Facts have proved that sometimes it is better for people not to be too arrogant.

The Queen Mother smiled at her: "Ah, haha, Wanwan, please listen to your mother's explanation."

Tang Wan looked at the mountain of scriptures in front of her and gave the Queen Mother a look of despair.

The Queen Mother turned her head away guiltily: "Well, take your time copying. I will be leaving first."

"stop."

The Queen Mother's steps, as she was about to leave, were frozen in place. "Wanwan, what else do you want?"

Tang Wan gave a fake smile: "Mother, I was punished because of you. Shouldn't you copy with me?"

The Queen Mother was on the verge of tears: "Wanwan, I hate copying books the most, otherwise I wouldn't have hired someone to copy them. I didn't expect them to be able to see through this trick."

Tang Wan didn't say anything, just stared at her.

"Okay, okay, my mother loves you and will help you copy it. Okay, okay?"

That was more like it. She smiled with great satisfaction, "Thank you very much, Mother."

…………

The days passed one by one, and the Queen Mother did not do anything out of line towards her. Instead, her relationship with her became better and better.

But, the day before she returned to the palace, the Queen Mother suddenly asked her if she felt too bored.

Tang Wan shook her head: "Actually, it's quite interesting and not boring at all."

The Queen Mother looked at her with dismay, "What's so interesting about you copying that crappy book all day? Why don't we go to the back mountain and take a look? Oh, and don't let your attendants and secret guards follow you, or it won't be fun."

"This..." Tang Wan hesitated a little. She looked at the Queen Mother's expectant eyes, and finally gritted her teeth and agreed.

You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing your child, and it finally came.

"Okay, but you should bring a few servants with you. Otherwise, what will you do if you encounter bad guys?"

Unexpectedly, the Queen Mother readily agreed: "Okay, then, let's do as you say. There is a sweet-scented osmanthus forest in the back mountain. It is rich in fragrance. I'm sure you will like it."

"Well, I'll go change into something lighter."

"No need, I'm just going for a walk, no need to change clothes."

The Queen Mother grabbed her wrist, looking nervous, as if she was afraid she would refuse.

"Hmm... okay then."

Tang Wan had a protective amulet on her, so even if there was any danger, nothing would happen to her.

The Queen Mother held her hand very carefully, as if she was afraid that she would fall.

"Walk slowly. Even though it's not raining, the mountain road is very gravelly. Be careful not to twist your ankle."

There was concern in her words, as if she didn't intend to do anything to her.

They were followed by a group of servants, and in just a quarter of an hour they reached their destination.

The place where they were was indeed a beautiful osmanthus forest with a strong fragrance.

The two of them sat on a stone bench in the woods and admired the osmanthus flowers for a while, while the servants were guarding not far outside the woods.

The sweet-scented osmanthus flower made her feel dizzy after smelling it for too long. She endured the discomfort and said, "Mother, I feel a little unwell. How about I go back first?"

"Okay, okay, then, let's go back first." There was a hint of urgency in her voice. She supported her and walked out quickly.

Tang Wan felt even more puzzled. If they wanted to harm her, why, when she said she was not feeling well, the Queen Mother seemed so anxious and couldn't wait to send her back?

"Your Majesty, where are you and the Queen going?"

The Queen Mother looked over when she heard the voice, her body trembled, her pupils dilated instantly, and she held on to her body, looking at the man in front of her.

How could this be? Shouldn't he arrive in half an hour? Why is he here now? Did Gu Lang lie to her?

"Who are you? I am the mother of the current emperor. If you want money, I can give it to you."

The fact that this person was able to approach them silently meant that those servants had already been killed.

"I don't want money. Even if I did, wouldn't I be able to get more money by kidnapping you two?"

This person spoke frivolously and did not take them seriously at all.

"Don't catch her. I'll just follow you."

The Queen Mother stood in front of Tang Wan with a firm look in her eyes. She wanted to ask Gu Lang why he didn't act according to the plan.

"Impossible. My master said that you must take both of them. No one can be left behind."

After saying that, without waiting for them to react, he knocked them unconscious with his knife.

When they woke up again, they found themselves in a dark and dim cave.

The only light around was a few candles.

Tang Wan felt something was wrong, but fortunately, she was careful. She had phosphorus powder on her, which she could sprinkle wherever she went, so she should be found soon.

She tried to break the rope on her wrists, but the cold white sword edge was pressed against her throat.

"Empress, please stay still. Otherwise, I can't guarantee that this sword won't cut your throat in the next second."

"My dear knight, we have something to discuss. I don't know if you want wealth or fame. Release me and the Queen Mother, and everything will be discussed."

The man sneered, "My family is well-off, so naturally I want power."

"You must know that I am the Queen. As long as you release us, the Emperor may grant you any position you desire."

"You're too naive. Do you think I'd still be able to survive if I really let you go?"

"Of course there is. You don't know, the current emperor loves me like his life. If you kill me, there will be no way for me to survive."

Her tone was calm, merely stating the facts. The man, however, chuckled a few times, "That's perfect. This way, he'll be left with a fate worse than death."

While the two of them were talking, the Queen Mother also woke up. She found the ropes that bound her and looked at the man in front of her in disbelief: "You..."

"Your Majesty, what can I do for you?"

The Queen Mother then saw clearly that there was a sword across Tang Wan's neck. Her pupils suddenly constricted and she moved her body like crazy, "Don't touch her! Come at me."

"That's not up to you." He said as he exerted force on his hand. The sharp sword quickly cut her throat, oozing out traces of bright red blood.

"No, no!!" Her voice was harsh and piercing. The man frowned and slashed Tang Wan's throat with a sword.

Tang Wan didn't react for a moment, her pupils dilated instantly, and she fell to the ground in an instant.

The Queen Mother screamed like crazy: "Didn't you say you wouldn't kill her? Let me go!!"

The man used his sword to loosen the ropes on her hands. "Yier, isn't this a good thing? As long as she dies, that son of a bastard emperor won't live long either. Isn't this exactly what you and I want to see?"

"Mad man." With tears on her face, she reached out to hit him.

The next second, he was slapped to the ground: "Chen Zhaoyi, this marquis is being nice to you because I like you. Don't make me angry."

She looked at the man she had loved for more than ten years, her eyes filled with disappointment, as if she was meeting him for the first time: "Gu Changlin, how did you become like this?"