In the past, Xiao Ruici was gentle and approachable, like jade.

But the Xiao Ruici now is sharp, introverted, and hard to read.

Jian Ning couldn’t understand it.

Clearly, she was the one who had been wronged and beaten.

Why was her imperial brother protecting Gu Qingwan?

Her brother clearly didn’t care for her anymore, yet he punished her with house arrest.

She was going to find her mother, the Empress, who would definitely help her.

After sending Princess Jian Ning away, Gu Tingyi instructed the imperial doctor to treat the emperor’s wound.

Only then did the family return to the General’s residence.

Originally, this small matter wasn’t something that Old Madam Gu needed to intervene in.

But Old Madam Gu, worried that her granddaughter was wronged and wanting to stand up for her, decided to go.

She wanted to tell everyone that their Gu family’s young lady was their precious gem, and no one, not even the princess, could bully her.

The new emperor had ascended the throne, and the selection of women for the harem was imminent.

With the empress’s position vacant, all officials with daughters of marriageable age were eyeing the position.

What Gu Qingwan didn’t expect was that after Ye Lingxue failed to win the heart of Beichen Yuan, she entered the palace through the Ye family’s granddaughter status.

Ye Lingxue thought that once she entered the palace, Shen Qingwan would no longer be able to take her ring.

But she didn’t know that no matter where Shen Qingwan was, if she wanted that ring, it would be useless for Ye Lingxue to have it.

Ye Lingxue’s decision to enter the palace wasn’t entirely because she wanted to avoid Gu Qingwan, but because she had a mission to gain points.

The stronger the person she pursued, the more points she would earn.

With enough points, she could buy more weapons.

Beichen Yuan was the main male character in this world, and if she couldn’t have him, she’d rather ruin him. If she could conquer Xiao Rui Ci, she would gain more points. With those points, she could exchange them for firearms. With such weapons, she wouldn’t fear dealing with Beichen Yuan or Gu Qingwan.

However, Ye Lingxue probably didn’t expect Xiao Ruici to have already developed feelings for Gu Qingwan and even had the intention of bringing her into the palace.

When Xuantian heard this news, he was shocked. His master was about to have someone steal his woman.

“Master, it’s bad,” Xuantian rushed into the study. Beichen Yuan was still handling state affairs. When he saw Xuantian’s flustered expression, he stopped his work.

“What is it? Why are you so panicked?”

“Master, it’s bad. The cooked duck is about to fly away—no, I mean, someone’s trying to snatch the food right from the tiger’s mouth! The emperor wants to fight with you over a woman!”

Xuantian spoke in a hurry, but Beichen Yuan slammed the table.

“Speak properly.”

“There’s news from the palace. The emperor wants Miss Gu to become a concubine,” Xuantian said, and then immediately shut up. Beichen Yuan…

“That kid really isn’t picky, even someone who’s been divorced he likes. What’s good about that woman? Xiao Rui Ci, an emperor, could find any woman he wants, and he’s after one who’s been divorced?”

“Didn’t you like her too?” Xuantian muttered softly, and Beichen Yuan gave him a cold glare. Xuantian immediately shut up.

“What’s the news from the General’s residence? With Gu Qingwan’s temperament, she shouldn’t agree to enter the palace.”

Gu Qingwan had always been free-spirited, and she was no ordinary woman. Xiao Rui Ci couldn’t hold onto her.

Though he was certain of this, Beichen Yuan still felt uneasy, as though something that belonged to him was being coveted.

Just as Beichen Yuan was brooding, Ning Huai’an also rushed in.

“Beichen, it’s bad. Shen Qing is about to be snatched away!” Ning Huai’an had rushed here immediately upon hearing the news.

He had finally set his eyes on a girl, one with such personality.

Although she was divorced, he had come to terms with it during this time.

So what if she was divorced?

As long as he liked her, it didn’t matter.

“Master Ning, you know about this too?” Xuantian was surprised, thinking Ning Huai’an had come to remind the prince, but he didn’t expect…

“You know about this too? Then think of a way for me. Do you think I should go to the General’s residence first and propose? If I beat the emperor to it, would it be alright? Or should I just elope with her?”

Ning Huai’an was seriously asking for their opinions, but Xuantian was dumbfounded.

Was this kid really lacking in brain cells?

The emperor was stealing his woman, and this kid wanted to join in?

But his master didn’t seem worried at all.

Should he assist in the matter?

Xuantian thought to himself while Ning Huai’an continued to speak confidently, as if Shen Qingwan would just elope with him.

“Master Ning, eloping may not be appropriate. Why don’t you directly go to the General’s residence and propose?”

Xuantian cautiously glanced at his master.

When he saw his master’s lack of reaction, he secretly sighed in relief.

But if his master didn’t get angry, did that mean he didn’t care?

“Do you really think proposing directly will work? Beichen, what do you think?” Ning Huai’an asked eagerly, turning to Beichen Yuan.

Beichen Yuan coldly responded, “Not a match.”

“Heh, I know she’s divorced, and maybe she’s not a good match for me, but who cares? I just like her. Don’t you think she’s got character? Plus, she’s still the eldest daughter of the General’s residence. Her status isn’t bad,” Ning Huai’an said proudly, with a smug smile on his face.

Xuantian couldn’t hold back and snickered.

“I meant you’re not worthy of her,” Beichen Yuan shot back, giving him a disdainful look as though he had no self-awareness.

“Pfft~” Xuantian couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.

Ning Huai’an “…”

“Who are you two really siding with? What do you mean I’m not worthy of her? I’m charming, handsome, and unmatched in beauty. How can I not be worthy of her? Hmph, I think you’re just jealous because I found the woman I love before you.”

Ning Huai’an proudly lifted his chin, looking very smug.

Xuantian couldn’t bear to watch him keep digging his own grave and reminded him, “Miss Gu has already been with my master. Are you sure you still want to propose?”

“What do you mean ‘been with’?” Ning Huai’an didn’t understand at first.

When he realized, he stared at Beichen Yuan in shock, as if Beichen Yuan had just cuckolded him.

“Beichen, how could you do this to a good brother? How could you touch a brother’s woman?”

Ning Huai’an was about to break down.

After all this time, the girl he liked was already taken?

“The Ning family’s matters aren’t settled, and you’re still thinking about chasing women?”

Beichen Yuan hit him where it hurt.

Ning Huai’an instantly deflated like a defeated rooster.

“The Ning family’s affairs? I’m done with it. I’m not a fool. Wait for me for ten years. In ten years, I’ll still be your war king’s money bag. Maybe not even ten years, five years will do.” Ning Huai’an spoke with confidence, but in reality, he didn’t want to face his two older brothers.

“As for the money, I’ll figure it out. The Ning family’s wealth is mine if I want it. I won’t force you, but what’s mine, no one can take.”

Beichen Yuan knew Ning Huai’an’s struggles, but he wasn’t going to pressure him.

However, if it was his own, no one else could touch it.

“So when did you and Gu Qingwan…” Ning Huai’an abruptly changed the subject.

It caught Xuantian off guard, and Beichen Yuan couldn’t help but have Xuantian throw Ning Huai’an out.