Qiaoqiao never expected that Ning Youqing would get married so suddenly. She had only rejected him once, and he immediately got married.
The story was indeed full of lies.
The tragic love story of the second male lead only exists in television dramas.
Qiao Qiao was actually a little attracted to Ning Youqing, but she had suffered a lot in her previous life and didn't want to continue to suffer.
What Qiao Qiao didn't expect was that Ning Youqing's identity was exposed right after she got engaged to a wealthy young man.
He turned out to be the real nobleman.
He had also heard a little about the Ning family's affairs.
I've heard that the current emperor has even bestowed a title upon him. Even if he falls on hard times, with the title and his family's assets, his life won't be too bad.
After hearing this, she felt very conflicted.
She couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. If she had agreed to be with him back then, wouldn't she be the Lady of the Marquis now? However, being newly married, her husband treated her very well, so although she had many feelings of regret, she quickly put him out of her mind afterward.
They didn't contact each other for the next two years.
It wasn't until his wedding, a grand and sensational affair, that she vaguely realized they hadn't seen each other for two years.
Upon learning that he was getting married, she felt even worse.
She could smell the fragrance of a woman's cosmetics, especially on her husband.
This was something she found hard to accept.
She always felt that her territory had been invaded.
Jojo had someone follow her husband, and sure enough, he was having an affair.
This mistress was not as beautiful as her, but she was gentle and tender.
She is completely different from him.
When Qiaoqiao discovered the existence of this mistress, her husband immediately took her back and gave her a legitimate status.
Qiaoqiao couldn't bring herself to do something like murder or arson.
She chose to divorce.
In her opinion, if they no longer love each other, they should just break up.
She's intelligent and has businesses; she can live a good life even after the divorce.
But the man was unwilling.
He wanted to enjoy the blessings of having two wives.
But Qiaoqiao didn't want to share a man with other women; it disgusted her.
After thinking for a long time, she finally decided to seek help from Ning Youqing.
Ning Youqing met her, but he did so accompanied by his wife.
He didn't hide anything from his wife, and even told her clearly about how he had liked her back then.
His openness is enough to prove that he no longer has any lingering affection for himself.
Ning Youqing's wife was very understanding and immediately wrote a letter for her to take back with her.
With the Ning family backing her up, Qiaoqiao naturally got a divorce very smoothly.
Her husband—no, her ex-husband—even put on a show, telling her that if things didn't go well in the future, she could come looking for her. She snorted coldly and turned to leave.
After that, he partnered with Ning Youqing's wife to open a restaurant, which was a win-win situation.
She admired Ning Youqing's wife, and Ning Youqing's wife also admired her quite a bit.
They cherished each other deeply.
However, she felt a little guilty towards her; she was coveting her husband.
She had never really looked at Ning Youqing before, but now she suddenly realized that this person who didn't smile much actually had a very handsome face.
And it has so many advantages.
Why did she so foolishly give up back then?
Even though she knew it was wrong, she still went closer.
Unfortunately, Ning Youqing only had his wife and children on his mind at that moment, and he was unwilling to spend time with her.
After being rejected, Qiaoqiao wasn't angry. She simply cleaned up that sudden feeling and devoted herself wholeheartedly to the restaurant.
Later, her ex-husband came looking for her several more times, but she kicked him out each time. She suddenly realized that living alone seemed to suit her better.
After Ning Hong left, Zhao Qingqi fell seriously ill.
Five days later, the morning court session resumed.
Looking at the empty chair in the lower left corner, Zhao Qingqi suddenly felt as if a large piece of his heart had been ripped out, and he felt a sharp pain.
But when facing the entire court of officials, he coughed lightly and immediately composed himself.
He cannot act on emotion.
He once said that he wanted all his people to be able to eat their fill and wear cotton-padded clothes.
Even if Ning Hongze leaves, he will still do his best, even better than when she was here.
He wanted to show Ning Hongze that even alone, he could still do his best.
When Ning Hong left, she only took the eunuch named Xiaoyu with her.
A year after he left, Xiaoyu suddenly sent Zhao Qingqi a package.
"Your Majesty, this was sent to you by the Ninth Prince."
Where are the others?
"The Nine Thousand Years Old has passed away."
At this point, Xiaoyu couldn't help but gently wipe her eyes with her sleeve.
Ning Hong has already released Xiao Yu out of the palace. Now, he owns a small estate outside the city, where he has adopted two children. He will rely on these two children to take care of him in his old age and see him off in his final days.
He knelt down again, kowtowed to Zhao Qingqi, and then took his leave.
This must have been the last time he met the Emperor.
Zhao Qingqi opened the package expressionlessly.
The package contained snacks from various regions, as well as some exquisite trinkets.
At the very bottom, a sugar figurine is wrapped in white silk.
It was drawn based on Zhao Qingqi's work.
The sugar figurine has softened a bit.
Zhao Qingqi picked up the sugar figurine and put it in his mouth, before the eunuchs attending him could stop him.
"Father-in-law, this sugar figurine is too sweet."
"Then this old servant will go and fetch some water for His Majesty?"
"Go."
The eunuch had just left when Zhao Qingqi suddenly covered his face, tears streaming down his cheeks.
You left first after all.
In my youth, those innocent feelings withered away before they even blossomed.
"Ning Hongze, in your life, you have lived a life without shame before heaven and earth, without shame before the common people, yet—"
In the end, he betrayed me.
The old eunuch outside the door held a teacup, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes, and sighed softly.
He had never seen an emperor like this before.
But the Ninth Prince is already dead. I only hope that the Emperor can pull through, take care of himself, and put the country first.
Zhao Qingqi did not disappoint Ning Hongze's expectations. After grieving for two days, he buried all his pain deep in his heart and devoted himself to his official duties.
During Zhao Qingqi's twenty-year reign, the world was at peace and tranquil. The people lived in peace and contentment, and their doors were left unlocked at night. The country was prosperous and he finally fulfilled the promise he had made, creating a golden age of peace and prosperity.
However, throughout his life, this legendary emperor never established an empress or took any concubines.
There have been many speculations about this, but the reason has never been known.
Only the emperor's brother-in-law's son, Qi Di's cousin, once revealed in a drunken moment that Qi Di wasn't heartless, but rather that he had someone in his heart—someone he longed for but could not have.
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