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

"See the Emperor."

Xie Wanru bowed.

"Why did you kill Xiao Yi? Don't tell me it was for the people of Great Zhou. Although you are a member of the Xie family, I will never believe that you would be imprisoned for murder just because of this. If you don't tell me, I will punish your third brother as well. Do you think he, as the commander of the city guard, can get away with this whole thing?"

Emperor Qinyong asked directly, and Xie Wanru could not discern any seriousness in Prince Rui's expression.

She guessed that this was just routine for the emperor; Xiao Yi's death could not be made public, so her crime of murder would not be investigated too deeply.

I'll definitely give her a little nudge.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I only took action against Xiao Yi because he had committed numerous evils. He was a member of the Xiao family, yet he did not work for the benefit of the people and colluded with foreign powers. He is an utterly wicked villain!"

Xie Wanru stated.

However, she did not mention her real grudge against Xiao Yi. At this time, she and Xiao Yi did not have that kind of grudge.

“It is true that I want to go to the Northern Border. The Northern Barbarians are always eyeing our Great Zhou with covetous eyes. If we cannot teach them a lesson, there will never be peace on the border. My father and brothers will never be able to return to Xuan to live a peaceful life.”

"However, I have something else to report, which concerns Xiao Yi's private affairs."

A ripple appeared in Xie Wanru's eyes. She knew very well that once this matter was told to the Emperor, the Marquis of Yong'an would no longer need her to take action, and she would be doomed.

But Shen Cong'an interrupted her.

"The matter of Princess Yongchang wanting to go to the northern border is debatable, but I think Princess Yongchang's view is correct. If we continue to tolerate the northern barbarians' covetousness, it will weaken the morale of our Great Zhou soldiers. It would be better to take the initiative and catch them off guard."

After he finished speaking, Emperor Qinyong's attention returned to the war in the northern border. This war started because of Xiao Yi, and now it has become increasingly severe because of Xiao Yi's inspiration.

Prince Rui quietly walked up to her.

"Don't bring up Xiao Yi anymore. Admit your mistake, and this matter will be over. Moreover, you must never admit that you killed Xiao Yi with your own hands, because I told my brother that you were present, but someone else did the killing. In my brother's eyes, there is a difference between whether you killed him with your own hands and not."

Prince Rui gave you a look that said, "I'm reminding you."

Xie Wanru did not object, because the carefree Prince Rui's analysis made a lot of sense.

"I thought you would hesitate for a long time, but I didn't expect you to be so decisive. Don't forget to take me with you when you set off."

Prince Rui seemed very familiar with Xie Wanru, which distracted Shen Cong'an, who was analyzing the situation with the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Moreover, if Xiao Long hadn't been there, the Emperor would have almost noticed his distraction.

After leaving the palace, Xie Wanru felt depressed because she thought about Shen Cong'an's behavior just now, which made her feel uneasy.

Even after Shen Cong'an came to see her, the feeling of unease in her heart remained.

Why didn't you let me speak just now?

Xie Wanru raised a question.

“Wanwan, don’t you know what that means? If the Emperor finds out that Xiao Yi is related to Shen Yanzhi, have you thought about what will happen to the entire Shen family? If the Emperor finds out about Xiao Yi and Fu Rou, then Shen Yanzhi is a remnant of the previous dynasty. The Shen family is protecting a remnant. In addition to that person’s crimes, the entire Shen family will be sent to the executioner’s block.”

Shen Cong'an analyzed it seriously.

He admitted that he had indeed softened a bit, and when he learned that Xie Wanru had killed Xiao Yi, he was also somewhat... afraid.

After all, for someone like him, killing is simply a matter of instructing others to do it, without him having to do it himself.

"So what? Shen Cong'an, have you forgotten that I'm here to deal with the Yong'an Marquis's mansion? Hmm? You're having second thoughts now? Fine, you can choose to oppose me, but let me tell you, I won't let go of any opportunity to make the Yong'an Marquis's mansion pay the price. I want them all to die."

Xie Wanru spoke loudly, but since the two were inside the princess's residence, what they said couldn't be heard outside, so it didn't affect anything.

"Xie Wanru! Are you crazy? Fu Rou and Shen Nian'an have wronged you, and you want the entire Yong'an Marquis's mansion to die? Don't be ridiculous. Think about Aunt Liu, think about her child, who was just born."

The thought of dozens of members of the Shen family being punished made Shen Cong'an feel a little reluctant.

"If I'm thinking about them, then who's thinking about me?"

Xie Wanru gave a mocking, bitter smile.

She was given a second chance at life, not to be considerate of anyone.

"Shen Cong'an, from today onwards we are no longer friends. You want to protect the Yong'an Marquis's mansion, but I will not grant your wish."

Xie Wanru got up and pushed open the door. "You can leave now. Don't ever come to my Princess's Mansion again. You are no longer welcome here."

She stood at the door of the study, this time determined to sever all ties with this person.

“Wanwan, the ones who are at fault are Shen Nian'an, Fu Rou, Xiao Yi, and Xiao Yan. They are the culprits who caused the tragedy of your Xie family, but the others are innocent.”

A flicker of pain crossed Shen Cong'an's eyes. He knew he couldn't persuade the woman in front of him, who was filled with hatred, but her words were like a sharp blade, deeply piercing his heart.

Is she going to break off all ties with him? Aren't they sworn brothers?

He slowly stood up, looking at Xie Wanru with a complicated gaze, his voice trembling slightly: "Wanwan, if you insist on doing this, I cannot stop you. But I still hope you understand that sometimes revenge cannot solve all problems; it will only plunge you into deeper pain. I, Shen Cong'an, may not be able to stop your path of revenge, but I will not stand idly by and watch you harm the innocent."

After saying that, he turned to leave, but then seemed to remember something, stopped, took out a delicate jade pendant from his pocket, and gently placed it on the table: "This is a keepsake left to me by my mother. She said it can protect the wearer. I... hope you can accept it, and no matter what the future holds, I hope you can take good care of yourself."

"Also, I don't recommend you go to the battlefield; that's a man's job."

Xie Wanru looked at the jade pendant and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

He once said he would help her get revenge, but now he's talking about human relationships and morality with her.

She knew that Shen Cong'an's actions were sincere, but that sincerity had now become a stumbling block on her path to revenge.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and said coldly, "Thank you for your kindness, but I, Xie Wanru, do not need anyone's pity or protection. Take the jade pendant back; our friendship ends here."

Since we're not on the same wavelength, there's no need for us to cross paths again.

Upon hearing this, Shen Cong'an gave a bitter smile, then turned and strode away, his back view appearing particularly lonely.

As Xie Wanru watched his departing figure, a strange pang of sorrow welled up in her heart, but she quickly suppressed the emotion and her eyes regained their resolute light.