Yi Tianyun had long since returned to the Imperial City, and it was his return that caused the news to leak. The Imperial City was teeming with spies, making it impossible to go unnoticed unless one remained in hiding indefinitely.
Ren Zhirou had been doing just that, hiding within the Imperial Palace without ever stepping out. She didn't want to disrupt Yi Tianyun's plans, nor did she want to cause him any worry, so she had remained secluded.
Now that Yi Tianyun had returned with Ren Long, Ren Zhirou was overjoyed. She had never imagined that her brother was truly still alive!
"Brother, I knew you were safe!" Ren Zhirou threw herself into Ren Long's arms, her eyes red-rimmed.
"Little sister, of course I'm fine... But without Yi's help, I really wouldn't have made it out." Ren Long was overcome with emotion. He gently guided Ren Zhirou out of his embrace and looked at her gaunt face. "You've lost weight. It must have been so difficult for you all these years."
