Lan Nu, a servant from the Su Family, was sent to the palace by Su Wenzhong at a young age. Step by step, he became one of the four Deputy Commanders of the Inner Supervision, officially a member of the Su Family.

After the Su Family was seized, Lan Nu obeyed Rong Miaoyan. Since Rong Jing did not allow Rong Miaoyan to interfere in Gu Lan’s matters, Lan Nu naturally could not meddle in the recent affairs within the palace.

As the three of them walked along the road, Lan Nu stepped forward once they were completely free from the palace grounds. He took out an oil-paper package from his sleeve and respectfully said, "Your Highness, this is the item you asked your servant to retrieve from Xiefang Palace, Gu Lan’s former residence."

"Thank you, what lies ahead is the Princess Mansion. You may return to the Inner Supervision first. If I have further orders, I will summon you again."

Rong Miaoyan took a deep breath and accepted the package.

Inside it was the poison Gu Lan had told his mother about.

"Your servant takes his leave." Lan Nu nodded, glanced into the distance, and then disappeared in front of Rong Miaoyan.

Rong Miaoyan gripped the package tightly, biting her lip, as a blurred yet handsome face flashed before her eyes.

The man she saw in her childhood, his appearance already blurred in memory, yet she could still recall his gentle smile, softly stroking her hair, with the Jade Pendant at his waist gently clinking as he bent forward, making a sound as clear as a chime.

That was her real father, a gentle man, warm as jade, is the most suitable description for him.

"Uncle... Father, please tell me, what should I do...?"

Rong Miaoyan carefully tucked the package into her sleeve, her expression was a mix of sorrow and complexity, as she slowly walked on the road back to the Princess Mansion.

Rong Jing’s pale, handsome face and the figure of Rong Jue she had seen intertwine in her mind. In her ears were the words Su Zhixue had said yesterday, alongside Rong Jing’s furious, murderous roar earlier.

The man she had called emperor for over a dozen years was in fact her father’s murderer. Ever since learning the truth about everything from Su Zhixue yesterday, Rong Miaoyan had been unable to respond.

She suddenly recalled that when she learned Rong Jing was not the bloodline of the former Emperor, she told Gu Lan that no matter how Gu Lan and Rong Jing schemed against each other, and no matter what unworthy deeds Rong Jing did as Emperor of Dayan, he was still her father, and she must protect his life.

But now...

Rong Miaoyan genuinely did not know what to do. Her eyes reddened, and tears streaked down her cheeks, blurring her vision.

"I... I want to see Gu Lan."

She halted her steps, murmuring to herself.

At this moment, only Gu Lan could offer her comfort.

However, Gu Lan had already fled this place, destined not to provide her with answers.

Even she did not know where Gu Lan was now, while she also had to pray that Rong Jing would not find her.

"Your Highness, look ahead, who has returned!"

Zisu’s surprised voice reached her ears, Rong Miaoyan wiped her tears and saw, through her tearful eyes, a tall figure standing at the gate of her Princess Mansion.

"Qin..." Rong Miaoyan couldn’t believe it, her eyes wide open, staring blankly at the newcomer.

"Your humble servant... Qin Zhenghu pays respects to the Princess, Your Highness. At the year’s end, I return to the capital as promised."

Qin Zhenghu wore a robe of grayish-blue, his hair under the jade crown revealing a touch of frost, and his face carried a gentle smile as he walked steadily towards Rong Miaoyan.

The evening’s afterglow brushed past his side, imprinting a honey-like warm yellow upon his refined, handsome face.

At this moment, Rong Miaoyan suddenly no longer felt lost.

"Qin Zhenghu, you’ve become much whiter than before, how, how did you get white hair?" Miaoyan haphazardly wiped her eyes, blurting out.

Qin Zhenghu stopped before Miaoyan, hearing her words, blushing on his cheeks.

"I remember our agreement was for you to ensure the people of Dayan live peacefully, have food and clothing. You haven’t achieved this yet, so why have you returned?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

She gazed at the blush on his face, the touch of frost at his temples, smiling through tears as she asked.

But in a few days, it would be New Year’s Eve, yet, now is a time of turmoil among the court and commoners. Rong Miaoyan never expected Qin Zhenghu to return to the capital.

Qin Zhenghu gazed into the princess’s eyes, bewildered, with dusk’s glow falling on her dark hair. Her golden phoenix hairpin emitted light, stray hairs softly clung to her cheek, her red lips lifted, her whole being seemingly melded into the sunset’s brightness.

Zisu, watching the two remain still, was truly anxious, sighed to the sky, "Unbelievable, unbelievable, unbelievable that someone could be less capable than Young Master Gu, a woman!"

Qin Zhenghu suddenly snapped back to consciousness, realizing the person Zisu referred to, less capable than her benefactor, seemed to be himself.