Chapter 242

She became interested, rested her chin on her hand, and looked at Qi Roufu with great interest, saying, "If you don't tell me, I can't help you."

"Really, and at the very least, there should be some sincerity in cooperating. You know about my affairs, so shouldn't I know about yours as well?"

After Tao Tao finished speaking, her expression suddenly froze. She recalled the lewd scene she had witnessed in the palace, and the look in her eyes changed slightly.

After realizing this, she found Qi Roufu's gaze increasingly interesting.

Tao Tao reached out and grasped the back of her hand, only to find it icy cold. She said softly, "Don't worry, only heaven, earth, you, and I know about this. Just tell me, and I'll do my best to help you."

Qi Roufu sneered, but a shattered light appeared in his eyes, and his expression looked somewhat bleak.

Deep down, she knew the other woman had ill intentions, but she still spoke slowly. Perhaps these things had been weighing on her heart for far too long.

She endured so much pressure and torment all by herself, and longed for someone to listen to her properly.

Let's go back 15 years.

The woman's heart-wrenching screams were so beautiful that they made the people who had rushed in stop in their tracks.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you cannot go in..."

Gao Liangui spoke cautiously, stretching out her hands and body to block the angry man in front of her.

Qiu Lingyao's face darkened, and she angrily shouted, "Get out of the way! I want to see which little slut dares to openly seduce His Majesty at a time like this!"

"The dynasty is currently beset by internal and external troubles. How can His Majesty disregard the affairs of state and spend his days mingling with these sluts who drain your life force!"

"Get out of my way!"

She shoved the person in front of her aside and rushed inside. The closer she got, the more she could hear the ambiguous breathing and the woman's screams.

Suddenly she stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide with shock and utter horror, staring blankly at the familiar clothes on the ground.

Only one person in the palace would wear that style, how could it be... how could this be??

Ultimately, reason prevailed, and he realized that such a shocking scandal must not be exposed to the public, otherwise he would be ridiculed by the world.

She turned and stormed out in a huff.

She did not visit the Emperor for several days until the war became increasingly intense and the news spread throughout the entire harem. At that time, she came to Guangzheng Hall once again.

"Your Majesty, I have heard that the Xia Kingdom has captured six of our cities. If this continues, I fear the Celestial Empire will be in great danger."

Qi Wei frowned, put down his pen, looked up at her, his face full of worry, and his eyes were bloodshot from staying up all night.

He wearily reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a silent sigh.

The two of them tacitly avoided mentioning the previous matter concerning Qi Roufu.

"How could I not know? It's just that the border is currently in dire straits. If the Liao Kingdom were to breach the border defenses, at least half of the Heavenly Dynasty would fall."

“The cities that Xia Kingdom has taken away can be taken back, but if those barbarians attack and invade, then it’s truly over.”

She understood that the Celestial Empire was currently preoccupied with border conflicts, but in her view, the Xia Kingdom was still not to be ignored.

"Your Majesty, let's make a marriage alliance with the Xia Kingdom."

"A marriage alliance?" He looked up at her in confusion, instantly understanding the meaning in her eyes.

Qiu Lingyao continued, "Your Majesty, as the mother of the nation and your first wife, I have an obligation to assist the Emperor and uphold the dignity of the royal family. In times of national turmoil, I have even more right to offer suggestions that are beneficial to the country."

"I humbly request that you send the eldest princess to the Xia Kingdom for a marriage alliance, so as to establish good relations between the two countries and safeguard the nation."

She spoke earnestly, then knelt down with a thud, her face filled with righteous indignation.

Upon hearing this, Qi Wei's face immediately darkened. His sister was what he wanted most in his life, but the empire was also something he longed for.

He had waited a long time to finally sit on the throne.

He could never give up the country. So many ministers and people are still dependent on the Celestial Empire. If the Celestial Empire really falls, everyone will die.

In contrast, only the sacrifice of her life could bring peace to the Celestial Empire.

Furthermore, as the eldest princess of the Celestial Empire, she should dedicate herself to the country. Also, if their affair were known to the world, what would become of the royal family's reputation?

Looking at his thoughtful expression, Qiu Lingyao felt reassured. Before coming here, she knew that a woman was as insignificant as a feather compared to the fate of the nation.

The Emperor will surely agree to send this slut, shameless harlot, to marry her off.

Even after he had thought it through, he still wanted to maintain his image as a good elder brother in the eyes of others, so he sighed helplessly and said, "Let me think about it some more, after all, she is my own sister."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Lingyao clenched her hands tightly at her sides, bit her lower lip, and a few tears welled up in her eyes.

She's your own sister, but what about me? When you were having an affair with her, did you ever think about me, your first wife, who promised to treat me well for the rest of her life?

Have you forgotten all that now?!

She was screaming inwardly, but outwardly she was maintaining a basic level of peace.

She was the mother of the nation, and she had to consider the overall situation. She had to be a virtuous and dignified wife, all of which were taught to her by her parents and the Empress Dowager.

But no one taught her what to do in this situation, but fortunately she found a solution herself.

It was only then that Qi Wei realized that the person in front of him was his wife.

He stood up and helped her up himself, a fake smile on his face, and said softly, "I have neglected you during this time, it is my fault. Your suggestion just now was very good and solved my urgent problem."

"I know you are truly working for the Celestial Empire and for me. You have worked hard."

He patted the back of her hand, a gentle smile on his lips, but his eyes were cold and devoid of any affection.

Qiu Lingyao was bewitched by the person in front of her, indulging in the false warmth of the moment. She nodded shyly and smiled, "As long as it can relieve Your Majesty's worries, it is all worth it for me to do all this."

"It's been a long time since I visited you. I'll come over to keep you company tonight. Is Heng-ge'er being good? Has he been bothering you?"

"He's doing well; he can now vaguely say a few words."

"Really? That's wonderful."

Tao Tao rested her chin on her hands and nodded almost imperceptibly, watching the person in front of her go from initial hatred to eventual calm, or rather, numbness and disappointment.

She reached out and pushed the pear syrup candy next to her forward a bit. "So, this emperor really deserves to die."

Qi Roufu's bloodshot eyes suddenly turned to her. She was stunned for a moment before realizing what she had just said. She smiled slightly and said, "You think so too?"

"Although I think so, I won't take the risk." Because someone else is already doing it.

She didn't say the last sentence aloud; she just kept it to herself in her heart.