In the Imperial Study, Murong Yan had been reviewing memorials all afternoon and was growing weary. He set his vermilion brush upon the desk and massaged his temples with both hands. Wang Yunzhao quickly spoke up, "Consort Xian has just sent word from Linhwa Palace; she has prepared some soup. Would Your Majesty like the Lady to come and help ease your fatigue?"
Murong Yan replied, "Her coming would only add to the clutter. What fatigue could she possibly ease?"
Wang Yunzhao fell silent. Murong Yan looked at him and asked, "Has no one come from Nanqing Palace?"
"General Zuo is looking after the Third Prince," Wang Yunzhao said. "I fear she has little time to spare."
"Biyao is also looking after Ze’er," Murong Yan countered. "How is it she finds the time?"
Wang Yunzhao smiled. "The Third Prince is still small, after all. There is much to attend to."
Murong Yan chuckled. "You always have an excuse for her."
"This servant shall go and summon the General at once," Wang Yunzhao offered.
"No need," Murong Yan said. "If she is unwilling to come, a summons would only yield false sentiment and perfunctory politeness." Wang Yunzhao glanced at him, and Murong Yan continued, "When she spoke to me in the past, she was never like this—looking into my eyes with such tender affection."
Wang Yunzhao sighed and finally said, "The General is a warrior; it is inevitable she would be somewhat blunt. Perhaps she feels that to survive in the palace, she must act more like a delicate lady to please Your Majesty."
Murong Yan hummed in agreement. "Actually, watching her for a while, I find it quite amusing. I want to see what idea she’ll come up with next to keep me in her palace—even if she has to use Ke Qing, or Zhi Tong, or any random thing."
Wang Yunzhao remarked, "Though the General appears submissive, she is actually quite fierce at heart. Your Majesty... perhaps it is best to keep your playfulness within limits." Murong Yan looked up and stared at him, so Wang Yunzhao quickly added with a smile, "Lest she takes it to heart."
Murong Yan resumed his writing. "If no one from Nanqing Palace arrives after the hour of the Rooster, I shall go to Linhwa Palace."
Wang Yunzhao acknowledged the order.
In Linhwa Palace, Jiang Biyao had Ke Qing hold a candelabra for her. As the candles burned, the wax dripped onto Ke Qing’s hand. Biyao acted as if she didn't see it. When the time was nearly right, she asked a maid, "Is His Majesty coming?"
The maid confirmed and sent someone to the Imperial Study to urge him along. Only then did Biyao turn to Ke Qing. "It is getting late; Sister Qing must be tired. You may return now. Tomorrow, after paying respects to the Queen, come back to Linhwa Palace to keep me company."
Ke Qing fought back tears, bowed to her, and slowly walked out of Linhwa Palace.
Just as she stepped outside, she encountered Queen Jiang Bilan. Ke Qing hurried to pay her respects. Jiang Bilan walked a circle around her and said, "Rise. Though your rank is not high, it is rare for someone to catch His Majesty’s eye. We are sisters, after all."
Ke Qing rose slowly. Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, Jiang Bilan asked, "Did she give you a hard time again?"
Ke Qing curtsied and replied, "No, Your Majesty." She was not a fool; she knew the Queen and Consort Xian were biological sisters. Would the Queen truly help her?
But Jiang Bilan did not let it go. She asked, "You have been going to Linhwa Palace often these days. Have you seen my Ze’er?"
Ke Qing replied, "I have seen him a few times. Consort Xian treats the First Prince as her own. Please rest easy, Your Majesty."
Jiang Bilan said, "She has no children of her own and wishes to win His Majesty’s favor, so of course she would treat Ze’er as her own. But do I not know her? Since childhood, her ambitions have reached the heavens, and she is as venomous as they come. Once she has her own flesh and blood, Ze’er’s life will become unbearable."
Ke Qing was startled, not understanding why the Queen was suddenly telling her this.
Jiang Bilan glanced at her, tucking her fair hands into her sleeves and clutching an exquisite hand-warmer. "Sister Ke Qing, living like this every day is no solution. Have you never thought of escaping this predicament?"
Ke Qing instinctively took a step back and whispered, "This servant... this servant does not understand Your Majesty’s meaning."
Jiang Bilan said, "Do one thing for me. Once it is done, I can protect you and ensure you are no longer bullied."
Ke Qing bit her lip hard, clearly skeptical. Jiang Bilan laughed. "Do you not trust me because I currently lack His Majesty’s favor?"
Ke Qing hurriedly said, "I wouldn't dare, but... but Consort Xian is currently in high favor. If I were to offend her in the slightest, how could I survive?"
Jiang Bilan smiled. "Do you think you can survive in your current situation?" Ke Qing froze. Jiang Bilan continued, "Sister, you must look to the future. Zuo Canglang recommended you to His Majesty, and His Majesty accepted; there must be a reason. Right now you are alone, and she already treats you this way. If you were to become pregnant in the future, would there be any path left for you to live? And if you remain childless forever, when will these days ever end?"
These words struck Ke Qing’s heart with unerring precision. Indeed, given Jiang Biyao’s personality, if she truly became pregnant, how could Biyao tolerate it?
Zuo Canglang had said beforehand that she would not protect her. Even if Ke Qing wanted to keep to herself and be a dutiful concubine, it was impossible. She bit her lip. Jiang Bilan said, "Think it over. Whenever you feel it is feasible, come to Qifeng Palace to find me."
With that, she prepared to walk into the palace. Ke Qing chased after her for a few steps and asked, "Your Majesty... what do you intend for me to do?"
Jiang Bilan said softly, "That’s more like it." She pulled a packet of transparent fragrant powder from her sleeve and handed it to her. "Sprinkle this into the water when she bathes."
Ke Qing’s face turned pale. "Your Majesty, when Consort Xian bathes, several maids attend to her. How could I possibly..."
Jiang Bilan said, "Are you not one of them? She has always been proud of her beauty; has she not made you attend her bath?"
Ke Qing said, "She has, but..."
Jiang Bilan said, "Silly sister, do you think this is some poison that rots the gut? Rest assured, this medicine leaves no trace in water and is not a lethal poison. It will not implicate you."
Ke Qing clutched the packet of powder. Jiang Bilan added, "Think carefully. After being bullied and humiliated by her all these days, do you not wish for revenge?"
Ke Qing pressed her lips together and said, "This servant is willing to follow Your Majesty’s commands."
Jiang Bilan finally nodded. "That’s right. Go now."
The next day, when Ke Qing went to Linhwa Palace again, she truly added the powder to Jiang Biyao’s bathwater. She had once poisoned Zuo Canglang’s soup, and back then she had been incredibly nervous. Now, though she was still afraid, she felt more of a bone-deep hatred.
Jiang Bilan had not lied; the powder truly left no trace in the water. After bathing, Jiang Biyao showed no signs of discomfort. The heart Ke Qing had been holding in her throat slowly settled.
From then on, every time Jiang Biyao summoned her, she would sprinkle the powder into the bathwater. Thus, whenever Jiang Biyao tormented her, she felt a sense of inner satisfaction—she had guessed a few possibilities as to what the powder was for.
Jiang Bilan surely did not want her own sister to become pregnant, did she?
Murong Yan stayed at Linhwa Palace for the next half-month. During that time, Nanqing Palace never sent anyone to invite him. At the end of the twelfth lunar month, Yuan Xi, Wang Nan, Xu Lang, and others returned to Jinyang to report on their duties. Murong Yan held a grand banquet for the officials at Mingyue Terrace.
When the Master of Ceremonies arranged the seating, because Zuo Canglang held no formal title in the harem, she was seated according to her former rank as General of the Guard.
At the banquet, Murong Yan looked to his sides; on one side was Queen Jiang Bilan, and on the other was Consort Xian, Jiang Biyao. He frowned slightly when he saw Zuo Canglang sitting next to Zhou Xin, surrounded by Yuan Xi, Zhuge Jin, Zheng Chu, and others.
Zuo Canglang seemed unbothered, lowering her head to laugh and talk with Yuan Xi. Yuan Xi, who usually had the loudest voice, leaned in to listen and occasionally spoke to her in a soft tone, the two of them appearing to be in high spirits.
Murong Yan found the sight an eyesore. For some reason, with beauties like Jiang Bilan and Jiang Biyao, who were of national grace and divine fragrance, he was perfectly happy to have them accompany him in full regalia, allowing his officials and envoys to admire their city-toppling beauty.
But for someone like Zuo Canglang, whose looks were ordinary, he was unwilling to let others share even two cups of wine with her. There is a type of beauty that is like a garden in full bloom, to be admired by all. And then there is a type of person one wishes to lock away behind closed doors, lighting a lamp only for oneself, lest another person catches even a glimpse.
Zuo Canglang, however, seemed not to notice his gaze. After talking with Yuan Xi for a while, she turned to whisper to Zhou Xin, "I heard you got married? Such a big event, why didn't you hold the ceremony in Jinyang?"
Zhou Xin replied, "After the Battle of Yishui, we had to prepare for the campaign against Guzhu. We’ve been preparing for war ever since; where would I find the time for a grand wedding? I just had a few drinks with the brothers in camp. But since I’m back and everyone is here, I’ll definitely have to host a proper feast."
Zuo Canglang thought seriously for a moment and said, "Can I skip the wedding gift?"
Zhou Xin looked stunned, then said, "His Majesty will surely make up for it on your behalf, right?"
The two looked at each other and laughed. Zuo Canglang sighed with emotion. "If only Feiyan had better taste back then. If she had married you, she would be the Grand Marshal’s wife by now."
At the mention of the past, Zhou Xin sighed. "How could I have such fortune?"
Zuo Canglang nodded. "A person as free-spirited as her... how could she ever take a liking to a court official?"
Zhou Xin said, "Actually, I’ve always wanted to ask you—do you hold a grudge against His Majesty because of that matter?"
Zuo Canglang turned to look at him. "Why would Grand Marshal Zhou think that?"
Zhou Xin said, "A-Zuo, he has his difficulties. He is a monarch. To him, personal feelings must ultimately yield to the state. Even if you and Feiyan were close, you must... try to see things from his perspective."
Zuo Canglang said, "I know."
Zhou Xin hesitated slightly but finally said, "It is truly good that you have returned. If things continue like this, even if the court isn't filled entirely with loyal subjects, the vast lands of Great Yan can still be considered peaceful and prosperous."
Zuo Canglang understood his stance then. He was a man left to Murong Yan by Consort Jie. Even though he knew the layout of the court and the character of men like Jiang Sanyi, his absolute loyalty was to Murong Yan first, and the lands of Great Yan second.
This was precisely why Murong Yan could feel at ease placing the position of Grand Marshal in his hands.
The two spoke for a while. Bi Chengjing and others toasted Murong Yan. Taking advantage of the festive mood, Murong Yan named Jiang Bilan’s second prince Murong Dui. Now that the harem had added three princes, the foundation of the state seemed secure. The officials naturally rose to offer their congratulations.
Daxi Qin happened to be sitting opposite Zuo Canglang. His gaze swept over her intentionally or otherwise, and Zuo Canglang raised her cup to toast him from afar. He returned the gesture, and the two shared a drink. Beside her, Wang Nan said, "General, His Majesty plans to attack Guzhu next year. Will you not request to lead the vanguard?"
Zuo Canglang held out her hand, showing him the balsam nail polish that Weiwei had insisted on applying to her fingers. She said, "Look at me now. Can I still fight?"
Wang Nan started to speak but stopped. Even Yuan Xi lowered his eyes, unable to hide the sorrow in his gaze.
Zuo Canglang, however, didn't seem to mind. She rose and shared a cup with Bi Chengjing and the others, then turned to drink with Xu Lang and his group. Xu Lang pointed to his own face and said, "General, look at my face. Does it look a bit different than before?"
Zuo Canglang studied his face carefully, then patted his shoulder. "Don't be sad. What’s a grown man doing worrying about his face? Are you planning to change careers and become a famous courtesan?" Xu Lang looked indignant, and the surrounding generals burst into laughter.
Jiang Biyao poured wine for Murong Yan and said, "This is the first New Year I have spent by Your Majesty’s side. I hope that in every New Year to come, I can remain by your side."
Murong Yan raised his cup, but his gaze drifted toward the officials. Jiang Biyao noticed and glanced at Jiang Bilan. But the Queen seemed completely oblivious, merely enjoying the music and dance in the hall.
After the banquet ended, Zuo Canglang was a bit drunk. Murong Yan reached out to support her, almost half-embracing her as they walked down from Mingyue Terrace. It was near evening, and the wind was biting. Stepping out from the warm pavilion, the cold was enough to make one shiver. Murong Yan unfastened his cloak and draped it over her. "There was no need to drink until you were senseless just because you saw old acquaintances, was there?"
Zuo Canglang’s face was flushed with wine. Hearing this, she glanced at him, seemingly not understanding his meaning. Murong Yan huffed. On the surface, he maintained the solemn and gentle expression of an emperor, but his voice was low. What looked like ordinary concern was actually cold sarcasm: "No wonder General Zuo wanted to stay far from Jinyang to guard a desolate border city back then. It seems the men in the army truly made the General linger and forget to return."
Jiang Biyao was shocked. This was the first time she had heard Murong Yan speak to Zuo Canglang like this. This wasn't how an emperor spoke to a consort; it was purely the jealous bickering of young lovers!
Zuo Canglang leaned against Murong Yan for support. Hearing his words, she tilted her face up and said, "Even if they were all added together, they would not equal Your Majesty’s singular valor."
Murong Yan seemed choked by her words, his face a mix of conflicting expressions—both angry and amused. After a long moment, he whispered in her ear, "Since I possess the valor of ten thousand men, why have you preferred to live in solitude for the past half-month?"
Zuo Canglang said with a serious face, "Though Your Majesty has the valor of ten thousand men, those ten thousand men have their own unique charms after all..."
Murong Yan was left speechless. Her face was flushed like clouds at dawn, and her lips were as red and moist as ripe fruit. Murong Yan suddenly felt an urge to pin her down right there on the steps. His hand reached through the black mink fur to tightly clasp her fingers, almost forcibly pulling her into his embrace.
Jiang Biyao followed behind Jiang Bilan, whispering hatefully, "Did you hear what that slut said to His Majesty?"
Jiang Bilan smiled and said, "Vaguely."
Jiang Biyao said, "To say such shameless things... she actually has the nerve to say them out loud to flirt with His Majesty!"
Jiang Bilan said, "Perhaps that is exactly what His Majesty likes?"
Jiang Biyao knew she couldn't let her true feelings show in public, so she kept a smile on her face, but her voice was gritted through her teeth. "Now that she has no military power and is no longer part of the Wen family, why does His Majesty still indulge her so much?"
Jiang Bilan said, "Is that not a question a favored consort like you should be pondering?"
She intentionally emphasized the word "favored." Jiang Biyao was disgruntled but spoke to her no further.
Murong Yan escorted Zuo Canglang back to Nanqing Palace. He carried her into the inner chamber and waved his hand to dismiss the servants. As he was unfastening his robe, Zuo Canglang said, "Have the Imperial Kitchen send over some deer antler tonic tonight."
Murong Yan was puzzled. "What?"
Zuo Canglang gripped the lapels of his robe. "Ke Qing is not yet pregnant. Your Majesty’s 'valor of ten thousand men' seems a bit exaggerated. It seems you need a supplement."
Murong Yan was furious. He pushed her away, threw on his clothes, and went straight to Ke Qing’s side hall.
The next day, a strange illness appeared on the banks of the Yishui River. Those afflicted became manic, feared light and water, and would suddenly attack and bite people. The strange illness spread very quickly; in just a few days, over a dozen villagers had been bitten and infected.
When Murong Yan received the report, he did not take it lightly and immediately ordered Yang Lianting to send people.
Yang Lianting sent two groups of physicians, but the illness was not contained at all. On the contrary, the patients died very quickly after the onset of symptoms, leaving no time for study or observation. Seeing that half the village was infected, government troops surrounded the area, and the villagers could not escape even if they wanted to.
Yang Lianting had no choice but to go personally, taking Jiang Xing with him. Before they left, A-Fei was very worried. "Lianting, let me go with you."
Yang Lianting gently stroked her hair and shook his head. "Mount Gushe needs you to oversee it. Don't run around; I’ll be back soon."
A-Fei hesitated. Yang Lianting said, "This is not the first time I’ve encountered such an epidemic. Rest easy."
A-Fei said no more. The Baiyu Sect was already a thorn in Murong Yan’s side; they needed such an opportunity to earn merit, or rather, to demonstrate the importance of their existence. She knew this.
Yang Lianting said nothing more and took Jiang Xing to the village by the Yishui River. The soldiers had surrounded the place from a distance. The once prosperous small town was now mostly empty.
From time to time, one could see villagers with blood-red eyes tied to trees. They let out muffled, indistinct roars, and these people would die within a few days.
Yang Lianting examined the patients carefully, but before he could reach any conclusion, villagers from outside the village also fell ill. No one knew how it was spreading, but if it continued, it would soon become a terrible catastrophe.
Jiang Xing followed him around and said, "Time is short. The old rules?"
Yang Lianting hummed in affirmation. Jiang Xing didn't waste any time and ordered his medical apprentices to untie an infected villager from a tree. The villager struggled violently. Jiang Xing stepped forward and snapped the man's arms.
Yang Lianting frowned slightly. "Jiang Xing."
Jiang Xing said, "He’s a dead man anyway. We don't know if a scratch will spread the infection, so don't go showing off your merciful heart right now."
Yang Lianting said nothing. Several apprentices dragged the villager, whose face was twisted in pain, and gagged him with a wooden bit before carrying him into an abandoned house. An apprentice took a knife from a box and respectfully handed it to Yang Lianting.
Yang Lianting took it and looked at the villager whose limbs were firmly tied to the bed. The boy was about seventeen, still very young. Yang Lianting put on a medicinal mask and donned protective clothing to prevent blood from splashing onto him. The knife in his hand began to slowly cut into the boy's chest.
On the internal organs of several patients, small thorn-like protrusions could be seen. What was this? Yang Lianting and Jiang Xing exchanged a look. Jiang Xing said, "I’ll have someone check the ancient texts."
Yang Lianting agreed, but the search took over a month.
They performed vivisections on eighteen infected villagers, yet there was no progress on the epidemic. Among them, they discovered some villagers who had been bitten but did not fall ill. Jiang Xing simply vivisected two of the uninfected villagers as well.
The two were observing their blood vessels and organs when suddenly someone outside called out loudly, "Yang Lianting!"
Yang Lianting’s body stiffened. He immediately turned to block the person on the bed who had been cut open. "Why are you here?!"
His voice was somewhat stern. A-Fei froze. "There’s been no news from you for so many days. I was worried."
Yang Lianting realized he had lost his composure. "Go outside first. I’ll come out once I’ve finished here."
Seeing his displeasure, A-Fei didn't dare say more. She was about to turn away when the person on the bed twitched slightly. A-Fei thought she had misseen, but Yang Lianting’s expression at that moment was truly suspicious!
She strode forward, and even Jiang Xing couldn't stop her.
The person on the bed had their internal organs exposed for all to see. Yet he had not expired; there was still a faint breath!
A-Fei’s scalp tightened, and her face slowly turned deathly pale. Yang Lianting said, "They..."
Before he could finish, A-Fei said, "You are vivisecting living people."
Beside them, Jiang Xing said, "They are all sick. You know this illness; once you catch it, you’ll die in a few days anyway. We are just..."
A-Fei snapped, "Shut up!" She pointed to the person on the bed and asked, "Is he a patient?! Tell me, will he die in a few days?" She was also a healer; she had seen many infected people along the way and couldn't possibly not know if this person was healthy.
Jiang Xing fell silent. A-Fei said, "When Nie Shan told me you were Murong Yan’s man, I didn't believe him. But today I finally know—you are just like your master, a demon!"
Yang Lianting lowered his head and saw his hands covered in blood. He said, "Perhaps."
A-Fei’s eyes filled with tears. All the things she had been unwilling and afraid to think deeply about could finally be considered. Murong Yan had plotted to have Mu Qingxie killed by Murong Yuan, and Yang Lianting had been the most important thread in that scheme.
When he first came to Mount Gushe, every bone in his body had been broken. Her months of meticulous care, which she thought was the warmest companionship, had been a deception from the very beginning.
She asked, "You killed Nie Shan, didn't you?"
Yang Lianting said, "Yes." He wanted to take the position of Sect Leader, and Nie Shan was the biggest obstacle. Although he hadn't given the order himself, he understood perfectly well why that man had died.
A-Fei said, "Why did I ever invite you to the mountain for the medical assembly?" Tears flowed down her smooth cheeks, filled with endless regret. "Why did I save you and bring you up the mountain?"
Yang Lianting did not look back, standing straight until the girl behind him left in despair. Jiang Xing said, "Should you go after her?"
Yang Lianting shook his head. After a long while, he picked up the knife again and said, "Continue."
Jiang Xing walked over and suddenly asked, "If the one who discovered us just now wasn't A-Fei, but Zuo Canglang, what would you have done?" Yang Lianting paused. Jiang Xing said, "You... you are someone who can't even see through your own heart."
Yang Lianting said, "I regard her as family."
Jiang Xing said, "Just family?"
Yang Lianting said, "The closest of kin."
Jiang Xing hummed and spoke no more.
Another month passed, and Yang Lianting and Jiang Xing finally identified the source of the illness. Villagers had cooked and eaten infected dogs, catching the strange disease. But there was no medicine to treat it, so all infected villagers were burned. Furthermore, any sick dogs found were slaughtered to prevent further spread.
Jiang Xing was quite interested. "I believe those who were bitten but did not fall ill are more worthy of study."
Yang Lianting said, "Don't do anything reckless."
Jiang Xing said, "Perhaps their bodies contain something that suppresses this strange illness."
Yang Lianting asked, "What thing?"
Jiang Xing said, "I don't know. Have you ever heard that anyone who recovers from smallpox will never catch it again?" Yang Lianting was shocked. Jiang Xing leaned in close to him. "Do you dare to try?"
Yang Lianting said, "I am not as mad as you!"
Jiang Xing laughed loudly.
When the memorial was submitted, Murong Yan was satisfied. Although there was no cure, how could every strange illness in the world be cured? As long as it was contained and didn't spread, it was fine. He immediately bestowed grand rewards upon the Baiyu Sect.
When Yang Lianting entered the palace to give thanks, A-Fei did not go. Murong Yan looked him up and down and asked, "I am rewarding the Baiyu Sect, so why is the Saintess not here?"
Yang Lianting quickly said, "A-Fei is unwell and cannot come for the time being. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness."
"Unwell?" Murong Yan sneered. "You certainly know how to cover for her."
Yang Lianting lowered his head. Murong Yan said, "What, is she still brooding over Mu Qingxie’s death?"
Cold sweat slowly broke out on Yang Lianting’s palms; he vaguely understood the meaning behind those words. He said, "There are not many of the original Baiyu clansmen left now. They are powerless; aside from practicing medicine to help the world, they can do nothing else. Please rest easy, Your Majesty."
Murong Yan snorted. "If that weren't the case, would I have let them live until now?" Yang Lianting touched his forehead to the ground. "Your Majesty is wise."
Murong Yan said, "In any case, the Baiyu Sect has been mostly assimilated by my Yan people. The few stubborn traditionalists who remain are of no use. You are the Sect Leader; you naturally have the right to handle sect affairs yourself. But I will remind you—clearing these people out is not just for your own benefit."
Yang Lianting kept his head down, seeing only the hem of the Emperor's robes, a cold black. He said, "I shall keep Your Majesty’s teachings in mind."
Murong Yan said, "I hope you truly can. A person like you should have devoted yourself to medicine, away from the world’s strife. Do not follow in someone’s footsteps."
Yang Lianting’s heart skipped a beat; he naturally knew who this "someone" was. He bit his lip and said, "Yes."
Murong Yan said, "Fine, you may leave."
Yang Lianting rose, backed away a few steps, and slowly left the palace. Wang Yunzhao led the eunuchs to refill the tea. Murong Yan said, "I have always been lenient with the Baiyu Sect, yet they do not seem grateful."
Wang Yunzhao smiled. "Your Majesty need not worry. As long as Young Master Yang is the Sect Leader, the Baiyu Sect will always be in Your Majesty’s hands."
Murong Yan said, "He has been in the Baiyu Sect for so long, yet he still cannot gather the people’s hearts. This man... he is after all a descendant of Yang Xuanhe, too soft-hearted."
Wang Yunzhao didn't understand the meaning behind those words, but he still said, "With Your Majesty’s guidance and Young Master Yang’s intelligence, I imagine nothing will go wrong."
Murong Yan rose and said, "Did Leng Feiyan not have my guidance back then?" Wang Yunzhao didn't dare speak further. Murong Yan said, "I hope he is smarter." His voice grew softer as he added, "Leaving her alone, she would surely be lonely."
Judging by these words, he would not move against the Baiyu Sect for the time being. Wang Yunzhao breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Indeed. General Zuo is a person who values sentiment most. Although she hasn't had much contact with Young Master Yang these years, they did grow up together after all. If anything were to happen, she would likely be very sad."
***
