No one paid attention to Cui Zhao’s reluctance; he was taken away.

Those sent into exile naturally don’t need to prepare anything; they don’t even have the chance to return home and are simply sent out of Capital City.

"Chen’er, you should agree to her. Since she sees you differently, if you agree, the Cui Family may fare better." Cui Yu said, "Even if we all die on the road to exile, die in the east, this branch of the Cui Family will still have you."

He realized too late that his younger son was more capable than his elder one, but now it’s too late.

Cui Chen saw the thoughts in Cui Yu’s eyes and sarcastically laughed: "Father, if you had to start over, you would still choose my brother."

He is still the one being abandoned.

He doesn’t blame anyone; unlike Yu Chen, he is still loved in this family. Besides, when Yu Chen was sent away, she no longer had any connection with the Cui Family.

And he still owes them for raising him.

"Father, you were right to choose my brother," Cui Chen continued. If nothing had happened, he still couldn’t be a suitable successor. There are many things he can’t ignore or compromise on; he couldn’t turn a blind eye. There are too many things in this world he disagrees with. If given control of the Cui Family, a disaster might happen one day, "You should also understand that even if she gives me freedom, I’m unlikely to do anything about it, nor do I want to."

Let it be.

Whether he lives or dies, it’ll depend on fate.

He’s grown weary of the things around him, and from his relatives’ different faces, from initial disbelief to now numbness.

Everyone has desires, everyone has selfish motives, even himself; how can he demand otherwise from others? Had things not happened, he would never have stood in Yu Chen’s shoes, and he too is a shallow, ignorant person.

The current outcome is the result of his choices. Even knowing this, he couldn’t abandon his family to appease Yu Chen; the outcome remains the same.

That’s just his character; it can’t be changed.

"If you won’t think for yourself, you should at least consider the Cui Family!" Cui Zhao shouted angrily, as if Cui Chen had committed some heinous act.

Cui Chen looked at his once gentle and jade-like brother, now so frenzied, and merely smiled without saying much.

Only today did he realize the unreachable brother, always like a towering mountain, had such a side. He thought the other would remain composed in the face of life and death, but didn’t expect... such a terrified expression.

Previously, his brother spoke of Yu Chen’s fate with such indifference, but now, faced with the same, he couldn’t accept it.

It was as if he saw Yu Chen’s mockery.

Cui Chen closed his eyes, ignored Cui Zhao, and Cui Zhao, finding no satisfaction, angrily stared at him without effect.

The Ning Family wiped tears, looking down the distant road, filled with sorrow.

The rest of the Cui Family kept their distance from Cui Yu’s family, unable to avoid resentment, thinking this journey would not be peaceful.

On the second day after Nan Qi was overthrown, the entire Nan Qi royal family became commoners, and the Canglan Country’s Your Majesty said that those with grievances could come forward, and they would be given justice. At first, no one dared, but some saw Ah Chen’s intentions, and truly had grievances, so they boldly stepped forward.

Many people hadn’t wronged anyone; those who hadn’t, as long as they lived quietly as commoners, Ah Chen wouldn’t do anything to them.

Those who did not behave, well, they could only be sent on their way sooner.

Like Nan Qi’s Third Princess Song Shu, who once used power to seize a certain family’s young lady’s fiancé. Even though the fiancé initially broke off the engagement, seeming reasonable and faultless, Miss Li wanted the reason to be made public, so naturally, it was released. Because Song Shu, the Third Princess, said she didn’t want to be disturbed, the Li Family sent Miss Li to a village to fend for herself. If not for today’s upheaval, she might really have died there.

Princess Song Miao and Princess Song Man truly haven’t committed any evil acts, and now live quietly with their families in the residence Ah Chen arranged for them, remaining tranquil.

In moments alone, the two often recall the scene from that day when they invited Ah Chen to watch the lanterns.

It turns out the other wasn’t spouting nonsense that night; she truly could confer the title of Female Official. Even if those words were casually spoken, and they weren’t made female officials, the two still sigh with amazement. It’s said that Miss Li is the first female official appointed by the Canglan Empress on this side, now responsible for seeking justice for those who file complaints. If someone truly has a grievance, justice will be served; if there’s deceit, it will be punished.

Ah Chen’s reputation precedes her, and currently, no one dares exploit loopholes.

A month has passed, and more news about the Canglan Empress spreads everywhere. The fact she came from the Cui Family is something Ah Chen not only doesn’t hide but even hopes people will share.

Those who hear inevitably sigh; the Cui Family produced such a remarkable person, yet she was discarded like a weed, leaving them deeply regretful.

Details about Ah Chen’s exploits during the final palace banquet of Bei Qi have spread clearly this time.

Additionally, Ah Chen’s scene of conquering Nan Qi, and the tales of Cui Zhao’s pleading, have spread, resulting in global ridicule, and hence, the Cui Family holds no reputation.

Abandoning one’s own daughter so that another may succeed counts as loyal conduct to the sovereign, but later it was revealed it was just forsaking their own daughter for family glory. Unexpectedly, the abandoned daughter turned out to be the most formidable, first extinguishing Bei Qi, then Nan Qi, creating the powerful Canglan Country. Missed the opportunity, and even in crucial moments tried to betray Nan Qi to resurrect the Cui Family, yet the Canglan Empress had no such intention, causing a laughingstock. At this point, dying is just dying; who would’ve thought Cui Zhao would even beg both nations’ emperors for mercy, making it impossible not to be ridiculed worldwide.

On the road to exile, Cui Zhao heard many jeers.

Some even knew they were from the Cui Family, specifically coming to watch them as entertainment. From childhood to adulthood, he was praised wherever he went; he had never faced such humiliation. Even so, Cui Zhao never thought of dying, for death meant nothing would be left.

Naturally, Cui Yu hadn’t thought of dying either; dying is easy, but then there’s nothing left. It’s better to live, just in case? At least while alive, there’s some hope.

The east is a dangerous place, but also represents opportunity.

Besides, at the former border of Nan Qi, learning that Song Chong and Consort Li had both died, morale instantly collapsed. Later, hearing of Ah Chen’s deeds, morale further dropped, leading many to choose surrender. A few refused, somewhat passionate, but after Fan Shi spoke to them, they wereleft speechless.

"Your Majesty is not from another tribe, she’s from Nan Qi, and never harms the innocent or the weak. Your Majesty eliminates only those who are wicked and do evil."