Chapter 5, she can undergo a physical examination

Looking at the dense black spots on her face, Yan Hongxuan's indifferent eyes twitched sharply. He averted his gaze, pushed the portrait on the table slightly, and asked expressionlessly, "Miss Chu, do you recognize this person?"

At this point, what else can she conceal?

For his direct address, Chu Yuliang was momentarily taken aback. Coming to her senses, she felt as if she had been deceived, and could not help but pull down the veil from her face, revealing her pockmarked complexion and her displeased expression. "Since Your Highness recognized me long ago, why pretend not to know me?"

Chu Yuliang looked up and stared directly at him, "Your Highness need not say more, I am quite clear about it. Since Your Highness already knows, I shall take my leave." Was there any need for further discussion? The wanted poster with her likeness was already in his hands, and it was evident that he was fully aware of everything. As his fiancée, what face did she have left to stay? There was a good chance that this man would turn her over to the authorities; staying any longer would be foolish.

Han Jiao found her stepdaughter to be an eyesore, fearing that she would usurp the position of her own two children. She had long wished to eliminate Chu Yuliang. However, because Chu Yunzhou was sympathetic towards Chu Yuliang, who had lost her biological mother at a young age, and cared for her quite a bit, Han Jiao, despite her mistreatment, did not dare to go too far in her cruelty towards Chu Yuliang

The Chu family is also a prominent and influential household in the capital. With the matriarch deceased, it is unlikely that there would be no one to take charge. Furthermore, there are no male heirs in her generation. In order to continue the Chu family lineage, the elder matriarch, Lady Wang, chose another woman for Chu Yunzhou to marry, namely the malicious Han Jiao.

Taking in her distrustful expression, Yan Hongxuan squinted his eyes and gazed at her, "Although I am not a gentleman, I am also not a petty person. General Chu once extended a helping hand to me; today, in your time of trouble, I shall repay him a favor."

"It's nothing, I was just feeling a bit restless, so I took a walk around," Chu Yuliang replied calmly, without a hint of embarrassment. She then asked him, "Director Zhao, is there something you need to instruct me to do at this late hour?"

At the age of two, the original body's father, Chu Yunzhou, went off to war, and her biological mother suddenly fell ill and passed away. From that point on, her status in the Chu residence plummeted. It is unclear who spread the rumors that the original body was a disaster for the Chu family. The servants in the residence whispered behind her back, and even her own grandmother, Wang, treated her with cold indifference.

No one spoke until a cup of tea's worth of time had passed, at which point the man finally set down the book, and his deep gaze suddenly turned towards her

"How ridiculous!" Chu Yuliang exclaimed angrily without a second thought, "Only a dead person would be portrayed like this. If it were you being drawn like this, would you be happy?"

Yan Hongxuan's lips twitched violently

Chu Yuliang fixed his gaze and quickly stepped forward to pick up the portrait. In front of him, he crumpled it into a ball and threw it at his feet, trampling it fiercely.

Chu Yu Liang

Han Jiao is not only beautiful but also comes from a distinguished family. After marrying into the Chu family, she gained the deep affection of the Wang family. In public, she is not only courteous and respectful but also eloquent. Furthermore, she proved her worth by giving birth to a pair of twins, a boy and a girl, which significantly elevated her status within the Chu family. Delighted with her grandchildren, the Wang family, in their joy, entrusted her with the authority of the Chu family.

He has spoken so candidly, and naturally, Chu Yuliang could no longer take advantage of the situation. However, thinking of her current predicament, a trace of bitterness appeared on her face. "Your Highness, by shielding me like this, are you not afraid of being ridiculed by others"

While in the bamboo forest, she remarked on the sense of familiarity, suggesting that they must have met before, though the impression was not profound.

Chu Yunzhou has been fighting on the front lines for many years, and even when he returns home, he cannot stay for long. He seldom inquires about his family, but seeing how Han Jiao manages the Chu family affairs in an orderly manner, along with the praises from the Wang family, he has considerable trust in Han Jiao

Can this prince determine that Miss Chu is feeling guilty? Yan Hongxuan looked at her actions with a smile, the implication of mockery was quite strong

Since I have promised to save you, I will naturally not go back on my word. Miss Chu may stay at the Residence of the Virtuous King

At that time, she was merely a child who had just begun to understand the world, yet she had never felt a trace of warm familial affection. Only when Chu Yunzhao returned to the capital would her innocent face reveal a naive and adorable smile

After finishing her words, she turned around and prepared to leave

On the way back to the Xianwang Mansion, Chu Yuliang was seriously sorting through the memories of her original self

However, she also understood that in order to make him believe in her, she must first prove her innocence. For a conservative woman in ancient times, undergoing a physical examination might be considered a disgrace, but for her, there was nothing shameful about it; she was still a virgin, and that was simply a fact.

After taking a couple of breaths at the door, she knocked on the door. Upon hearing a voice from inside saying 'Come in', she pushed the door open and walked in.

The study is spacious and tidy, with only an oil lamp lit on the desk. A man is intently reading behind the desk. The dim light casts a glow on the man's deep and chiseled features, failing to impart a soft quality to his face. On the contrary, in this expansive room, he and the oil lamp are the most conspicuous, making him appear particularly gloomy and indifferent, as if no one could approach him at all.

Chu Yuliang stopped in her tracks, turning her back to him, "Is there anything else, Your Highness?"

Chu Yuliang has an introverted personality and is aware that she is not favored at home, which makes her hesitant to report to her grandmother, Wang. Later, when Chu Yunzhou returned to the capital, Chu Yuliang could not help but report Han Jiao's misconduct. However, the matter had long passed; not only was there no trace left by the embroidery needle, but even if there had been, it had already faded away. Therefore, when Chu Yunzhou sought evidence from Han Jiao, she countered by claiming that Chu Yuliang was deliberately slandering her, even calling upon Wang to testify that she had not mistreated Chu Yuliang.

Returning to the residence of the wise king, it was already late at night. Chu Yuliang did not expect that someone was still waiting at her door.

Have you done it?

Han Jiao is very skilled at managing relationships, always showing great affection for her stepdaughter Chu Yuliang in front of others. However, only Chu Yuliang knows the bitterness behind this facade. Once, when she accidentally entered Han Jiao's room and took a piece of her jewelry to play with, Han Jiao discovered it and actually pricked her with an embroidery needle. At that time, Chu Yuliang was only five or six years old, and Han Jiao chose such a method to punish a child.

After she changed into the maid's attire from her room, Steward Zhao took her to the door of the study and then left

Her engagement to this man was secured by Chu Yunzhou through his military achievements. She does not understand why Chu Yunzhou would arrange it this way. Since there is an opportunity to marry the Emperor, why not marry her daughter to the Crown Prince or perhaps the Second Prince, Prince Zhao? After all, those two are the Emperor's most favored sons. Instead, he insists on marrying his daughter to this Third Prince, Prince Xian, who rarely returns to the capital from his fief.

Oh. Chu Yuliang nodded slightly. She had been at the Prince Xian's residence for several days, and had that man finally remembered her existence?

"Wait." A man's deep voice came from behind her

"No," Chu Yuliang shook her head in denial without a moment's hesitation. His question was subtle, but she understood the implication behind his words. Meeting the man's probing gaze, she felt no guilt at all. "Accusing me of murder and adultery are all slanderous words. If the prince does not believe me, he can certainly find someone to verify my innocence."

He spoke with great candor and composure; although his deep-set eyes lacked any extraneous color and it was impossible to discern his thoughts, Chu Yuliang felt that his words were likely genuine

Hmm. Looking at her dressed in night clothes, Chief Steward Zhao had been frowning all along. "In the future, don't run around aimlessly. If you break the rules of the residence, both you and I will bear the blame from the prince." After the warning, he finally got to the point, "Quickly change your clothes and go to the study. The prince sent me to call for you."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yuliang turned around in surprise to look at him, "Are you really saying this?"

Originally, it was thought that this matter would pass just like that, but unexpectedly, after Chu Yunzhou left the capital, Han Jiao, filled with resentment, became even more vicious towards Chu Yuliang. Not only did she stab her with a needle, but she also dipped the needle in salt water or chili water.

However, this time, Han Jiao harbored murderous intent out of jealousy for her marriage, with the aim of preventing her status from surpassing that of her own daughter in the future. After all, marrying the virtuous king means becoming part of the royal family. Han Jiao wanted her daughter to rise above her, unless she were to marry either the crown prince or the Zhao prince, but both the crown prince and the Zhao prince had long since taken their legitimate wives. She was unwilling to see her daughter become a concubine to someone else, so the only way for her daughter to surpass her was to eliminate her... After all, marrying the virtuous king means becoming part of the royal family. Han Jiao wanted her daughter to rise above her, unless she were to marry either the crown prince or the Zhao prince, but both the crown prince and the Zhao prince had long since taken their legitimate wives. She was unwilling to see her daughter become a concubine to someone else, so the only way for her daughter to surpass her was to eliminate her...

"Chief Zhao, is there something you need?" The middle-aged man at the door is the chief steward of the Xianwang Mansion, surnamed Zhao. He has a rather stern appearance, but he is relatively humble in character.

Looking at the woman's rude demeanor, he narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly said, "Miss Chu, do you know the reason why this king has summoned you?"

"I said, Miss Liang, where have you been running off to so late?" Chief Zhao asked with a stern face

Chu Yunzhou has been in office for many years; he should not have made such a decision.

She finally understands the meaning of 'a lifeline'; isn't this man before her her lifeline?