Chapter 78 Chapter 78 Sterilization, Questioning

These four words exploded like thunder, plunging the hall into a dead silence.

Lan Nongnong suddenly came back to her senses and turned around to see Qin Jingyao's face as gloomy as iron, and his eyes looking at the imperial physician were filled with terrifying hostility.

"Doctor Li,"

His voice was icy cold. "If you admit that your medical skills are not good enough, the Empress and I will forgive you. If you insist on slandering me—"

The words stopped abruptly, but the unfinished meaning was like a frosty blade hanging over one's head.

However, it was precisely this threat coming from the mouth of the Shangshu Ling, who was always dignified and aloof, that aroused suspicion.

Empress Guo frowned sharply, her gaze fixed on his face like a torch, but she spoke gently to the imperial physician, "I am well aware of Imperial Physician Li's medical skills. Gynecological pulse patterns are complex, and misdiagnosis is common. Please rest in the side hall first, and we will discuss the details later."

The head maid in the palace understood what she meant and immediately led the palace servants forward, gently helped Doctor Li up and led him to the side hall.

Normally, if there was any doubt about a pulse, a re-diagnosis would be sufficient. However, neither of the two rulers in the palace had any such intentions. After all the palace attendants had left, only the aunt and nephew remained, along with Lan Nongnong, who seemed to be completely oblivious to the situation.

Qin Jingyao turned around and gently put his arm around her shoulders, leaning over and whispering in her ear: "Don't be afraid, Nong Nong, I'll take care of everything—"

Before he could finish his gentle words, a stern shout came from the Phoenix Throne: "Kneel down and answer!"

Qin Jingyao held his wife back as she tried to get up, gently pressing the back of her hand. Then he calmly walked to the front of the altar, lifted his robe, and knelt. "Aunt, please understand. My wife is exhausted today. If you have any questions, Gu Yan will handle them."

Empress Guo didn't care about formalities at this moment. She slammed her palm on the table, pointing her fingertips directly at the kneeling figure. Her voice was very low, but every word was as clear as a chisel:

"Tell me the truth. How is your health? Is what Doctor Li diagnosed true?"

Qin Jingyao actually chuckled, as if he had heard something absurd: "Aunt knows my constitution best. The pulse records are all in your palace. Whether it is true or not, you will know it once you check it."

Once people have doubts, everything they see seems to be full of mysteries. Empress Guo did not argue with him, but suddenly raised her head and looked at the woman who had been sitting in the chair since the incident.

"Ms. Tan Lan, I want to ask you, does your husband have any hidden illness?"

Lan Nongnong's lips parted slightly, but her words were cut short before they were uttered. Qin Jingyao's voice was as deep as iron: "Your Majesty, please understand. My wife is overwhelmed and unable to take care of herself. And I have always been in good health, so why should she worry? I have already made it clear that I am in perfect health."

He suddenly stood up and bowed: "The enthronement ceremony is over. I would like to take my wife and take my leave."

"stop!"

Empress Guo was so infuriated by his outrage that she slammed the table and stood up. "Qin Jingyao, how dare you! I'm asking about your wife! Even if she's frail, can she not even say a word? If you're truly honest, why do you keep obstructing me?"

"Only those with a guilty conscience would try to evade the issue! No need for clever excuses. I will immediately summon another imperial physician to examine your pulse. The truth will be revealed immediately!"

"Someone come--"

"Isn't today the enthronement ceremony? Why are you so angry?"

A deep voice sounded, and the emperor, who had been standing deep in the shadow of the palace gate, slowly stepped into the hall. The aunt and nephew, who had been on the verge of a fight, immediately calmed down. Qin Jingyao had retreated to Lan Nongnong's side, holding her shoulders and kneeling with her.

"Your Majesty, your Majesty, is here to receive your greetings."

The emperor hummed calmly and told everyone to stand. His eyes swept over the man who shouldn't have been there. After he sat down at the head of the table, he coughed twice, accepted the tea offered by the empress, and waved his hand to offer him a seat before asking, "Why are you here? What happened just now?"

Qin Jingyao pondered for a moment, then patted the woman beside him on the waist as a gesture. He then led her forward, lifted her robe, and knelt on the ground: "I just offended my aunt without any manners. I am willing to accept the punishment."

Seeing that she was avoiding the main point, the emperor turned to the empress. His cloudy yet bright eyes carefully examined her expression and said, "Empress, please tell me."

Pointing his finger downward, he said, "Gu Yan is not only my nephew, but also a trusted aide to me and the court. He has always acted prudently. I'm curious, what did he do to make you so angry?"

When the emperor inquired, Empress Guo, though reluctant to speak publicly, had no choice but to dismiss the palace attendants and confess the truth: "...I think it's because I'm overly suspicious, worried about his difficulty in having children, that's why I'm so sensitive and thoughtful."

"What a big deal it is for me."

The emperor chuckled, "If you're worried that Doctor Li might misdiagnose you, just call in a few more doctors for consultation."

After saying this, he immediately ordered the chief steward standing in the palace to go to the Imperial Hospital to announce the judge and several national experts, and to bring Imperial Physician Li back to the palace for review.

"Although talking back should be punished, a minor punishment and a major warning will suffice."

The emperor gestured for the two to return to their seats and said, "Let's see whether it's because his medical skills are not good enough or if there is something else going on."

Qin Jingyao could no longer be as willful as he had been with the empress. He wanted to stop her, but the emperor didn't give him the chance to speak, so he had no choice but to suppress his anger and obey her orders.

While the emperor and his ministers consulted about state affairs, Lan Nongnong remained lost in thought, showing no sign of worry about the upcoming consultation or the potential disturbance it might cause.

About a quarter of an hour later, a palace attendant announced the arrival of the imperial physicians. The emperor and his ministers paused, waiting for the physicians to file in and pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress. The Emperor then announced, "My dear ministers, please take the pulse of the Minister of the Chancellery in turn. I have already stated that you must report the diagnosis truthfully, regardless of any symptom. If you conceal anything, I will not tolerate it."

The imperial physicians had rushed all the way here, thinking the emperor was unwell, but they hadn't expected him to be examining the Shangshu Ling's pulse. Although they were surprised, they all secretly marveled at the emperor's great favor.

Qin Jingyao seemed to be hesitant, but under the gaze of the emperor and empress, he finally rolled up his sleeves, exposing his wrists, and slowly loosened his clenched fists.

After the imperial physicians took the patient's pulse one by one, they all looked horrified, looking at each other in dismay, and no one dared to speak first. The emperor and empress were both shocked when they saw this, and they couldn't help but sit up straight.

Empress Guo was the first to lose her temper: "How is the Shangshu Ling's health? Why is no one answering?"

The emperor's eyes swept over the crowd like a torch: "What's the pulse condition? Report it quickly and truthfully."

At this point, the imperial physicians dared not hesitate any longer, but subconsciously exchanged glances before kneeling together and reporting in trembling voices, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Minister's pulse and bones are strong, his Qi and blood are abundant, but—but his essence is blocked, a sign of extinction..."

"This humble official's diagnosis is also the same."

"Your Majesty, I also diagnose this phenomenon."

“…”

After the imperial doctors finished speaking, they all prostrated themselves on the ground, leaving the impending storm to the nobles in the palace.

A single diagnosis might be wrong, but the five imperial physicians' pulse readings yielded the same conclusion! This tall, graceful, and elegant Shangshu Ling was truly suffering from a hidden illness, making it difficult for him to have children!

“How could this be…”

"Absolutely not!"

Empress Guo flicked her wide sleeves and abruptly stood up, her gaze piercing one of them like an arrow. "Imperial Physician Gu! You've personally prepared the pulse diagnosis for the Minister of the Chancellery over the years. Tell me why you were fine before, but now you suddenly develop this condition? Is this sperm retention a congenital condition, or is it acquired?"

Doctor Gu was singled out for questioning, and he cried out in pain, but he dared not remain silent, and could not bear the responsibility of misdiagnosis. The imperial physicians in the palace served the royal bloodline, and misdiagnosing the pulse was a capital crime!

He raised his body slightly, still bowing his head, and quickly defended himself, "Your Majesty, please understand! I am willing to guarantee with my entire family's lives that the pulse diagnosis I prepared for the Minister of the Chancellery is flawless! This disease of sperm retention can be congenital, but it can also be triggered by trauma or the accidental ingestion of medication. Judging from your pulse, it seems to be caused by the accidental ingestion of sperm-damaging medication!"

"You mean—" Empress Guo's voice suddenly rose, "the Minister of the Chancellery was poisoned?"

But before she could order a thorough investigation, the emperor slammed his armrest in a rage, "The Minister of the Chancellery is my right-hand man, the pillar of the court! Who dares to poison him? Are you trying to disrupt the order of our court?"

"It's true, this crime is unforgivable!"

The emperor suddenly turned his gaze to the minister who had remained silent since he had taken his pulse. Although his voice softened, his anger remained. "Gu Yan, do you know who did this? If you have any clues, it wouldn't be excessive to mobilize the imperial guards for a thorough investigation!"

The Queen suddenly came to her senses and asked the doctors anxiously, "Is there any hope for this disease?"

The imperial physicians straightened up upon hearing the voice. Imperial Physician Gu was about to report back when he was interrupted by a clear voice.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to leave!"

Qin Jingyao never let go of the tender hand in his palm, and before he had finished speaking, he had already led her past the prostrate crowd. After the emperor nodded, the palace attendants withdrew, and the palace door closed heavily, he first turned his head to meet her with a reassuring gaze, then led her to kneel before the emperor.

He leaned slightly to half-hid her, then bowed and pleaded, "My illness was not caused by anyone else, but by drinking something unclean while out and about. It was ultimately my negligence, and since this is a private matter, I have tried so hard to conceal it. I beg Your Majesty, Your Majesty, to strictly order everyone present today to remain silent."

However, how could his vague explanation convince the emperor and empress who regarded him as a half-son?

Even if he were an ordinary important official, if nothing unexpected happened, his son, if carefully nurtured, would surely inherit his father's legacy and become a pillar of the country. Furthermore, his status was special, and he was highly trusted by the Emperor and Empress. If he had a son, he would be a close minister to the Crown Prince in the future. If he had no son, with his talent, it would be a waste of talent.

If it is natural, it is fine. But if it is caused by external factors, it is even more hateful!

"You said you had an accident while away. Where and when did it happen? Your doctor, upon hearing that he was no better than his father, was unable to treat him? Why didn't you report such a serious matter sooner? Even if you didn't want to make it public, I could have asked His Majesty to secretly send a summons to the Imperial Hospital for treatment! Yet you keep avoiding the subject and repeatedly concealing it. Or is there something else going on?"

Qin Jingyao remained unfazed. He simply bowed his head, clasped his hands to his forehead, and bowed again, saying, "Aunt, please allow me to report this. My nephew is nearly thirty years old and has already started a family. I cannot bring such private matters before you again. The court doctor is already treating me, but it was too late when I was discovered. I am now slowly recovering. I will follow the doctor's instructions, knowing that haste makes waste, so I am taking my time."

"It is my fault that I have caused Your Majesty and Auntie so much worry. However, this is ultimately my personal matter. I hope Your Majesty and Auntie will not delve into it further."

He spoke earnestly and reasonably, yet he still avoided the main point. To those who cared, it sounded even more dissonant and like an attempt to conceal something was making it all the more obvious.

With his personality, he was clearly covering up for someone. Who else in this world could he protect so fiercely?

An idea suddenly popped into Empress Guo's mind. But this guess was too unbelievable, so she subconsciously wanted to dismiss it. But then she remembered that his wife had a lot of criminal records in the past.

She has done things that are against women's virtues, such as complaining and hurting others.

Because of resentment, resentment arises. Because of resentment, hurts others. And because of this, she is unwilling to bear children!

Once a thought arises, it is difficult to suppress it.

Queen Guo knew she couldn't get anything out of him, so she simply stopped looking at him and pierced her sharp gaze towards the woman he was protecting, who remained silent the entire time. Her dissatisfaction with him had suddenly risen to a point where she even had murderous intentions!

"Ms. Qin Lan, you seem not at all surprised by your husband's illness, nor do you seem worried at all. Do you know when he fell ill, what medicine he used, and how long he will need to recuperate?"

Lan Nongnong finally came back to her senses from her daze. Her body had already been overloaded, every inch of it screaming in pain. She blinked, not glancing at the expression of the person beside her. She bowed stiffly, her expression completely hidden between her sleeves, her voice hoarse and weak.

"Your Majesty, I am incompetent and have failed to take good care of my husband. Please punish me."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lan Nongnong felt herself to be both ridiculous and funny. She seemed to have learned his skill of avoiding the important and focusing on the trivial. She seemed to have answered, but in fact, she said nothing.

At that moment, she even considered simply accepting the charge. But then she changed her mind and decided she couldn't. She still had her aunts and friends behind her. If she was convicted of murdering a high-ranking official and severing his lineage, they would all be implicated.

Didn't he say he was responsible for everything? Then, just push everything onto him.

As expected, Empress Guo laughed in anger at her reply, and became more convinced of the suspicion that had taken root in her heart. She suddenly stood up and asked loudly, regardless of the emperor's presence.

"Ms. Tan Lan! Tell the truth. The sterilization drug that Gu Yan accidentally ingested was made by you!"

"What?!"

"aunt!"

The emperor, who had been silent for a long time while waiting for the interrogation, immediately waved his hand. Everyone in the hall, regardless of their status, fell silent immediately.

Until this moment, Lan Nongnong still hadn't seen the face of the emperor who ruled the country. But in this sudden silence, she suddenly felt the emperor's awe-inspiring pressure and murderous intent.

My heartbeat was like a dangerous situation, pounding against my chest and eardrums. My breath was choking in my throat, my head was buzzing, and my limbs were weak. My body had already spontaneously sounded the most dangerous alarm.

She was afraid that her own life and death, and even the lives of those she cared about, all depended on the thoughts of others.

But her mind seemed to have escaped from her heavy body, and she disregarded life and death, waiting for the coming storm with extraordinary calmness.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to report!"

A sudden, urgent cry from the side interrupted the emperor's oppressive pressure. Lan Nongnong, tensed to the limit, suddenly relaxed, unable to bear the heavy burden.

"Shut up. It's not your turn to speak yet."

The emperor's deep voice rang out, not loud but awe-inspiring, like a sudden thunderclap in the silent hall.

"Qin Lan, answer the Queen's words truthfully. If you deceive the Emperor, you will be punished with death and your entire clan will be implicated."

Lan Nongnong's chest tightened, her head tingled, and her heartbeat raced. The air seemed to be drained from her chest and lungs, her hands and feet were cold, and her head felt heavy. In this tense situation, her mind raced with thoughts of what it felt like to have her life threatened.

“Nong Nong!”

The man beside her had a face as sullen as water, eyes as dark as ink. Though his brows were furrowed, his expression unfazed by worry, Lan Nongnong couldn't see through his heart at all.

"You just say you don't know, and leave the rest to me."

He spoke in a very low voice, his lips barely moving. From the sidelines, he looked at her with great concern.

Lan Nongnong withdrew her gaze, placed her hands on the ground again, and answered facing downwards, "Your Majesty, this was not done by me."

"So, the sterilization drug thing is true?"

The emperor concluded calmly, but the next moment he was furious: "Someone come!"

The palace attendant waiting outside the palace gate hurriedly opened the door and bowed as he approached: "Your Majesty, please give your instructions."

Although the palace door was open, no noise could be heard. Instead, it seemed even more dead silent than when it was closed. Therefore, the emperor's next decree was like thunder in everyone's ears.

"Qin Lan has failed to cultivate the virtues of a wife and persecuted her husband. She is unfit to be an imperial edict. Immediately strip her of her imperial edict and clothing and take her to the Heavenly Prison to await trial!"

"Wait! Your Majesty, calm down!"

The news of her enthronement has spread throughout the land, yet she has been rescinded before even leaving the palace, and it was the Emperor himself who ordered her revocation. Once the news spreads, regardless of whether she can recover from the situation, her reputation will be completely tarnished, and she will never be able to rise again.

How could Qin Jingyao endure this any longer? He spun around and moved behind her, holding her tightly in his arms. Even if the palace servants had the courage to do so, they wouldn't dare to forcibly pull her out of his arms.

"This matter has nothing to do with my wife! Husband and wife are one, and the husband's honor brings honor to his wife. Your Majesty, by humiliating my wife like this, you are humiliating me!" "Besides, my wife and I have already reported this to Your Majesty and Your Majesty. This was an accident. I know Your Majesty and Your Majesty have high hopes for me, which is why they are so concerned. However, this matter is ultimately my personal matter."

"My wife has a pure nature. She manages my household affairs for me. She is virtuous and kind, and there is nothing wrong with her. She also cares deeply about me and takes care of everything personally. I love and respect her, but I cannot repay her even a fraction of what she has done!"

"Your Majesty, I refuse to accept the accusations made by my wife. I also refuse to acknowledge the punishments Your Majesty has imposed on my wife!"

"I do not wish to leave behind any offspring. I only wish to grow old with my wife. If Your Majesty wishes to blame someone, then only I should be blamed. If Your Majesty insists on punishing me—"

His voice was like stone, each word resonant: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for betraying your kindness. I would rather trade this official position for the reputation and safety of my husband and I!"

However, his impassioned speech to protect his wife only intensified the anger of the Emperor and Empress: "Shut up! Do you even know what you're saying? Are you giving up on children and your future for a woman?!"

"Qin Jingyao! Do you really think I won't punish you?"

Qin Jingyao held his wife tightly in his arms. Although he knelt on the ground, his posture was straight and he looked up with his head held high. His eyes were firm and his words were sonorous: "If Your Majesty and Your Majesty are willing to love me and my family, I will serve Your Majesty and the Sheng Dynasty with my whole heart."

"I have no other desires in this life."

---

On the fourteenth day of the first month of the thirty-fourth year of Chengping, the wife of the Minister of State was canonized with an imperial edict. The highly respected first-rank imperial consort Chen Laowangfei, a woman of high moral character in the capital, was brought to the palace to witness the ceremony. Her good manners and gentle disposition pleased the Empress, who, after the ceremony, granted her a banquet at Yide Palace.

The Shangshu Ling, who was known for his loving wife, had been waiting outside the palace for a long time. He personally sent his wife out of the palace and returned home before returning to the palace to handle government affairs.

Later, I heard that Princess Chen praised her highly, saying that her moral character was upright, her manners were appropriate, and her appearance and demeanor were extraordinary, and she deserved the honor of a second-rank lady.

If there was one flaw, it was his frail health. After the enthronement ceremony, he saw doctors from the Imperial Hospital coming into the mansion one after another for consultations. It turned out that the Duke was worried about his wife, so he specially requested the Emperor and the Empress to invite the doctors to the mansion for a consultation.

The emperor and empress loved the concubine as well as her family, and also rewarded her with many precious medicinal herbs.

Thus, although this newly-appointed lady had not appeared at the banquet, her demeanor had already been established in front of everyone, and at the youngest age, she had secured a high rank as a lady of the imperial family.

Whenever anyone mentioned it, there was no more disrespect in his words.

---

Lan Nongnong fainted from exhaustion during his argument with the Emperor and Empress. When she awoke, she was back at the palace. The imperial robes and crown, along with the imperial edict, lay within easy reach. Lying on her side on the couch, she watched, wondering how the situation would ultimately play out, but judging by the outcome, the Emperor and his wife had taken a step back.

"Madam, are you awake? It's already the evening hour. Would you mind letting me help you get up and take some food and medicine?"

Only then did Lan Nongnong realize that the lights were on in the room. She lazily raised her eyelashes and glanced at him, without moving her body, only saying "OK" in a weak voice.

After about a cup of tea, she washed herself briefly, put on her coat, and half-leaned on the bedside while Biyu fed her. She listened to her detailed report: "...My Lord brought you back to the mansion at 3:30 pm. Doctor Mo took your pulse and said you fainted due to overwork, nervousness, and shock. He has prescribed a prescription and performed acupuncture to clear your meridians. He said you should rest for the next few days and take good care of yourself, and you'll be fine..."

"...My lord personally fed you medicine and applied ointment, and told the servants to take good care of you. He said he was busy with official business today and would be back late. He told you to eat and rest well after you wake up, and not to worry about anything. He will come to accompany you when he returns home."

Lan Nongnong's energy was severely damaged during this visit to the palace. She knelt frequently and even fainted. Now her whole body was weak and powerless, and even chewing felt tiring. Furthermore, she felt uncomfortable being fed and had no appetite. After Biyu finished speaking, she only drank half a bowl of soup and shook her head, refusing to eat any more.

"You're exhausted today. You'd better use more. Otherwise, I'm afraid your body won't be able to hold on."

Biyu persuaded her a few more times, but only managed to get her to use one more sweet silk roll. Seeing that she was truly exhausted, she called for the maid to remove the food tray.

After washing his hands and asking permission, he stood at the head of the bed, bent over, and gently massaged her forehead, the back of her neck, and shoulders. Qingluo brought the brocade stove to the side of the couch, washed her hands as well, lifted the quilt, gently rolled up her trouser legs, and applied medicine to her knees.

Only then did Lan Nongnong see that her knees were bruised and swollen. Because her body was cold, the pain hadn't hit her yet. Now, after the massage, the intense, stabbing pain gradually awakened, and she couldn't help but frown and hiss.

Qingluo, believing her grip was heavy, quickly stopped and apologized. Lan Nongnong instinctively raised her wrist to stop him, but her body felt heavy and she could only move her fingertips. She took a deep breath, forced herself to stay calm, and said gently, "It's okay," asking her to continue.

By now, Lan Nongnong no longer offered casual thanks, having become accustomed to these meticulous services. After applying medicine and massaging the bruises on her body and swallowing the cold-relieving pills, she closed her eyes and rested. Two maids tucked in her quilt and quietly retreated to the door.

---

It was nearly midnight, the night was thick, and Qin Jingyao had just returned home. After changing his clothes, he went straight into her room. He saw her, half leaning against the headboard in her outer garments, her face pale and even her lips pale. Her eyes were lightly closed, but her brows were slightly furrowed. His heart ached instantly.

As he raised his hand, he saw her eyelashes tremble slightly, and she slowly half-opened her eyes. Seeing him, the corners of her lips moved slightly as if about to smile, but suddenly drooped slightly, her eyes misty, but she said softly, "You're back."

The four words are soft and light, full of attachment.

Qin Jingyao's breathing suddenly became disordered, his eyes were dry, and his throat was choked. His Adam's apple rolled as he suddenly leaned over and hugged her tightly, his arms tightening, his lips pressed against her ear as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out.

Lan Nongnong felt an itch near her ear and moved slightly, which only made him hold her tighter. Having regained some strength, she poked his waist with her finger and said with a smile, "It's itchy."

Then he asked him, "What's wrong? Did His Majesty punish you again?"

Such gentle questions were what Qin Jingyao loved most, but now they sounded like a heavy burden to him, making it difficult for him to bear.

After a long while, he calmed his breath, placed a kiss on her earlobe, raised his head and smiled at her: "Didn't I tell Nong Nong that as long as I'm here, you don't have to worry about anything."

Lan Nongnong also smiled, nuzzling his nose. She didn't ask about what happened after she fainted, and he didn't bring it up either. The intense and dangerous battle with the emperor in the palace during the day passed by like a passing goose, leaving no trace.

The two of them cuddled together for a long time on the warm and fragrant bed. He then whispered, "...If Nong Nong finds hosting a banquet too tedious, then just don't have it. From now on, you can do whatever you want, and no one will criticize you."

Lan Nongnong's chest trembled slightly as if she was laughing softly, but she still closed her eyes and replied softly: "Yeah."

"...If you're still in the mood for incense making, have your servants prepare it within the next few days. When you're well again, the flowers I found in the south should have arrived, and then Nongnong can make the incense herself."

"good."

"I've already sent people to repair Miaofeng Mountain. If you're feeling well enough, you can go and see it yourself in a few days. If you find anything unsatisfactory, please come back and let me know."

"good."

"Mo Chou said he has a clue about your allergies. Once the allergies are gone, I will teach Nongnong how to ride. There's a hunting ground west of the city. Then you and I can ride side by side and enjoy the beauty of the world."

"Nong Nong's birthday is in forty-two days. Does Nong Nong have any wishes? From this year on, I will celebrate Nong Nong's birthday every year."

"Nong Nong, do you have any other wishes? Can you tell me everything?"

Qin Jingyao felt a burning fire in his chest, a fire that felt like a cage burning his internal organs. Only when he spoke to her, when he acted for her, could he find a hint of coolness. Even if it was only a brief moment of coolness, he was happy to accept it.

She had to endure this ordeal by his side. If she stayed alone in the palace, the palace guards would be unable to stop the palace envoys. Only by his side would she feel safest.

He had no regrets. However, seeing her faint from shock, his heart felt like it was being torn out, the pain was so severe that he could not breathe, his head was buzzing and he was exhausted. He lost his composure several times before he finally picked her up.

Every step after leaving the palace is like wading through a quagmire.

Qin Jingyao wanted to do something more for her, to say something more, but the person in his arms was breathing evenly and steadily.

She didn't question him, and he avoided deceiving her again. But the fire that had been raging inside her finally burned to ashes, leaving only an endless, unspeakable panic.