Li Huaiyu walked along the small path around Mingyuan Palace based on her memory.

  The moonlight was quiet, adding a layer of gloom to the already desolate place. She stepped over the withered grass on the ground and gently pushed open the side door of the palace.

  Every emperor in history had a secret room for storing important items and documents. Ming Shang Palace was the secret room of Emperor Xiaoming.

  The emperor told her on his deathbed that when she was 15 years old and able to take care of herself, she could come here to find the things he left behind.

  In the eighth year of Daxing, on February 20th, Li Huailian turned fifteen years old. She came here as promised, opening the mechanism with great anticipation, thinking that her father must have left them some treasure.

  Unfortunately, Myeong-sans palace didnt have a treasure, but only a secret that she couldnt bear.

  At that time, Li Huaiyu couldnt accept it and returned to Feiyun Palace in a daze after reading it, forgetting to take away or destroy the thing. Later, on the day of Sima Xu, she was imprisoned and never had the chance to come here again.

  Now with a new look standing in front of the bookshelf on this side hall, Huai Yu thought that once this matter is done, she can thoroughly relax and be Bai Zhi Yi.

  "Ka!" The mechanism on the bookshelf was twisted, and with a light click, the entire wall split open from the middle and retreated to both sides.

  Thinking of Jiang Xuanjin still waiting on the other side of the fake mountain, Huai Yu hooked her lips and smiled as she walked in, already thinking about how to tease this drunk person later.

  However, when she looked up and glanced into the secret room, Huai Yus smile froze on her face.

  In the dimly lit room, a candle flame flickered, and Liu Yunlie, dressed in a long, dark green brocade robe, stood ten steps away from her in front of a bookcase, holding a yellowed document in his hand, his eyes staring at her in shock, as if he had suffered an extreme fright.

  His heart sank, a chill ran up from his ankles, freezing Li Huaiyu to the ground, almost making him unable to stand.

  "What are you doing here?!"

  Subconsciously shouting out this sentence, Huaiyu felt something was off and hastily turned around to run.

  "Halt!" Yu Yunlie stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, quickly pressing the mechanism on the side, causing the secret rooms door to close again.

  The last gust of wind blowing in made the candles burning on the table flicker.

  "Who are you?!" He shouted, with a great force in his hand, and his voice was also trembling, apparently he was also shocked.

  Hua Yus whole body stiffened, her eyes fixed on the person in front of her without blinking, and after a long while, she said: "Lord Liu doesnt even recognize me?"

  How could he not recognize her? Every time he saw her, he felt uncomfortable all over, thinking it was the aftermath of their last fight, but now it seemed not entirely so.

  "Bai Zhu... " Liu Yunlie muttered her name repeatedly, exerting great force to hold down her struggles.

  He had investigated Bai Zhen and found that before he regained his senses, he didnt have the slightest connection with anyone outside the mansion. It was already suspicious that he suddenly knew Lu Jinghang, and now he appeared here again.

  Apart from him and Your Majesty, only Princess Chang knows this.

  Li Huaiyu felt her heart was about to jump out of her throat, twisting her wrist trying to break free from him, but his strength was greater than hers, and she could only lean against the wall waiting for an opportunity.

  She had exchanged blows with him before and was well aware that if he were to really let loose, Bai Zhens body would absolutely not be a match for his.

  Having dispelled the murderous intent in his heart, Li Huaiyus eyes rolled around and he gave up struggling: "Lord Liu, what are you doing?"

  "Do you still want to pretend?" Liu Yunlies eyes snapped back into focus, his elbow pressed against her throat as he pinned her against the wall. His gaze was fierce as he said, "Bai familys fourth young miss, after being foolish for three years, you suddenly recover and not only can speak fluently but also suddenly know martial arts. Lu Jinghang gave you a dowry, Xu Xian, Han Xiao, and Yun Lancheng gave you a seat at the maternal home banquet, and now you appear here again."

  "Your Highness, Im afraid I didnt come out to greet you from afar."

  Li Huaiyu was startled and opened his eyes, saying: "Sir, what are you talking about? I dont understand."

  The force on his hand gradually increased, and Liu Yunlie coldly smiled: "If you cant understand, then so be it. Today is the day you came to Shangmen yourself. Since you like Mingshan Palace so much, why dont you just rest here forever?"

  Her neck was pressed so hard that she couldnt breathe, and Huai Yu painfully furrowed her brow: "Wait... wait! If you want me to die, at least let me die with a clear conscience!"

  Liu Yunlies movements paused, he looked at her with a pair of eyes, and slightly loosened his hand.

  "I really dont know what Your Highness is talking about." Taking advantage of the opportunity, Huai Yu hastily said, "I just happened to be walking by..."

  "Then you opened the mechanism here?" interrupted her lie roughly, Liu Yunlies hand tightened again, "If you just want to say these things, then I will send off Your Highness."

  That wont work.

  Liu Yunlie really intended to kill her, and didnt show any mercy when he struck.

  Li Huaiyu panicked and took advantage of his throat still being able to make a sound, shouting "Liu... Liu Guang!"

  Hearing his own name, Liu Yunlie burst out laughing: "Your Highness has finally acknowledged it?"

  Are you still refusing to admit it even when death is imminent? Shes not stupid! Huai Yu nodded repeatedly, signaling him to loosen his grip on her a bit.

  His hand loosened by half an inch, Liu Yunlies eyes were sharp as he said: "So, the strange behavior of Zi Yang Jun all this time was your doing, secretly manipulating him!"

  Taking two quick breaths, Li Huaiyu looked up at him: "Who is this Zi Yang Jun that I can seduce? Hes just doing what he thinks is right."

  "Hmph." Liu Yunlie shook his head, "Your Highness is being modest. Without you going to great lengths to pull strings behind the scenes, how could he have found out about Qi Han so quickly?"

  At this point, the progress of Jiang Xuanjins case is stuck at Qi Han. Li Huaiyu almost thought that Qi Han was the mastermind behind the scenes. But now, after hearing Liu Yunlies words, she understood.

  He is the one who hides the deepest.

  Her whole body was tense, her eyes cast down, and she said in a weak tone: "Anyway, Ive already fallen into your hands, why not sit down and have a chat?"

  "I dont dare." His hand remained on her throat, Liu Yunlies eyes were deep and solemn, "Ive learned a lot from the princesss methods, if you want to talk, lets just talk like this."

  Not even giving me half a chance? Hua Yus heart sank heavily.

  Liu Yunlie seemed to have suspected her for a long time, so now that he knew the truth, he was more recalling and verifying what he already knew, piece by piece, confirming her identity.

  A moment later, the gaze that fell on her face was no longer panicked, and she had also calmed down a lot.

  It seemed like he had nothing to ask, so Li Huaiyu asked him: "How did you know about this place?"

  When the Emperor was dying, only she and Huai Lin were by his side. Even Jiang Xuanjin stood outside the palace, so it wouldnt be possible for anyone else to know what happened here, let alone Liu Yunlie, who was an outsider.

  The person in front of him seemed to be smiling but not quite: "Your Highness already has an idea, why bother asking a humble minister like me?"

  Apart from her, the people who know about this place are...

  Carrying a unicorn.

  Frowning deeply, Li Huaiyu shook her head: "Its impossible that he told you."

  Lets not mention that when Father Emperor passed away, Huai Lun was only seven years old and may not even remember this matter. Even if he remembered, there is no reason for him to tell Liu Yunlie.

  This man is deceiving her.

  "Your Highness doesnt believe it, then I, a humble subject, have no way to convince you." Liu Yunlie half-closed his eyes, "I also have questions for Your Highness."

  "You ask." Li Huaiyus attitude was very sincere: "Ask what I answer what!"

  "How did you survive?" This was what Liu Yunlie wanted to know most.

  People cant come back from the dead, thats what our ancestors said, but why is it that this person in front of me clearly died, yet he can borrow someone elses body and stand here talking to him again?

  Lowering her eyelids, Huaiyu said, "This kind of thing, I told you and you wouldnt believe me."

  "To continue."

  Ordinary nonsense couldnt pass Liu Yunlies ears, Huaiyu thought seriously for a moment and suddenly had an idea.

  "I obtained a treasure before I was born, which can retain peoples souls and make them come back to life after death." Lowering her voice, she said, "Thanks to that treasure, I had the chance to return."

  Treasure? Liu Yunlie gave her a cold glance: "Think you can fool me?"

  "Not true! Not true!" Li Huaiyu stamped her foot, "I really didnt deceive you! Do you remember the year of Daxing four years ago when the Eastern Jin visited the Northern Wei? Among the treasures presented by Baohua Jun, there was a jade pendant with an unusual shape! I didnt know its purpose at that time, but after I died, my soul was absorbed by it, and then Bai Sisi drowned to death. Thats how I ended up in her body."

  Anyway, no one else has died before, who can distinguish her true and false words?

  The living fact was right in front of him, and Liu Yunlie had no choice but to believe it. A strange light flashed across his eyes at that moment.

  "Where is that jade pendant now?"

  Everyone is afraid of death, and those with a heavier desire for power are more afraid. For the superior, living forever and resurrecting from the dead are treasures that cannot be bought with all the money in the world.

  Hua Yu saw the opportunity and finally smiled: "Sir, my life is now in your hands. If you really kill me, I will still rely on that treasure to revive myself. How can I tell you where it is?"

  Live once and can live again? If you get that thing, wont you never die?

  Liu Yunlie furrowed his brow and half-closed his eyes, as if he was thinking about something.

  "In fact, Im only living this life to clear my own name. "Hua Yu let out a long sigh, "Look at me, who have I harmed? Those people in prison, werent they all punished for their crimes? You dont need to kill me, once the case is overturned, Ill obediently stay by Jiang Xuans side and wont bother you all again."

  "Do you still want to go back to his side?" Liu Yunlie sneered, "Let him know your identity, do you think you can still live?"

  His arch-nemesis of yesteryear, who had borrowed a corpse to return to the world of the living, became his wife. She schemed, used him and showed affection to him, all for the sake of clearing her own name.

  If Jiang Xuanjin knew about this...

  His eyes flickered and he suddenly let her go.

  "Cough, cough, cough!" The pressure on her neck was gone, and Huaiyu bent down to a fit of coughing.

  "Make a deal," said Liu Yunlie. "Ill let you go, and you give me that treasure."

  Hua Yu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Does the master keep his promises?"

  "The gate is right next to you, you can go out now." Liu Yunlie said, "But if I dont find that jade pendant, I will definitely expose your identity and let you be given another dose of poisonous wine."

  How is that possible? Once shes out, the old case will be reopened and her charges will be dropped. Huai Lin knows her identity, he cant even contain his excitement, how could he possibly give her poisoned wine?

  Li Huaiyu stood up straight and said: "Ill leave first, once its safe, Ill have someone send that jade pendant to the master."

  Liu Yunlie stood with his hands behind his back, watching her trigger the mechanism on the wall. He said meaningfully: "Life is not easy to come by, Your Highness should cherish it well and not play any more tricks."

  "Dont worry." The wall cracked open and a refreshing breeze blew in from outside. Huaiyu took a deep breath, picked up her skirt and walked out calmly.

  Mingyuan Palace was still quiet, but the distant Xile Palace banquet seemed to have dispersed, and the lively sounds of before were gone.

  His hands were shaking and his footsteps were a bit unsteady, Li Huaiyu didnt dare to look back at all, the faster he walked, the more he ran wildly as soon as he left Ming Shan Palace.

  It was as if she had just woken up from a nightmare. No, she couldnt have imagined that she would see Liu Yunlie in the secret room! What should she do now? Liu Yunlie knew her identity and could tell Jiang Xuanjin at any time, then everything would be over.

  He let her off the hook today, only because he wanted the treasure. What about after she gave him the treasure? Her secret is in his hands, and hes always wanted her dead. The outcome is obvious.

  Cant let Liu Yunlie live.

  She realized this and her mind started racing quickly.

  Along the palace path back to Ming Shan Palace, Huai Yu composed herself and thought of going to meet Jiang Xuanjin who was waiting for her on the artificial mountain rock.

  However, it seemed she had tarried too long, and the banquet in the palace was over. There were no more people on the artificial hill of rocks either.

  She felt a little flustered and grabbed a passerby, asking: "Have you seen Master Ziyang?"

  What a coincidence! The man turned around, and it was Yun Lianqing. He looked at her in surprise: "Madam Jun? Mr. Jun has been waiting for you for a long time. Originally, he didnt want to leave this place, but he got drunk badly, so several Jiang gentlemen took him back to the mansion."

  Seeing him, Huai Yus eyes were extremely complicated, clenching his fists and opening his mouth to say something, but swallowed it back.

  Looking at her expression, Yunlan Qings eyes deepened slightly: "Ive always had a question I wanted to ask you, madam."

  "How did Madam know there was a problem with the Luohua River Dam?"

  Her mind was in a mess, and she didnt even have the strength to turn around with Yuexuan. Her face pale, she said, "Do you suspect Im Danyang too?"

  Such a straightforward sentence made Yunlans eyes widen in shock.

  "I dont have time to talk to you much now." Huai Yu lowered her eyes, and her voice was shaking slightly. "Lan Qing, help me tell Lu Jinghang that I want them all to be prepared, I have someone to kill."

  I have someone I need to kill.

  This arrogant tone instantly brought Yunlan Qing back to the Feiyun Palace half a year ago, and she suddenly saw that person wearing palace attire but not sitting properly, with their legs raised towards them saying:

  "Come on, grown-ups, catch this worm and figure out a way to kill it."

  ……

  "Your Highness?" Yun Lianqing called out tentatively to the person in front of her, her eyes filled with surprise and doubt.

  Hua Yu nodded and her legs went soft as she squatted down on the ground: "You...do what I say."

  Hou Tous Korean friend was looking for someone everywhere, walked over and saw his back, loudly shouting: "Lan Qing, Ive been looking for you for half a day..."

  As soon as he finished speaking, I saw the white pearl necklace that had been obscured by his back.

  "Huh? How did you end up here too, Madame?" Han Xiao was very surprised. "The people from the Jiang family are looking all over for you."

  She looked at him helplessly, having no more energy to explain, shook her head and stood up with her knees, just about to turn around and leave, when she saw Liu Yunlie coming back from behind.

  She held her breath, her eyes wide open and stiffened in place, completely daring not to move.

  "Whats wrong?" Han Xiao knew nothing and curiously looked at her, saying, "Has Junfus wife also gotten drunk? Your face looks so bad."

  Liu Yunlie walked over step by step with a seemingly smiling yet not quite smiling face, stopped at a distance from them and cupped his hands to ask: "Are you gentlemen leaving?"

  Yun Lian Qing noticed Li Huaiyus unease and stepped forward two steps to shield her, bowing his head in respect: "The banquet has dispersed."

  "Then you all take care." Yu Yunlie raised his eyes and looked at the person behind Yunlan Qing, smiling lightly, "Madam Jun, take care too."

  Having said that, he continued on his way into the Temple of Joy with his hands behind his back.

  Han Xiao frowned as he watched his back, muttering: "Whats with this guy being so mysterious and weird today?"

  Yun Lianqing turned back and looked at Huaiyu, asking: "Whats wrong?"

  Hua Yu shook her head and said softly: "Excuse me, would you two mind sending me on my way?"

  "Good." Yun Lancheng agreed without hesitation.

  Han Xiao was stunned: "This... Lan Qing, are you okay?"

  He isnt one who usually doesnt like to get involved in other peoples business?

  Yun Lianqing pulled him over and said, "Wait until I have time to explain it to you later. First, lets send the madam back to the Jiang residence."

  Seeing his solemn expression, Han Xiao also knew that something was wrong and hurriedly followed behind Madame Jun with him, no longer asking questions.

  Back at Moju, Huaiyu went to find Qingsi first and said in a low voice: "Theres something I need your help with."

  Looking at her pale face, Qing Si was startled and looked her up and down, seeing that she wasnt hurt before nodding in relief.

  She rummaged through the dresser and picked up a jade pendant, holding it in her hand as she said, "Ive been discovered by Liu Yunlie, so I have to kill him now. Take this and find Lu Jinghang, hell help you arrange for someone to take care of it."

  Having heard the first half of the sentence, Qing Sis eyes turned cold, and after hearing the task at the end, she got up and put the jade pendant into her bosom.

  "Be careful." Cuiyu reminded.

  "Youd better go and see Junshang first." Qing Si kneeled down and bid farewell, leaving behind only these words.

  Whats wrong with Jiang Xuanjin? Huai Yu calmed down and walked out of the wing room towards the main building.

  The main building was quiet and peaceful. Cheng Xiao and Yu Feng stood outside the door, not daring to enter. As soon as they saw her coming, the two immediately pushed open the door, indicating that she should hurry in.

  She had anticipated that he would be difficult to deal with after getting drunk, so Huai Yu had already made preparations to coax him into sleep.

  However, as soon as he entered and looked up, the person sitting in the house had clear eyes and was surprisingly already sober.

  "Where did you go?" he asked coldly.

  Her heart skipped a beat, Li Huaiyu hastily went forward to greet him and sat in front of him, saying: "I got lost, I was originally going to pour tea for you, but as I walked, I lost my way. Fortunately, Cloud Gentleman and Han Gentleman ran into me and sent me back."

  His dark eyes stared at her motionlessly, Jiang Xuanjin said: "You deceived me again."

  His whole body tensed up, and he thought that Hua Yu had discovered something. The blood color on his lips suddenly disappeared completely.

  However, what he said next was: "I waited for you at the fake mountain for half a time, and you can get lost with just one sentence?"

  Yu Hua was taken aback for a moment before bursting out laughing: "Youre talking about this?"

  "Do you have anything else to deceive me?" Jiang Xuanjin frowned.

  "Theres no need!" Huaiyu hastily grabbed his hand and said softly, "How could I deceive you? Getting lost wasnt intentional on my part, dont be angry, okay?"

  Jiang Xuanjin was extremely unhappy, his face gloomy and dark, staring at her like that.

  Having just experienced a thrilling escape from death, at the sight of him now, Huai Yu felt a little choked with emotion, her body leaned forward and wrapped around his waist, her voice hoarse as she said: "Dont be angry..."

  Sounds like hes about to cry.

  Jiang Xuanjin was startled, feeling that her body was slightly trembling, and the anger in his heart suddenly disappeared. He stretched out his hand to pat her back and said, "The one who bullied others is actually crying first?"

  "I didnt bully you." Huaiyu choked back a sob.

  He supported her shoulders and lifted up her head, Jiang Xuanjin frowned as he looked at her red eyes, "Whats wrong?"

  Hua Yu shook her head, hooked her hand around his neck, and pressed herself tightly into his arms, hugging him tightly.

  "Shall we go out of town and have some fun for a few days?" she asked softly.

  Jiang Xuanjin thought for a moment, then said: "Qin Han returns to the capital tomorrow. Ill take him to see His Majesty and confront him. After resolving the old case of Sima Xu, Ill ask you to bring her out for a walk."

  Hua Yu shook her head: "I think Ill leave immediately."

  She had a very bad premonition in her heart, if she could take Jiang Xuanjin away from Kyoto...

  "No," he said, "I am the presiding judge of this case and cannot leave until it is concluded."

  Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at him in a daze, holding onto the jade pendant.

  "Dont be reckless." Jiang Xuanjin reached out and wiped away her tears, "I have things I must do."

  What he wanted to do was naturally much more important than her little temper, Li Huaiyu nodded obediently, but tears fell even more.

  "Alright." He held her in his arms, changed her into her nightgown and undid her hair bun, then put her on the bed to sit down.

  She clutched the quilt under her body and looked at him, opening her mouth to ask something to reassure herself, but fearing that she would arouse his suspicion, she could only lower her eyes and remain silent.

  As soon as the lights went out, Jiang Xuanjin had just lain down on the bed when this person pressed himself against him.

  "Jiang Jing," she said softly, "I really like you."

  He was slightly taken aback and somewhat uncomfortably looked away: "Why suddenly mention this?"

  "Im afraid you dont understand, so I must tell you." In the darkness, her apricot-like eyes shone with a faint light. Huaiyu lowered her head and pressed it against his forehead, saying seriously, word by word, "I want to have a child with you."

  The hand on her waist suddenly tightened, and the person below her moved, flipping over to press her against the pillow.

  She reached out and stroked the contours of his face, Hua Yu smiled mischievously: "Youre really handsome, I want to peel all the sweetest oranges in the world for you to eat."

  She used to say that sentence to tease him, just wanting to see him get angry and blush. But now, she says this sentence sincerely, if she can escape this disaster, she will never cheat on him again, she will... give him a big and sweet orange.

  Jiang Xuanjin thought she was just being glib, so he hummed softly and leaned down to bite her mouth, his tongue lightly licking it, saying: "The sweetest tangerine has obviously been eaten by you."

  Otherwise, why would she be so sweet?

  Hua Yu lost her smile and wrapped herself around his waist.

  In the middle of August, it suddenly rained in the second half of the night. The rain was blown by the wind and drifted into the main building, wetting the clothes hanging on the screen.

  The skin exposed outside felt the coolness of the autumn rain, and Huaiyu pulled up the quilt and shivered slightly.