Favored concubine deposed empress? I'll seize your throne and marry you to a powerful minister.

Her father had spoken to her about this since she was six years old, when she returned to Yunjing from southern Xinjiang.

The people in this imperial city are different from those in the southern borderlands; here, transactions involving the exchange of interests are rampant.

Everyone you know, even those who smile at you and humbly offer you something, are mostly doing so with ulterior motives and calculations.

You need to learn to distinguish between goodwill and exploitation.

Just like Xiao Heng.

So when Wei Rong impulsively jumped into Xiao Heng's trap, and he later broke many promises, she didn't feel the excruciating pain.

Because I didn't care, I never felt heartbroken.

But what about Ling Xianru?

The reason she hesitated so much and couldn't make up her mind was simply because she knew very well that she couldn't afford to gamble.

This person is different from Xiao Heng.

Xiao Heng's approach to Xiao Heng was, from beginning to end, filled with utilitarianism and scheming.

He wanted her family background, her connections, and the Wei family to do everything in their power to pave the way for his ascension to the throne.

The tenderness he offered was a pretense, and the promises he made were bargaining chips. Once the situation was settled, he could discard them like worn-out shoes.

Wei Rong's vigilance, ingrained in her bones since she was six, has never been wrong.

She had long been aware of his intentions, but her youthful enthusiasm led her to this game. She lost because of her scheming, but she never lost because of her true feelings.

Therefore, the country was overthrown and her family suffered. If Xiao Heng hadn't gone to such extremes, she might never have touched Xiao Heng's throne.

Ke Lingxian is completely different.

He has no profit to make.

He possessed a vast empire to the east, held the honor of being the crown prince, wielded immense power, and had a bright future ahead of him.

For him, the Great Jing's empire, power, and influence were all things that could be easily obtained.

He approached her, secretly protected her, endured the pain of the poison, risked his life, and never asked for anything in return.

Everyone who flocks to the capital is there for a transaction.

He, however, only cared about her as a person.

Xiao Heng's attacks were both overt and covert, a game of power and intrigue, a scheme she had anticipated. Even though she was covered in wounds, she was able to grit her teeth, turn the tables, and escape unscathed.

Ke Lingxianru's affection is like warm water nourishing the bones, a silent refuge, and a sincerity that dispels all sharpness, solely to accommodate her.

Wei Rong didn't know what it felt like to fall in love.

But now, she's actually afraid of letting him down.

She could gamble on the coldness of human nature, the vicissitudes of life, and the ever-changing political landscape and deep-seated hatred.

The only thing I can't afford to gamble on is his true feelings.

Once you reach out, you'll be bound for the rest of your life.

Once they stay together, they will have to bear the estrangement of the two countries and the criticism of countless people.

Once the final separation occurs, it will be the only one in this life, a regret that is deep and hard to heal.

Xiao Heng helped her see through the vanity of human nature and taught her to act coldly and be indestructible.

Ling Xianru was the only gentle and exceptional person who shattered her layers of icy hard shell and landed in the desolate depths of her heart.

She dared not be moved, dared not respond, dared not be certain.

Because all transactions in this world can be settled, but Ling Xianru's deep affection is something that can never be repaid, and can never be returned in this lifetime.

"The Empress's expression is truly suggestive," Xiao Yi retorted sarcastically. "Outsiders might think that the Empress's deep affection is doomed to a short life."

"But don't you think about it? If you were with Ling Xianru, would the world believe that the Xiao family's empire was destroyed by my imperial brother, or that you conspired with Donglin to seize it? At the very least, if the Crown Prince of Donglin picked up your fallen shoe, he would still face the wrath of the world—ah!"

Before he could finish speaking, he was struck hard in the face by a whip.

The blow struck his left cheek with such force that the skin was torn open, a truly horrifying sight.

Wei Rong turned around hastily and saw Ling Xianru being supported by Mo Yu, her face pale and holding a leather whip in her hand.

"Why did you come here?"

The dungeon was mostly used to hold serious criminals; it was not only filthy, but also reeked of blood.

Ling Xianru is like someone poisoned by a curse; she must be suffering terribly here.

After hitting someone, Ling Xianru clutched her chest and gasped for breath. She stretched out one hand towards Wei Rong, looking extremely weak: "When I woke up, I heard that you had come to the dungeon. I knew you must have come to ask for the antidote."

Wei Rong hurriedly reached out to help him up, but before she could get him steady, Ling Xianru secretly pushed Mo Yu away.

Mo Yu: "..."

He had no choice but to take the whip from Ling Xianru and stand aside, ready to beat people for him at any time.

"How are you?" Wei Rong saw that he was really uncomfortable and offered to help him out. "Xiao Yi has been handed over to others for interrogation. I'll take you out. Where's Physician Qian? Why isn't he with you?"

As Mo Yu played with the whip, he thought to himself, "Don't even mention Physician Qian, even ten tigers couldn't stop his master from coming out."

"I'm fine. You don't need to beg Xiao Yi. He dared to attack you because he was prepared to die. I'll just grant his wish." Ling Xianru looked coldly at Xiao Yi: "If you've had too many good days, then you might as well experience some hardship."

However, what Xiao Yi said was not without reason.

Wei Rong frowned, ultimately taking Xiao Yi's words to heart.

Although she usually seems easygoing, she is also a thoughtful person.

Regarding Su Meng's matter, Ling Xianru's identity could not be concealed at all.

Of all the people in the world, he had every choice he could make, yet he chose the former empress of the Great Jing Dynasty.

He even contracted the Heart-Eating Gu, a life-or-death curse, because of her, and in the years that followed, he was the subject of ridicule wherever he went.

Why would he do that?

"Ling...Xianru, you manipulated the Great Jing Dynasty, ruthlessly exterminating our Xiao family, thinking you could rise to power this way? In the future, you will surely be condemned by the world, and you—will die a horrible death!"

Xiao Yi cursed behind him, every word of which was extremely offensive.

Until Wei Rong heard the last sentence, she could no longer hold back. She made Ling Xianru stand still, rushed over, and with a snap, dislocated Xiao Yi's jaw.

She learned some rudimentary skills in her youth, and she has plenty of tricks up her sleeve.

That wasn't enough. Her eyes flashed with malice as she drew her sword, intending to stab Xiao Yi in the chest.

Fortunately, Ling Xianru gave Mo Yu a wink, and Mo Yu stepped forward to stop her.

He didn't want Wei Rong to have blood on her hands.

"Don't stop me. He loves to curse people, so I'll just cut out his tongue first." Wei Rong had nowhere to vent her anger, and she gripped the sword hilt so hard that her knuckles turned white.

"Ugh!" Ling Xianru suddenly clutched her chest and let out a muffled groan, which finally drew Wei Rong's attention back.

She threw down her sword and returned to Ling Xianru's side, her brow furrowed with worry: "How are you?"

"Physician Qian said that His Majesty must not have too much emotional fluctuation and must rest in bed. If his emotions fluctuate too much, it will trigger the poison, causing excruciating pain."

Wei Rong dared not delay and quickly helped Ling Xianru out of the dungeon.

After examining his pulse again, Physician Qian gave him a pill to relax his mind and instructed him not to get angry easily.

It's true that the poison can be cured, but it's also true that it can't be cured.

With the Gu worm inside her body, as long as she doesn't die, Ling Xianru will suffer countless torments from the Gu worm every day.

These are all true, which is why Physician Qian thought his Crown Prince was a madman.

To use such a self-inflicted injury scheme just for Wei Rong, wouldn't it be a loss if the lie were exposed in the future?

After he finished feeding her the medicine, he stepped aside and gave his seat to Wei Rong.