The improved female villains regained their memories.

Just then, because all the royal children had died, and Xu Anlu herself possessed the traces of the Great Dao, the sect leader of the Wenxian Sect intervened forcefully, allowing Xu Anlu to return to the throne and regain the title of Empress.

The villains, Xu Anyin and Yang Pingsheng, were portrayed as demons and forever etched on the pillar of shame.

Yang Pingsheng's previous superior was the former deputy sect leader of the Wenxian Sect. Naturally, the sect leader of the Wenxian Sect hated him even more, and therefore, he went out of his way to smear Yang Pingsheng in the propaganda.

"That woman is utterly shameless, and that man is utterly devoid of compassion. He deprives the people of their money, yet he has to return it through his own means; he increases taxes, yet he secretly pockets the deductions from the tax grain. He squanders all the money and grain he desires on pleasure, slaughtering his own brothers and sisters, caring nothing for the lives of the people. By what right does he call himself emperor, or teacher?"

Folk works emerged one after another, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. Half of them praised Xu Anlu's bravery and resourcefulness, while the other half, like the one above, vehemently condemned Xu Anyin and Yang Pingsheng.

Ling Yan'er initially disagreed with Xu Anlu becoming empress again. This woman still harbored a ruthless attitude, but after Gu Zi'ang talked with her all night, and given Xu Anlu's consistent attitude towards her, she stopped saying anything.

In the second year after Xu Anlu ascended the throne, she went to the Wenxian Sect with Gu Ziang.

Most people had little objection to Xu Anlu's ascension to the throne. For the Wenxian Sect, Xu Anlu had provided them with immense benefits, and being an anomaly with a simple and easy-going personality, he was easy to control. As for the officials, Xu Anlu was completely ignorant of politics, allowing them to profit from his power without any constraints.

However, some people still had objections, and Xiaohua was one of them.

She didn't believe Xu Anlu's story, especially that night, with the rumors that Xu Anyin had manipulated her into beating her up to steal her man. She wouldn't believe such things even if you beat her to death! Besides, Yang Pingsheng's fate was unknown, and the secluded place Xu Anlu had taken them to had been burned down by fire, so they hadn't found Yang Pingsheng's body at all.

"Give me back my master!"

Ten years ago, she roared angrily, but the sect leader ordered her to back down. She refused, so the sect leader personally took action and drove her away.

Blood blurred her vision, and when she looked up, she only saw Xu Anlu smiling and telling the sect leader that everything was alright.

"Sister Xiaohua is a good person, it's just a pity that she followed the wrong person."

Xiao Hua was adopted by the former deputy sect leader of the Wenxian Sect and was taught by Yang Pingsheng, so naturally she was disliked by the sect leader.

From that moment on, Xiao Hua became despondent and was ostracized by the Wenxian Sect. She had no friends or family and could only wander alone in the mortal world, searching for the truth on her own.

This search lasted for ten years.

Life is fleeting, like a white horse galloping past a crack in the wall.

In the blink of an eye, a decade has passed.

Xu Anlu looked at Sister Xiaohua, who was slamming her hand on the table, and saw the stubbornness and determination in her eyes. For some reason, her heart wavered.

The incense burner beside them was burning, and the fragrance rose gently, bringing quiet to the hall.

"Sister Xiaohua..."

"I told you not to call me by that name!"

Xu Anlu looked up at the burning flame in the woman's eyes and asked calmly, "Are you so concerned about the lives of mortals because of the Grand Tutor's influence?"

"what?"

Grand Tutor.

This word hadn't been uttered by Xu Anlu in a long time, so much so that Xiaohua was somewhat stunned.

She realized what was happening, her face still pale, but her tone softened considerably: "It has nothing to do with you, sir. I just couldn't stand it."

“When my sister Xu Anyin manipulates others, once the manipulation fails, the manipulated person will retain the memory of being manipulated. In the courtyard, my sister had you guard her in the shadows, and the Grand Tutor insisted on lecturing her on the way of the king and benevolence, so you heard a lot of it.”

"No, not only at that time, but even after my sister returned to the palace, when the Grand Tutor insisted on upholding benevolence and righteousness, you heard it, didn't you?"

"You..." Xiaohua's eyes narrowed sharply, and she said subconsciously, "You know all this? I see. I knew you weren't being controlled. From the very beginning, you were all in cahoots!"

"Hmm... how should I put it?"

Xu Anlu leaned back in her chair and smiled.

"Does it matter? Sister Xiaohua, now I am the eyes and ears of the Wenxian Sect, and I also possess the Great Dao Mark, making me even more valuable to the Wenxian Sect. As for you, because you are rejected by the sect leader, you are frustrated and unfulfilled. Although you are an immortal, you are nothing more than a discarded pawn."

"So, even if I tell the truth, would you dare tell these things to the Immortal Inquiry Sect? And even if you did, would they believe you?"

"No," Xu Anlu said, shaking her head and standing up.

"Mortals and immortals, in the end, it's all about pursuing profit. People in different circles naturally have different interests. The world is bustling, all for profit; the world is noisy, all for profit. Sister Xiaohua, just forget it. The truth from ten years ago is too cruel for you."

Ignoring the dazed Xiaohua, Xu Anlu walked around the table and went out.

"What benevolence and righteousness, morality, are nothing but a facade. The way of the king can't solve everything. The sacred deeds of the Five Emperors and Three Sovereigns have deceived countless travelers. It's good as it is now."

As she spoke, she walked out of the hall, her words carried away by the wind.

"Good……"

Chapter Ninety-Seven: A Favorite Collapse Song

crunch--

The old wooden door was pushed open, and Xu Anlu stepped into the courtyard.

The courtyard where I once lived is now abandoned. The wooden house is old and damp, many pieces of furniture have decayed over time, the yard is overgrown with weeds, and the large water vat, unused for many years, is covered in rust.

She came in alone, without any servants or guards.

Snowflakes were falling heavily, and the weather was freezing cold. She stood in the middle of the courtyard, her body covered in frost and snow. What she could see in her mind was still the memory of those six months of life.

"You're here again."

Her shadow rose upright from the snow, like a dark figure standing beside her.

"You come here whenever you're feeling down."

As Shadow spoke, her voice was a clear, crisp female voice, and she called out to her, "Sister."

"Xiao Yin..."

Xu Anlu coughed, looked at the shadow, her expression softening, and asked, "Why did you come out?"

"It's been a long time since I've been here. I'd like to come and see for myself."

"Is that so..."

Snowflakes fell into Xu Anlu's palm, bringing a cool, stimulating sensation. The snowflakes shone brightly, illuminating her face.

Shadow remained silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Sister, you want to pull Little Flower, right?"

Xu Anlu nodded: "Yes."

"She must hate us a lot, right?"

“That was true before, but now there’s no reason to tell her everything.”

Xu Anlu said, "Xiao Hua... is a smart person."

He is not only a smart person, but also a gentle person.

"Sister Xiaohua?"

"Xiao Lu, these are the clothes I bought for you when I came to town. Try them on and see if they fit."

"Good~"

Memories are surging.

Xu Anlu shifted her gaze and caught a glimpse of a painting carved on the corner of the wall.

It was she who carved it, and the person who carved it was Yang Pingsheng.

Tears fall, and the water freezes instantly.

"Sister..." The shadow approached and asked gently, "You miss Grand Tutor, don't you?"

"Perhaps..."

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault."

"No, it's not your fault. No one could have stopped it, could they?"

Ten years ago.

"Your memories are back. How does it feel?"

As the remnant soul spoke, it then noticed that Xu Anlu was stunned in place.

"Hey, are you alright? Hey..."

I couldn't hear anything anymore.

It felt as if the blood in her body had boiled like magma, and the scalding backflow stimulated her heart. Xu Anlu's lips trembled, and confusion flashed in her eyes. She tried to raise her hand, but instead fell to the ground.

she……

What has she done?

In her past life, she took the world as her responsibility and was determined to change the injustices in the world. Therefore, she risked her life to gamble with a mysterious person.

In this life, however, influenced by Xu Anyin, she is just as domineering and rude, and her whole heart is locked on Yang Pingsheng, her original sense of righteousness being filled with love.

Even more tragically, even with the return of her past life memories, Xu Anlu is now unable to erase Yang Pingsheng's influence on her.

what……

It's too late to go back.

The Xu Anlu who cared deeply about the world is gone forever.

"Why, why, only half a year... how could it have turned out like this!"

She curled up on the ground, clutching her hair desperately, her eyes wide open as if about to burst, and blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

"It shouldn't be like this, it shouldn't be like this!!"

She had clearly grasped the principles of benevolence and tyranny, she had clearly mastered the traces of the Great Dao, possessing the power to fight immortals, she had clearly obtained everything she had ever longed for, but what the hell had she done?!

These things should serve an ideal, yet they themselves...?

The remnant blue soul noticed something was wrong with Xu Anlu and quickly used its spiritual energy to shield her.

"You... don't tell me..."

Boom!

The clear sky was suddenly shattered by a thunderclap.

From the heavens above, countless bolts of lightning descended, splitting the mountain and striking the remnant soul and the tombstone with overwhelming force.

Before the remnant blue soul could say anything more, it was annihilated by the lightning tribulation.

"Ah...ah..."