After everything finally settled, Grandma called Wu Zhen forward.
"Wu Zhen… I have something very important to tell you."
He looked at her in surprise. Around them, everyone fell quiet, their eyes turning toward the old woman.
"You know how your father and your brother died," Grandma began, her voice trembling.
"After the last attack, I truly believed you were gone as well. I stayed alive for years with nothing but grief. I ate alone. I slept alone. I cried everyday. For many years I cursed the Black Scorpion for what he did to our family."
Her voice cracked, but she continued.
"Then one day… heaven sent me these two children."
She gently pulled Jai Yu and Yun Qing closer by their hands.
"The Black Scorpion destroyed their home and slaughtered their families. Fate led them to me. They became the only family I had left… until the day I finally found your son and your wife."
Tears filled Wu Zhen's eyes.
"These two are now your siblings," Grandma said firmly. "You will love them. Protect them. Care for them as your own. Whether I am alive or gone."
Then she reached for the baby in Yun Qing's arms and held her close.
"And this child is your niece. You are her uncle. They are my children — this is my vow before Heaven."
No one spoke for a long moment.
Wu Zhen stepped forward and knelt before her, his voice breaking. "Mother… I swear it."
Jai Yu's eyes shone. Yun Qing draw her closer wiping her cheeks. Mei's mother held them in a warm embrace, as she said, you will always been my children.
Leng Yue and the other watched in silence, hearts heavy and warm at the same time.
When the emotions finally calmed, and after all the greetings and introductions were made, they mounted their horses.
Together, they rode toward Lianhua.
-----
The great gates of Lianhua Palace opened quickly as the horses rode inside.
Mei was already there waiting, as if she knew that they will be coming that very day.
She sat at the edge of the courtyard where she usually stay to wait for Leng Yue.
Her heart restless for reasons she could not explain. The moment she saw the familiar figure at the front, her breath caught.
"Leng Yue…"
Before the horses had fully stopped, Leng Yue jumped down. Mei ran forward, her face bright with joy.
"My prince, you are back!" She said throwing her hands around him, hugging him tightly. Leng Yue laughed softly and held her for a moment.
"Did you miss me?" he asked, teasing.
She pulled back just enough to look at him. "What do you think?" she said with a playful smile, then hugged him again.
Before he could reply, a familiar voice cleared behind her.
"Mei."
She turned quickly.
"Father!"
She rushed into Wu Zhen's arms, hugging him just as tightly. He held her with both arms, his heart full.
She leaned back and whispered with a giggle, "Are you jealous of your future son-in-law?"
Wu Zhen laughed quietly. "I can see you only have eyes for Leng Yue now."
Mei's laughter rang softly through the courtyard
" Am no more important right?," Yuyan voice sounded behind them, Mei quickly turned to her as she said, "you are welcome my dearest sister"
She wrapped Yuyan in a tight hug, then stepped back and bowed politely to Tian Yu who was standing by her side saying
"Welcome, my lord."
All the while, her mother stood nearby, unable to look away from her. Tears of happiness slid down her cheeks as her eyes followed every movement of her daughter — the smile, the laughter, the familiar smile she had once feared she would never see again.
At last Mei noticed the group watching her.
She paused.
"Who are these people?" she whispered to Yuyan, gently pulling her hand.
Wu Zhen stepped forward and placed his hands on Mei's shoulders.
"Mei," he said softly, "this is your mother… and your brother."
Mei froze.
Slowly, she turned, and her eyes met her mother's.
For a heartbeat, neither of them could move.
"Mother…" Mei whispered, as if testing the word.
Her mother stepped forward, trembling, and pulled Mei into her arms. They held each other tightly, both crying now, the years of loss and longing pouring out in silence.
Wu Zhen continued, his voice thick with emotion.
"This is Jai Yu — your aunt.
And this is Qing Yun — your uncle.
And this is your grandmother… my mother."
Mei looked at Grandma, who smiled at her with gentle eyes and opened her arms. Mei went to her and held her carefully, feeling the warmth of family she never knew she still had.
Jai Yu and Qing Yun stood close, watching her with quiet smiles and wet eyes, their hearts finally at peace.
When at last they pulled apart, the courtyard felt full — of voices of lovely family.
"Come," Wu Zhen said softly. "Let us go inside and see the Emperor."
Together, they all walked inside the throne room.
____
It had been over a week since Prince Xian Rong told his brother the truth about him and Yue Rong.
Every day since then, he had been waiting — for anger, for shouting, or at least report him to the Emperor, anything.
But his brother only remained quiet,
sometimes watching him from afar, saying nothing.
His brother showed no anger, no shouting, and had not reported him to the Emperor.
"What kind of brother behaves like this?" Xian Rong murmured, running his hand through his hair.
That night, after he confessed everything, Prince Rong Yuan had simply walked away without saying a word. Since then, every time he see his father, his heart jumped violently in my chest. Fear tightening around he— wondering if today would be the day everything collapsed. He thought pacing around in circles.
"Is this how an elder brother should behave?" he whispered, frustration building inside him.
"What elder brother?"
The voice came from behind, Prince Xian Rong flinched.
"Y-your hi.… my… Brother." he stammered.
Prince Rong Yuan stepped closer. Prince Xian Rong unconsciously took a step back.
Their eyes met — one calm, the other filled with unease.
"You are right," Prince Rong Yuan said quietly. "The child may be yours… or it may not be yours. I will not involve Father yet while the truth is still unclear."
Xian Rong's breath shook.
"But do not think you are free," Rong Yuan continued. "When the child is born, I will seek the answer myself."
With that, he turned and left — as silently as he had come, leaving Xian Rong standing alone in the corridor, his heart pounding in his chest.