Yu Tingwan spoke kindly: "If you feel I’ve done something wrong, please take this opportunity to point it out. I will definitely..."

Her voice faded away.

Honest and straightforward Yu Tingwan: "I’m sorry. I was poorly taught, and I can’t change."

"Please bear with me."

The commotion here was quickly relayed word for word into Emperor Ying’s ears by the Black Shadow.

Emperor Ying didn’t know how he felt after hearing these words.

He remained silent for a long time.

What on earth did Wei Zhao marry!

Oh, the Grand Tutor’s real daughter.

Say she is smart, yet she offends people, daring to say anything.

But say she isn’t smart, and she stupefies both the Fifth Prince Consort and Li Pin.

However, Emperor Ying was not surprised.

After all, she came from a small place, as simple as white paper, unlike the noble daughters raised by the aristocratic families of Shangjing who are cautious and presentable in every word and deed.

Not to mention others, even if Old Five’s wife has a temper, she knows when to bow and be humble. She remains particularly composed in big situations.

If it weren’t for her being the Grand Tutor’s daughter, just an ordinary citizen, Emperor Ying would be quite satisfied with this reckless and naïve Young Madam of the Duke Shun Mansion.

Like Xiao Huaian, the Princely Heir of Marquis Zhongyong Mansion, both were spoiled into uselessness.

He masked the disdain in his eyes.

He originally thought bringing someone from the countryside meant Yu Tingwan was somewhat capable.

Now it seems he overestimated her.

Wei Zhao married for beauty.

————

Yu Tingwan didn’t stay at Cining Palace for the meal.

She prepared to leave the palace.

By this time, the rain had lessened, turning into a soft drizzle. She walked slowly under the winding corridors.

Gu Wu was a step behind, following closely.

Unlike her previously reckless behavior in Cining Palace, Yu Tingwan now seemed like a different person, with a calm demeanor.

"I saw you at the night market yesterday."

Whom these words were directed at was self-evident.

She continued to walk, speaking of the location decisively.

"West Street Wine Workshop."

Seeing her, eager to approach but hesitant to do so.

Yu Tingwan: "There’s no need to avoid me in the future."

Gu Wu’s eyes instantly brightened: "Then can I..."

Occasionally find my elder sister.

Yu Tingwan glanced at her: "No."

She’s not accustomed to being too close to people.

Even when Shen Zhiyi insisted on holding her arm when walking, Yu Tingwan took a long time to get used to it. She doesn’t want to manage too many complicated relationships.

Gu Wu bit her lip and looked down at her embroidered shoes: "I understand. I won’t trouble you with Grandmother’s matters."

Yu Tingwan, in a completely normal tone, said, "You don’t have to feel guilty towards me either."

"I don’t hold a grudge against you, if it were not you back then, it might have been someone else."

No one wanted such things to happen, especially considering Jiasan was seriously ill.

Gu Fuju brought a child from outside to alleviate the illness, as her husband, it wasn’t wrong.

Gu Wu’s gaze trembled slightly.

Indeed, in front of Yu Tingwan, she lacked confidence.

Yu Tingwan spoke softly: "Everyone must admit, your existence has significance."

"Young Madam of Duke Shun Mansion!"

A sharp voice rang out from behind. An unfamiliar eunuch walked briskly towards her.

"Finally caught up."

He made a gesture of invitation to Yu Tingwan: "The Holy Emperor wants to see you."

Gu Wu stood where she was, watching her leave with the eunuch.

The elderly woman next to her could no longer hold back, frowning: "This one is really..."

"It’s not this old servant’s place to speak. It was a minor matter, refusing would have sufficed, but why did she insist on bringing it up, embarrassing those two?"

"One is a Favorite Concubine, the other is the Fifth Prince’s main wife. Offending them will narrow her path in the future. This young lady is really reckless."

"Shut up."

Gu Wu’s face darkened.

"My elder sister must have her own reasoning."

Suddenly, she realized something was off.

Father often mentioned that elder sister was too perceptive, intelligent but too good at concealing her abilities.

Yet today, elder sister clung to one issue, almost aggressive. And when the eunuch summoned her, elder sister didn’t seem surprised at all.

Gu Wu suddenly thought of something.

Was this... intentionally said for him to hear?

Could there be an emissary of the Holy Emperor at Cining Palace?

Yes, Black Shadow.

From the moment Yu Tingwan entered the palace, she was being watched.

Gu Wu couldn’t understand why Yu Tingwan would do this.

After all, she was just a new wife...

No, that’s not right.

She is the new wife of the Duke Shun Mansion.

Gu Wu felt uneasy, forgetting to hold the umbrella, and hurriedly ran back.

"Elder sister!"

Through the rain, she shouted towards the woman’s back.

Yu Tingwan paused, confused, and turned around.

The eunuch slightly furrowed his brows: "Does Miss Gu have something to say? The Holy Emperor is waiting."

Gu Wu’s hand clenched slightly beneath her sleeve.

In the end, what she wanted to say became words she didn’t utter.

"Maybe it’s not my place to say, but elder sister is haunted by the incident of the fire back then."

The people who perished in the past still haven’t found peace, because the one truly responsible for their deaths, the ruler of a nation, has not yet faced retribution.

But.

"Your existence holds even greater significance for Yu Family parents."

"Elder sister shouldn’t trap herself. It’s fine to hate anyone, but please let go of yourself."

Yu Tingwan glanced deeply at Gu Wu.

Without speaking, without replying.

She headed towards the imperial palace.

Gu Wu’s palms curled up.

"Miss. Should we leave the palace?"

"No, go find Grandmother, have her relay the news to Father."

Yu Tingwan was not afraid of what Emperor Ying could do to her.

After all, things haven’t reached a complete point of no return.

She, Emperor Ying cannot touch.

Emperor Ying summoning her was nothing more than wanting to express concern for Wei Zhao and thinking she was foolish, wanting to extract information from her.

Wishful thinking.

Yu Tingwan showed no emotion, but was very irritated.

Because tonight upon entering the palace, seeing the patrolling Jinyi Guard at the palace gates, various fragmented images constantly flashed through her mind.

Disorderly.

Chaotic.

From a previous life.

One moment she was sitting on a swing.

The next she was standing at the door, eagerly looking forward.

Another time she felt unwell, and Tan Jiang anxiously sought a doctor.

And then what happened. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The scene shifted, a sharp dagger pressed against her neck.

The one holding the dagger was that Jinyi Guard with the scarred corner of his eye at the palace gate.

—"They’ve named you for death, I advise you not to struggle, my lady."

Blood trickled down her neck.

The image was disjointed.

In chaos, she was jolted beyond recognition, finally captured by the riverbank.

"The body cannot be handled in time, leaving traces, and the Wei Family Army is chasing too closely, so you must die without leaving a trace."

Yu Tingwan saw herself, her face drained of color, desperately covering her lower abdomen, trying to struggle. Yet, like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered, she was on the verge of losing her life at any moment.

Someone even removed her embroidered shoes, creating a scene of suicide. As if the surging river could wash away all sins.

Fearing she wouldn’t die completely, someone stabbed her twice in her lower abdomen, piercing through her hands, before kicking her into the river.

Yu Tingwan couldn’t feel the pain in her hands.

But her lower abdomen hurt intensely.

She couldn’t stand steadily, falling down, trying desperately to protect, but was unable to protect anything.

The blood between her legs was much more than that flowing from her neck, bright and glaring. But it dyed the river as she plunged into the water.

Her body was carried away by the raging currents, vanishing completely along with the little life just over two months old within her.