After the divorce, I was adorned in a phoenix robe, while my ex-husband's entire family dug up

"Ah Shu, Shu'er, I really know I was wrong. We'll have children in the future."

Lu Jieshuang deliberately seduced me during your pregnancy. I was blinded by lust for a moment. I still love you!

Lu Jieshuang's face turned deathly pale as she looked at Li Changming, her heart aching. How could he do this!

Shen Shu's eyes were as cold as ice as she slowly said, "Tell me, you still love me?"

Li Changming didn't care what Lu Jieshuang thought, and immediately nodded vigorously, "If I didn't love you, why would I go to such lengths to lie to you? Why would I keep it from you?"

"Ah Shu, all of this was orchestrated by Lu Jieshuang. If you don't like her, you can ask me to kill her right now. I've never had feelings for her!"

These words sent a chill down Shen Shu's spine. Through Li Changming's distorted face, she seemed to see the boy who had stood under the plum blossom tree after school, waving to her.

"Ah Shu! I bought chestnut pastries, I waited in line for ages! They're so cold, eat them quickly, they won't taste good once they get cold!"

That boy is dead.

Time really can change a lot of things.

Shen Shu at that time could never have imagined that the shy and sincere boy would look like this many years later.

Li Changming shifted all the blame onto Lu Jieshuang. Even if she liked her very much, Lu Jieshuang wouldn't easily accept it. It would be a lie to say she felt no hatred in her heart.

Her voice softened at this moment, "Princess!"

"Don't listen to Li Changming's nonsense!"

"You were pregnant for ten months, and we spent almost eight of those months together. Almost every time, Li Changming took the initiative to ask me out. Even when I was on my period, he wouldn't let me go!"

In the suburbs, in the temple, in the princess's mansion... do you really want to listen to his barking? If he truly loves you, why do I exist? If he truly loves me, why is he hiding it from you?

He loves no one but himself!

Lu Jieshuang, her dream shattered, hated Li Changming intensely.

She never expected that Li Changming would say this so immediately after his accident. All her devotion to Li Changming was for nothing!

In Li Changming's heart, what exactly was he? Just a tool to relieve his desires?

In comparison, her hatred for Shen Shu became less distinct.

"Shut up! You shameless slut! If you hadn't seduced me, how could things have come to this?"

"Where do you get the nerve to stand here and talk?! You're even more disgusting than those brothels!" Li Changming's eyes were bloodshot. If he had any weapons at hand, he would have rushed up and killed Lu Jieshuang.

Former lovers, now facing each other with swords drawn.

Dogs fighting.

The people in the hall were stunned. The news was indeed explosive, but they felt more sympathy for Shen Shu.

His Majesty looked at Shen Shu, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes. He was about to say something when Shen Shu stopped him.

"His Majesty."

She walked up to His Majesty and whispered a few words in his ear.

His Majesty paused for a moment, then said, "Li Changming, you and Ashu were husband and wife. I am now demoting you to a commoner, but I will allow you to participate in the annual imperial examinations. If you are truly capable, then we will discuss it separately."

Li Changming's eyes lit up. "Ashu! Ashu! You still care about me after all!"

Shen Shu snorted coldly, "Get out."

No one expected that Li Changming would make such a big mistake and be let off so easily.

Wei Zhaoning's eyes lit up slightly; this was far more painful than having his throat slit with a knife.

Li Changming was moved to tears. He was taken to a remote village by a carriage, where his travel money was confiscated. He was also given prior notice that no one was allowed to help him or give him a ride.

"Li Changming, His Majesty said that if you can climb from here to the capital before the imperial examination, he will allow you to participate in the examination and give you another chance to serve as an official in the court."

Li Changming frowned. "But... I have no money on me. How can I survive on this road?"

"Don't worry, His Majesty has already sent people to guard your departure point, where there will always be food. If you can't hold on any longer, just come back. But you are not allowed to bring any food or water with you when you leave."

His Majesty has granted you special privileges; regardless of whether you reach the capital through the imperial examinations, a special examination will be held just for you.

Li Changming was somewhat excited, thinking that His Majesty probably just wanted him to make amends and accept some punishment.

He has served in the court for so many years and has achieved many political accomplishments. How could His Majesty allow him to be tarnished because of a woman?

Without saying a word, he went inside and had a big meal before continuing his journey.

He lay on the ground like a dog, and passersby pointed at him and laughed.

But he thought to himself, once he climbs to the capital and becomes a high-ranking official, these people will be like ants. How easy would it be to crush them? There's no need to care about what they think!

His words of loyalty to Shen Shu in the main hall were merely a last resort when he had no other choice.

Now that he has another option, why should he still care about Shen Shu?

He found it somewhat amusing. Shen Shu had planned everything meticulously, yet he couldn't have imagined this at all. He might have some issues with his private life, but his abilities were still good. How could His Majesty possibly distance himself from politics over such a trivial matter?

If that's the case, then all ministers who have frequented brothels can be dismissed. Is there any man in the world willing to serve Your Majesty?

That's good, relying on yourself.

Once he returns to the capital, achieves good results in the exam, and reclaims his position, who will dare to say that he is someone who lives by relying on his father-in-law's power?

At that time, he will owe no one anything!

He no longer needs to pretend to like Shen Shu, nor does he need to please his father-in-law. He can be himself without restraint!

Thinking this, even the effort to climb became a bit stronger.

Although the posture was comical, he was full of energy.

at the same time.

Lu Jieshuang was immediately arrested and imprisoned.

Her punishment was simple and brutal: she would be executed the next day.

She pressed herself against the cold wall of the cell, her eyes filled with despair.

Why did Li Changming treat her like this? She couldn't understand it; at that moment, she felt like she was dreaming.

Faced with life and death, love means nothing. She even came to her senses and no longer knew why she had done what she did in the first place.

Why did she fall so stubbornly in love with Li Changming, willingly abandoning all sense of shame? Why did she regard Shen Shu as an enemy?

"Save your breath, little girl. No one will come to save you no matter how much you try."

"Come here, let your brother see. I heard many people have seen you. You have a great figure, and such a strong addiction. Don't you want to have one last time before you die?"

Seeing that no one was around, the two jailers had evil intentions. After all, he was a death row inmate, and his head would roll the next day. Who would know what they had done?

With that, he opened the cell door and dragged Lu Jieshuang deeper inside.

"Let me go! Let me go!"

"Oh ho, weren't you enjoying yourself at Zhongshan Temple? Why are you pretending to be so reserved here? Be good, your brother is no worse than Li Changming, I'll definitely make you feel like you're in heaven."