In ancient times, she gave birth to seven daughters and was divorced by her husband's family.

Western Regions, the Kingdom of Daqin.

The scorching sun hung in the sky, burning the endless sea of ​​yellow sand.

The dry wind blows, and everything here seems rough and vast.

A huge manor stands on this land, and the walls of the manor are made of thick white stones.

There is yellow sand outside, but inside the wall is lush greenery. Clear water flows quietly through the garden along the exquisite ditches, nourishing the exotic flowers and plants transplanted from distant foreign lands.

Tall columns support the magnificent vault, and the walls are inlaid with blue and gold glazed tiles, reflecting dazzling light in the sunlight.

In the air, the rich scent of spices and the fragrance of flowers are intertwined, creating a luxurious and romantic atmosphere.

This is Zhao Bingyu's home.

Today, she is no longer the resentful woman of Dawu. She is the richest businessman in the Kingdom of Dashi.

Her caravan camels' hoofprints were found throughout the Western Regions. From the eastern capital of Dawu to the more distant lands of the west, countless precious goods passed through her hands.

She has luxurious manors like this one in every country in the Western Regions.

Even every slightly larger city will have one built.

In the afternoon, Zhao Bingyu leaned sideways on a long couch covered with silk cushions.

She was wearing a loose exotic dress, the snow-white material was embroidered with intricate patterns in gold thread, and in her hand was a wine glass made of pure gold, the wall of which was inlaid with tiny rubies, and it was filled with deep red wine.

She looked lazy, but still very beautiful.

If the emperor were here, he would drool because he would find that Zhao Bingyu and Bai Lu really look alike.

However, Bai Lu does not have this kind of leisurely temperament of peaceful times, but is more resolute.

In fact, to some extent, her daughter had experienced far more than she had. She had been through so much war, and had to personally fight in the battlefields, with her men in charge of life and death. That kind of momentum was definitely not possessed by others.

At this moment, a tall man with brilliant blond hair, eyes as blue as the sea, and deep, distinct features came over and sat down beside her.

His name is Aslan, Zhao Bingyu's husband, a nobleman of the Arab Empire with noble blood.

"What are you thinking about, my darling?"

Aslan's voice was low and gentle. He reached out and picked up a crystal purple grape and naturally handed it to Zhao Bingyu's lips.

Zhao Bingyu opened her mouth slightly and took the grape in. The sweet juice spread in her mouth.

She looked at the man beside her, her eyes showing real warmth. She liked Aslan very much, liked his unconditional love, and liked the respect he gave her.

"Nothing, just enjoying myself."

She answered softly.

Aslan smiled, stretched out his strong arms and took her in his arms.

Here, she found everything she had never sought in Dawu: a husband who loved her, wealth that rivaled a country, and a respected position.

And four children who made her proud...

Yes, Zhao Bingyu came here and gave birth to 4 more children.

Coincidentally, there are also three men and one woman.

"Mother!"

A clear and pleasant voice was heard.

Then, a young girl ran in, with a youthful and lively air.

The girl had the same long golden hair as her father, carefully braided into many tiny braids, and dotted with pearls and tiny gold ornaments.

Her eyes were pure black, bright and lively, just like Zhao Bingyu.

The girl was as beautiful as an angel. She was their youngest child and only daughter, Rubao.

Three tall and handsome young men came in with her.

They are Rubao's three older brothers, all eighteen years old. Their appearance combines the advantages of both parents, with their father's deep features and the soft lines of an oriental person.

"Mother, look!"

Rubao ran to Zhao Bingyu and raised her snow-white neck as if presenting a treasure, on which hung a newly acquired necklace.

It was a chain made of pigeon blood rubies and gold, sparkling brightly in the light.

Zhao Bingyu put down her wine glass, reached out her hand, and gently slid her fingertips over the cool gemstones. Her eyes were filled with doting.

"So lovely."

Her voice softened.

"My Rubao looks good in anything she wears."

When Rubao received the praise, a bright smile immediately appeared on his face.

She snuggled happily into Zhao Bingyu's arms and rubbed her mother's arm.

"Mother."

"Ok?"

"I heard from the caravan that you have another batch of goods ready to be sent far east?"

Rubao tilted his little face up, his black eyes full of curiosity.

Zhao Bingyu gently stroked her daughter's soft golden hair and nodded.

"Yes, there is some business to take care of over there."

Her tone was flat, and no special emotion could be heard.

Rubao frowned slightly and pursed his lips slightly.

"Mother, why do you always want to do business with that place called Dawu? Don't you dislike Dawu?"

She leaned in her mother's arms, with a barely perceptible complaint in her voice.

Zhao Bingyu didn't answer immediately, but just looked at her daughter's cute and innocent appearance.

Seeing that his mother didn't say anything, Rubao raised his head and looked at her seriously with his bright black eyes.

"Mother, tell me."

She took Zhao Bingyu's hand and shook it gently.

"Do you like us more, or do you like the people on Dawu's side?"

"I heard you have a daughter there too..."

As soon as this question was asked, the room fell silent.

The three brothers and their father Aslan all looked at Zhao Bingyu at the same time.

They all knew that Da Wu was a past that she rarely mentioned.

Zhao Bingyu looked at her daughter's innocent yet stubborn face and suddenly smiled.

She stretched out her finger and gently touched the tip of Rubao's upturned nose.

"Silly boy."

She shook her head, her eyes full of smiles.

"Do you even need to ask?"

Her eyes swept gently over her husband and four children without a trace of hesitation.

"Of course I prefer my Rubao."

"You were born and raised in love, nurtured step by step by your mother... How can others compare to you?"

After receiving the affirmative answer from his mother, Rubao immediately showed a satisfied smile on his face.

She leaned close to Zhao Bingyu, her tone carrying a hint of the naiveté and pride that was unique to young girls.

"I just know that my mother loves me the most."

As she spoke, she played with the golden tassels hanging from Zhao Bingyu's sleeves.

Zhao Bingyu looked at her with a doting smile. She was always particularly tolerant of this little daughter who grew up in a honeypot.

Seeing that his mother was in a good mood, Rubao spoke again, but this time, his tone was filled with confusion and contempt.

"Then why do you still care about what's happening over there?"

She pouted slightly, as if she had a negative impression of that distant country.

"I heard people in the caravan whispering that you have a daughter over there... named Bailu."

Rubao uttered these words carefully, and at the same time raised his eyes to observe Zhao Bingyu's expression.

The smile on Zhao Bingyu's face faded a little, but she didn't say anything to stop it.

Seeing that his mother was not angry, Rubao became bolder and spoke more directly.

"They say that Bailu is a widow."

The word "widow" came out of her mouth with a natural contempt.

"They also said that she was out there doing business with her daughters. Oh my god, she would be laughed at by everyone in the Kingdom of Daqin."

Rubao shook his head, his face full of disbelief, as if he was talking about something extremely inappropriate.

"A woman, instead of staying at home, goes out to do things that men do, and brings a few children with her. She must be a shameless person!"

"Rubao!"

Aslan, who was standing by, finally couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up to stop them.

His brows were tightly furrowed, obviously disapproving of his daughter using such harsh words to judge someone she had never met, especially when that person was his wife's daughter.

Rubao was startled by his father's low roar and shrank his neck a little aggrieved, but still muttered in dissatisfaction.

"I'm not wrong..."

She turned to Zhao Bingyu and pulled her sleeve coquettishly.

"Mother, please don't send anyone to Dawu anymore, okay? That place must be very dangerous."

She changed the subject and brought up another matter.

"Look, the last time you sent Aunt Lanhua, she was gone for so long and there's no news from her. Maybe she's already had an accident and died in that poor and chaotic place."

Zhao Bingyu's hand holding the wine glass paused almost imperceptibly when she heard the name "Orchid".

Rubao was completely unaware of the subtle changes in her mother's expression and was still immersed in her own thoughts.

She straightened her small body, her face showing ambition and pride that did not match her age.

"Mother, I must marry a member of the royal family of the Arab Empire in the future. I want to be the most noble woman in this land."

"I don't want to be like that...sister."

When she uttered the word "sister", there was obvious disgust and alienation in her tone.

"Living such a lowly life, being laughed at by others."

"..."

"enough!"

Zhao Bingyu spoke with a cold tone.

The atmosphere in the room froze instantly.

The smugness and pride on Rubao's face froze.

She looked at her mother, somewhat bewildered. She had never seen her mother look like this before.

As expected... Mother still likes the older sister over there more?

The smile on Zhao Bingyu's face has completely disappeared.

That well-maintained beautiful face was now covered with a layer of frost.

Her mood became extremely complicated.

She herself couldn't explain her feelings for Bai Lu, her daughter who was far away.

Yes I like it.

After all, this is his own flesh and blood, born after ten months of pregnancy, and the bloodline cannot be completely severed no matter what.

When it was late at night and everyone was asleep, she would occasionally recall the vague image of the child.

But at the same time, she didn't like it so much...

Zhao Bingyu didn't like her existence, as it constantly reminded her of her humble and humiliating past in Dawu.

Zhao Bingyu didn't like her identity, and even didn't like Bai Qingze, Bai Liezhao, Bai Chuyao... They made her hide an unspeakable secret forever in this noble family.

She wanted to completely forget everything about Dawu and start a new life here as Aslan's wife and the mother of four children.

But Bai Lu and the others' existence is like a thorn that cannot be pulled out.

Zhao Bingyu stood up, walked to the window, and turned her back to everyone.

The sun is still shining brightly outside, and the flowers in the garden are blooming beautifully.

"Like a treasure."

She spoke softly, her voice so calm that not a trace of emotion could be heard.

"There are some things you don't understand."

She did not look back, her gaze seemed to penetrate the gorgeous walls and look towards the distant East.

"Bai Lu...whether she lives or dies is not up to you and me to decide."

Zhao Bingyu's voice was a little vague, as if she was talking to herself.

"I've already given her a chance..."

She paused, as if considering her next words.

"If she could find out that the person who has been following her all the time is Shen Lanhua..."

"If she were smart enough to sense the danger and see through this deception..."

"Then I'll spare her life. From now on, she's in Dawu, and I'm here. We have nothing to do with each other."

She said this with determination.

"But what if..."

Her voice suddenly turned cold.

"If she can't even figure that out... then she doesn't deserve to live."

Zhao Bingyu's nails dug deep into her palm from an angle where no one could see. "Then, we'll have to let Shen Lanhua take action and put an end to all this."

"Everything depends on her own luck."

After she finished speaking, she took a deep breath and suppressed all the emotions surging in her heart.

She turned around, and her face returned to her usual noble and indifferent expression.

"I've made allowances."

She loves and hates it.

Love, because she is her daughter, a piece of flesh that fell from her body.

What mother would really be willing to give up her child?

The hatred...is because of Bai Lu's identity, which is the mark of her shame.

That identity prevented her from having pure happiness in this new land.

So, she set up this trap.

These words were said in front of Aslan. After hearing them, Aslan hesitated for a while and then spoke softly to Zhao Bingyu.

"Why don't we just forget about it and quickly call Lanhua back. She's a poor child."

"I heard she suffered a lot in Dawu. She was taken away by mistake and became a widow... and she had to raise so many children by herself... She and Rubao are not much different in age. What kind of life did Rubao live? What kind of life did she live?"

"Why torture her? Just pretend you never gave birth to her, pretend she's not your daughter... You only have us as your family..."

Rubao interrupted Aslan and said disapprovingly, "Father, who are you on your side?"

"Mom can do whatever she wants, why are you so controlling?"

Rubao was angry, and Aslan was a little embarrassed. Zhao Bingyu hurriedly coaxed her, "We're on your side, Rubao, don't be angry. You will always be your parents' favorite daughter."