Villain: After I died, all the heroines cried themselves to sleep.

After learning that Luo Zheng was Lanling Jun.

Chen tide felt ashamed.

The intense guilt was like bitter water, making her feel as if she were drowning in it.

She is a doctor.

He studied under Bian Que and received all of Bian Que's true teachings.

It includes both miraculous medical skills and a benevolent ambition to heal the sick and save lives.

Unfortunately, with the world in turmoil during the Warring States period, even the best medical skills could only save a drop in the ocean.

She had no choice but to do everything in her power to go to the battlefield and save lives.

That's how I got to know Lord Lanling.

She didn't spend much time with Lanling Jun.

However, he was deeply inspired by Lanling Jun in medical skills and admired Lanling Jun's people-oriented philosophy.

But that's about it.

She spent more time with His Majesty the Emperor of Han, and their relationship deepened.

However, His Majesty's actions were hasty and he constantly levied exorbitant taxes, which was contrary to her ideal husband.

But now it seems...

I have completely misunderstood His Majesty.

Your Majesty endures the condemnation of the people, bearing the infamy of the entire world alone, and is misunderstood by all.

Even so, he still chose to sacrifice himself to save the world.

This is true, boundless love.

"As a physician, I failed to even see His Majesty clearly, and due to a momentary lapse, I caused His Majesty's death..."

Chen tide realized this.

I am now sick.

And it is an incurable terminal illness.

A doctor cannot heal himself. Unless His Majesty is resurrected, there may be no chance of survival.

Otherwise, this disease will haunt her forever, tormenting her body and mind, making her wish she were dead.

"But I can't give up now..."

Chen tide endured the heartache and struggled to hold onto the wall to prevent herself from falling.

Because it's more painful for her.

There are many people.

She was the physician appointed by His Majesty.

She must remain in the harem to prevent any accidents from happening to others.

Moreover, she harbored some dangerous thoughts.

"There are countless precious medicines and unorthodox remedies in the world. If I could concoct an elixir of immortality, perhaps I could bring His Majesty back to life..."

……

the other side.

Song Wan watched Chen tide leave.

Lord Lanling was her secret with the Emperor of Han.

If she could, she didn't actually intend to tell anyone else.

But in the end, they couldn't keep it a secret any longer.

Song Wan withdrew her gaze and calmly looked at a dark corner.

"Come out."

She had barely finished speaking.

The black-clad swordsman emerged from the shadows.

"Ah Li, when did you betray me, and who have you sided with now?"

Song Wan said with a gloomy expression.

She never imagined that the swordsman who had protected her for so many years and whom she regarded as a sister would deceive her.

If the other party hadn't told her that His Majesty had discovered the secret of the Yin-Yang Jade.

And she was preparing to take action against her sister.

She wouldn't take the risk of persuading Xu Daoyun to conspire with Chen tide.

This led to His Majesty's death.

"..."

The swordsman remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"It is His Majesty the Emperor of Han."

"What did you say?"

Song Wan's eyes widened.

"Back in Shanglin Garden, His Majesty the Han Emperor saved my life. To repay his favor, I promised to persuade you, my lord, to hate him."

The swordsman revealed the whole story.

Song Wan found it hard to believe.

"Why did His Majesty ask you to do this...?"

She didn't finish her sentence.

Song Wan wasn't stupid; as a master of Go, she connected the dots and anticipated what would happen next.

It was quickly deduced that this was the decisive move made by the Han emperor.

He died through her hand, thus revealing the mastermind behind the scenes.

"But why me of all people?"

Song Wan frowned, puzzled.

If the Han emperor wanted to die, there was absolutely no need for him to go through such a complicated process.

"..."

at this point.

The swordsman couldn't answer either.

Song Wan pursed her lips, pondering the deeper meaning behind it.

"I see……"

Suddenly, Song Wan raised her head.

A new hope appeared on their previously haggard faces.

"His Majesty chose me, surely because I am a priestess who serves the Celestial Bird."

A dark and ambiguous light flickered in Song Wan's eyes.

"The Celestial Bird descended to give birth to the Shang Dynasty. Your Majesty is the true Celestial Bird, and is only temporarily returning to heaven. As long as the people continue to pray, he will one day descend to earth again."

"Your Majesty sacrificed yourself to save the people, and the people should repay Your Majesty with their lives..."

"And this, only I can do..."

At this point, Song Wan revealed a bright smile.

A resolute coldness flashed across his smile.

different from others.

Ever since the meeting at Mianchi, she had harbored a certain ambition.

That is to become the Empress of the Han Emperor and give birth to the Crown Prince to inherit the throne.

Ok.

It was definitely not for my own selfish desires.

They simply wanted to perpetuate the Song dynasty in a roundabout way.

……

Thud!

The arrow hit the bullseye.

Unfortunately, the arrow hit the target next to it.

Yan Yu put down the longbow.

Just now, Chen tide told her that the Han Emperor was actually Lord Lanling.

In fact, Yan Yu had anticipated this.

It was also she who asked Chen tide to inquire about Song Wan.

After all, when disaster strikes, His Majesty's skill in controlling the wind is remarkably similar to that of Lord Lanling.

Not long ago, she found that blue dress in His Majesty's study.

"Your Majesty is really good at playing dumb..."

Yan Yu chuckled, then nocked an arrow and drew her bow again.

The image of his battle of wits and courage with Lanling Jun from back then automatically surfaced in his mind.

That feeling of being evenly matched, yet also like enemies and friends.

It left a deep impression on her.

Whenever she thinks about it, Yan Yu's lips unconsciously curl up.

Swah——

So this time, the target was completely missed.

"I was in poor form today, really below my usual standard."

Yan Yu shook her head.

She, who used to be infallible, has now missed every single shot.

She wanted to get rid of the distracting thoughts in her mind.

No matter how she tried, she could never forget her experience with Lanling Jun.

Especially during the period of the Liang-Yan War, the two strolled along the Yi River.

On the last night, Lanling Jun saved her.

Then he faced the enemy's pursuit alone.

That desolate figure from behind.

It remains etched deep in her heart to this day.

Every time I think about it, my soul trembles.

No one can replace him.

Only the domineering Emperor of Han, after Lanling Jun, was the one who defeated her.

He always forced her to do all sorts of embarrassing things, making her blush with embarrassment.

This prevented her from overthinking.

"Your Majesty is a big liar. No wonder you sent me to see Prince Liang to find the truth. It turns out you are the same person. You always make me suffer humiliation, and you are definitely taking this opportunity to take revenge."

Yan Yu, unusually displaying a girlish demeanor, shot another arrow.

Unsurprisingly, he completely lost his way.

"I even shed tears for you, give me back my sorrow."

Dissatisfied, Yan Yu fired the next arrow.

It's still crooked.

"They weren't dead then, so why are they dead now?"

She always believed that the assassin was sent by the Han emperor.

He harbored resentment towards the Han emperor.

Now that the truth has come out, it is known that the assassin belonged to someone else.

His Majesty risked his life to save her, his adversary, out of loyalty and friendship.

"Your Majesty, you've really played a huge joke on me..."

Yan Yu impatiently threw away the bow and arrow.

Her vision was blurry, and there was no point in continuing to practice.

"That's it for today, I'm done practicing."

Yan Yu stepped forward to retrieve the arrows.

Somehow, I accidentally tripped and fell to the ground.

"How ridiculous! A dignified Xuanwu Realm expert at the Heavenly Gang Realm can't even walk properly..."

Yan Yu couldn't help but laugh at herself.

He had barely opened his mouth when his voice trembled and his throat tightened.

She tried to get up, but her body was too weak.

I tried several times but couldn't stand up.

Helplessly, she lowered her head, and tears streamed down her face.

"Ouch...it hurts so much..."

Yan Yu couldn't help but cry softly.

If the female guards around him saw this, they would probably be very incredulous.

That strong and composed General Yan.

She actually cried like this.

Even when she was seriously injured or facing death, she had never been so sad and distressed.

Yan Yu tried to stop her tears, but she couldn't stop them no matter what she did.

"Waaah... It's all Your Majesty's fault. It's always you who makes me turn into a crybaby..."

"I want to be a good wife and mother now, so come back..."

"Your Majesty... Waaah... My husband..."

What she found hardest to accept was...

Lord Lanling was not killed by the assassins at the Yi River.

His Majesty died because of her.

"I'd rather you could have faked your death and escaped like you did at the Yi River..."

"Please, Yu'er, I beg you... my husband..."

A vast firing range.

Only Yan Yu's weeping echoed.

……

The spring breeze, oblivious to romance, spread sorrow throughout the palace.

"Little brother..."

The doors and windows of the side room were tightly closed.

Tang Ji hugged the wooden box and curled up on the bed.

She once longed for and envied the outside world so much.

I dream that one day I can play and frolic outside like other children.

Now that her congenital insufficiency has been treated, her health has improved significantly.

But she didn't want to go out.

Because it was His Majesty who assisted Chen tide in curing her terminal illness.

It was His Majesty who constantly encouraged her, allowing her to persevere to this day.

This happened not long ago.

Tang Ning's older sister appeared quietly.

And with a deep sense of apology, I told her the truth.

His Majesty is her older brother.

"How could it be like this..."

Tang Ji's long, thick eyelashes were covered with tears.

At first, she couldn't believe it.

Because she knew that His Majesty had also studied at the Jinyang Academy, but returned to the country after less than two years.

But the young man continued to write letters to her for several years.

It wasn't until her sister Tang Ning told her.

This is a letter that the young man prepared in advance because he was worried that she would be lonely and sad.

Tang Ji had no choice but to believe it.

This young man is definitely the kind of person who would do that.

Once you accept this truth...

Tang Ji felt no joy.

Only endless pain and despair.

The young man was not originally dead, but he ended up killing him with his own hands.

Upon careful consideration...

His Majesty cherishes her very much.

He was sharp-tongued, but he also took good care of her by helping her get medical treatment and preparing a wheelchair for her.

Previously, when the mailbox fell into the water, it was His Majesty who helped her retrieve it.

His Majesty told her about the beauty of the human world.

Then they helped her get rid of her illness and return to the world.

"What have I done... Youwei is a bad child..."

Tang Ji sobbed.

Her petite body trembled, making her look pitiful.

"But why did Sister Tang Ning deliberately lie to me like that?"

Tang Ji was filled with resentment.

She sobbed and thought for a long time.

Finally, she realized the key to it.

"She must be jealous of me..."

Tang Ji thought to herself.

Tang Ning and her older sister had a very good relationship before.

It's not surprising that the other person likes younger men.

But the young man clearly didn't like her.

Tang Ning's sister became jealous.

That's why he deceived her.

She deliberately drove a wedge between her and the young man.

"Sister Tang Ning..."

No, she's no longer the older sister.

Tang Ji bit her lower lip.

In the darkness, her eyes became deep and empty.

"They're all bad women... Except for the guy who genuinely cares for me, none of the others are trustworthy..."

For the first time, Tang Ji encountered the darkness of human nature.

The price paid was far too high.

The young man, or rather His Majesty, is no longer here...

"Waaah..."

Tang Ji opened the mailbox and looked through the old letters inside.

Tears fell like rain.

The letter paper got wet.

"Your Majesty... I'm sorry..."

She curled up, crying and complaining.

Even when the outside world was right in front of her, she lost interest.

She had previously thought that she longed for the outside world.

It has now been discovered.

She liked the stories the older boy told.

What I long for is the world to travel with my boyfriend.

However, this wish...

She destroyed it with her own hands.

Tears streamed down her face.

Tang Ji's sobs turned into loud wailing.

Her mind and body are gradually collapsing from the torment of regret...

……

"I'm afraid I'm experiencing death..."

Ji Mi lay on the bed, dressed in thin clothes, looking desolate and lonely.

A gentle spring breeze blew into the room through the window.

But what it brought her was an icy chill.

The bitterness and depression that accumulated in her heart were like wildly growing weeds, draining her life force.

Her body was weak and sorrowful, and all she could see was despair.

"The love I sought was right before my eyes, yet I remained blind to it until now that I have lost it, and only now do I realize my deepest regret..."

Ji Mi was heartbroken and her eyes were blurry with tears.

She has already discovered it.

His Majesty is the one I've been searching for all along.

She would never forget that chilling sword aura.

Moreover, she had asked Prime Ministers Feng and Li.

The so-called murder and robbery is nothing but a lie by His Majesty.

"My heart remains faithful, unchanged in the slightest. From beginning to end, there has only been one person I have loved. Yet, I am so pathetic and foolish, that I have personally destroyed this dearest love..."

Ji Mi covered her face and wept.

The sudden bad news struck her like a bolt from the blue, leaving her dizzy and disoriented.

If it weren't for Chen tide, she would have already perished.

if it is possible.

She would rather die like this.

The excruciating pain in my heart was more intense than having my heart and lungs ripped out.

She actually killed the person she loved most.

"How I wish this were just a nightmare..."

Ji Mi touched her chest.

An overwhelming sense of guilt had consumed her heart.

It left behind a huge void.

Sadness cannot fill the void.

The chirping of birds could be heard outside.

Ji Mi, dressed in a single layer of clothing, slowly walked out of the room.

Look up.

Lively little sparrows frolic and play in pairs on the branches.

The courtyard is filled with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers, brimming with vitality.

But Ji Mi was left only with desolation.

"Flowers bloom in the spring breeze, but my life fades away with the autumn wind..."

Overwhelmed with sorrow, she sighed sadly.

A familiar little sparrow, seemingly sensing her sorrow, suddenly came to her side.

Ji Mi raised her hand and caught the other person.

The little guy gently pecked my palm.

It seemed like he was trying to comfort her.

Ji Mi looked at the little sparrow.

For some reason, I remembered that afternoon.

His Majesty caught her when she fell from the tree and healed the little sparrow.

The two even sat together under the eaves to enjoy the breeze.

Finally, at her pleading...

His Majesty released the little sparrow back into its natural habitat.

"Waaah..."

Ji Mi let out a sob.

Large tears slid down from her overflowing eyes.

Why does His Majesty refuse to acknowledge her even though he knows her?

Ji Mi had thought about this question more than once.

Now we've finally found the answer.

His Majesty actually chose to respect her wishes.

I don't want to use gratitude to force her to stay, or trap her in the cage of the past.

But she ignorantly failed His Majesty.

They even foolishly caused the other party's death.

"Well……"

Ji Mi's face turned deathly pale.

The world seemed to be shrouded in darkness.

A terrifying feeling of suffocation gripped her throat, making it impossible for her to breathe.

She collapsed to the ground.

Tears flowed down my face.

The mud stained the white dress.

Unfortunately, no one wipes her anymore.

"Waaah... Your Majesty... Where are you... Ji Mi misses you so much..."

……

The women in the harem each harbored their own secrets.

The bamboo grove cottages far away in the mountains offer a completely different view.

A woman dressed in white sat quietly on a bamboo chair outside the door, gazing at the surging sea of ​​bamboo in the warm sunlight and listening to the soft rustling of the wind through the bamboo forest.

She was holding a baby girl in her arms, listening to the gentle sounds of nature.

I was fast asleep, half asleep.

Suddenly.

Tang Ning, dressed in red, came to the woman's side.

"Master, are you really going to Chang'an to hand the child over?"

"This is that little thief's child, so there's no reason for me to keep him around."

Fairy Wangshu spoke in an extremely cold tone.

"If I hand her over to her relatives for recognition, those people won't refuse, and it will save me the trouble of taking care of her all the time."

"Master, are you sure you can bear to let someone else take care of your child?"

Tang Ning looked at the mother and daughter suspiciously.

Seeing the baby's chubby face, I curiously reached out and poked her cheek.

"What's there to be reluctant about?"

Fairy Wangshu disagreed.

He then frowned and abruptly slapped Tang Ning's hand away.

"Can't you see the child is sleeping? Don't touch them, or you'll wake them up."

"..."

Tang Ning awkwardly withdrew her hand.

"I just thought she was cute..."

"No matter how cute she is, it's not okay, Ning'er. You don't know your own strength. What if you hurt the child?"

Fairy Wangshu reprimanded.

As she spoke, the baby in her arms stirred and began to cry loudly.

I was woken up by the sound of their conversation.

"Oh...good boy...Mommy's here...don't cry..."

Fairy Wangshu quickly put on a gentle smile and softly coaxed the child to sleep.

They simply left Tang Ning standing there.

"Are you hungry? That's the thing you're most like your father—so greedy..."

Fairy Wangshu smiled and teased her daughter before going back inside to breastfeed her.

Seeing this, Tang Ning followed.

"Master, I'll help too..."

"You don't have breast milk, so what good can you do besides making things worse?"

Fairy Wangshu refused to let Tang Ning in.

"..."

Tang Ning scratched her head speechlessly.

Seeing the warm atmosphere between the teacher, his wife, and their daughter, I couldn't help but feel a little envious.

She also wants a daughter, someone she can take good care of.

Unfortunately, it seems there's no chance now.

Tang Ning puffed out her cheeks, suddenly feeling jealous of her master.

Xiao Zheng had wronged her so many times that she had no choice but to marry him.

Master knew this perfectly well, yet he still did that kind of thing.

Logically speaking, this child should be his/her own.

Now it's been taken away by the master.

What should I do in the future...?

……

Half a month later.

The struggle for the throne continues in Chang'an.

A country cannot live without a ruler for a day.

The court officials had also reached their limit of patience.

Unable to suppress the matter, Feng Lu and Li Tonggu had no choice but to inform Empress Dowager Zhao Ji.

During the period when the throne was vacant.

All matters concerning the inner and outer courts fell on Zhao Ji's shoulders.

Zhao Ji rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

She had no intention of dealing with miscellaneous tasks.

But in the entire inner court, she was the only one capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility.

For the sake of the empire left behind by Zheng'er, she had to muster her strength and protect this legacy.

Because she is Zheng'er's mother.

Even though they weren't her biological children, she was convinced of that from the bottom of her heart.

Another comforting thing is...

Zhao Ji glanced at Xia Ji sitting next to her.

Since the disaster ended, Xia Ji seems to have emerged from the shadows and is no longer foolish.

"Zheng'er won't abandon me. He'll come back someday. I need to be prepared to welcome him back..."

Xia Ji was obsessed, firmly believing that Zheng'er was unharmed.

Aside from that, it's pretty normal.

He could even help Zhao Ji and share some of the work.

However, neither of them had a good solution to the problem of the throne, and it was impossible for the position to remain vacant forever.

"If only Zheng'er could leave behind a son or daughter..."

Zhao Ji sighed.

Xia Ji touched her lower abdomen in disappointment.

"...Xia Ji, don't do anything strange, it's easy for people to misunderstand if they see you."

"I just remembered that I once dreamed of the sun entering my arms and inexplicably became pregnant with Zheng'er."

"What you just said makes me envious..."

The two chatted idly behind the curtains of the sleeping quarters.

Just then.

A gentle breeze blew by.

An uninvited guest arrived at the Empress's palace in Han Dynasty.