46: Is this really Ali?

Moreover, while others might not know Zhao Min's other identity, she certainly did.

Zhao Min's status in the Mongol Yuan Dynasty was anything but simple; in fact, the Ruyang Princes Manor held its current position entirely because of her.

This girl was known by the nickname "Female Zhuge."

The Mongol Yuan Dynasty had originally been teetering on the brink of collapse, but thanks to Zhao Min, it had now firmly established its footing on the Nine Provinces Continent.

If Duan Zhengchun married Zhao Min, did that mean the Kingdom had already joined forces with the Mongol Yuan Dynasty?

The Nine Provinces Continent valued martial arts, and every Imperial Dynasty was guarded by powerful Masters.

A top-tier Master could influence the future of an Imperial Dynasty, and someone like Duan Zhengchun would surely have many Imperial Dynasties willing to form an Alliance with the Kingdom.

Despite the Kingdom being a small country, its martial strength was not weak at all.

"Greetings, Princess..."

"This is Sister Xiao Zhao, and this is Auntie Dai. From now on, their status in the manor is the same as This Princess, understood?" Zhao Min commanded.

"Yes, your subordinate understands," the guard replied hastily, his expression shifting.

"Sister Xiao Zhao, Auntie, let us go inside."

"Treat the manor as your own home from now on; there is no need for formalities," Zhao Min said with a smile.

"Sister Minmin, isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Xiao Zhao asked nervously.

"There is nothing inappropriate about it. Since you have chosen to follow Duan Lang, we are family now."

"I would never mistreat my own family. We are sisters, aren't we?"

"Or are you unwilling to be my sister?" Zhao Min asked with a laugh.

"Not at all! I am already so grateful that you don't look down on me. How could I be unwilling? I am just afraid of bothering you and putting you in a difficult position," Xiao Zhao said quickly.

"Family should not speak like strangers. From now on, whatever you need in the manor, just order the servants. If anyone dares to be two-faced, I will definitely not show them mercy," Zhao Min said dominantly.

Daiqisi was also surprised by Zhao Min's actions, but at the same time, she felt a sense of relief.

Regardless of what the future held, at the very least, Zhao Min's current attitude toward them was very satisfying.

If Zhao Min truly couldn't tolerate her daughter, she wouldn't have let her daughter stay with Duan Zhengchun to be mistreated.

Zhao Min then summoned The Two Elders of Xuanming and the others, clearly explaining the identities of Xiao Zhao and Daiqisi.

The Two Elders of Xuanming didn't dare to object to Zhao Min's arrangements, especially since these two were Duan Zhengchun's women.

They had originally expected Duan Zhengchun to return in the evening, but to Zhao Min's surprise, he actually stayed out all night.

This made her feel a bit jealous, but she didn't show it.

She knew that Duan Zhengchun must have his reasons for doing so.

What she needed to do was not pry into his affairs; only then would Duan Zhengchun feel no pressure.

Nor would he develop any resentment toward her.

"Xiao Zhao, didn't you say he could give you the Heaven and Earth Great Shift Manual? Has he given it to you yet?" Daiqisi asked.

"Well, Mother... not yet," Xiao Zhao said after a moment's hesitation.

"What? Haven't you already... Why hasn't he given it to you after you've sacrificed so much?"

"Could it be that he is deceiving you?" Daiqisi frowned.

"Mother, do you really think he would lie to us about something like this?"

"He produced a marrow cleansing pill just like that; surely he wouldn't deceive us about this?" Xiao Zhao analyzed.

"That may be so, but you have already given so much, yet you still haven't received the Heaven and Earth Great Shift Manual."

"If the people from the Persian Main Cult arrive, it will be dangerous," Daiqisi said worriedly.

"Mother, let's just trust Duan Lang. Since he said it, he must have a way."

"Besides, the deed is done. We can only choose to believe him now; it's too late to turn back," Xiao Zhao said helplessly.

Daiqisi fell silent.

Indeed, they had already come this far; there was no use in regretting it now.

Neither Xiao Zhao nor Daiqisi slept well that night.

After all, the events of the day were far too bizarre and absurd for both of them.

Especially for Daiqisi; she never imagined she would one day encounter such a situation.

She had actually been completely handled by a young man more than ten years her junior.

The Cold Poison that had tormented her for so many years had also been cured.

At this moment, she felt an unprecedented sense of relief, yet within that relief was also a hint of pressure.

She only wanted to live; what was wrong with that?

In a daze, Daiqisi eventually fell asleep.

But Xiao Zhao couldn't sleep at all; the impact of today's events was too great for her.

Because of her status, Xiao Zhao had never thought she would one day get married.

'Ugh, this is so annoying and confusing.'

Amidst this constant inner turmoil, Xiao Zhao didn't even know when she finally drifted off.

After the three of them ate together the next day, they discovered that Duan Zhengchun had returned with a beautiful woman.

Zhao Min caught a glimpse but acted as if she hadn't seen anything, her expression remaining unchanged.

Xiao Zhao, however, had a hint of resentment in her eyes.

Daiqisi's face turned cold, though she said nothing.

When she saw the beauty beside Duan Zhengchun, a look of surprise appeared on Daiqisi's face.

She had recognized that this beauty was none other than A Li, who had been by her side for the past few years.

A Li had begun to Cultivate the "Thousand Spider, Ten Thousand Poisons Hand" since she was eight years old; while it was manageable for the first two years, it became much more severe afterward.

Her appearance had also been disfigured due to the toxins in her body.

Now that her appearance was restored, she was actually not inferior to her daughter in the slightest.

She was truly a one-in-a-million stunning beauty.

Furthermore, her figure was actually even better than her daughter's.

"Husband, who is this?" Zhao Min looked at A Li; although she had already guessed A Li's identity, she still feigned confusion as she asked.

"This one? This is your new sister, A Li," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

"What? She... she is A Li?" Xiao Zhao stared at A Li with a look of utter shock, seeing the world of difference in her appearance.

"What's wrong? Do you not recognize me anymore?" A Li said with a smile.

"I really don't recognize you; the transformation is just too vast."

"I finally believe why Duan Lang said you were a beauty before. You're not just a beauty; you're a stunningly gorgeous woman."

Xiao Zhao circled A Li a few times with a sigh of admiration, her face filled with wonder.

A Li was very satisfied with Xiao Zhao's reaction and raised her head to look at the sky with an air of arrogance.