Chapter 001: Lotus Leaf Rain, Smartweed Flower Wind, Autumn Regrets of Several Red Branches (I)

She stepped out from behind the Crown Princess, bowed gracefully, and said softly: "It is all due to Linghua's lax discipline that Huanyan has committed such a grave act of rebellion. Linghua is willing to accept the Crown Princess's punishment!"

The flowers fell like hail, the sword's brilliance was dazzling. That person received the final move of the sword's momentum, their star-bright eyes glanced at her with a smile, and the tip of the sword lifted a branch of apricot blossoms, gently presenting it to her.

The Crown Princess said: "Huan Yan, Zhi Lan has also identified you. You once spoke ill of the eldest son and his wife, and you were the last person to handle the black horse. What else do you have to say?"

Huan Yan could not help but ask her, why harm her, the little maid who did not wish to obstruct anyone's path

Currently, Zhi Lan, who has always defended Huan Yan, has also testified that Huan Yan had both the motive and the opportunity to harm her elder brother, making the charges against Huan Yan all the more compelling and irrefutable

But her ten fingers slowly retracted, curling tightly. The sharp nails dug into the flesh, and then broke.

But when she reached out her hand to Linghua, she couldn't help but change direction, trembling yet forcefully extending it towards Xu Zhilan

Her ten fingers were slender and delicate like jade, resembling a spring onion just sprouting in the spring sun, indistinguishable from the young ladies of noble families. Xu Zhilan's heart trembled, and she hurriedly turned her face away, kneeling beside Linghua and said: "Huan Yan, relying on her talent, has always looked down on Sister Linghua, so it is no wonder that Sister Linghua cannot manage her affairs. I kindly ask Mother not to blame her."

If vows of eternal love can turn into fleeting memories in an instant, what can be said of the bonds of loyalty between master and servant, or the affection among sisters?

Xu Zhilan's expression was calm as she cast a faint glance at her, slowly turning her face to look at Linghua

He said: "As long as I, Xu Zhilan, live for a day, you, Xu Qing, shall have joy for a day"

Huan Yan seemed to have been struck by a whip again, turning her head to look at the Third Young Master Xu Zhi Lan, the one with whom she had vowed to share her life until old age.

The figure of the Crown Princess on the main seat became increasingly ethereal and lofty, rendering even the young lady Linghua standing beside her indistinct.

She shivered for a moment and finally opened her eyes

The skin, torn by the whip, stings painfully

Smiling with resentment, unwilling to accept.

The pale pink apricot blossoms suddenly appeared bright in her eyes, as if凝成 a deep red, slowly dispersing away

In the realm between dream and reality, the corners of her lips lifted slightly, only to be abruptly awakened by a splash of cold water poured over her head

The graceful figure of the kneeling flower of repentance is positioned to the side of the joyful countenance, with a celestial beauty and an enchanting serenity

The investigation revealed that the black horse had previously been administered a substance that induces madness; the Crown Prince's adopted daughter, Xia Linghua, happened to discover this substance in the room of her maid, Huan Yan, with whom she had grown up.

As long as I have you, Xu Zhilan, for a day, grant me a day of joy

The face of Linghua was adorned with a delicate blush, reminiscent of the most vibrant color of peach blossoms in full bloom as recalled in memory

At this time, it was the 41st year of the reign of Emperor Shuncheng of the Great Wu. Emperor Shuncheng was gravely ill, and Crown Prince Xu Anren attended to him day and night in the palace. Unexpectedly, Xu Anren's eldest son, Xu Zhiwen, suddenly fell from his horse and died. Xu Anren did not want to provoke controversy at this critical moment, so he publicly claimed that his eldest son had died of illness, but he instructed Crown Princess Zhang to investigate the truth rigorously.