Chapter 5

I actually came to the capital on official business.

Qingzhou has suffered a severe drought this year, and the common people can barely afford to eat.

Several dry routes for transporting grain from outside have been tightly controlled due to the court’s campaign against bandits.

Through my connection with the Qingzhou Commander, I sought out the business tycoon Treasure Pavilion, hoping to use their merchant ships to transport grain.

But they refused.

Since the negotiations failed, I didn’t want to make this trip to the capital for nothing, so I considered going to the Prince’s residence to break off my engagement.

Unexpectedly, fate took a turn; overnight, the Prince’s residence was raided and the entire family wiped out, leaving only Xie Yun.

Xie Yun said calmly, “Ten years ago, the court sentenced General Xuanwei to death and sent my grandfather to the Northwest to take over the army. But before my grandfather arrived, the Northwest Army-one hundred thousand strong-vanished overnight, and the General Xuanwei’s mansion was deserted. The Emperor was furious and investigated for years without any leads; it became a cold case.”

He looked at me again: “Zhao Yunshu, you’re the granddaughter of General Xuanwei, aren’t you?”

I wasn’t surprised that Xie Yun recognized my identity.

When I saved him, I used arrows made by the Northwest Army.

As for Old Qin, his Northwestern accent and callused hands made it obvious he was a veteran.

With Qingzhou just ahead, I didn’t intend to hide anything from Xie Yun.

After all, Xie Yun’s uncle is one of our people.

He only has one path to choose.

I replied indifferently, “That Dog Emperor will get what he deserves sooner or later.”

Ten years ago, the Dog Emperor fabricated charges to seize the Northwest Army’s command-and our lives.

The Old Prince gave us advance warning, and my grandfather ordered the Northwest Army to disguise themselves as bandits and lie low around Qingzhou.

Our family fled to Qingzhou and settled in the Commander’s Mansion.

At the time, the Old Prince had only one condition: I was to be betrothed to Xie Yun.

Xie Yun said softly, “Zhao Yunshu, if Old General Zhao knew you kicked me when I was down and broke your word-trying to break off our engagement when my family was being executed-what do you think would happen to you?”

A chill ran through me!

My grandfather would surely beat me black and blue!

Heaven help me!

When I went to break off the engagement, the Prince’s residence hadn’t even had its accident yet.

Xie Yun, that black-hearted scoundrel! He’s threatening me!