Although the people who had been idle and scattered in front of them had already shown a shocked expression, Chu Lian still looked calm as ever, with an unwavering determination in her eyes, just like when she inserted the knife into her own abdomen: "I will definitely give the General's Mansion an account for the lives of hundreds of people."

  Seeing her like this, Xun Yang's eyes had already cooled down. He raised his eyes to look at Chu Lianruo, his gaze deep and profound, as if he wanted to see through her: "Who are you, really? The fourth daughter of the Governor of Cen Prefecture is supposed to be weak and ignorant, but you're incredibly bold. And the fourth daughter of the Governor of Cen Prefecture should have been raised in a secluded courtyard, so how do you know the location of the Emerald Bamboo Garden and the Imperial Flower Garden?"

  Upon hearing Xuyang's question, Chulianruo curled up her lips and smiled, a smile that was somewhat helpless. Why? If she were to tell him now that she was actually the former Qin Empress, who couldn't let go of the hatred in her heart, so she borrowed Chulianruo's body to come back and take revenge, would he believe her?

  The heavens have indeed opened their eyes and cannot bear to see her and the hundreds of people in the General's Manor die in vain, so they gave her a good opportunity to avenge herself. How could she not cherish such an opportunity?

  Facing Xiang Yang's inquiring gaze, Chu Lian's expression remained calm as water. She lightly opened her vermilion lips and said with a hint of a sigh: "Since we are cooperating, I will certainly go all out to help you. My goal is only revenge. As for other matters, when the time is ripe, I will naturally inform you frankly."

  Xu Yang looked at Chu Lian Ruo's expression, hesitated for a moment, and slightly compromised. However, after thinking for a bit, Xu Yang still couldn't help but raise his head to say to Chu Lian Ruo: "If there are other ways, you shouldn't do it this way."

  Chu Lian smiled, but did not respond. Other methods... were truly laughable. A weak and gentle woman, apart from using her body as bait, what other method could she use to deal with those in power? Xū Yáng should also know that even if he said such words, he would certainly understand that there was no other way out for him.

  Xu Yang looked at the woman in front of him, whose face was dazed with laughter, and a faint pang of pain flashed through his heart. But he knew that Chu Lian's situation was similar to his own, as if they were walking on a tightrope high above the ground, being extremely cautious, with pursuers behind them, and one misstep would result in their downfall. And they had no choice but to move forward.

  Xu Yang took a glance at Chu Lian Ruo and didn't say much, then turned around and left.

  The moon was cool as water, and a sense of desolation suddenly rose in his heart.

  As early as when he was sensible, lying in his mother's arms, that kind and beautiful woman would say to him: "Once you enter the palace gate, it is deep like the sea. Women, when they are outside, all think about entering this deep palace gate, enjoying wealth and nobility to their heart's content, but never think that the moon seen from under these eaves is how desolate."

  When he was young, he didn't understand the desolation in his mother's eyes. But now, seeing those deformed women in the harem and the intricate relationships of open and secret struggles in the court, he suddenly understood. However, by the time he realized it, that delicate and beautiful woman had already disappeared.

  Even now, Xū Yáng still remembers his mother's anxious grasp of his hand as she was about to leave, her eyes brimming with tears as she made arrangements for him for the road ahead.

  She said: "Child, you are still young and don't understand the dangers of this palace. In order to survive, you will certainly have to tell others that you have a terrible illness and cannot bear children."

  She said: "Child, one day if you have the chance, you should leave politics behind and live as an ordinary person in the countryside."