"Alright, Senior Sister, let's not talk about this anymore."

"Anyway, we might not see each other again in the future."

Xie Jin Yan babbled on, saying these words, but the sorrow between his brows could not be concealed no matter what.

Yu Qingwu didn't speak, seeing his expression.

Although she hated A Yue and felt that A Yue was beyond redemption, she had seen over the years that Xie Jin Yan truly doted on A Yue.

She used to think it was because Xie Jin Yan liked A Yue, but now, after hearing many things, she roughly understood that most of Xie Jin Yan's kindness towards A Yue came from her father, the one he called Uncle Gao.

But regardless of whether Xie Jin Yan was acting out of gratitude to A Yue's father or for some other reason, Yu Qingwu knew that his feelings were genuine. He truly treated A Yue like a beloved younger sister.

Now that this younger sister had gone astray, he was naturally saddened.

Although Xie Jin Yan wasn't a saint himself, at least he couldn't do anything like colluding with the enemy and betraying the country. Not to mention a prince like him, even someone from a merchant family like herself would be very sad if she knew her younger sister was colluding with the enemy and betraying the country.

She quietly gazed at Xie Jin Yan for a long time, then reached out and gently took his hand.

"Jin Yan, there are many things in this world that are uncontrollable, and people are the most uncontrollable of all. In the past, you only thought about repaying a debt of gratitude, giving your benefactor's daughter the best of everything, giving your younger sister the best environment. It's not your fault..."

Yu Qingwu's voice was gentle and her tone was soft.

Xie Jin Yan was slightly stunned. He lowered his eyes to look at her, his eyes reddening. He sighed and said, "Senior Sister, whether it was in my youth or now, you are always the one who puts me most at ease..."

"Is that so?" Perhaps because she hadn't seen Xie Jin Yan like this very often, Yu Qingwu felt a little uncomfortable. A hint of a smile appeared on her pale lips as she replied in a joking tone, "Since Your Highness has said so, then you must always remember it, and don't doubt your concubine again because of a few fabricated words from others."

Huh, was she blaming him for doubting her because of a few words from Qin Shi?

Xie Jin Yan wanted to retort, but he realized that he had indeed harbored many unnecessary doubts about this woman who had been injured for him because of Qin Shi's words.

He looked at her deeply, and Xie Jin Yan felt even more guilty. He held her hand back and said softly, "Senior Sister, it's all my fault. It won't happen again in the future. If that Qin Shi dares to spout nonsense again, I'll cut off her tongue."

Yu Qingwu rolled her eyes at him and replied unhappily, "That's not necessary. Even if you cut off her tongue, she still has hands. As long as you still suspect your concubine, she'll find a way to spout nonsense again."

Speaking of Qin Yiliu, Yu Qingwu immediately thought of the Shen family's case again. Because this case involved so many people, it still hadn't reached a conclusion.

Although the entire Shen family was now in prison, Yu Qingwu felt uneasy because the verdict had been delayed for so long.

She knew that if there was no conclusion, the Shen family could very well make a comeback.

Thinking of this, Yu Qingwu couldn't help but frown. She raised her eyes and asked Xie Jin Yan again, "Your Highness, speaking of which, what stage has the Shen family's case reached? When will a verdict be reached?"

"You're already like this, and you're still worrying about revenge? Yu Qingwu, can you take a break?" As soon as Yu Qingwu finished speaking, Xie Jin Yan, who was sitting by the bed, interrupted her and sighed, "The Shen family's case involves so many people, and now there's Yu Zhen's evidence, involving not only the Qiu family but also several other aristocratic families. The most troublesome one is Ning Wang (Prince Ning)."

"Ning Wang has always been absurd and vicious, with countless innocent lives on his hands, but he happens to hold great power and can't be touched. Although that accusation has made him dissatisfied with the Qiu family, his daughter is still Shen Zongyuan's favored concubine. He can't tolerate the Qiu family, but it seems he still wants to protect Shen Zongyuan..."

"The Qin family is also trying their best to protect Qin Shi."

Xie Jin Yan frowned, looked at Yu Qingwu deeply, and added, "A Wu, the Shen family's losses this time may not be as heavy as you wish."

"I've let you down, haven't I?"

Thinking of the past few days, he had asserted that the evidence was solid and that the Shen family would definitely suffer heavy losses, but in less than two days, he had changed his tune. She must be very disappointed.

Hearing Xie Jin Yan's words, Yu Qingwu was indeed a little disappointed.

However, it was also within expectations.

It was Xie Jin Yan's reaction that surprised her.

It was her revenge, and he didn't have to get involved. Abandoning her would have been the best course of action, but he felt guilty about it.

Looking at Xie Jin Yan's haggard face, Yu Qingwu suddenly felt a little guilty herself, guilty for her constant distrust and scheming against him...

She was silent for a moment, then comforted him softly, "Your Highness, although the Shen family is now down on their luck, they are still a century-old aristocratic family with deep roots and complex connections. They are not so easy to bring down. Ordinary people still change their minds when fighting for a small piece of land, let alone those century-old aristocratic families that mutually benefit and restrain each other."

"This time, I'll be satisfied if I can take Qiu Shi's life."

As Yu Qingwu spoke, she smiled at Xie Jin Yan again and said softly, "I'm already very happy that Your Highness can do this much."

Hearing this, Xie Jin Yan didn't reply. He just looked at her with a complicated expression. After a long time, he said in a hoarse voice, "A Wu, I think the best thing I've ever done is marrying you."

Perhaps because the two of them had never been so calm and mushy before, Yu Qingwu felt a little awkward when Xie Jin Yan said this.

Xie Jin Yan seemed to suddenly realize that such mushy and artificial words were not his style, and he immediately fell silent.

Their eyes met, and they were silent for a long time before he changed the subject and said, "By the way, A Wu, there's something I forgot to tell you. I've already brought your cousin Yu Zhen to the crown prince's residence. The magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture is Ning Wang's man, and it's not safe for Yu Zhen to stay in an inn."

What?

He actually brought Yu Zhen to the residence?

Wasn't he afraid of others gossiping and saying that he was biased?

"Your Highness, Eunuch Yu is here. He said he's here to deliver an imperial edict." Just as Yu Qingwu was struggling with her thoughts, Granny Xun suddenly called out in a low voice from outside the door.

The gentleness in Xie Jin Yan's eyes instantly turned into a trace of... panic? after hearing the words 'Eunuch Yu'.

Without giving Yu Qingwu time to think, Xie Jin Yan had already gotten up and said, "Please invite him in."

After he finished speaking, he walked towards the main hall.

Before long, Yu Qi walked in from outside. His feminine and handsome face was as serious and expressionless as ever. He said, "By imperial decree, Crown Prince Consort Yu is guilty of being intentionally harmed by Gao Minyue, nearly losing her life. The Crown Prince is hereby ordered to arrest Gao Shi immediately and bring her to justice."