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

“Princess, have you forgotten? The plum trees here were planted by you and the Crown Prince when you came to the Imperial Mausoleum to pay homage to the founding emperor when you were children,” said Granny Wang.

"But you were only four or five years old then, so it's normal that you don't remember."

Upon hearing Wang Mama's mention, she seemed to remember that when her mother was alive, she had planted trees with the Crown Prince, but she was too young at the time to remember what they were.

Cao Yuan suddenly stood up, anxiously grabbing Wang Mama's arm, "Where's the plum tree! Take us there quickly!"

The group hurried and anxiously made their way towards the back of the mountain.

Just then, the previously silent environment suddenly became strange. A black figure slowly emerged from the shadows like a ghost. The figure was shrouded in a thin layer of black mist, making its true appearance impossible to discern.

One of them said in a low voice, "Quickly inform the Second Prince that the situation here has changed!"

The other person quickly replied, "Yes!"

After saying that, he turned around and quickly disappeared into the night.

On the back hill, there stands an enormous plum tree.

In the midst of vibrant spring, this plum tree doesn't seem to be in a hurry to display its full beauty. Upon closer inspection, one can find only a few delicate flower buds shyly hiding on the branches.

A gentle breeze blows, and the flower buds sway softly, as if whispering to the spring breeze or playfully teasing each other. Although the plum blossoms are not yet in full bloom, these few buds alone are enough to convey the vitality poised to burst forth and the anticipated beauty.

This is also why the late empress liked it.

Cao Yuan stepped forward and touched the plum tree that had grown into a large tree. So many years had passed; the sapling had grown into a big tree.

"Princess, why are you looking for the plum tree? What should we do next?" Bai Lu asked as she stepped forward.

The mountains and rivers are shattered, the phoenix is ​​above, and the plum blossoms fall at the foot of the setting sun.

Cao Yuan looked up at the sky. It was sunset, and the plum tree's graceful silhouette resembled a beautiful young woman, quietly nestled in the embrace of the withered tree in the southeast.

Sunset!

Right now!

Cao Yuan circled the plum tree once. As the setting sun cast its shadow, the plum tree's shadow fell directly onto a withered tree not far away.

Could it be on this tree?

Cao Yuan walked straight to the dead tree, and after groping around for a while, she bent down and found a spot that was a different color from the rest of the trunk, but it didn't seem to be.

Childhood memories flooded her mind.

Little Cao Yuan squatted in front of the tree with the hole in it.

"Yuan'er, why are you here all by yourself?" The emperor squatted down in front of little Cao Yuan.

"Father! My elder brother just smashed a hole in this tree, and I want to fix it!"

"Alright! Father, shall we finish it together?"

Xiao Cao Yuan nodded.

This was something she and her father had done together, but Cao Yuan had long forgotten about it. She never expected that the emperor would remember such a small thing.

Cao Yuan picked up a rock and smashed it against the tree trunk, reaching her hand into the hollow of the tree as if searching for a mysterious treasure. The two people beside her felt their hearts were in their throats, so tense they were almost jumping out of their chests.

Cao Yuan reached all the way in, then was startled and reached her hand out from inside.

"It's a tiger tally! It really is a tiger tally!" Cao Yuan opened the box and saw that there was half a tiger tally inside.

My father actually gave me this half of the tiger tally back when he went to war!

"I found White Dew..."

Cao Yuan was startled and abruptly stood up. Just then, a series of rapid and heavy footsteps rang out like thunder, instantly shattering the surrounding tranquility.

Before she could react, a group of heavily armored soldiers wielding sharp blades surged toward her like a tide and surrounded her tightly.

Cao Yuan noticed that Granny Wang and Bai Lu had also been subdued by the sudden arrival of the soldiers, each with a gleaming broadsword pressed against their necks. The cold blades pressed against their delicate skin, as if a slight misstep could sever their arteries, sending chills down one's spine.

"Princess..." Bai Lu's voice trembled violently, her once delicate face now deathly pale with extreme fear. Her eyes were filled with helplessness and despair.

"I thought I was mistaken, but it really is the Fourth Princess."

Cao Ji stepped out from among the soldiers.

"Long time no see, Fourth Princess. How have you been in Shu?"

Cao Yuan gripped the tiger tally tightly. She knew she was outnumbered, so she pretended to be calm and said with a smile, "Second brother, it's been so long since we last met. You didn't have to make such a big fuss to pick me up."

"Alright! Fourth Princess, your brother won't reminisce with you anymore, just give it to me!"

Cao Yuan pretended not to know anything, "What?"

"Fourth Imperial Sister, do I need to explain myself clearly when I see someone so clever? Do you think she can deliver the letter to Shu Kingdom smoothly?" Cao Ji looked at Bai Lu smugly.

Cao Yuan gritted her teeth, "So this was also part of your plan."

"So you just wanted to lure me into finding the Tiger Tally for you? Second Brother only has half a Tiger Tally, why all this fuss!"

"In a few years, this throne will be yours sooner or later! Why bother?"

"Naturally, it's for the sake of the Great Wei's empire! Hand over the Tiger Tally and I'll release them immediately! Otherwise, you know..."

Bai Lu exclaimed excitedly, "The princess cannot give it to her! Giving it to such a wicked person would be tantamount to aiding and abetting evil!"

"Fourth Princess, you'd better think this through. Two lives for half a tiger tally, oh wait, there are three more people in the inn."

"Cao Ji, that's my elder sister. She's also your younger sister. How dare you threaten me with their lives?"

Cao Yuan's lips trembled with anger.

"Fine! It's just half a tiger tally, I'll give it to you."

Cao Ji's men came over to take the tiger tally, but Cao Yuan raised her head, unwilling to give it to him.

"Second brother, you won't release the person, you just want to take my tiger tally, are you afraid you can't beat me?"

Cao Ji waved his hand, and the knives on Bai Lu and the others' necks were lowered.

Cao Ji walked up to Cao Yuan and held out his hand to her, "Royal sister, leave her to me!"

Cao Yuan reluctantly handed the wooden box to him.

Cao Ji opened it, checked it, and, after confirming there was no problem, immediately withdrew his troops.

Before leaving, Cao Ji said to Cao Yuan, "Now that you're back, go back to the princess's residence! You have nothing to do with the Xue family anymore."

He then sent several men to escort Cao Yuan and the others back to their residence.

On the carriage, Bai Lu blamed herself the whole way, "I'm sorry, Princess, it's all my fault! I didn't know this was the Second Prince's scheme!"

"It's my own fault for being careless! I should have realized that things wouldn't be that simple."

"What should we do next? Should we let Xuanfeng steal it?"

"Do you think something as important as the Tiger Tally could be stolen so easily? I want to go to the palace to see my father."