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Lian Hua did not know what had happened and hurriedly went over to support Xu Zhaoyi, "Sister, what’s wrong with you? If this sword is not to your liking, then... then let’s not keep it."

How could just looking at a sword turn a person into this state? Aiya, could there be something wrong with the sword, causing offense?

Lian Hua anxiously supported Xu Zhaoyi, unsure of what to do.

"Mistress." Ming Jing exclaimed in shock, unconsciously reverting to her old way of addressing her.

It had been a long time since she had seen Xu Zhaoyi in this condition and did not know what had happened to trigger her heartache.

She hurried over to help her up, calling out anxiously, "Mistress, are you alright, mistress?"

The mistress like this, she must be thinking of General Shen Ming, the mistress’s fiance who had died in battle.

Back when they had encountered enemy attacks, and the odds were greatly against them, General Shen had given the mistress a way out, urging her to leave first to bring reinforcements, while he and his men stayed behind to delay the enemy.

By the time the mistress had returned with much difficulty and brought back reinforcements, General Shen and his men had already died in battle, their deaths noble and tragic.

It was precisely because General Shen had fought to the death to buy time that he brought a turning point to that great battle.

However, at the time, His Majesty had not yet ascended the throne, and the Late Emperor’s reign was in chaos.

Everyone was scrambling for military credit, and General Shen’s achievements were not only overlooked, but he was also slandered.

Some treacherous officials hypocritically proclaimed that since General Shen was dead, they would not pursue his family for his faults, and thus the Shen Mansion was spared.

This incident had always weighed heavily on the mistress’s mind.

So many years had passed, and although the mistress appeared untroubled on the surface, Ming Jing knew that she had not yet moved on from the death of General Shen Ming, she never had.

From the fact that the mistress no longer wielded a sword and got heavily drunk every anniversary of General Shen’s death, it was clear.

Thinking of this, Ming Jing felt both sorrowful and worried.

Xiao Jizi and several others also came over, standing behind Lian Hua.

Xu Zhaoyi steadied herself and stood straight, putting down the Peach Wood Sword and waved Ming Jing away with a gesture of her hand, "I am fine."

Turning her head, she tightly grasped Lian Hua’s hand, staring at her with eyes brimming red, "Girl, why did you carve such a pattern on the Peach Wood Sword?"

Lian Hua was at a loss under her gaze, stammering, "Because, because Sister has a unique aura, nothing else, nothing else would suit, only this, I, I thought it matched Sister well."

Lian Hua was slightly panicked. What’s wrong with Sister Zhaoyi? She felt Sister Zhaoyi’s being enveloped in sadness and sorrow. Could it be the Peach Wood Sword that had triggered it?

If she had known, she would have carved something else. Ah!

After hearing Lian Hua’s explanation, Xu Zhaoyi hugged her into her arms and said with desolate closed eyes, "Sister, thank you. I really like this Peach Wood Sword, I really like it..."

Rich in might and guarding the land, Brother Ming, that was your life. This sword belongs to you, and no other sword could better encapsulate your life.

Soon, your good name shall be cleared.

She wanted to watch with a smile, to see if those treacherous officials who had slandered could still smile then!

Life comes with death, and dying for a worthy cause, what grievances did she have?

Xu Zhaoyi suddenly felt a sense of release; though Brother Ming had died, his honor remained, why should she cling to the sorrow?

Xu Zhaoyi took a while to calm down, finally finding her peace.

Only then did she remember that she was still embracing someone and quickly let go, "Sister, are you alright?"

She had been overly moved just now, and in her excitement, she hoped she hadn’t smothered Xiao Lian Hua.

Her face flushed, Lian Hua shook her head. When she was in Sister Zhaoyi’s embrace just now, knowing Sister Zhaoyi’s emotions were fluctuating, she dared not even breathe loudly, not making a single move for fear of startling Sister Zhaoyi, hence she felt a bit suffocated.

Having been let go, she couldn’t help but breathe more rapidly.

Xiao Jizi and the others had just been panicking behind them, thinking that His Majesty had angered Xu Zhaoyi and fearing that she might go mad and hurt His Majesty.

They heard Xu Zhaoyi was skilled in martial arts and had fought on the battlefield and killed people before; they were so anxious that they were burning up inside.

Seeing that Xu Zhaoyi only held His Majesty without any following moves, and with Ming Jing’s reassurance, they barely managed to keep from getting agitated, though they still felt uneasy.

Now that Xu Zhaoyi finally returned to her normal demeanor and released His Majesty, they all breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Xu Zhaoyi felt guilty in her heart and hurriedly patted Lian Hua’s back to help her calm her breath.

She was a rough person, not paying attention to the finer details, and she almost hurt Xiao Lian Hua.

Xiao Lian Hua was the sister sent by heaven to save her, knowing her suffering. How could she injure her? With this thought, she felt even more guilty.

After Lian Hua’s breath had evened out a bit, she looked at Xu Zhaoyi, who was feeling both guilty and worried, and said, "Sister Zhaoyi, I’m fine, don’t worry about me."

With that, she revealed a shy smile.

Xu Zhaoyi looked gently at Lian Hua and spoke softly, "I am sorry for earlier, sister. May I make amends to you?"

Lian Hua quickly declined, saying that for such a small matter, there was no need for amends, and it would be taking things too seriously.

Xu Zhaoyi, ignoring her refusal, first gave Ming Jing serious instructions to properly take care of the Peach Wood Sword, and then took Lian Hua’s hand, saying she would take her to see something fun. She said Lian Hua could choose anything she liked as a way of making amends.

Unable to refuse, Lian Hua let Xu Zhaoyi lead her forward.

They walked to the back courtyard, passed through a training ground, and arrived in front of a large house.

Xu Zhaoyi encouraged her with a look to push open the door, and after a moment’s hesitation, she used both hands to push open the grand doors of the house.

The moment she saw the arrangement inside, Lian Hua was stunned with wide-open eyes; feeling as if she had entered a paradise wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

There were proud, imposing marble horses, a sandalwood miniature war chariot, a complete set of rosewood equipment for playing marbles, a court for kicking shuttlecocks, slingshots, archery targets, nine-linked rings, and so on...

It was like an entire playground; if she had come here as a child, she would have been ecstatic.

Lian Hua walked in disbelief, wondering if she had dreamed of such a place when she was younger. Why was it that everything here suited her taste so well?

She walked around with her eyes wide and mouth slightly open, unable to resist touching everything once. When she touched the marble horse, she was particularly attached and even wanted to climb on and ride it herself.

Xu Zhaoyi came over to her side. "I’ll hold you up; do you want to ride it?" With her there, there would be no danger.

Lian Hua came back to her senses, withdrew her hand, and shook her head.

Xu Zhaoyi was confused; Xiao Lian Hua clearly looked very fond of it, so why wouldn’t she go on when offered?

Lian Hua fiddled with her fingers as she explained, "I am an adult now." She needed to be more mature and couldn’t act like a child anymore.

Xu Zhaoyi paused for a moment before understanding what she meant, realizing Xiao Lian Hua was saying that these were things for little children, and as an adult, she shouldn’t be playing with them.

After realizing this, Xu Zhaoyi laughed heartily. Indeed, she was such a lovable young lady.

After laughing, Xu Zhaoyi persuaded her again, "Adults can play too; I, myself, will sit down and play when I have nothing else to do."

Lian Hua’s eyes lit up as she remembered something, but then she shook her head again.

Times had changed, and she was now pregnant; she couldn’t be so frivolous.

Moreover, before leaving, Nanny Qi had repeatedly instructed her to be careful. If Nanny Qi knew she rode on a marble horse, she would be worried.