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

"Have a couple of bites."

Xie Wanru took out a meat pie from her bosom and handed it to Shen Yanzhi.

The unconscious Shen Yanzhi got up and grabbed the meat pie, wolfing it down. Soon, he finished a meat pie, and Xie Wanru handed him a bamboo tube.

After eating and drinking his fill, Shen Yanzhi finally had the strength to see the person who had come.

"Thank you... Mother."

Shen Yanzhi was still angry that Xie Wanru hadn't spoken up for him before, but after eating the meat pie, he forgot all his anger.

"Why are we being so polite with each other? You've suffered."

Xie Wanru smiled and took back the bamboo tube that Shen Yanzhi had drunk from.

"I sneaked in because the person who was looking after me wasn't looking. Be good, and you'll be out soon."

Xie Wanru did not blame her.

This puzzled Shen Yanzhi. On the day Shen Mo had the accident, Xie Wanru had clearly said that she would not let him go, so Xie Wanru did not plead for him, and he did not think much of it.

Because of him and Shen Mo, Xie Wanru preferred Shen Mo.

"Mother……."

Shen Yanzhi's eyes welled up with tears, which streamed down her face.

Hearing the word "mother," Xie Wanru felt no joy, but she couldn't show it.

"It's alright, your uncle has calmed down and that's it. The matter is over anyway."

Xie Wanru transformed into a loving mother, showing no sign of blame; she wanted Shen Yanzhi to feel that he had done nothing wrong.

What meticulous guidance? In this life, Xie Wanru will not do that again. Doesn't she like being spoiled? Xie Wanru will play along.

Ha ha.

Ancient Huangcheng?

In the letter Xie Yun received, Xie Wanru specifically mentioned her eldest son.

Half a month ago, Xie Wanru silently instructed her second son to always bring a military doctor with him when he went out. Sure enough, while chasing the enemy, the second son was injured in the leg by an enemy trap. If he hadn't received timely treatment, he would definitely have lost his leg if he hadn't returned in the freezing cold.

This time, however, only the eldest brother was mentioned.

Xie Yun vaguely felt that his youngest daughter's recent letters home were not simple. His eldest brother was guarding Guhuang Town, and he was about to tell his daughter that his eldest brother had found someone he liked and had hastily arranged a marriage.

"Is this little sister trying to share the spoils equally? Will it be my turn next time? Haha!"

Xie Yanting, the third son of the Xie family, laughed heartily, playing with the riding whip he had just taken off his horse. He strode into the study and saw his father reviewing the letters with a solemn expression. He couldn't help but curiously move closer.

"Father, what makes you so thoughtful? Has my younger sister written again?" Xie Yanting asked, taking the letter casually. His eyes quickly scanned it, but a look of surprise gradually appeared on his face. "Guhuang City? Why did my younger sister suddenly mention my elder brother?"

Xie Yun looked up, gazing intently at his third son. The original plan to return to Xuan in March was temporarily changed to before the new year because his only daughter, Xie Wanru, said she wanted to divorce that boy from the Shen family. The Xie family had to send someone back to see what that boy had done to make his daughter want a divorce.

Although his daughter agreed to the marriage, he also had his own selfish reasons. He didn't want his daughter to marry into a high-ranking family, fearing that she would be mistreated and that he wouldn't be able to protect her in time.

As a result, they chose a family of average means, which also pleased the emperor and cut off the Xie family's path to climbing the social ladder. They still suffered injustice because they couldn't find their daughter.

The third brother will set off tomorrow, and if he rides at full speed, he should arrive in five or six days.

At this point, the letter from the youngest daughter became particularly suspicious.

“Your younger sister’s letters seem to have a deeper meaning lately. First, she reminded the second brother to be careful when traveling, and now she specifically mentioned the eldest brother. I always feel that she is hinting at something, but she is in Xuancheng, so what could she know?”

Xie Yanting frowned slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, a look of realization flashed in his eyes: "Could it be that my little sister is reminding us that there might be changes in Guhuang City? Mother, don't forget where my little sister's master is. She is a disciple of Xuwu Mountain. People in the martial world travel all over the country and have more inside information than we do. Perhaps she learned some information from Xuwu Sect, so she subtly informed us."

Xie Yun nodded in agreement: "That is indeed possible. Your elder brother got married hastily and is now at the age where he can stand on his own. However, the situation is complicated and the enemy country is making moves. We cannot let our guard down. Your younger sister has always been thoughtful. She must have her reasons for doing this."

"Then, in Father's opinion, how should we deal with this?" Xie Yanting asked seriously, his smile fading.

"You should prepare for your return to Xuancheng first, don't delay. I'll go to Guhuang City myself to see what the situation is like there."

Xie Yun stood up, put his hands behind his back, and looked through the window of the study into the distance, towards the direction of the ancient city of Huangcheng.

“Father, Second Brother’s injuries haven’t healed yet. If you leave Jingcheng again, it will be very troublesome if the enemy invades. Why don’t I go to see Eldest Brother first? If he’s alright, I’ll set off for Xuancheng immediately. I can rest less along the way. And even if I’m late, the Emperor will know that I’m delayed because I’m worried about Eldest Brother, and he won’t be angry.”

Xie Yanting's words were forceful and clear, indicating that he had given them considerable thought.

He was well aware of his family's current situation: his second brother was injured, and if his father were to leave as well, the defenses of Jingcheng would be weak.

As the third son in the family, he had both the responsibility and the ability to find out the situation.

Upon hearing this, a hint of approval flashed in Xie Yun's eyes.

After a moment of contemplation, Xie Yun slowly nodded.

"Then you should set off immediately, but remember, safety comes first. You must find out the situation in Guhuang City as soon as possible. I will continue to keep an eye on Wanwan. When you get back, you must make sure that your sister is not wronged again."

"Yes, Father, I understand."

Xie Yanting respectfully agreed and turned to prepare. After taking two steps, he seemed to remember something, stopped, and turned back to say, "Father, did my younger sister mention anything in her letter... Never mind, she must have her reasons for making such a decision."

After saying that, Xie Yanting turned and left.

Xie Yun was left alone in the study, gazing out the window in deep thought.

He knew that every member of this family carried different responsibilities and missions, and Xie Wanru was the most special one among them. She was his only daughter, and should have been cherished and pampered, but...

Xie Wanru was sent to Mount Xuwu to learn martial arts when she was a child. Not only was she exceptionally skilled in martial arts, but in his opinion, she was also the smartest of all his children.

But after she grew up, perhaps she developed different feelings, which always left her puzzled.

"Divorce?" Xie Yun murmured to himself, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Although he did not want his daughter to marry into a high-ranking family, he did not expect the marriage to be so short-lived.

“Wanwan, your father and brothers are not by your side, you must have been wronged.”

Thinking of this, Xie Yun's eyes were filled with heartache. He picked up the pen and ink on the table and began to draft a reply.