No."

Zheng Biyu bit her lip, her eyes slightly reddened: "The Seventh Princess is only fourteen years old! She is your sister, even though she has a different mother, she is still your sibling. Your Highness, how can you let the Seventh Princess suffer for Zhu Luyun? If His Majesty is determined to have a marriage, then it will be fine. But this marriage was initiated by Zhu Luyun herself, you shouldn't use this as a bargaining chip with the Seventh Princess!"

Li Xuanzhen suddenly raised his head, his eyes were cold and his voice was deep: "If it's not her, it must be Yunniang. Do you really want to see Yunniang get married?"

Zheng Biyu was startled, and her beautiful face was instantly filled with anger: "What do you mean, Your Highness? Do you think I stopped you in order to make Zhu Luyun marry far away?"

Li Xuanzhen lowered his eyes and said nothing.

Zheng Biyu was shaking all over and was so angry that he couldn't speak for a while.

After a moment, she smiled and said sarcastically, "Your Highness, I am the legitimate daughter of the Zheng family. I have been influenced by poetry and books since I was young and have a reputation for being a virtuous woman. In recent years, Your Highness has repeatedly made inappropriate moves for Zhu Luyun. I do have some complaints, but I have never been jealous of Zhu Luyun. I am Your Highness's wife. Whoever Your Highness loves, I will love and care for her as much as Your Highness does. I only hope that she can make Your Highness happy and at ease."

Li Xuanzhen stared straight ahead, and said quietly, "The Crown Princess has always been virtuous... Then why are you begging for the Seventh Princess?"

Zheng Biyu was silent.

Yes, why should she speak for Li Yaoying?

Li Xuanzhen understood her. She was the daughter of an aristocratic family and had been influenced by her family since she was a child, always putting family interests first in everything.

Calm, rational, selfish.

At that time, the country was in chaos and several branches of the Zheng family joined different forces. Zheng Yu became Li De's aide, while her father chose to assist Li De's mortal enemy.

This is the way for aristocratic families to survive. No matter which side wins in the end, the Zheng family can continue to prosper in the new dynasty.

They have nothing to do with the justice of the world and the suffering of the people; they only care about their own family.

The Xie family was an aristocratic family that took the world as its own responsibility, so the Xie family had few descendants and was eventually completely lost in the war.

They are admired by the world, yet not understood by it.

Only a clan like the Zheng family, which always puts family interests first, can prosper from generation to generation.

As a girl from an aristocratic family, Zheng Biyu is good at calculating and always considers herself and her family in everything.

At the age of fifteen, she married the son of Li De's mortal enemy, and the Zhao family promised to make her the crown princess in the future. A few years later, the Zhao family was defeated, and her father sent her to Li De.

Li De asked Zheng Biyu if she was willing to remarry Li Xuanzhen.

Zheng Biyu agreed without thinking. Before her first husband's body was even cold, she was ready to marry again.

Why would she feel unfair for the Seventh Princess?

Zheng Biyu smiled bitterly and said slowly: "When I first met the Seventh Princess, she was only ten years old. That year, the Zhao family was defeated and the Wei army surrounded the Zhao family mansion. The Zhao family and the Li family were enemies for generations, and they killed the emperor's brother. The old lady knew that the Li family would not let them go after the city was broken, so she asked people to prepare poisoned wine."

…

Zheng Biyu was also with the old lady at that time.

The old lady had tears in her eyes and said to her, "Yu Niang, you are the legitimate daughter of the Zheng family, and you are known for your virtue. The Li family will not kill you, but dozens of people in my Zhao family will not be able to escape this disaster. You and I were once mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and it was also fate. We will part ways today, and we will be separated by the Yin and Yang. If you can see your uncle, I hope you will look at us for the sake of our past friendship and say a few good words for my family members, and at least ask them not to destroy our bodies."

Zheng Biyu choked up and nodded.

There was a blazing fire outside the high wall, and the sound of fighting was getting closer and closer.

Madam Zhao led all the female family members to hide in the Zhao family ancestral hall. The first lady, the second lady, the third lady, the concubines of several princes, the maids in the mansion, as well as the young ladies and the hungry baby girls, all knelt on the ground, covered their faces and cried, trembling.

"Ah Luo, don't be afraid." Mrs. Zhao comforted her beloved granddaughter and trembled as she handed over the poisoned wine. "Drink this glass of wine, and you won't have to be afraid of anything."

A'Luo was already fifteen years old. He realized that the wine his grandmother handed him was poisoned, and he burst into tears out of fear.

All the women in the room burst into tears together, looking very miserable.

At this moment, there was a sudden sound of kicking on the gate, and the soldiers outside shouted and yelled that they wanted to rush into the ancestral hall, with rude and obscene words coming one after another.

The women were horrified and screamed.

Zheng Biyu and his attendants stood aside and did not step forward.

From the moment the Zhao family fell into decline, she had nothing to do with them.

Mrs. Zhao turned pale, grabbed A'luo, pried open her mouth, and cried, "A'luo, be good, drink it, and you won't have to suffer."

A'Luo cried incessantly, but she understood that her grandmother couldn't bear to see her being ravaged by the soldiers, so she slowly opened her mouth.

"Madam Zhao, wait a minute!"

A childish voice suddenly rang out, like the sound of ripe summer fruit, sweet, clean and crisp.

Zheng Biyu looked in the direction of the sound.

I don't know when the noise outside stopped, the door was opened, and a young man wearing a light blue round-necked brocade robe and a lotus jade crown on his head walked in.

When the young man came closer, Zheng Biyu discovered that he was a pretty, bright and fair young lady with skin as white as snow.

The young lady walked up to Madam Zhao, bowed to her, and said, "You are polite, Madam. I frightened you just now, please don't blame me. I have asked outsiders to leave the ancestral hall, and they will not come again."

Madam Zhao stared at the young lady blankly.

The young lady looked at A Luo who was crying heartbreakingly and said: "Sister is so young, can the old lady really bear to let her be buried with the Zhao family?"

Mrs. Zhao looked down at A'luo, and the grandfather and granddaughter hugged their heads and cried bitterly.

The young lady said, "Don't worry, old lady. I will be here today and no one will dare to disrespect you."

She motioned to the attendants behind her.

The servants entered the room, took away the poisoned wine from all the women, and retreated respectfully.

The young lady also went out, and the servant brought a chair. She lifted the corner of her robe and sat on the chair with her toes hanging in the air, not touching the ground.

She coughed.

The servant moved a stool under her feet, and the young lady stepped on the stool and sat upright.

Outside the high wall, there were soldiers shouting and screaming everywhere. The night was dark and smoke was rolling. The young lady sat there until midnight.

During this time, soldiers would occasionally rush into the ancestral hall with lewd and evil smiles on their faces. The young lady's attendants would immediately step forward and say, "Who dares to be so presumptuous when the young lady is here?"

The soldiers were so frightened that they turned around and ran away.

In the late night, there was a chaotic sound of footsteps outside the door, and a group of burly soldiers came in, escorting a young man holding a golden hammer.

The young man was tall and strong, with muscular body under his military uniform. He strode towards the young lady.

The women of the Zhao family in the ancestral hall trembled all over when they saw the newcomer.

Zheng Biyu recognized the young man. The little bully of the Li family had killed many people and was notorious. The young master of the Zhao family died under his double hammers.

Li Zhongqian ran straight to the corridor, his body covered in blood and his face gloomy. When he opened his mouth, his tone was gentle: "What are you doing here?"

The young lady stood up and asked: "Brother, are you injured?"

Li Zhongqian wiped the blood off his sleeve and said, "Other people's blood... It's a mess here. Don't stay here. I'll let Xie Chao take you back."

The young lady shook her head and said, "The women of the Zhao family are all in the ancestral hall. I have to look after them."

Zheng Biyu thought that Li Zhongqian would rebuke the young lady for her nonsense, but he did not say a word of blame. He nodded and ordered his subordinates: "Xie Chao stays. Anyone who dares to offend Qi Niang will be killed without mercy."

After giving a few instructions, Li Zhongqian hurried away with the blood-stained hammers.

The young lady then sat back in the chair and stayed there until dawn.

The next day, Zheng Biyu left with the person sent by the Zheng family to pick her up.

Later, her mother told her that the women of the Zhao family had remained chaste and did not commit suicide. The Li family did not kill all the Zhao family members, but returned the Zhao family's old house and guards and servants to them and allowed them to return to their hometown to settle down.

…

After Zheng Biyu recalled the past, she looked at Li Xuanzhen.

"Your Highness, the Seventh Princess saved the women of the Zhao family, but she never mentioned it. Later, she also saved the women of the Lu family, the Lu family, and the Sun family..."

"That year I gave birth, His Highness was away at war, and rebels appeared in the city, blocking the city gates. The people in the city were in a panic. The eleven-year-old Seventh Princess sent people to take care of me and other women and children, and she herself led the guards to climb the city wall to persuade and intimidate the rebels."

Zheng Biyu will never forget the heavy, depressing, and desperate atmosphere of impending disaster in the city at that time.

The people in the mansion were in chaos. Li De's concubines could only cry, and some of them wanted to surrender. Li Yaoying ordered the execution of the traitor who was trying to open the city gate. She gathered the people in the city in the guise of a daughter of the Li family and guarded the city wall for more than ten days.

After giving birth, Zheng Biyu gritted her teeth and got out of bed, planning to go to the city wall to guard it. She was Li Xuanzhen's wife, and she couldn't let Li Zhongqian's sister get too much attention.

The maid helped her walk to the foot of the city wall. She raised her head and saw the girl in hunting costume bathing in the bright sun on the city wall. She suddenly remembered the scene when she first met Li Yaoying.

After Zheng Biyu married Li Xuanzhen, she asked Li Yaoying: "Qiniang and the Zhao family are not related, why did you save the Zhao family's women?"

Li Yaoying said nonchalantly, "It's enough to raise your hand."

Zheng Biyu was a girl from an aristocratic family. She was sober and rational. After marrying Li Xuanzhen, she devoted herself to Li Xuanzhen. What mattered it to Zhu Luyun, who was always Li Xuanzhen's legal wife, that Zhu Luyun suffered a lot.

Zheng Biyu, who was full of calculations, stood under the city wall, raised his head, looked at Li Yaoying's petite but determined figure, was stunned for a long while, then turned around and went back to his room.

Zheng Biyu knew that Qiniang was not trying to win people's hearts for Li Zhongqian. She just wanted to protect the people in the city and the women and children of the Li family.

Just like how she protected the women of Zhao family, she was also a powerless woman. If she could lend a hand and save the other party from the tragic fate of being ravaged, why not help?

Tears welled up in Zheng Biyu's eyes.

"Your Highness asked me why I spoke for the Seventh Princess. The reason is very simple, because I still have a conscience."

Li Xuanzhen closed his eyes, his hands trembled slightly, and veins popped out on his forehead: "She came to me to beg! She came to me to trade! She is the daughter of Xie's daughter, her life or death has nothing to do with me!"

Zheng Biyu looked at Li Xuanzhen, whose eyes were closed and whose expression was slightly crazy, and sighed.

"Da Lang...you will regret it."

"No!" Li Xuanzhen opened his eyes, undercurrents surging in his eyes, "I won't regret it."

Absolutely not.

…

Two days later, the Flying Cavalry sent back news.

They found Li Zhongqian, who was still in a coma with only five or six death warriors protecting him. Although the situation was urgent, his life was not in danger.

The cavalry team has already started their return journey with Li Zhongqian.

Li Xuanzhen sent someone to deliver the news to the palace.

Yao Ying had just regained consciousness from her coma. She clutched the letter tightly, tears streaming down her face.

My brother is still alive.

As long as her brother returns safely, she is not afraid of anything.

The messenger reminded Yao Ying: "My lord, the chief secretary said that it is time for you to fulfill your promise."

Yaoying clutched the newspaper, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and hummed lightly.

Three days later, a grand banquet was held in the palace. Li De once again entertained Chief Yelu and other tribal leaders and princes. Envoys from various countries, ministers in the court, concubines from the harem, and clan leaders all attended the banquet.

The palace sent guards to pick up Yaoying for the banquet.

Yao Ying was dressed in gorgeous clothes and stepped into the carriage with the help of Xie Qing, holding the Moon Pearl tightly in her hand.