She was buried alive at the start, but she's determined to smash her ex-husband's head in

Even Lin Qingwei could see it, so it was impossible for Marquis Zhongyi not to know.

But what could he do?

Marquis Zhongyi's voice trembled, filled with a sense of bewilderment and helplessness, and turbid tears welled up in his eyes.

"You don't believe what Wenwen said? Don't you also think that Miaoyan isn't the person she described?" He grabbed Lin Qingwei's arm, eagerly seeking validation.

Lin Qingwei said, "Of course! The county princess was murdered, and her reputation has been smeared like this. Does the Marquis intend to let them off so easily?"

"The matter is settled, as you and I can both see. Miaoyan's death has implicated the people of the harem. What does it matter if I hold a high position?" The light in Marquis Zhongyi's eyes dimmed little by little.

It's self-deprecation, it's heartache, and it's also resentment...

He accompanied Emperor Xuande to exonerate him and helped him secure his throne. He himself was ennobled and promoted, and even his family members received rewards. He seemed to be living a life of great glory, but what was the truth behind it all?

His military power was taken back, leaving him with only a nominal title but no real power.

As a father, he knew perfectly well that his daughter's death was not the work of a maid, but he could only pretend to believe it and end it all as soon as possible, because his daughter's body was still lying there, uncared for.

Lin Qingwei clenched her fists: "No one can stay on the top forever. They treat human life like dirt, but fortunes change. Who knows if they will eventually die at the hands of these ants they despise?"

"Will such a day ever come?" Marquis Zhongyi stood in front of Song Miaoyan's door for a long time, but did not have the courage to push it open.

His youngest daughter, who was so vibrant and lively before leaving home today, clinging to his arm and acting all cute, is now a cold, lifeless corpse, branded with a terrible reputation, and met such a tragic end.

Lin Qingwei said, "That day will come."

She stepped forward and said to Marquis Zhongyi, "Please wait a moment, Your Excellency."

She opened the door a crack and quickly slipped inside. Song Miaoyan lay in the dried bloodstains, her blankets disheveled and pulled back, her nearly severed hand hanging in mid-air, a truly terrifying sight.

She slept peacefully, with no sign of pain on her face, only her lips were pale and bloodless.

Lin Qingwei used a handkerchief to wipe the blood off Song Miaoyan's body, found her a set of clothes to put on, and used a hair tie to wrap her almost broken wrist several times to fix it back in place.

There were indeed some minor conflicts between Song Miaoyan and herself, but Lin Qingwei did not hate her.

She only hated Zhao Huarong...

"In the end, it's still me who dragged you down." Lin Qingwei helped Song Miaoyan up and gently brushed some powder on her face to make her look healthier.

"Although I don't particularly like you, don't worry, I will return this to her along with what you have given me."

After tidying up Song Miaoyan's appearance, Lin Qingwei opened the door and invited Marquis Zhongyi in. Marquis Zhongyi walked with trembling steps to Song Miaoyan's bedside and saw his daughter lying in clean and tidy bedding as if she were asleep.

He could no longer hold back his tears and covered his face, sobbing softly.

Was she in pain when she passed away?

Lin Qingwei shook her head and said, "The county princess passed away peacefully, without any sign of pain."

Marquis Zhongyi picked up his daughter, his eyes glistening with tears, and looked at Lin Qingwei, solemnly saying, "Thank you."

The moon was cold and merciless, casting its light on the dark palace, making it impossible to see the way. Lin Qingwei was exhausted. After returning to her room, she sat by the window and stared blankly at the sky.

The moon in her previous life was the same, and this sense of helplessness made her think that she had returned to the past.

The excruciating pain almost consumed her. After recovering from the ordeal of being framed and slandered, self-blame and guilt tightly bound her once again.

She thought they would target her directly...

She wasn't ruthless enough! She wasn't decisive enough! That's why an innocent life was lost because of her.

Song Miaoyan is only seventeen years old!

She should have had a bright future ahead of her; her life had just begun! But she was caught up in the struggle and died without knowing why.

A hand reached out and wiped away the tears on her face.

Lin Qingwei suddenly found herself in Pei Zhaoan's distressed gaze. He stood in the moonlight dressed in black, looking even more lonely than the moon itself.

"it's not your fault."

“I know.” She wiped away her tears and regained her composure. “I won’t wallow in self-pity for long. I still have things to do.”

“You can tell me, and I can help you.”

He was actually in Yongning Palace the whole time. As long as Lin Qingwei mentioned his name, he would immediately come out to testify for her. This was the safest way.

But he waited for a long time and never heard his name mentioned by Lin Qingwei.

She seemed to need no help from anyone; she was frighteningly strong.

"Sometimes, it's okay to rely on others a little."

Lin Qingwei said, "I don't need it."

She doesn't need anyone to save her; she is her own savior. Relying on anyone else is useless; she only trusts herself.

The previous plan to proceed slowly was no longer feasible. Even if not for her own sake, she didn't want any innocent people to be implicated.

Pei Zhaoan's gaze fell on the wound on Lin Qingwei's neck, which was shocking. What kind of hatred could turn such a cheerful little sun into this?

Doesn't she feel pain? Isn't she afraid? Won't she get tired?

Pei Zhaoan took out a small porcelain bottle from his pocket, applied the medicine to Lin Qingwei's wound with a firm attitude, and bandaged it up.

“I know you haven’t used any of the medicine I gave you, so I will come every day and personally apply the medicine for you.”

"There's no need." Lin Qingwei looked at him coldly. "The Grand Secretary doesn't need to do such a thing."

Pei Zhao ignored her and casually stroked her cheek with his thumb. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and he withdrew his hand before she could pull away.

After Lin Qingwei rejected him, he thought about it for a long time. His initial anger and pain eventually turned into understanding.

He said, "I do it voluntarily, always, just like Qi Yanzhi. We all do it voluntarily to be good to you."

He always felt that he had done a lot for Lin Qingwei, which is why he felt indignant when Lin Qingwei rejected him and chose someone else. But what was the truth? He was just indulging in self-pity.

Lin Qingwei knew nothing about it; she had always thought that their relationship was just a simple business partnership.

It's not her fault; he didn't explain it clearly.

It's alright. Some things are still unresolved. Who knows what might happen in the end? Pei Zhaoan will never let go of the person he has decided on so easily.

Just as Lin Qingwei was about to speak, Pei Zhaoan covered her mouth. Under the moonlight, his gentle demeanor was almost unbelievable.