Yan Wan was stunned after hearing Jing Xi's words. Her eyes were red as she murmured, "Wanting to die? This fool, how could he..." Yan Wan's heart ached terribly, as if someone was tightly gripping her heart, making it hard for her to breathe.

Jing Xi noticed that Yan Wan's face was very pale. She was pressing her hand to her chest, her breathing a little rapid. Jing Xi gently patted Yan Wan's back, feeling a pang of heartache. She didn't know whether she should say what was coming next; she was afraid that what she was about to say would be even more unbearable for Yan Wan.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." Yan Wan steadied herself and calmed her emotions, signaling Jing Xi to continue. She could handle it; she wanted to understand everything that Ji Mohan had gone through after she left.

"Wan'er, are you alright? Maybe I should..." Jing Xi asked with some concern, looking at Yan Wan's condition.

"I'm fine, Jingxi, please continue." Yan Wan raised her hand to wipe away her tears. She thought that after she left, Ji Mohan would live a good life, but he punished himself for her death and blamed her death on himself.

“Alright.” Jing Xi looked at Yan Wan’s pained yet resolute expression, nodded gently, and continued, “After you left, he directly had the retired emperor write an edict of abdication. Then, he led 30,000 soldiers to the capital, and very smoothly, he became the current emperor.”

"At the beginning, many ministers in the court disagreed with him becoming the new emperor, but he suppressed them with bloody methods in just three days. Everyone in the capital was in danger, but the effect was good, and he quickly gained prestige." Jing Xi nodded with some satisfaction. She quite approved of Ji Mohan's approach. Sometimes, bloody methods can quickly silence everyone's mouths, and are more effective than benevolence and morality.

Although it is effective quickly, it is unethical and therefore not recommended to follow suit.

Jing Xi glanced at Yan Wan and found that her expression was still relatively calm. She continued, "But after half a year, those old guys in the court forgot about Ji Mohan's methods and thought that he would compromise because of their coercion, just like the late emperor. Those old guys started thinking about making him establish an empress and take concubines again."

"After you left, he went mad. He wouldn't allow anyone to mention your name. He wouldn't make you empress, nor would he take any concubines. Yet those old bastards dared to mention you in the main hall, even openly slandering you for spreading heresy and making Ji Mohan devoted to a dead person." Jing Xi said sarcastically, what a bunch of ignorant old bastards.

"You can probably guess the result. Everyone who slandered and framed you in the main hall was either exiled, demoted, or killed. That day, the capital was awash in blood, and Ji Mohan suddenly went completely mad from that day on."

"He thoroughly investigated all officials. All those who bribed, committed crimes, deceived their superiors, or murdered for money were punished and executed. Even those from powerful and influential families who were corrupt were dragged out and executed. During that time, the capital was like hell, and everyone wished they could just disappear on the spot."

Jing Xi found it somewhat amusing. She had originally thought that those powerful families would rise up in resistance, but to her surprise, they were as obedient as dogs under Ji Mo Han's command. The more arrogant they were to the old emperor, the more docile they were to Ji Mo Han. Indeed, truth is only in the hands of those with troops.

"Then he came to find me. I thought it was my adoptive father who had done something corrupt and illegal that implicated the Jing family, but I never expected that he came for you."

——

"Why has His Majesty come to the Jing residence today?" Jing Xi was somewhat surprised to see Ji Mohan appear at the Jing residence. He was now extremely noble, so why would he come to the residence of a fifth-rank official?

Ji Mohan's cold voice rang out, "I came here for Yan Wan."

After pouring Ji Mohan a cup of tea, Jing Xi sat down to his left and said in a calm tone, "Your Majesty, please ask whatever you wish to ask."

“You know Yan Wan comes from another world.” Ji Mohan didn’t use a question; he used a statement.

“Yes, I know, we come from the same world,” Jing Xi confessed.

"Then how can I go to your world?" Ji Mohan asked with hopeful eyes.

Jing Xi gently shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, I don't know."

"So Yan Wan approached me to use me when she got home, right?" Ji Mohan's hand holding the teacup trembled as he asked this question. He shouldn't have asked, because Yan Wan had clearly told him in her letter, but he just couldn't accept it.

Jing Xi instinctively wanted to retort. She wanted to angrily accuse Ji Mohan of having lost his mind. Wan'er had been so good to him, and had even given her life for him. Not only did he not know how to be grateful, but he also slandered Wan'er.

However, she suddenly remembered that Wan'er had told her before she left that if Ji Mohan couldn't let go, she should tell him that she had used him for everything in order to go home.

Jing Xi nodded helplessly and said, "Yes."

Thud!

The teacup in Ji Mohan's hand shattered with a crack, and the shards cut his hand, blood dripping from his palm onto the ground. But Ji Mohan seemed oblivious to it; at that moment, time seemed to freeze.

Just as Jing Xi thought Ji Mohan wouldn't ask anything more and was about to leave, Ji Mohan spoke again, asking, "How is Yan Wan doing?"

Jing Xi was somewhat shocked. She hadn't expected that even after she admitted that Wan'er had used him, he would still ask how Wan'er was doing. Jing Xi shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, I don't know."

After hearing the expected answer, Ji Mohan got up to leave. Even such a tall and composed man was trembling slightly as he left, as if he were enduring immense pain.

Jing Xi hesitated for a moment, but still spoke up: "Your Majesty, Wan'er hopes that you will live to be a hundred years old."

"Heh, heh heh, hahahahahahahahahahaha." Ji Mohan laughed uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face. "Live a long and healthy life. She's gone, yet she still wants me to live a long and healthy life. How ridiculous, utterly ridiculous."

Yan Wan, you are so selfish, so heartless. Why do you think I will still listen to you after you leave?

——

"Later, he devoted himself to state affairs, ignoring his illness and refusing to see the imperial physician. According to His Highness the Crown Prince, his diet was also irregular, and gradually, his health deteriorated."

“Wan’er, after you left, he lost the will to live. He only wants to die, and he won’t listen to anyone’s advice. Now, he is very ill, and Ji Mosheng is managing the court affairs on his behalf. If you don’t come back soon, I guess he won’t live much longer.” Jing Xi said with some regret. She thought that once Ji Mohan knew that Yan Wan had used him and abandoned him, he would give up and be a well-respected emperor.

But Ji Mohan still couldn't let go. Yan Wan gave up on him, and he gave up on himself.

Yan Wan didn't know how to describe her feelings. She felt like her heart was numb with pain. He looked so energetic and healthy last year during the Spring Festival. How could he have become like this now?

"Wan'er, I also heard that he knelt every three steps and kowtowed every nine steps to Huguo Temple in the winter to pray, which caused his illness to worsen." Jing Xi said with emotion. As for what he went to Huguo Temple to pray for, she could guess.

Yan Wan's tears fell unconsciously, seemingly unaware of it. She felt as if she was going to cry all the tears she had in her life. All her heartache and all her favoritism were given to Ji Mohan. Sometimes she even wondered if Ji Mohan would not have been in so much pain if she hadn't appeared.

She clearly wanted to bring him joy and happiness, but ironically, all his pain came from her. If she hadn't transmigrated into the book and hadn't met Ji Mohan, would he have been in less pain?

So is a brief period of companionship a reward or a punishment?

Seeing Yan Wan crying her heart out, Jing Xi couldn't bear it and took out a handkerchief to wipe Yan Wan's tears. It was clear that lovers should be together in the end, but for the two of them, it was so difficult.

Fortunately, the two of them are almost at the end of their hardship.

"Wan'er, don't cry. You'll see each other soon. Stop crying, or you'll ruin your eyes," Jing Xi said tenderly as she wiped away Yan Wan's tears.

"Okay, sob sob, I want to see him," Yan Wan said, sobbing.

"Okay, soon enough. Let's speed up and get back to Beijing."

——

The Imperial Palace.

"Cough~ cough cough." Ji Mohan picked up a handkerchief and covered his mouth, coughing violently. He used to be so strong, but now he was so thin that he was almost skin and bones.

He glanced at the bright red blood coughing up from the handkerchief, then tossed it aside without a second thought. He would be free soon. Ming Kongchan had said she would come back, but he didn't want to wait any longer. He had waited for so long, his heart was breaking.

He originally wanted to commit suicide, but he was afraid that Yan Wan would blame him, so he could only slowly consume his life so that Yan Wan would not blame him.

"Brother, why torture yourself like this? Please, drink the medicine." Ji Mosheng said anxiously, placing the medicine bowl beside Ji Mohan.

Ji Mohan pushed the bowl of medicine in front of him aside and said weakly, "No need, I know my own body."

“Brother, your sister-in-law is gone. Don’t torture yourself like this. Try to be more open-minded. If your sister-in-law knew, she would be heartbroken.” Ji Mosheng said, using this phrase he always used to comfort her.

He tried to dissuade him a thousand times, but his elder brother was determined to go with his sister-in-law.

"Cough, she won't feel sorry for him." Ji Mohan said, clutching his chest. If she felt sorry for him, she would come back to see him, but she never came back to see him, not even for a moment.

"Brother." Ji Mosheng looked at his brother, who showed no will to live, and wanted to say something more, but Ji Mohan stopped him with a gesture. "You can go now. I'm tired and want to rest." Ji Mohan said, turning his back.

"Yes, Your Majesty, please rest well. I will take my leave." Ji Mosheng took a deep look at his somewhat thin elder brother.

My brother used to be strong and broad-shouldered, but now he's become so thin.

After Ji Mosheng left, the hall returned to silence. Ji Mohan walked to the bedside, then got into bed and closed his eyes. He felt his body getting heavier and heavier. Was he about to see Yan Wan?

If he lives, he can't be by Yan Wan's side; if he dies, will he be able to go to Yan Wan's world and stay with her forever?

Yan Wan, I've been waiting so long, so long.

Twenty days later.

The carriage slowly entered the capital city, and Yan Wan's heart grew more and more complicated and excited. She would soon be able to see Han Han.

Jing Xi looked at Yan Wan, who seemed a little nervous, and asked, "Wan'er, do you want to go back to the Yan residence first or go to the palace first today?"

Yan Wan was stunned for a moment, and asked, "How are Father and Mother?" She didn't know how to face her parents. She had revealed her identity in her letter to them, and she was afraid that her parents would hate her for taking their daughter's body. She didn't know how to face them.

Jingxi gently shook her head and said, "It's not good. After you left, Father Yan resigned from his official post. They wanted to leave the capital and return to their hometown, but Ji Mohan wouldn't allow them to leave. Mother Yan's health isn't good either." Jingxi had visited her several times, but she knew that only a mental illness could heal a mental one. Mother Yan's health could only improve if Yan Wan returned.

Yan Wan glanced in the direction of the palace, then looked at the Yan residence. In truth, she didn't know how to face the situation.

Seeing Yan Wan's dilemma, Jing Xi suggested, "Why don't you go check on Ji Mohan first? After all, he seems to be dying."

Yan Wan nodded. Well, she'd deal with these messes slowly. She'd go check on Ji Mohan first, since he was the one in the worst condition.

Jing Xi didn't have the right to enter the palace directly, so she had no choice but to take Yan Wan to find Ji Mosheng. After all, he was now in charge of the government, so it should be easy for him to take Yan Wan into the palace.

The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of Ji Mosheng's mansion. He had now been granted the title of Prince and had his own residence. Jing Xi was the first to jump down from the carriage, followed by Yan Wan, who was wearing a veil.

Jing Xi stepped forward and said to the guards at Ji Mosheng's door, "Please inform Prince Sheng that Jing Xi has an important matter to ask of him."

"Yes, Miss Jing." The guard at the door dared not slack off and hurriedly ran in to inform her.

A moment later, a guard ran out and respectfully said, "Miss Jing, please."

Jing Xi nodded to the young guard and pulled Yan Wan, who was standing beside her, inside.

Ji Mosheng was already waiting in the main hall. Jing Xi had never looked for him before, so she must have something very important to discuss with him this time.

Jing Xi appeared at the door with Yan Wan. Ji Mosheng sat up from his chair, and Jing Xi bowed and said, "Jing Xi greets Prince Sheng."

Ji Mosheng quickly helped Jing Xi up and said, "Jing Xi, there's no need to be so polite."

Yan Wan also curtsied. Ji Mosheng looked at the mysterious woman wearing a veil with suspicion. It seemed that Jing Xi's approach to him must be related to this girl.

Ji Mosheng looked at Jing Xi and said gently, "Jing Xi, please sit down with this young lady. I've heated up some tea, and we can chat slowly."

“Okay.” Jing Xi pulled Yan Wan to a chair to the side. Ji Mosheng looked at the cheerful Jing Xi, smiled, and sat down in the main seat.

He glanced at the woman, who hadn't removed her veil since entering, with a questioning look, and asked, "Jing Xi, who is this young lady...?"

Then, the girl wearing the veil slowly removed it, revealing her beautiful face, and said with a smile, "Your Highness, it's been a long time."

Hey, let's arrange a meeting right away!