The air around them seemed to freeze as the words were spoken.
Xin Huanyan exuded a chilling aura, as if she no longer wished to deal with Xin Yun. She turned away coldly and said, "Coming to find you today was a mistake."
However, Xin Yun called out to her with all her might.
"Huanyan, if you're willing, I will tell you the truth of what happened back then."
Only then did Xin Huanyan slowly turn back, her expressionless face stating, "I'd like to see what kind of story you can spin."
Seeing this, Xin Yun gradually felt at ease.
She then began to recount the truth of the Xin family's past and the series of wicked deeds committed by Xin Li.
Xin Huanyan's expression grew increasingly complex as Xin Yun spoke, her eyes darkening.
Especially when she heard that the true culprit who killed her father was not Xin Ci, but her most respected eldest uncle.
The unwavering belief she had held all this time began to waver.
Xin Yun, believing Xin Huanyan was starting to accept the truth, added, "Huanyan, Xin Ci is not your enemy. He is your own brother. Both of you children suffered such misfortune because of Xin Li."
A flicker of pain flashed in Xin Huanyan's eyes, and her body trembled uncontrollably with emotion.
She hugged herself, disbelief etched on her face.
"Was I deceived by the Xin family all along? Was my uncle's concern for me fake? Did everyone in the Xin family, from the elders to the servants, hide things from me all this time..."
The two shadow guards observing them from the shadows exchanged glances, sensing trouble as they saw Xin Huanyan's agitated state.
One shadow guard whispered to the other, "This is bad. The eldest miss seems to be swayed by Elder Xin Yun."
"In that case, we can only follow the Patriarch's orders and eliminate these two!"
The other shadow guard's expression hardened.
The two prepared to act.
Just then, Xin Huanyan, who had been on the verge of an emotional breakdown, suddenly regained her composure. She looked at Xin Yun with a cold laugh, mocking, "You've spun quite a story. How was it? Was my reaction what you expected? Heh heh."
"Huanyan, you are..." Xin Yun looked at Xin Huanyan in disbelief.
She hadn't expected Xin Huanyan's recent demeanor to be an act.
The two shadow guards, who had been about to move in to eliminate them, were also stunned.
"Are we still going to act?"
"Uh... let's wait and see for now."
The two shadow guards reluctantly halted their plans, waiting to see what the eldest miss would do next.
Xin Huanyan slowly approached Xin Yun, her hand grasping Xin Yun's neck, her gaze sharp and icy. "Elder Xin Yun, I must say, you are both naive and ridiculous."
"Did you really think that by weaving such a tale, I would believe you and choose to oppose the Xin family? What a ludicrous thought."
Xin Yun struggled to breathe, her eyes welling up with tears as she looked at Xin Huanyan.
But Xin Huanyan remained unmoved, continuing her cold mockery. "On what grounds should I believe a traitor who has betrayed the Xin family for years? And where do you get the confidence that you can persuade me!"
With that, Xin Huanyan released her grip.
Xin Yun gasped for air, clutching her neck with her hands, appearing weak and distressed.
She raised her weary eyes slightly to look at Xin Huanyan and whispered weakly, "Huanyan, you still don't believe me?"
Xin Huanyan ignored Xin Yun's weakened state, turning away indifferently. "Do you expect me to believe you based on your mere words? Ridiculous!"
"Even if Xin Ci is truly my brother as you say, I will not spare him. Xin Ci will die by my hand!"
With that, Xin Huanyan left the Cold Water Prison without looking back.
She ignored Xin Yun's desperate and sorrowful gaze.
The two shadow guards hidden in the shadows exchanged quiet whispers.
"If that's the case, is our job done?"
"It seems so. Since we're not needed, let's report back to the Patriarch."
"Agreed."
The two shadow guards left the Cold Water Prison ahead of Xin Yun, rushing to report the situation with Xin Yun and Xin Huanyan to Xin Li.
Xin Li was surprised by the news and exclaimed, "Is what you're saying true? Did Xin Huanyan really say that?!"
"To the Patriarch, my words are absolutely true!"
"We both heard the eldest miss's words with our own ears in the Cold Water Prison. There is no mistake."
The two shadow guards stated with conviction.
Xin Li, while surprised, couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Xin Yaoquan, you really raised a good daughter. I never expected your daughter to trust me so much. It makes it even easier for me to manipulate her into a puppet, hahahaha..."
After his triumphant laughter, Xin Li's Emperor-level senses detected Xin Huanyan approaching his chamber.
With a mere look, the two shadow guards before him understood Xin Li's intent and instantly vanished outside the window, disappearing without a sound.
Xin Huanyan stopped at the doorway and lightly knocked on the room's door.
Xin Li's expression turned serious, and he returned to his seat, his tone indifferent. "Enter."
Granted permission, Xin Huanyan pushed the door open and walked in.
Seeing Xin Huanyan, Xin Li feigned surprise. "Huanyan? It's so late, is there something you need from your uncle?"
Xin Huanyan remained expressionless. She walked to the desk and sat down, speaking with utmost seriousness, "Patriarch, I have a plan to force Xin Ci out."
"What plan?"
Xin Li feigned great interest on the surface, but inwardly, he sneered.
This girl, should I call her foolish or obedient?
Indeed, a daughter is like her father. Xin Yaoquan's daughter is truly laughable in her stupidity.
She trusts me so completely, and follows my every word.
This saves me the trouble of making other arrangements.
Despite his inner elation, Xin Li maintained a calm demeanor on the outside.
"Patriarch, for the past three years, we have exhausted every avenue to search for Xin Ci, but to no avail."
"He's like a bubble, vanished from the human world. It's clear Xin Ci is extraordinarily cunning. If he truly wishes to hide, we may never find him in our lifetime."
Xin Li's expression also grew grim upon hearing this.
Xin Ci, this sole thorn in his side, had always been a source of concern.
But no matter what, Xin Li couldn't capture him.
Xin Ci's concealment methods truly surprised him.
He then glanced at Xin Huanyan and asked, "Then how do you plan to capture Xin Ci?"
Xin Huanyan remained silent for a moment, then her gaze sharpened as she looked at Xin Li. "Patriarch, since we cannot find Xin Ci, why don't we try a different approach and directly force him to reveal himself!"