Chapter 198

Xiaoju patted her chest, suppressed her fear, and followed.

*****

The city is exceptionally beautiful tonight, with lanterns like dragons illuminating the entire city along the bluestone roads.

Lanterns floated on the moat, and people on the riverbanks continuously released lanterns to make wishes. The drifting lanterns gently illuminated the green lotus leaves on the river, creating a scene that was no less beautiful than the Flower Festival in the capital.

Shen Qingnian sat at the bow of the boat, with a cold-blooded man standing behind her. The two did not row, but let the small boat drift quietly with the river breeze.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Just then, Xiao Shenxi's exclamation came from behind: "Brother Jin, didn't I tell you to row to Mother's side? Why did you row it backwards?! Grandmother, look at him..."

A moment later, Xiao Shenxi's voice faded into the distance until it could no longer be heard.

Silence returned to the surroundings, broken only by the sound of the river waves lapping against the water.

Shen Qingnian was a little stunned as she looked at the lanterns on the river.

That year was also the Flower Festival, but now everything has changed...

Song Xuan's deep gaze remained fixed on the woman's back. He spoke with a hint of sarcasm: "The palace gates and temples are flat, dragons illuminate the road, and the capital city is bright."

Shen Qingnian's heart trembled. These were the words she had said during that Flower Festival, word for word.

She turned to look at the man, then obediently knelt down and pleaded, "This sinful woman is guilty, please punish me, Your Majesty. Please also spare the lives of Xiao Xi and the other two for Xiao Xi's sake. All of this was done by this sinful woman, please do not be angry with me, Your Majesty."

Song Xuan's dark eyes were deep, cold, and brooding.

He gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "Since you are guilty, why should I spare your family? What right do you have to ask me to spare your family? Do you know that the crime you committed is punishable by the extermination of your entire family!"

Why is she able to accept Yan Qing so happily, but acts this way when facing me? Was all our past affection fake?

Shen Qingnian trembled upon hearing this. She was about to plead when Song Xuan pulled her up. Their bodies made contact for a moment, but the next moment Song Xuan took a step back, and the surrounding air pressure seemed to drop even lower.

The cabin was rocking violently, and Shen Qingnian had no choice but to hold onto the eaves to maintain her balance.

Song Xuan's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. The jasmine fragrance that had surrounded the woman in front of him was long gone. He sneered, "Even that jasmine fragrance was a setup by you?"

Although he had expected it, he was still heartbroken when he revealed it to himself.

Shen Qingnian replied softly, "His Majesty is an upright and virtuous man. This sinful woman has no choice but to resort to such despicable means to attract His Majesty's attention."

"Ha, the dilapidated temple, the poetry gathering, jasmine, the jade terrace, the screen, Shen Qingnian, you really have a good scheme. You tricked me into leaving without a trace..." Song Xuan's tone was cold, but it was mixed with a bit of heartache.

The happiness he imagined was just a bubble, nothing at all.

Shen Qingnian's face was pale, and she felt a dull pain in her heart. She had no way to defend herself, so she said, "This sinner was born and raised in the shadows and is not worthy to stand in the sunlight. This sinner's methods are dirty and despicable, and she is even less worthy to stand with His Majesty."

She and he were never meant to be together.

Upon hearing this, Song Xuan almost laughed in anger: "How can you say such a thing? Do you have even a shred of conscience?"

[Song Xuan: I'm so angry I want to execute myself!!!]