Madam Jin sacrificed her own life to save her daughter.

If she knew that her daughter would also meet a tragic end after her death, she would likely die with an unfulfilled heart.

Later, Rong Shu had also asked Gu Changjin if he believed Xue Li'er's death was justified.

At that time, Gu Changjin was sitting on a couch reading a book. Upon hearing her question, he lifted his gaze from the book and replied calmly, "Xue Li'er shouldn't have died."

Her question was clearly not about whether Xue Li'er deserved to die or wanted to die, yet Gu Changjin's answer was irrelevant to the topic.

However, Rong Shu understood Gu Changjin's intention.

Xue Li'er was the one who suffered, and regardless of how others perceived her or what benefits could be gained from her death, she should have lived a good life.

For herself, for Madam Jin.

A jolt of the carriage caused the half-open window to slam shut with a "pat."

Rong Shu snapped back to reality, realizing that the young man across from her had somehow turned his head, now resting it against the chair back, gazing at her with half-lidded eyes.

He possessed an elegant appearance with finely arched brows and captivating eyes; when he gazed downward at someone, it seemed to add a touch of flirtatious charm.

Yet his gaze was indeed too intense, erasing any hint of that flirtatious demeanor.

This wasn't the first time he had looked at her like this. Whenever he did, Rong Shu felt as if she were caught red-handed for some misdeed she didn't commit.

In the study room last time, she had openly asked him why he stared at her like that.

His response was simply, "You've gained weight."

Therefore, she wouldn't dare to inquire again this time. She was well aware that Yingyue had been making steamed custard for her every day, causing her to put on a little more flesh.

With Gu Changjin's sharp eyes, there was no need for her to invite humiliation upon herself. After all, she hadn't done anything wrong. No matter how long he stared, she could hold her head high without regret.

Upon reaching the courtyard of the inn, Rong Shu draped a cloak over herself, ready to alight from the carriage. However, Gu Changjin raised his hand, signaling her not to get out.

Reluctantly, Rong Shu sat back down.

The man stepped down from the carriage and stood motionless outside the coach, maintaining a composed demeanor.

This relay station on the outskirts of the capital was the last stop before entering the city. Both imperial officials returning from missions and regional officers coming to pay their respects to the emperor would freshen up here first.

As a result, the place was usually bustling with noise and excitement. But today, the suburban inn was unusually quiet.

Gu Changjin exchanged a knowing nod with Chang Ji, who then strode away promptly.

After Chang Ji left, Gu Changjin waited a while before approaching the carriage and saying to Rong Shu, "Step down."

Rong Shu alighted from the carriage using the footstool.

No sooner had they entered the inn than an official from the station approached them for inquiries.

Gu Changjin explained their purpose, and the official responded by clasping his hands together, "Empress Dowager Qi originally sent two palace matrons to accompany Miss Xu to the station. However, Miss Xu mentioned that she wished to be alone tonight, so I arranged for her to stay in the East Courtyard. I'm not sure if she's resting yet. Would it be alright for Lord Gu and Lady Gu to allow me to check on her first?"

From granting permission for Jin Shi to rest in Daci'en Temple to sending palace matrons along the journey, Empress Dowager Qi's concern for Xu Li'er was evident.

The station officer dared not take any risks and thus had prepared the station in advance, clearing out the best East Courtyard for her.

Gu Changjin acknowledged his efforts with a bow, saying, "Thank you for your trouble."

The official personally delivered the message to the East Courtyard. Upon hearing this, Xu Li'er startled and rose to her feet. "Lord Gu is Li'er's savior. How dare I not see him?"

As soon as the official left, she rushed to the window, peering outside with a hint of fear in her eyes. When she heard the voices and footsteps of the officials from the relay station echoing in the corridor, she bit her lip, steeled her heart, and closed the window.

Following closely behind Gu Changjin, Rong Shu's heart pounded nervously, an inexplicable tension gripping her. In her previous life, Xu Li'er had died on this very night. She didn't know if her intervention would alter Xu Li'er's fate.

If she couldn't change it, would she also be unable to escape death three years later?

Unconsciously, Rong Shu pinched the brim of her cloak's hood.

Gu Changjin glanced at her sideways. Seeing the young lady's delicate fingers fidgeting again, he slightly furrowed his brow.

Just as he was pondering, the door creaked open.

Xu Li'er, dressed in mourning clothes with a white flower in her hair, bowed gracefully before them. "This humble maiden greets Lord Gu and Lady Gu."

Gu Changjin glanced behind him at Rong Shu and said, "My wife heard about your mother's situation and was deeply saddened. She wanted to come to the relay station to offer some comfort to Miss Xu. Thus, I brought her here. Please forgive us for our sudden visit."

Xu Li'er quickly waved her hand. "How dare I take offense? Sir and Madam, please come in."

The conditions of the relay station were modest, but it was clear that the room in the eastern courtyard had been specially tidied up.

A vase in the corner still held a few white chrysanthemums, while a tall altar by the window held a incense burner with half-burnt sticks of incense. In front of the burner, there were several plates of fresh fruit.

Rong Shu found it peculiar.

The incense burner faced the window, and with the wind blowing, the ashes would be scattered everywhere. Judging from the ashes on the floor, they must have been blown down by the wind.

Why would anyone place an incense altar by a window?

"Miss Xu, is that incense burner dedicated to your mother?"

Xu Li'er was taken aback. "Yes, it is."

Rong Shu felt even more perplexed.

Li'er had just returned from the funeral home, and Jin's family was set to host a memorial service at Great Mercy Temple the next day. Why would she choose to burn incense and pay respects here and now, at an inn of all places?

One could only assume that she knew she wouldn't be able to attend the ceremony at the temple tomorrow.

Or perhaps, Li'er truly intended to end her life tonight.

But if she were truly bent on suicide, she wouldn't have met with Gu Changjin. The moment they arrived at the inn to see her, she took her own life.

With malicious intent, Gu Changjin might be implicated in this tragedy.

The gratitude Li'er felt towards Gu Changjin was genuine, evident in the way she looked at him.

She had no intention of harming Gu Changjin.

Rong Shu gazed at Li'er. The girl's face was pale, her eyes rimmed with red, indicating she had wept bitterly. Indeed, who could remain unmoved by such a tragic incident?