Chapter 10: The Art of Deception

Gao Rui had already arrived at the entrance of the mourning hall. Dressed in a silver-white python robe, with a jade belt at his waist, he appeared elegant and poised. Seeing the faint smile that lingered at the corner of Gao Rui's mouth, Du Xinyan couldn't help but feel intense hatred, yet he approached with a smile and said: "Your Highness, my father has been sentenced to death for his crimes and is already a guilty man; how could he dare to trouble the Third Prince to come here? I am truly apprehensive."

As the autumn wind suddenly rises, Du Xinyan gazes longingly in the direction where Ding Qianhe has departed. After a long while, he brushes away the fallen leaves from his shoulder and walks back to the mourning hall in solitude

Ding Qianhe caressed the carvings on the tree trunk, noticing that Du Xinyan was not looking at her, which made her feel distressed. She bit her lip and said: "Xiao Du, this is what we carved with a knife. You said that since I love sitting here so much, I carved a lotus flower. You said that even if I am not here, when you sit alone, it would still be as if I am accompanying you. In the future, I will no longer be able to sit here and chat like this with you."

He underestimated Shen Xiaofei, underestimated Gao Rui, and underestimated the influence of Xie Guifei and the Third Prince's residence. He thought he could rely on himself to ensure the First Prince Xi ascended to the throne. He was mistaken! Du Xinyan opened his eyes, bringing with them a chilling coldness

Tears flowed uncontrollably as Ding Qianhe choked out, "Is the throne really that important? They are brothers; no matter who sits on the throne, must the other one die? And what about Uncle Du? I do not understand why he would take on all the blame, even at the cost of his life. I do not understand."

The sound of the door knocker echoed like his heartbeat, carrying a hint of despair in the emptiness

Cheng Lian raised his head and said, "There is no need to enter the palace, it is futile. You still have time to see your father for the last time"

In my impression, Gao Rui is very intelligent, decisive in action, and possesses a deep level of cunning

Silly girl, you do not need to understand. You just need to happily be your role as the consort of the Three Sovereigns. I am only worried that if Gao Rui has other women, you will be very heartbroken

Du Xinyan hung his head, half of his face swollen and flushed. How could he not understand, how could he not be aware of these stakes? He just could not bear to see his father sentenced to death while he was unable to save him

Stepping out of the cell, Du Xinyan took a deep breath, not daring to look back. He softly said: "Father, rest assured, I will definitely walk upright in the sunlight."

Du Xinyan seemed to have been bitten by an ant, a sharp pain suddenly tugging at his heart. The person who had once been his childhood sweetheart and dear sister had now become the daughter of his father's murderer. He forced a smile and said: "Let's go in and talk"

(3)

Du Xinyan fell silent. Ding Qianhe never kept her feelings to herself; when she said she liked Gao Rui, it was undoubtedly a deep love for him. Only this foolish girl, Ding Qianhe, would believe that Gao Rui had genuine feelings for her. As Du Xinyan looked at the sweetness on Ding Qianhe's face, his heart began to struggle again. One voice said that the decree of marriage had already been issued, and resisting it would lead to the extermination of her clan; he could not bear such consequences. Another voice asked him, would he just watch her jump into the fire pit?

Recalling the words Gao Rui had spoken before his departure, Du Xinyan closed her eyes. This was her fate, her calamity, and he was powerless to change it. The innocent and carefree past of Ding Qianhe flashed before her eyes. He struggled to utter a sentence: "Qianhe, do not concern yourself with the matters of the court, leave the Ding residence. Have you not always admired the carefree nature of those in the martial world? Zihao has always liked you; he will truly cherish, love, and protect you. Go away with him and soar high together!" He struggled to utter a sentence: "Qianhe, do not concern yourself with the matters of the court, leave the Ding residence. Have you not always admired the carefree nature of those in the martial world? Zihao has always liked you; he will truly cherish, love, and protect you. Go away with him and soar high together!"

The horse had not yet stopped, but the person had already turned over and fallen down. Du Xinyan heavily struck the copper ring on the red lacquered door.

(2)

He silently burned the paper money and said softly: "Father, Qianhe is a good girl. I have regarded her as my own sister since childhood, and now I can only watch her get caught up in troubles. I feel very sad. Ever since Gao Rui led troops at the age of seventeen, I knew that Ding Fengnian had pledged allegiance to him. He has always been dissatisfied with you, following the Emperor through life and death, yet it was only because my aunt conferred a title of consort upon him that you became the military commander while he remained merely a general of Wuwei. I know you cherish old feelings, and I have kept silent and endured. Every time I look at Qianhe, I feel a sense of guilt because sooner or later, I will have to kill Ding Fengnian with my own hands." He has always been dissatisfied with you, following the Emperor through life and death, yet it was only because my aunt conferred a title of consort upon him that you became the military commander while he remained merely a general of Wuwei. I know you cherish old feelings, and I have kept silent and endured. Every time I look at Qianhe, I feel a sense of guilt because sooner or later, I will have to kill Ding Fengnian with my own hands.

Ding Feng shook his head and said, "Qian He, I will go back first. You two have a good chat."

Du Xinyan felt a pang in his heart, as those rays of sunshine and those flowers had all drifted far away from him. His heart had already sunk into the darkness of the desire for power and position. Only by having Gao Xi ascend to the throne, by killing Ding Fengnian and by eliminating Shen Xiang and Shen Xiaofei, could he have the opportunity to let his heart bask in the sunlight

Ding Qianhe had been silently standing by, and upon hearing this, she did not speak. She felt distressed; since her arrival, Du Xinyan had not even glanced at her. She thought to herself, can this be blamed on her? Is it wrong for her to have developed feelings for Gao Rui?

The dungeon is dark and damp

He followed behind the prison guard with a stern expression, his lips pressed tightly together in a line

With every step Du Xinyan took, his heart ached. He recalled the various amusing incidents he shared with Gao Xi since childhood. They were cousins, and he helped him without hesitation. Gao Xi was gentle, magnanimous, and fair-minded. He liked him. Because of his close relationship with Gao Xi, he had always kept his distance from the Third Prince, Gao Rui.

After returning to the capital a mere few months after the battle with the Khitan, Ding Feng had noticeably gained weight. The sharp killing aura that once surrounded him seemed to have vanished overnight. Even his tone of voice no longer resembled that of a seasoned military general. He spoke humbly to Du Xinyan, saying: "Noble nephew, I do not know how your father will bear this matter. I only..."

Du Xinyan coldly said: "A person is dead, why does His Highness the Third Prince still come to the door to show off his power?"

Just as Gao Rui was sent away, the old butler whispered in Du Xinyan's ear that Ding Fengnian had brought Ding Qianhe to pay their respects. Du Xinyan slowly gazed outside, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes. He adjusted his mourning robe and calmly said: "Please come in"

Du Xinyan was exchanging pleasantries in front of the mourning hall when he suddenly heard someone outside calling out: "The Third Prince has arrived!"

Over the years, the new rice taken from the granary and transported to the military is often exchanged for a batch of old and moldy rice. The military leaders have long used this method to earn silver coins to supplement the soldiers' pay. The new and old rice are mixed together, and as long as the mixture is not too excessive, the soldiers will eat it just the same. The silver earned, aside from a portion that is privately divided among the leaders, is mostly used to provide compensation to the families of soldiers who have died in battle. As the military commander, Du Chengfeng is certainly aware of this situation. He also turns a blind eye to the vacancies among the soldiers in the military.

Du Xinyan certainly knew that his face was covered in dust, his beard was unkempt, and blood stained his pants between his legs, causing a searing pain. He paid no attention to these matters and grabbed the old housekeeper's shoulder, shouting: "Is Master Cheng at home?"

Du Chengfeng drank it all in one gulp. He wanted to say something more to him, but in the end, he held back.

Ding Qianhe also remembered. She looked at the third large branch of the tree and said, "Xiao Du, we used to love sitting there and talking. From there, we can see the entire view of the residence. The people below cannot hear what we say. Let's go up and sit there to talk!"

I heard that the reason His Highness the Third Prince was able to find Brother Wei and me this time is that Shen Xiaofei has been sending people to keep an eye on me. She is truly clever, even anticipating that you would let Brother Wei abduct me. With her helping him like this, Xiao Du, do you think His Highness the Third Prince will really like her? He ...

On a night devoid of stars and moon, a shadow swiftly darted onto Du Chengfeng's grave. A spade flew through the air, and taking advantage of the loose soil, the grave was opened. He jumped into the pit, pried open the coffin, and with a silver needle, pierced the Baihui acupoint at the top of Du Chengfeng's head, administering a pill into his mouth. After waiting for about a stick of incense, breath unexpectedly returned to the lifeless Du Chengfeng's mouth and nose. The man in black let out a long sigh of relief, picked him up, resealed the coffin, and restored the grave. After waiting for about a stick of incense, breath unexpectedly returned to the lifeless Du Chengfeng's mouth and nose. The man in black let out a long sigh of relief, picked him up, resealed the coffin, and restored the grave. He quickly left, carrying Du Chengfeng on his back.

Du Xinyan leapt down from the tree and, before she could speak, smiled and said: "I was thinking, it would be nice to be a wandering hero in the martial world."

Du Chengfeng slapped his thigh and laughed: "Not bad! Didn't cry! Every day I hear people talk about Little Du from the capital, just hearing the name makes me uncomfortable, like a pretty boy!"

"Get some sleep, tomorrow we will go to the dungeon to see your father." Cheng Lian patted Du Xinyan on the shoulder, sighed, and walked out.

Ding Qianhe was momentarily taken aback, suddenly recalling the woman in white who resembled an immortal in the Peony Garden of Luoyang. She instinctively rejected this possibility, wanting to find the best explanation for herself. She shook her head vigorously and said: "I have never heard the Third Prince mention her. If he truly had feelings for Miss Shen, why would he actively request the Emperor to grant a marriage during my father's decline?"

No wonder Shen Xiaofei was able to conclude the Jiangnan case before herself, Du Xinyan's thoughts connected the dots. It was as if he could see Shen Xiaofei letting Yelü Congfei go with his own eyes. He suddenly broke out in a cold sweat; Gao Rui did not repel the Khitan people, but rather colluded with them. First, he suffered defeat, then he, Gao Rui, took action to achieve victory. Capturing Ding Fengnian and then rescuing him, ultimately leading to a complete victory. Gao Rui won the hearts of the army and earned the admiration of the people, making Ding Fengnian understand that he could make him die or let him live, leading Ding Fengnian to pledge unwavering loyalty to Gao Rui from that moment on. First, he suffered defeat, then he, Gao Rui, took action to achieve victory. Capturing Ding Fengnian and then rescuing him, ultimately leading to a complete victory. Gao Rui won the hearts of the army and earned the admiration of the people, making Ding Fengnian understand that he could make him die or let him live, leading Ding Fengnian to pledge unwavering loyalty to Gao Rui from that moment on

She raised her face and looked at him pleadingly, a hint of sorrow shrouding her bright and delicate features. This carefree and innocent girl had suddenly acquired worries overnight. Du Xinyan suppressed the bitterness in his heart, flicked her brow with his finger, and smiled, saying: "Silly girl, it's a promise!"

It no longer matters. What is important is that your father personally confessed in front of all the officials in the Golden Hall. The Emperor, enraged, stepped down from the Dragon Throne and kicked him in the chest. If it weren't for the protection of the elder ministers, he would have been executed right then and there at the Wumen Gate.

The prison guard approached, the keys hanging at his waist clattering noisily

I will certainly come. Since His Highness the Third Prince wishes to marry Qian He, I am rather curious as to why Shen Xiao Fei, who is so deeply in love with you, cannot even attain the title of the legitimate consort

The entire Du residence was enveloped in pure white. The cries of the family echoed through the heavens, yet there were no tears in Du Xinyan's eyes

A resounding slap landed heavily on his face from Du Chengfeng. "Little Du of the capital? Is this how you lack courage? A man should achieve merit on the battlefield and compete in the court. Flirting and trifling will not amount to anything!"

Du Xinyan stood quietly behind him, squinting as he observed Gao Rui's every move. He reminded himself that showing reckless bravery would be a disservice to his father's life. He engraved the names Gao Rui, Shen Xiang, and Shen Xiaofei in his heart repeatedly, vowing that he would retrieve them all in the future

Gao Rui said leisurely: "If I win, the two sides will share the autumn colors equally. Xiao Du, your attempts to sow discord are futile; Fei Er does not care about status."

Du Xinyan spat out a mouthful of blood, closed his eyes, and fell backward.

Gao Rui was skilled in strategy during his childhood, and he remained equally adept in strategy as he grew up

"You are mistaken; I have come sincerely to pay my respects to Lord Du. He was loyal throughout his life. Even in death, he did not forget to exert his utmost influence. I truly admire him," Gao Rui said earnestly as he walked into the mourning hall and lit incense to pay his tribute.

Du Xinyan's complexion was extremely poor, his lips pale, and his eyes bloodshot. He had not had a proper rest for many days. He mechanically tossed paper money. The wind lifted his long hair, and in this moment, facing his father alone, Du Xinyan finally exposed the wound in his heart.

Du Chengfeng sat cross-legged on the stone kang, his blue robe clean and free from any dust. Three strands of white beard floated down from his chin, and his gaze was calm and serene

Du Xinyan smiled, a smile filled with desolation. What does it matter if he understands? Understanding does not save his father.

The flame licked the yellowed paper, instantly turning it to ashes. With a gust of autumn wind, it floated away like black butterflies.

From now on, I look down on Gao Rui.

As Wei Zihao stated, the Third Prince's residence is exceedingly difficult to enter, and Gao Rui harbors excessive suspicion. Gao Rui does not fully trust Wushuang, and thus far, the only infiltrator sent into the Third Prince's residence has been Wushuang. Qianhe may become the Third Prince's consort and could potentially be of use to him in the future. Du Xinyan gazed at the pristine white residence, feeling that she had become cold-blooded and cruel

In my childhood, I relied on your aunt for companionship. To support her and myself, I joined the army. The brothers in the army honored me by calling me Brother Du, or Old Du. I rose through the ranks step by step, stepping on the corpses of my brothers. Favored by the Emperor, I took your aunt as a concubine, and our family became part of the royal kin. Now that I am wronged, the brothers in the army will be grateful for my loyalty, and the Emperor will feel guilty, treating your aunt and His Highness even better. This is the most ruthless strategy, do you understand?" A sharp glint passed through Du Chengfeng's eyes. Now that I am wronged, the brothers in the army will be grateful for my loyalty, and the Emperor will feel guilty, treating your aunt and His Highness even better. This is the most ruthless strategy, do you understand?" A sharp glint passed through Du Chengfeng's eyes.

Du Xinyan was gulping down the noodle soup, the lump in his throat growing larger, ultimately turning into tears that fell. He understood everything in this flawless setup

After speaking, Ding Qianhe increasingly felt that she was right. Shen Xiaofei is the daughter of Shen Xiang. If Gao Rui wanted to marry her because of his father's power in the military, Shen Xiang could equally provide him with support in the court. Both are from noble families, both are well-bred young ladies. If Gao Rui truly liked Shen Xiaofei, he had no reason to propose to the emperor to marry her.

Footsteps approached from behind, and Du Xinyan wiped away her tears with a hand. Turning around, she saw Wei Zihao standing behind her in a flowing black outfit. He forced a smile and said, "You have come."

Be quiet

Wei Zihao looked at him with a complex expression, respectfully bowing and offering incense at the grave

Du Xinyan felt a tightness in his heart, as if a hand was gripping his heart tightly, causing him to shudder in pain. He spoke each word clearly: "It is the trap of the Third Prince Gao Rui! It is the scheme of Minister Shen! Why should my father bear this blame!"

However, this matter is quite evident

Gao Rui walked over to Du Xinyan with his hands behind his back, glanced at him a few times, broke into a bright smile, leaned in and whispered, "Xiao Du, stop pretending. We grew up together, don't I know you? When have you ever looked at me with fear? Deep down, you must wish to kill me, right? The victor and the vanquished are all determined by fate! If I lose, the next scene won't be any better for your father. The plan set by Shen Xiang is so good that it would be foolish of me not to use it! Old Master Du wouldn't want to miss this opportunity either, using a life to make the military hold gratitude towards the Du family. I have exhausted all my efforts to win over the people in the military, and now all my thoughts have gone to waste. Ding Fengnian's prestige in the military has plummeted, and the memorials impeaching him have piled up to a thickness of two feet. The Emperor has conveniently allowed him to reflect in the residence, which can be seen as an explanation to the De Fei. Once your father dies, the Emperor will immediately permit the Crown Prince to leave the residence. Just look at this lively scene, the Du family's influence remains undiminished."

Ding Qianhe chewed on Du Xinyan's words, her hand clutching the jade pendant hanging at her waist, lost in thought. This jade pendant was a personal item of Gao Rui, which he had given to her and had hung at her waist on a silk cord ever since, never leaving her side. She was a straightforward person and had never considered that Gao Rui might change his heart. Du Xinyan had mentioned such a situation twice, and upon reflection, Ding Qianhe felt very confused. The deeper she thought, the more afraid she became, and looking into Du Xinyan's dark eyes, she suddenly felt uncertain.

The show must go on, Ding Fengnian saw Ding Qianhe biting her lip standing aside, and sighed lightly: "Noble nephew, please accept my condolences! I did not expect things to turn out this way! I know you and Qianhe have been childhood sweethearts, and I have always regarded you as my own son. This girl, alas, a daughter grows up independent of her father. The Emperor has already issued a decree for marriage, and it is my family Qianhe who has wronged you."

Du Xinyan picked up a fallen leaf from the edge of her sleeve and said sadly: "Qian He, you know that His Highness the Crown Prince is my cousin. I am helping him. You are to marry the Third Prince as his consort; will you help him deal with me in the future?"

I said, Lord Du, let go of me. My old bones cannot withstand your powerful eagle claw grip. The master has been waiting for you for a long time.

Ding Qianhe hesitated for half a day, stammering as she said: "Xiao Du, my father is very distressed about Uncle Du's incident. He certainly did not intend to harm Uncle Du. He did not foresee that submitting a memorial would lead to such a situation. He did not even impeach Uncle Du in the memorial! Please do not blame my father, alright? I came today firstly to offer incense to Uncle Du, and secondly to tell you that by marrying His Highness the Third Prince, I will belong to him. Xiao Du, I know you are capable, and I would like to ask you for a favor. If one day he cannot prevail, could you please spare his life? If he wins, I will also ask him to let you go free."

It has only been about ten days since I left, and such changes have occurred in the capital that Du Xinyan can hardly believe it. His father, who has devoted his life to military service and has been loyal and upright throughout his life, how could he possibly covet such a small amount of grain? He said hoarsely, "Even if he had swapped military rations, it shouldn't warrant a death sentence"

Ding Qianhe was momentarily taken aback, a flush of embarrassment sweeping across her face: "When his eyes are on me, my heart keeps racing. He treats me very well, indeed. You can feel it when you like someone. Ah, Xiao Du, you wouldn't understand. Once you fall for someone, you'll know."

Moments later, the door opened a crack, and the old steward opened the door, staring in astonishment at Du Xinyan and exclaimed: "Lord Du! How did you end up like this?"

What a vicious scheme this is, making one fully aware of the injustice yet unable to seek redress. The Emperor must certainly be aware of this. However, upon the golden throne, he finds himself in a situation where he cannot retreat, leaving him with no choice.

Du Xinyan's legs went weak and he knelt on the ground, his eyes bloodshot: "There is something suspicious about this matter. May I request a postponement of the death sentence, so that I may investigate this case thoroughly!"

Gao Rui smiled: "If I were to kick Ding Fengnian away at this moment, I would lose the people's support. Who would still be willing to ally with me? Although Lord Du has stabilized the military morale with his life for the sake of the Crown Prince, I have also gained support from Minister Shen, so the loss is not significant. The Emperor has issued an edict granting me marriage, and I will marry Ding Qianhe on the eighth day of the twelfth month. Little Du will definitely come to toast at the wedding."

Du Chengfeng looked at his son, whose eyes were red, and felt a pang in his heart. He quietly said to Du Xinnian: "Your father still cares for His Highness."

She hesitated to speak, her brows furrowed with both fear and worry. Du Xinyan's heart was once again struck by a heavy blow, causing him to gasp in pain. He forced a smile and teased, "You are truly foolish! How could Shen Xiaofei be more beautiful and lovely than you! You just said, if the Third Prince has feelings for her, how could he possibly allow her to be a concubine? Shen Xiang would not agree to that either. Stop overthinking it, go back and be a good bride. I am in mourning, so I will not come to drink your celebratory wine."

Du Xinyan interrupted him heavily, saying: "Uncle Ding, there is no need for further words. I believe you are merely anxious to stabilize the morale of the troops and want to prevent the exchange of military provisions. Alas, I did not expect my father to be so muddled. How could he do such a thing! Fortunately, the Emperor is wise and did not implicate the Du family."

After Gao Rui finished his incense offering, he returned the greeting with a faint smile. He then inquired, "With Ding Feng's decline in power, does His Highness still intend to marry Qian He?"

For the past twenty years, the Northern Turks have invaded the borders every spring due to grain shortages. Last winter, they even captured three cities before being repelled by the Third Prince's forces. The court has launched four major military campaigns to encircle and eliminate the Turks, yet they have never succeeded in eradicating them. These four military expeditions have strained the national treasury, leading to a continuous tightening of finances and a reduction in military expenditures.

All beauty seems to belong to another realm, no longer his.

It is my misfortune. I do not blame Qianhe

Ding Qianhe quickly cast aside the chaotic thoughts in her mind and nodded vigorously. It seemed that only in this way could she affirm the true meaning behind Du Xinyan's words

Du Xinyan dismissed the house servant and knelt alone before the grave to burn paper offerings

She clapped the tree trunk, and her skirt fluttered as she leaped down from the tree. Her heart raced; he wanted her to follow Wei Zihao? What nonsense was he talking about? Remembering the scene where Wei Zihao had abducted her, Ding Qianhe felt a mix of confusion and understanding for the first time. She would rather remain in ignorance.

Father Du Xinyan called out, but his voice caught in his throat. He lowered his head and took out the wine and dishes from the food box, arranging them neatly.

He took out the wine, and the two sat silently in front of the grave, drinking. Du Xinyan finally became intoxicated. Wei Zihao said nothing and carried him away.

Qianhe, there is something I wish to ask of you. It was my idea to have Zihai abduct you; I did not intend for you to marry Gao Rui. Now that you have returned safely, it seems there is a destiny at play. Zihai is my friend, and I hope you can consider not pursuing him any further, given that he did not harm you.

Du Xinyan recalled Shen Xiaofei's words. The trap had been set a year ago after the Jiangnan tribute rice incident. Last year's rice exchange case had evolved into instability within the military this year. Ding Fengnian boldly brought the matter of grain exchange among the generals to Emperor Ming's attention. The Khitan wolves harbored ambitions, and the 200,000 troops from Hebei's East and West routes, who had long been in conflict with them, revolted. In light of all this, the Emperor had to find someone to take the blame. At this critical moment, three generals stepped forward to accuse Du Xinyan's father. General Huang Ye of the Cavalry Corps committed suicide on the spot, and Du Chengfeng, unable to defend himself, was heartbroken over Huang Ye's death. To avoid implicating more people in the military, he took on the responsibility alone.

Hearing the old butler's words, Du Xinyan let out a sigh of relief. She followed the old butler into the study.

On the evening of October 20, Du Xinyan, with bloodshot eyes and a weary body, galloped into the capital. He headed straight for Zaoshuxiang in the west of the city, seeking none other than the esteemed supervisor of the Supervisory Court, Cheng Lian, who had been the enlightening mentor of the Holy Emperor in those years.

The wind blew, and ginkgo leaves floated down from above and around. Du Xinyan caught one and silently played with it in his hand. From here, he could see the entire view of the Du residence. All he could see was a sea of white. The spirit banner fluttered, and the white lanterns swayed under the eaves. The old steward stood at the gate in a white mourning robe. Du Xinyan stared at the mourning hall, his eyes quietly moistening.

Du Chengfeng's hand trembled, his face twitched, he closed his eyes and raised his head, and in the blink of an eye, he wore a smile again: "Actually, it was your father who wanted to go. You are grown up now, your mother is very lonely, and she has been waiting for me for many years. What you said is unnecessary. If there were a way, why would I have to confess in the Golden Hall?"

He spoke calmly, but his eyes grew warm, and tears silently slid down his cheeks. "I have been the most unfilial son, harboring inappropriate thoughts about Shen Xiaofei, and have tolerated her all along. I prided myself on being clever and strategic, with far-reaching plans, yet my softness towards her has led you into a deadlock. I have never hated myself this much, being too proud and too self-satisfied, thinking I had everything under control. I should have taken Shen Xiaofei's collusion with the Khitan seriously; I selfishly wanted to keep this move in reserve as a trump card to defeat Gao Rui in the future. They took the initiative, and I truly regret it!"

He silently led Ding Qianhe into the inner courtyard. As the wind blew, the two hundred-year-old ginkgo trees shed their golden leaves all over the ground. Du Xinyan stood dazed under the tree, recalling the times when he often took Ding Qianhe to climb the tree and chat.

Ding Qianhe's tear stains were still present, and she stared wide-eyed in shock, stammering, "Xiao Du... I have no... The imperial decree has already been issued. I, I cannot leave!"

He scolded Gao Xi for being foolish, and just for this vague statement, he ran out of the palace to see himself. As a result, the Emperor could not see Gao Xi and punished him by making him copy the "Analects of Confucius: Yan Yuan" one hundred times. At the same time, he rewarded Gao Rui with a purple jade wolf hair brush

Du Xinyan felt nothing but pain in his heart. He said hoarsely: "You all want to scheme about these things, have you asked me? Should I just watch you die helplessly?"

Cheng Lian sighed and helped Du Xinyan up, shaking his head and saying: "Old Du is just too straightforward; when someone sets a trap for him, he wants to face it alone. If he had your kind of smoothness, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation today"

General Ding Fengnian of Wuwei is an old veteran who has fought side by side with his father on the battlefield for many years. The two families have a close relationship, and he grew up alongside Ding Qianhe. Du Xinyan realizes that the person he hates the most is not Gao Rui, but rather Ding Fengnian

A flicker of surprise quickly flashed in Ding Fengnian's eyes. He sighed and patted Du Xinyan's shoulder, seemingly at a loss for how to comfort him. Yet, in his heart, he was sneering. What right did Du Chengfeng have to sit as the Commander of the Imperial Forces? Was it not simply because his sister had been made a consort? Qianhe could become the consort of the Third Prince and would eventually become the Empress. If his daughter became the Empress, he would be the father-in-law and Grand Tutor of the nation. What could he gain by siding with the First Prince Xi? He would still be overshadowed by Du Chengfeng; after all, Du Xinyan was merely a fourth-rank official in the Supervisory Court. The Emperor had already granted the marriage, and Du Chengfeng had also been granted death. All he could see was a bright future ahead.

"You are to marry Gao Rui, and I wish to stop you, not because I have feelings for you. Let me speak frankly today; I am merely afraid that with your father's support, Gao Rui will gain power and the Crown Prince will have diminished chances of success." Du Xinyan looked down from a height at the residence, the fluttering spirit banners stinging his eyes. He recalled what his father had said: if he married Ding Qianhe, his father would not blame him. A hint of sorrow appeared on his face; how could he face his father when he was not even reproached for marrying the daughter of his enemy? He thought again of his father's words: if he married Ding Qianhe, his father would not blame him. A hint of sorrow appeared on his face; how could he face his father when he was not even reproached for marrying the daughter of his enemy? If he still had even a shred of pity for Ding Qianhe, he would be unfilial and disloyal.

Sometimes, Du Xinyan feels that he is too calculating. It is as if every time he deliberately allows Shen Xiaofei to succeed in her pranks, it is only to see what she truly intends to do. Now that he understands everything, he still does not show the slightest hint of resentment as he sincerely returns the greeting to Ding Fengnian and his daughter after the incense has finished burning.

That night, Cheng Lian was ordered to present Du Chengfeng with poisoned wine for him to take his own life

Du Xinyan listened intently, and the white banner of the entire household transformed into the graceful figure in white on Xiaochun Lake. He took a deep breath, his teeth clenched tightly. He had never known the pain of longing, nor had he ever realized that his feelings had already stirred. When one truly longs, it is impossible to express that longing; when one is truly moved, it becomes unbearable. He numbly turned his head to look at Ding Qianhe, whose head was slightly bowed, a faint smile lingering at the corners of her mouth. Even a fool could see that she had already deeply rooted feelings for Gao Rui. Du Xinyan's mouth was filled with bitterness. He numbly turned his head to look at Ding Qianhe, whose head was slightly bowed, a faint smile lingering at the corners of her mouth. Even a fool could see that she had already deeply rooted feelings for Gao Rui. Du Xinyan's mouth was filled with bitterness.

Gao Rui has ? ''

Emperor Ming, recalling familial affection, permitted the grand prince Xi to leave the palace, instructing him to accompany Consort De to the Du residence for a memorial ceremony. At the same time, he used the pretext of the busy affairs of the Supervisory Court to order Du Xinyan to relinquish his emotions and take up an official position.

Moreover, she also sent Ding Qianhe to Gao Rui's side. Ding Fengnian was like meat on the chopping block, unable to disobey orders. Without Ding Fengnian, the troops of Hebei's East and West Routes would not have shown any signs of mutiny. Without the conspiracy to unite with Yelü Congfei, the Khitan would not have displayed an army of 150,000 at the border

Du Xinyan politely asked his esteemed uncle to send Ding Fengnian. Only then did he turn his head to look at Ding Qianhe. She had changed into a silver-white plain dress, which reminded him of Gao Rui, who loved to wear silver-white python robes. This was the first time he had seen Ding Qianhe in silver attire, and he couldn't help but feel a bit dazed. A woman should be charming, adorned in filial piety. In her red dress, Ding Qianhe was lively and vivacious, but in this outfit, she carried an additional touch of elegance. The innocence in her brows, which once knew not the meaning of sorrow, had already dissipated. He chuckled dryly and said, "Qianhe, you truly resemble a refined young lady today."

Ding Qianhe wanted to smile, but remembering that Du Chengfeng had just died, she couldn't bring herself to do so. She turned to look at the ginkgo tree with its yellow leaves falling and softly said: "Xiao Du, I am leaving now. Don't be too sad; the Emperor is clearly feeling guilty as well, otherwise he wouldn't have allowed the Crown Prince and Empress Dowager to leave the palace to see your father."

Gao Rui said in a plain tone: "In the past, I only wanted to earn my father's favor and surpass my elder brother in everything. Perhaps, the true battle between my elder brother and me has only just begun. I know you are helping him. Let us rely on our own abilities. My elder brother will be a good emperor in the future. So will I, Gao Rui"

He spoke while picking up a piece of salted chicken with his chopsticks and chewed it, repeatedly exclaiming: "You bought this from Old Zhang's salted chicken in the south of the city, didn't you? Old Zhang's salted chicken is flavorful and falls off the bone, tender and smooth. It's impressive that you still remember I love his chicken!"

Gazing at his silhouette, Du Xinyan slowly extended her hand, her palm marked with crescent-shaped bloodstains.

I know you have good intentions, fearing that His Highness the Third may not be sincere towards me, but only considering my father's power in the military, he wants to marry me. I will not blame Brother Wei. He abducted me and treated me very well along the way. The moment I saw him, I knew it must be your idea. Others may not understand, but I know you and Brother Wei are good friends. " Ding Qianhe smiled sweetly. "Xiao Du, you do not understand. Even if he truly intends to marry me because of my father, I would still be happy to marry him. Others may not understand, but I know you and Brother Wei are good friends. " Ding Qianhe smiled sweetly. "Xiao Du, you do not understand. Even if he truly intends to marry me because of my father, I would still be happy to marry him. Ever since I went to the northern battlefield, I have liked him. Moreover, in recent days, my father has been feeling down, as the Emperor ordered him to reflect and even stripped him of his military power. His Highness the Third, he, he still insists on marrying me. He still has feelings for me.

Du Xinyan could no longer contain herself and whispered while leaning on Du Chengfeng's leg: "Shall we find a scapegoat? Play dead!"

Du Xinyan remained silent. He reached out to wrap his arm around Ding Qianhe's waist and leaped up, securely settling on the third large branch.

The silver-white hem of the skirt fluttered a few times in the wind, and once it turned the corner of the corridor, it could no longer be seen

As Du Xinyan closed her eyes, a layer of frost formed in her heart

The memorial from Ding Fangnian has truly arrived at the right moment!" Du Xin said through gritted teeth

Two rows of stone walls are dimly lit by oil lamps, and the torture instruments in the interrogation room have become stained with blood over the years. He cannot help but recall the bright sky of Luoyang, the vibrant peonies, and the beautiful face of Ding Qianhe, shy yet enchanting.

As soon as the news broke, those who were quick to change their stance believed that although Du Chengfeng had died, the Du family had not fallen. Consequently, officials from both civil and military sectors came in a steady stream to offer their condolences. The area in front of the Du residence was bustling with activity, even more so than in the past.

Du Xinyan's lips curled slightly, with sarcasm evident in his expression. He straightened his chest, holding a food box in his hand, and walked steadily.

Du Xinyan was taken aback

Green pines and verdant cypresses, new mounds of yellow earth. Three days later, Du Xinyan heeded Cheng Lian's advice and buried his father

The prison guard stopped at the innermost cell, and the clattering sound of the lock being opened pierced Du Xinyan's nerves. He forced himself to suppress the rising heat in his eyes and gently walked into the cell

On October 22, Du Chengfeng will be sentenced to death

Du Chengfeng looked at his son and sighed softly: "People are always bound to change. I know you and Qian He have been childhood friends, innocent and carefree. Her father has nothing to do with her. If you wish to marry Qian He, I will not blame you. Marrying Gao Rui would ruin her life."

I know. " Ding Qianhe smiled with relief, " I have always known that you treat me like a sister. There is no look of affection for me in your eyes. When you hold me, it is not the way a man holds a woman. I have always known that. "

Both individuals lowered their voices to speak, their faces adorned with smiles, while their minds were filled with calculations. Du Xinyan's voice was as faint as a mosquito: "Who the final winner is remains uncertain."

Once, the Grand Tutor called for recitations, stating that the Emperor would inspect the students' work the following day. Those who performed well would be rewarded. That day, Gao Xi secretly slipped out of the palace in a hurry to find him, and upon seeing that he was unoccupied, he felt relieved. In the palace, he saw Gao Rui staring intently at a tall tree and asked him what he was looking at. Gao Rui replied, "With such a tall tree, if Xiao Du were to fall from it using his lightness skill, would he break his leg?"

Xiao Du! Ding Qianhe did not scold him as usual, and there was a hint of unease in her tone as she called out to him

With each step taken, it felt as if he were treading upon his own tender heart. Du Xinyan had slept for a full twelve hours, bathed, groomed his beard, and changed into a plain white robe, regaining his handsome appearance. Except for his gaze, which was as cold as the stars on a winter night

The ultimate goal of all this is to eliminate the father who supports the Crown Prince, thereby stripping the Crown Prince of his greatest reliance in the military

He thought for a moment and softly asked her: "If he were to like other women, such as Shen Xiaofei, would you still have no regrets?"

(1)

Do you know why you were named Xinyan? At the time of your birth, the sun was just rising. Your mother said she hoped you would live your life like the sunlight, able to walk boldly under the sun and speak loudly under the sun

Seeing that the old steward had brought in a bowl of hot noodle soup, Cheng Lian gestured for Du Xinyan to eat while speaking

Before his father was granted death, he did everything he could to prevent her from being with Gao Rui. However, now he would not speak out to stop her.

As I took a step forward, my heart twitched again. My eyes felt as dry as a parched well

Du Xinyan knew it was time for him to leave. He gazed steadily at his father, imprinting his smile, his calmness, and his affection into his heart over and over again. He knelt down and bowed, raising the wine as an offering: "Son bids farewell to his esteemed father"

The Khitan stationed 150,000 troops at the border, eyeing the situation with great vigilance, ready to invade the south at any moment. At this time, small-scale mutinies suddenly broke out among the troops in Hebei's east and west routes, causing instability in morale. Ding Feng, seeing the urgency of the situation, submitted a memorial requesting a thorough investigation of military provisions to stabilize the troops' spirits. On that day, three generals stood up in the Golden Hall, accusing your father of being the mastermind behind it. Among them was Huang Ye, a former subordinate whom your father had promoted, who was killed on the spot in the Golden Hall. Your father wept over the corpse and immediately went to the crown to confess his guilt. The Emperor was furious. "" Cheng's eyes flashed with a glimmer of light. Among them was Huang Ye, a former subordinate whom your father had promoted, who was killed on the spot in the Golden Hall. Your father wept over the corpse and immediately went to the crown to confess his guilt. The Emperor was furious. "" Cheng's eyes flashed with a glimmer of light.

Once, Ding Qianhe was carefree, only knowing how to indulge in food, drink, entertainment, horseback riding, and hunting. She was his younger sister whom he had cherished and raised since childhood, pure and innocent without a trace of impurity. How could she understand the court's situation or what deception and exploitation meant? He longed to shake her awake and tell her that Gao Rui was merely using her.

Du Xinyan felt a surge of blood and energy, wishing he could sprout wings and fly back. Along the way, messages from the Supervisory Court continuously reached his ears. Shen Xiaofei had lured him out of the capital, timing her actions perfectly. Just as he arrived at Xiaochun Lake, his father encountered trouble. He received no news during his journey. At that moment, Shen Xiaofei's expression was strikingly clear. She intended to exhaust him, leaving him no time to react. Du Xinyan lashed out fiercely, hoping to return to the capital even a moment sooner