The mistress has no feelings, why do you provoke her?

Xiao Ji nodded slowly: "My intelligence network will not make mistakes."

He pulled a cloth bag from his pocket, which was covered with mottled bloodstains.

The cloth bag was opened layer by layer, revealing a small wooden figure inside.

His voice was hoarse as he said, "This puppet was kept close to Bai Shu's body. When his remains were found, they had been trampled beyond recognition by horses, but this little puppet was still lying under him..."

Xiao Ji couldn't continue talking about the cruelty of the battlefield.

Song Wenjun felt her eyes burning and silently shed tears.

This little wooden puppet is clearly modeled after Xiao Nanzhi.

"What should we do about Mingyue?" Song Wenjun was most worried about Xiao Nanzhi.

She had liked Bai Shu since she was a child and wanted to marry him.

If she knew that Bai Shu had died in battle, how could she go on living?

Xiao Ji wiped his face, and after a long while, he said, suppressing his emotions, "Mingyue can't know about Bai Shu's matter. Let's keep it a secret for now."

“But there are no secrets that stay hidden forever.” Song Wenjun frowned.

"Keep it a secret as long as possible." Xiao Ji's voice was somewhat hoarse: "If Mingyue knew that Bai Shu was dead, I'm afraid she wouldn't live on alone."

Song Wenjun nodded: "This is the only way for now."

The two lay in bed, but neither of them felt sleepy.

Song Wenjun had never seen Xiao Ji so depressed; Bai Shu's death was a pain in his heart.

Those were his brothers who had risked their lives for him.

For two days in a row, Xiao Ji did not eat a single grain of rice.

Song Wenjun knew he couldn't eat, so she stopped sending food in.

She gave Xiao Ji some space to be alone, allowing him to release his stress.

Only when he figures things out can he let go of the burden in his heart.

Before they knew it, it was the 8th, the day Xiao Tao and Qin Qing were to get married.

Song Wenjun saw the two off into the bridal sedan chair, just like watching her own sister get married.

Before leaving, the two knelt at Song Wenjun's feet and kowtowed to her.

With tears in her eyes, Song Wenjun helped the two women up and personally saw them off from the palace.

Song Wenjun remained in a daze until the bridal sedan chair had gone quite a distance.

She thought of Bai Shu's death.

Now that Qin Qing and Xiao Tao are married, she has no one by her side anymore.

When Xiao Tao got married, Song Wenjun had already returned her indenture to her.

She gave each of them eighteen shops and three estates as dowry.

Song Wenjun was content as long as they were doing well.

I feel happy inside, but why do I feel so empty?

Returning to the Prince's residence, Song Wenjun felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on her heart.

She sat in the chair, lost in thought. After what seemed like an eternity, she called out to someone, "Xiao Tao."

The one who came in was a maid with an unfamiliar face.

Only then did Song Wenjun remember that Xiao Tao had gotten married.

This maid was newly promoted; her name was Zhishu.

"Your Highness, this servant is here to serve you."

Zhi Shu and Xiao Tao were not as carefree. Zhi Shu had a pointed face and looked timid when she looked at people.

Seeing how timid she was, Song Wenjun smiled and said, "It's nothing, you can go now."

"Yes." Zhi Shu glanced at Song Wenjun cautiously and then withdrew.

When Madam Xu came in and saw Song Wenjun like this, she couldn't help but sigh: "Your Highness, it's a good thing that Miss Xiaotao is getting married, why are you still worried?"

Song Wenjun came back to her senses, smiled slowly, and said, "Yes, I am happy that she got married. She will no longer have to serve others and will be the lady of the house. But my heart feels empty, and I can't be happy at all."

Madam Xu smiled and said, "Your Highness truly treats Xiao Tao like a younger sister. You two have spent so much time together, of course you'll miss her."

"Mother, it's not like Xiao Tao isn't coming back. You can see her anytime you want." This little rascal Yan Yan knew that Song Wenjun was in a bad mood, so she pressed her fair little face against Song Wenjun's hand.

Looking at her chubby son, Song Wenjun finally perked up: "Yan Yan, shall we go see your father?"

Life goes on, and he can't stay depressed forever.

Two or three days is enough time for Xiao Ji to figure things out.

Yan Yan nodded obediently: "Okay, I want to go see Father."

Song Wenjun took his little hand and was about to walk out, but she stopped just as she stood up.

At the door, Xiao Ji appeared before her, looking refreshed.

He took a bath and shaved, and returned to his former radiant self as the King of Chu.

Upon seeing Song Wenjun, Xiao Ji smiled at her, revealing his teeth: "I'm sorry to have worried you."

Song Wenjun nodded slowly, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

It would be best if he could get back on his feet.

Xiao Ji held Yan Yan in his arms and kissed him deeply on the cheek: "Son, did you miss your father?"

The little guy turned his head away and snorted, "Father, how could you leave Mother alone?"

Xiao Ji was stunned, seemingly not expecting that such a young child as Yan Yan could say such a thing.

He felt a pang of guilt, and his eyes were filled with remorse as he looked at Song Wenjun.

Yes, he was so preoccupied with his own grief that he forgot Song Wenjun was pregnant.

She must have been very tired these days, busy with wedding arrangements for both families.

He was too selfish.

Xiao Ji said apologetically, "It won't happen again."

He reached out and hugged Song Wenjun. Song Wenjun could clearly feel that he had lost weight.

The muscles that used to be so strong disappeared in just two or three days.

It is said that men do not shed tears, but that is because they have not yet reached the point of heartbreak.

Bai Shu's death was a huge blow to him.

On the other side, the Prince's Mansion.

Xiao Yin had never been so excited as he was today: "Dead, really dead?"

He checked repeatedly, unable to believe that Bai Shu had died like that.

The guard said decisively, "He is indeed dead. I heard that his body was never found. His Highness Prince Chu locked himself in his room for two days and two nights. When he came out, he had lost a lot of weight. Everyone in the manor saw that."

"Good, good, good riddance..." Xiao Yin was so happy he didn't know what to say.

Bai Zhu is dead; this is a golden opportunity.

He stood up and strode out: "I need to go into the palace to tell Mingyue this good news."

Wasn't Xiao Nanzhi closest to Xiao Ji?

He wanted to see if Xiao Nanzhi would still call him Brother Xiao Ji affectionately if she knew that Xiao Ji had killed Bai Shu.

Xiao Yin rushed straight to the palace, and coincidentally, Xiao Nanzhi was strolling in the Imperial Garden.

When she saw him coming, she turned and left.

"Sister Mingyue." Xiao Yin caught up with her and blocked her way: "Why did you leave as soon as you saw me?"

Xiao Nanzhi looked at him with disgust and reluctantly bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Oh, there's no need for such formalities between us." After saying that, Xiao Yin sighed, feigning difficulty, and said insincerely, "Sister Nanzhi, please take care of yourself..."

Xiao Nanzhi had never liked him, and when she heard Xiao Yin tell her to take care of herself, she frowned and asked, "Your Highness, what do you mean by that?"