A person stood outside the Duke of Yun's mansion. Clad in black, they exuded an aura of coldness.
Upon seeing the arrival, Duke Yun's expression soured. He stepped forward and said coldly, "Why have you come?"
"Duke Yun, should you not welcome me, the King?"
Duke Yun scoffed, "I do not welcome those who attempt to take advantage of chaos for their own gain."
Yun Weishu looked at her father and asked in a low voice, "Father, who is this...?"
"Miss Yun, I have long heard of your name. Seeing you today, it is indeed as the rumors suggest."
Yun Weishu looked at the person and curtsied, "Your praise is too kind."
Duke Yun stepped forward, pulling Yun Weishu behind him, and asked coldly, "What are you doing here? The Duke's mansion does not welcome you. Leave."
"Is this the hospitality of your Duke's mansion, Your Grace?"
"How the Duke's mansion entertains guests is none of your concern. We simply do not welcome you."
"Duke Yun, why bother? Perhaps you and I could become friends."
Duke Yun sneered, "This Duke does not associate with petty men, let alone those who disregard the nation!"
"Your Grace, mind your tone. This is His Majesty's distinguished guest, the Seventh Prince of Han Kingdom..." Commander Lin stated.
Duke Yun heard this and shook his head, "Pathetic, truly pathetic."
"Duke Yun, if you hand over Xue Zining, this King guarantees His Majesty will not pursue the crimes committed by the Duke's heir. What do you say?"
Yun Weishu was stunned.
Duke Yun, however, refused outright, "Han Xichen, I do not understand your words. That ungrateful son is not in the mansion. You have come to the wrong place if you are looking for him."
Han Xichen let out a low chuckle and looked at Yun Weishu behind Duke Yun, "And Miss Yun?"
"This commoner does not understand Your Highness's words," Yun Weishu replied.
Han Xichen heard this and chuckled lightly, "Miss Yun also does not know where Xue Zining is?"
"This commoner has never heard this name before. Your Highness will likely be disappointed."
"Miss Yun, you are still so young. A brilliant future awaits you. Do you truly wish to enter that deep, secluded palace? Prince An is old enough to be your father. If you tell me Xue Zining's whereabouts, I can ensure you do not have to enter the palace."
Yun Weishu slowly raised her head and asked Han Xichen, "Why?"
"Make a deal with me, and I will return peace to Duke Yun's mansion."
Yun Weishu suddenly smiled and looked at Han Xichen, slowly saying, "Your Highness, when you say these words, are you not afraid of His Majesty knowing? Although His Majesty is old enough to be this commoner's father, His Majesty is the hero of Ancheng. He built Ancheng step by step from the enemy lines. He is a great hero in the hearts of Ancheng's people. To be with such a great hero, this commoner feels it is the highest honor."
"Well said..." A voice suddenly came from outside. As the figure walked out, everyone immediately knelt.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Prince An, dressed in a robe of jade green brocade, entered. He approached Yun Weishu and reached out to help her up. Yun Weishu quickly rose, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Prince An said, "Raise your head."
Yun Weishu looked up, and he was taken aback. From this pretty face emanated an aura of youth, the very youth he had desperately sought.
He reminisced about his own youthful days, did they also exude such youthful vitality?
"You resemble your aunt greatly," he said slowly.
That woman who once vied for his favor, who had borne him a son and a daughter, whose eyes shone with him as her guiding star, yet whom he had killed with his own hands.
"Your Majesty," Yun Weishu quickly lowered her head, unnerved by Prince An's gaze.
"Rise," Prince An took her hand.
Just then, Duke Yun suddenly stepped forward, separating Prince An and Yun Weishu, and knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, the Duke's mansion has always been loyal and has absolutely no ulterior motives. I implore Your Majesty to see clearly."
Prince An, unpleased by the sudden appearance, looked at Duke Yun coldly and said, "How would I know what Duke Yun has or has not done?"
Duke Yun, startled, quickly kowtowed, "Your Majesty must believe in the loyalty of the Duke's mansion to you."
Watching her father kneel on the cold ground and kowtow, Yun Weishu felt immense sadness, "Your Majesty, Duke Yun's mansion has never harbored any disloyalty towards you or Ancheng."
"You do not need to concern yourself with these matters. Wait patiently to enter the palace," Prince An said.
Yun Weishu trembled all over. Just as she was about to speak, Duke Yun interrupted, "Shu'er, withdraw."
"Father..." Yun Weishu looked at Duke Yun in shock.
Duke Yun said coldly, "Be pushed."
Yun Weishu gritted her teeth, but still kowtowed to Prince An and withdrew.
Prince An watched Yun Weishu retreat and sneered, "What this King desires, he always obtains."
"Your Majesty, all this has nothing to do with my daughter. Whatever your intentions in bringing my daughter into the palace, please treat her kindly. This subject has only this one daughter, and Consort Yun has only this one niece."
Prince An's gaze slightly paused, his eyes drooping slightly, "A Xiu is gone."
He felt unaccustomed in the palace these days. The woman who always fixed her gaze on him whenever he appeared was gone.
He even dared not go to Ping'an Palace anymore, perhaps fearing he would encounter lingering memories of her there.
"Your Majesty, although Consort Yun angered you, her feelings for you were entirely genuine."
"I know. There will be no more A Xiu. I lost A Xiu," Prince An said dejectedly.
"Prince An, you will have others in the future. For instance..." Han Xichen whispered slowly in Prince An's ear.
Prince An startled. The last vestiges of warmth in his eyes vanished at that moment. "Duke Yun, Commander Lin said Yun Duanhai is at the Duke's mansion?"
"Your Majesty, this subject does not even know where that ungrateful son is. If he truly is in the Duke's mansion, I will surely deliver him to Your Majesty. I implore Your Majesty to see clearly."
"Your Majesty, this King and Commander Lin received the same information. Yun Duanhai remains at Duke Yun's mansion."
"Han Xichen, you are slandering my Duke Yun's mansion. Your Majesty, you must not listen to slander. Your Majesty, see clearly," Duke Yun quickly said.
Prince An looked at Duke Yun and said, "Naturally, I am willing to believe Duke Yun. But there is no smoke without fire. Duke Yun understands this principle."
"Your Majesty, this subject is willing to cooperate with Your Majesty to clear my name," Duke Yun said slowly.
"If that is the case, Commander Lin, what are you waiting for? Quickly clear Duke Yun's name. Otherwise, this King will not forgive you," Prince An said coldly.
Commander Lin bowed and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. This subordinate will not fail."
The Imperial Guards, who had been somewhat restrained moments before, now with the King's backing, were searching every corner of the Duke's mansion without restraint.
Soon, a cry was heard from not far away. Duke Yun was startled and looked into the distance, only to see a disheveled person, with hair unbound and clothes in disarray, rushing towards them.