After being reborn with my scumbag ex-husband, I became his sister-in-law.

Hearing the commotion outside, a murmur of whispers came from inside the courtroom.

Everyone turned their heads in the direction of the sound and saw a huge crowd of people squeezing towards them outside the Jingzhao Prefecture, muttering something under their breath.

Among the crowd, there was only one tall figure, pale-faced and staggering, being helped to the front of the crowd.

The people almost took turns supporting him and leading him to the entrance of the Jingzhao Prefecture. Those inside the Jingzhao Prefecture, upon seeing the familiar face in the center of the crowd, all narrowed their eyes.

Everyone in the courtroom slowly rose from their seats, staring stiffly at the ragged newcomer. Even Emperor Guangqi's face turned horrified at this moment.

His filth could not conceal his outstanding temperament, nor could the throng of people hide his upright figure. From his disheveled and scattered sideburns, one could see that the man had gentle features and a small mole on his nose.

He has a face exactly like He Jingyan's!

The real He Jingyan is back!

The whole place was in an uproar!

Marquis An Ding stared intently at the newcomer, almost immediately about to cry out in surprise:

"Ayan? Ayan?"

He ran out without a second thought, stumbling and groaning as he stared wide-eyed at the familiar face, panting heavily.

Although Pei Yunyi had also worn He Jingyan's human skin mask before, they gave people a different feeling.

Marquis An Ding looked closely at He Jingyan's face and immediately recognized that this was his son!

He almost trembled as he took He Jingyan's body, hugging him tightly as if he wanted to meld him into his own bones.

"Ayan? You're back? You're back?"

"What exactly happened? How did you get all these injuries?"

Outside, some people were explaining, "The eldest young master was found at the city gate, and he was like this when he was found..."

"We heard that the Jingzhao Prefecture had opened a court, so we quickly sent the person over... Oh dear, you look like you're covered in injuries!"

Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Anding felt a surge of emotion, his eyes stinging with tears.

When the constables who rushed over brought the injured He Jingyan from under the sun into the courtroom, Marquis Anding suddenly knelt on the ground.

He kowtowed several times to the people in front of him.

The old general, who had spent his life commanding armies, was now weeping uncontrollably, his chest trembling as he cried out, "Thank you, fellow villagers! Thank you, fellow villagers, for saving my son!"

The people couldn't bear to see this scene and quickly helped Marquis Anding up.

When Song Xizhi saw the bailiffs helping He Jingyan into the courtroom, her mind went blank, her throat tightened, and her whole body stiffened for a moment.

That was... the real He Jingyan?

She rushed forward and grasped He Jingyan's pulse, her fingertips trembling.

The man struggled to open his eyes, staring at the woman before him for a long time before weakly asking, "Zhizhi...?"

Song Xizhi felt his weak pulse, bit her lip, looked at the man covered in wounds, and nodded while suppressing her emotions.

After hearing He Jingyan speak, Pei Yunyi seemed to regain his breath. He covered his slightly trembling fingertips with his long sleeves and strode over to He Jingyan.

He Jingyan struggled to look up at Pei Yunyi's cold and stern face, his eyes reddening almost instantly: "Your Highness..."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yunyi's eyes deepened. He took two steps forward, squatted down beside Song Xizhi, and gazed intently at her face.

His face was scarred; the tireless running around had made his face less fleshy, and his whole person had gained a cold, angular look in addition to his gentle appearance.

Pei Yunyi's calm and restrained voice trembled slightly: "You're still alive? Ayan, that's wonderful..."

He Jingyan nodded, his eyelashes drooping, his voice tinged with sorrow: "Yes, Your Highness, I'm back. I never thought I'd be able to come back..."

Old Madam He and Marquis Anding wept uncontrollably in front of He Jingyan.

Emperor Guangqi, who was in the courtroom, only realized what was happening at that moment.

He slowly sat back down in his chair, his Adam's apple bobbing twice, his mind a jumble of thoughts.

Emperor Guangqi slammed his gavel, silencing the courtroom. He watched as Song Xizhi fed He Jingyan a pill before speaking in a deep voice:

"Marquis of Anding, what exactly is going on? Is this man before you the true eldest son of the Marquis of Anding's household?"

He Jingyan slowly raised his head, ignoring the obstruction of others, and bowed to Emperor Guangqi: "Your Majesty, I am He Jingyan."

"After the battle against the Western Rong, our army was betrayed by treacherous people. His Highness and I were unable to receive timely support. His Highness was seriously wounded in the battle, and in order to cover His Highness, I accidentally fell off a cliff..."

Song Ruoan, who had been stunned, finally came to her senses.

She clearly noticed the surprised expressions on Song Xizhi and Pei Yunyi's faces, and then asked in a low voice:

"In that case, young master, is the truth of the matter really as His Highness the Crown Prince said?"

"Did you and His Highness agree before the incident that His Highness would take your place and take care of your wife, children, and elderly parents? You even specifically instructed His Highness to give my sister a copy of the divorce papers?"

At this moment, Song Ruoan had completely lost the will to live and only wanted to seize any opportunity to smear Song Xizhi's reputation and drag him down with her.

Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, she saw He Jingyan's expression stiffen slightly, his eyes seemingly filled with confusion, which made her even more smug.

She pressed her advantage, her voice growing increasingly shrill: "Young Master! Did you never explain any of this to His Highness, and did you never end your marriage with my sister?"

Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi lowered his eyes slightly and clenched his fingers.

The next moment, He Jingyan's gentle and refined voice could be heard—