Holding the script, I want to give up.

"Father! Now that my sister is safe and sound, please do not commit any more murders."

"And he's also my brother!"

Seeing that the situation was not good, the crown prince knelt down and bowed.

"Prince!"

The Southern Emperor couldn't understand why they all sided with that wicked creature and stood against him.

"Father! Your son has never asked you for anything. Your son begs you to spare him."

Shangguan Zi also knelt down and kowtowed in greeting.

"Very well. I must kill this man. You'd better not overestimate yourselves and try to stop me."

After the Southern Emperor finished speaking, he shot the arrow in his hand towards the boy.

Shangguan Zitong reacted swiftly, catching the arrow with one hand, but was thrown off balance by the momentum and fell against the artificial hill. Her hand was covered in blood, and her light blue cross-collar dress was adorned with vibrant red plum blossoms.

She already had very little strength left, and this fall caused Shangguan Zitong to faint immediately.

"Oh dear, my old father, why won't you listen to my advice?" she thought to herself before she lost consciousness.

"younger sister!"

The boy and Shangguan Nuoyou shouted at the same time and ran towards her.

The boy ran towards Shangguan Zitong and picked her up. Shangguan Nuoyou was far away, and when she ran over, she pushed the boy away, hugged her herself, and said fiercely, "Get out! It's all your fault. She is my sister, not yours."

The boy who was pushed to the ground was stunned. He had never thought of hurting this younger sister he had never met before.

"Guards, take this man to the Dali Temple dungeon."

Looking at the boy's face, the Southern Emperor recalled the vicious face of the dead woman, and his expression twisted as he spoke.

The boy was taken away like that.

......

Shangguan Zitong was surrounded by a group of imperial physicians treating her illness; the scene looked as if they were preparing for her funeral.

"Imperial Physician, how is she?"

Looking at the unconscious Shangguan Zitong, Shangguan Xiyue asked worriedly.

"Your Highness, the young princess has only suffered minor injuries that can be treated with bandaging. However, this humble servant observes a pulse that seems...like..."

The imperial physician, who was treating the illness, trembled like a sieve.

"What do you mean? I'm asking you to answer."

Seeing the imperial physician hesitate, the Southern Emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, if someone appears to be on the verge of death, it is possible that this old minister's medical skills are inadequate and he has made a wrong diagnosis."

"Better so."

"Your Majesty, the chain marks on Her Highness's right foot are quite severe. Would you like me to remove the gold bracelet from her foot for better treatment?"

"No need, as long as it can be cured."

The Southern Emperor thought that Shangguan Zitong must really like this gold bracelet, although he didn't know where it came from. After saying this, he left with the Empress and headed towards the Dali Temple.

Shangguan Xiyue and Shangguan Nuoyou stayed by her side in the palace, waiting for her to wake up.

Yi Bai practiced martial arts outside the palace to numb himself, feeling that it was yet another dereliction of duty on his part.

Youzhi and Youxi knelt outside the palace, reflecting on their actions and waiting for her to wake up. They felt they hadn't kept a close eye on the princess.

When Shangguan Zitong woke up, she was surrounded by so many people, which made her feel a little uncomfortable.

"Brother, where is that boy?"

She slowly sat up and said.

"He's been imprisoned in the Dali Temple by my father. You'd better not get involved in this matter; I'll handle it."

Seeing this, Shangguan Nuoyou placed a soft pillow under her waist.

"...Brother, may I go see him?"

"No, you need to recover properly. Guards, keep an eye on the princess. If she escapes, you will all be held accountable."

"Yes."

A group of people filed in and guarded her.

After making arrangements for everyone, Shangguan Nuoyou left with Shangguan Xiyue.

Shangguan Xiyue was led outside by Shangguan Nuoyou, and hurriedly said, "Little sister, get some rest. I'm leaving now. I'll come see you when I have time."

"...good."

Is it really true that the imperial family is the most ruthless? Even their own illegitimate children are harmed? Why couldn't he resist when he saw the delicate and beautiful young woman? Why is all the blame placed on them? She can't see through her father.

"Yibai".

"My subordinate is here."

Upon hearing Shangguan Zitong call him, Yi Bai hurriedly ran into the palace.

"Tell Youzhi and Youxi to stop kneeling. It's not their fault. It's my own problem."

"Don't blame yourself. I consider you all my friends. Don't be like this, it will break my heart."

Yi Bai went out and relayed Shangguan Zitong's words to Youzhi and Youxi, then returned to his palace.

"Yibai, may I go to the Dali Temple?"

"Your Highness, I am incompetent."

Yi Bai knelt before the bed. His Highness the Crown Prince had given orders that the princess must not be allowed to leave, especially not to the Dali Temple. He was determined to protect the princess.

"Yibai, this concerns lives, I beg you, please? That boy is my brother too!"

Shangguan Zitong weakly got up, wanting to help Yibai, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet. However, her body was too weak, as if she were possessed by Daiyu, and she simply couldn't get up.

"Very well. I will take the princess there immediately."

Yibo felt that the princess should be the priority, and so be it if she was punished. After all, he was tough as nails.

"Get up. You don't need to kneel before me anymore. Go get me a cloak; I can't walk anymore."

Shangguan Zitong slowly put on her shoes.

"Yes."

Yibo went to the clothes rack to get her a cloak, and she forced herself to get up.

Yi Bai draped a cloak over her shoulders and then wrapped his arms around her waist through the cloak. They secretly slipped away and flew to the Dali Temple.

......

Inside Dali Temple.

"Are you her child?"

The Southern Emperor stood outside the door, and the Southern Empress stood beside him.

"Yes, of course he's your illegitimate child."

The boy was beaten until he was covered in blood.

"Do you want to spend the rest of your life in this prison, or go out and become a useless person?"

The Southern Emperor asked from his high and mighty position.

"What's the difference?"

The boy sneered.

"Father, please be merciful and let him go."

After arriving at the Dali Temple, Shangguan Zitong ran all the way to the prison. Upon seeing the Southern Emperor and his entourage, she stopped, knelt down, and kowtowed in a grand ceremony.

"Zi Tong, leave now. I won't investigate how you got out, but if..."

The Southern Emperor flicked his sleeves and said.

"Father, he saved my life."

"As long as you let him go, I will keep an eye on him. He won't fight with my brother for the throne, I promise."

Shangguan Zitong kowtowed so hard that her head turned red and bled.

"Get up first."

The Southern Emperor sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Mother!"

Shangguan Zitong pulled a dagger from her sleeve and held it to her own neck, intending to use it to threaten the Queen.

"Zitong, how could you be so foolish?"

The Empress Nan tried to approach Shangguan Zitong to take her knife. She took only one step before lightly slashing herself. Blood flowed, and the Empress Nan froze.

"Your subject doesn't care about the love and hate between you. That's a matter of your generation, and has nothing to do with him."

"How dare you threaten me with your life?"

"If you insist on doing this, I will no longer care about you."

"Your subject thanks Your Majesty."

Shangguan Zitong sheathed the dagger and kowtowed again.

The Southern Emperor angrily took the Southern Empress away, feeling that he had given birth to a wicked child.

Family members, does anyone understand? In ancient times, was disobeying one's father, the emperor, a punishment from heaven? Is it really that serious? I'm still so weak, can't you be a little more understanding?

Yi Bai helped Shangguan Zitong up, and she walked towards the boy, squatting down in front of him.

"Does it hurt?"

the boy asked.

"I'm nowhere near as good as you, brother. I'm sorry I'm late and made you suffer."

"What's your name? My name is Shangguan Zitong."

Shangguan Zitong introduced herself, a hint of curiosity in her eyes, thinking to herself that this child was quite resilient.

“My name is Shangguan Jin, and I know your name.”

The boy got up, tore off the only clean strip of cloth from the hem of his clothes, and wrapped it around Shangguan Zitong's neck to stop the bleeding.

"They're just minor injuries, no need to make a fuss."

"Brother, don't be afraid, I will protect you."

Looking at the boy's determined gaze, as if he were about to join the Party, Shangguan Zitong thought: Fine, let him pester me if he wants, anyway, she's already numb with pain and can't feel anything anymore.

"My mother wanted to kill you, don't you hate me?"

The boy's eyes were filled with sadness.

“You are you, she is she, you are different, I don’t like her.”

Shangguan Zitong patiently explained, helped him up, and led Yibai toward the palace.

......