Why are you here?

"Don't worry about Mother Mo. Go and check on the Crown Prince's condition," Mother Mo urged anxiously, pushing Su Zinin lightly.

"Mother Mo, I..." Su Zinin hesitated.

"Hurry and go! Zinin," Mother Mo urged Su Zinin regardless of her willingness.

Su Zinin bit her lip and followed along.

Mother Mo watched Jun Shaochen's figure, tightly clasping her fingers together. He had been to Mingyue Villa twice before, but he had never appeared so distraught. What could have happened to him? Silent tears streamed down Mother Mo's face, but she quickly wiped them away resolutely and walked towards the Dan Pharmacy.

"Mother Mo!" Su Zimo called out loudly as she saw Mother Mo, who seemed burdened, from a distance.

Mother Mo took a deep breath, calming her emotions.

"Momo, you're here." Mother Mo put on a smile as she glanced at Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan.

"Yes! I've taken care of matters at the other shops. Whenever I miss Mother Mo, I'll come and see you," Su Zimo said affectionately, linking her arm with Mother Mo's.

"Mother Mo, is something troubling you? You seemed preoccupied earlier," Su Zimo looked at her with concern.

"Momo, as a lonely person, I don't have any troubles. But you, aren't you supposed to go to Lixia Country? These days, spend some quality time with your husband!" Mother Mo teased.

"Mother Mo, he's not a child who needs someone to accompany him." Su Zimo smiled and glanced back at Mu Yunxuan, his charming and pleasing appearance making Mu Yunxuan smile involuntarily.

"Mother Mo, let's go back today and have a delicious meal! I've been busy lately, and Momo misses your cooking," Su Zimo suggested.

"So, you deliberately came all the way to find me?" Mother Mo playfully said.

Su Zimo blushed and smiled, "Hehe!"

"Then let's go buy groceries! Whatever Momo wants to eat, you'll cook it," Mother Mo looked back in the direction Jun Shaochen had left, then finally disappeared into the bustling streets with Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan.

"Princess, that's Su Zimo," Jun Yuerong and her maid Liu Chengjiu walked out of a shop.

"Indeed, she's a beauty. Coupled with the vast industry of Mingyue Villa, she can be considered exceptional. No wonder Mu Yunxuan is fascinated by her. Jun Lintian has changed for her, and Murong Shaofeng is infatuated with her," Jun Yuerong's lips curved into a cold smile, which was inconsistent with her delicate features.

"Princess, where are we going next?" Chengjiu asked.

"Proceed according to the plan," Jun Yuerong's face darkened, her eyes filled with determination.

"Yes, Princess," Chengjiu replied, her eyes shifting without speaking.

Su Zinin had been following the disoriented Jun Shaochen and arrived at the shores of Jinhu by the eastern city.

Several young men and women were strolling and dating here.

The scenery was beautiful, with a few white herons spreading their wings on the water's surface. The willow trees next to Jinhu were already lush and green, their drooping branches adding to the picturesque view.

In the golden lake, the ripples shimmered. Luxurious pleasure boats adorned with colorful decorations floated on the water. The boat's top was painted with exquisite designs, and the pillars were intricately carved. On the pleasure boats, some young men and women were composing poems and paintings, while a songstress played the harp at the stern to add to the ambiance.

Despite the beautiful scenery, Jun Shaochen had no interest in appreciating it. He sat despondently on a stone chair by the lake.

After hearing their conversation just now, he couldn't accept it. Jun Shaochen closed his eyes in pain. After all these years, he had been filial and devoted to his mother's enemy in front of her. He felt guilty towards his deceased mother.

Su Zinin stood behind him, seeing his dejected figure. Pain filled her beautiful eyes, and after a brief pause, she approached him.

"Your Highness."

Jun Shaochen abruptly opened his eyes and was surprised to see Su Zinin.

"Why did you come?" he asked.

"Zinin was worried about Your Highness, so I followed to check on you. Are you alright, Your Highness?" Su Zinin looked at the lake, a touch of coldness crossing Jun Shaochen's eyes, and he said in a desolate tone, "Life is not easy. Behind the facade of beauty, there is always coldness and suffering."

Su Zinin frowned and took a few steps closer. "Your Highness, no one's life is perpetually filled with beauty. Even in the happiest individuals, there are moments of helplessness."

Suddenly, Jun Shaochen raised his gaze and looked at Su Zinin.

"I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I've always been modest and sincere. Why did fate play such a cruel joke on me?"

Jun Shaochen's eyes were filled with anguish, and he looked disheveled. Su Zinin felt a pang of sympathy as she looked at him nervously clutching his hands.

"Zinin, I didn't expect you to understand these things. But no matter how long the road is, if hope disappears suddenly, what's left?"

Another wave of pain crossed Jun Shaochen's heart.

"Your Highness, since that's the case, why not choose a different path? When those people and matters fade from Your Highness's sight again, perhaps Your Highness won't care as much," Su Zinin said, her head lowered and her face flushed. She was extremely nervous, unsure of how to comfort him.

"Can it really be done? Can we forget everything by taking a different path?" Jun Shaochen replied self-mockingly, giving Su Zinin a smile.

"Zinin, thank you! I feel much better now. Please, have a seat," Jun Shaochen shifted to the side.

Su Zinin looked anxious and fearful.

"Your Highness, if Zinin dares to sit on the same chair as Your Highness, and since you're fine now, I'll take my leave," Su Zinin took a few steps back.

Jun Shaochen's eyes darkened. "Weren't you here to comfort me? Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

Jun Shaochen was displeased with Su Zinin's sudden retreat.

"Your Highness, that's not what Zinin meant. There's a difference in status, and you are the Crown Prince, while Zinin is just..." Su Zinin's words trailed off.

"Have you forgotten, Zinin, that you are already the Grand Princess of Lixia Country?" Jun Shaochen looked at her evasive and uneasy eyes with amusement. Her appearance was truly captivating.

Both she and Su Zimo were beautiful, but he preferred Su Zinin's subtle beauty, which made him unable to resist the desire to protect her.

"Zinin, look at those flowers and plants growing in the crevices of the rocks. They struggle to survive in such narrow gaps, yet their lives are so beautiful. Compared to them, we seem even more insignificant."

"Now that Your Highness understands this principle, it means that the knot in your heart has already loosened a great deal. Let's go back then! We can talk as we walk," Su Zinin suggested.

"Alright!" Jun Shaochen stood up, his tall figure blocking the sunlight from Su Zinin. She raised her gaze and boldly looked at his handsome face, her cheeks blushing with shyness and timidity. Then, she quickly lowered her eyes.

Jun Shaochen's heart raced when he saw her reaction.

"Zinin, let's go," Jun Shaochen said, unaware that his tone was incredibly gentle.

Meanwhile, Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan returned to Mingyue Villa. Carrying the groceries, they entered the kitchen.

Mu Yunxuan, sitting in the courtyard of Mingyue Pavilion, basked in the sun.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps and opened his eyes.

Seeing the arrivals, Mu Yunxuan immediately stood up and called out, "Lord Yue, Lady Yue."

"Mm!" Nalan Wenha and Sutu Ruoyan nodded.

"Please have a seat, Lord Yue," Nalan Wenha gestured to a stone bench.

Mu Yunxuan didn't hesitate and sat across from them.

"Lord Yue...!"

"Just call me Xiaoxuan, Lord Yue," Mu Yunxuan interrupted Nalan Wenha. He truly loved Su Zimo, and since they were Yue's parents, he naturally wanted to show respect.

"If you insist, then we won't argue," Nalan Wenha appreciated Mu Yunxuan's response and gave him a approving look.

Sutu Ruoyan also wore a satisfied smile.

"Xuanxuan, we are very reassured to entrust Mo'er to you, based on your character."

"Thank you for your trust, Elders," Mu Yunxuan didn't expect them to come for this reason.

"I heard, Lord Yue, that your acquaintance with Mo'er originated from a ghost marriage. But for us as parents, that was a wedding of the dead. We hope you can hold another wedding for Mo'er, according to Lixia Country's customs. Can you do that?" Nalan Wenha couldn't let their daughter go to Yun City under such unclear circumstances.

Upon hearing this, excitement flickered in Mu Yunxuan's eyes, and he smiled, saying, "Rest assured, Lord Yue and Lady Yue. Xiaoxuan already had this intention. After the current matters are settled, I will marry Mo'er according to the customs of Lixia Country. I won't let Mo'er suffer any grievances."

"If you think like that, we will be much more relieved." Sutu Ruoyan looked at Mu Yunxuan, growing fonder of him.

"Your Highness, this is our Lixia Country's pancake, very soft and delicious," came Nalan Lixing's gentle voice from Siyu Pavilion.

Mourning Song Pavilion: Outside, Qinghe respectfully stood below.

"Qinghe, what is it?"

Upon seeing Qinghe, Murong Shaofeng felt as if he had found a lifeline.

"Your Highness, the estate master has sent Qinghe to inform you that there will be a banquet in the dining hall tonight and invites you to join for dinner."

"Very well! I will go there now."

Murong Shaofeng stood up, knowing that Mo'er would personally cook for him. He was in for a treat.

Understanding the message, Qinghe glanced at Nalan Lixing and then turned to leave.

"Your Highness, the Grand Princess has also brought many delicious foods for you. Why aren't you eating any of them? Why do you seem so happy upon hearing Purple Mo's invitation?" Nalan Lixing pouted, looking unhappy.

"I appreciate the Grand Princess's kindness, but she may return now!" Murong Shaofeng's expression turned cold, and his tone became unpleasant.

"Please excuse the Grand Princess." With that, Murong Shaofeng walked away.

Nalan Lixing wanted to follow him but was blocked by Zhu Yan.

Seeing Murong Shaofeng's departing figure, Nalan Lixing stomped her foot in frustration.

She glared at Zhu Yan and said, "How dare you block the path of the Grand Princess."

"Princess, Zhu Yan is His Highness's man, so he naturally dares to block the path of the Princess."

Zhu Yan remained calm. This princess seemed to be spoiled. After all, their Highness had Su Zimo in his heart and wouldn't spare a glance at any other woman. Zhu Yan was willing to stake his life on this.

"Hmph!" Nalan Lixing glared at Zhu Yan and reluctantly returned to the pavilion, angrily grabbing a piece of lamb and starting to eat.

Watching them, Chu Yourou lowered her gaze and quickly disappeared around the corner, heading towards Mingyue Villa.

In Murong Zeyu's private residence, when he saw Chu Yourou, his face darkened.

"I didn't summon you, how dare you come here on your own?"

Murong Zeyu lay on a soft couch, his luck had been bad recently, and his mood was extremely sour.

"Your Highness, Murong Shaofeng refuses to see Yourou. In Mingyue Villa, Yourou is like an invisible person. Whenever she leaves her courtyard, no matter where she goes, there will always be someone secretly following her. Yourou couldn't obtain any information about the Eight Profound Artifacts. Yourou heard that Su Zimo's daughter, Su Xin, will return to Mingyue Villa tomorrow."

Murong Zeyu frowned and sat up abruptly from the couch.

Then he slumped back down. "But Su Xin has the protection of the Ghost Physician Li Zifu. There's no way to touch her."

Chu Yourou blinked her eyes. "Your Highness, then..."

"I know what you're thinking. It won't work. You can go back and wait for my news."

"Your Highness." Chu Yourou felt reluctant.

"Go back."

Murong Zeyu shouted in a low voice.

Chu Yourou bit her lip, not daring to say more.

She turned around and went back to where she should be.

"The Eight Profound Artifacts, the Eight Profound Artifacts." Murong Zeyu angrily roared, "The Eight Profound Artifacts require a master." What could he do to obtain the Eight Profound Artifacts?

"Your Highness, we have arrived at Mingyue Villa. Would Your Highness like to come in for a while?"

Su Zinin and Jun Shaochen chatted all the way and unknowingly arrived at the entrance of Mingyue Villa.

"Nian'er, it's too late. I won't go in. I'll visit another day."

Normally, Jun Shaochen would never refuse, but today he simply wasn't in the mood.

Su Zinin glanced at Jun Shaochen, hesitating to speak.

"Nian'er, what's wrong?"

Jun Shaochen looked at her, sensing that she had something on her mind.

After thinking for a moment, Su Zinin finally spoke, "Your Highness, Nian'er will be leaving Haoyue Empire for some time. It will be difficult for us to see each other in the future."

"Leaving?" Jun Shaochen couldn't help but ask, his heart filled with deep reluctance.

"Nian'er..."

"Your Highness, Zinin will be going inside," Su Zinin lowered her gaze and turned to walk through the entrance gate, her expression filled with sadness.

As Jun Shaochen watched Su Zinin's retreating figure, he felt something slipping away slowly from his heart, leaving behind a hollow and sour sensation that he had never experienced before.

Inside the Su residence, Su Weichen was instructing the servants to pack their belongings.

After a sleepless night, Su Ziyun finally had the chance to meet her father.

But instead, she saw her father packing up their things.

"Dad, what are you doing?" Su Ziyun looked puzzled.

Jie Lengchan glanced at her daughter and spoke coldly, "Your father has been deceived by someone he had been raising as a trusted companion for over twenty years, all for a few chests of silver."

"So, you mean everything that happened last night is true? Su Zimo and the others have no connection to our Su family, and she is actually a princess of the Li Xia Kingdom?" Su Ziyun still found it hard to believe. How could such a stroke of fortune happen to Su Zimo?

"Enough, let's not dwell on it anymore! Yun'er, go and pack up as well. We're leaving this place of turmoil," Su Weichen had come to a realization. The past was behind them, and he only wanted to live his remaining years peacefully. The silver given by Nalan Wenhao was enough for their family to lead a good life.

"Dad, are you really willing to accept this? That woman deceived you for so many years, and you're truly content with leaving like this?" Su Ziyun's voice trembled with anger, her whole body shaking.

"Yun'er, after everything we've been through, can't you see? No matter what happened in the past, we should stop dwelling on it. Let's find a place where nobody knows us and start a new life. We can still live well without seeking revenge. Now, no matter who we seek revenge against, it's like striking a rock with an egg," Su Weichen earnestly explained.

"So, Dad wants to give up like this?" Su Ziyun couldn't believe her ears, tears welling up in her eyes. After years of pursuing her dreams, it all turned out to be in vain. How could she accept it? How could she be content?

"Yun'er, it's not about giving up, it's about accepting our fate. We don't have the ability to change anything now. Yun'er, your dad is right. We have already lost Xuer, and we can't afford to lose you too. Let go of everything! That Jun Lin Tian isn't worth going through all this for. He blamed our Su family for all the crimes just to lift the house arrest order. Our emperor is merciful; he didn't wipe us out. Yun'er, we should appreciate our blessings. Only when we have our lives can we live the way we want," Jie Lengchan held her daughter's hand, speaking with deep emotion.

She had come to terms with it. After experiencing so much turmoil, she realized how insignificant she was. Even close relatives could push them into a pit of fire.

"Mother, how could you...!" Su Ziyun looked at Jie Lengchan in disbelief, unable to comprehend her mother's words.

Su Ziyun couldn't believe her mother would utter such words. "Mother, I can't believe you're saying this."

"Yun'er, deep down you understand it, but it's just that you harbor unwillingness in your heart. Su Zimo is not wrong. We were the ones who were too greedy. Let go of the past and start a new life with your father and me, in a place where nobody knows us. How about it?" Jie Lengchan pleaded, hoping her daughter would join them.

"No, Mother," Su Ziyun shook her head firmly.

Su Weichen, seeing her response, shook his head in anguish. After everything they had gone through, whose fault was it in the end...?

Witnessing her daughter's persistence, Jie Lengchan silently shed tears.

"Yun'er, if you don't want to go, your father and I won't force you. We have already decided that we don't want to stay in this place of turmoil anymore," Jie Lengchan wiped her tears. "Life is too short, and living a peaceful life is a blessing."

After saying that, Jie Lengchan turned around and instructed the maidservants to expedite the packing.

Su Ziyun looked at them, her shoulders slumping. If even her parents left, what would be left in her life? The Prince didn't want her, and not only that, he used her for his own gain. She couldn't kill Su Zimo; she didn't have the ability. What else could she do now?

"We don't need to pack too much. We can purchase what we need when we arrive at our new settlement. Just take what we require for the journey," Jie Lengchan instructed while packing.

"Yes, Madam," one of the maidservants acknowledged. Jie Lengchan turned to glance at Su Ziyun, her expression filled with deep reluctance.

"Yun'er, come with your mother! Be a simple person, live contentedly, and don't trouble yourself unnecessarily. We are not as strong as we imagine. You must learn to let go. The tighter you hold on, the harder it is to break free," Jie Lengchan continued to persuade. She only had one daughter, and she truly didn't want anything to happen to her.

Su Ziyun lowered her head, pursed her lips, and then looked up at Jie Lengchan.

"Mother, Yun'er will go with you," upon hearing this, Jie Lengchan was overjoyed, not knowing how to contain herself.

"Great! Yun'er, hurry and pack up. We will leave today," Jie Lengchan exclaimed.

"Okay!" Su Ziyun nodded. In the end, the cruel and powerless reality left her with no strength to fight or seize.

In the Mingyue Villa, everyone enjoyed a cheerful dinner. However, He Yunting had not yet returned, and Su Zimo felt a bit worried. Privately, Mo Niang asked Su Zinin about Jun Shaochen, and upon hearing that he was fine, she finally felt relieved.

"Shaoyu, go and check on Yunting. Why hasn't he returned yet?" Su Zimo called out, and Shaoyu appeared in the hall.

"No need, Momo. I'm back," the voice of He Yunting reached their ears, and they all turned to the entrance. They saw He Yunting in a disheveled state.

"Yunting, did you leave the mountain? Look at you, in such a miserable state," Su Zimo furrowed her brow.

"Momo, guess what? Did you accidentally knock down an old lady and didn't help her up? That old lady happens to be the Gate Master of Tianmen, and did you happen to beat up a young man, who turns out to be her son? Why does Tianmen keep causing trouble for us and always find ways to antagonize us?"

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