She gazed at Lian Xin's face, which was as calm as if he were asleep. A single tear slowly fell from the corner of her eye.

  Junyi slowly approached her, standing still behind her, his words were unusually calm.

  "Hooked on the machine, poisoned to death in an instant, she won't suffer too much, but since you've made up your mind to force me to concoct this poisonous medicine, why bother shedding tears now?"

  She closed her eyes and shook her head, saying nothing, but repeating silently in her heart, sorry, sorry, but I have no choice, really no choice.

  She shattered the jade bell, thinking that from then on, the worms in her stomach would no longer be stirred up, thinking that there would be no one to stop her from being her true self again, even if only for a day, even if only for a moment.

  In order to see him again, she went through all sorts of hardships, but he wouldn't even give her the chance to finish speaking, every word cutting into her heart like a knife.

  Don't let me hear such nonsense again.

  He spoke nonsense. That's what he said.

  She gazed at his resolute back as he walked away, a faint, desolate smile spreading across her lips. He didn't believe her; how could he? Even the parents who had raised her for twelve years refused to acknowledge her identity, let alone him.

  But she refused to give up, she needed a conclusion so that she could escape from the constant torment and didn't care what kind of conclusion it was.

  However, she did not expect that when she went to the Chancellor's Mansion again, her mother was no longer willing to see her.

  She told herself that it must be a mistake somewhere, perhaps the servant had not conveyed it clearly, or perhaps her mother was really not in the mansion, she kept telling herself this.

  Until that time, she saw with her own eyes, outside the gate of the Xiang family's residence, her mother holding that woman's hand, with a kind expression on her face, repeatedly instructing her, fearing that something would be left out.

  Her mother clearly saw her, but simply turned around indifferently, and the gate of Xiangfu slowly closed in front of her.

  She never thought that her persistence was for what, and she had never hoped to return to her original identity and life, to be the second miss of the Murong family, to be his wife.

  But she was not reconciled, so unreconciled that why should she be suffering such heart-wrenching torture and torment while another person could calmly occupy her nest?

  She went to find her, asking to see her again and again.

  It's ridiculous, she wants to see her, but has to ask for an audience, if it weren't for her pure intentions, she might not even get to see her face.

  She gazed at the tremble in her eyes, and suddenly a twisted pleasure arose in her heart, even though she was clearly aware that she had actually gained nothing.

  Her words didn't continue, Qin An knocked on the door, with a respectful yet unyielding tone, "The princess should rest."

  Yes, up until now, she is the one being admired by all, a golden branch and jade leaf, while she is just a wildflower.

  At that moment, she laughed until tears fell.

  On the way back to Worry-Free Pavilion, Chun Yu kept gazing at her deeply, wanting to speak but hesitating.

  She didn't even notice him, and fell asleep soundly in the gap between the wall and the bed.

  But why, even in a dream, wouldn't it let her have her way, even if only for a brief moment?

  How dare you impersonate our daughter, get out of here!

  That was the frosty and cold face of his parents.

  You broke your own promise.

  The man in the green robe looked at her with a mixture of indifference and accusation, while she shook her head in pain and guilt. She opened her mouth to speak, but not a single sound came out. Meanwhile, that fleeting figure gradually transformed into a woman wearing a blue dress, her long hair fluttering as she stepped closer - Sang Niang, you have such a cruel heart, return my life to me!

  She fled in a fluster, and vaguely saw the figure that made her feel at ease ahead. She tightly grasped his arm - Your Highness, save me!

  He merely gave a cold and indifferent flick of his sleeve, and said with an apathetic smile, "Save you? Leave you in this world to continue speaking nonsense?"

  She woke up with a start from her dream, the hatred in his eyes still seemed to be clearly visible until now, while the warmth of his palm brought back her senses bit by bit - Qinger, you had a nightmare, don't be afraid, I'm here.

  A gentle and heart-wrenching light flickered in her eyes, a sight that was all too familiar. It appeared whenever she felt hopeless yet couldn't help but continue loving someone.

  She gazed at him for a long time, as if looking at another version of herself.

  He was seen as somewhat strange by her, just as he was about to ask a question, she suddenly stretched out her hand and hooked his neck.

  She kept her eyes closed, letting his kiss, with a temperature of incredulity and near madness, fall uncontrollably on her body.

  As her body tensed up with the sudden pain, he stiffened his body too, and big drops of sweat fell on her skin as white as jade, the shock, surprise and tenderness in his eyes almost drowned her.

  He kissed her eyes, almost coaxing her, his voice so gentle that it made her heart ache slightly.

  She bit back all her discomfort and spoke word by word: You promise me, promise me two things.

  He nodded without hesitation, and she continued in a trembling voice, "You promised me that for the rest of your life you would be loyal to His Highness..."

  At that moment, the temperature in his eyes suddenly cooled down, almost furious, and he abruptly left her body, grabbed his coat and put it on before leaving.

  And she couldn't care less about her disheveled hair and bare skin at the moment, tightly holding onto his hand, looking up at him with pleading eyes. I've never asked you for anything before, but just this once, Mr. Chun, please grant me this wish.

  He gazed at her, resplendent in the moonlight*, and couldn't help but tremble with restraint. He sneered and asked, "What's the second thing?"

  She took a deep breath, determined not to let the three princesses' unborn children be born.

  He looked at her with the same coldness as a stranger, and the word "out" had different meanings. The madness and determination in her eyes told him that he was not wrong about her intentions.

  Suddenly she looked up at the sky and laughed loudly, her eyes slightly moist, while she still gazed at him intently, determined to get an answer.

  He smiled and coldly opened his mouth, "Why should I agree with you?"

  She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then said nothing, just bit by bit, doing her best to please him.

  He suddenly pushed her away and strode out of the door without looking back.

  She listened to his heavy footsteps, but her gaze slowly fell on the bed sheet with a striking red stain.

  No one had expected, including himself, that San Muqing, the number one dancer of Southern Dynasty, was still a virgin.

  They thought she was one of the Third Prince's people and no one dared to touch her.

  But the third prince wouldn't touch her.

  She knew that he was never short of gentle and beautiful women by his side, they may not be as beautiful as her, nor as good at dancing, but in front of the king, it was always others, not her.

  In fact, she understood in her heart that it was her own choice back then. She would rather be a sword in his hand, following him for a long time, than a flower under him, blooming briefly.

  He won't touch her since he's using her, it has always been this way, she knew that long ago.

  It's just in my heart, it's not without regret.

  Slowly getting up, she changed into the pale green silk dress she wore on that first day.

  Facing the copper mirror, carefully making up and drawing out the most beautiful appearance.

  She looked towards the back of the bed, where a white silk had been hidden since the day she decided to reveal everything.

  She had no way to keep her promise to Mr. Su, so she could only return her life to him.

  Actually, I had thought it through long ago, but didn't think that I wouldn't be able to hold on until the day the truth comes out, or maybe there won't even be such a day.

  He got up and was about to walk over to the bed when he suddenly heard the sound of the door being pushed open.

  She thought it was a sincere intention, and a desolate smile slowly emerged on her lips, as if she had died, he would have agreed to her no matter what. In fact, she has always been a selfish woman.

  She turned around, but her whole body was stunned, and the figure under the cloak was clearly her mother.

  The two men waiting outside slowly closed the door, and Mrs. Murong's slightly trembling hands held a golden cup, step by step forward.

  She has shed countless tears in this life, and for her, tears are just a weapon, even against the husband who has been with her all her life, and even against the children who have inherited her blood.

  But at this moment, the sharp pain in her heart almost made her unable to hold the cup in her hand, and the scorching pain in her eyes, but she didn't let a single tear fall.

  Qing er...

  Finally can call her like this, for the last time.

  She saw her daughter's body and was suddenly shocked.

  How could she not recognize her, the daughter she had nurtured for ten months in her womb, from the moment she first lifted her veil in front of her, and with tears spoke of past events, she knew this was indeed her daughter.

  But she couldn't recognize her.

  No longer seeing her is not because of distrust, but precisely because of trust.

  However, it was too late. When they finally learned of her existence and she refused to give up, going back and forth to the Third Prince's residence, when her husband told her the expected decision with a sorrowful gaze, there wasn't a single tear in her empty eyes.

  Just casually mention it, don't arrange for unrelated people, my daughter, I'll take her away myself.

  Memories were endless, she closed her eyes, the golden cup between her fingers trembled slightly.

  Admiring quietly, in mother's hand, that shallow cup of Golden Feather Wine.

  Although I have never seen it before, I also know that it is something that can make people die instantly and painlessly. It is a tragic honor that only the princes and princesses are bestowed with when they are given a death sentence.

  Suddenly she smiled and took the golden cup, speaking softly to her still elegant and noble mother, "Do you want to know what's hidden in the secret compartment beside my bed, madam?"

  One drink to finish it off is not being resentful.

  She felt someone embracing her gradually weakening body, warm liquid dripping onto her cheek, and a complex painful voice echoing in the distance.

  Qing'er, if there's an afterlife, I don't want anything else, just to be a qualified mother...

  Her lips curved into a faint arc with effort.

  If there is an afterlife, I don't want anything, just as long as I can be myself.

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