After Sun Mian came, the jailer would bring her water to drink every day, and she would tell herself that another day had passed.

At first, she asked the people who came to tell her about her daughter and what was happening outside, but grumbling was the only response.

A few "days" later, she suffered from stomach cramps and tried to beg the jailer for food, but the result was the same; she still had nothing to eat. Perhaps Lin Mo intended to use this to force her to submit.

The clanging of chains could be heard from outside the cell.

The door suddenly opened, and Wei Maozhen reached out and braced himself against the damp wall as he crawled toward the light.

The bright light from the torch made him squint.

“Food,” she said in a hoarse voice.

“I’ve brought wine,” a voice replied. It wasn’t the previous jailer, but a 'face,' Your Majesty, please drink.”

He shoved a wine pouch into Wei Maozhen's hand.

The voice sounded strangely familiar, but it took Wei Maozhen a while to remember it.

“Li Hu?” she said weakly, reaching out to touch the other person’s face. “I…I’m not dreaming. It really is you.”

Li Hu's cheeks were covered with short, coarse black stubble, and Wei Maozhen could feel its roughness with his fingers.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Li Hu replied.

"You...how did you become like this?" Wei Maozhen asked incredulously.

"It's a long story!" Li Hu sighed.

"It's my fault that you've been ruined..." For the first time, Wei Maozhen did not refer to himself as "I" in front of Li Hu.

“It’s all in the past,” Li Hu said. “Go ahead and drink!”

Wei Maozhen clutched the wine pouch frantically. "Is it poison? You've come to poison me?"

“You have misunderstood me,” Li Hu sighed. “Is this how you see me? Give me the wine pouch.” He took a few sips, and wine dripped from the corners of his mouth.

"While this cannot compare to the imperial wine you previously bestowed upon me, it is certainly not poison," he concluded, wiping his mouth. "Here."

Wei Maozhen tried a sip, "This wine..." She felt like she was about to throw up.

“This is a mixed grain liquor that ordinary people drink,” Li Hu said. “Whether you were a prince or a nobleman or a eunuch or a servant before, you have to learn to swallow both the sour and the sweet.”

Your Majesty, you need to make a decision quickly. His Highness is becoming increasingly impatient lately!

No patience? Wei Maozhen's heart skipped a beat. "My Yue'er..." she said.

“She will be fine!” Li Hu assured her. “His Highness’s chief strategist, Yao Guangxiao, has arrived in the capital. His Highness will heed his words.”

It is said that Yao Guangxiao suggested to His Highness that he marry the princess as his concubine!

Wei Maozhen suddenly looked up, "He wants to marry my Yue'er?"

"The premise is that you're willing to bow down to him!" Li Hu leaned forward, his intentions obvious. "Your Majesty, surely you know you're doomed?"

“Lin Mo won’t kill me, he won’t!” Wei Maozhen said.

She began to feel dizzy; the wine was too strong, and she hadn't eaten in a long time.

"Your Majesty, please hear me out!" Li Hu raised his voice. "It is Yao Guangxiao, it is Sun Mian, and it is I, Li Hu, who do not want to kill you, not the King of Shu!"

"If that's the case, then quickly slit my throat and end it all." The alcohol was taking effect, and she was exhausted, both physically and mentally, with a dizzy head.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, I used to hate you and wanted to tear you to pieces with my own hands,” Li Hu said. “But later I realized that I, Li Hu, am the one who has brought this upon myself.”

It was my jealousy, my greed, and my hatred that ruined me.

"So you're willing to become Lin Mo's lackey? To risk your life for him?"

"No, Your Majesty, I am atoning for my sins!" Li Hu corrected. "Your Majesty, out of consideration for our past relationship as master and servant, I advise you to bow your head and confess your sins!"

Wei Maozhen lowered her head and rested it against the damp stone wall, closing her eyes. Her heart ached faintly.

"Your Majesty, Princess Yue'er has pleaded so earnestly for you. It would be a great pity not to seize this opportunity. In fact, if you wish, you can escape this calamity now."

His Highness the King of Shu is not stupid; he knows that sparing your life is far more beneficial than killing you!

But if you insist on your own way, then Princess Yue'er will probably only see your rotten head!

Should I confess to this kid? Wei Maozhen bit his lip, tears of resentment falling.

“Your Majesty, the Prince of Shu will come to see you tomorrow,” Li Hu said. “If you haven’t changed your mind by then, it will be too late! Princess Yue’er is a well-educated and virtuous princess; you don’t want her to…”

Li Hu sighed as he spoke, "Even if His Highness the Prince of Shu doesn't kill her, what will become of her?"

"The Buddha said: Attachment is like an abyss, a gradual descent into death. Attachment is like dust, a futile and fruitless endeavor. Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

After pondering for a long time, Wei Maozhen spoke, "How do I need to plead guilty?"

Li Hu knew that she had finally given in.

~~~

A burst of noise startled Lin Mo from his brief, light sleep. Gray morning light streamed into the room through the window. He lifted his head from the table and looked down at the square.

The fully armed soldiers are conducting morning drills, some sparring with swords, others chopping at wooden dummies.

The morning was gloomy, cloudy, and heavy, which made Lin Mo feel worse.

But after glancing at the room I was in, my mood seemed to improve considerably.

It is undeniable that sleeping on the imperial bed in the Great Xia Palace was quite an experience.

He got out of bed and dressed himself with the help of his maid.

Yao Guangxiao arrived while we were having breakfast.

At the same time, Lin Mo also noticed that there was a girl with a great figure, appearance, and temperament following behind him.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!