Report to the Prime Minister, I have bad intentions towards you

My father is a wealthy prime minister, and he is obsessed with money.

But this time, he was willing to use a small mountain of gold to get me a high-ranking official.

The next day, the news spread throughout Pingjing.

Who would have thought that the mortal enemy Xie family would intervene and ask the emperor to let me be a minor official under him.

The money-hungry dad was furious after hearing this and cried, “All the money was wasted?”

1

In Liang State, it was common for daughters to serve as officials.

But my father, the famous miser prime minister, actually spent a mountain of gold to buy me a high-ranking official position.

The news spread throughout Pingjing the next day.

Who would have thought that Xie Yun, the son of my mortal enemy, would intervene and, under the pretext of easing relations, made me a minor official under him.

The emperor was clearly watching the fire from the other side of the river, enjoying the excitement and sending a cute little girl like me into the tiger’s mouth. I cried.

But I don’t know who should be pitied, me or my father. All the families sent various gifts to me, and some even took the opportunity to mock me.

Dad was so angry that he didn’t even want to fly his bird.

I looked at the room full of rare treasures and began to count them carefully.

“Xiao Ping, tell Lord Li that I really like this wreath. In ten days, it will be his 70th birthday. I will definitely prepare something more beautiful for him then.”

“Oh, and by the way, ask him what color chrysanthemums he likes.”

I picked a chrysanthemum from the huge wreath and put it on my head.

“And this jade ruyi, remember to change it to a gold one next time.”

I know exactly how many of these old foxes are just watching the show and causing trouble.

Xiaoping saw that I was content and thought that I had thought of a way to deal with the situation.

Before long, everyone in the mansion gathered in front of me, curious about what solution I had come up with.

I was confused.

“How about… help me prepare a coffin?”

The housekeeper turned pale with fright and hurriedly reported my suicide attempt to my father.

After hearing this, the old man was so angry that he simply refused to attend the morning court.

At an old age, he forced me to carry out assaults, learn how to be an official, and memorize hundreds of military books.

I held the book in my hand, frowning and thinking deeply from time to time.

This made the old man’s eyes red, and he told everyone that his daughter had finally ended up hanging around.

I turned a deaf ear to the outside world and focused on thinking about what color coffin Xie Yun liked.

2

I was still thinking about this ceremonial question until the moment I stepped into the Zhongshu Pavilion.

But before he could think for long, he was interrupted by a voice so cold that it could kill someone.

“I am waiting for Lin Ge’s subordinates in the inner hall.”

Xie Yun left a word and passed by me.

It is said that a new official will start with three big moves, but before I could even start, I was completely wiped out by Xie Yun.

Inner hall.

I slammed the desk angrily and almost vomited blood.

“Xie Yun, what right do you have to reduce my official rank and deduct my salary?”

On the first day, this thing blatantly made things difficult for me. Is there any justice in this world?

Xie Yun raised his eyelids symbolically and spoke in a bland tone.

“Some people say that the cabinet members accepted bribes privately. This is just routine work for me.”

Oh, that’s it?

Hearing this, I was no longer angry. I pinched the flesh on my waist and tears suddenly welled up in my eyes.

Damn it, I pinched you too hard.

Without waiting for Xie Yun to react, I cried out my injustice.

“If receiving a sacrifice is considered a bribe, then I have nothing to say.”

“Being cursed to death by this old minister is what this humble official deserves.”

After I finished speaking, I sobbed out of politeness.

When Xie Yun saw me crying, his handsome face froze for a rare moment, as if he didn’t expect me to do this.

He glanced at me and muttered lightly, “Why are you still the same as before?”

I didn’t hear clearly, but I was too lazy to ask.

After all, he is a moody idiot.

“Lin Zhenzhen, take care of yourself.”

Oh yeah, he’s still a moron who likes to threaten people.

I secretly rolled my eyes, straightened my black hat and slipped out.

3

In the Zhongshuge, I don’t have much official duties. I just review memorials. The important matters are left to Xie Yun to decide.

Adhering to the principle of peaceful coexistence, I try to avoid seeing Xie Yun except for official business.

That day, I hid behind the bookshelf and read storybooks with the clerk.

I was enjoying the show when a dark shadow blocked the light and I clicked my tongue in dissatisfaction.

The words that he had prepared fell silent when he saw Xie Yun’s abominable face.

No wonder my mother said that good-looking people always have some secrets that cannot be told.

For example, now, I was carried to the inner hall by Xie Yun with a gloomy face.

He started with a cold question.

“Am I the god of plague? Do I want my subordinates to avoid me like snakes and scorpions?”

Huh? You didn’t take my storybook?

I was numb, looking at his flickering eyes, has this guy come up with a new trick?

He cursed a thousand times in his heart, but on his face he still had his usual servile smile.

“My family is poor lately, and I’m afraid that you might upset my master and deduct my monthly salary.”

He laughed, obviously out of anger.

“Lin Zhenzhen, okay, you are fine, but you are pretending to be so fake again.”

I was puzzled. “Our Lin family has been like this for generations, how come you just found out?”

As soon as I finished speaking, I was thrown out.

Very good, I successfully angered my boss.

I silently took out my little notebook.

On the eighth day of October, Xie Yun was not sure if he had his period or not, but he became very angry and refused to close the coffin.

4

Ever since I displeased Xie Yun for no reason, he has been finding all kinds of ways to torture and destroy my body and mind.

Today I am asked to copy official documents, and tomorrow I am asked to check the accounts for errors and omissions.

Xie Yun, this bastard, a gentleman can be killed but not humiliated!

Just as I was running to confront Xie Yun in a hurry, holding on to my black hat, I accidentally bumped into an extremely erotic scene.

Inside the pavilion, Xie Yun was seen with his official robe loose, leaning lazily on a bench.

Kneeling beside his legs was a charming woman with red lips. Her appearance was so alluring that even I found it fascinating.

I trotted over and touched the beauty’s waist, then sat down leisurely and started eating lychees.

The woman never expected me to be like this. She couldn’t help but exclaimed and pointed at me for a long time, not knowing what to say.

I blew a hooligan whistle and looked at the beautiful woman’s angry face quite innocently.

“Why? Didn’t the adults tell you that I have a special hobby?”

“Lin Zhenzhen!”

Xie Yun’s shout scared me so much that I almost fell off my seat.

What the hell?!

Is it necessary for a woman?

The answer is yes.

Because the pitiful and hot beauty in front of him is Xie Yun’s sweetheart, Liu Liu.

Anyway, that’s what the clerks and palace maids around me said.

So I was unlucky. Because I molested my boss’s woman, I was sent to the stable to clean horse manure.

In the stable.

The eunuchs dared not make a sound. They looked at me holding the broom, not knowing whether to help or not.

If you offend one of the two giants, you will lose your head.

Xie Yun is a black-hearted person. Even at this time, he still sent people to monitor me.

The man in black drew the sword from his waist and said expressionlessly.

“My Lord said that you can only choose between your head and your dignity.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a cloud of dust rose in the stable.

What we, the Lin family, are best at is judging the situation.

5

In Liang State, there is a popular saying.

Donglin Xi Xie, even gods and Buddhas are afraid.

The Xie family is a family of scholars and officials, good at martial arts but also cruel.

Although Mr. Xie is no longer with us, his only son, Xie Yun, who is only over eighteen years old, can stand proudly and steadily in the turbulent times.

This shows how terrifying Xie Yun is.

But our Lin family is different. We can say that we have nothing.

Our ancestors have always had just one word in their DNA: broad.

Of course, you also need to be thick-skinned.

“Ms. Lin, are you listening to me?”

Liu Liu’s voice was so tender that it gave people goose bumps.

I took a sip of tea with a smile, glanced at the deserted lakeside and spoke.

“I may not know as much about Xie Yun as Miss Liu Liu.”

Not to mention that Xie Yun was a sinister guy who had issued an order to forbid outsiders from entering or leaving, but he made an exception for Liu Liu and brought her to the Zhongshu Pavilion openly.

Speaking of Liu Liu, she invited me to appreciate the lotus and drink tea in broad daylight, which clearly showed that she had no good intentions.

But my biggest advantage is that I am too curious.

There is such a lot of fun right in front of you, how can you let her run away?

Liu Liu said she wanted to go to the bridge to see the lotus flowers.

I agreed without hesitation.

On the bridge, Liu Liu and I chatted casually.

It simply means how much Xie Yun loves her.

I was bored as I watched the fat carps fighting for food in the water, and I really didn’t hear much of what she said.

Seeing that the topic was getting dry, Liu Liu grabbed my hand and began her superb acting skills.

“Ms. Lin, I really love you, why can’t you help me?”

“It’s true that I love Xie Yun.”

“you……”

Liu Liu’s crying scene is really amazing. She cried so hard that it hurt my ears.

I frowned in annoyance and didn’t give her a chance to finish her performance. I took advantage of her strength and pushed her off the bridge.

“What are you talking about? Go down and stay here.”

With a splash, water splashed on the surface of the lake.

Immediately, a palace maid shouted that someone had fallen into the water.

Then Xie Yun rushed over in a hurry.

The first thing she said was, “Lin Zhenzhen, you vicious woman!”

I glanced at the scratches on my wrist and pulled down my sleeve indifferently.

Although I expected this ending, my heart still ached.

Xie Yun has always been heartless, but he holds Liu Liu in his heart.

He was holding Liu Liu in his arms with heartache at this moment, and everyone’s eyes fell on me, the culprit.

With such a huge difference in treatment, anyone can see how much Xie Yun hates me.

Liu Liu fell into the water and became seriously ill.

Xie Yun attacked me because of this, and the rift between the Lin and Xie families deepened.

There are already factional divisions in the court.

6

I was very upset because of the Liu Liu incident.

I can no longer bear it. I don’t need to bear it anymore.

That night, I used the moonlight to open a brick door in my boudoir and jumped down.

The dark passage that seemed to have no end was filled with luminous pearls that were as bright as daylight.

It was as if he was afraid that the person who came would fall and get hurt.

I kicked away those annoying beads and climbed up with resentment like a female ghost.

Without waiting for the figure to react, he kicked him.

“Xie Yun, do you want to die?”

As the gust of wind passed, Xie Yun quickly grabbed my ankle and hugged me in his arms with great force.

Most of the anger that had just arisen in me was extinguished in an instant.

Xie Yun lowered his head into my neck, took a deep breath, and his tone was mixed with grievance.

“Zhenzhen, I miss you so much.”

I slapped him on the head and made a “pooh” sound.

“So the one standing in front of your eyes all day is my soul, right?”

Xie Yun was beaten, but he didn’t show any anger at all. Instead, he looked like he was enjoying it.

He praised me for my good fighting skills.

If the court officials saw this demon-like figure in normal times like this, they would probably think he was possessed by a ghost.

Seeing that my complexion looked better, Xie Yun forcefully pulled my sleeve open.

There were several scratches on the white and tender arms, and in some places the skin and flesh were even peeled off, which looked shocking.

Xie Yun didn’t move, but the coldness emanating from him made me know that he was very angry.

But he still suppressed his displeasure and gently treated my wound, and a bloodthirsty smile appeared on his thin lips.

“Why not kill him?”

I held my forehead and glared at him coquettishly.

“Don’t shout for war and killing all day long.”

Xie Yun hummed obediently and held me in his arms again, “The old emperor really did make the move of Liu Liu.”

I sighed. If it weren’t for the fact that the Lin and Xie families were too powerful, His Majesty wouldn’t be so wary.

As the saying goes, if the king wants his subjects to die, the subjects have to die.

Mr. Xie said that he died in battle, but in fact the emperor was also involved.

Compared to my father’s approach of being an old fox who can please everyone, Mr. Xie is a tough guy. His straightforward character easily attracts villains.

After Xie’s father died, Xie Yun took on the responsibility of supporting the Xie family alone. No one else knows how much effort and humiliation he had to endure behind the scenes.

“Liuliu can’t move. She suddenly appeared here, it can’t be that simple.”

I played with Xie Yun’s bony index finger, which was as warm and smooth as jade.

I didn’t tell anyone, not even my father, about my relationship with Xie Yun.

Regardless of whether my father would allow it or not, if the emperor finds out about it, he will be the first to come out and stop it.

The marriage between the two families should not be underestimated.

If you are not careful, the emperor may become suspicious and wipe out the whole clan.

I know, and Xie Yun knows it too.

So on the surface, he and I are like water and fire, and I have to act as if I am completely safe.

The scene where Liu Liu fell into the water was also performed for the emperor to see.

Although I know Xie Yun is calm, I still can’t help but remind him.

“Next, Liu Liu will definitely intensify our conflict, so don’t be soft on me.”

Xie Yun bit my lip with some displeasure, “I can’t bear it.”

I slipped my hand into his underwear and smiled broadly.

“It’s okay. It’s your turn to kneel tonight.”

7

As Xie Yun and I expected, rumors were spreading inside and outside the palace due to Liu Liu falling into the water.

They said I had a vicious heart and that in order to bring down the Xie family, I even spared no innocent women.

But in the final analysis, this is a family matter that cannot be made public.

The court officials naturally had no right to interfere since the old emperor was pretending to be blind.

Therefore, the key to the breakdown of the relationship between the Lin and Xie families naturally fell on Liu Liu.

Just now, I was lying leisurely in a rocking chair, eating melon seeds and basking in the sun, when Liu Liu came towards me from a distance.

She looked sickly and was even more delicate than the willow tree.

She is now more valuable, with maids accompanying her, and she dresses much more flamboyantly than before.

On the short path, she walked at a pace of coughing every three steps and panting every five steps.

The words “Died Soon” were just missing from his face.

I looked calm and continued to rock the chair slowly and leisurely.

“Miss Liuliu, are you drowning or possessed by a ghost? How about I find some Taoist priests to take a look at you?”

Liu Liu paused slightly, then sat on the stone bench, covered her face and coughed lightly, looking gentle and sensible.

“Ms. Lin, don’t blame yourself. The fact that I fell into the water was due to my carelessness.”

“Please don’t let me damage the harmony between the two families.”

Everyone in the pavilion was watching the show from afar. Seeing this, Liu Liu took the food box from the maid and said it was an apology to me.

I sat up lazily, brushed off the crumbs on my official robe, and looked leisurely at the weak face opposite me.

He uttered a fatal word.

“Not to mention that you are not qualified to teach me how to do things.”

“Besides, if I don’t like you, isn’t it reasonable for me to push you into the water?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole place fell silent, and only someone could be heard sucking in a breath.

My disdainful look was seen by everyone and only showed one meaning.

The daughter of the Lin family did just that, and no one dared to do anything to her.

“This is so shameless!”

Just when Liu Liu was dumbfounded, someone took the lead to speak up for her.

I looked sideways and saw that it was my father’s mortal enemy, the Minister of Finance, Wang Hong.

On weekdays, he often trips me up in the dark.

Hearing him scolding me like that, I didn’t get angry at all. Instead, I turned around and praised him with a smile.

“Minister Wang is indeed a man of extraordinary talent and learning. I am truly unworthy of this compliment.”

Who in their right mind would think that being shameless is a compliment?

In this world, I am afraid that only the Lin family dares to take on this challenge.

Wang Hong’s dark face turned blue and red. He pointed at me for a long time but couldn’t say a word.

I looked around and felt like something was missing.

With a wave of her hand, the food box fell to the ground and the beautiful pastries rolled out.

Okay, now the effect is achieved.

This operation was so shocking that even the weak Liu Liu couldn’t help but cover her mouth in surprise.

Indeed, who has ever seen a person who is being killed voluntarily handing over a knife?

As everyone looked at me as if I were a fool, I lay back down calmly.

After a while, the eunuch outside the courtyard loudly announced, “Xie Cheng has arrived.”

Xie Yun walked in wearing gold-embroidered brocade boots.

His voice was as cold as spring water in winter. “What happened?”

As soon as he finished speaking, the maid beside Liu Liu knelt down on the ground and cried.

To put it simply, in order to ease the relationship between the Lin and Xie families, Liu Liu dragged her sick body to come and apologize in person.

“I didn’t expect Miss Lin to make things difficult for the master. I hope you can make the decision for the master.”

After saying this, the maidservant wailed and kowtowed repeatedly.

Liu Liu’s eyes immediately turned red, “Liu Liu was born in a humble family, it’s natural that Miss Lin looks down on me.”

The master and servant cooperated perfectly, one speaking on the left and the other on the right.

Xie Yun had a gloomy face. He asked the maid to help Liu Liu up and opened his mouth to punish me.

I sneered and said, “Don’t forget, my father is Zuo Cheng, Xie Yun, don’t go too far.”

Xie Yun sneered, “Lin Zhenzhen, don’t forget that you are a subordinate in this Zhongshu Pavilion.”

Seeing us confronting each other, Liu Liu pretended to pull Xie Yun a few times.

Wang Hong, who was so angry at me just now that he wanted to vomit blood, naturally did not miss this opportunity and accused me of insubordination.

The atmosphere was right, and Xie Yunshang spoke authentically.

“Lin Zhenzhen, as a member of the cabinet, you are arrogant and have no regard for the law.”

“Come here, drag him away and give him thirty lashes of the cane.”

Thirty lashes of the cane, it is clear that Xie Yun wants to break off relations with the Lin family.

I was extremely angry, “Thank you, I will definitely avenge you in the future.”

Seeing that she had succeeded in fanning the flames, Liu Liu couldn’t help but grab Xie Yun’s sleeve in order to maintain her kind appearance.

“Ah Yun, she is the apple of Mr. Lin’s eye. Besides, Miss Lin is a girl after all. I’m afraid she won’t be able to handle it.”

Just when Liu Liu thought that Xie Yun would insist on his own way, Xie Yun changed the subject.

“Liu Liu is indeed kind-hearted. In that case, let me kneel in the inner hall for three days as punishment.”

Liu Liu was confused. Why was this situation not turning out right?

And just like that, the farce ended once again.

The palace servants watched the play twice and concluded that Xie Yun was angry twice for the beauty he loved, and the Lin family girl was as vicious as a snake.

In the cabinet, I lay on the chaise longue and listened to the report from Xie Yun’s attendant.

It is said that the person present heard about this and was overjoyed.

Hearing this, I curled my lips in satisfaction.

Next, Liu Liu, please don’t let me down.

8

Just when the storm was at its peak, an uninvited guest came to the Lin Mansion.

The man was dressed in a bright red robe, a purple gold crown on his head, and green satin brocade boots on his feet.

He waved a folding fan in his hand intermittently, and his affectionate peach blossom eyes seemed to want to suck people in.

I crossed my arms and looked at the man in front of me, feeling a little headache.

“Young Master Lu, are you free?”

It was almost as if the word “see you off” was written on his face.

Lu Xiao closed his folding fan, came up to me in a mean way and pretended to be heartbroken.

“I came to see you with good intentions, but you wanted to drive me away. Lin Zhenzhen, you are too heartless.”

Our two families are old friends. Now that Mr. Lu works under my father, the two families have become closer over the years.

Lu Xiao had been far away in the Northern Frontier. He said that he heard that I was in a difficult situation here, so he rushed back without stopping.

I rolled my eyes and pushed his head away, obviously not buying it.

“Come on, if you want to make fun of me for picking another day, I’m very busy these days.”

Lu Xiao sighed and muttered softly, “Why don’t you believe me?”

Without waiting for my reaction, he dragged me out of the house.

The long street was bustling with people, and I became interested in the new things on the street, looking left and right.

Lu Xiao crossed his arms, showing his pretty little fangs, and smiled ostentatiously.

“I’ll buy whatever you like. I’ll give you a thousand gold coins to make you smile today.”

I was amused by him and actually walked around, stopped and started to choose.

Passing by a small stall, I saw a gemstone hairpin, which was shining brightly in the sunlight and was very beautiful.

Just as I was about to pick it up, a nail-dyed hand snatched it away.

Then a gentle and pleasant voice sounded, “I want this.”

They say enemies often meet on a narrow road, isn’t this true?

I turned over and saw Liu Liu leaning on Xie Yun like a boneless person, and sneered.

Then he poked Lu Xiao who was confused about the situation and signaled him with his eyes, “Go ahead and kill them.”

Lu Xiao understood immediately. He had long disliked the arrogant Xie Yun and would challenge him whenever he got the chance.

“I say, Xie Cheng, you really have been through a lot of flowers, you want to get involved in every piece of it.”

I couldn’t help but pinch him, wondering why he never got the point.

Before Xie Yun could say anything, Liu Liu covered her face with her handkerchief and chuckled.

He looked at me and Lu Xiao meaningfully.

“I think Miss Lin is used to staying in the court. This woman should be more gentle to please her lover.”

Lu Xiao didn’t hear anything else, but he heard his sweetheart, and nodded in agreement, full of provocation towards Xie Yun.

You have a beauty, and I have one too.

I looked at the boy next to me who was showing off like a puppy, and pulled the pendant on his waist in frustration, forcing him to bend over.

“Brother, what time is it? Can you please understand the main point?”

Lu Xiao said “oh” obediently and straightened the hem of my skirt.

Xie Yun, who was nearby, saw us whispering to each other and his face turned ugly, but I pretended not to see it.

When Liu Liu saw the handsome young man being so considerate to me, she didn’t look happy at all.

Lu Xiao took a few big steps forward and snatched the hairpin from Liu Liu’s hand.

She never looked at Liu Liu, but just played with her pearl hairpin and said with a smile, “Sister, we should always follow the principle of first come first served.”

“Also, our eldest daughter bought this stall, so you probably don’t stand a chance, sis.”

As the gold ingots fell on the stall, Lu Xiao came back to my side and put the pearl hairpin in my hand.

Sure, Lu Xiao.

I cast an approving look at Lu Xiao, and then under Xie Yun’s gaze, the hairpin was firmly inserted into Liu Liu’s hair.

“I’ll give it to you.”

Without waiting for Liu Liu and the other man to react, he turned around and left with a swagger, his movements as smooth as flowing water.

On the way back home, Lu Xiao talked about what he saw and heard along the way.

I just listened quietly and didn’t say anything.

It was not until the hem of my skirt passed the threshold that I turned around to look at the fair-skinned young man with red lips and white teeth.

“Lu Xiao, thank you.”

The breeze blew up the fallen petals on the ground, and the surroundings were quiet.

Lu Xiao was slightly startled, then he picked up his cynical look again, “You are my eldest daughter, what’s the point of saying thank you or not?”

He is always like this. I am afraid no one in this world really knows what he is thinking.

“Then I hope we can always be friends.”

I said this seriously and entered the mansion, but I didn’t notice that the young man outside the mansion had red eyes.

9

As the saying goes, troubles never come easily.

The next day, I was taking a day off and was sleeping soundly on the couch when I heard a lot of noise outside the yard.

The bead curtain rustled, and Xiaoping didn’t even care about the rules and ran in hurriedly.

“Oh my lady, please don’t sleep, something terrible has happened.”

I stood up slowly, my almond-shaped eyes full of amusement.

“Groom me, some people may not be able to wait.”

In the front hall, Lin’s father sat upright, with the eunuch chief standing beside him with a smile on his face.

I bowed slightly, my skirt moving slightly, and sat down.

“I wonder what brought Eunuch Li here?”

Li De sighed, as he was used to using courtesy before force.

“It’s not a big deal, but it involves the royal family, so you have to go with me, young lady.”

This was a very clever statement. Logically speaking, since I had already entered the court as an official, I should at least address you as “Sir”, but Li De did not do so.

What does this mean?

I fiddled with the tea lid, and with a “pop”, the tea lid fell back.

The man on the dragon throne clearly wanted to escalate the situation.

Seeing that my father was about to speak, I signaled him to be at ease.

“Then I’ll trouble you to lead the way, sir.”

Li De shook off the dust, bowed and asked me to leave.

The servants in the palace were all worried. The eunuch in charge of the emperor had arrived, which showed that this was a serious matter.

Just when everyone was as nervous as ants on a hot pan, Father Lin picked up the birdcage as if nothing had happened, and even hummed a little tune.

On the other side, I followed Li De into the palace to meet the emperor.

Inside the main hall, on the throne in the center sat a man who looked majestic without being angry, and below the jade steps were black and white.

Xie Yun was dressed in a black robe today, still looking unapproachable.

As expected, Liu Liu was also present today.

It’s really lively.

I walked forward calmly, bowed with a smile, and asked, “I wonder why your majesty has summoned me here?”

The emperor looked serious, his voice tinged with anger, “You are playful by nature, so I will just ignore what happened a few days ago.”

“But what about you? You went too far and used those evil methods to almost harm Little Thirteen!”

As the emperor became furious, a stack of petitions was thrown in front of me.

“Take a good look at it yourself!”

I straightened up, answered yes, and then looked through the complaint.

It simply says that Xie Yun punished me privately that day, which made me feel resentful and I cursed Xie Yun with witchcraft, but it also caused the Thirteenth Prince, who was born on the same day as Xie Yun, to have a high fever and fall into a coma.

I thought it was funny. It is said that even a tiger will not eat its own cubs. Who would have thought that the emperor, who is above everyone else, would not hesitate to bring his own flesh and blood into the game just to cure his mental illness.

I put away the paper and looked up at the high seat.

“I will not admit to making up something out of nothing.”

His voice was soft, but every word was powerful.

The emperor seemed to have expected that I would not admit it. He sighed in disappointment and looked helpless.

“This matter is of great importance. I have sent people to search your residence.”

He paused, then spoke in a fair manner, “If it is someone else who framed me, I will definitely give you and the Lin family an explanation.”

I had a sensible smile on my face, but I couldn’t help sneering in my heart. It turned out that he said all the good and bad things.

Not long after, the person who came to report arrived and said that nothing was found.

The emperor was a little surprised, but his anger was replaced by gentleness in an instant. Then he realized that I was kneeling, and his tone was full of heartache.

“Zhenzhen, why are you still kneeling? Hurry up and stand up.”

Before I could stand up, a figure in white knelt beside me.

“Your Majesty, please forgive me for being so bold. There is one place I have not searched yet.”

Hearing this, the emperor could not help but frown, “Tell me, is there anything I have missed?”

Liu Liu looked at me and said word by word, “I didn’t search Miss Lin’s body.”

The emperor angrily scolded Liu Liu for being daring, but Liu Liu was not afraid at all and leaned over to ask the emperor to search her body.

I was too lazy to watch this clumsy show, so I agreed to Liu Liu’s words.

“I think Miss Liuliu’s suggestion is a good one.”

Changing the subject, “But, Your Majesty, I want to ask, if there is nothing, what will Your Majesty do?”

The meaning of the words is very clear. First there was the innocent accusation, and then there was the humiliation of body search. This account must be settled.

The emperor said sternly, “If it is completely false, then the people who framed you will be dealt with by you.”

I raised my eyebrows and let the nanny take me to the side room to strip and search me.

When I entered the side room, the emperor narrowed his eyes and looked at the tall figure who had not spoken for a long time.

“What do you think, Right Prime Minister?”

Xie Yun glanced at the shadow on the window of the side room, bowed slightly and turned around.

“I will leave it to your Majesty and trust your decision.”

The emperor choked and simply stopped talking.

The boy threw the hot potato to him with just a few words.

It is said that a son takes after his father, and the little girl of the Lin family has inherited her father’s smooth talk.

But this Xie Yun is nothing like his straightforward father.

When the old fox rises, even the veteran officials in the court are inferior to him.

While they were talking, I came out together with the searching nanny.

The old emperor sat upright, “What was the result?”

The old nanny shook her head and said, “Your Majesty, there is nothing evil about the young lady.”

The thunder in a clear sky made the emperor unbelievable for a moment, but he soon recovered.

I walked a few steps to Liu Liu and tucked her fallen hair behind her ears, with a faint smile on her pretty face.

“It can be seen that Miss Liuliu has a lot of opinions about me.”

He then withdrew his hand and met the eagle eyes of the man sitting above him.

“Your Majesty, I have something to say.”

The emperor waved his hand and motioned for me to continue.

“Miss Liu Liu intends to harm me, so this thing…”

I ran my bare hands across her waist, and said in a voice as cold as a venomous snake, “Is it on you too?”

Liu Liu was so scared that she pushed my hand away and said, “What nonsense are you talking about!”

I raised my hands and clapped. Xiaoping came over with a wooden tray and handed me the purse.

I opened my purse and sprinkled the powder on Liu Liu.

Liu Liu subconsciously covered her nose and dodged, with panic flashing in her eyes.

“What are you hiding from, Miss Liuliu?”

I raised my red lips with a playful look.

“Do you think this is red sand?”

Liu Liu’s face turned pale and blue.

“I heard that the red sand is made from the blood of hundreds of poisonous snakes in the Western Regions. Once someone touches it and washes it with salt water, the water will turn black.”

“I wonder if Miss Liuliu dares to give it a try?”

Liu Liu’s body trembled, and she turned around and looked at Xie Yun pleadingly.

I swiftly grabbed the woman’s delicate shoulders, and in front of everyone’s astonished eyes, I fiercely strangled her slender neck, my words like a poisonous blade.

“Tell me who ordered you to do this, and I will spare your life.”

Liu Liu’s face flushed red as she managed to utter an incoherent sentence, “No one… instructed me to do this.”

I sighed, let go of his hand in boredom, and then blinked and asked the old emperor.

“Your Majesty, what do you mean by that?”

I smiled brightly, but there was no fluctuation in my eyes.

The old emperor must be feeling bad as he failed to gain anything but ended up losing the rice. However, he had no choice but to hand Liu Liu over to me for punishment.

I waved my hand sensibly, “Just now I was thinking about it in the side hall. Only gold can heal a broken heart. As for Liu Liu, I’ll leave her to Your Majesty to deal with.”

The old emperor almost spat out a mouthful of blood, but he could only swallow his loss and said, “I am sorry to the Lin family, so I will follow your words and reward you with a thousand taels of gold as compensation.”

Xie Yun, who had been silent all this time, also spoke at the right time.

“Now that the truth has been revealed, I will take my leave now.”

Between the lines, there was no intention of pleading for Liu Liu.

When the emperor saw that the matter had no solution, he tiredly asked me to leave.

This witchcraft disaster ended abruptly.

When I went out, I saw Xie Yun not far away, looking a little dazed.

Why doesn’t this person avoid others?

She pretended to walk past him unintentionally, whispered “Wait for me in the evening”, and slipped away with Xiaoping.

Xie Yun just felt itchy in his heart, but he didn’t chase after her.

It’s not even late at night yet, but Xie Yun arrived before me. Why is he so anxious today?

“What’s wrong with you?”

I huddled in Xie Yun’s arms and poked his chest unhappily.

Xie Yun smiled softly, his lips rubbing against my ears from time to time.

“Jealous.”

It turned out that he was still upset about what Lu Xiao said that day. It was hard for him to be depressed for so long.

I held his face and kissed him a few times, “Make it up.”

Xie Yun knew the taste of it and would never let it go.

I begged for mercy, “Let’s talk business.”

“This is a clear statement with the Emperor.”

Today, I interrogated Liu Liu only to remind the emperor that I know all these tricks, but I just don’t want to tell you.

As for Liu Liu, she is of little use to me.

The old emperor would never show mercy to pawns who failed in their mission.

Xie Yun held my hand, his voice was tender, and he exuded a reassuring fragrance.

“I am there in front of you, and I will kill any Buddha that stands in my way.”

It started to rain heavily outside the house, and strong winds were beating against the wooden windows.

I looked out the dark window. The weather was about to change…

10

Not long afterwards, Liu Liu committed suicide in prison out of fear of punishment.

Xie Yun said that when he rescued Liu Liu who was being chased by bandits on his journey west, he realized something was wrong.

He pretended to care about Liu Liu, making everyone think that he had a weakness.

Later, Liu Liu came to Pingjing without informing others, which made people even more suspicious.

Liu Liu made a wrong bet. Everyone said that Xie Yun was a demon who killed people without blinking an eye, but what really devoured people was the whitewashed high position.

Liu Liu wanted to put the blame on me and bribe the maid in the Lin Mansion, so I simply took advantage of her.

I secretly asked Xie Yun to investigate and only then did I know how powerful the red sand was.

After Liu Liu died, the old emperor also kept quiet for a while.

Thanks to him, I can live my life again.

Every day he either fishes and eats secretly, or takes a nap and reads a book.

The difference is that my stern boss has become bolder.

“Xie Yun, are you crazy? What if you get discovered?”

I covered the loose silk belt around my waist and kicked him.

A smile appeared on Xie Yun’s devilish face, but he stopped moving.

“Even if your Majesty comes, you still have to ask for my opinion.”

When it comes to arrogance, I am not as good as Xie Yun.

Only he dares to say such words.

Outside the cabinet, a close attendant respectfully reported that the Minister of Revenue wanted to see him regarding an important matter.

Xie Yun was playing with my hair and was about to say no when I glared back at him.

“Let him in.”

When Wang Hong came in, I had already sat upright at the side table.

When he saw me, he snorted unhappily and bowed respectfully to Xie Yun.

“Sir, there is a problem in Huaizhou.”

Having said this, he stopped and looked at me, his eyes full of a look of driving me away.

“I’m afraid it’s not appropriate for the cabinet member to be here.”

Xie Yun was touching the round jade bead in his hand. If someone looked closely, they would find that there was a missing button on the collar of the woman with her head down.

I glanced at Xie Yun who was fiddling with the things in his hand, and lowered my head even more. I no longer had the energy to argue with that damn Wang Hong.

“If you don’t want to tell me, get out of here.”

Seeing that I was biting my lower lip in shame, Xie Yun nonchalantly held the jade bead in his hand, raised his eyes to look at the arrogant Wang Hong, and said something without emotion.

Wang Hong felt a chill on his back and knelt on the ground with weak legs. He couldn’t stop wiping the cold sweat while talking.

“A large number of rioters appeared in Huaizhou, and the relief funds originally allocated to it have disappeared.”

After Wang Hong left, I frowned and spoke.

“Who do you think is being targeted this time?”

Xie Yun started playing with the beads again, his expression was unusually serious.

“The Lin and Xie families.”

As expected, there was a riot in Huaizhou, and His Majesty ordered Xie Yun and I to go and investigate secretly.

The storm is coming.

At this time, the Lin Mansion was filled with a dead atmosphere, even the jumping parrots shrank their heads.

In the study, Dad tapped the table with his fingers, as if thinking of a strategy.

I feel a little bitter.

“Daddy, what is coming will eventually come.”

Daddy looked haggard. He took out a brocade box from the secret compartment, stroked the wood carving of the Epiphyllum, and sighed.

“The reason why the emperor is wary of the Lin and Xie families is partly because our roots are too deep, but more because of this.”

My heart tightened, “Impossible, how can the tiger talisman from the previous dynasty be here?”

Seeing that I guessed it, Dad opened it. Under the candlelight, half of the tiger talisman lay in the box.

“My son’s trip to Huaizhou may be dangerous. As a father, I am willing to hand over the tiger talisman in exchange for the emperor’s peace of mind.”

Daddy’s words were filled with sorrow. No matter what he did, he could not reassure the emperor, and in the end he had to sacrifice his only daughter.

Rather than this, it is better to hand over the tiger talisman and retreat to the countryside.

“Dad, with the tiger talisman in hand, there is still hope.”

I closed the brocade box and put it back into the secret compartment.

There was a murderous intent in his eyes, “My daughter will definitely return safely from this trip.”

Dad knew he couldn’t persuade me, so he had to obey me. He took me aside and gave me many instructions before he gave up.

I nodded repeatedly and asked him to relax.

Finally, Dad stroked his beard happily.

“Zhenzhen, if that brat can protect you back to Beijing, daddy will agree to your marriage, okay?”

I blushed, “There’s nothing going on between him and me.”

It’s really a headache to know when Xie Yun has ever secretly come to see his father.

11

The next day, I said goodbye to my father and set off for Huaizhou with Xie Yun.

Because it was a secret visit, the number of followers he brought with him was small but they were well-trained.

I don’t know if it was because I was too lucky, or if the person above had specially arranged it, but the journey to Huaizhou was particularly smooth.

When we arrived in the city, Xie Yun dismissed his followers and took me to a restaurant for dinner.

I didn’t know what happened in the building. I only heard noises mixed with fighting on the second floor. I was afraid it was a fierce battle.

Xie Yun raised his hand to protect me behind him. I tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to run away.

With a “bang”, the wooden table broke into two pieces and fell in front of us.

Then a young man shouted, “Don’t you know who I am? If you bully innocent people again, I will chop you into pieces.”

The shopkeeper ran down with his head swollen like a pig, took one look at the figure in red behind him, and was so scared that he quickly went to the back kitchen.

“Lu Xiao?”

I looked at the young man in red in surprise. If it were him, it would not be impossible that the current situation would have happened.

In the winery, Lu Xiao told me his experiences along the way in a very emotional way.

He was originally going to collect some debts and passed by Huaizhou. He heard that the refugees were rioting, but when he entered the city, he found that the owner of the No. 1 restaurant was enjoying a good life.

“I wanted to punish him a little bit,” Lu Xiao gestured, then patted his head in regret, “Who knew I went too far and destroyed the building.”

“Your brain is quite normal.”

I drank some fruit wine and felt very relaxed.

Lu Xiao had a sad face, “Zhenzhen, why are you here?”

I pointed at Xie Yun across from me and started talking nonsense, “He exploited me.”

Lu Xiao slammed the table, stood up and was about to start scolding, but under the gleaming swords of the black-clad guards, he sat back down silently.

“Mr. Lu, when you’ve had enough fun, go back to where you belong.”

Xie Yun’s tone was neither salty nor bland, and his intention to drive him away was obvious.

Lu Xiao felt extremely aggrieved and stared angrily at the leisurely man.

I’m so angry. I can’t stand him but I can’t get rid of him.

“Aren’t we just in need of a laborer? Lu Xiao is both brainless and strong, so he’s very useful.”

I spoke up and asked Lu Xiao to stay, after all, there is strength in numbers.

Just like that, Lu Xiao accompanied us on the secret visit.

Huaizhou was once a prosperous place, but now it is devastated, with pale and skinny people everywhere among the yellow earth and flying sand.

The three of us arrived at the government office. The bailiff took a look at our attire and then said flatteringly that he would report to the master immediately.

Soon, a servant led us to the backyard.

Passing through the narrow hall, behind it are pavilions and towers with carved railings and jade bricks.

As soon as we entered the room, Ruhua Ruanyu pulled Xie Yun over and sat down with the other two to pour wine.

I brushed the woman’s hand away and sat down to drink.

“I apologize for not welcoming you, my guest, who has come from afar.”

The voice came before the person arrived. As the thick curtain fell, a man with a fat belly walked out swaying from side to side.

Come to think of it, Lu Xiao’s incident in the restaurant must have reached Zhang Wu’s ears.

They mistakenly thought we were wealthy people who came here to make a fortune.

Zhang Wu’s wrinkled face was full of shrewdness as he moved between the three of us.

“May I ask what your names are?”

Xie Yun cupped his fist and looked at the figure in red who was drinking.

“Your Excellency, this is Master Xie, Xie Yun.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Wu was so scared that he almost fell to the ground.

“Right Prime Minister, thank you, thank you Yun?!”

When Lu Xiao heard this, he spat out a mouthful of wine.

Damn it, is Xie Yun a human being? He helped him push it out and take the blame.

Before he could say anything, Zhang Wu fell to his knees at his feet.

“Please spare my life, sir. I deserve to die. I didn’t know you were coming.”

Lu Xiao choked, and he didn’t know whether to answer or not. In the end, he had no choice but to sit down and drink another glass of wine.

“You are innocent. Get up.”

I quietly watched Lu Xiao’s frustrated look and ate a grape out of amusement.

Zhang Wu was relieved that the big shot above was not angry, and quickly ordered the beauty to serve Lu Xiao well.

Then he set his eyes on me, “I wonder who this girl is…”

“She is my wife-to-be.”

Xie Yun said this seriously.

Good man, this shameless thing is plotting here.

Lu Xiao was so angry that he broke the jade chopsticks.

Although I knew it was an urgent matter, I couldn’t help but feel my heart beating faster.

“Zhang Wu, the people in this city are living in misery, but you are living a life of luxury here. Don’t you want to keep your head?”

The wine cup fell to the ground and broke into several pieces in an instant.

Seeing that Lu Xiao was angry, Zhang Wu knelt down again skillfully.

“Your Excellency, I am a wise minister who only seeks pleasure, but now that the relief money is gone, I can do nothing.”

I have never seen such a shameless person who could completely deny his own mistakes.

In the end, it all comes down to one thing.

What does Zhang Wu have to do with the things lost by his superiors?

We sent people to search his house, but found no trace of the relief silver, so we returned empty-handed.

Zhang Wu originally wanted to keep us, of course the most important thing was to keep “Xie Yun”, but Lu Xiao turned it down.

When asked the reason, Lu Xiao replied that the girls inside smelled too vulgar and he wanted to vomit after smelling it too much.

I lowered my head and smiled secretly. I knew without even looking that Zhang Wu’s face must be filled with great excitement.

As soon as he returned to the post station, Lu Xiao angrily found Xie Yun and said that he wanted to challenge him in a duel.

Xie Yun glanced at him lightly and continued reading.

“Xie Yun, what do you mean? Are you taking advantage of my Zhen Zhen?”

Lu Xiao was furious when he thought of Xie Yun’s shameless words in the afternoon that Zhenzhen was his wife-to-be.

Xie Yun was too lazy to pay attention, “You can just go and tell Zhang Wu that you are not the Right Prime Minister and see if he will assassinate you.”

As soon as I came in, I saw Lu Xiao looking extremely gloomy, like a mushroom.

There is no need to think about it, he definitely lost to Xie Yun.

He put down the food box and sat next to Xie Yun.

“I’m afraid Zhang Wu is not that simple. He is so confident and righteous, there must be someone backing him up.”

As soon as I picked up a piece of cheese, Lu Xiao snatched it away.

“It’s strange, he was clean when he came today, but his brocade shoes were covered with mud.”

Lu Xiao’s casual words reminded me, “Not only that, he has a fishy smell, even if you use spices to cover it up, it still smells bad.”

Xie Yun lowered his head and pondered for a moment, “Let’s do this tonight, don’t alert the enemy.”

That night, the moonlight was bright.

Something fell into my room, and in the moonlight I saw a blurry black shadow walking towards me.

I held my breath and fumbled for the hairpin on the pillow.

As the bed curtain was opened, I stood up swiftly, grabbed the man in black by the neck, and put the tip of the hairpin against his throat.

The man couldn’t help but spit out blood due to my powerful action, and there was a teasing tone in his voice.

“When I taught you, I didn’t teach you to have shaking hands.”

Xie Yun?

The golden hairpin fell to the ground, and I suddenly relaxed and turned his body over.

The strong smell of blood made me frown. His body was covered with knife marks, as if he had been in a fierce battle.

I quickly put him on the bed, facing the bleak moonlight, and searched for the various precious pills I brought with me.

“If the old man knew you were wasting so much, would he beat you up?”

Xie Yun was still in the mood to make a joke, but I just couldn’t laugh.

He said, don’t cry and don’t worry.

He also said that it was a good thing that he went alone tonight.

Finally, he said don’t save her.

Otherwise, everything will be burned to ashes.

The pills didn’t work, and Xie Yun’s lips had turned black and purple.

I ran out like crazy, calling Lu Xiao.

When Lu Xiao came out and saw that I hadn’t even had time to put on my shoes and socks, a hint of anger appeared on his face, and he raised his hand to pick me up.

I shook my head and said it was too late, “Lu Xiao, go find a doctor.”

Lu Xiao clenched and unclenched his fists, and finally ran out.

Until dawn, all the doctors in the city were unable to cure him.

I was surprisingly calm and asked the last doctor, “How many days are left?”

“Three days at most. After three days, if there is no antidote, you will definitely die.”

12

Xie Yun lied to me. He went out of the city alone last night and met with an accident.

His close attendant was also found dead on the outskirts of the city at noon today.

I locked myself in Xie Yun’s room, looking at the map he left behind before he left.

Fresh water, moss and soft soil.

There was only one place where my eyes fell and I felt overjoyed.

I waited until late at night, and just as I was about to go out, someone grabbed my wrist forcefully.

Lu Xiao looked at me with gritted teeth, “Lin Zhenzhen, do you want to die?”

“Let go,” I said in a voice chilling to the bone, twisting my wrist to try to break free.

Seeing that I was determined to go, Lu Xiao spoke helplessly.

“Lin Zhenzhen, I really lost to you.”

After some exploration, I finally found the entrance to the valley.

Lu Xiao cleared the way for me and pushed aside the overgrown weeds.

“Why don’t you just ask Zhang Wu for the antidote? It’s obviously his work.”

I looked up at the direction of the moon and denied what he said.

“No, without leverage, there is no right to trade.”

Lu Xiao said no more, just reminded me to slow down from time to time.

Finally, after passing through the thorny bushes, a fire could be seen in the distance.

There were two men.

The valley was deep and quiet, and the sound of the two people’s conversation just happened to fall into the ears.

“You did a great job on this matter, but it’s a pity that the one who died was not the girl from the Lin family.”

“Your Excellency is indeed far-sighted.”

The rest of the words were not clear to me, but I could tell who was talking to Zhang Wu.

Minister of Revenue, Wang Hong.

What a big chess game.

Use Wang Hong to lure us into the game and use Zhang Wu as bait.

No matter who dies, the emperor gains.

Wang Hong gave them a few instructions and the two of them left.

The fire gradually faded away until it turned into darkness.

By the spring, I pulled out the hemp rope covered with grass and trees.

The wooden box filled with silver ingots shone silvery in the moonlight. I took one and put it on my waist, and asked Lu Xiao to put the wooden box back.

With the evidence in hand, I kicked open the door of Zhang’s house the next morning.

The servants shouted that someone had been killed.

Zhang Wu was so scared that he ran out in his underwear.

“Who? Who is that reckless idiot…”

Before he could finish his words, the dagger pierced through his loose underpants.

The cloth tore, and I pointed the sword directly at Zhang Wu’s throat.

“Master Zhang, how are you?”

The beauty’s smile was as beautiful as a blooming spring flower, but in Zhang Wu’s eyes, it looked no different from a Shura.

“You bold woman, do you want to kill our father and mother official?”

I pressed forward step by step, and Zhang Wu had nowhere to retreat and could only hold his ground against the red pillar.

“Zhang Wu, I don’t have time to play with you.”

A silver light flashed, Zhang Wu cried out in pain, and his right eye suddenly became swollen and blue.

The silver ingot fell to the ground and he was so scared that his legs started shaking.

“Antidote.”

The sharp blade mercilessly cut Zhang Wu’s flesh, and blood oozed out.

Zhang Wu swallowed nervously and burst into tears, “Ms. Lin, please spare me, I really don’t know.”

I lost my patience, raised my sword, and thrust it straight into his thick thigh.

As it went deeper and deeper, Zhang Wu screamed in pain like a pig waiting to be slaughtered.

“I really don’t know. I don’t know.”

The long sword was drawn out, and the gushing blood splashed onto my face, looking extremely enchanting.

I am like a ghost, curling up my red lips.

“I’m sorry, Master Zhang.”

Zhang Wu blinked, not understanding what I meant.

The sword flashed, and the piece of fat fell to the ground.

“Those who don’t know should die.”

I uttered a word softly.

Everyone in the yard knelt on the ground begging for mercy, and I slowly walked past them.

Lu Xiao was so angry that he grabbed my shoulders and said, “Lin Zhenzhen, wake up, they don’t know anything at all.”

Hearing this, I looked up at the cheerful young man in bright clothes in front of me and waved him away.

“They really don’t know.”

I slowly raised the bloody sword.

A gust of wind blew and the sword landed on Lu Xiao’s neck.

“Lu Xiao, how could you betray me and the Lin family?”

There was bloodshot in my eyes, but Lu Xiao smiled with relief.

“I didn’t expect it to be under such circumstances.”

Instead of being afraid, he leaned against the blade.

“When did you know that?”

Former playmates suddenly became enemies.

I let the sword slowly cut into his neck, my hands gradually tightened, “Antidote.”

Lu Xiao smiled bitterly, “No, and there is none.”

I loosened my grip and the sword fell to the ground with a clanging sound.

“Go back and tell that person that if you don’t give him the antidote, he won’t get what he wants anymore.”

Lu Xiao took a few steps, and I turned to look at him, “Lu Xiao, I gave you a chance.”

“You broke our agreement with your own hands.”

The sun was shining brightly, but there was no warmth at all.

Lu Xiao and I will never go back to the way we were before.

13

The three-day deadline is approaching, and I am just staying by Xie Yun’s side.

Lu Xiao has never been here, but I know that as long as the tiger talisman is there, the emperor will not act rashly.

When the moon rose above the branches, footsteps were heard approaching from outside the door.

The person who came was not Lu Xiao, but Wang Hong who had not been seen for a long time.

“Sir Shangshu, I am so sorry that you bothered to come here.”

I didn’t stand up, but just sat cross-legged on the ground.

Wang Hong still had that domineering look on his face. If it were in the past, he would have just gotten by.

“Sir, they say that when a rabbit is angry it will bite.”

I stroked the long sword stuck in the ground beside me. It was Xie Yun’s usual sword.

Blood flowed across the sword, sank into the ground and crawled towards Wang Hong.

“You…you’re crazy.”

Now Wang Hong was really scared and took a few steps back in horror.

Who could have thought that the delicate girl from the Lin family would actually kill Zhang Wu with her own hands, and now she cut her own hand without blinking.

“Wang Hong, I’m in a bad mood now. I want to chop something.”

I propped my head up nonchalantly, “Antidote.”

Wang Hong hurriedly took out a porcelain bottle and was about to hand it to me.

I smiled heartily and didn’t reach out to take it. “How many are there?”

Wang Hong replied respectfully, “The Lord has two as a backup just in case of an emergency.”

“Just right, one for you and one for Xie Yun.”

I didn’t move, but slowly touched the hilt of the sword again.

Wang Hong is not a fool. His life is worthless in front of the tiger talisman.

Even if the Lin family girl really killed him, the emperor would not be angry and punish her.

“I eat. I eat.”

Wang Hong swallowed one quickly.

Seeing this, I stood up and fed it to Xie Yun with peace of mind.

It was not until the next morning that Xie Yun woke up.

Seeing that he was fine, I burst into tears.

Xie Yun kissed my forehead lovingly, “Thank you for your hard work these past few days.”

Wang Hong, who came in to ask questions, saw the two of us hugging each other and muttered, “Two evil spirits, that’s enough.”

Not wanting to look any longer, he closed the door and walked out.

After we left, we heard that a new local official had come to Huaizhou and relief money had been distributed. Within half a year, the city would be able to return to its former glory.

14

After a bumpy journey, we finally returned to Pingjing.

But this time, Xie Yun took my hand.

In the hall, the bright yellow figure kept me here and asked Xie Yun to leave.

The palace was deserted, with only the emperor and I looking at each other.

“Your Majesty, I am tired.”

The emperor was not angry at my disrespect, and his voice sounded a little old.

“Are you finally back, Xie Zhen?”

I gradually walked up to him and said, “Your Majesty, I am mistaken. Didn’t you get rid of Mr. Xie?”

Seeing me approaching, the emperor’s eyes brightened.

“You are very much like him, stubborn and proud.”

He seemed to be looking through me at an old friend.

But the person is gone, what’s the point of doing more?

The emperor’s compassion was only momentary, and perhaps tomorrow he would tear the Lin and Xie families into pieces.

When I came out, light snow was already falling from the sky.

Xie Yun put the fox fur on me and took me out of the palace slowly.

“Give it to him?”

I pulled my cape closer. “He only wanted half of the tiger talisman.”

Xie Yun smiled disdainfully, “Give charity to the Xie family?”

“No, it’s his apology.”

After saying this, the two of them smiled at each other. The emperor’s apology is sometimes worth more than a thousand gold coins, but sometimes it is worthless.

“I want to go meet someone, would you please come with me?”

I put my arm around Xie Yun and spoke in a coquettish tone.

Xie Yun rubbed my earlobe and said, “How dare I disobey Madam’s words?”

“Xie Yun, you want to die.”

My face felt hot and I raised my hand to hit him.

The snow was falling heavily, the sky and the earth were vast, blocking the way home.

In prison, Lu Xiao’s red clothes had already been tattered.

The heavy lock fell off, and the lotus embroidered shoes walked in front of him.

Lu Xiao didn’t look up, but he still recognized me, “I thought you wouldn’t come to see me again.”

My gaze was so scorching that it seemed as if I wanted to stare a hole through his body.

“I’m here, but you don’t dare to look at me.”

Lu Xiao asked again the question that I didn’t answer that day, which was how I found out that he had two minds.

“Perhaps it’s because I asked you to find a doctor, but you didn’t ask me who was in trouble.”

“Or maybe even earlier, you planned to stay with us.”

There is one thing I haven’t said yet: when we met on the street that day, Liu Liu smelled like your peach blossom powder.

In the dark prison, the musty smell was almost nauseating.

“Lu Xiao, have you ever thought that I would die?”

My voice was not loud, but it sounded like gongs and drums shaking in Lu Xiao’s ears.

He looked up suddenly, his eyes full of panic, “He promised me that he wouldn’t hurt you.”

“You are wrong,” I interrupted him and revealed the bloody truth in front of him, “The emperor only cares about himself.”

I begged the emperor to save Lu Xiao’s life, but the emperor told me that Lu Xiao would not accept it.

I didn’t believe it, so I came to see him in person.

The panic in Lu Xiao’s eyes gradually faded away, revealing the cheerfulness he had when they first met.

“Zhenzhen, you miscalculated one thing.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he picked up the hidden short blade and stabbed himself.

“Lu Xiao!”

My eyes widened in disbelief. He didn’t even want to live anymore.

The strength in Lu Xiao’s body gradually drained away. He tried to open his mouth, and glaring blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.

“I really wanted to make you happy that day.”

As the emperor said, what Lu Xiao wanted most was death.

Xie Yun said that when the heavy snow fell, everyone had a home.

For Lu Xiao, this is the best ending.

“Xie Yun, can you see the road ahead clearly?”

I was a little confused, feeling relieved yet incomplete.

Without waiting for my reaction, Xie Yun picked me up sideways.

“With my husband here, my shoes and socks won’t get wet, and the road ahead won’t be dark.”

The winter snow turns the world white, and the love, hate, and vengeance are buried underground, and no one will pick them up again.