I am the champion of palace intrigue, and even the proud prince bows his head in submission.

Chapter 321 Meeting Gao Yunzhi

Qin Jiuwei was sitting under the lamp looking at the account book when she heard the noise and looked up.

With a smile in her eyes and a clear, melodious voice, she said, "My husband, you're back."

Seeing the smile on her face, Xie Yanli felt his heart instantly filled with joy.

Full and warm.

Qin Jiuwei put down the account book, walked up to Xie Yanli, and reached out to untie his outer robe.

Xie Yanli, however, grabbed her fingertips with his own.

"I heard there was some trouble in the main courtyard today. Did you suffer any injustice?"

"I'm fine, don't worry. My mother-in-law is just too heartbroken; she didn't actually hurt me."

Qin Jiuwei looked at Xie Yanli's tired and travel-worn appearance and felt a pang of tenderness in her heart.

"Are you tired? Let me give you a massage."

Xie Yanli sat down on the soft couch, with Qin Jiuwei standing behind him.

Her slender fingers gently pressed on his temples and began to massage them slowly.

Xie Yanli closed his eyes, his expression gradually relaxing.

Feeling the gentle pressure of her fingertips, the corners of his lips curved slightly.

Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her into his arms with a slight force.

Qin Jiuwei exclaimed in surprise, and before she could react, she was sitting steadily on his lap.

She glared at him shyly and said reproachfully, "What are you doing?"

Xie Yanli wrapped his arms around her waist and gently rested his chin on her shoulder.

He said in a low voice with a smile, "That way you won't be tired."

Xie Yanli nuzzled against her neck.

His breath gently brushed against her ear.

Qin Jiuwei's cheeks instantly flushed slightly.

Xie Yanli held her hand but did nothing more.

He was already very content just holding him like that.

After a moment, Xie Yanli suddenly spoke up.

"I have few family ties; my mother died early, my father is estranged, and as for Xie Zhongzhi..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "We're not that far apart in age. When he was eight, my father started teaching us both swordsmanship. During that time, he would always pester me, following behind me and calling me 'Big Brother, Big Brother,' asking me to teach him."

"But later, my father praised me more and more, and Xie Zhongzhi became more and more distant from me. He would rather practice until his palms bled than come to me again."

“Our relationship cooled after that; we only maintained a superficial relationship and weren’t really brothers.”

"But I never imagined he would betray his country..."

Qin Jiuwei stood aside, listening silently, without interrupting his recollection.

She lowered her eyes, slowly twisting the handkerchief in her hand into a ball, and spoke several times without saying a word.

In fact, she had always had doubts in her heart.

Xie Yanli's appearance, temperament, and behavior were not similar to any member of the Xie family.

Not only Xie Zhongzhi, but even Lord Xie, the two had nothing in common.

It also……

Never mind, perhaps she was overthinking it. Maybe Xie Yanli is more like her mother.

Qin Jiuwei knew that he was heartbroken over Xie Zhongzhi's choice.

She reached out and stroked Xie Yanli's hand, her voice gentle.

"When a person goes astray, it's not necessarily due to external factors. It could be influenced by something, or perhaps it's just their nature."

“This matter has nothing to do with you. Now that he is dead, this matter ends here.”

Xie Yanli nodded slightly.

But I'm afraid... it won't end so easily.

Li Wuyang escaped.

The Great Liang and the Great Jin will inevitably clash in the future.

The next day.

After having breakfast with the children, Qin Jiuwei headed straight for the Princess's residence.

She only learned yesterday that Gao Yunzhi had almost gone into premature labor.

It's all because of her.

Qin Jiuwei was both worried and guilty, so she rushed to visit her early in the morning.

Upon seeing that it was her, the maids of the princess's residence led her directly into the inner courtyard without needing to announce her arrival.

Gao Yunzhi was resting on the couch, her face slightly pale.

When she saw Qin Jiuwei, her eyes instantly reddened, and she almost burst into tears.

Fearing that she would become too emotional, Qin Jiuwei quickly went to sit down on the soft couch.

"Jiuwei, are you alright?" Gao Yunzhi held Qin Jiuwei's hand, her voice trembling slightly. "I heard about you and the young master falling off the cliff, it scared me to death..."

Qin Jiuwei patted her hand and gently comforted her, "I'm fine. I'm back all right now, aren't I?"

Xu Liuer stood to the side, her eyes constantly shifting between Qin Jiuwei and Qin Jiuwei.

Seeing that she was indeed unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"And you? I heard you almost had an accident a couple of days ago. Are you feeling better now?"

Gao Yunzhi touched the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, trying to appear calm.

"The imperial physician has already examined her, and she has been taking the medicine. She is now stable and will be full term in two more months."

Qin Jiuwei was relieved after hearing this.

The three of them sat together and chatted for a long time, from the near miscarriage to the trivial matters in the Princess's mansion, and then to Xu Liuer's newly opened rice cake shop.

Qin Jiuwei stayed at the Princess's residence until the afternoon before returning home.

On the way, I saw Jufulou and realized it had been a long time since I had braised duck with pork belly.

As soon as she stepped off the carriage, she faintly heard a few hushed whispers.

"Someone witnessed the young master killing Xie Zhongzhi! He was nearby at the time!"

"That can't be right, he's my own brother."

"How can such things be explained clearly? Maybe the young master killed his own brother to protect the Xie family."

"Ha, you lot are really something. Even if it really was the young master who killed him, so what? Xie Zhongzhi was a traitor! The young master killing him is called putting righteousness before family!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Jiuwei subconsciously slowed her pace.

Xie Yanli also told her some of what happened that day.

Xie Zhongzhi wanted to use his final death to harm Xie Yanli one last time.

Little did people know that he had committed numerous evils, including fratricide and treason. People would have their own judgment on which was more serious!

Until the very last moment of his life.

Xie Zhongzhi's brain is just for show.