Denghuangtai

Yun Zheng stood there, staring at Pei Qingyan's collarbone that was exposed above the water, with a half-smile, "With your battered body, you're hardly a sight to behold."

Enraged, Pei Qingyan disregarded her embarrassment. She glared at Yun Zheng, scanning him up and down, and mimicked his mocking tone, saying, "Your Excellency is merely a civil official, powerless even to kill a chicken. With your physique, you're hardly a sight to behold. Why don't you just show it off to others?"

"Glib-tongued."

"Her intentions are sinister."

The two locked eyes, exchanging a silent battle.

"Knock knock knock".

Someone knocked on the door.

"My lord, someone from the palace has arrived. The Imperial Concubine urgently summons you to the palace."

If I had known this would happen, I definitely wouldn't have helped you.

Chengming Hall.

"Kneel down!"

As soon as Yun Zheng entered, he heard Consort Yun's stern shout. He brushed off his clothes and knelt in the center of the hall. A series of footsteps sounded, approaching from afar.

"Yun Zheng, do you still remember how your father died?"

Consort Yun looked down at Yun Zheng, hoping to discern something from his expression, but Yun Zheng's face remained as still as water, without the slightest ripple.

"Yun Zheng will remember this forever and never forget it."

Consort Yun sneered. She waved to the palace servants, who understood and went to the back hall to fetch a whip.

Consort Yun turned around and closed her eyes.

The heavy crack of whips echoed from inside the hall, each muffled thud accompanied by disordered breathing.

After a long while, Consort Yun opened her eyes, turned around, waved away the palace servants, and stood in front of Yun Zheng. "Do you know why I hit you today?"

"Because my nephew brought back Pei Qingyan!"

Upon hearing this, Consort Yun was so angry that she laughed instead.

"The Pei family caused your father's death, leaving him without a complete corpse. Even though he is dead, Pei Qingyan has the blood of the Pei family flowing in her veins. If His Majesty hadn't wanted to use her, she wouldn't be alive today. You brought her back to the palace; are you trying to oppose me?"

"Or is it that you still have feelings for her?"

"Your nephew wouldn't dare. From the moment my father died, I had no more feelings for her whatsoever!"

Yun Zheng cupped his hands and said solemnly, "But she has an Ice Silkworm in her possession."

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

A moment later, the sound of Consort Yun gritting her teeth could be heard.

"You, Pei Qingyan, how dare you use my mother's illness as a pretext to blackmail me."

Consort Yun waved away the palace servants, her eyes blazing with fury.

The Ice Silkworm, which we couldn't find anywhere, was actually in the hands of our enemy's descendant. Heaven is truly blind.

What are her requirements?

"Pei Qingyan's answer was vague, and I don't know either."

Consort Yun laughed in anger upon hearing this, "Good, good, good! Pei Qingyan is truly fearless because of the Ice Silkworm."

If she compromises because of this, she will be led by the nose by her enemy!

But if she doesn't compromise...

Thinking of her mother, Consort Yun's heart, which was as hard as iron, softened instantly. She closed her eyes and let out a long sigh in her heart.

That's it!

"I'm leaving this matter to you. Make sure you get your hands on the Ice Silkworm."

"Yes."

"but……"

Consort Yun drew out her words, her eyes full of scrutiny, "You should know what you should and shouldn't do."

"Don't worry, Aunt."

Seeing Yun Zheng's straightforward answer, Consort Yun's expression softened slightly. She helped Yun Zheng up, looking at him with heartache, "It hurts me to be hit, but there's nothing I can do. This is to prevent you from acting on your emotions and from forgetting the deep-seated hatred for your loved ones."

As she spoke, Consort Yun's eyes revealed hatred, "Although Pei Xuan and Pei Kang are dead, the Pei family bloodline has not been extinguished, and our revenge is not yet complete."

Yun Zheng's eyes flickered slightly, and he said softly, "It's a pity that I couldn't personally kill my enemy. Thank you for your help, Aunt!"

A barely perceptible hint of annoyance flashed across Consort Yun's beautiful face, but she said nothing and waved her hand, signaling Yun Zheng to leave.

Yun Mansion.

Pei Qingyan sat upright in the main hall, a cup of cold tea beside her, her eyes half-lowered, lost in thought.

Yun Zheng returned amidst the wind and snow, but the coldness on his face was even more intense than the wind and snow.

Upon seeing Pei Qingyan, he immediately asked, "Where's the Ice Silkworm?"

"They are still in the north, under the care of my trusted confidants, and it will take some time before they can be delivered to Chang'an."

"In that case, General Pei should not linger at the Yun residence any longer..."

"Lord Yun, what about the cooperation?"

"We'll discuss this further once the ice silkworms arrive in Chang'an."

Yun Zheng's sudden cold and hard attitude made Pei Qingyan's eyes sting slightly.

If there's anyone in this world who would love to grind the Pei clan to dust, it would probably be Consort Yun.

As for Yun Zheng...

Pei Qingyan slowly stood up, and the chains jingled as she moved.

"I was already planning to leave, and I apologize for the inconvenience. Once the ice silkworms arrive, I will personally escort them to your residence to discuss our cooperation. Farewell!"

Having said that, she strode out the door and disappeared into the vast snowstorm.

Yun Zheng stared at her retreating figure, his expression inscrutable.

Pei Qingyan braved the wind and snow to leave the Yun residence. She traveled north, where the number of pedestrians dwindled, and the only vehicles passing by were magnificent carriages. This place was the Northern Palace, named for its proximity to the Northern Palace of Weiyang, and only the most powerful and wealthy could reside there.

She came here to go home.

She gazed at the plaque bearing the inscription "Pei Mansion," her heart filled with sorrow.

Once upon a time, the plaque above this gate read "Grand Marshal's Residence," signifying the most illustrious family among the northern noble houses. Even though her father disliked making friends, invitations to visit him arrived in droves every day.

Now, not even a carriage can be seen in front of this gate.

"But...but is it a young lady?"

A familiar voice pulled Pei Qingyan out of her thoughts. She looked in the direction of the voice and saw a kind-looking middle-aged woman, her wet nurse, Mama Wei.

Mother Wei quickly walked up to Pei Qingyan, tears already streaming down her face.

Pei Qingyan then noticed that Wei's mother, who was originally slightly plump and kind, had become much thinner and older.

As Pei Qingyan entered the mansion with Wei Mama, his doubts deepened.

Her family was a military family with a fairly prominent reputation. Since Princess Huaiyang married her father as his second wife fifteen years ago, the number of servants in the mansion had increased exponentially. Why is it that she hasn't seen a single person in half a day?

Upon hearing her confusion, Wei's mother's expression suddenly turned strange, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Ok?

Is there something you can't say about it?

Or is it...?

Is there worse news?

"What happened?"

Mother Wei remained silent.

Pei Qingyan said in a deep voice, "I'll find out sooner or later."

Madam Wei knew Pei Qingyan was right, and sighed, "Not long after your accident, the Eldest Princess moved back to the Princess's Residence with her entourage, and..."

"What else?"

"A message was also sent that the lord has passed away, the princess has no further connection with the Pei family, and the two families need not visit each other in the future."

Pei Qingyan's mind went blank.

She lost her mother when she was one year old, and when she was five, her father was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Changping and married the eldest princess.

For the past ten years or so, she has grown up by the side of the eldest princess and been raised by her. Although they are not biological mother and daughter, she has long regarded the eldest princess as her mother.

I thought the eldest princess would be the same, but who would have thought...

Pei Qingyan supported Wei Mama, whose internal organs were churning with pain.

"Young lady?" Wei's mother asked worriedly, noticing Pei Qingyan's pale face.

Pei Qingyan waved his hand to steady himself and slowly released Wei Mama's hand.

"I'm going to check on my father's yard; you don't need to come with me."