When Lin Youning woke up, she found herself lying in a simply furnished room, which upon closer inspection, seemed like a meditation room.

The place Lin Youning most frequently visited was Pure Path Lodge, so she was familiar with the guest rooms here. Thinking back to what the Eldest Prince said that day, she immediately knew where she was.

She sat up and found that her head was still a bit dizzy. After sitting with her eyes closed for a while, she felt a bit better. Supporting herself by the bed, she stood up and walked to the door. She tried pushing the door, and it opened effortlessly, with no one guarding it.

Lin Youning found it odd and was contemplating taking this opportunity to escape, when unexpectedly, her older brother climbed over the wall to get in. Lin Youning’s face lit up with joy. Gu Yifeng gestured for her to stay silent. He embraced her and effortlessly brought her over the wall. With another leap, they were out of the courtyard. They continued this way, stopping and going, crossing walls and courtyards, until they stopped beside a bamboo grove.

Along the way, Lin Youning was held in her older brother’s arms, not disturbing the child in her belly. Lin Youning touched the ground and joyfully asked, "Older brother, why are you here? Weren’t you out looking for someone?"

Gu Yifeng pinched her nose, "Were you scared?"

Lin Youning shook her head with a smile, "I just woke up and found no one guarding the door, then saw you."

"Then I came just in time," Gu Yifeng was relieved, holding her waist as they walked towards the bamboo grove, explaining, "We rushed to Pure Path Temple overnight upon receiving a message from the Hidden Guard. We figured the Eldest Prince would place you here. Your brother, along with Nanny Wang, diverted the Eldest Prince’s attention, so I came to find you."

Lin Youning nodded, "Did Nanny Wang really end up in their hands?"

"There was no need. Someone met with the Eldest Prince; he ended up worse off for trying to trick us." Gu Yifeng had a faint smile as they reached a small house inside the bamboo grove.

Lin Youning stopped, "Why did we come here?"

"To meet someone," Gu Yifeng released her waist and gestured forward with his chin.

Lin Youning raised her head and, upon seeing the man standing before her, tilted her head to scrutinize him. Actually, upon hearing her older brother mention meeting someone, she had already guessed who it was. Seeing the person confirmed her suspicions further.

Yet, the word ’father’ stuck in her throat, refusing to be spoken.

Gu Yifeng gently pushed her forward, "Go on."

Lin Youning nodded and hesitantly walked over. Meeting eyes, Prince Shou’s eyes immediately reddened, "Ah, Sister Ning looks so much like your mother, dear child. Father hasn’t been good to you all these years. You have suffered."

Originally, Lin Youning didn’t feel much, but his words brought tears to her eyes. Prince Shou hastily said, "I heard from your brother that you are with child. Crying like this is not good for the baby."

Gu Yifeng couldn’t bear it anymore either and stepped forward to comfort, "Listen to father’s words, otherwise wouldn’t it make him feel guilty?"

Lin Youning knew her older brother cared for her, but displaying it so openly in front of her father made her ears turn red, momentarily forgetting her sadness.

Seeing his daughter being cared for, Prince Shou was naturally pleased. Although initially upset upon hearing his daughter was manipulated into marriage, after meeting the Dingyuan Marquis, Prince Shou was quite satisfied with this son-in-law.

"Father, are you returning to the Capital?" Lin Youning remembered to ask about serious matters at this point.

Prince Shou nodded, "Over these years, because of your mother’s passing, I lost interest in everything until Nanny Wang informed me of your whereabouts. Only then did I realize I’ve been living in a dream all these years."

Even though it was the first meeting for the father and daughter, seeing a daughter resembling his deceased wife and considering her experiences, Prince Shou felt both heartache and anger, regretting not fulfilling his responsibilities as a father all these years.

"Father has always been thinking of mother." Lin Youning envied her mother.

Even though she was gone, someone still thought of her.

However, those words were difficult to express.

Prince Shou did not say much more, just nodded, "Your brother and the Eldest Prince ahead should be confronting each other by now; we should go check it out. Since the Eldest Prince has sought us out, it’s only proper to meet."

A mocking expression flitted across Prince Shou’s face. Had he not feigned his death, there’d be no way the Eldest Prince could have ranked higher, nor would he have such ambitions now.

Lin Youning nodded, knowing it was all prearranged.

As they walked towards the front of Pure Path Temple, Prince Shou and Sister Ning led the way, with Prince Shou asking many questions about Sister Ning’s life. Although Nanny Wang’s letters covered most details, seeing his daughter prompted Prince Shou to hear her recount events from her childhood again.

The atmosphere between the father and daughter was warm until they reached the front courtyard of Pure Path Temple, where two confronting groups stood, and Li Min’s gaze froze upon seeing Prince Shou.

Or rather, everyone’s gaze was fixed on Prince Shou, who allowed them to scrutinize him indifferently, much like a cold winter breeze.

Prince Shou walked up to the Eldest Prince, "Second Brother, it’s been many years."

Those words alone revealed his identity.

Li Min seemed unsteady, stepping back before stabilizing himself, "Big Brother, everything remains well?"

Prince Shou nodded, "I heard you’ve been looking for me all along, even going as far as kidnapping my daughter. Since we’re met here today, let’s talk about why you sought me. Having left the Imperial Palace, I’m no longer Prince Shou or a prince, just an ordinary person. So what business do you have with me, Second Brother?"

"Daughter?" Li Min was again startled by this news, his gaze landing on Lin Youning and then shifting to Zhao Housheng, scrutinizing his face as if searching for something.

Prince Shou nodded, "Brother Sheng and Sister Ning are my children. I’ve been hiding in the remote mountains and forests all these years, so no one would know I’m their father."

"Big Brother never ceases to amaze with your unexpected actions. You suddenly left the Imperial Palace back then, and now you reappear with a pair of children. It’s truly eye-opening." Li Min’s tone was filled with sarcasm.

He naturally understood that all his efforts, despite his prolonged and determined search, had ended up being a mere joke.

Yet to merely let go, how could he willingly accept that?

"Big Brother may be unaware in the secluded mountains, but I seek you out for urgent matters, as it pertains to the succession to the throne. It’s not a matter easily explained in a few words. Now that you’re out, you should return to the palace and see the Emperor. Why not go back together?" Li Min spoke through gritted teeth.