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Ever since he had arrived in the Capital, he had kept a close eye on its movements, particularly those concerning Xue Ping. Xue Ping was Guo Neng’s patron—how could Guo Neng fall if his patron stood tall?

Just as snakes have their paths and rats have their ways, Liu Xianzhang could acquire court news through his former disciples, and he had his own channels too.

Finally, just before he left, he inadvertently asked about the purpose of the visit and confirmed that the favored Beauty Lian, whom Liu Xianzhang spoke of, was indeed his younger sister—Lian Hua.

Listening to Liu Xianzhang’s arrogant and disdainful tone, saying that his little sister was born a Palace Maid, who climbed up in rank through the bedchamber, lacked knowledge, still used a servile name and had crude behavior, unfit for society, he almost couldn’t control himself and wanted to kill the old man with a punch.

That old fool knew nothing; his little sister’s name was bestowed by a high monk and promised great fortune; how could such a man understand?

Although he was mentally prepared, when he was certain of her identity, his heart raced uncontrollably, and he almost bit his silver teeth into pieces to maintain his composure.

Fortunately, the words spoken earlier had pacified the old man, ensuring that he and his daughter would not move against his sister for the time being. He would wait for the right moment to deal with that old man, to leave no trouble for his sister.

Lian Bao’s face was as cold as ice, and a murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

At this moment, his heart was torn between elation and devastation. What if Liu Xianzhang’s plan had succeeded, and he hadn’t discovered it? What would have become of his little sister?

Every time he considered this possibility, he felt chilled to the bone, shaking uncontrollably. If a disaster really did occur, he would hate himself so much that only death could atone for his failure to protect his little sister, parents, elder brother, and second brother.

Was he fated to harm his kin, to bring misfortune upon his family? Just like how his eldest brother suffered because of him, and now his little sister had nearly been harmed again...

Once the carriage had traveled a great distance, Uncle Ma lifted the carriage curtain and asked with concern, "Young Master, are you alright? Are you ill? Shall we find a doctor to have a look?"

In the darkness, Lian Bao laughed weakly and said lifelessly, "Uncle Ma, my little sister is alive, I know where she is."

This was the greatest gain of recent days, the best news.

Why did his little sister enter the palace? He feared only a meeting with Clan Uncle would reveal the truth...

These years must have been very hard for his little sister; from the filth spewed by that old man’s mouth, he learned that she became a Palace Maid and then advanced to concubine rank, enduring contempt within the palace and now caught in constant danger amidst the swirl of the Harem.

The Harem was a place that devoured people. His little sister was trapped alone in the depths of this extensive palace, beyond their reach. Just like that daughter of Liu Xianzhang, what was it to attain a concubine rank? She was still ruined by others.

What to do, what to do for his little sister, what would be best?

He feared he might never see his little sister again in this life. Once in the palace, unless the Emperor granted permission, who else could see her? Even Liu Xianzhang couldn’t meet his daughter.

What to do, how his mother pined for his little sister, what was to be done?

A sense of helplessness washed over him, leaving him feeling utterly drained and powerless like never before.

Uncle Ma, upon hearing the news, was overjoyed, failing to notice anything amiss with Lian Bao and falling into ecstatic joy.

He tightened the reins, no longer caring to drive the carriage, and said with irrepressible excitement, "The Young Miss is still alive, that’s wonderful, that’s truly wonderful.

The young lady’s illness has hope. Young Master, where is the Young Miss?

Let us find her, right now, and bring her back for the young lady to see. .."

As he spoke, the hardened man who had traveled far and wide couldn’t hold back his tears, wiping his eyes hurriedly. Yet, he choked up and could no longer speak.

He felt deep sympathy for the young lady, who had suffered all her life and rarely known peace.

Now she endured the torment of being separated from her flesh and blood.

He had personally witnessed the young lady fall ill from missing the Young Miss.

Now that the Young Miss was safe, how could he not weep with joy?

Lian Bao shook his head and closed his eyes. "Being in the palace..."

"What, in the palace, inside the palace?" Uncle Ma stopped his joy, somewhat incredulous, and after reacting, he immediately understood why the Young Master looked so exhausted and powerless; it was a weariness of the heart, the fatigue after knowing there was no hope.

He felt a wave of despair. If the person were anywhere else, he would fight to bring them back, even if it meant resorting to force.

But if the person was in the palace, unless His Majesty himself released her, how could they hope to contend with imperial power?

Both fell into silence.

Just as Uncle Ma’s hope had been kindled, it fell into another disappointment, and he couldn’t help but feel despair rise within him.

After a while, Lian Bao, bracing himself on both sides of the carriage, looked at Uncle Ma with a gradually firming tone. "Uncle Ma, as long as she’s well, that’s the best outcome, right? As long as we know where she is, we’ll always find a way to see her, Uncle Ma, don’t you agree?"

Uncle Ma, plunged into despair, seized the words like a drowning man grasping at a straw; he suddenly looked towards Lian Bao and said, "Right, the Young Master is right, the most important thing is her well-being. As long as she is well, there is hope, and the Miss will also get better."

As if to persuade himself, he confirmed his own words, "Yes, that’s right, it’s exactly so. The Miss will get better. Knowing that the Young Mistress is safe and sound, she will certainly recover."

The strength that had drained from Lian Bao returned. Yes, as long as she was well, there was hope. His younger sister was unharmed; this was great news. What did it matter if she was in the Imperial Palace? As long as she was alive, what was left was to figure out a way to get close to her.

He couldn’t let himself be so dejected. His elder brother was taking risks and striving in the open for the sake of the family; how could he give up?

Thinking of the glimpse of bright yellow he saw outside the mansion when he went to find his Clan Uncle, and what Liu Xianzhang had said about his younger sister being highly favored now, they might not be entirely without a chance.

Although they were burdened with accusations and pursued by Guo Neng, needing to hide their tracks and unable to emerge into the light, there would come a day when they would topple the Guo family and re-emerge into the light, standing upright in the world once more.

At the feet of the Son of Heaven, he did not believe that someone like Guo Neng could continue to cover the sky with one hand, nor that they could keep protecting each other!

Before that, he needed to think carefully. Instead of figuring out how to bring down the Xue Family and Guo Neng, it would be better to think about how to get close to the current Son of Heaven.

As long as he got close to the Emperor, he would find the opportunity to clear the accusations against them, then seize the chance to deal with the Xue and Guo families, and after that, to see his younger sister.

The difficulty lay in how to get close to the Son of Heaven, which was no easy task.

Having no titles or achievements, and with the Emperor dwelling in the Imperial Palace, ordinary people had no chance to get close.

To get close, he would first need a Letter of Challenge; only after that could he talk about getting closer. He needed to think it over well.

His conversation with Liu Xianzhang was not unfounded. He had keenly perceived that the current Son of Heaven was preparing to deal with Xue Ping. Perhaps he could start from there...

Having clarified his direction, Lian Bao felt the uncertainty in his heart swept away and, with Uncle Ma, disappeared into the night.

...

Within Canglan Court.

That day was marked by a clear and refreshing sky.

In the morning, Lian Hua obediently curled up next to Nanny Qi, sewing clothes. She had been to see His Majesty as well and should have been content to settle down and sew.