Xie Chaoyun lowered his eyes. The last time was actually an unexpected consequence of Xiao Heng’s disappearance. The Empress Dowager wouldn’t have another chance, but he couldn’t always be in the capital, so he was indeed quite passive in his sister’s marriage matters.

Madam Wu’s words made sense, and he quickly decided to find a suitable match for Chaoyue to prevent any unwelcome suitors.

Xie Chaoyun twirled the delicate wine cup in his right hand, feeling a bit less guarded against Madam Wu.

Unlike Madam Lu, who seemed to treat Chaoyue’s marriage as a social formality, Madam Wu genuinely had Chaoyue’s best interests at heart.

Chaoyue felt a bit uneasy, picking at the edge of the table with her fingernails, remaining silent.

Perhaps due to her aversion to marriage, Chaoyue suddenly recalled Chu Zhaoyou’s words, “Those elders who suddenly approach you may not necessarily have your best interests at heart.”

Who else could be considered an elder but her stepmother?

Chaoyue now had a special trust in Chu Zhaoyou’s words, surpassing even her trust in her brother.

Xie Chaoyun glanced at his restless sister and reminded her, “Don’t think about the emperor. I don’t know why he suddenly came to our residence today, but I’m sure you’re it’s just your wishful thinking. Besides, both the Regent and I won’t agree to it.”

Chaoyue bit her lip and glared angrily at her brother. Did he think she would remain silent?

“I’m just cutting through the confusion for you,” Xie Chaoyun said, raising his wine glass to shield his sister from her reproachful gaze. “I think the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice is a good match. You used to play together when you were young. Remember when Mother passed away, and there was a little boy who used to come to the general’s residence every day to watch me practice swordsmanship? You two would sit under the peach tree together…”

Chaoyue was very young when her parents passed away, and she couldn’t remember much about that time.

She didn’t understand why her brother brought up their childhood memories. Chaoyue felt a bit anxious but couldn’t express it.

Her unease was related to the king, but it seemed to be a different matter from what her brother was talking about!

Madam Wu raised her glass to Xie Chaoyun and said calmly, “That’s all for now. I’ll return to the Buddhist temple.”

The next time they would meet would likely be on the anniversary of the old general’s death, about a year later.

Xie Chaoyun nodded, bringing the wine to his lips.

Chaoyue stared, on guard, at the calm and composed Madam Wu.

Madam Wu smiled at her, just as she had when she first arrived at the general’s residence—courteous and attentive. Over the years, she had been unassuming, causing no disturbance.

Chaoyue looked around anxiously. When she saw a figure in white gasping for breath as they appeared at the door of the west room, she raised her hand and knocked Xie Chaoyun’s wine glass out of his hand.

As a girl from a family of military generals, she had some strength, and the glass shattered as it hit the threshold.

The spilled liquid splashed onto Madam Wu’s skirt, and her expression shifted slightly.

“Chaoyue!” It was the first time Xie Chaoyun had his wine glass knocked out of his hand, and he couldn’t help but reprimand her. When he saw Chu Zhaoyou rushing over, he immediately thought that Chaoyue was still not giving up and was resisting for Chu Zhaoyou’s sake.

Why were they all acting as if they were under some kind of spell, just like Xiao Heng?

“Stop this nonsense!” Xie Chaoyun was exasperated.

“Brother…”

As Chaoyue calmed down, she couldn’t believe she had acted so out of character, and her complexion turned pale and uncertain.

Chu Zhaoyou stopped in his tracks and, seeing the spilled liquid on the threshold, gave Chaoyue a thumbs-up.

Well done.

Chaoyue’s eyes lit up. The emperor had said she did the right thing, and she couldn’t help but smile, completely disregarding the recent scolding from her brother.

Xie Chaoyun saw his sister’s sudden change in demeanor, and was about to scold her for her lack of remorse when he caught sight of the emperor’s still extended thumb.

“…”

Could Xiao Heng come and take everyone back?

Madam Wu bent down and returned to the Buddhist temple from the side. As she passed by Chu Zhaoyou, she suddenly made a move without warning.

Chu Zhaoyou had been watching her vigilantly and quickly stepped back, but he hadn’t expected her to be so skilled.

Before the guards could react, a dark figure leaped over the courtyard wall, swiftly embracing Chu Zhaoyou and then kicked Madam Wu into the wall as they retreated.

A loud crash—such force that the entire wall crumbled.

The situation changed abruptly, and Chaoyue was so frightened that she clutched her brother’s arm.

The guards approached, lifting Madam Wu and dislocating her jaw, breaking both her arms.

Xie Chaoyun was shaken to the core. He handed his sister over to the guards and went to assess the situation.

“She’s been poisoned,” Xiao Heng said calmly.

Xie Chaoyun hurried to check on Madam Wu. She had been kicked by the Regent, and the amount of blood pouring from her mouth was abnormal.

Outside the general’s residence, footsteps approached rapidly. Xie Chaoyun looked to Xiao Heng, who succinctly said, “Catch the thief.”

Xie Chaoyun thought of the drink he hadn’t consumed earlier, and his gaze shifted back and forth between Chaoyue and Chu Zhaoyou, unable to decide.

After the initial shock, Chaoyue remained remarkably calm and even dared to challenge her brother.

Chu Zhaoyou, held in the Regent Prince’s arms, couldn’t discern the expressions around him.

“Summon the imperial physician to determine the nature of the poison,” Xie Chaoyun’s eyes darkened, brimming with icy determination. The wine had been poisoned, and while he hadn’t drunk any, Madam Wu had. He recalled the symptoms of his father’s death, which were similar to Madam Wu’s current condition.

He was almost fated to share the same death anniversary as his father.

If Xie Chaoyun didn’t understand who had given the order to harm his sister, then his life would have been spared in vain.

He kneeled respectfully. “Xie Chaoyun will never forget Your Majesty’s grace for saving my life.”

Chaoyue followed suit, thinking that the emperor was truly brilliant, even more so than her brother.

Chu Zhaoyou’s forehead was pressed tightly against the Regent’s shoulder, feeling too unwell to lift his head.

Wasn’t today’s situation different from the matchmaking temple?

No, it wasn’t.

As he was carried away, the Regent’s speed was probably three times faster than Qian Shicheng’s. He felt dizzy and disoriented, and there was blood nearby.

Chu Zhaoyou didn’t have the energy to pay attention to Xie Chaoyun. He waved his hand and vomited directly onto the Regent.

He was very hungry, and in reality, he hadn’t vomited much.

Surprisingly, Xiao Heng didn’t push him away. Instead, he patted his back to soothe him. He cast a displeased glance at Xie Chaoyun, feeling that he had failed to protect Chu Zhaoyou after taking him away.

“You handle it yourself.”

The biggest question at the scene was why Chu Zhaoyou had known in advance.

But judging by the expressions of the Regent and the emperor, no one dared to approach and ask.

Xiao Heng’s clothes were damp and chilling, but Chu Zhaoyou had wiped his mouth on the other side of his shoulder, leaving it clean.

Then, he distanced himself from the Regent with disdain.

Chu Zhaoyou breathed a sigh of relief, trying to cover up his actions. “You feel a bit cold.”

Xiao Heng was slightly annoyed and gave him a disapproving look.

He recalled the way Chu Zhaoyou had looked at Xie Chaoyun and how he had rushed to save him, feeling secretly frustrated by the differential treatment.

Chu Zhaoyou was promptly sent back to the palace. After vomiting once, he didn’t feel like doing it again.

Perhaps because he had saved the Regent’s good friend, Xiao Heng was more concerned about him. So, Chu Zhaoyou pretended to be bedridden, occasionally feigning dry heaves to avoid Xiao Heng’s repeated inquiries.

He needed to come up with a good excuse for his advance knowledge, preferably by extracting information about Madam Wu from Xiao Heng first. He would then combine this information to craft a convincing story.

Everything was going smoothly. If Xiao Heng couldn’t extract any information, Chu Zhaoyou would report on his progress.

Chu Zhaoyou’s agile mind worked to change the script. Two days later, he felt it was almost time, and he waited for the Regent to come and interrogate him.

In early November, in the Funing Hall, Chu Zhaoyou, chewing on sour plums, felt confident.

“I am incredibly clever.”

But he had a nagging feeling that he had forgotten something important.

Chu Zhaoyou frowned, racking his brain, but couldn’t recall what it was.

Oh no, it seemed like he had become foolish.

The author has something to say: What about being pregnant?

Chu Zhaoyou: Shut up.