After the collapse of Hanguang Tower, the Capital City was put under martial law, as was the Imperial City. It was evident that the tower had been deliberately destroyed with explosives—this was no natural disaster but man-made calamity. The Jinyi Guard had yet to determine the perpetrator. Although Xie Xun had stockpiled gunpowder under the tower, he hadn’t ignited it. Someone else lit the fuse, resulting in the explosion. This update ıs available on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝙣𝙚𝙩 It seemed Xie Xun was the culprit, but in truth, he wasn’t. Xie Xun wouldn’t act without confirmation of Jiangnan’s military victory. He shared an unspoken understanding with Xie Jue; if Jiangnan emerged victorious, Xie Jue would dispatch urgent war reports across eight hundred miles to the Capital City. Only then would he proceed with his plans, and it would not be too late. As of now, the Feng Family members had not yet been escorted out of the city; hence, Xie Xun would not act rashly. With the war in Jiangnan still unsettled, Xie Xun wouldn’t create chaos in the Capital City that might plunge Yanyang into internal strife, which would be detrimental to the Jiangnan battlefield. He had no idea who was responsible for the Hanguang Tower explosion. This incident placed Xie Xun in a passive position, forcing him to expedite his plans to swiftly send Fengyu’s family out of the city. In the deep silence of midnight, Xie Xun led Fengyu to evade the patrolling Kyoto Capital Guard as they approached the Feng Mansion. Over the years, the patrol schedules of the Kyoto Capital Guard had remained unchanged; Xie Xun was familiar with their routines and easily avoided detection. The Feng Mansion’s surroundings were all estates of prominent families with single-access entrances. The household guards and Protectors patrolled intensively, with Jinyi Guards keeping watch. After midnight, the Jinyi Guards rotated shifts, leaving a brief window of time—a single incense stick’s duration. Tonight’s incident at Hanguang Tower had drawn everyone’s attention, leaving only three Jinyi Guards monitoring the area. Ying Si distracted them, allowing Fengyu and Xie Xun to approach the side door of the secondary residence. Flying Shadow leapt over the wall and opened the door for Fengyu and Xie Xun. After three long years, Fengyu had finally returned home, her heart filled with overwhelming emotion. The side door of the secondary residence was the route Fengyu often used past visits. During her time in the Capital City, she frequently ventured outside via this path. Three years ago, it was already a quiet corridor. After the Marquis Mansion incident, the Feng Family dismissed countless servants, fearing they might be implicated. Now, the Feng Mansion seemed desolate. Familiar with this route, Fengyu effortlessly guided Xie Xun to her grandmother’s quarters at Songhe Garden. "Who’s there!" Fengyu and Xie Xun had just approached Songhe Garden when they were spotted by Mrs. Rong, the night watch caretaker. As she was about to call for help, Xie Xun quickly approached and covered her mouth. "Don’t shout; it’s me!" Since Fengyu and Xie Xun hadn’t yet swapped back their bodies, Mrs. Rong was startled upon hearing Fengyu’s voice. Unable to see clearly under the dim light, her suspicions grew. Upon Xie Xun’s release, Mrs. Rong turned to see Fengyu and reacted with such excitement that she stomped her feet. "Third Miss... it’s really you! The elderly madam..." "Mrs. Rong, lower your voice—don’t alarm anyone," Fengyu whispered softly. Mrs. Rong nodded enthusiastically and motioned for the pair to hide outside the rock garden. She went inside Songhe Garden to dismiss the maids, sending them off to rest. Only three maids remained at Songhe Garden, all born into the household and trustworthy. However, given Fengyu and Xie Xun’s special identities, caution remained paramount. The elderly madam, advanced in age, slept deeply at night and seldom required maids to keep watch. After dismissing the maids, Mrs. Rong returned to call Fengyu and Xie Xun, leading them inside Songhe Garden. After ensuring the coast was clear, she shut the door behind them. "How is Grandmother’s health?" Xie Xun asked, knowing that Fengyu would naturally be concerned about the elderly madam’s condition. "She visited the palace a few days ago to see the Second Miss and has been in low spirits ever since. Her appetite isn’t good either. She’s old and worries too much, which makes her uncomfortable. Now that the Third Miss is back, when she sees you, she’ll surely be overjoyed, and maybe her ailment will disappear altogether." Mrs. Rong guided them to sit in the outer hall while she went to wake the elderly madam. At this late hour, the elderly madam was sleeping deeply. Fengyu and Xie Xun waited for a while until they heard staggered footsteps approaching. "Is it Ayu? Is Ayu truly back?" "Grandmother..." Overcome with emotion, Fengyu rose abruptly, almost forgetting she was still in Xie Xun’s body. Xie Xun gently patted the back of her hand, standing up alongside her to greet the elderly madam. The elderly madam grasped Fengyu’s hands, her face a stream of tears, her hands trembling incessantly. Xie Xun softly spoke, "Grandmother, it is your unworthy granddaughter Ayu returning to see you." "Ayu..." The elderly madam tightly embraced him, her hands trembling as she gently patted his back. Xie Xun could feel the scorching maternal affection radiating from her chest. Playing the role of Fengyu, he obediently returned her embrace, softly consoling her, "Grandmother, Ayu is safe and sound. Please, don’t grieve. If you cry and hurt your eyes, Ayu will be heartbroken." "It’s good that you’re alive, it’s good that you’re alive..." The elderly madam suppressed her surge of emotions, and Xie Xun assisted her to take a seat. Mrs. Rong, teary-eyed, left the room to guard the door. Unable to contain her longing, Fengyu knelt and kowtowed before the elderly madam, "This junior, Xie Zhixu, pays respects to Grandmother." The elderly madam hurriedly helped him up, "Good child, you’ve endured hardship all these years. Without you caring for Ayu, our family reunion wouldn’t have been possible." Choked with emotion, Fengyu found words stuck in her throat; bound in Xie Xun’s body, she struggled to express her deep longing. "Grandmother, Ayu... has missed you dearly." The elderly madam gazed at Xie Xun’s reddened eyes, feeling somewhat puzzled. Her little granddaughter seemed perfectly composed, yet her grandson-in-law’s eyes brimmed with tears, appearing deeply sentimental. "Grandmother, Ayu truly missed you greatly," Xie Xun echoed, affected by Fengyu’s emotions. However, their visit tonight aimed to arrange for the Feng Family’s departure from the city. "Grandmother, please send someone you trust to summon Father and Mother. Ayu has urgent matters to discuss." "Alright!" The elderly madam instructed Mrs. Rong to fetch Feng Changqing and his wife under the pretense of her feeling unwell and wanting to see them. The Feng Mansion’s secondary residence was now desolate, with many servants having been dismissed by Su Yuejiao. There was little concern about prying eyes. After three years apart, the elderly madam’s longing for Fengyu overflowed. Unable to resist, she asked about Fengyu’s experiences over the past three years. Fearing he might falter and arouse suspicion, Xie Xun briefly recounted Fengyu’s time in the West State before mentioning Ruyi. Speaking of Ruyi, his conversation with the elderly madam grew more natural and heartfelt. Yet, for reasons unknown, the elderly madam’s gaze frequently lingered on Fengyu. She couldn’t help but feel that the distinguished prince with mildly reddened eyes seemed peculiar. Her thoughts didn’t delve deeper, though, as the topic of Ruyi inevitably led her to think of Feng Shu, igniting both concern and sorrow in her heart. Fengyu comforted her, "Grandmother, rest assured. Our family will reunite. Ruyi is still waiting for her sister-in-law." "With the prince’s words, this old woman can rest easy."