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

The night is getting darker.

The Duke of England returned to his residence by carriage, still pondering the current situation.

He had barely stepped into his house when he immediately sent someone to fetch his eldest daughter, Zheng Xuan'er.

He hoped to win over General Wang through her, thereby strengthening his own power in the court and helping Prince An.

Zheng Xuan'er was fully aware of her father's intention in seeking her out.

Her marriage, which was a laughingstock, was for this purpose from the very beginning.

Previously, she was used to pave the way for his beloved eldest son, but now that Zheng Mingxuan is crippled, she has naturally been replaced by someone else. In the eyes of the Duke of England, she has always been just a bargaining chip, a pawn.

After learning that her father had invited her, she did not refuse. Instead, she secretly notified her younger brother, Zheng Mingxuan, so that he could hide in the shadows and hear the conversation with his own ears.

In the hall, the British Duke sat in the main seat.

The candlelight flickered, and he forced a gentle smile, trying to bridge the gap between himself and his daughter as a father.

And then, unusually, he spoke softly: "Xuan'er, as you know, our Duke of Ying's mansion is at a critical juncture. Your husband, General Wang, commands a large army. If we could get his help, it would be like adding wings to a tiger for our Duke of Ying's mansion. I know you are intelligent and will surely understand the implications. Why don't you lend me a hand and try to communicate with him?"

Zheng Xuan'er looked coldly at her father, her eyes devoid of any warmth, her voice filled with obvious sarcasm: "Father, what you're saying is so high-sounding. Not only do you want to use me, but you also want to use my husband? You really know how to scheme."

The Duke of England was momentarily speechless at his daughter's words, but he quickly composed himself and continued, "Xuan'er, how can this be called exploitation? This is for the sake of our entire family."

Zheng Xuan'er sneered. She had already seen through her father's thoughts and replied disdainfully, "Father, your words are heard but felt cold in my heart. Do you think I am still an ignorant girl who can't see through your plans? You want to use my husband's military power to gain a place in front of the four kings and achieve your own goals, but you don't care about our lives at all."

The Duke of England's expression changed, but he still tried to remain calm: "Xuan'er, why do you say that? Everything I have done is for the sake of our family."

"Family? When you married me off to that old man and then ignored me, did you ever think we were family?" Zheng Xuan'er decided to break off all pretense of civility with him.

She endured so much hardship in the inner quarters of the General's Mansion to gain a foothold. She vowed then that even if she died outside, she would never return to this disgusting Duke of England's mansion.

The Duke of England was scolded to his face, his face turning ashen. But remembering that things were different now, and that she was now the wife of a general, no longer the maidservant he could scold and discipline at will, he had to suppress his anger.

He said as if he were heartbroken, "Xuan'er, how could you be so insensible!"

"Wrong! I was just too sensible, that's why I actually got married!" Zheng Xuan'er glared at him resentfully. "Not just me, but also my second and third sisters. We were just too sensible, that's why we were willing to sacrifice our own happiness for the rest of our lives rather than disobey your orders!"

"You!" The Duke of England was furious. He slammed his hand heavily on the table, causing the tea set on it to tremble slightly and spill tea.

He had no way to refute this matter and always believed that he had done the right thing, and had never regretted it.

Zheng Xuan'er slightly raised her chin, her posture haughty: "Now that you want to beg me, then you'd better adopt the attitude of someone begging!"

"Hmph!" The Duke of England, unable to bear it any longer, turned and walked away, brushing past her.

Zheng Xuan'er did not stop her at all, but said with great certainty, "You deliberately let your brother hear that Chu Wenchen was going to be executed, didn't you?"

The Duke of England suddenly stopped, but did not turn around, remaining silent.

With her back to him, Zheng Xuan'er said softly, "Actually, you've wanted to send the Chu siblings away for a long time to protect yourself, because you're timid and afraid of being implicated."

"What nonsense are you spouting?!" The Duke of England finally couldn't hold back any longer and shouted angrily, "Incomprehensible!"

Zheng Xuan'er turned around, her expression a half-smile: "I also know that you arranged for people to completely eliminate that brother and sister on the estate, so that if they were found by the Imperial Guards later, the younger brother would come to you to beg for mercy, putting you in a difficult position."

The Duke of England's expression changed; he felt extremely embarrassed that her plan had been so easily exposed to his face.

But in the end, he didn't offer any explanation and left in a hurry, his back looking particularly disheveled.

Zheng Xuan'er ignored him, knowing that Zheng Mingxuan was hiding in the shadows and had heard everything clearly.

Just as she had expected, Zheng Mingxuan was pale, his eyes filled with shock and pain.

He had just learned of the deaths of the Chu siblings.

Now, he discovers that his father, whom he has admired and relied on since childhood, not only has another side that he was unaware of, but also uses him as a pawn to secretly achieve his own goals.

This dealt him an unprecedented blow, as he had always considered himself superior.