As Shen Ziyan approached, Jiang Shangpiao sighed, "Jiang Shangpiao is dead. I am now the instructor of the Black Wolf Guard."
Shen Ziyan glanced at him and sighed, "My uncle-master was indeed wrong about you back then. He was a bit harsh. After you left, he deeply regretted it and often blamed himself for treating you that way."
Hearing this, Jiang Shangpiao simply smiled slightly, "Junior Sister, dwelling on this is useless now."
"Senior Brother, why did you decide to serve the Great Tu Kingdom?" Shen Ziyan changed the subject.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Shangpiao gave a dry laugh, "So what? Aren't you all serving the court now? Aren't our choices the same?"
"They are not the same. Senior Brother, we serve the Great Tu Kingdom not for fame or fortune, but for Huang Ying!"
"Huang Ying? Where is Huang Ying?" Jiang Shangpiao's tone now held a hint of doubt.
"Huang Ying is dead."
"Huang Ying's man is among that group. We are here to fulfill Huang Ying's dying wish, to protect her wretched man."
Hearing this, Jiang Shangpiao froze. His emotions began to stir. "How did Huang Ying die? Tell me quickly! How did she die?"
Shen Ziyan looked at him. "She was murdered. The killer was mauled beyond recognition by a tiger."
Shen Ziyan stopped mid-sentence and did not reveal the truth. Of course, Shen Ziyan knew the killer was Xiao An. It was not that Shen Ziyan didn't want to avenge Huang Ying, but the time was not yet ripe.
Hearing this, Jiang Shangpiao became restless.
"How is that possible? How could the killer not be found? Who did Huang Ying offend?"
Shen Ziyan shook her head. "That is yet to be known. However, once I find out, I will definitely tell you. You should go."
Jiang Shangpiao fell silent for a moment. He looked at Shen Ziyan. "All the men I brought are dead. How can I face Qiao Pusen now?"
"Senior Brother, listen to my advice. Do not get involved in these mortal affairs any longer. Uncle-master already regrets it. Wait a few days. When Senior Sister Lianhua and I accompany you back, you can apologize to Uncle-master."
When Tang Lianhua was mentioned, Jiang Shangpiao's eyes widened. "You mean Lianhua is also here!"
"Yes, she was supposed to come after you just now, but by some twist of fate, I ended up coming instead!"
Hearing Shen Ziyan's words, Jiang Shangpiao smiled. "What a coincidence! I never expected to meet you here."
"Since that's the case, I will listen to you and return with you to apologize to Master."
He sighed afterwards.
Shen Ziyan knew the meaning of his sigh. It meant he was reluctant to meet Sect Leader Lianhua right now. After a moment's thought, Shen Ziyan spoke again, "Where are you staying? My sister and I will come find you tomorrow."
Jiang Shangpiao shook his head. "I won't say. Qiao Pusen treated me well. If I leave without a word, it would make me seem disloyal. Let him think I died in battle and never hear from me again."
Shen Ziyan understood his inner turmoil and nodded.
"Senior Brother, I understand your difficulty. How about this? We are staying at an inn, why don't you come with us?"
"My sister and I are at the Beihai Inn not far from here."
"The entire East Courtyard is ours. You can wait for us there."
Jiang Shangpiao nodded, agreed, and turned to leave. Shen Ziyan then turned back to see Sect Leader Lianhua.
By the time Shen Ziyan returned, the battle in the imperial palace had concluded. Bai Han and Quan were organizing the scene, clearing away the bodies of the men in black. Seeing Shen Ziyan return, Chen Xiaobei quickly stepped forward, smiling, and asked, "Senior Sister, did you catch the thief?"
Shen Ziyan nodded, then looked at Lianhua Sect Leader in the distance. "It's a long story. We'll talk about it together later."
Chen Xiaobei understood that there were sensitive matters involved and that with so many people around, he shouldn't pry.
After this incident, with several more low-ranking officials dead, the banquet could no longer continue. The officials left one after another, and the scene quickly quieted down.
Chen Xiaobei then led Sect Leader Lianhua and Shen Ziyan to see the Emperor Xiao An.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei, Xiao An smiled broadly. Xiao Jingyun beside him was even more beaming.
"Father. Didn't I tell you? Brother Xiaobei's idea is absolutely effective. Now you can rest assured."
Xiao An nodded, looked at Chen Xiaobei, then at Shen Ziyan and Sect Leader Lianhua. "Minister Chen, I will reward you handsomely. And to you two valiant women, I will not be stingy either."
Chen Xiaobei bowed. It was time for him to state his position. He said loudly to Xiao An, "Your Majesty, Chen Xiaobei desires no reward from you. I only beg Your Majesty to send someone to the Great Tu Kingdom to find Liu Rumei. Chen Xiaobei will be eternally grateful."
Xiao An stroked his beard and nodded. Chen Xiaobei was a man of loyalty and righteousness.
"Very well, I promise you. I will send someone to the Great Tu Kingdom tomorrow."
Seeing his father so pleased, Xiao Jingyun was secretly delighted. As long as his father recognized Chen Xiaobei's merits, it would be natural to have Xiao Jingfeng marry Chen Xiaobei.
Chen Xiaobei, Shen Ziyan, and Sect Leader Lianhua bade farewell to the Emperor, then to his father-in-law Liu Xiangnan and Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, and left the imperial palace.
After they had traveled a considerable distance from the palace, Shen Ziyan looked around to ensure no one else was present, then lowered her voice to speak to Sect Leader Lianhua and Chen Xiaobei. "Senior Sister, Chen Xiaobei, do you know who the person I was pursuing was?"
Sect Leader Lianhua shook her head. Chen Xiaobei was even more clueless. How could he possibly guess?
"Senior Sister, the person I pursued was Jiang Shangpiao."
Upon hearing this name, Sect Leader Lianhua almost jumped. She raised her voice again and asked loudly, "Who? Who were you pursuing?"
"Jiang Shangpiao," Shen Ziyan replied resolutely again.
Although Chen Xiaobei did not know the background of this Jiang Shangpiao, nor what kind of person he was, seeing Sect Leader Lianhua's excited reaction, he knew that this Jiang Shangpiao had an extraordinary relationship with both of them.
Indeed, Sect Leader Lianhua's demeanor instantly changed to one of joy. "How could it be him? Where has he been all these years? Where is he now?"
Shen Ziyan gently shook Sect Leader Lianhua's hand. "Senior Sister, please do not be so agitated. I have already asked him to wait for us at the Beihai Inn. Let's go, you will see him soon."
Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Lianhua did not say another word, but bolted forward and disappeared in a few leaps.
Chen Xiaobei watched this scene with envy. Only when going to meet the person one loves most would one be so excited, he thought.
He couldn't help but sigh, "Senior Sister is going to see her beloved, isn't she?"
Shen Ziyan was taken aback. She never imagined that Chen Xiaobei, at such a young age, would possess such insight. Tang Lianhua, Sect Leader Lianhua, and Jiang Shangpiao were indeed a match made in heaven.