“Then, do you know anyone who might have it?” Yan Yuning smiled sweetly.  

Xuan Yanyu glanced her up and down, his tone low. “Why would you think I do?”  

Yan Yuning blinked her big eyes, her voice laced with a coaxing tone. “I’m just asking around. What if you do? So, do you have it or not?”  

“No.” The man’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.  

Yan Yuning’s expression faltered, and she couldn’t help but snap, “Fine, if you don’t, you don’t!”  

Stingy man.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Yan Yuning turned and stormed off.  

“She dared to yell at me?” Xuan Yanyu’s entire aura turned dangerous.  

“Yeah, she’s got some nerve. Should Your Highness teach her a lesson?” Yechen materialized like a ghost beside Xuan Yanyu.  

Xuan Yanyu’s tone was impatient. “Since when do you meddle in my affairs?”  

Yechen’s mind raced. Ah, it must be because she’s Eldest Miss Yan’s sister. His Highness is showing her kindness for her sake. I get it.

“Tell Yejian to bring the antidote for Manzhu Poison.”  

Yechen froze, his face flashing with surprise. He couldn’t process it for a moment.  

His Highness is helping Yan Yuning? Is it because of Eldest Miss Yan?

Xuan Yanyu shot him a dangerous look.  

Yechen shuddered under the gaze. “Your Highness, I’ll go arrange it immediately.”  

…

County Magistrate’s Residence.

Liu Sisi nestled softly in Chen Kai’s arms, a faint smile playing on her lips.  

Bai Yue and Chen Ali sat on wooden chairs not far away.  

“My lord, after much thought, I’d like to send Ali to my elder brother and sister-in-law’s home,” Bai Yue said, her expression weary, her breath weak.  

“Nonsense!” Chen Kai’s face darkened, and he slammed the table.  

His daughter, raised by someone else? What would the other officials think of him?

“My lord, don’t be angry. Sister might be confused from her illness,” Liu Sisi murmured, her fingers lightly tugging at Chen Kai’s sleeve, her voice delicate.  

Chen Kai patted Liu Sisi’s hand. “You’re always so understanding, my Sisi.” Then, he glared at Bai Yue. “Get back to your courtyard.”  

Bai Yue clenched her teeth and with a thud, knelt on the ground. She looked up, her eyes filled with pleading. “I beg you, my lord, grant me this.”  

“Mother, get up!” Chen Ali burst into tears.  

Bai Yue fought back the sting in her eyes and turned to her maid, Xiaoyu, her voice hoarse. “Xiaoyu, take Ali away.”  

“Mother, don’t beg them! Don’t beg them for my sake!” Chen Ali kicked and struggled as Xiaoyu pulled her away, her cries heart-wrenching.  

Bai Yue wiped her tears and spoke gently, though her voice trembled. “Ali, be good.”  

Liu Sisi leaned weakly against Chen Kai’s shoulder, stroking his chest. “My lord, look at them. How touching.”  

Chen Kai snorted.  

“My lord, could you go to the study first? I’d like to speak with Sister alone.”  

Chen Kai touched her face, puzzled. “What do you want to say to her?”  

“My lord, it’s a secret.” Liu Sisi’s red lips curved.  

Chen Kai threw his head back and laughed. “Oh? My Sisi has secrets from me now?”  

Liu Sisi hugged his arm, coquettishly pleading. “Then, will you let me talk to Sister alone?”  

“Fine, fine. I’ll deal with you tonight.” Chen Kai tapped her nose playfully.

Liu Sisi watched Chen Kai’s retreating figure, her eyes darkening.  

“Madam, the medicinal soup is ready,” a maid said respectfully as she approached Liu Sisi.  

Liu Sisi adjusted the robe slipping off her shoulder and took the bowl from the maid. “Everyone, out.”  

“Yes, Madam.” The maids didn’t dare say more and quickly filed out. The last one closed the door behind her.  

Liu Sisi’s slender fingers gripped the edge of the bowl. “Sister, this is the last dose. Drink it obediently.”  

“Can’t you spare Ali?”  

Liu Sisi let out a soft, mocking laugh, her voice laced with bitterness. “Spare Ali? Did your father spare us? My entire Liu family—hundreds of lives—were wiped out because of your father. What did they do wrong? Tell me, who among them wasn’t innocent?”  

“But my father didn’t know the truth at the time!” Bai Yue explained urgently.  

Back then, her father was still the prime minister, while Liu Sisi’s father had just been appointed deputy general. When war broke out between the two nations, the defense map was leaked, and all suspicion fell on the deputy general. Her father had submitted a memorial to the emperor.  

After the defeat, the furious emperor ordered the execution of the entire Liu family without even investigating.  

Liu Sisi had only survived because her mother hid her away.  

Later, when her father learned the truth, he reported it to the emperor—but it was too late. The Liu family, hundreds of them, were already gone.  

Overcome with guilt, her father exhausted the family fortune to atone for his sins. He suffered nightmares every night and died of illness a few years later. Her mother followed soon after. Without its backbone, the once-great prime minister’s residence quickly fell into ruin.  

“He didn’t know? He reported it without knowing the truth? What a pity for my Liu family’s hundreds of lives! You can’t bear to part with your Ali, but my little sister was only five years old—just five!” A tear slipped from the corner of Liu Sisi’s eye.  

“I’m sorry.” Bai Yue bit her lip, snatched the bowl from Liu Sisi, and drank it all in one gulp.  

“It’s not enough. Just you isn’t enough. It’s still not enough!” Liu Sisi laughed through her tears, her voice tinged with madness.  

“Pfft—” Bai Yue spat out a mouthful of blood. Struggling to hold on, she reached out and grabbed Liu Sisi’s sleeve. “Spare Ali.”  

“Sister, this is what you owe me.” Liu Sisi yanked her sleeve free with force.  

“I… I want to see Ali one last time.” Bai Yue collapsed to the ground, her voice weak and trembling.  

“Sister, let’s not. Your current state would frighten her.” Liu Sisi sneered.  

“Si… Si, do you know why I drank your poison willingly?” Bai Yue smiled faintly, her voice barely audible.  

“Willingly? You had no choice.” Liu Sisi stepped onto a wooden chair, laughing bewitchingly.  

“Yes, I was atoning for my father’s sins. But… did you know? I wasn’t Prime Minister Bai’s real daughter. He adopted me—and not just me. He took in many homeless children.” A trickle of blood seeped from Bai Yue’s lips as her voice grew weaker.  

“Si Si, what happened back then… was the one mistake my father ever made in his life. He… he never meant for it to happen… Si Si… let go of your hatred and live well. I can tell Chen Kai truly loves you.”  

Bai Yue’s consciousness began to fade. Her body curled up as she murmured, “What a pity… I won’t get to see my Ali again.”  

A single tear hung at the corner of her eye as she lay there quietly, her eyes closing forever.  

Liu Sisi’s legs gave way, and she collapsed heavily to the ground. Her hands trembled as she clutched the jade pendant at her waist. “He didn’t mean it, he was innocent—but was I not innocent too? Was I not? Was I wrong to seek revenge?”  

….

“Are you sure your intel isn’t wrong?” Yan Yuning lay sprawled on the courtyard wall, peering inside.  

The yard was simple but tidy, with a few chickens clucking in a coop, adding a touch of warmth and liveliness to the small courtyard.  

“How could it be wrong? You should have unconditional faith in our… young master,” Yechen retorted, crossing his arms.