You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

Xie Wanru was momentarily at a loss for words to refute. It was indeed she who made His Highness the Crown Prince aware of Xiao Yan's intentions, which led to the attack on Xiao Yan.

If she hadn't spoken up, His Highness the Crown Prince might not have realized that it was Xiao Yan who was behind it all.

“Wanwan, so if we want to deal with Xiao Yan, why can’t we ask for other people’s opinions? Perhaps the First Prince and the Fourth Prince are willing to help His Highness the Crown Prince, or perhaps they are more willing to help Xiao Yan. It’s dangerous if you don’t figure these things out. I think I need to remind you from time to time, otherwise you will be confused.”

After Lin Qing finished speaking, she waited for Xie Wanru's reply. She couldn't be too selfish and disregard the comfort of the Lin family, but her father was a gentleman, and she was not a coward.

Knowing full well that Xiao Yan was a bad person, she would never let him ascend the throne, and her father and brother certainly wouldn't want such a person to be emperor either.

Xie Wanru tried hard to recall the fates of the eldest prince and the other princes from her previous life.

What impressed her most was that the Crown Prince was framed by Xiao Yan, demoted to a commoner, and died of depression not long after. The Crown Princess disappeared with the Crown Prince's unborn child, and the Emperor also fell seriously ill because of this.

There are also rumors that the Crown Princess was assassinated and had no choice but to go into hiding. It wasn't until Emperor Xiao Yan ascended the throne and became tyrannical that righteous people who opposed his tyranny found the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince's orphan.

During this process, the fates of the other princes were not good; they were almost all killed by Xiao Yan.

Only because the sixth prince was far from Xuancheng and hid when he heard rumors of his whereabouts did he escape execution.

The First Prince was never mentioned by people, so no one knew that he died in the end. It seems that the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince were assassinated, and Xie Wanru vaguely remembered that the person was not Xiao Yan.

But by then she was already dead; her soul was floating and she could remember some things, but she didn't know the specifics.

“But no matter what, you can’t get involved anymore. I know you sent people to deal with Shen Yanzhi again, and I know you’re worried about me, but I’m afraid you’ll be implicated.”

Xie Wanru's tone was firm and unwavering. She looked at Lin Qing with deep concern and worry in her eyes.

Having just had a brief encounter with Prince Rui, the feeling she had when she went to the Northern Border returned to her entire body. She was truly afraid that she would lose the people around her because of her own mistakes.

Especially those who should be happy.

In her previous life, Lin Qing was not affected by these events because she left Xuancheng after getting married.

She continued, "Lin Qing, you are my dearest friend, one of the few people I can trust in this world. I cannot let you be in danger because of me. I will handle Shen Yanzhi and the Shen family's affairs myself from now on; you don't need to get involved anymore."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qing frowned. She understood Xie Wanru's concerns, but she could not agree with Xie Wanru's decision.

“Wanwan, you know I can’t stay out of this. We grew up together, so your problems are my problems. The Shen family has treated you so badly, I will never let them get away with it. Besides, what do you think you can decide? Do you think you can just tell me not to listen? If I’m going to help you, I will help you to the very end.”

Lin Qing pouted and covered her ears; she didn't want to hear Wanwan chanting.

Xie Wanru sighed softly. She knew Lin Qing's temper; like her, she was the type who wouldn't listen to advice.

She had no choice but to compromise and let her do something else, at least to temporarily avoid the dangerous Prince Rui.

"Alright, if you want to help me, then keep an eye on the Fourth Prince and the First Prince. But remember, just keep an eye on them. Don't interfere in anything else, and don't act rashly. Wait for me to make all the arrangements."

Xie Wanru compromised.

Since Lin Qing wouldn't listen to her advice, she could only try to determine whether Prince Rui was a friend or foe as soon as possible, because Prince Rui was too clever.

Seeing that Xie Wanru no longer wanted to push her away from these things, Lin Qing nodded in satisfaction. She wouldn't let Wanwan face these things alone.

Xie Wanru couldn't persuade Lin Qing, and then she wanted to persuade her senior brother to finish dealing with Xiao Yan's matter and return to the mountain to be with their master. After all, it had been a month since her senior brother and the others went down the mountain to find her in the northern border.

However, the senior brother gave the same answer as Lin Qing.

"Junior sister, don't think that you can push me away if there is any danger."

The eldest brother's words were as firm as a rock, and his eyes were full of gentleness and an undeniable power.

He gently patted Xie Wanru's shoulder and continued, "Our sect is one, and we all care about your safety. The situation is turbulent right now, and you are venturing into danger alone. How can we stay on the mountain with peace of mind? If our master knew, he would definitely send us down the mountain again to help you. So, junior sister, just do what you want to do. I'll do my best to help you."

The eldest brother's lips were always turned up, and he was laughing very freely.

He may not understand human nature, but he understands his own kung fu. Ordinary people cannot defeat him, and he is also able to protect his junior sister.

He absolutely refused to leave at this point.

Xie Wanru didn't ask Dongzhu, knowing that Dongzhu would never stand idly by.

So, despite my worries, I could only continue to proceed according to the plan.

Prince Rui returned to his residence and solemnly released all the fish he had caught into a small pond, instructing the servants to take good care of them.

"Your Highness, these fish live in flowing water, and this small pond... I'm afraid they won't survive."

Uncle Fugui said respectfully.

He was the steward of Prince Rui's residence and had been by Prince Rui's side for many years.

"If we can't raise them, then we'll talk about it. We always have to try things to know what the outcome will be. Just like my brother, if he hadn't tried, where would this empire have come from?"

Prince Rui seemed to be asking a question. His eyes were deep, as if he could see through all the causes and effects of the world, but it also seemed that he was just bored and wanted to play around.

Uncle Fugui's heart skipped a beat. He knew that his prince was not as useless and lazy as outsiders said, but he dared not speculate on matters of the royal family.

"Your Highness is absolutely right. We have to try things out to know the outcome."

Uncle Fugui chimed in after Prince Rui, but Prince Rui's gaze remained fixed on the fish that had just been put into the pond.

After standing there for a while, Prince Rui still didn't speak, just staring blankly at the water. Uncle Fugui could only silently retreat and, as the prince had instructed, go and tell the servants how to take care of the fish.

After he left, Prince Rui looked at the pond full of fish and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

These fish are a microcosm of the world's situation: the strong prey on the weak, and survival of the fittest. This is the law of nature, and also the rule of the imperial court.

If he can't survive, there's nothing he can do.