Women disguised as men went to the battlefield and the emperor bowed down in submission.

Lin Ruoshui waved to the masked young man standing on the roof: "Thank you for saving me, young master. I hope you will do me the honor of coming to the Imperial Study for a detailed discussion."

The masked young man did not refuse, nodded, and flew towards the Imperial Study with his zither in his arms.

Lin Ruoshui was delighted to see the masked young master playing the zither. In the 21st century, what is most important? Talent is the most important. Such a reclusive master must be recruited for one's own use.

Xuanyuan Yu angrily withdrew his hand, crossed his arms, and looked at Lin Ruoshui.

Lin Ruoshui patted Xuan Yuanyu on the shoulder and said, "Xuan Yuanyu, I'm leaving this to you. I'll go to the Imperial Study first. Once this is settled, come find me. We'll have a calming drink together tonight."

Hearing that Lin Ruoshui wanted to treat him to drinks, Xuan Yuan Yu felt much better. Watching that tender white hand patting his shoulder, he really wanted to put that hand in his mouth and bite it.

Lin Ruoshui took Zhang Quan and happily disappeared, leaving behind a messy scene and a bunch of people waiting to be punished.

Xuanyuan Yu really wanted to follow Lin Ruoshui. He looked around and sighed.

Since I'm willing to do things for this woman, I'll deal with this first and then 'punish' that woman.

Xuanyuan Yu ordered the Duke of Dingguo and the Empress to be imprisoned in the imperial prison, and all the concubines on the list of those who had slept with him were banished to the Cold Palace.

Xiao Zhan and all the officials involved in the treason case were sent to the Dali Temple for detention to await their fate.

Sun Guangming, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, temporarily took over as commander of the Imperial Guard, and Hao Ran, the commander of the left and right vanguard battalions of the Xuanyuan Army, was appointed as the supervising officer. The two were ordered to immediately reorganize the Imperial Guard.

Xuanyuan Yu was decisive and ruthless, possessing the talent of a general or minister.

He then ordered the thousand Xuanyuan soldiers to be stationed in various locations to monitor the movements in the capital.

The cleanup work following Xuan Yuanyu's death is still ongoing.

On the tea table in the Imperial Study was an exquisite tea set, including a teapot, teacups, and a tea canister, all made of the finest porcelain and decorated with patterns unique to the royal family.

On one corner of the coffee table sits an antique incense burner, its smoke curling upwards, adding a touch of mystery and tranquility to the space.

Lin Ruoshui and the Masked Prince arrived at the Imperial Study and sat at the tea table like friends, with Zhang Quan serving them tea and water.

The masked young master put down the "Thunder" zither in his hand, took out a small porcelain bottle from his bosom, and handed the bottle to Lin Ruoshui.

Lin Ruoshui looked at the slender, jade-like fingers in front of her, reached out and grasped them, saying, "Young master, thank you again for saving me today. If you hadn't come, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

The masked young master curled his lips and said, "Sister, you have suffered internal injuries. Take this pill and you will recover within three days."

"Sister? You know my secret? Who are you?" Lin Ruoshui's expression changed rapidly, and she immediately became wary.

The masked young master asked Zhang Quan to leave the imperial study. Zhang Quan looked at Lin Ruoshui, who nodded, and then Zhang Quan bowed and withdrew.

The masked young master removed his mask, and Lin Ruoshui carefully examined his face. His eyebrows were like distant mountains, his eyes like bright stars, his radiance was restrained, his nose was high and straight, and his lips were red and his teeth were white.

The masked young master smiled brightly, like the warm spring sun, bright but not scorching, making people feel comfortable and warm.

When he smiles, the whole world seems to light up.

Lin Ruoshui was stunned when she saw the face that looked exactly like Chu Xiao's.

"What's going on here? Are they twins? Did the original Chu Xiao know that she had an older brother?"

But I don't have her memories, how am I supposed to deal with this?" Lin Ruoshui thought, her mind a little confused.

"Little sister, aren't you happy to see your brother?" the masked young master asked.

"Brother..." Lin Ruoshui didn't know what to say for a moment.

“Sister, we were forced to separate at birth. Over the years, as your older brother, I have never taken care of you for a single day, nor do I deserve to be called your brother.” The masked young master said with his eyelids lowered.

"Brother, don't say that. There's a reason for it. You don't have to be like this."

"I don't know much about what happened back then. Could you tell me about it?" Lin Ruoshui said.

“I was born before you, and when I was born I was very weak and I was afraid I would not live much longer, but you cried loudly and were healthy.”

For the sake of the crown prince's position, the Empress Dowager switched us, saying that the healthy one was the boy Chu Xiao, and the weak one was the girl Chu Ying.

When I was one year old, my mother secretly sent me to the Immortal Realm for treatment.

There, my master taught me to read, practice martial arts, play the zither, and learn medicine. It took me 15 years to fully recover.

I didn't want to come back, but my master and mother made an agreement that I must leave the Immortal Realm and return to the palace when I turn 18.

When I arrived in the capital, I learned that my mother had passed away three years ago.

The thought of you being all alone and helpless, a girl having to disguise yourself as a man, especially in this perilous palace, breaks my heart.

I came to see you today, but I never expected to see this.

"Little sister, you've worked so hard. Your brother is back." A tear slid down Chu Xiao's cheek as he reached out and hugged Lin Ruoshui.

After hearing Chu Xiao's words, Lin Ruoshui understood the whole story and hugged Chu Xiao tightly.

Just then, Xuan Yuan Yu, having finished his official business, pushed open the door and entered, just in time to see Chu Xiao and Lin Ruo Shui embracing tightly.

Chu Xiao had his back to Lin Ruoshui, so Xuan Yuan Yu couldn't see his face.

Chu Xiao put on the mask, turned around, and smiled at Xuan Yuan Yu.

Seeing that both of them had slightly red eyes, Xuan Yuan Yu took Lin Ruo Shui's hand and asked, "Do you know this person?"

Lin Ruoshui nodded.

"Is it improper for people to hug and kiss just because they know each other?" Xuan Yuan Yu asked through gritted teeth in a low voice.

“He is me…” Lin Ruoshui was about to explain.

Chu Xiao interrupted Lin Ruoshui and said, "I am Your Majesty's dear friend whom you have not seen for many years. Your Majesty, please have Zhang Quan arrange for me to stay. After I have washed up, we can have a long talk."

Xuanyuan Yu was even more furious when he heard Chu Xiao's words that made him feel like he was not an outsider.

He tightened his grip on Lin Ruoshui's hand, making her feel like her hand was about to break. She shouted, "Xuanyuan Yu, let go! You're hurting me!"

"Does it hurt?" Xuan Yuan Yu glanced at Lin Ruo Shui with sharp eyes.

Chu Xiao stepped forward, forcefully pulled Xuan Yuan Yu's hand away, and said coldly to him, "And who are you? What is your relationship with the Emperor? How dare you touch the Emperor's hand?"

Xuanyuan Yu released Lin Ruoshui, gathered a surge of true energy in his palm, and without saying a word, struck Chu Xiao with a palm.

Chu Xiao accepted the palm strike, and the two palms faced each other, thus beginning a contest of internal strength.

Lin Ruoshui moved closer to Chu Xiao and said, "We're all on the same side, don't hurt him."

Lin Ruoshui moved closer to Xuan Yuanyu and said, "We're all on the same side. If you hurt him, you're hurting me. If he gets hurt, I'll never forgive you."

"I said three, two, one, if you don't stop, I'll... I'll die right here in front of you." Lin Ruoshui was furious.

"Three, two, one," Lin Ruoshui counted.

The two obediently stopped at the same time.

The two masters clashed using their internal energy, and the antique porcelain in the imperial study was affected, all showing slight cracks.

Chu Xiao smiled and strolled out of the imperial study. Zhang Quan led him to his quarters.

Xuanyuan Yu stared intently at Lin Ruoshui, as if she had been caught cheating.

Lin Ruoshui smiled and put her arm around Xuan Yuanyu's shoulder, saying, "Good brother, don't be like this. We're all family. I'll feel bad if anyone hurts anyone else."

Xuanyuan Yu looked at Lin Ruoshui and saw her row of white and lovely teeth, and his anger subsided a little.

He took Lin Ruoshui's hand, their fingers intertwined, and said, "How will you compensate me?"

Lin Ruoshui said, "Compensation, compensation is a must. Tell me, how do you want compensation?"

Xuanyuan Yu pulled Lin Ruoshui to the copper basin and washed her hands with water until both hands were clean.

Lin Ruoshui felt that this treatment was truly emperor-level; she didn't even have to wash her own hands.

"What are you going to do? Are you talking about compensation? Do you think compensation is just washing my hands?" Lin Ruoshui asked with a smile.

Xuan Yuan Yu's heart was pounding uncontrollably. He didn't know if Lin Ruo Shui would resist, but he really wanted to... really wanted to kiss her little hand.

Lin Ruoshui looked at Xuan Yuanyu, who was lowering his head to kiss her hand, in surprise.

Xuanyuan Yu looked at the hand in front of him, which was like delicate silk, smooth and soft.

He kissed her once, and then, not satisfied, kissed her fingers as well.

In Lin Ruoshui's eyes, Xuanyuan Yu was like a pervert at this moment.

Lin Ruoshui forcefully pulled her hand back, wiped non-existent drool on her clothes, and said, "What are you doing?"

Xuanyuan Yu's romantic feelings were interrupted by this rude woman. He was indignant and picked up Lin Ruoshui, gently placing her on the low couch.

Lin Ruoshui clutched her clothes tightly, saying nervously, "Xuanyuan Yu, what are you doing? If you continue to treat me like this, be careful I..."

"What do you want to do to me?" Xuanyuan Yu asked mockingly.

"What do you want?" Lin Ruoshui said angrily.

Before he could finish speaking, Xuanyuan Yu's face came closer and he said, "If you speak again, my punishment will last even longer."

Lin Ruoshui was restrained, and her heart began to pound wildly.

She said weakly, "Let me go?"

Xuanyuan Yu narrowed his eyes and said, "I will not let you go!"