My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

The family dinner finally ended, and Zheng Mingxuan left alone.

Confined to a wheelchair, his heart was like a dry well, his body and mind feeling as if they were being crushed by heavy stones, unable to breathe.

Upon reaching the garden, he found a quiet spot, leaned against his wheelchair, closed his eyes to rest, and tried to calm the turmoil in his heart.

However, a conversation unexpectedly reached his ears.

He suddenly opened his eyes, listened carefully, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He was all too familiar with that voice; it belonged to his father, the Duke of England.

Zheng Mingxuan held his breath, carefully adjusted the direction of his wheelchair, and tried his best not to make any noise as he slowly approached the source of the sound.

The Duke of England asked in great surprise, "What did you say? Chu Wenchen will be executed soon?"

The man who was speaking with the Duke of England replied in a low voice, "The King of Qin has tried his best to persuade him, but His Majesty's mind is made up, and there is no room for negotiation."

The Duke of England forced himself to calm down and steady his mind.

The fate of the Chu couple was actually none of his concern; he went straight to the matter that mattered more to him: "Then... what about the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"

“In the future, perhaps it will be four kings and seven dukes,” the man said meaningfully.

These words struck Zheng Mingxuan like a bolt from the blue, leaving him utterly devastated.

How could this be? Could it be that the Emperor is truly determined to offend the Four Kings and Eight Dukes for Chu Lengyu's sake?! He thought in disbelief.

Chu Wenchen is gone, but once the title of Duke of Zhenguo is stripped away, there is probably no way he can get it back. The reputation of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes will also be severely damaged as a result.

The hereditary titles of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes have always been a source of anxiety for the emperors of the Great Xia Dynasty.

After them, even if meritorious officials made outstanding military achievements, they could only be ennobled as marquises at most, and could no longer obtain the glory of being called kings or dukes, let alone hereditary titles and various privileges.

Those noble families who wanted to maintain their titles had no choice but to harden their hearts and send their best sons to the frontier to guard the borders, in order to preserve their family's honor.

The Duke of England was also shocked by the news for a while before he said with concern, "Prince An is about to lead his troops back to the capital. Is Your Majesty not afraid of causing trouble by choosing this time?"

Chu Wenchen's death may only be the prelude to a storm, and the Great Xia court may be about to undergo earth-shattering changes.

The person opposite slowly said, "Perhaps, all the answers lie with that Chu Lengyu."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Mingxuan, who was hiding in the shadows, couldn't help but prick up his ears.

The British Duke was relieved and asked, "We're finally going to deal with her. What are your plans?"

"Please wait for news, sir," the man said mysteriously, refusing to elaborate.

After the two left, Zheng Mingxuan hurriedly turned his wheelchair and left the place.

He was extremely anxious and immediately found the Chu siblings, relaying to them what he had overheard.

Upon hearing the news that their parents were to be executed and their titles to be revoked, Chu Lin turned ashen-faced, and Chu Wen'er burst into tears. The two siblings were filled with fear and at a loss.

Chu Lin pleaded, "Brother Zheng, could you please ask the Duke of Yingguo to intercede on my behalf?"

Chu Wen'er wiped away her tears and said, "Even if my parents did something wrong, they could have made amends with money. Why did they have to kill them? His Majesty... I beg you, Duke, to persuade him properly!"

Looking into their expectant eyes, Zheng Mingxuan felt a pang of pity and comforted them, saying, "I will do my best."

At this point, he changed the subject, his tone becoming serious: "What I'm most worried about now is that this matter may also implicate you two siblings."

"You...you mean His Majesty won't even spare the two of us?" Chu Lin's face turned pale, unable to believe it.

“I’m just guessing,” Zheng Mingxuan sighed. “But you must be prepared. If I hadn’t stopped the Imperial Guards from searching your place earlier, you would probably be in jail by now.”

As he spoke, he began to regret why he had impulsively taken them in. He had just brought two big troubles back to the Duke of England's mansion for no reason.

"How dare they!" Chu Wen'er shrieked angrily.

These past few days of living under someone else's roof have exhausted her patience.

Chu Lin hesitated before saying, "Brother Zheng's words make sense."

Zheng Mingxuan then advised, "Staying here will not help, and may even endanger your lives. I think it would be better if I arranged for someone to send you away from the capital temporarily. As for the matter of the Duke and his wife... I will continue to think of a way."

"It would be good to leave here and avoid the limelight..." Chu Lin murmured to himself.

"But what will happen to our parents if we leave?" Chu Wen'er questioned him.

"What's the point of staying here if we're still just hiding here!"

The brother and sister started arguing.

Finally, with Zheng Mingxuan's persuasion, the two gradually calmed down.

Caught off guard by this sudden and drastic change, they were at a loss and ultimately decided to heed Zheng Mingxuan's advice and temporarily leave the capital city, figuring that as long as they survived, they could always make a comeback.

The two packed their belongings, and Zheng Mingxuan arranged a carriage for them to leave the city. Everything was done quickly.

Before leaving, Chu Lin said with emotion, "Brother Zheng, we don't know when we will meet again. I will forever remember your kindness today."

Chu Wen'er looked sorrowful, but still reminded him, "Don't forget to save my parents."

The carriage quietly drove out of the back gate of the Duke of England's mansion. Zheng Mingxuan watched the carriage disappear into the distance, his mind filled with complex emotions.

He insisted on seeing them off because he was afraid they would cause trouble for his family. His position was already precarious, and he couldn't let the siblings drag him down any further.

As for the excuses of worrying about them and considering their well-being, they are just empty words.

It was already merciful of him not to give the brother and sister to Chu Lengyu.

Despite his deep regret, Zheng Mingxuan refused to humble himself and give in to her.

Zheng Xuan'er watched this scene from afar, and curled her lips in disdain.

Sending the Chu siblings away at this point, separating them from the Duke of Ying's mansion, would truly be sending them to their doom.

……

The biting wind could not dispel the hustle and bustle of the capital city.

The swordsman in green robes stepped steadily into this bustling capital city, but his gaze pierced through the layers of everyday life, revealing the bitterness and helplessness hidden beneath the prosperity.

The streets were bustling with merchants, offering a dazzling array of goods including gold, silver, jade, silk, fabrics, tea, wine, and spices.

Restaurants lined the streets, and the sounds of singing and dancing filled the air.

The wealthy, dressed in fine clothes, welcomed and saw off guests, clinking glasses and enjoying fine wine and delicacies.

However, beneath this glittering facade lies a different scene—in the streets and alleys, beggars are ragged, covered in dirt, and shivering, while children are pale and thin, gazing longingly at passersby, hoping to receive some charity.

Thinking of all the sights he had witnessed along the way, the swordsman felt a pang of sorrow and softly recited: "Behind the red gates, meat and wine go to waste; on the road, the bones of those frozen to death lie."

His apprentice, Ah Xing, followed behind him, scratching his head and asking in confusion, "Master, what do you mean by that?"