Chapter 1, The Death of Anhe

Your Majesty, please see clearly! Your Majesty, please see clearly! The servant bows repeatedly, saying, "I have truly never seen her!"

Outside the bright moon, several sparrows perched on the peach branches in the front yard, their heads bowed low, and their small faces were filled with concern

Liu Xiaoyun busily assisted the doctor, while the pained cries of Bai Wanlu echoed from the thatched cottage, causing those outside to feel a pang of heartache

"My lord. " Bai Wanlu slowly stood up and said, "Three days is sufficient."

Zhou Junyi helped Bai Wanlu up, and everything before him took him by surprise. He could not understand who in this royal city wanted to harm An He

I am here," Zhou Junyi gently replied, brushing her hair by the white evening reeds.

Hmph! I do not want revenge! I only want my lady! At this moment, the lord of the Eastern Capital could not hear anything at all; he only knew that he had brought An He into the sacrificial country, and the sacrificial country must return to him a complete An He

In the thatched cottage, the dim candlelight flickered, and Bai Wanlu leaned against the bed, cradling the young prince in her arms. It was only at that moment, holding the child, that Bai Wanlu truly understood the identity of a mother

From Gu Ying's investigation and the testimonies of the imperial kitchen and the maid, it was learned that the maid, while delivering food today, collided head-on with a girl, who was Hui Ying, the maid beside Li Lianyi. "The poison has also been identified," Gu Ying said, holding the silver needle used by the maid to test for poison, "There is no poison in the food; the poison is on this silver needle"

She has returned, but he has not yet seen her

In the room, Zhou Junyi held Bai Wanlu's hand, gazing at her tightly closed eyes, feeling an involuntary sense of pity in his heart

A long spear, glinting with a cold light, was pointed at Bai Wanlu's face. Bai Wanlu closed her eyes and, in a state of near despair, said: "My Lord, if you believe that killing me will bring you relief and allow Sister Anhe to rest in peace in the underworld, then please, my Lord, go ahead and do it."

It was none other than the subordinates of the Lord of the Eastern Capital who captured Bai Wanlu.

An He did not respond, as her body's reaction left her no time to answer. Bai Wanlu watched in horror as An He widened her eyes, her face contorting into a grimace, revealing faint purple veins on her skin

Madam! Upon hearing the news, the Lord of the Eastern Capital and Zhou Junyi rushed in. The Lord forcefully pushed Bai Wanlu aside and embraced An He, exclaiming, "Madam! Madam, please wake up! Madam!"

Sigh. Zhou Junyi let out a breath, placing Bai Wanlu's hand under the quilt

Bai Wanlu's eyes were filled with sorrow as she said: "Before An He died, she kept muttering 'poison... poison...' Therefore, her diet was crucial, the person who cooked for her was crucial, the person who delivered her meals was crucial, and the people who interacted with the cook and the deliverer during this time were also crucial... And that silver needle..."

"There is no need for you to be afraid, young lady. We only require your cooperation in our investigation and will not harm you," Gu Ying said gently.

Among these three individuals, the Eastern Capital maidservant is the primary suspect, as she has the easiest opportunity to commit the act. However, it is currently unclear why she would take such action, as she is also aware that even if she were to poison someone, she would be the first to be suspected.

Under the faint candlelight, Bai Wanlu tightly grasped her own hands, her brows furrowed in concern

"Sixth Brother, I understand, you can rest assured and go. " Wang Qiu said firmly, clenching her small fist

Calculating the time, the production of Baiwanlu is actually a preterm birth

When the surroundings brightened, it was already half an hour later

Saying this, the lord of the Eastern Capital carried An He away from here

Suddenly, thunder and lightning roared outside, and the wind and rain raged. The young prince in the thatched cottage was frightened and cried out loudly. Liu Xiaoyun hurriedly got out of bed to comfort the young prince, only to discover that Bai Wanlu was missing

Moments later, Li Lianyi and Hui Ying also arrived. After clarifying the situation, Li Lianyi hurriedly knelt down and bowed, saying: "Your Majesty, I must report that indeed I was unwell today, and I did ask Hui Ying to summon Doctor Xiao, but I... I was unaware of this matter!"

Zhou Jingyuan took a step back and respectfully clasped his hands together, saying: "I, as a subject, will certainly protect the late noble consort and the child in her womb, even if it costs me my life!"

My lord, do not be anxious; there must be some misunderstanding in this matter. I will personally investigate this issue thoroughly

The night was very dark, and Bai Wanlu could hardly see the road. Having just given birth, her body was already weak, and after traveling such a distance, she felt even more exhausted

Since she entered the palace, they have rarely met.

If the master of the Eastern Capital is the one who most wants to find out who killed An He, then Zhou Jingyuan must be the second person who wants to uncover this.

Beside the winding corridor, a maid walked steadily while holding the dishes. In her haste, Hui Ying accidentally bumped into the maid, nearly causing her to spill the food.

Liu Xiaoyun was the first to react, hurriedly running outside, while the maid was so frightened that she stood frozen, trembling as she rushed over, shouting, "Madam!"

Sixth brother! Wang Qiu is following behind.

Upon hearing these words, Liu Xiaoyun finally relaxed the tension that had been building within her. She nearly lost her balance and stumbled as she rushed into the room

"Shut up!" The master turned around and glared, "Zhou Junyi, you lament with every breath, yet do you truly feel the master's sorrow? If Zhou Junyi were to die, then you could speak of sorrow! If you were to die, only then would Zhou Junyi express sorrow!"

Zhou Jingyuan took his leave and returned to the city of the sacrificial king under the cover of night.

"Do you need me to cooperate with the investigation?" the maid asked in surprise, then turned to the lord of Dongdu for assistance, "My lord!"

Yes. The small house has been withdrawn

I understand, Wan'er, do not worry, I will definitely uncover the truth and give An He a fair resolution" Zhou Junyi promised Bai Wanlu

My lord, have you ever considered what An He would think if she knew you were leading your troops to attack her hometown

Zhou Junyi held Bai Wanlu in his arms, kissed her hair, and said: "I will always be here, I will not leave you." Zhou Junyi understood that promises sounded ethereal, but at this moment, he could not validate his sincerity; he could only wait for the future to witness it with each passing day

She is an orphan, unaware of who her mother is, and does not know the taste of maternal love. However, she knows that after the arrival of the young prince, she will devote all her tenderness for the rest of her life to him

It seems that the relationship has become somewhat estranged, yet it also appears to have grown more tacit. With just a glance, one can understand what the other is thinking.

Bai Wanlu nodded and said, "You all need to be careful."

"Anhe—Anhe!" Bai Wanlu shook Anhe, crying, "Anhe! Didn't we agree to hold on for a while? Anhe—wake up!"

Upon mentioning the name of Anhe, the lord of the Eastern Capital's expression changed. He suddenly hurled the teacup onto the table and said: "Do not mention Anhe to me! You are not worthy!"

Zhou Junyi knew that Bai Wanlu and An He had a very good relationship. Now, An He has died before Bai Wanlu's eyes; she must be unable to bear the blow

Upon learning that Bai Wanlu had given birth to a son, Zhou Junyi hurriedly came to pick up Bai Wanlu that very night. However, Bai Wanlu did not have the time to share her heartfelt feelings with Zhou Junyi and instead summoned Gu Ying and Zhou Jingyuan.

Liu Xiaoyun took the two sets of soft armor, feeling their weight in her hands, and a myriad of words were caught in her throat

Lord Dominus

An He's eyes were filled with terror, and she suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. In her agony, her hand trembled as it tightly grasped Bai Wanlu's sleeve. However, in the next moment, her hand loosened from Bai Wanlu's sleeve, An He's head tilted to one side, and she breathed her last, yet her eyes remained wide open.

The action of blowing the tea paused, and the master of the Eastern Capital raised his head, unsure whether it was a compliment or a sarcasm: "Indeed, the late noble consort is a clever person"

He dispatched two groups of people; one group disguised themselves as the personal guards of Zhou Junyi to assassinate the Lord of the Eastern Capital, while the other group disguised themselves as residents of the Eastern Capital to assassinate Bai Wanlu and the young prince

Little one, I wonder how things are on your father's side. Bai Wanlu gently patted the swaddling cloth, but her heart was worried about the situation in Lingzhou City

The door was pushed open, and the maid entered carrying the dishes.

She called out several times, but the lord of the Eastern Capital did not respond to her. He had just lost his beloved wife; how could he spare any attention for a mere maid?

Oh, it turns out to be the esteemed Imperial Concubine of the State. The host, seated in a high position, held a cup of tea and blew gently into it.

Gu Ying felt a mix of emotions; such a form of address was too distant. However, he could not demand how she should call him, so he said: "Miss Liu, wait for me"

"Slow down." Bai Wanlu set down the bowl and chopsticks, gently patting An He on the back, "Did you choke?"

Anhe loves to pay tribute to her homeland, as it is where she comes from

I am also very saddened by Sister Anhe's death, I ... ...

The maid cast a glance at Hui Ying and said, "It is her, without a doubt, this servant cannot be mistaken."

As the words were spoken, the long spear, accompanied by a chilling wind, thrust towards Bai Wanlu. Bai Wanlu did not evade in the slightest; the spear severed her long hair and pinned it to the brazier stand behind her.

Zhou Yueling's words are to be heeded, yet she will not heed them entirely. For instance, Zhou Yueling wants her to poison the mistress, An He.

However, whether it was due to sadness or something else, as Bai Wanlu took a step forward, a sharp pain suddenly surged in her abdomen. She furrowed her brows, letting out a painful groan from her lips, and immediately, her body curled up in agony.

Bai Wanlu said: "I will go tomorrow to test the maid of Li Liangren's family to see whether this matter is related to her. If it is not, then someone is framing Li Liangren. I have traveled to many places and heard of a peculiar technique in the martial world called 'disguise', which can change one's appearance to that of anyone. I think, if Li Liangren is being framed, the real culprit must be using this trick."

Zhou Junyi took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and clenched his fists, which made a cracking sound. He said: "Come here."

Four people sat together, unfolding and analyzing all the clues one by one

An He!" Bai Wanlu exclaimed, rushing forward. An He fell back, landing in Bai Wanlu's embrace.

That night, Bai Wanlu returned to Lingzhou City, where she met Wang Qiu at the city gate. Bai Wanlu instructed Wang Qiu to go back and take care of her child together with Liu Xiaoyun, while she entered the royal city to find Zhou Junyi

The lord of the Eastern Capital tightened his grip on the long spear and said, "Do not think that I am afraid to take action!"

Bai Wanlu had no choice but to say, "Then I will accompany An He that evening."

"Is that the girl you saw?" Zhou Jingyuan asked the maid, pointing at Hui Ying.

Is there something you want to tell me? Bai Wanlu asked

Gu Ying suddenly came to find her under the willow tree that had just sprouted new buds

Take these foods back and check what poison they contain, and report to me immediately

"Today, at the turn of the corridor, you accidentally bumped into me, and I even scolded you. I remember it very clearly; it was definitely you," the maid said with certainty.

However, with Anhe dying right before her eyes, how could she possibly control her emotions

"Well, Third Sister-in-law, I will invite a trustworthy doctor to Lingshou City tomorrow, who will come here every day to examine your health. You can rest assured and recuperate here," Zhou Jingyuan said to Bai Wanlu again.

As for Hui Ying, at the moment of the collision, it is highly likely that the silver needle on the body of the maid from Dongdu was switched. Hui Ying is Li Lianyi's maid, therefore, Li Lianyi also bears some responsibility for this matter; however, neither of these two individuals had a motive to commit murder

"Wan'er." Zhou Junyi snatched Bai Wanlu and personally supported her, shouting, "Doctor Xiao!"

Madam! Liu Xiaoyun and the maid were both taken aback

Your Majesty, you have doubts..." Gu Ying instantly understood

The master stood up, turned his back to Bai Wanlu, wiped away his tears, and said: "Bai Wanlu, I, the master, will let you go back. I give you a deadline of three days. If you cannot find the murderer who killed An He, then you shall come and offer your own life."

However, everyone understands that once a person is dead, what use is justice?

Doctor Xiao approached and took Bai Wanlu's pulse, saying: "Your Highness, please manage your emotions well, for it is imperative that you do not disturb the pregnancy!"

However, what Zhou Junyi and Bai Wanlu did not anticipate was that while they were devising strategies to uncover the true culprit behind the scenes, Zhou Yueling had already taken action in secret, engaging in an act of sowing discord.

The maid set down the dishes, and as she had done in the past, she took the silver needle from her waist and tested each bowl for poison. After confirming that there was no danger, she finally felt at ease to serve An He.

Taking another breath, Zhou Junyi turned to look at Bai Wanlu, who was now in tears, her fingertips still trembling. Zhou Junyi softened his voice and said: "Send the late Concubine Wan back to the Mingyue Chamber and take good care of her."

Gu Ying advised Zhou Junyi from the side, saying: "Your Majesty, the Lord Chancellor can no longer take anything in."

That is Zhou Jingyuan's heartfelt words

Zhou Yueling remained silent, his body still glistening with the sweat of pleasure. His mind was occupied with other thoughts, a multitude of ideas intertwining, causing him to become momentarily distracted

Liu Xiaoyun anxiously waited for the doctor to come out. After the doctor emerged, she hurriedly approached and asked, "How is it?"

Bai Wanlu smiled and was just about to eat

Ah... leaning against a tree, Bai Wanlu gently exhaled, gazing at Lingzhou City not far ahead, and then took another step forward

"You need not know so much. Come here, escort Li Liangren and her maid back to the palace, and also send this young lady from the Eastern Capital down." said Zhou Junyi

Clearly, it was a visit home to see family, so why has it turned out this way

"General Gu," Zhou Jingyuan forced himself to regain his composure and approached, saying, "I will investigate this matter together with General Gu."

In the face of the vast army of the Eastern Capital, Lord Zhou said: "Your Excellency, the Lord of the Capital, An He was originally the princess of my sacrificial state. I am equally pained by her current plight! The sacrificial state has maintained a good relationship with the Eastern Capital for a hundred years. I hope Your Excellency will grant me time to investigate this matter thoroughly and avenge An He!"

Inside the carriage, Wang Qiu was watching Bai Wanlu, while Liu Xiaoyun held two sets of soft armor in her arms, her thoughts drifting back to a few hours earlier

"Wan'er is not picky." Bai Wanlu smiled as she took the food that An He handed over, watching An He use it with ease and naturally, while continuously praising, "The craftsmanship of the imperial kitchen is much better than before; it seems that A Yi has taught well."

Inside the house, An He was chatting and laughing with Bai Wanlu. When the food arrived, she warmly invited, "Come, come, come, Wan'er, join me for a meal."

At that moment, a sparrow flew in and landed on the little prince's swaddling, pecking at the hand of the white evening primrose

That very night, Zhou Jingyuan disguised himself as a commoner and drove Bai Wanlu, Liu Xiaoyun, and Wang Qiu away from the royal city, leaving Lingzhou City behind

Immediately, Zhou Junyi said to Bai Wanlu: "You must rest well. Once this matter is over, I will go and bring our child back."

"Madam!" The seven-foot man held his wife's lifeless body and wept uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face. After a moment, he turned back, glaring at Zhou Junyi with eyes full of resentment, "Is this how you treat us when I bring my wife back to pay respects to the state?"

At the same moment, Bai Wanlu, far away in a safe place, was facing the onset of labor

"What kind of person is this? So unreasonable!" the maid scolded

Shu Mei, upon seeing his appearance, understood something in her heart

After all, the food is fine; she, as a maid, cannot make things difficult for this girl from the sacrificial country

At the city gate of the King’s Shrine, the Lord of the Eastern Capital carried the body of An He and walked towards the troops of the Eastern Capital

Zhou Jingyuan murmured An He's name, step by step approaching her, until she was placed on the carriage by the lord of Dongdu, the curtain slowly closed, and he could no longer see her face

At your command

In a state of anxiety, Wang Qiu held up an umbrella and said, "Sister Yun, please do not worry, I will return immediately to inform Brother Liu!"

Gu Yingxiao understood the reason behind Zhou Jingyuan's actions and said, "Then it will be hard on the Sixth Prince." "Not at all," Zhou Jingyuan replied

Gu Ying requests an audience with Your Majesty, and Your Majesty, the investigation has made progress.

Zhou Yueling's intention was to instruct Shumei to find a reliable person to poison Princess Anhe's food; however, Shumei intended to use the hand of another—specifically, the hand of Bai Wanlu.

Zhou Junyi said: "Call Li Lianyi and her maid over."

Beneath the human skin mask, there was another face—Zi Xiu!

Zhou Junyi! Do not speak so much nonsense! The one who has died is the wife of the lord of this city! Not yours! The lord of this city only wants his wife! He desires nothing else! You have sacrificed my wife to the state, and I will have you accompany her in death!

However, Bai Wanlu widened her eyes, listening in disbelief to the news brought by the little sparrow. "No, I must go back, I have to tell His Majesty this news." Bai Wanlu looked at the little prince who had already fallen asleep, gently placing him on the couch, and after confirming that Liu Xiaoyun and Wang Qiu were both asleep, she donned her black cloak and left the Seventh Master's residence

"I will definitely take revenge for you, brother. Sixth brother, can you secretly protect my Wan'er? She is about to give birth, and I fear that if war truly breaks out in the Eastern Capital, it will be detrimental to her. Therefore, I ask you, Sixth brother, to take Wan'er to a safe place, ensuring that she can give birth safely and protect both her and the child. In this world, even if the state and the nation are on the brink of collapse, Zhou Junyi is not afraid; what he fears most is the safety of Bai Wanlu."

The master could not refuse An He, and thus agreed to bring her back

I will wait for you. In the car, Liu Xiaoyun closed her eyes and silently responded to the words Gu Ying had said at that time

He presented two sets of soft armor to Liu Xiaoyun, saying: "Once you go out, wear this set of clothing; it is difficult for swords and blades to penetrate, and it can protect your safety"

"Capture the late concubine and leave one alive; the others shall be executed on the spot." This was the last sentence spoken by Zhou Yueling as he dispatched his subordinates.

"We have waited for so long, and finally, the opportunity has arrived." Shu Mei leaned in closer, nestling in Zhou Yue Ling's embrace. They had waited through an entire winter for the master of the Eastern Capital, and now was the perfect moment to take action

"Sister Anhe! Hold on for a moment, the imperial physician will be here soon!" Bai Wanlu said anxiously, gripping Anhe's shoulders tightly.

Almost leaping forward, the master grabbed the collar of Bai Wanlu's garment and said fiercely: "I, the master, have declared! You are not worthy to mention her!"

Zhou Junyi let out a cold laugh and said: "An He poses no threat to anyone; however, if Dongdu were to initiate a war with the Sacrificial State due to An He's death, the outcome would be entirely different"

However, the weather grew increasingly severe, and no matter how the young prince tried to comfort him, he could not be soothed, as if he sensed that his mother was in danger

Hui Ying repeatedly bowed and apologized, saying: "I am truly sorry, but Li Liangren in the Hua Xiao Hall is feeling very unwell, and I am in a hurry to fetch a doctor for him!"

The clumsy maid shot her a glance and scolded her before leaving

Liu Xiaoyun, holding the two sets of soft armor, slightly bent forward and said, "Thank you, General Gu"

The wooden frame collapsed, the fire pit fell to the ground, and scattered sparks splashed around the white evening reeds

"However, such good news, why not share it with the brothers?" Wang Qiu asked in confusion

Zhou Junyi held Bai Wanlu's hand and said softly: "Wan'er"

"Waner, ah." Liu Xiaoyun sat by the bedside, wiping the sweat from Bai Wanlu's forehead, feeling both sorrowful and relieved as she said, "You have suffered, the little prince has been safely born, his eyes resemble yours, and his mouth resembles his father's. You should rest well, and when you wake up, hold the little prince in your arms."

With his back to the white evening reed, the lord of the Eastern Capital sneered: "Ha, you still dare to claim that Jiguo is the hometown of Anhe? In your own hometown, you cannot even secure your life. On what basis do you say that Jiguo is the hometown of Anhe?"

The maid helplessly looked towards the Eastern Capital troops as they departed, and could only timidly nod her head.

"Your servant is here," said Zhou Junyi, frowning, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I have a matter regarding the books that I wish to request of you." Zhou Jingyuan was taken aback for a moment, but soon understood what was being asked, and replied, "Your Majesty, please do not hesitate to speak; your servant will not shirk from any hardship!"

Bai Wanlu thought for a moment and said: "Your Excellency ... ... "

At the moment the thunder struck, the sound of a baby's cry echoed from within the thatched cottage

Among Zhou Junyi's siblings, the only one he could trust was Zhou Jingyuan. Therefore, entrusting Bai Wanlu to Zhou Jingyuan gave Zhou Junyi great peace of mind

"Get lost!" The Lord roared, lifting An He up, and said, "What a disgrace to the Ji Kingdom! Even if someone poisons my wife, you all just stand by and watch! Today, my wife dies here, and tomorrow I will definitely lead my troops to flatten your Ji Kingdom!"

At this point, Dou Zhu suddenly laughed as if he had gone mad: "Hahaha! Yes, the woman that Zhou Junyi loves the most is now in my hands. Once you are dead, Zhou Junyi will feel that kind of heartache..."

Zhou Junyi stood up and instructed Liu Xiaoyun to take good care of Bai Wanlu, then immediately went out to meet Gu Ying

Your Majesty, please see clearly, the silver needle belongs to me, but I did not poison it. Everyone in the Eastern Capital knows that it is I who tests the food for the Mistress of the House. I truly have no reason to do such a thing

Zhou Junyi did not accept the challenge, but personally came to the city wall of Jichong

The lord of the Eastern Capital looked at Bai Wanlu, who, despite her frail body, still met his gaze with a tenacious look. He released his grip, and Bai Wanlu fell to the ground

"Wan'er," he said, holding her hand tighter, with deep affection. "I have made up my mind; let us name our child 'Lingfeng.' Whatever kind of life you wish for Feng'er, we shall provide for him. No matter the rules of the royal city, the rules are determined by us!"

The young prince lay beside the white evening primrose, his round and bright eyes keenly observing the world. The white evening primrose, having just experienced pain, was now drenched in sweat and had quietly fallen asleep.

Liu Xiaoyun looked at the soundly sleeping Bai Wanlu and said, "I will talk to you when Sister Bai wakes up."

I still do not know what exactly is happening. Today, Baiwan Lu has been in labor for a long time without giving birth. The weather outside is also extremely harsh, with dark clouds rolling in the sky, and flashes of light piercing through the layers of clouds, accompanied by the deafening sound of thunder.

"Sister Yun, Sister Yun," Wang Qiu ran in from outside, excitedly saying, "I want to tell Brother Liu! I want to tell Brother San! Sister Bai has safely given birth to the little prince!"

What insights do you have, Your Majesty? asked Zhou Jingyuan

At this moment, a net descended, and Bai Wanlu did not even have time to scream before being captured by this net

What is the use of investigating thoroughly? Will my wife come back? Will she? You must return my wife!

Seeing Bai Wanlu silently shedding tears, with a face full of sorrow, Zhou Junyi picked her up and said, "I will personally take her back."

Bai Wanlu nodded slightly. Zhou Junyi, observing her haggard appearance, then commanded, "Come here."

That is what he cares about the most; it is his Achilles' heel

However, Shu Mei did not expect that the people of the Eastern Capital would always hold back a little

Bai Wanlu nodded in agreement

The chopsticks had already reached her mouth, but suddenly, An He spat out a mouthful of food and began to cough violently

Hui Ying was startled upon hearing this and said, "But I have never seen you before"

"Be careful not to be discovered," Zhou Yueling advised, embracing Shu Mei's bare shoulder that was exposed.

Bai Wanlu looked up at him and Zhou Junyi said: "It's fine, trust me"

The doctor cupped his hands in salute to Liu Xiaoyun and said: "It is a boy, both mother and child are safe."

The guard immediately responded.

"Your Majesty..." Bai Wanlu suddenly called out to Zhou Junyi softly. She opened her eyes, her expression filled with pity

"Your Majesty, regardless of whether Hui Ying has met this young lady, what does this have to do with the death of Princess Anhe?" Li Lianyi asked in confusion

To pay homage to the country has been a long-standing request from An He to the Lord. An He always held his hand, acting coyly, and said: "Husband, An He misses home, misses the country, misses the friends of the past. It has been three years since I last returned, and I want to go home and take a look."

Bai Wanlu woke up that night

The meals prepared by the Imperial Kitchen for An He and the Lord of Dongdu are personally delivered by An He's maid, making it impossible to frame Bai Wanlu. Furthermore, before delivering the dishes, An He's maid always tests for poison with a silver needle, ensuring that it is safe before serving it to An He.

"An He, Sister An He!" Bai Wanlu held An He's face, An He's eyes widened, her mouth opened and closed, gushing with fresh blood. A tear lay at the corner of her eye as she looked at Bai Wanlu, mumbling indistinctly with her open mouth, "Poison... poison..."

Zhou Junyi! Regardless of whether you accept the challenge from the Lord of the Capital, tomorrow, the Lord of the Capital has decided to attack Jichong! The Lord of the Eastern Capital has issued the final ultimatum.

However, this did not pose a challenge to Shu Mei

At this moment, Liu Xiaoyun arrived with Doctor Xiao, who examined An He and regretfully said, "Your Majesty, Lord Zhu, please accept my condolences"

"Sister San, Miss Liu, Wang Qiu, and Seventh Master are trustworthy individuals. You all should stay here for the time being. Once the situation calms down, I will return to fetch you," Zhou Jingyuan said after arranging Bai Wanlu and the others. He then reminded Wang Qiu, "Wang Qiu, do not get carried away. The situation is unstable right now, and you must ensure the safety of the two sisters."

I do not understand, are you doing this merely to seek justice for An He

Just as the lord of the Eastern Capital was about to leave, Gu Ying suddenly arrived with people and called to stop An He's maid.

Shu Mei was infatuated with the scent on Zhou Yue Ling's body and said: "Mei'er, when have you ever caused the Fourth Prince any worry while doing your tasks?"

The soft red body, delicate fingers playing with lips, beneath the deep red gauze curtain, the moans of men and women rise and fall. At the height of passion, the high-pitched sounds of satisfaction descend, followed closely by the rustling sounds on the couch, as the woman lies in the man's embrace

An He... An He—" Zhou Jingyuan was running when he suddenly stopped. He looked at An He, who was in the arms of the Eastern Capital's lord, her face pale. She seemed as if she were peacefully asleep. An He had never been this quiet in her entire life.

At that time, as the willow leaves swayed, Gu Ying said: "I will definitely bring you back soon, you must take good care of yourself"

Within two days, news indeed arrived from the soldiers that the Lord of the Eastern Capital had led his troops south and reached Jichong. However, the Lord of the Eastern Capital did not launch a brutal attack; he merely issued a challenge to Lord Zhou at the city gate of Jichong. Everyone knows that if Jichong were to fall, the next target would be Lingzhou City.

Yes. Liu Xiaoyun received the order and walked over to support Bai Wanlu

What you should do now is to investigate with His Majesty to find out the murderer who killed Anhe, instead of attacking this land that Anhe loves... Bai Wanlu stared straight at the Lord of the Eastern Capital, but the Lord was stunned at that moment.

Have Doctor Xiao prepare some tonics for the late noble consort and send them over once they are ready

As he spoke, Zhou Junyi left with Bai Wanlu in his arms

Your Highness

After the three of them were taken away, they thought that the matter had come to an end. However, they did not expect that Zhou Junyi, after escorting them down, merely assigned someone to keep watch over them.

The clam and the snipe contend, and one must die; behind this matter, there must be someone waiting to reap the benefits. Zhou Junyi stood up, hands clasped behind his back, and said, "An He is dead, and the Lord of the Eastern Capital is currently in deep sorrow, unable to listen to any words. Therefore, if he were to launch a war against the state of Ji, it would be inevitable, Sixth Brother."

Bai Wanlu sighed, leaning on Zhou Junyi's shoulder, and said: "Although I often went hungry and suffered from the cold in the past, those days were joyful and carefree. If it weren't for you here in the royal city, I certainly wouldn't be able to survive."

The little sparrow flew onto the shoulder of the white evening reed, appearing to whisper.

Ah! It has happened, it has happened! My little nephew has been born!" Wang Qiujue jumped up in joy, clapping her hands incessantly.

Liu Xiaoyun turned around, wiped her tears, and smiled as she said: "Wang Qiu, your Sixth Brother and Third Brother are both very busy right now, so let's not tell them for the time being"

The anticipated pain did not come; Bai Wanlu opened her eyes and saw the Lord of Dongdu kneeling on the ground, tears falling like raindrops. He said: "An He... I loved you the most... but my An He... will never return to my side again... this sacrificial land is the place of sorrow for this Lord!"

"Your Majesty, Empress." The small room entered.

Not far away, a figure in blue rushed over, shouting: "An He—"

The carriage quickly arrived at a farmhouse, and Bai Wanlu remembered this place; it was the home of the Seventh Master. In the past, Zhou Junyi had brought her here to pick vegetables.

They may not necessarily lack a motive for murder, Zhou Junyi countered Gu Ying's speculation

Bai Wanlu glanced at the people who had brought her here and asked, "Did you send someone to secretly infiltrate Lingzhou City, intending to use this internal and external cooperation to attack Ji Chong and Lingzhou?"

An He, while serving Bai Wanlu with food, smiled and said: "This pregnant woman must eat well and rest well. Whatever she eats, it must be carefully selected. However, with A Yi's exceptional culinary skills, she must have spoiled Wan'er with her palate"

"Call me Ayi." Zhou Junyi interrupted Bai Wanlu's words. In recent days, reflecting on the matters between the Lord of the Eastern Capital and An He, Zhou Junyi felt that nothing was more important than two people being together. Initially, it was at his father's command that Zhou Junyi took on this vast territory; he never loved this position. Now, having met Bai Wanlu, she had become the most important person in his life. If she were no longer there, Zhou Junyi did not know what he would become.

As the night grew darker, after matters were settled, Gu Ying left with Zhou Jingyuan

After the maid left, Hui Ying stood silently at the corner. Suddenly, she let out a cold laugh, her palm gliding across her cheek as she tore off a human skin mask.

Quickly go and call the doctor!" Bai Wanlu turned around and urged

Lord Dominus ... ...

It is absolutely imperative that nothing goes wrong! Wang Qiu and Liu Xiao Yun silently prayed to the heavens.

"Very well, if you need our assistance, Your Highness, please do not hesitate to speak up," said Zhou Jingyuan