That Imperial Concubine is both wicked and cunning! Your Majesty, wake up!

The emperor stood with his hands behind his back, his black dragon robe almost the same color as the dark shadows of the dungeon that let in no light.

Physician Zhang knelt down with a thud, "Your Majesty, this humble subject pays his respects."

The emperor slowly turned around without saying a word.

Instead, Li Fuquan, standing beside him, spoke with a cold expression: "How dare you, Zhang Chengji! As a physician in the Imperial Medical Bureau, you are a member of the royal family and should be loyal to the Emperor. Quickly report everything you know to the Emperor."

What you know?

That's certainly related to Consort Yuan.

Since the Emperor favors Consort Yuan, why doesn't he ask her questions instead of making things difficult for a mere imperial physician like himself?

He wanted to cry but couldn't.

Physician Zhang attempted to evade the question, saying, "Your Majesty, I am a member of the royal family, receiving the emperor's salary and thus obligated to serve him. I dare not conceal anything."

Li Fuquan consulted the Emperor, waved his hand, and ordered people to bring in all the instruments of torture.

All the instruments of torture were brought in: terrifying bronze animal heads that spewed flames; leather boots that chilled you to the bone with every step; and branding irons that glowed red-hot.

Physician Zhang felt chills all over his body.

Xiao Yan's gaze was icy, suffocating.

"Zhang Chengji, I have given you many chances before, and it was only because of Consort Yuan that I did not punish you. Today is your last chance."

Physician Zhang was so frightened by the grotesque instruments of torture before him that his whole body went cold, and cold sweat instantly soaked his clothes.

If it weren't for Consort Yuan, his daughter would have already lost her life. With his meager salary, how could he possibly afford the heavy medical expenses for his daughter?

Moreover, Consort Yuan treated him well, and her treatment of his daughter was impeccable. She would often send him rice, food, and clothing to help him in his time of need.

Ultimately, people should have a conscience.

Li Fuquan threatened menacingly, "If you insist on not talking, then these instruments of torture have plenty of ways to make you talk."

"Your humble servant is unaware."

"You have a daughter and an elderly mother."

The emperor's voice echoed in the silent imperial prison.

Physician Zhang widened his eyes.

He kowtowed heavily in a panic, drawing blood in moments. "Your Majesty, I am willing to die. I beg Your Majesty to spare my daughter and mother."

Xiao Yan remained silent, simply watching him quietly.

Physician Zhang understood that if he didn't speak up, his daughter and mother's lives would be in danger.

People should have a conscience after all, but he still betrayed Consort Yuan.

Xiao Yan glanced at Li Fuquan, who then led the others away.

Physician Zhang told the whole story.

include:

When Consort Shu started bleeding, Song Shuangning decided to play along and poisoned herself with aconite.

Last autumn during the hunt, Song Shuangning poisoned her own medicine, framing Lady Yun and Physician Chen.

……

Furthermore, Song Shuangning already knew the truth about the tonic she had been drinking.

After saying all this, Physician Zhang recalled the kindness that Consort Yuan had shown him, and his heart was filled with regret and pain. He was overwhelmed with shame.

Even if the emperor were to spare his life, he would not live on.

Xiao Yan stood motionless for a long time, his eyes closed, his aura almost frozen.

After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes, his eyes churning with turbulent waves, yet without a trace of emotion.

It's all an illusion.

It was Ningning's carefully woven net that trapped him within it.

Ningning's innocence and kindness, Ningning's gentleness and virtue, may have been fake from the very beginning.

So, the love Ningning once said, and the affection in Ningning's eyes, were all fake.

What he found most unacceptable was that Ningning already knew he had been taking contraceptives, but didn't confront him about it immediately.

Even in front of him, she never showed the slightest sadness or questioning, always pretending to be unaware.

Then, the truth came out: her aloofness, her breakdown, and even her heart attack were all deliberate pretense.

Xiao Yan couldn't help but speculate that Su (Consort Rong) knew about this matter at that time, perhaps because Ningning secretly revealed it to her.

Ningning intends to use all of this as a stepping stone to climb higher; everything Ningning does is a lie.

Ningning never liked him either.

All those sweet words and those sweet memories were carefully woven lies.

All her obedience, understanding, and sweet talk were nothing more than a performance for climbing the social ladder.

Xiao Yan tried to find a trace of truth in his memory, but only found more elaborate disguises.

He was manipulated at will.

A hint of crimson flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.

Because I don't love him, I need to take contraceptives.

Because I don't love him, I don't want to have children with him.

Xiao Yan suddenly clutched his chest, as if something was about to burst out of it.

It wasn't physical pain, but a sharper, more deadly agony that spread from his heart and instantly engulfed his limbs and bones.

He felt utter disappointment, overwhelming anger, and a collapse that was even worse than both, one that almost completely crushed him.

He has already given his heart to Ningning.

He didn't just like Ningning, he loved her.

But just as he was immersed in this love, he discovered all of Ningning's secrets and all her carefully crafted facades.

This is more painful than killing him.

He staggered back a few steps and leaned heavily against the cold stone wall.

"Your Majesty!" Physician Zhang crawled forward on his knees.

Not long after, Xiao Yan clutched his chest, a sweet taste rising in his throat.

Physician Zhang's heart tightened, and he immediately stepped forward to take the patient's pulse, concluding that it was a case of qi and blood attacking the heart.

Li Fuquan immediately led a group of guards and rushed in.

Xiao Yan suddenly waved his hand, signaling them to step back.

"I'm fine."

"Let him go."

Then a person slowly walked out, their back view appearing somewhat lonely.

Xiao Yan smiled bitterly, as if all his strength had been drained away, leaving only an empty shell slowly moving.

*

Song Shuangning had just returned from Consort Shao's place. Consort Shao had extended a warm invitation to her to have tea and a casual chat.

By the time she returned, dusk had already fallen.

Yaohua Palace was completely dark inside, without a single candle lit.

She was puzzled, because at this time of day, the candlelight would usually be burning brightly.

Just as she was about to ask, Tinglu gave her a complicated and unreadable look, a look that seemed to hide worry, which made Song Shuangning's heart tighten for no reason.

This silent signal seemed to be reminding her that something had happened.

She suppressed her turbulent thoughts and stepped into the bedchamber.

A familiar figure sat quietly by the bed, head bowed, utterly silent.

It's Xiao Yan.

"Why isn't Your Majesty lighting the lamps?" As she spoke, Song Shuangning was about to light the candles.

Xiao Yan: "There's no need to light the lamps."

His voice was hoarse.