Chapter 209 Shouldn't Be Forced

In the past, Xie Qingran always thought that she was the biological daughter of the Xie family, so she deserved to be loved.

But now Xie Qingran has finally figured it out: the Xie family's neglect of her has nothing to do with her bloodline. They are not wrong; they just don't love her.

She was the one who was wrong; she shouldn't have forced things or had any expectations.

Now that she has been given a second chance at life, Xie Qingran has finally learned to let go of her expectations and live her own life well.

Seeing Xie Qingran like this, Wang felt as if her heart had been ripped out.

Her heart ached, and tears streamed down her face. She choked out, "Why? Qingran, I'm your mother! Why can't you give me another chance?"

“I have given you many chances, Mother.”

“Ever since I came back, it seems like I’ve been giving you all opportunities, but you can’t see me. You only have Xie Hanyue in your hearts.”

“I was ignorant before and insisted on forcing things, but now that I have my own family, I understand that many things cannot be forced.”

"Mother, go back. I will not divorce you. I love Xiao Jue, I love him, I love this family. Even if I die, I will die in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion!"

Xie Qingran took a deep breath and forcefully suppressed all her emotions.

She would absolutely not allow herself to be weak at this moment, because she and Xiao Jue were both pillars of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Neither of them could fall; they had to persevere to the end!

Seeing Xie Qingran like this, Madam Wang knew that there was no point in saying anything more. Helpless, she could only sigh and get up to walk outside.

Reaching the door, Wang Shi turned her back to Xie Qingran and said, "I was blinded by greed in the past, but I'm not here to watch the show today. I'm truly doing this for your own good, Qingran. No matter what, I am your biological mother. Blood ties can never be severed. I always hope that you can live a better life, and even better."

Xie Qingran turned her face away and did not answer. Whether it was really for her own good or whether she really wanted her to be happy, it didn't matter to her anymore. None of it mattered.

Wang didn't turn around because she didn't hear Xie Qingran call her mother. She was terrified by Xie Qingran's indifference, so with no other choice, she could only lift her foot and stride outside.

One stood still, while the other strode away. Neither of them looked at the other, so neither knew how much sadness the other was feeling.

Xiao Jue walked in and stood in front of Xie Qingran, staring at her intently.

"You've made up your mind, no regrets?"

Xie Qingran was stunned for a moment, but quickly understood what the man was talking about!

Her expression immediately changed, her face turning bright red. She said irritably, "How could you be like this? You, you, you! Why were you eavesdropping on me?!"

"This is my home, why would I be eavesdropping?"

"It's because the lady's love for me is too overwhelming; I simply can't resist it."

Xiao Jue put his arm around Xie Qingran's shoulder and looked at her with a smile.

Previously, Xie Qingran only knew that Xiao Jue's mouth could kill, but she never imagined that his mouth could also be so good at coaxing people.

She frowned, looking at Xiao Jue with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, and said sullenly, "How come I didn't know before that you, Your Highness, could be so glib?"

"Why are you being so glib? I'm just speaking from the heart."

"Qingran, I like you, I love you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I want to be with you, and we will spend our lives together."

"Xie Qingran, listen carefully. Every word I'm saying now comes from the bottom of my heart. There's absolutely no deception involved."

Xiao Jue looked at Xie Qingran very seriously.

Although he didn't know exactly when he fell in love with this girl, the feeling was like the changing of the seasons. Spring had actually arrived long ago, but he just hadn't noticed.

But he was certain of his own feelings and knew that he couldn't live without Xie Qingran.

It wasn't just him; both children in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion were the same—they couldn't live without Xie Qingran.

Xie Qingran has long been the backbone of this family.

Seeing Xiao Jue like this, Xie Qingran smiled gently. She didn't reply, but simply tiptoed and gently kissed Xiao Jue's lips.

The two embraced tightly, their eyes filled with longing for each other.

The next day, early morning.

The news of the Consort's death spread like wildfire as soon as the emperor learned of it, and he fainted from crying three times.

Even though the prime minister had already handed the confession to the emperor, the emperor remained silent in court, meaning that the debt was settled with the death of the person.

The Empress and Xiao Jue had long known this would be the outcome, but now, seeing the Emperor's cold and indifferent words, both of them were somewhat devastated.

Phoenix Palace.

The Empress was always composed, but upon hearing the imperial edict posthumously conferring a title upon the Consort, she was so enraged that she smashed the teacup in her hand.

"Your Majesty, be careful!"

Xie Qingran quickly stepped forward, took out a handkerchief, and wrapped it around the Empress's palm.

"Quick, get the medicine!"

Xie Qingran looked worried and frowned as she looked at the palace servants who were terrified.

The Empress sat down angrily and slammed her hand on the table: "What does Your Majesty mean? This is outrageous! Does Your Majesty really think that everyone in the Xiao family is dead?!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Please take care of your health."

"Your Majesty, everything requires planning. His Majesty has also made plans. The crime of framing the Xiao family is too great for His Majesty to bear. It can only be handed over to the Consort."

"With the death of the Imperial Concubine, everything is over. But even if the storm is suppressed, ripples will remain. When it comes back again, it will naturally be impossible to suppress it."

Xie Qingran gently patted the Empress's back to calm her down and offered tender comfort, while quickly explaining the situation.

The Empress never expected that, despite her advanced age, she would be less composed than Xie Qingran, a young woman.

She first took a deep breath, trying to compose herself, but in the end she couldn't hold back and gritted her teeth, cursing, "But he knew perfectly well..."

"Your Majesty, it doesn't matter whether you know it or not. What matters is that the court must not be in chaos, the imperial power must not be lost, and the people of the world must not be angered!"

"To achieve this goal, no amount of blood and flesh is of any use."

Xie Qingran clenched her teeth as she finished speaking.

Those vibrant lives and loyal souls were all buried with the so-called imperial power.

This is simply a huge joke, as if everyone has become a part of the tragedy, and as if in the end only the mighty imperial power is gloating.