Who would've thought that after two days, before the Jiang Family could wait for Kong Xunwu to come knocking, they heard the news that he was captured by the Government Office.

The servants of the Jiang Family inquired and found out that the office had found evidence of him acting as a spy for King Rui, and he was currently being interrogated.

"I was wondering how he could just show up with a servant, claiming to be so deeply in love, when in fact he's a spy. He intended to use our family as a stepping stone to get closer to Yichun for gathering information, didn't he? Ugh, shameless! This was meant to harm our family!"' Jiang Chenshi cursed in displeasure.

Jiang Zhihe stood beside her and signaled with his eyes, causing Jiang Chenshi to pause and look at her eldest daughter, whose expression indeed appeared somewhat somber.

Jiang Xuexiang also let out a heavy sigh, "I didn't expect him to be this kind of person. It's a good thing we found out early, let's not mention him again."

Jiang Zhiyi felt very uncomfortable; though she had let go, how could she not care at all? Her husband, whom she had been with for three years, came back persistently just to use her. Does he think she's so easily swayed?

Suddenly, she felt like a failure, and her heart was stifled.

"No more mentions of hearing about him. He's committed a capital offense, and I'm waiting to see him get his comeuppance." Jiang Chenshi said angrily.

Jiang Zhiyi's eyes flickered, unsure what she was thinking.

As expected, the next day, news spread that Kong Xunwu had been sentenced to public execution. Jiang Zhiyi couldn't sit still anymore and took a horse carriage to the Guest Palace.

It took her a lot of effort to find Jiang Yichun, but when she did, his face was cold, and he frowned slightly at her.

Jiang Zhiyi gritted her teeth and spoke with difficulty, "Yichun, was it you who did this?"

Jiang Yichun snorted coldly, "I don't understand."

"Is he truly a spy, or…" Jiang Zhiyi pressed on.

"What, you still can't bear to let him go? Then you go ask him yourself." Jiang Yichun turned his back and walked away, his silhouette showing his impatience.

Jiang Zhiyi didn't want her relationship with her cousin to become so strained, nor did she feel she couldn't let go of Kong Xunwu. She just didn't want her conscience troubled, nor did she want her family to break the law to seek revenge for her.

But going to ask Kong Xunwu? She couldn't trust a single word from him.

In the end, she went to the Bai Residence to see Bai Ruozhu.

When she entered, Bai Ruozhu was busy changing diapers for two little babies. Jiang Zhiyi greeted her and watched from the side.

Seeing Bai Ruozhu a bit frazzled and the little dumplings so adorable, her heart gradually calmed.

After a while, Bai Ruozhu finished and turned back to smile at her, saying, "I didn't hire a nurse, so I'm a bit more tired. Luckily, I have two maids and Nanny Zhang to help me."

Jiang Zhiyi showed a look of envy, "Even being a little tired is good because your heart is full."

Bai Ruozhu, wary of causing Jiang Zhiyi sadness, avoided mentioning children outright and instead offered her some dimsum, saying, "Try this, it's freshly made and has a mild taste."

Jiang Zhiyi ate a piece of dimsum then tentatively began to speak.

"Ruozhu, I'm not doubting Yichun, I'm just worried…" Jiang Zhiyi finished then sought to explain but found herself unable to articulate it, growing nervous all over.

Bai Ruozhu patted her hand, smiling, "Don't worry about it. I reminded Achun not to act against him for fear that you'd be upset. If he truly couldn't stand Kong Xunwu anymore, he would at least discuss it with me first. Besides, with his temper, he wouldn't go through so much trouble, he'd have just taken Kong Xunwu out."

Jiang Zhiyi suddenly realized, "Why didn't I think of that? I even went to ask him, he must've been furious."

"He didn't bother to explain either, don't worry too much about it. As for Kong Xunwu, he brought this upon himself." Bai Ruozhu said, letting out a cold snort, knowing it couldn't have been Achun orchestrating things. Perhaps Kong Xunwu truly had issues or maybe someone else set him up, but either way, Kong Xunwu deserved it.

When Jiang Zhiyi left, she felt much lighter, no longer dwelling on the matter.

A few days later, Kong Xunwu was executed publicly. He had letters written to King Rui that hadn't been delivered and had contact tokens for connecting with King Rui's subordinates. After being tortured, he confessed everything.

It turns out his affair with a concubine was real. In a fit of rage, he murdered her and was caught and sent to the Capital's prison. Initially expecting the death penalty, a close aide of King Rui visited him, offering him a chance at survival, promising wealth and happiness—not long before he'd find another good woman, right?

The opportunity was to send him to Beiyu City. Using his past ties with Jiang Zhiyi to return to the Jiang Family, he would then approach Jiang Yichun, waiting for instructions from King Rui.

Unfortunately, Kong Xunwu wasn't even able to get past Jiang Zhiyi, never even stepping through the Jiang Family's main gate, rendering the subsequent plan futile.

He tried seeking out old acquaintances in Beiyu City, yet no one paid him heed. His Decoy Strategy quickly exposed his espionage identity.

On the day Kong Xunwu was executed, many went to watch. Jiang Zhiyi didn't go; she was indifferent. She didn't want to feel any sympathy towards Kong Xunwu nor take joy in his plight. She chose her path, and Kong Xunwu chose his, so they parted ways, not bothering to harbor any more resentment.

However, due to the commotion around Kong Xunwu, Jiang Zhiyi was back in people's minds. Some said she was unfortunate with men, others called her a rather ruthless woman.

But no matter how widely the gossip spread, it quieted down in less than half a month. People soon forgot about the publicly executed Kong Xunwu and the divorced young lady of the Jiang Family. Instead, the buzz shifted to the wedding of Chu Hai and Yingtong, with several rumors about the manner they fell in love circulating the Market, which Bai Ruozhu found amusing.

Yet recently, Bai Ruozhu had been feeling anxious. She hadn't heard from her aunt and family, nor found any trace of Sangta. Despite stationing people in the Western Regions, there were no clues, as if Sangta had vanished into another world.

Bai Ruozhu suspected he wasn't in the Western Regions or in Danliang, possibly having traveled south, so she could only keep inquiring through the Commerce Association.

Autumn soon arrived when Mo Beishan unexpectedly came to the Bai Residence, claiming he was there to visit Jiang Yichun.

Bai Ruozhu accompanied Jiang Yichun to meet him and upon seeing Mo Beishan, bitterly remarked, "Why didn't you leave with the Huang Family? What are you doing here again?"

Mo Beishan smiled wryly, "I helped out a little, can't that count as atonement?"

"The warning from Huang Rou cost my future sister-in-law a finger; you should be fully responsible." Bai Ruozhu said bluntly.

"It's all my fault. That's why I came here today to help Brother Jiang." Mo Beishan said with a guilty face.

Jiang Yichun looked at him coldly, "Help me with what?"

"I've regained my Qi and want to try using the Sword of Silence to absorb the evil energy from your body." Mo Beishan said, taking out his treasured sword.

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