569 The Secret About the Past 187

"Did you mistake me for my mother when I removed my mask that night?"

"Yes, you resemble her too much."

"Does he read the news?"

"Yes."

"I often appear on the news. Do you think he really hasn't seen photos of me before? Wouldn't he find it strange to see that my mother and I look so alike? If he really didn't see any of those photos, why don't you bring my photo to him and ask him about it?"

Thinking that it was a good idea, Tuoba Shuo agreed, "Sure."

"I just want to know if he's aware of my existence. If he is, why hasn't he come and look for me yet? Shouldn't he at least verify if I'm the daughter he lost? Or did he give me away willingly? You said he wasn't a heartless person, but it seems like the royals are the most heartless creatures ever. Perhaps he had already changed long ago," An Xiaoning said with a gloomy expression.

"Yes. I'll ask him, because I'd like to know the reason too," said an upset Tuoba Shuo.

"Do sketch me the floor plan of his study, bedroom, and the mansion he and his wife are living in. Tell me where the guards are at night too. I'd like to make some progress in this matter even though it may be dangerous. By the way, do you have any hallucinogens?"

"Hallucinogens?"

"Yes. I need some. Since I have to be on night duty, I definitely wouldn't have the chance to sneak out in the day to search for clues. But if I manage to drug His Highness unconscious, it would become much easier, although there'll still be guards on duty."

"I do have some." He stood up to bring her a few packets of the drug and said, "A low dosage is enough to make him sleep for three to four hours."

"Alright, I have to get going now. I can't be out for too long."

He helped her up and said, "Be careful at all times. Don't get too eager, it would take time for the truth to be out."

"I know, don't worry, I'll be very careful."

"Alright."

An Xiaoning left and returned to Tuoba Gucheng's mansion.

Upon sight of Xiao Chi standing by on duty alone, she said to him, "Lend me your phone."

"Well, Young Madam, Young Sir instructed me not to lend you my phone again. He also said… that I don't have to report to him about you anymore."

An Xiaoning felt as if her heart was stabbed by a dagger. She froze in shock and stood rooted to the ground.

Just what must she do to make him believe that she was innocent?

What did he want her to do?

What did he want?

"Okay." She walked away.

Xiao Chi let out a sigh at the sight of how forlorn she looked.

An Xiaoning made her way up the stairs, completely sunk into a trance.

She really wanted to go out of the Autumn Palace to explain herself clearly. However, she would be giving up the best opportunity to search for the truth about her mother if she were to just leave.

Besides, even if she were to leave now, he might not necessarily hear her out.

She had never felt so physically and emotionally exhausted before.

She felt extremely drained.

My conscience is clear, I'm innocent!

But then again, who could hear her innermost thoughts?

Once An Xiaoning returned to her room, she lay down in bed. Her eyes felt uncomfortably dry and sore.

The moment she closed her eyes, images of her sweet memories with Jin Qingyan flooded her mind.

Yet, they felt just like sharp knives slitting her heart and inflicting pain on her.

She must find out the truth about her mother as soon as possible and leave the Autumn Palace!

She felt more empowered at the thought of her determination.

She believed that her husband's misunderstanding toward her would just be temporary and that things would return to their original state very soon.

—

It was the 15th of July.

The start of the Hungry Ghost Festival.

The weather was gloomy and the sky was covered by gray clouds, not allowing a single ray of sunlight to penetrate at all.

Tuoba Shuo and Tuoba Rui were sitting opposite each other in the latter's study.

"What's the important thing you wanted to tell me about?"

Remaining calm and composed, Tuoba Shuo took out a photo from his pocket and placed it onto the table. "I saw this online. Have a look."

Tuoba Rui picked up the photo and was unsurprised at all to see the woman on it. "Isn't this the Young Madam of the Jin family?"

Tuoba Shuo knew immediately that Tuoba Rui must have seen photos of An Xiaoning before and was aware of her existence.

"Don't you think she looks a lot like Qingzhou?"

Tuoba Rui chuckled and said, "There are plenty of people who look alike. What's the big deal?"

"I find it way too strange. It's my first time seeing two people who resemble each other so much. Brother, did you get a shock when you first saw the Young Madam of the Jin family?"

Tuoba Rui nodded and said, "Yes, there's indeed an uncanny, striking resemblance between them. But there's no way she'll be related to Qingzhou. Qingzhou has long been dead."

Tuoba Shuo glared at him with an icy cold stare in his eyes. However, he tried to suppress his emotions.

"I too know that Qingzhou isn't around. However, I still think about her every now and then, especially since I saw someone who resembles her so greatly."

Tuoba Rui did not respond. A deafening silence filled the room.

Tuoba Shuo then stood up and excused himself, "Brother, I'll be going back now then."

"Yes."

He turned around and exited the study, leaving Tuoba Rui alone to stare at An Xiaoning's photo quietly.

She resembled her mother so strikingly, such that it would be easy to mistake her for her mother.

Her smile, in particular, was almost identical to her mother's.

He caressed the photo gently, feeling a sudden twitch in his heart.

He had only seen her once ever since she was born.

After almost thirty years, she had grown into a beautiful woman, just like her mother. He had also heard that she had a similar temperament and character as her mother.

It seemed to him now that he had made the right decision by sending her away from the Autumn Palace to grow up on her own. Wasn't it great to enjoy the freedom of living the life of her choice and marrying the person she truly loved without any restrictions?

"Rui." Shi Xiaoyu entered.

He quickly placed the photo inside the drawer, though Shi Xiaoyu had noticed his actions.

"What is it?"

"Why did Shuo come to find you?"

"He came to ask me why the Young Madam of the Jin family resembled Qingzhou so greatly. Perhaps he's just being curious," Tuoba Rui answered casually.

"How did you answer him?"

"Must you really ask in such detail? You'd better not poke your nose into things you shouldn't be asking about," he hissed, giving her the side eye.

"I was just being curious, that's all. I'm guessing Shuo must be thinking of meeting An Xiaoning. Given his character, he'll definitely go and look her up."

"So what if he does?" After a moment of silence, Tuoba Rui answered, "It'd be good for him to meet her, actually. He would be able to clarify his doubts. Besides, he wouldn't necessarily go meet her since he knows clearly that she isn't Qingzhou."

"Sister is so fortunate. She managed to gain the affection and love of your brother and yours. Even though I've given birth to two sons and a daughter for you, she still has a greater place in your heart than I do," said Shi Xiaoyu, seemingly hinting at something,

"Are you vying with a dead person? She's passed away so many years ago already. Don't keep bringing her up," he chided coldly.