After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

When Cao Yuan returned with her men, it was already past midnight.

As Cao Yuanming entered the courtyard, she immediately spotted a familiar figure.

"Your Highness, you're back." Jinzhu rushed forward as soon as she saw Cao Yuan.

"Jinzhu, it's so late, didn't I tell you to get some rest?"

"I can't sleep without Your Highness." Jinzhu bit her lip and changed the subject. "Is Your Highness finished with all your work? Why haven't I seen you?"

"Oh, I have other plans, it's okay!"

Cao Yuan walked into the house.

Cao Yuan sat in the room, and Jinzhu went over to pour her a cup of tea.

Cao Yuan drank it down in large gulps, then let out a long breath, as if to expel all the fatigue and tension that had been building up in her heart for days.

She gently twisted her shoulders, trying to relieve the soreness from days of travel.

For the past few days, Cao Yuan has been tirelessly searching for people everywhere, and thankfully, Xue Xiqiong's evil scheme has not succeeded.

Jinzhu, who was standing nearby, said softly, "Your Highness must be tired. I'll go and prepare some hot water for you to take a bath so you can relax."

Cao Yuan nodded slightly. After Jin Zhu turned and left, Cao Yuan was left alone in the room. At this moment, she could finally relax a little, but her thoughts involuntarily drifted into the distance.

What is Chu Yan doing at this very moment? Has he returned to Shu with the Fifth Prince, or has he already arrived in Shu? If he's back in Shu, does that mean he'll be with his Crown Princess...?

A variety of thoughts rushed into Cao Yuan's mind, making her feel irritable for a moment.

Jinzhu pushed the door open and came in from the outside.

"Your Highness, the bathwater is ready! Please take a bath before you rest!"

Cao Yuan nodded; it had indeed been a long time since she had taken a proper bath.

The steaming vapor rose slowly like a thin veil, quickly filling the entire room. In no time, the small space was completely enveloped by the hazy mist.

Jinzhu helped Cao Yuan untie her belt and remove her clothes, and Cao Yuan sat in the bathtub.

When the warm water touches the skin, the body relaxes.

Every scene was so clear and vivid that it stirred ripples in her heart.

Jinzhu, who was serving Cao Yuan, saw that Cao Yuan had already taken a bath. She quickly picked up a delicate gourd ladle, gently scooped up some hot water, and carefully poured it onto Cao Yuan's back. The water flowed down her smooth skin, bringing a comfortable warmth.

"Your Highness, is the water temperature suitable? Should we add some more hot water?" Jinzhu asked softly.

"Just right!"

"Jinzhu, I want to be by myself for a while. I'll call you when I'm ready."

"Yes!" Jinzhu bowed and left.

As Cao Yuan closed her eyes to enjoy the tranquility, the wonderful times she had spent with Chu Yan at the foot of the mountain involuntarily surfaced in her mind; the few days that had passed seemed like a lifetime ago.

After Cao Yuan finished washing up, as Jin Zhu was helping her tidy her clothes, Cao Yuan casually glanced at Jin Zhu, her gaze falling on a small white strip of cloth peeking out from Jin Zhu's cuff.

"Jinzhu!" Cao Yuan suddenly grabbed her arm.

"what is this?"

"No, it's nothing!"

Jinzhu broke free from her grasp, put her hands behind her back, and lowered her head guiltily.

"Your Highness, I need to tidy up. Please go back to your room first."

Jinzhu turned around and said to Cao Yuan with her back to him.

"Jinzhu!" Cao Yuan called out to her.

"You should know that those strips of cloth are for military bandaging; I use them all the time, so you can't hide it from me."

Jinzhu was stunned.

Cao Yuan held her shoulders, "Why are you hurting yourself! Even though General Liu is gone, he wouldn't want to see you like this!"

Jinzhu's eyes reddened, and she knelt on the ground with her lips pursed.

"Your Highness! Jinzhu is clumsy, she can't do anything, she can't help you with anything!"

Cao Yuan also knelt down and hugged her. Holding Jinzhu with heartache, Cao Yuan choked up and said, her voice full of regret and self-blame, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Jinzhu, you're not stupid. It's all my fault. It's all my fault that General Liu is like this. It's all my fault. Jinzhu, don't blame me. You're all I have left."

"Your Highness, please don't leave Jinzhu alone again! Why did you go to Chen Kingdom and send us all away? Why did you leave me alone!"

"Your Highness never intended to come back alive, did you! Your Highness was so cruel to me!"

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to avenge General Liu, I didn't think that much!" Cao Yuan cried loudly, tears streaming down her neck, and the two of them leaned on each other and wept bitterly.

Cao Yuan gently touched Jinzhu's face and wiped away her tears. "Jinzhu, I promise I won't do that again! I won't make you worry anymore!"

It definitely won't happen again.

-

The very next day, Fan Qingli suddenly returned to Liucheng with Cen Yin.

"Your Highness! Lord Fan is back!" Jinzhu shouted loudly from outside the door.

When Cao Yuan came out of the house, she was utterly astonished to see Fan Qingli and Fan Qingli holding hands.

"You! What's going on with you?!" Cao Yuan exclaimed in surprise.

"Your Highness! You're back!" Fan Qingli ran up to Cao Yuan and looked him over carefully. "That's wonderful, Your Highness, you're alright!"

Fan Qingli and Cen Yin exchanged a smile.

Cen Yin's face was flushed, and she looked every bit the part of a young woman. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that something had changed in their relationship.

"Come here!" Cao Yuan grabbed Fan Qingli and pulled her aside.

"What exactly happened between you two? Fan Qingli said you were missing, but it turns out you went out for a secret rendezvous with Cen Yin?"

"Your Highness, none of that matters anymore! It's good that you're back!"

"Fan Qingli, you're hopeless! How could you go and mess around with women again at this critical juncture!" Cao Yuan frowned, thinking of Luo Xuemei, and felt even more sorry for her.

"Your Highness! We are truly in love! My heart belongs to A-Yin!"

"Then, what about the two in your household? You're not going to bring her into the household, are you? Minister Fan certainly wouldn't agree to her background, would he?"

“A-Yin doesn’t care about her reputation! We’ve all discussed it! Your Highness doesn’t need to worry about it!” Fan Qingli said with a smile.

"Fan Qingli, you're having a good time, but have you ever thought about Luo Xuemei's feelings!"

"What's wrong with Mei'er?"

"Go ask that person in the backyard yourself!" Cao Yuan didn't want to talk to him anymore.

"backyard?"

Just as Fan Qingli was wondering what was going on, Xue Xiqiong suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"Qing Li!"

Xue Xiqiong ran out and rushed towards him, "Qingli, you're finally back! Everyone said you were missing, do you know how worried I was about you?"

Fan Qingli looked as if he had seen a ghost. He guiltily shook her off and looked at Cen Yin not far away.

Cen Yin stared blankly at them, her expression calm, revealing nothing of her inner emotions.

"Qingli, aren't you happy that I'm here?"

"Who is she? Why are you looking at her?" Xue Xiqiong asked directly, her gaze shifting from Fan Qingli to Cen Yin.