Many children, many blessings: Stealing the offspring of powerful figures to cultivate immortality.

General Bai?

A name popped into Jiang Yining's mind—Bai Ze.

Her childhood sweetheart, now a valiant cavalry general, is also a well-known romantic figure in the capital.

Before Jiang Yining could speak, a tall figure strode into the inner courtyard.

The newcomer was dressed in light silver armor, with a handsome and alluring face, and his peach blossom eyes were filled with anxiety and heartache.

"Ningning!"

As soon as Bai Ze entered, ignoring the gazes of the servants around him, he reached out to grab Jiang Yining's wrist.

Jiang Yining instinctively took a half step back, avoiding his touch.

"General Bai, please have some self-respect."

She said coldly, "This is the Chu family home."

Bai Ze's hand froze in mid-air, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes.

He frowned and instructed, "You may all leave now."

The maid and the steward exchanged glances. Knowing Bai Ze's temperament, Jiang Yining could only wave them away.

"Chu Jinglan is dead!"

He lowered his voice, his tone urgent: "Are you still going to stay in this empty shell of a marquis's mansion for him?"

"This is my home."

"This isn't a home, it's a living hell!"

Bai Ze stepped forward, his tall figure exuding a strong sense of oppression.

"Do you know what's being said outside? They're saying Chu Jinglan's greed for merit and recklessness led to the army's annihilation!"

"The emperor has already dispatched the Embroidered Uniform Guard to search for the former troops of the Chu family army, and they will soon find out about the Marquis's residence."

"Ningning, come with me."

Bai Ze's eyes gleamed with fervor: "Given the friendship between our two families, and my current military achievements, His Majesty will grant me this favor and allow you to divorce and return home!"

In his memory, Bai Ze had always liked her, and on the day she married into the Chu family, he stood outside the mansion gate all night.

But she can't leave.

The mother-in-law vomited blood and fell into a coma after hearing the bad news, and has not woken up since.

There is also a younger brother-in-law in the family who has been blind since childhood and is frail and sickly.

If she leaves, how will this family of elderly, weak, sick and disabled survive?

"Thank you for your kindness, General Bai."

Jiang Yining stood ramrod straight: "The Chu family has done nothing wrong, so I'm not afraid of being investigated."

"you……"

Bai Ze spun around in place, furious: "Why are you so stubborn!"

"Old Madam Chu is barely clinging to life. How many more days does she have? And what about that blind man? Are you going to take care of him for the rest of his life?"

Bai Ze said urgently, "I'll take you to Jiangnan, to the borderlands, anywhere is fine, just don't stay in this hellhole!"

Jiang Yining looked at her childhood sweetheart, whose eyes were full of love for her.

"Bai Ze".

She looked up, her gaze eerily clear: "You said it yourself, the Chu family is now only left with the old, weak, sick, and disabled."

"If I leave now, I will be driving them to their deaths."

"Although I, Jiang Yining, am not a saint, I would never do such a treacherous thing."

"you……"

Bai Ze was furious and spun around in place twice: "You're so stubborn! That's something the Chu family owes you, not something you owe the Chu family!"

Jiang Yining sighed, "Aze, what's done is done."

Her gaze softened: "Stop clinging to me. I've already been married, and the Bai family will never accept a divorced woman again."

Bai Ze couldn't help but grab Jiang Yining's hand: "No, Ningning, if I want to, they can't stop me!"

"Tap, tap, tap."

A rhythmic sound of a bamboo cane striking the ground came from behind.

Bai Ze's expression instantly turned somewhat unpleasant.

A young man dressed in a blue cloth robe, leaning on a thin bamboo stick, groped his way across the threshold.

He was extremely handsome, with snow-white hair and exquisite features. His eyes were covered by a white cloth, and his face was as pale as paper, making him look as if a gust of wind could blow him over.

Chu Sikong.

Chu Jinglan's younger brother.

"Sister-in-law."

Chu Sikong did not go inside, but stood at the door and bowed in the direction of Jiang Yining.

"Why is my second brother out here?"

Jiang Yining quickly got up to help him: "It just rained, the air is damp, and you're not in good health."

Chu Sikong tilted his head slightly, his unseen eyes seemingly gazing in the direction of Bai Ze.

"I heard what General Bai said."

His face was very peaceful.

"General Bai is right, the Chu family is now in a precarious situation."

Chu Sikong fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a letter, handing it to Jiang Yining: "This is a letter of divorce."

Jiang Yining was stunned.

"My elder brother is gone; I am the only male heir in the Chu family."

Chu Sikong forced a bitter smile: "In these three years, sister-in-law has sacrificed a great deal for the Chu family. Our Chu family cannot continue to be a burden to her."

"Take this letter and go with General Bai. The future is bright and boundless. Sister-in-law... take care."

Bai Ze's eyes lit up: "You're smart, kid!"

Jiang Yining looked at the letter, then at her blind brother-in-law.

Chu Sikong stood in the shadows, his figure slender, his hand tightly gripping the bamboo staff, his knuckles turning white.

He was trembling.

"I won't leave."

Jiang Yining took the letter and tore it to shreds in front of the two of them.

"Sister-in-law?" Chu Sikong looked surprised.

"As long as I live, I will still be a daughter-in-law of the Chu family."

Jiang Yining patted the scraps of paper off her hands: "Second brother, don't mention such things again."

Situ Kong was stunned.

Although he couldn't see her, he could sense the unprecedented tenacity emanating from the woman.

Is this still the same gentle and quiet sister-in-law she usually is?

Seeing this, Bai Ze sighed deeply: "Ningning, why are you doing this to yourself..."

"Imperial edict has arrived!"

The shrill voice of the eunuch shattered the stagnant atmosphere in the courtyard.

Immediately following was the sound of armor clashing in unison, the sound of the Imperial Guards surrounding the mansion.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees!"

"General Chu Jinglan, the Grand General Who Protects the Nation, led his troops poorly, resulting in the annihilation of an entire army of 80,000!"

"The General's Mansion is to be sealed off immediately. No one is allowed to leave. Further action will be taken after the details are determined!"

Chu Sikong's face turned deathly pale instantly.

"Take it down!"

The head of the Imperial Guards was a man with a thick beard. He had his hand on the hilt of his sword and his eyes swept over the people in the courtyard like those of a hawk.

Finally, his gaze settled on Jiang Yining, a hint of amazement and greed flashing in his eyes.

I had long heard that Madam Jiang was the most beautiful woman in the capital. Now, even though she was dressed in plain white and without any makeup, she looked even more charming.

Now that the Chu family is about to fall, this most beautiful woman might be sent to the brothel, and then...

"Wait!"

Jiang Yining stepped forward and stood in front of Chu Sikong.

Her back was ramrod straight, and although she was a woman, the aura she exuded at this moment was no less than that of a seasoned commander.

"Sir, the imperial edict says 'you are not allowed to go out,' but it doesn't say 'execute on the spot.'"

Jiang Yining looked at them coldly: "My husband's body is barely cold, and his crimes are yet to be determined. How can you so easily slap this label on him?"

"If it is found to be a miscarriage of justice, Commander, aren't you afraid that your humiliation of the loyal son of a fallen general will chill the hearts of all soldiers?"

The commander was taken aback, clearly not expecting this seemingly delicate woman to be so sharp-tongued.

"Hmph, sharp-tongued!"

The commander sneered, "Men, tie this criminal woman up!"

"Let's see who dares!"

Bai Ze suddenly drew his sword from his waist and held it horizontally in front of him.

A nine-foot-tall man stood in front of Jiang Yining, his silver armor gleaming coldly in the snow.

"General Bai?"

The commander's expression changed: "Are you defying the imperial decree? This is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family. Is it worth it for a criminal woman?"

"She is not a criminal!"

Bai Ze gritted his teeth: "I don't know if Chu Jinglan is a traitor, but anyone who dares to touch Madam Chu today will first have to ask the sword in my hand!"

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Jiang Yining looked at Bai Ze's broad back and felt a slight stirring in her heart.

This fool dares to stand up at a time like this, isn't he afraid that His Majesty will take his anger out on the Bai family?

Bai Ze acted impulsively, but she couldn't foolishly drag him down with her.

"General Bai, thank you for your kindness."

Jiang Yining reached out and gently placed her hand on Bai Ze's sword hilt.

"Ningning!" Bai Ze cried out anxiously.

"I am a member of the Chu family, and we will take responsibility for the Chu family's affairs ourselves."

Jiang Yining bypassed Bai Ze and faced the commander directly, without the slightest fear in her eyes.

"I refuse to accept this. I demand to see the Emperor the memorial tablets of all the generals of the Chu family throughout history."

"I want to go to the Golden Palace, and in front of all the civil and military officials, ask His Majesty, ask him about the principles governing this world!"

"My husband defended the border for three years, holding out in a lonely city to the death, only to be killed and his body never returned. Why should he bear this eternal infamy!"

Her words were firm and resolute, conveying a sense of unwavering resolve to perish together with the enemy.

The commander was intimidated by her imposing presence and hesitated for a moment.

After all, the Chu family has been loyal and virtuous for generations. If someone were to die without trial, he would not be able to bear the consequences.

"good!"

The commander sheathed his sword: "Since you're courting death, I'll grant your wish! Take me away!"