The direction Yan Zhao headed was indeed not far from the side courtyard, but his ultimate destination was the rockery not far from it.
After stealthily entering, he found a hidden world inside, with a secret tunnel.
The exit of the long tunnel was the back gate of the former General's Mansion that guarded the state.
It was also Yan Zhao's former home.
There were still imperial seals pasted on the gate. Perhaps due to the passage of time, the seals had already become tattered.
With a leap, Yan Zhao entered the General's Mansion with ease.
Having been left unattended for five years, the General's Mansion was overgrown with weeds, and spider webs were everywhere.
"Father, I'm back."
Yan Zhao closed his eyes, as if still remembering the scenes of his parents planting flowers, the servants cleaning, and him and his younger sister laughing and playing around the pillars.
Those memories had become the most cherished dreams in the dead of night.
Five years ago, he was still the eldest son of the General who guarded the state.
He also had a younger sister, Yan Xi, who was five years younger than him. She was cute and obedient.
The family of three was harmonious and warm.
He had originally thought this kind of harmony would last a lifetime, but everything changed five years ago.
At that time, his father, Yan Lin, had just returned victorious from a battle, and it happened to be the Mid - Autumn Festival.
The Emperor of Chu held a three - day banquet in the palace to reward the troops, and all the civil and military officials could bring their families.
Unfortunately, Yan Xi had a high fever and had to stay at home. His father only took his mother and him.
It was also on this day that the emperor began to act unjustly.
Everyone said that the Emperor of Chu and the Empress of Chu respected each other, which was a good story.
Yan Zhao used to think so too. Because of the good relationship between the Empress of Chu and his mother, he was always favored by the Emperor of Chu when he entered the palace. He was even allowed to call the emperor "uncle - in - law" directly and was exempted from the court etiquette.
On that day, he wanted to sneak into the emperor's bedroom to give him a surprise, but instead he heard a big "shock".
The Emperor of Chu was conspiring with the Empress of Chu to get his mother.
It turned out that the Emperor of Chu was most fond of the beautiful wives of his ministers, and the Empress of Chu even played matchmaker to keep her position.
What he desired most was his younger sister who resembled the Empress of Chu, that was, Yan Zhao's mother, Wen Sui.
Because she was cold and aloof, and only had eyes for Yan Zhao's father.
The Emperor of Chu was extremely eager. He hoped to see his own figure in her eyes.
The Empress of Chu coaxed Wen Sui to meet the Emperor of Chu privately, but Wen Sui politely declined.
Then, she left the palace with Yan Zhao's father.
At that time, Yan Lin held military power and was very popular because of his many victories over the years.
The Emperor of Chu was worried that Yan Lin would rebel because of this incident, so he tried to force Yan Lin to lead his troops to attack the nomads in the desert again, and secretly cut off the supply of military supplies and food.
Until his death, Yan Lin never knew that it was the king he had been guarding that had set this trap.
Because of this defeat, the Emperor of Chu pretended to be disappointed and took back the General's Mansion that guarded the state.
Wen Sui was too ashamed to tell anyone about this, so she kept it in her heart and never told Yan Lin.
When she heard the news of Yan Lin's death, Wen Sui was shocked and cried bitterly. She even went to the palace to ask to see the Emperor of Chu.
But without anyone to protect her, she was forcibly defiled by the Emperor of Chu.
When she returned home, she was in a daze. After a serious illness, she was like a crazy woman.
Sometimes she was sober, and sometimes she was in a daze.
When she was sober, she would hug Yan Zhao and cry. When she was in a daze, she was afraid of men, even her own son, Yan Zhao.
Yan Xi was only nine years old at that time, and she cried and made a fuss every day.
Fourteen - year - old Yan Zhao took on everything in the family. He cursed the Emperor of Chu countless times in his heart and wanted to kill him.
But after the Emperor of Chu got Wen Sui, he lost his appetite and even wanted to have her again.
But Yan Zhao refused the emperor's summons for Wen Sui many times. The Emperor of Chu actually had the nerve to come in person.
When he found that Wen Sui was crazy, the Emperor of Chu was extremely disappointed.
When his eyes wandered, he saw Yan Xi. The nine - year - old girl faintly resembled her mother in beauty. In a few years, they might be equally beautiful.
Yan Zhao noticed the emperor's hidden thoughts again, so he reluctantly took Yan Xi to the street and deliberately lost her.
"Xi'er, I'm sorry."
Yan Zhao closed his eyes, and bitter tears seemed to flow down.
"Brother?"
He seemed to hear his younger sister's voice in his ear. He opened his eyes and found that she was really standing in front of him.
"How did you get here?"
The woman walked out of the shadows. In a plain white dress, she was like a proud plum blossom in frost, making people feel refreshed.
The moonlight shone on her face, making her eyebrows and eyes clearer.
It was actually Pei Yunlu, whom Ning Yuwang had met in the palace!
She blinked with a gentle smile. "Since we parted in the palace, Xi'er has been thinking that she hasn't congratulated brother on his wedding yet."
"So you came here to wait for me?" Yan Zhao pulled up her cape for her. "Aren't you afraid that I won't come?"
"Brother shouldn't have come either. Isn't it good to accompany your new sister - in - law?"
Pei Yunlu looked up at him, and her fair fingers wiped his face. "You're already married. Why are you still crying like a child? Aren't you ashamed!"
Yan Zhao hugged her in his arms. "It's so good that you're still by my side."
Five years ago, he wanted to lose his younger sister on purpose, but he couldn't bear to see the little girl sad and crying.
Although he hid in the dark, he fought off many men with evil intentions.
At that moment, he knew that if he wasn't strong, no matter where Yan Xi went, she would be bullied.
He begged his master, Old Pei, to take in his younger sister.
He even learned the art of disguise and made a fake face for his sister, asking her to wear it every day.
He reached out and touched Pei Yunlu's face, asking with heartache, "Does it hurt?"
Pei Yunlu stroked her face and shook her head. "I'm used to it."
They dared not let the Emperor of Chu see her face again, so both Yan Zhao and Old Pei warned her sternly not to take off the mask.
When she was a child, she might have cried and refused to wear it, but now she seemed to be used to it. She even joked, "This face is quite nice."
"Xi'er is the most beautiful!"
Pei Yunlu pushed him away, looking surprised. "Brother, you should say that sister - in - law is the most beautiful!"
Yan Zhao tapped her nose. "Both are beautiful!"
"Stupid brother, don't let sister - in - law hear such words!"
He clenched his fists. The special reward from the Emperor of Chu today was the same as the one before forcing his mother into the palace.
He knew the disgusting thoughts hidden in the emperor's heart.
But he was no longer the coward he was five years ago. He would protect Wanyan and Xi'er well.
If the king is unjust, then the subject will be disloyal.
At this moment, in the Prince's Mansion.
Ning Yuwang was sitting in the room, lost in thought.
In front of her was a water image, showing everything that was happening to Yan Zhao.
Because of her insufficient spiritual power, the water image could only show the pictures, but she couldn't hear Yan Zhao's voice.
So she could only see Yan Zhao and Pei Yunlu alone together.
Seeing Yan Zhao hugging Pei Yunlu and caressing her face, Ning Yuwang stared and clenched her fists. Why were human men like octopuses?
So many tentacles!
Then she saw Pei Yunlu suddenly push Yan Zhao away, looking shocked.
Ning Yuwang seemed to know what she was saying. It must be because the little girl was disgusted that Yan Zhao had gotten married and was jealous.
The two hugged each other again and wiped their tears. It was just like the romantic novels she had read.
It turned out that she had broken up a pair of "lovers".
"Liar! You said you weren't in love!"
In the quiet and empty bridal chamber, the wedding candles were still burning, and the double happiness characters were still pasted.
Ning Yuwang's heart slowly cooled down. She rubbed her chest, which felt like being pricked by needles. It was so stuffy and ached faintly!