She said to Shen Wangshu ingratiatingly, "His Majesty also knew that she was a source of trouble! Before his death, he left a message to demote her to a lowly slave. But my opinion is that once she is registered as a slave, she will only be a lowly slave for the rest of her life. If she is to be cut into a thousand pieces, just throw her into a mass grave. Don't let her defile the royal family."
“Since she is the mastermind behind the plot to harm His Majesty, she deserves to be torn to pieces…” Shen Wangshu looked coldly at Consort He, who was huddled up in a ball, and said gently, “It is only right.”
"What does Your Highness mean?" She had become quite ruthless, which startled Consort Rong, who couldn't help but look at Ah Xuan.
It is unknown whether the Regent knew that the queen he was so happily marrying was such a vicious woman.
"Since it's the Princess's order, then if she's ordered to be torn to pieces, then she must be torn to pieces. If she dies with one less cut, then I'll hold you responsible for any remaining cuts." Ah Xuan simply used his slender body to block the inexplicable gazes directed at Shen Wangshu from the palace, and spoke calmly.
Consort Rong looked at Shen Wangshu, who was hiding behind the Regent, and for some reason, she suddenly felt a little envious.
"The smell here is unpleasant, let's go." Since Emperor Hui was already dead and Consort He had been dragged away to die, Consort Rong, eager to please Ah Xuan, ordered her mouth to be gagged to prevent her from committing suicide.
However, Shen Wangshu didn't care about Consort He's situation. What pleased her even more was that Emperor Hui died so tragically. After his death, no one had any interest in him anymore. His cold body was left lying on the dragon bed, and not even a palace servant was willing to clean up his distorted face.
He was forgotten in such a humiliating and undignified way.
Just like back then, when the imperial concubine died in the cold palace, her body cold and unburied, a scene of utter desolation.
The book did not specify the fate of the imperial concubine, but that's probably how it should be.
It wasn't until several days later, after the court officials had reached a conclusion regarding the new emperor, that the court and the imperial harem remembered this emperor again.
By this time, Emperor Hui's body had already begun to decompose. Shen Wangshu did not enter the palace again. He only heard that Emperor Hui's bedroom was tightly locked, and passersby covered their noses as they walked. By the time the court officials were about to bury the deceased emperor, Emperor Hui had already decomposed halfway.
Because he was so disgusting, the crowd hastily threw him into the coffin, buried him, and then ignored him. As for Consort He, Shen Wangshu never heard from her again, and she no longer cared about her fate. To her, Consort He was certainly hateful, but what she loathed even more was Emperor Hui, who was a man.
Even Emperor Hui's death was tragic, and she was content with that.
"Who is the new ruler?" She sat in the bright afternoon sun, smelling the fragrant flowers, her eyes filled with vibrant colors, feeling a sense of ease and comfort as if the dust had settled.
"The one in Consort Rong's belly." Having finally completed the sealing of Emperor Hui's imperial mausoleum, Ah Xuan didn't want to waste any more time talking nonsense with a bunch of old fogies from the previous dynasty, so he hurried home.
He sat contentedly beside Shen Wangshu, stretched out his arms to pull his wife into his embrace, and felt her affectionately nestled against him, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Shen Wangshu was taken aback.
Consort Rong is pregnant, but it will be more than half a year before she gives birth, and it is still unknown whether it will be a boy or a girl.
“If it’s a boy, he’ll be the emperor; if it’s a girl…” Ah Xuan casually played with Shen Wangshu’s fingers and said leisurely, “We’ll find a child from the imperial clan to ascend the throne.” He naturally hoped that the child in Consort Rong’s belly would be a son.
The newborn infant would need at least twenty years to grow up and rival him. By then, he would likely have already retired, taking Shen Wangshu far away, no longer scheming against him. Twenty years of peace would already be enough for him. Ah Xuan's eyes shone with longing as he held Shen Wangshu's slender, fair wrist and brought it to his lips.
“In a few years, we’ll go overseas, live a carefree life, and still be just as decisive.” He had also built up a significant presence overseas, which was his and Shen Wangshu’s true escape route.
That's why he had absolutely no interest in declaring himself emperor.
Who would want to be trapped in the cutthroat world of the capital for their entire life?
“Bring more close relatives along, it will put your mind at ease.” Shen Wangshu also showed a hint of anticipation. Her gaze fell on the brightly blooming garden ahead, where she saw an innocent and naive palace maid staring at a handsome silver-armored guard who was grinning at her, accusing him of daring to cover her mouth when the Princess needed her. She couldn’t help but smile warmly, tilting her head with a mischievous glint in her eye and shaking her wrist as she said, “When the time comes, take A-Xiang with you. She said she has an older sister outside the palace, so bring her along too, so she can have a family reunion.”
Her snow-white wrist was exposed to the sunlight, revealing a delicate little gold lock, which shone with a dazzling golden light as she waved it.
Ah Xuan snorted. He was always responsive to everyone, but this time he simply stepped forward and touched the cold golden lock with his warm lips.
His eyes held a sense of peace and unwavering determination.
He truly kept his promise, and after only ten years, at the earnest urging of the young emperor and empress dowager, he took her with him on a voyage. They enjoyed the beautiful scenery at sea and lived a leisurely and carefree life.
In the very end, Shen Wangshu closed her eyes in Ah Xuan's arms.
She felt warm tears falling onto her face, and the man, though old, still handsome, whispering in her ear again and again, as if she would forget.
“Wang Shu… don’t forget me. I am A Xuan, I am… Ji Xuan.”
She was content, knowing that she still had a chance to see him, that he hadn't vanished into the world of those books, and finally felt a glimmer of hope.
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