This time, as Pei Yuqing leaves the Capital City, encountering danger seems almost unavoidable; it all depends on how he handles it.

He is no ordinary man, yet no matter how extraordinary, he is not invulnerable.

Even someone as clever as Ji Chengfeng could be outsmarted and die of a plague.

Xie Wanneng had suspected if Lu Ziyuan was involved in that matter, but she hasn’t seen him since the palace banquet. Except for the jet-black eagle occasionally flying to her window, with a bamboo tube hanging from its neck, possibly containing sealed letters, he never actively appeared before her again.

Yun Jin, being highly intelligent, even knows to appear when no one else is around. Despite this, Xie Wanneng has never removed the bamboo tube.

Her feelings towards Lu Ziyuan are very complex; she’s loved, hated, felt annoyed and weary. Now, when she thinks of him, only that harsh phrase "chop into minced meat to feed the dogs" reverberates in her ears from time to time.

The two men are secretly competing, but since they haven’t caused any disturbance before her, she pretends not to know and doesn’t deliberately inquire.

Lu Ziyuan is already unstoppable in the court, and Pei Yuqing’s departure from the Capital City at this time—whether it was because of her—makes Xie Wanneng afraid to delve deep.

She is just a household madam, with limited capabilities, wishing only to live her small life peacefully, but such a wish seems rather extravagant.

Even after months without meeting, Xie Wanneng knows clearly that Lu Ziyuan will not let her go.

Previously, she was afraid to face the future conflict, but since Pei Yuqing left, during idle times, her thoughts would stray uncontrollably.

She thought, as long as Lu Ziyuan is alive, the choices before her seem to be only two.

Either firmly choose Pei Yuqing, disregarding the Pei and Xie Families, living and dying with him.

Or she breaks off with Pei Yuqing, fulfilling Lu Ziyuan’s obsession, letting him do as he pleases, as long as he agrees to spare everyone.

But she is unwilling to make either of these choices!

She cannot disregard her family’s safety, nor can she walk the path of her past life again.

Yet Lu Ziyuan will compel her; he won’t let her go.

Now, all calmness is temporary; who knows what he is plotting!

The feeling of impending storm has made Xie Wanneng sleepless these nights.

She cannot find a way to break the deadlock.

Since Pei Yuqing left the Capital City, Yun Jin’s visits have become more frequent, from once every few days to almost daily.

After all, it’s the beloved pet of her childhood sweetheart and former fiancé. Yun Jin was nearly raised right before Xie Wanneng’s eyes, and she fed it many times; naturally, it’s familiar with her. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Who knows what orders it received from its master these few times, landing on the windowsill, when she refused to pay attention, instead of leaving with grievance as before, it flapped its wings to draw her attention.

Once, it was even caught red-handed by Erqing.

As the personal maid who grew up with Xie Wanneng, Erqing naturally recognizes Lu Ziyuan’s beloved pet.

Knowing full well that Lu Ziyuan is not willing to give up on her lady, seeing Yun Jin did not surprise Erqing; she only worriedly asked, "This isn’t a solution, is it, my lady?"

Although already married, Erqing still didn’t change how she addressed her privately.

There is nothing between the mistress and servant that can’t be spoken. Hearing this, Xie Wanneng smiled bitterly and said, "To have a clean break with him, I rashly married someone else, yet he still won’t give up. What is there to plan?"

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