After Marrying the Officer Chapter 1354 - 1353: Main Story Finale 26

"I am sorry," Xia Chuyi let out a sigh, "I also heard about the news regarding you..."

A sense of grievance washed over Xia Chuyi once more.

Upon hearing this, Huo Shiqian finally sighed, drawing her into his embrace. "It was precisely because you cared too much that Guo Jiumin managed to exploit your feelings."

"Do not blame me for not giving you a heads-up beforehand; this was all a trap," Huo Shiqian informed Xia Chuyi.

Seeing that Huo Shiqian was no longer displeased, Xia Chuyi first felt a wave of relief, then paused to consider, sensing that something was amiss.

"A trap?" Xia Chuyi questioned him, her brow furrowed in confusion. "How did you know it was a trap?"

To be more precise, how had her own husband known about such a trap existing?

"It’s a rather long story," Huo Shiqian replied. "Allow me to first handle the wrap-up here, and then I shall explain everything to you."

"Alright," Xia Chuyi agreed, naturally having no objections to Huo Shiqian’s request.

Once the situation was brought under control, while en route home, Huo Shiqian shared the latest developments with Xia Chuyi. "Guo Jiumin and Xia Lan have both been apprehended."

"And as for Xia Lianlian..." Huo Shiqian paused briefly at this point, before stating, "She is dead."

"Dead?" Xia Chuyi was quite taken aback by this sudden news. "What happened?"

Gently patting her hand, Huo Shiqian explained, "Xia Lianlian was merely a pawn in Guo Jiumin’s game. Once a pawn has served its purpose, it naturally becomes expendable."

To put it plainly, both Xia Lianlian and Mother Xia had been manipulated by Guo Jiumin to deceive, entice, and ultimately deal with Xia Chuyi.

Even He Qing had been a pawn specifically chosen by Guo Jiumin.

Were they not all just pawns, discarded by Guo Jiumin once their usefulness concluded?

A touch of melancholy settled upon Xia Chuyi.

At this juncture, Huo Shiqian continued, "Regarding Xia Lianlian’s mother..."

Mother Xia, which was naturally a reference to Xia Lianlian’s mother.

"I intend to arrange for her to be sent back to Ling County," Huo Shiqian stated with a hint of coldness. "Having lost her beloved daughter and her own sanity, Zhao Chunxiao’s remaining days are best spent in a mental institution, isolated from all outside contact."

It was quite apparent that Huo Shiqian was channeling his anger over Xia Lianlian’s fate onto Mother Xia.

Xia Chuyi offered no plea for mercy on Mother Xia’s behalf.

Understanding that Huo Shiqian was already showing considerable leniency by sparing Mother Xia’s life, Xia Chuyi accepted the decision.

"Let it be," Xia Chuyi conceded.

She felt she had already done all she could for Mother Xia.

After resolving the matter of Mother Xia, Huo Shiqian finally elucidated how he had become aware of Guo Jiumin’s scheme being a trap.

"While orchestrating Guo Jiacheng’s rescue, suspicions had already begun to form in my mind," Huo Shiqian revealed to his wife. "To have framed Guo Jiacheng, there must have been an inside source within the Guo family."

"More accurately, there was definitely an issue with the leadership within the Guo family," Huo Shiqian explained calmly. "Therefore, prior to venturing into the dense forest, I had dispatched individuals to City G for an investigation."

Hearing this, Xia Chuyi nodded, her gaze fixed on Huo Shiqian.

She had to concede that Huo Shiqian possessed considerable wisdom.

At this moment, Huo Shiqian continued, "Once I entered the dense forest, communication with the outside world was severed, preventing any immediate feedback."

"It wasn't until later, after locating and rescuing Guo Jiacheng, that through our discussions, we were able to narrow down the potential suspects," Huo Shiqian stated calmly. "Among them was Guo Jiacheng himself."

"Subsequently, upon exiting the dense forest, we received the reports from City G, which confirmed Guo Jiumin’s elaborate plot," Huo Shiqian concluded.