Afterward, the original host focused on training her daughter to handle state affairs, and Han Ziwen's little schemes were exposed.
"Your Highness, Crown Princess, Ziwen truly loves you. Yue Xuan is already gone, let me stay by your side."
"Young Master Han, please respect yourself. I have no feelings for you, and I made that clear before marrying you."
After speaking, the original host left Han Ziwen behind and never saw him again. His hysterics were of no use; in front of outsiders, he remained the noble Crown Princess Consort.
Both countries had been severely weakened by the previous battle. The Yue Kingdom emerged victorious, while the Ri Kingdom ceded territory and paid reparations.
After two years of recovery and preparation, the original host led her troops all the way to the capital of the Ri Kingdom.
The Ri Emperor surrendered and pledged allegiance. Ri citizens migrated to the border of the Yue Kingdom, drinking the sacred water and respecting women as supreme. The land of the Ri Kingdom was used for farming, animal husbandry, and other purposes.
Those frail and delicate women could command the strong men in their households to farm. The sacred water no longer had much effect on women of their age.
Any men who resisted were to report to the authorities, receive thirty strokes of the cane, and spend a month in prison before returning home. Any man who dared to lay hands on a woman would be beheaded and publicly displayed.
The women of the former Ri Kingdom applauded and greatly admired the original host. They all hoped to give birth to brave daughters who would serve the original host in the future.
Throughout her life, the original host diligently served the nation. She retired at sixty and was a wise female emperor whose name would be remembered for eternity.
Han Ziwen was confined to the deep palace for his entire life. The original host's excellence gradually made him obsessed with her.
He was the only one in the harem, yet the female emperor never belonged to him. He felt lonely and isolated at all times. Before his death, he revealed the secrets of the past.
Zhao Zhuoru was speechless for a long time after learning the truth, her heart filled with immense pain. In this life, her only regret was towards He Yue Xuan.
He Yue Xuan had become mentally impaired because of her in his childhood. After marrying her, he became the target of jealousy and met a tragic end. She felt useless for not being able to protect him, and only wished for He Yue Xuan to be safe in the next life.
Shui Wa: "This mission is quite simple, but He Yue Xuan was a fool to marry the original host. He himself didn't understand love. Isn't the original host afraid that He Yue Xuan might marry someone else when he recovers?"
Jun Jiu Li: "Perhaps who he marries doesn't matter. As long as he is well, the original host will be satisfied."
He Yue Xuan slowly opened his eyes. He felt a slight chill but no discomfort. Realizing his surroundings, he immediately got up. Seeing Jun Jiu Li, he softly greeted her.
"Your Highness, Crown Princess."
"It's alright, don't be afraid. My mother, the Empress, will be here soon."
"Mhm."
After speaking, He Yue Xuan quietly shifted his position, afraid that his chill might affect Jun Jiu Li. He then stole glances at Jun Jiu Li from time to time, his eyes dark and bright.
"What is it? Do I have something on my face, this Crown Princess?"
"No."
He said, shaking his head, then quickly covered his mouth with his small hand, not daring to speak another word.
Shui Wa: "So cute, like a little kitten."
"Aren't cats your natural enemies? Why do you find it cute? Aren't you afraid it'll swipe you to death?"
"I really am not a mouse."
"Stop the carriage."
The two in the carriage turned their horses around to flee in another direction. Immediately, two figures in red appeared, blocking their path.
In an instant, the carriage was surrounded. Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, the two men jumped off the carriage, drew their short swords, and engaged the red-clad figures in a fight.
They thought it would be a gain if they could kill even one of them, and even better if they could break through the defense line and escape.
Imagination was beautiful, but reality was cruel. In less than two moves, their short swords were knocked away, and two female soldiers forced them to the ground to kneel. One of them laughed heartily.
"Hmph, what good does it do you to have captured us? Your Crown Princess is probably already a fool by now. What will your Yue Kingdom use to fight us?"
Upon hearing this, everyone's heart tightened. The woman who was lifting the carriage curtain looked confused; wasn't the Crown Princess alright?
"I am fine. Quickly return to the palace and have someone check on this young master's condition first."
"Yes, Your Highness, Crown Princess."
"How is this possible? How could there be a mistake? I am not resigned, I am not resigned!"
The female soldier knocked him unconscious with a palm strike, tied the two to the horses' hindquarters, and galloped towards Yue City.
The spy in the palace had already been exposed. It was from his confession that their escape route was discovered.
The Empress stayed by Jun Jiu Li's side, fearing any harm might come to her. Only after the imperial physicians repeatedly confirmed she was fine did the Empress's heart finally relax. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"It was my oversight, Mother. What happened today will never happen again. My child has suffered so much."
"Your daughter is alright, but I have caused the young master to suffer on my behalf."
"A servant just reported that the young man is fine, only a bit chilled. He is truly worthy of being raised in the Duke's mansion. This is a great merit on his part, and Mother must reward him handsomely."
"Thank you, Mother."
"You must have been quite frightened. Rest well, and if anything happens, send someone to summon Mother."
"Your daughter understands. I respectfully bid Mother farewell."
In the dark and damp prison, a man was tied to a rack. His chest was burned by a hot iron, leaving it bloody and mangled, and his body was covered in lash marks.
His hair was disheveled, and he seemed to have fallen into a deep slumber. The sound of a door opening from outside caused him to look up at the piercing candlelight.
"Your Majesty Empress, how do you have the time to visit a sinner like me? I presume the little Crown Princess is fine now?"
After speaking, he shook his head and gave a self-mocking laugh, as if he had long anticipated such an outcome.
"Did I not treat you well? Zhuozhuo is just a child, how could you have such a cruel heart?"
"Your Majesty already knows, don't you? I am a man of the Ri Kingdom, with a heart of stone by nature. Unlike the men of your Yue Kingdom, who are tender as water and delicate like birds."
"You are truly remarkable, to have deceived me for so many years. Were there no true feelings in all our time together?"
"Never. My purpose in going to the Yue Kingdom was always only for the little Crown Princess. Your Majesty was merely a pawn I had to use. Unfortunately, I was ultimately outmatched."
The Empress closed her eyes. When she opened them again, they were filled with murderous intent.
"Attempting to harm the Crown Princess is a crime punishable by death."
After speaking, the Empress left the prison with her entourage. Lan Xing, holding a cup of poisoned wine, entered the cell.
"You don't have to bother, General Lan Xing. I'll do it myself."
He said, then raised the poisoned wine and drank it in one gulp. Two tears flowed silently from the corners of his eyes, unnoticed by Lan Xing.
After crouching down to confirm he was dead, she ordered someone to come in and drag his body out for disposal.
Shui Wa: "The domineering Empress loves me, and my affair with the spy. Alas, it was all beyond their control. Otherwise, they would surely have grown old together happily. Indeed, a tragic ending is the norm. What a pity for this pair."
"What's there to pity? If the Empress had known his identity from the start, none of this would have happened. Love or not, he would have been disposed of in a mass grave. This love was built on deception from the beginning, what kind of love is that?"
"Host, you are not romantic at all. The Empress truly fell in love."
"Can true love fill a stomach? Can it safeguard her reign and peace? What if she meets someone she truly loves tomorrow?"
"Emperors are truly heartless..."