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It was this unexpected incident that completely upended his life.

In the final moment before death, one's eyes would reflect the person they had held dearest in their heart.

Tan Zhi would undoubtedly recall his first encounter with Xiao Fu, and Gu Changjin was not surprised by this. What caught him off guard was that the last name to escape Tan Zhi's lips was not "Princess," nor "Master Chunshan," nor "Wen Xi."

Instead, it was "Father" and "Zhen Niang."

He said "I'm sorry," expressing his regret for letting them down.

"The last words Tan Zhi spoke in this world were 'I'm sorry' to your maternal grandfather and Mother."

Rong Shu fell silent.

After a moment, she said, "Don't let Mother know he's dead; let her believe he's still locked in prison."

After all, he was someone who had grown up alongside her like an elder brother. No matter how much she hated him, upon learning of his death, Mother would inevitably feel some sorrow. It was similar to when she plunged a hairpin into Mama Zhang's neck; at that time, she had felt a pang of sadness too.

Gu Changjin replied with a simple "Okay" and then proceeded to talk about other people with her.

"The Empress personally ended the lives of Nurse An and Nurse Zhu. As for Wen Xi, the Empress claimed she was possessed and fed her an exorcism potion. After taking that medicine, she'll likely never wake up again."

Gu Changjin paused before continuing, "This world needs a Princess Qingxi."

Only then would she be safe, free to go wherever Shen Shu wished.

Rong Shu had never met Wen Xi and had no desire to. Yet, upon hearing that Wen Xi might never regain consciousness, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. But she didn't feel sympathy.

What she had done to Chen Mei was far from innocent.

Every action has its consequences.

One must face the repercussions of their misdeeds.

"As for Lin Qingyue, she willingly took a potion to render herself mute so she could stay at the Great Compassion Monastery to care for Mother Zhang and Wen Xi. Empress Qi agreed, leaving her with two maidservants to assist her."

Gu Changjin didn't need to explain the true purpose of those two maidservants; Rong Shu understood.

She rubbed her fingertip and asked, "Will Mother Zhang awaken?"

"Healer Sun has examined her and said it's a miracle she's still alive," implying that she would not regain consciousness.

Rong Shu lowered her eyelashes, and the spacious outer hall fell silent.

Gu Changjin gazed at her with his eyes lowered and said softly, "Xiao Fu and Tan Zhi suffered for seven hours before they passed away."

Their lives were already hanging by a thread, so after consuming "Third Watch," they only lasted for seven hours.

Ordinarily, the pain would last longer for a healthy person.

In his previous life, when he arrived at the Sishi Garden, she was already hallucinating. Before that, she had endured excruciating pain for a long time.

Rong Shu lifted her eyelashes to meet his gaze.

Although he spoke of Xiao Fu and Tan Zhi, she knew he was thinking of her, the version of herself who died from "Third Watch" in their past life.

With a gentle smile, Rong Shu replied, "I told you I've never dreamed about my past life, and that wasn't a lie. After taking 'Third Watch' back then, I opened my eyes to find myself on the second day of our wedding. So, Gu Changjin, I didn't suffer."

It was strange; when she woke up in the Songsi Courtyard, she could still feel that excruciating pain. But now, she couldn't sense any discomfort at all.

Everything she had once experienced personally seemed like a dream.

Gu Changjin knew she was lying but still softly acknowledged her words with an "mm."

"Madam Shen is already in Obeying Heaven Mansion. Tomorrow, I'll send someone to escort you back to Minglu Yard."

Rong Shu had asked Shiiun about her mother's whereabouts this morning. Hearing Gu Changjin mention it, she couldn't help but be delighted. "Where have Mother and the others reached?"

"They're in Daxing County, less than a day's journey from Minglu Yard. However, the roads are treacherous in winter. The Shen family's trading convoy hurried day and night, and as soon as they arrived in Daxing, someone fell ill. By the latest, the day after tomorrow, Liu Yuan will personally deliver Madam Shen to Minglu Yard."

Upon hearing that someone from the Shen family's convoy was unwell, Rong Shu grew concerned for Shen Yizhen, her brows knitting slightly.

Seeing her expression, Gu Changjin knew what was on her mind.

"Don't worry. Your mother and Chief Lu are both safe. The one who fell ill is an elderly shopkeeper. Liu Yuan has found a doctor to treat him, and he should recover after a few doses of medicine and some rest."

He paused, unconsciously twirling the jade ring in his hand, then continued, "Though they haven't fallen ill, Madam Shen and Chief Lu must be exhausted from their journey. After arriving at Minglu Yard, they should take some time to rest. Besides, the flames of war still burn in Datong, and it wouldn't be wise to rush there. In February, I'll send someone to escort you both to Datong."

In previous years, news of the Mu family's military victories would only arrive at the palace in March from the front lines.

This year, with Xiao Yi's innovative designs and Shen Yizhen's donation of firearms to the Great Yin army, the battle against the Tatars was likely to conclude earlier than anticipated.

Setting out in February, they would reach Datong Prefecture by early March. By then, the spring snow would have melted, revealing lush grasslands perfect for grazing horses – a picturesque scene of vibrant spring.

With these simple words, he had mapped out her future. Ever since Nurse Gui arrived at the Eastern Palace, Rong Shu had been somewhat apprehensive about the unknown. Hearing him speak thus, her initially uneasy heart found solace.

Knowing that Shen Yizhen would return soon, Rong Shu left for Minglu Yard early the next day.

Zhu Jun and Lan Xuan were attendants of the Eastern Palace and could not accompany her. Zhu Jun personally saw Rong Shu off to Minglu Yard and didn't return to the Purple Imperial Palace until late afternoon.

Gu Changjin had entered the palace early that morning. Zhu Jun assumed he would follow his usual routine and return to the Eastern Palace only after nightfall.

To her surprise, as she stepped onto the corridor of the Purple Imperial Palace, she encountered Gu Changjin exiting the chamber right before her.

"Make no alterations to the inner chambers," he instructed in a low voice.

Zhu Jun understood that this was his way of saying not to touch anything Miss Rong had left behind. She hurriedly agreed.

Miss Rong hadn't brought much with her when she arrived, so naturally, she took all her belongings with her when she departed, leaving only what the Eastern Palace had provided for her stay.