It started with being betrayed by my ex-boyfriend

"In order to rule and assimilate the Han people, the Manchus had to control culture first, so they implemented the policy of 'keep your head but not your hair, keep your hair but not your head' and a series of other assimilation policies. They also used literati to brag about their invasion, and any resistance would be annihilated. Later, they even fabricated reactionary charges for a few words and sentences and carried out a massive suppression."

Bai Yunxi nodded. She had often seen these things on TV and in some historical anecdotes.

"At that time, the Murong family did not have any outstanding people in the court of the late Ming Dynasty, but they did have such a woman. She was extremely talented and could be called a rare person of the time. She was proficient in everything from playing the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and was especially good at painting. Her casual brushstrokes were often lifelike and could be compared to the works of famous artists."

Murong Xiang was very proud that the Murong family had such a talented woman, and his eyes sparkled when he spoke.

"When the Qing court first entered the Pass, they wanted to recruit the Murong family for their use. A prince in the Qing imperial family admired the culture of the Han people. He knew the name of Murong Yuhan and liked her very much. He even disguised himself and came to meet her. After seeing her extraordinary talent and stunning appearance, he felt that he had similar interests with her and intended to take her as his princess. In this way, the Murong family became royal relatives and they would definitely be used by them. Unexpectedly, Murong Yuhan refused to comply with him."

Murong Xiang sighed, "The prince didn't force her, but Murong Yuhan was a strong-willed person. Somehow she heard that there was an army resisting the Qing Dynasty at that time. The commander was young but wise and brave. So she left the Murong family and joined him, and helped him fight against the Qing Dynasty."

"This completely angered the Qing court, and they sent troops to encircle and suppress the rebel army. At the same time, the Murong family received an ultimatum: if they did not hand over Murong Yuhan, they would be charged with treason and the whole family would be killed! The rebel army was ambushed and almost all of them were killed or wounded. The Murong family was also facing a catastrophe. Murong Yuhan knew that he had caused a disaster and was powerless to save it. In order to save the Murong family and the rebel army's families and bloodline, he took the initiative to stand up."

Murong Xiang stopped here, staring at Murong Yuhan's tablet, and did not speak for a long time.

Needless to say, Murong Yuhan took the initiative to step forward and chose to sacrifice herself. However, she saved the family bloodline of the Murong family and the righteous army, so she was also considered a person who had made contributions to the family and society. Therefore, she was able to break the precedent and was the first daughter to enter the Murong family ancestral hall.

"She is a scholarly family with a strong character. Even if there was no Murong Yuhan, the Murong family would not have attached itself to the Qing court to improve its reputation. Murong Yuhan sacrificed herself to protect everyone in the Murong family. She is naturally qualified to occupy a seat in this ancestral hall."

"After Murong Yuhan got into trouble, the Murong family closed their doors to visitors and bided their time. Plus, the prince who loved her tried his best to protect the Murong family, so the Murong family was able to survive in the end."

After leaving the ancestral hall, Murong Xiang's expression was still very solemn. It was obvious that every time he recalled this past event, he would feel sad.

Bai Yunxi thought about it and asked, "Father Murong, the portrait in the small ancestral hall in the village..."

"It's a very nice picture, isn't it?"

Bai Yunxi nodded.

"That painting was created by the prince of the Qing court."

Bai Yunxi was surprised. Although she didn't know how to paint, she could paint so vividly. Her painting skills must be good! It seemed that the prince was really talented!

"That prince is also a talented and wonderful man. He is considered a master painter not only among the Manchus but also among the Han people. Murong Yuhan doesn't like him, but he loves her deeply. Murong Yuhan once openly colluded with the rebels and fell into the hands of the Qing court. She could no longer be a princess, but he still brought her into the palace and took good care of her, so she didn't suffer any hardship."

"It's just that Murong Yuhan had always been devoted to the leader of the rebel army. Since the leader died in battle, she had no wish to live. After entering the palace, she was always depressed and soon fell seriously ill and passed away. The prince was heartbroken, so he made that portrait of her and sent it back to the Murong family. That was the only thing about her that the Murong family could keep after she was captured."

Bai Yunxi understood that the family members and descendants who survived because of Murong Yuhan's protection later built a ancestral hall for her. The Murong family gave them the portrait, often provided them with financial support, and helped them repair the damaged portrait.

But that Murong Yuhan really looks like her!

"To be honest, I have never seen that portrait before. The village worships it very well. There are also some unwritten rules. No one is allowed to enter the ancestral hall easily. Only the descendants of the commander's confidants who have reached a certain age can see Murong Yuhan's beauty. But the ancestral hall is always dark and damp, and it is rare to see sunlight. Over the years, the portrait is inevitably damaged. A few years ago, the village chief sent the painting to me and asked me to help repair it. I was also surprised. Murong Yuhan in the painting looks exactly like my daughter Qianqian! The village chief was also very surprised to see Qianqian, because Qianqian is as talented and amazing as Murong Yuhan back then."

Murong Xiang said, his voice lowered: "It's the same, beauty is short-lived."

"Mr. Murong..."

Murong Xiang smiled bitterly and waved his hand, "Look at me, why am I telling you this?"

Both of them were in a very heavy mood and walked slowly back to Murong's house. Just as they turned around the screen wall, Bai Yunxi heard a familiar voice saying, "It's my fault, I accept the punishment!"

Bai Yunxi's eyes lit up. The person sitting in the front hall with a smile on his face was none other than Ran Jun.

"Aunt Ran!" she blurted out, then glanced at Murong Xiang beside her and quickly changed her words to "Aunt!"

She has now acknowledged Murong's parents and become the goddaughter of the Murong family, so Ran Jun naturally becomes her aunt.

"Oh, baby, I've been waiting for you to call me auntie for a long time!" Ran Jun rushed over immediately. She wanted to hug Bai Yunxi last time at Tao Jingchen's house, but that was the first time they met and Bai Yunxi didn't even know who she was. This time, she couldn't escape the hug!

"I've been traveling around overseas for a while. I haven't seen you for a long time. You missed me so much! Yesterday was such a big event. I had to come back no matter what, but the flight was delayed. There is only one flight from that small country to China per day. I had no choice but to wait until today. I also know that I came back late, so I brought you a gift. Take a look!"

When Ran Jun heard that Bai Yunxi was willing to be the goddaughter of the Murong family, she was even more excited than Murong's parents. She hadn't slept well for several days. When they finally met, she talked nonstop. Bai Yunxi was so moved and amused that she couldn't even get a word in.