As for herself, she was merely occupying the title of Empress Dowager. She wasn't dead, but she was imprisoned in Cining Palace, a vast palace where she was all alone. Later, she mentioned that Nan Zhiyun had gone mad, and she even feigned weakness, wanting to ask Yu Jingchen to go see Nan Zhiyun.

But Yu Jingchen seemed to have become a different person, even more reckless than before. He agreed to let her see Nan Zhiyun, but she couldn't get close to her. And then... she watched Yu Jingchen do those things with Nan Zhiyun right in front of her...

Yu Jingchen said to her, "Didn't you want to take her away? Didn't you want her to leave forever? Then I'll show you what it's like to have her wings broken and be held in my hands. She will always be just something in my palm, to be bullied and played with by me!"

Yes, Yu Jingchen has developed a morbid affection for Nan Zhiyun; he's become obsessive. So what if he's gone mad? He'll never let her go, even if she can only die by his side.

After witnessing Yu Jingchen's forced possession, the Empress Dowager was imprisoned back in Cining Palace. That night, she set fire to the entire Cining Palace, which was engulfed in flames, and she never emerged again.

She fell into the sea of ​​fire, and in her dazed state, she seemed to see someone running towards her, but before she could see clearly, it was too late.

"Yin'er..." Who is calling her?

When she woke up again, she was back at the Imperial Preceptor's residence. Gu Yin looked at her without saying a word, and the Empress Dowager's tears fell unconsciously. Gu Yin did not disturb her.

After a long while, Gu Yin finally spoke: "Do you regret it?" he asked.

"Is it really impossible to change?" The Empress Dowager seemed to have lost faith.

"Why do you have to change it?" Gu Yin asked her with a smile.

"It shouldn't have ended like that..." The Empress Dowager seemed somewhat dazed.

"Gu Yin...can you give me another chance?" the Empress Dowager asked him.

“These things are against the will of Heaven. You’ve already defied it once. Do you want to do it again? Even if it costs you anything?” Gu Yin looked at her with a complicated expression.

"Yes," the Empress Dowager answered decisively.

Gu Yin remained silent. The Empress Dowager stood up and asked, "Could you help me one more time?" Gu Yin remained silent.

"I am willing to pay any price," the Empress Dowager continued.

“…Yes, but…you only have one year. During this time, your five senses will slowly disappear, and…your soul will dissipate, with no chance of reincarnation,” Gu Yin told her.

"I can accept it." The Empress Dowager didn't hesitate at all.

Gu Yin looked at her, not surprised at all. Gu Yin turned his head and said, "Three days later." Then he left the room without the Empress Dowager stopping him.

Recalling this point...

“Nan Yin, it’s all in the past. This life is good now, isn’t it? Everything you arranged is proceeding slowly, and everything is developing according to your wishes. There won’t be any more accidents, so why be so careful? Nan Yin, I don’t want you to carry these burdens for the rest of your life, and the guilt and remorse you talk about. If possible… could you spare me a little time? Could you turn around and look at me?” Gu Yin laid his cards on the table.

The Empress Dowager's eyes darted away upon hearing his words. Gu Yin seemed to know her answer, but he was unwilling to give up.

"Have you never understood what I mean? Or did you know all along, but you were unwilling to face it or deliberately avoided it?" Gu Yin asked bluntly.