Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Nangong Nuo's peach blossom eyes quietly scrutinized Mei Shuang, a wicked smile curling at the corners of his lips. "Of course, it's in my embrace..."
"......"
This man truly left her speechless.
Their current situation would undoubtedly attract gossip even in modern times, let alone in the conservative ancient era. Therefore, someone could easily exploit their relationship at a critical moment to harm her, probably calculating that she wouldn't be able to turn the tables.
One couldn't help but say that the mastermind behind this was quite skilled.
In the end, it was futile to blame the heavens; the root cause lay in her own unclean background, and the man before her was the instigator.
Mei Shuang pushed Nangong Nuo away, enduring the pain in her ribs as she stood up and turned her face aside, coldly saying, "Enough. Given my current predicament, do you still think I’m not miserable enough? This place is ominous; please leave."
She knew that at this moment, she could barely ensure her own safety. If someone discovered that her "secret affair" was right here with her, she would have no chance at all.
Upon hearing Mei Shuang's words, Nangong Nuo slowly rose, surveying her tattered clothes with disbelief. "Miss Mei Shuang, are you really not planning to leave? It surprises me that the well-dressed Miss Mei Shuang can endure such ragged attire."
Mei Shuang turned around, her clear black-and-white eyes shining with determination in the dim light of the fire starter. "If I'm to go out, it must be after clearing my name and leaving openly. If it's convenient for you, please inform my father that I am well here and wish him good health!"
Nangong Nuo was taken aback, about to say something when he suddenly heard the distant voices of guards outside.
He glanced down at the guard still unconscious on the ground, quickly extinguished the fire starter, and dragged him outside before turning back to give Mei Shuang a deep look. He said softly, "I'll come back. Take care of yourself..."
With that, he flipped over and leaped onto the roof, swiftly disappearing into the night...
Cold Palace.
As soon as Nangong Nuo left, Mei Shuang heard the guards outside, who were coming to take over their posts, discover that the guards on duty were actually sleeping at the entrance. One of them stepped forward and slapped him.
Listening to the cries for mercy from outside, Mei Shuang couldn't help but curse under her breath, "Serves him right!"
What she didn't expect was that just a few days later, the new Emperor and Empress both appeared before her again.
When the door of Cold Palace was pushed open without warning and the lanterns held by the palace Eunuch illuminated the drafty walls of Cold Palace, Mei Shuang saw the stern-faced Xiao Luo and the composed Mei Ru.
She felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. Could it be that Zhao Prince had been discovered and reported to the Emperor? Otherwise, what were the odds of this happening?
Thinking this way made Mei Shuang break into a cold sweat.
As she knelt down, she stole a glance at the Supreme Ruler, who stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression as cold and hard as iron.
She dared not move, her heart racing wildly.
It was Mei Ru who spoke first, her voice as gentle as ever. "Although my sister has committed a grave mistake, His Majesty is merciful and has ultimately forgiven you. We are here today merely to seek reassurance; I hope you won't take offense..."
After speaking, she subtly gestured to the nearby Eunuch, who understood immediately and withdrew, closing the door behind him.
Seeking reassurance? Mei Shuang didn't quite understand but knew that whenever Mei Ru spoke, it rarely meant anything good.
Sure enough, Mei Ru continued softly, "Sister, do not be afraid. Although we share a Sisterly Bond, I am now the Empress of the Great Qin Empire, and I cannot disregard the dignity of the royal family. Given what has happened to you, I must prepare for all possibilities. If you are no longer pure, what if one day—"
As she spoke, Mei Ru raised her hand to cover her mouth with a silk handkerchief, deliberately lowering her voice. "If that's the case, wouldn't it be quite troublesome? Therefore, I must take precautions..."
Upon understanding Mei Ru's implication, Mei Shuang felt a buzzing in her head. Wasn't this equivalent to announcing to the world that she and Zhao Prince were having an affair?
Just as Mei Shuang was about to say something, Emperor Xiao Luo coldly ordered, "Administer the medicine!"
Seeing Mei Shuang's disheveled appearance, Xiao Luo turned his gaze away in disgust. Deep down, he had no desire to be here tonight, but he couldn't ignore Queen Meiru's repeated petitions, claiming that this matter concerned the royal family's reputation and required careful consideration. Besides, he had questions for Mei Shuang.
Mei Ru gazed at the pale-faced Mei Shuang with a sense of satisfaction in her heart, though her expression conveyed a reluctant yet necessary sense of duty. She softly said, "I will obey your command."
Then, with her delicate hand, she lightly clapped twice. A eunuch entered silently, holding a tray covered with red cloth. He approached Mei Ru and knelt down, raising the tray above his head.
Mei Ru lifted the red cloth to reveal a jade bowl.
She picked up the jade bowl and took a few steps forward until she stood before the kneeling Mei Shuang. Slowly bending down, her voice remained gentle as ever.
"Sister, as your younger sister and the Empress, I must consider the family's reputation and share the Sovereign's burdens. This is medicine I personally prepared for you. Once you drink it, you can remain peacefully in the Cold Palace and reflect..."
Mei Shuang glanced at the steaming dark concoction in the bowl and thought to herself who could guarantee that this wasn't poison disguised as concern for the family? Even if she drank it now without issue, what if by morning she was found dead before sunrise?
They were sisters; everyone knew that during ordinary days it was only she who bullied Mei Ru. Mei Ru had always been submissive, so who would believe that the current Empress would harm her? If anything happened to her, even if she took the case to Yama himself, she might not get justice.
However, since the Emperor had given an order, she dared not disobey. Gritting her teeth while looking at the medicine, she said, "I can drink it, but I need to know what exactly I'm drinking."
Mei Ru paused for a moment but maintained her warm tone. "Sister should understand that sometimes it's best to take precautions against potential troubles. And this is not poison; you can rest assured and drink it..."
In front of the eloquent Mei Ru, Mei Shuang felt defeated. Since Mei Ru was well-prepared, how could she easily let her off the hook?
Helpless, Mei Shuang's gaze involuntarily shifted to Xiao Luo, silently praying that this emperor would be perceptive enough to see through her malicious sister's scheme.
Xiao Luo observed Mei Shuang's reaction with a cold gaze, his expression devoid of any emotion.
However, when those distinct black-and-white eyes turned towards him, he clearly read hesitation, reluctance, and helplessness from her clear gaze, as if there was also—pleading?
It seemed she did not trust the medicine; her eyes were clearly seeking confirmation from him—that the medicine was not poisonous.
It appeared she truly valued her life. But at this moment, could she afford to hesitate?
Hesitation meant defiance!
Just as Xiao Luo was about to lose his temper, he saw Mei Shuang's disappointment as she lowered her gaze. Slowly, she extended her hand, gently cradling the medicine bowl in her fair palm and gradually accepting it.
"Steady it, sister." As Mei Ru withdrew her hand, she inadvertently revealed the string of Red Coral on her wrist, blood-red and strikingly eye-catching.
Mei Shuang shuddered; it was this fair and strong hand that had plunged a dagger into her body. The blood that flowed down along her side beneath her clothing was just as crimson.
Comment 0 Comment Count