Yu Qingwu's blunt questioning made Xie Jin Yan even more guilty.

But soon, the dodging in his eyes was replaced by doubt. He frowned and asked Yu Qingwu, "Identity? What identity could Eunuch Yu have? What exactly are you talking about, Shijie?"

His tone was innocent, his expression aggrieved.

Logically speaking, he was always good at disguises, and with that stunning face of his, it was extremely easy to gain the trust of others, and extremely easy to evoke pity.

Even though his reputation was usually terrible, as long as he, Xie Jin Yan, was willing, there was no one he couldn't coax.

However, Yu Qingwu silently looked at the man's aggrieved and handsome face, without a trace of warmth.

She pursed her lips, smiled faintly, and a hint of mockery floated in her tone. She snorted coldly and said, "Your Highness doesn't need to pretend in front of me. I have been your junior sister for many years. I wouldn't dare say I understand you completely, but I do know a thing or two."

"Your Highness, you knew all along that Eunuch Yu is my brother, Yu Jinnian, didn't you?"

Yu Qingwu's voice was soft, and her emotions didn't fluctuate much, but when she said the three words 'Yu Jinnian', Xie Jin Yan's heart trembled violently.

He paused, wanting to say something, but in the end, he didn't answer.

After a moment, he reorganized his emotions and explained, "I didn't originally intend to hide it from you, but now is not the time. Moreover, Eunuch Yu is unwilling to acknowledge you. You…"

"I understand. My brother is afraid that I will resent him." Xie Jin Yan was pondering how to explain to Yu Qingwu, but the next moment, the woman on the bed just laughed lightly. There wasn't a trace of excitement on that beautiful face, or perhaps... she was trying her best to control it.

Looking up at him, she curled her lips into a smile and sighed, "When he was young, my brother was high-spirited and the most famous young master in Dengzhou. Although our Yu family was from a merchant background, my brother was excellent at his studies. He passed the xiucai exam at the young age of ten, and at thirteen, he was already a handsome young man. Many officials came to propose marriage..."

"If the Yu family hadn't had that incident, my brother would probably be an official in the court now, with both sons and daughters..."

"Unfortunately..." Recalling the past, Yu Qingwu's eyes dimmed again. She closed her eyes, forcibly suppressed her emotions, and smiled at Xie Jin Yan again, continuing, "My brother is probably afraid that I resent him for not protecting me and my mother despite being alive. Or perhaps, having become a eunuch, he feels guilty towards the ancestors of the Yu family."

"But Your Highness, do you know? Now, as long as I know my brother is still alive, I am already very happy."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at the Crown Prince in front of her, seemingly crying and laughing, and repeated as if emphasizing something, "Your Highness, I only care that my brother is alive. I don't care about anything else."

The implication was that as long as Yu Qi could live, she wouldn't pursue the fact that he held power and was a eunuch, unable to pose a threat as an in-law, which was why she was chosen as the Crown Princess.

She wanted him to spare Yu Qi's life.

This magnanimity made Xie Jin Yan feel a little uncomfortable.

He didn't like Yu Qingwu seeing through him so thoroughly, and he especially didn't like her putting others before him, even if that person was her blood-related brother...

Their eyes met, and Xie Jin Yan forced himself to remain calm, gently replying, "Shijie, don't worry unnecessarily. Although Eunuch Yu is now a palace eunuch and involved in some cases, incurring the dissatisfaction of many officials, he is still a close aide to Father Emperor. Even if those people are unwilling, they would never dare to attack him."

"Moreover, Eunuch Yu has been by Father Emperor's side since he was young. What kind of situations hasn't he seen? Those fools are no match for him."

Xie Jin Yan deliberately steered the conversation to the side, pretending not to understand Yu Qingwu's intention.

Seeing that he was unwilling to answer directly, Yu Qingwu didn't try to expose anything, only saying softly again, "Your Highness, my brother has always been a bit stubborn since he was young. If he does anything inappropriate, please be considerate, just treat it as..."

"As a reward for my injury..."

Perhaps feeling that these words weren't secure enough, Yu Qingwu thought for a moment and softly added, "If... if my brother really gets stuck in a rut, please tell me, and I will persuade him..."

Was this a humble gesture towards him? An apology?

Heh, his second Shijie, always the most headstrong woman.

So far, she had only apologized to him for two things. The first was to save her life and seek revenge, and the second was now, for her brother whom she hadn't seen in nearly ten years. This posture was even lower than any time in the past.

Her obedience and gentleness were what he had always yearned for, but now, he didn't like it so much.

Gently holding the woman's hand, Xie Jin Yan pretended to be nonchalant, comforting her gently, "Shijie, what are you saying? Why would I make things difficult for Eunuch Yu for no reason?"

"Besides, regarding A Yue's matter today, he didn't know the inside story and just wanted to protect you. I understand that..."

"Don't worry, I'm not that petty."

Yes, he wasn't that petty, but he was a ruthless and stubborn Crown Prince.

Anyone who stood in his way, he would not hesitate to take their life.

Anyone he didn't care about, their lives were worthless.

Perhaps, he would be a good emperor in the future, but for his subjects, especially those who were disobedient and intended to defy and coerce him, he would never show mercy...

Yu Qingwu knew this from when they were in the same sect.

In the past, she could not care about these things, but now that she knew her brother was still alive, she could no longer act as recklessly as before.

Taking a deep look at Xie Jin Yan, Yu Qingwu replied gently, "Of course, I know Your Highness is not that petty, but people inevitably have their moments..."

"By the way, Your Highness, please don't be angry with my cousin Yu Zhen and Ling'er either. They were worried about me and came to see me. They unintentionally talked about their interactions with my brother along the way. In the end, I noticed the details myself. Don't make things difficult for them."

A few polite words, all protecting others.

At this moment, Xie Jin Yan suddenly felt that there was a distance between him and her, that she had become no different from the concubines sent by his father to consolidate their power.

But clearly, just a moment ago, he was the only person she could rely on.

Xie Jin Yan suddenly felt extremely lost. He pursed his lips, forced a smile, and pretended to reciprocate, "Shijie, don't overthink it. These things were going to reach your ears sooner or later. I didn't intentionally hide it from you. It's just that you'll probably have to deal with Eunuch Yu yourself..."

"Don't worry, Your Highness, I know how to handle it." Seeing that Xie Jin Yan had relented, Yu Qingwu also breathed a sigh of relief, a genuine smile appearing in her eyes...

But Xie Jin Yan couldn't smile. He inexplicably thought of the things Qin Yiliu had predicted...

Perhaps he should investigate the Qin family carefully. Only by investigating thoroughly could he know whether the things she said were true or false.