An endless expanse of open ground, dotted with countless tents, resembling mushrooms viewed from afar. In the distance, squads of soldiers are drilling, their voices echoing like thunder. Nearby, armored soldiers hold long spears and patrol the perimeter of the tents. Inside the general's tent, Ling Pi sits quietly in his tiger chair, his right thumb pressed against his forehead, clearly suffering from a headache. Facing him are the military strategist, Ruan Yiyin, and the deputy general, Lin Chengqi, both with a faint, half-smiling expression. "What should I do with that little troublemaker?" recalling Ling Wanwan, even the usually composed and self-assured General Ling Zhenbei finds himself troubled. She's truly unlike ordinary people—unafraid of anything—yet he deeply respects her ability to manage the general's household with such competence. "The lady is doing the general a great favor," Ruan Yiyin remarks, smiling gently, remembering how, just a few days ago, a group of beautiful women had arrived at the camp. They claimed to have been sent by Miss Wanwan to serve the general in bed. Thinking of the flushed and blushing face the general had at the time, Ruan finds it quite worth it. "What a good idea," Cold Pei Yuan glared at Ruan Yiying. "Have you ever heard of a daughter so young selecting a consort for her father?" Even more astonishing was the excuse—she claimed it was all for his health. Honestly, he was starting to question how old his beloved daughter actually was. Six years ago, she had mentioned wanting to choose a wife for him, but he thought it was just a child's whimsy. Now, she had actually sent someone to the military camp. Goodness, what would become of his dignity as the esteemed Commander of the Northern Garrison if this were to be publicized? "Pfft," Ruan Yiying couldn't help but laugh, watching Cold Pei Yuan's helpless expression. Lin Chengqi, meanwhile, was struggling to keep his composure. "Report," a soldier's voice came from outside the tent. "Enter," Cold Pei Yuan smoothed his expression, maintaining a cold demeanor. "Report, General. There's a letter from the household." The soldier bowed slightly, hands presenting the letter. "Hmm. You may go now." "Lin Pei Yuan took the letter, unfolded it carefully in both hands, and was startled so much that he accidentally knocked over the inkstone on the table with a loud crash. Ink splashed everywhere, leaving him quite disheveled. 'General, what has happened?' Ruan Yiyin and Lin Chengqi saw the General's alarmed expression and immediately stood up. Their demeanor was serious—was there a major incident in Yao City? 'It's happened in Wanyuan,' Cold Peiran said, while assigning Ruan Yiyin and Lin Chengqi to take charge of the military camp. After giving his instructions, he stood up and rushed out, shouting, 'Get the horses ready!' He took the horse brought by a soldier, leaped onto its back, and gave it sharp kicks, vanishing like a streak of green smoke before everyone's eyes. "Chen Yue ran in hurriedly, her figure now graceful and poised at sixteen, resembling Mu Zhao Yun in appearance, with a certain charm. She looked visibly agitated, nearly knocking over the stool beside the table as she burst into the room. "What's wrong? So frantic!" Mu Zhao Yun couldn't help frowning at her daughter's urgency. Yue was simply too impulsive—how could she achieve anything significant with such a demeanor? "Mother, that lowly girl has returned," said Chen Yue, breathing heavily, her dark eyes filled with resentment. For the past six years, her brilliance has been completely overshadowed by that girl. Everyone—both within and outside the household—has known the lady of the Cold family as Chen Wanwan, and has entirely forgotten about me, the legitimate daughter. Gasps— Mu Zhao Yun's hands tightened involuntarily, pressing hard against the cat in her arms. The white cat gripped her hands firmly, leaving a clear trail of blood on the pale wrist. Pain surged, and she let out a sharp gasp, her anger rising. With a forceful motion, she tossed the cat to the floor. "Mew." The white cat meowed innocently, its snowy silhouette turning and darting out the door. "Another failure," Li Liu said, her eyes blazing with resentment. After six years of relentless attempts, the assassination had finally come to nothing. She had believed that hiring the most renowned killers from the martial world—spending considerable effort—would finally send her to meet her ghostly mother, only to find it had failed once again. Was there no way to finally settle this matter? "Mother, what shall we do?" Cold Yue looked at her mother, afraid that the young girl might turn around and attack them. The girl was cold-tempered and capable of doing anything. "What's there to be afraid of?" Mu Zhaoyun said, glaring at her anxious daughter. "Over the past six years, haven't we done enough? Has she ever known it was us who acted?" She had believed she had orchestrated a flawless, seamless cover-up. Yet, in truth, it had all been Cold Wanwan deliberately pretending not to know—turning her efforts into a game, and playing her for a fool. "Indeed, she never knew it was us." "Cold Yue's eyes brightened at once. Hearing her mother's words, she felt much more reassured. 'But Mother, shall we just let her behave so arrogantly all the way?' After the initial fear, Cold Yue's own resentment stirred again. She truly didn't want to be treated as if she were beneath the girl—what right did the girl have to be the mistress of the Cold household while she herself remained subordinate? 'Rest assured,' Mu Zhao Yun said, her eyes narrowing slightly. 'I will make her pay for her arrogance, sooner or later.' 'Agreed,' Cold Yue nodded. 'By the way, what if we bring back our elder brother and younger brother to help us?' After all, her elder brother was the eldest son, the rightful heir to manage the Cold household—he should be more formally entitled than that girl. 'No,' Mu Zhao Yun shook her head. 'Your brother has always followed your father's lead; he won't support us. As for your younger brother, he's frail in health and naturally gentle and sincere—he's easily deceived by others. It would be better if he continues to recover under your grandmother's care.' She sighed, thinking of how she had given birth to two sons and one daughter, A steady, composed voice from the courtyard belonged to the steward. "What's going on?" Mu Zhaoyun arched an eyebrow, glanced at her daughter—why had the steward come? "Miss Bingbing has kindly invited you and the lady of the house to meet in the main hall," the steward reported, delivering Bingbing's message. "What is it?" Mu Zhaoyun spoke with growing displeasure. After all, she was still the lady of the general's household—these people were clearly not treating her with the respect she deserved. "The steward doesn't know. Miss Bingbing simply asked for your presence and that of the lady." "What difference does it make if we don't go?" Cold Yue'er protested, clearly feeling herself being taken for granted by the young lady. "We'll go shortly," Mu Zhaoyun said after a moment's thought. "Mother, why should we go?" Cold Yue'er was unhappy—why should she be compelled to attend simply because Bingbing had asked? "To see what tricks that young lady might be playing," Mu Zhaoyun said, her eyes narrowing as she watched the girl's intentions unfold. The brown stallion arrived at the northern general's estate, Ran urgently toward the main hall. "Wanwan, how are you?" He called out anxiously even before reaching the house. It was well known that concern always brings disorder—though usually so wise and composed, he hadn't noticed any change throughout the household. If anything truly had happened to Wanwan, the whole estate would surely have been in a commotion. Yin Qin stepped in and handed over the items she had prepared. "Here you go, Father, take a look yourself." Cold Wanwan placed all the items into Cold Peiyan's hands—evidence of the harm沐Zhao Yun had done to her over the past six years. "What is this?" Peiyan asked in bewilderment, taking the items to examine them. His expression grew steadily darker. He had never expected that woman to grow so unrelenting, especially to carry out such harm right under his very eyes. As he reviewed each piece of evidence, his anger surged. It seemed he had been too indulgent with her, allowing her to believe she could rule absolutely. "Where is that woman?" Peiyan asked, his voice sharp as he set down the items. "In the front hall," Wanwan replied coldly. To be kind to her enemies was to be cruel to herself. Therefore, she held no sympathy for沐Zhao Yun's future. "Go," Peiyan said with a cold demeanor, sweeping his sleeve and stepping decisively outward. "Let's go and see the show," Wanwan said, taking Yin Qin with her and following. ---------Please vote for this article if you like it------- Today I did a thorough cleaning at home, preparing for the New Year. Ha ha... that's a early New Year greeting!