The Rebirth of a Daughter: My Lord, I Will Never Be a Concubine

"I've never thought of hiding anything from you, but I've noticed that you've become somewhat distant towards me since returning from Liuwang Village. I don't know what's really on your mind." Nalan Yanyu said softly, "It wasn't until yesterday, when I saw you get angry for someone else, that I realized you're an extremely insecure person. I don't know why you've become like this, but I'm willing to be honest with you!"

"As for betrayal?" He chuckled, picked up the teacup beside him, and the fragrant tea aroma dyed his handsome eyebrows. There was a hint of sudden relief. He looked at her with a hint of determination in his eyes.

"Anyone will betray me, but Su Yanhua won't!"

Those words were like a devastating wave, crashing down on Su Yanhua with the force of a tidal wave. The ripples that had just surfaced, like a dragonfly skimming the water, instantly transformed into a raging storm, mercilessly battering her already shaky heart. At that moment, her heart felt like a lone boat, helplessly drifting on the turbulent, undulating surface of a lake, unable to find a harbor to dock.

Her eyes widened, filled with shock and disbelief. She had never imagined that Nalan Yanyu could so easily see into the most secret corners of her heart; even more astonishing was his unwavering trust in her. To give her that illusory, elusive sense of security, he had risked his own life, revealing his long-held secrets of life and death, simply to soothe her insecurity and fear.

Her lips trembled slightly as she tried to speak, but her throat felt like it was clogged with cotton. No matter how hard she tried, it was all in vain, and she couldn't utter a single word. At this moment, she felt her mind was in chaos, with all kinds of thoughts rushing in, making her overwhelmed.

As for how she had walked out of that quiet and peaceful Zen temple in such a state of despair, even she herself could no longer clearly remember. She vaguely seemed to remember that when she turned to leave, a hint of expectation flashed in Nalan's deep and bright eyes.

But even so, her heart, which had already been turned upside down, still couldn't regain its former calm. So, like a frightened deer, she could only flee from that place in a panic, as if this was the only way to temporarily escape the powerful aura from Nalan Yanyu and the waves of emotions that kept surging from deep within her heart.

Su Yanhua walked back to the Zen room, glanced at Cui'er, and casually looked around the room.

"Where's Linglong?"

"The princess just said she had something important to discuss with the prince, and she left right after."

"Did something happen?"

Cui'er said, "I just heard something. It seems that the emperor has issued an edict, asking Lord Nalan to guard the late emperor's mausoleum and set off tomorrow."

Su Yanhua was stunned and had a bad feeling in her heart.

This imperial decree was issued too suddenly, especially after knowing that Nalan Yanyu was a prince of the previous dynasty, Su Yanhua had to associate the emperor's decision with Nalan's identity. Did the emperor know something?

However, when she calmed down and thought carefully, she suddenly realized that she might be overly worried. First of all, regardless of Lord Nalan's high prestige and powerful deterrent, even though he no longer holds actual power, his illustrious reputation still intimidates the world. Even if the current emperor wanted to take action against Lord Nalan, he would probably have to think carefully and would never act so rashly.

Moreover, at this moment, Nalan Yanyu had not yet revealed his true identity. To uproot the entire Nalan family simply because of such an extremely uncertain thought was simply too absurd and ridiculous! If the emperor really did this, he would surely be met with accusations and curses from the people of the world.

However, Su Yanhua never anticipated that the speculations of these so-called upright gentlemen were often more vicious and ruthless than those of ordinary people. Their thoughts were even more numerous and far more extreme than Su Yanhua's own. In Su Yanhua's eyes, Lord Nalan's reputation and numerous followers were like an indestructible armor, enough to protect Lord Nalan.

But to the almighty emperor, these actions were nothing less than a blatant challenge to his throne. As the saying goes, "I will not allow others to sleep beside my bed!" Even the slightest suspicion could lead to fatal consequences.

But by the time Su Yanhua understood, it was too late.

The next day, Nalan Linglong came to say goodbye, and with an anxious look on her face, she and Nalan Yanyu got on the carriage and went down the mountain.

He must rush back to the Nalan Mansion to see Marquis Nalan for the last time. After all, no one knows when he will come back next time.

After the two of them left, Su Yanhua and Cui'er also went down the mountain. Cui'er didn't understand and asked Su Yanhua why he didn't go down the mountain with Prince Nalan. Su Yanhua could not explain clearly.

She was very confused now and she didn't dare to face Nalan Yanyu at this moment.

Su Yanhua bought a horse, and the two of them galloped all the way back to the Su Mansion.

Aunt Ling must be very worried if you don't come back for a few days.

The two hurried back to the Su Mansion, but did not see Aunt Ling. Instead, they saw Su Bing, who was looking angry, standing in front of the door.

Such a tense atmosphere made the two of them tremble in their hearts.

The two of them stopped in their tracks. Cui Er grabbed Su Yanhua's clothes in panic and said, "Miss, what should we do?"

The general must have known that the young lady had not returned home in the past few days, so he came here to call her to task.

Su Yanhua patted Cui'er's arm and walked straight over.

She bowed quietly: "Dad!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Su Bing's angry voice rang out.

"Do you still see me as your father?"

Su Yanhua narrowed her eyes and said, "I know I haven't been home these past few days, and I'm sorry to have worried you. I'll be more careful next time."

Su Bing snorted coldly. Obviously, after hearing what she said, his anger had disappeared, but some anger still remained.

"If you hadn't disappeared these past few days, I wouldn't know what you were up to!" Su Bing changed the subject and asked, "Is the incident at Shengxian Manor related to you?"

Hearing this, Su Yanhua suddenly raised her head with a cold expression that revealed nothing.

"Dad, what do you mean by this?"

Su Bing said coldly, "You still want to hide it from me? If Ruoxi hadn't heard Aunt Ling talking to that maid, I wouldn't have known that the demise of the Wang family was actually related to you."

Maid?

Could it be that you are talking about Suihe?

"Dad, won't you ask me what I've been through? Are you going to start accusing me right away?"

"You have committed many crimes. Let me ask you, is it you who brought Li Ling back to the mansion?" Su Bing's eyes were full of intimidation.

"That's right!"

Su Yanhua didn't understand why Su Bing mentioned Aunt Ling.

"Do you know that she was driven away by your grandmother at that time?" Su Bing asked again.

"I know!"

After he finished speaking, Su Bing's face became even colder, like a gust of cold wind piercing into his bones.

"During the days you were away, she poisoned your grandmother. If your aunt hadn't discovered it, your grandmother would have died long ago!"

Su Yanhua and Cui'er's expressions both changed.

"impossible!"

With almost no hesitation, Su Yanhua denied it on the spot.

Aunt Ling has deep feelings for Old Madam Su and it is impossible for her to poison her.