"It’s all right now, Bai Ruozhu from Zhongyuan helped with the antidote. My brother was attacked several times along the way, and they protected him. However, later on, Mother started insulting Bai Ruozhu." Princess Ya’an recounted the misunderstanding from her earlier conversation with the Second Prince, which led Empress Yazi to spread rumors, making many believe the Second Prince was impotent.

Empress Yazi slapped her own mouth hard, "What nonsense have I been spouting, it’s simply..."

The Second Prince and Princess Ya’an hurriedly pulled her back, spending a good while persuading her.

"Mother, do you remember the engagement between Ya’an and Wen De?" The Second Prince suddenly asked.

Empress Yazi showed a shocked expression, clearly she didn’t know either.

Princess Ya’an said with some pain, "At that time, Mother persuaded me to stay in the Palace, saying my brother was harmed. Only by marrying Wen De could I help you protect him."

The Second Prince looked at Princess Ya’an, "Ya’an, so you..."

His heart warmed a little, realizing Ya’an cared for him, agreeing to the engagement with Wen De was also for him.

But at the same time, the Second Prince felt pain, thinking if he wasn’t weak and nearly killed, how would Ya’an have been implicated?

"Ya’an, do you not want to marry Wen De?" Yazi held her daughter’s hand, looking at her seriously as she asked.

Princess Ya’an lowered her head, saying after a long pause, "The marriage ceremony has already been held, the rules can’t be broken."

The Second Prince suddenly stood up, "If you’re unwilling, no one can force you. Talk to the Emperor properly, he is kind-hearted and will help you find a solution, and I don’t want my only sister to suffer like this!"

Princess Ya’an couldn’t hold back her tears, finally saying, "I heard Wen De has a favorite maid, and even on the night of our engagement, he was with her, I don’t want to marry such a person."

Empress Yazi also started crying, "My poor daughter, it’s my fault. If I hadn’t forced you, you wouldn’t have had to endure like this."

"Mother, if the engagement can be annulled, I hope to marry outside the Palace, I don’t want to endure the deceit and betrayal in the Imperial Palace anymore." Princess Ya’an said.

"No!" The Second Prince became a bit agitated, "You think there aren’t schemes in the families of high officials outside? The affairs in those back courtyards are countless."

Empress Yazi gave the Second Prince a strange look, but didn’t say anything.

"I..." Princess Ya’an didn’t know what to say for a moment.

Then Empress Yazi claimed she needed rest due to feeling unwell and sent the two children away.

A while later, after Princess Ya’an left, Empress Yazi called for the maid to bring the Second Prince over.

Once the Second Prince arrived, Empress Yazi sent all the servants away.

"Cilang, be honest with me, what do you really think about Ya’an?" Empress Yazi asked with a stern face, looking very serious.

The Second Prince felt a tightness in his heart, "She’s my sister, of course I wish her well."

"You’re my child, do you think I can’t see what you’re thinking?" Empress Yazi raised her voice a bit, becoming unusually severe.

"I’m speaking to you not because I’m afraid you’ll lose your royal status, or worried you won’t become Emperor, or concerned you’ll lose face, but as a mother, I don’t want you to make mistakes!"

Her voice choked up, "You and Ya’an are siblings, sharing the same parents, being together is strictly forbidden, how others view you is secondary, forcing this will bring divine retribution!"

The Second Prince became a bit panicked, quickly kneeling and saying, "Mother, don’t be angry, I know I was wrong, I won’t let my thoughts stray again."

Empress Yazi sighed deeply, "I know you can’t let go immediately, but think of Ya’an. Even if nothing is between you, as long as others know your thoughts, Ya’an will be the one hurt in the end. If you truly care for her, you must bury these thoughts deep and never reveal them!"

"Yes, I will remember." The Second Prince said painfully.

...

At the Posthouse, Ning Yu and the others were very happy to see everyone return, and they were briefed on the situation. Ning Yu, looking ashamed, said, "I regret not helping more, I don’t even know when my body will recover."

Bai Ruozhu glared at him, "Senior Brother, stop pretending. You have no idea how dangerous your situation was. If I hadn’t had miraculous medicine, your life would have been impossible to save. So, take care of yourself and don’t waste my medicine."

She was not exaggerating, that Spirit Spring’s Spiritual Liquid takes a long time to condense a single drop, and Xiaohei and Furball must have thought about it a lot.

"Yes, I got it." Ning Yu said, half-crying and laughing.

Then Bai Ruozhu released Furball to inspect inside the Posthouse, Jiang Yichun came over and asked, "Are you concerned Song Yi might have been here earlier and done something?"

Bai Ruozhu nodded, "We’ve killed so many Poisonous Insects but he’s never shown up, indicating he’s at a disadvantage. However, he is elusive and might control someone at any time, we must be vigilant."

Jiang Yichun had an unsightly expression, "I didn’t realize it at all initially, I thought we tricked him."

"We did trick him somewhat, surely he believed we were treasure hunting." Bai Ruozhu’s eyes rolled, maybe this was a breakthrough opportunity.

By afternoon, the sound of horse carriages was heard from outside; Yaxi and Fangzi came to visit.

"Sister Ruozhu, we’ve all heard about what happened in the Imperial Palace. Did General Chisong give you any trouble?" Yaxi asked.

"He couldn’t trouble us." Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.

Yaxi sighed in relief, "Today Fangzi’s father was beaten by a soldier under Chisong’s command."

"In the Palace?" Bai Ruozhu frowned.

"Yes, they’re tyrannical in the Palace, I genuinely suspect Chisong is in league with the one releasing Poisonous Insects." Fangzi said angrily, "But my dad isn’t seriously injured, he’s just taking medical leave at home to recover. At least he can stay away from the dangerous Palace."

"You should be cautious going out recently and temporarily refrain from visiting me." Bai Ruozhu advised; they were not afraid, but Yaxi and Fangzi’s families were civil official families and couldn’t possibly contend against Chisong.

The two of them nodded in agreement, they chatted with Bai Ruozhu for a while longer before leaving.

Unexpectedly, on their way home, their horse carriage was suddenly hit by another carriage from the Alley, flipping over at the roadside.

Both Yaxi and Fangzi, delicate Noble Ladies, were terribly frightened, and Fangzi’s forehead was badly bruised.

Luckily, their maid reacted quickly and urgently helped them out of the carriage.

"Hui Zi, you still dare to step outside!" Yaxi shouted upon seeing Hui Zi standing at the roadside watching the commotion, instantly understanding what was happening.

At this time, a group of soldiers charged out, pinning the two down and yelling, "You’re causing a scene on the street, having hit someone, now you’re being taken to the Government Office to be punished!"