Mei Fei remained silent for a long time, then said gently, "Rong Mo, you should marry and start a family. The Baili family needs you to continue the lineage, and you need someone to take care of you."
"If I'm to marry, it can only be you!" Baili Rong Mo said with a hint of anger, disliking her suggestion.
"Me? I..." Mei Fei was astonished, paused for a moment, and then sighed regretfully, "No matter what, I am still the Emperor's woman in name. If I were to be with you, and the Emperor found out, it would be another crime punishable by extermination of the entire clan."
Baili Rong Mo said softly, "Xiao Sheng said she has a way to get you out of the palace completely."
Mei Fei was silent for a long time, then lowered her voice, "Rong Mo, let's not discuss this for now."
Baili Rong Mo looked at her and nodded.
Half a month later, Mei Fei's face had completely recovered. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. Although she was as beautiful as ever, the face felt like a stranger. She hadn't seen herself for over ten years and had almost forgotten what she looked like.
Zi Qiu sent a message saying that everything was well in Yong'an Palace, so Mei Fei decided to stay at the Lu residence for a few more days.
She was too fond of the four little ones and had become "Grandma Mei" in their words.
Besides playing with the four children, she also met Bai Sheng's majestic white wolf, Baoyu, her aloof and proud large silver snake, Shandian, and her warm and hospitable three foolish dogs. She was amazed by them for quite some time. Dogs were one thing, but how could wolves and venomous snakes be so close to humans and so intelligent?
She followed Bai Sheng to the lingerie workshop and tried on many styles of undergarments. She visited Baihua Manor with Bai Sheng and picked many fresh flowers, lingering in the sea of flowers, not wanting to leave. She also experienced selling goods in a shop and visited Lu Yun's street gang and archery shop.
She toured the famous scenic spots and historical sites of the capital with Bai Sheng, tasted various street snacks, tried on different styles of clothes at the ready-to-wear shops, and experimented with new makeup and hairstyles.
Bai Sheng took her around every day, and she enjoyed herself immensely.
Baili Rong Mo would surprise her from time to time, sending her a bouquet of flowers, weaving her interesting little trinkets, practicing swordplay with her, swinging on the swings, and playing tag with the children…
During her stay at the Lu residence, Mei Fei felt as if her withered and aged body had come back to life. Threads of fresh vitality silently seeped into her, quietly unlocking the self-imposed confinement and restrictions she had endured in the harem.
Bai Sheng watched Mei Fei become increasingly cheerful and happy, a devilish smile playing on her lips.
Only by letting Mei Fei experience the carefree life she hadn't known for years could she awaken her longing for a better life, a life that could never be achieved while confined to the harem.
Therefore, awakening Mei Fei's yearning for life beyond the palace walls was the first step to guiding her into making the decision to leave that prison.
Bai Sheng had truly gone to great lengths to help her third uncle find a wife.
Lu Ye had been busy investigating the Baili family case during this time, as well as collecting various information about the Zhou, Dong, and Wu families, the imperial court, and the palace.
He had mobilized all his resources to gather intelligence.
The twenty secret agents and ten Embroidered Uniform Guard members from Ye Shengmen, along with Lu Yun's street gang and the rat scouts, were all incorporated into his intelligence network.
According to reports from the Embroidered Uniform Guards, Dong Xuerou, the legitimate granddaughter of the Dong family, was determined to marry the Crown Prince and become the Crown Princess. However, her disfigurement had drastically altered her temperament, and she was actively seeking renowned physicians to heal her face.
The situation was similar for Zhou Yanran, the legitimate daughter of the Zhou family. The two women harbored deep hatred for each other.
Princess Xin Yao also harbored intense hatred for them.
According to reports from the rat scouts, the Crown Prince's personal bodyguard instructor, the Black-Faced Fox, was returning from Bei Qiang Country.
Meanwhile, the war in the occupied territory of Qing Huang Country was escalating. It was rumored that the forces of Qing Huang Country, stationed in the eastern region, had recaptured significant lost territory and were expanding westward, causing Da Xia to lose many cities in its occupied areas.
Originally, the remaining forces of Qing Huang Country were only holding out in a small area in the east. However, when a mysterious thief raided a Da Xia military camp on Da Xia's eastern border, Qing Huang spies immediately learned of this news. They reported it to the Qing Huang army in the east as quickly as possible. The Qing Huang army rejoiced and launched a surprise attack on the Da Xia military camp that very night.
The Qing Huang army was a hastily formed force of passionate youths unwilling to accept their country's destruction, and their strength was relatively weak. The Da Xia eastern military camp lacked resources, leading to a protracted tug-of-war between weaker forces. The war had been ongoing for over a year. Recently, the Qing Huang army had completely recaptured land within a thousand-mile radius in the east, and Da Xia had lost its territory.
The Emperor, enraged, immediately ordered General Wu, the Town Guard General, to find a way to reclaim the lost territory.
The eldest son of the Wu family was dispatched to the occupied territory of Da Xia in Qing Huang.
...
Lu Ye ordered all intelligence to be compiled, analyzed, and recorded.
Wei Family's Underground Secret Prison.
Jiang Pengju, with his head shaved and covered in blood, leaned against the wall.
Qing Yu slipped a healing pill into his mouth. This was Jiang Pengju's routine: enduring torture, recovering, and then enduring torture again, in a cyclical fashion.
However, to Qing Yu's disappointment, Jiang Pengju had held out, refusing to divulge a single word about the Baili family case from years ago.
Lu Ye, dressed in black, descended the steps of the secret chamber.
He looked at Qing Yu, who shook his head helplessly.
Wei Han, who was seated nearby and responsible for recording, also looked disappointed.
After days of interrogation, they had learned nothing, feeling they had failed their sect leader.
Lu Ye walked up to Jiang Pengju, stared at him for a moment, then squatted down and curved his lips into a smile, "Jiang Pengju, you're quite tough."
Upon hearing Lu Ye's voice, Jiang Pengju's eyes snapped open, and he recoiled in fear, "Who... who are you?"
Lu Ye stood up, and Wei Han placed a chair behind him.
"Who am I?" Lu Ye sat down with a smile, "Alright, this sect leader will satisfy your curiosity. I am Baili Chengyan's grandson. My mother is Baili Chengyan's eldest legitimate daughter, Baili Ranran."
"This... how is this possible! The Baili family was annihilated for nine generations, and not a single soul survived!" Jiang Pengju trembled violently in shock, his spirit suddenly rallying.
Lu Ye ignored Jiang Pengju's astonishment and continued to speak in a calm tone, "My mother had four children. I have a sister and two younger brothers; they are all doing well. Also, my third uncle, Baili Rong Mo, and my fourth uncle, Baili Anan, are also alive."
"No, no... it's impossible! This is absolutely impossible. You... you're lying to me! You must be lying!" Jiang Pengju leaned against the wall, his eyes wide open, shaking his head repeatedly.
Lu Ye snorted, "Lying to you? There seems to be no need for that. People often say a nephew resembles his uncle. Don't you think my uncle and I look very much alike?" Lu Ye suddenly struck a flint, bringing the flame closer to his face.