Father left quickly.

Luoshen watched his grave, hurried departure, but her mind was still filled with the look in his eyes moments before when he had just finished reading the letter.

His face had turned pale, his gaze frozen on that piece of paper in his hands.

The way he stared at the letter—rather than shock, it was more like disappointment, extreme disappointment.

Luoshen even had the feeling that some light in her father’s eyes had been extinguished in that instant.

This thin piece of paper and the words upon it had, as she wished, confirmed her original suspicions. At this moment, she should have felt relieved.

But she felt no relief whatsoever.

Because of her father’s reaction, her heart even felt saddened.

Those demons and monsters wearing masks of false innocence or sanctimonious righteousness danced wildly under the sun in wanton celebration. Meanwhile, those truly willing to do something for this precarious court and nation not only bore heavy burdens and struggled with every step, but also had to constantly guard against disguises and deceptions hidden in darkness, ready to strike at any moment.

This imperial city of Jiankang was filled with endless conspiracies and permeated with unpredictable betrayals.

Suddenly, these words seemed to echo in her ears.

She remembered now.

This was what her husband Li Mu had once said to her that night.

Light footsteps came from outside the door.

Luoshen looked up to see her mother approaching.

“A’Niang!”

Luoshen hurried forward to support her.

“Has your A’Ye left?” Xiao Yongjia asked.

Luoshen glanced at A’Ju who accompanied her, knowing she must have told her mother everything, and nodded, “A’Ye went outside the city. He instructed us not to let word leak out.”

Xiao Yongjia slowly sat down.

Luoshen saw her face showing fatigue, with faint dark circles under her eyes, and urged, “A’Niang, rest assured and go to sleep. A’Ye’s feelings for that Shao woman are at most gratitude for past favors, nothing more. Moreover, now knowing that Shao woman takes orders from Prince Xin’an, he certainly won’t believe her sweet words anymore.”

Xiao Yongjia shook her head.

“A’Mi, do you think A’Niang would still worry about your A’Ye having feelings for this woman? Even in his youth he had no such intentions, let alone now. I only blame A’Niang for not handling things properly when I was young and inexperienced, thus creating resentment that has persisted to this day. Now A’Niang only worries that your A’Ye is too sentimental about the past and might be deceived, bringing disaster upon himself.”

“You did very well in this matter. That Miss Lu Niang previously testified for Jingchen, and now she’s helped tremendously. We must properly thank her in the future.”

Luoshen said, “I understand.”

Xiao Yongjia pondered for a moment.

“And that A’Tao—are there people watching over her? Shao woman returned this time with elaborate schemes and must be extremely careful in everything. If she learns that Shao Fengzhi revealed information outside, I fear she might harm others.”

“A’Niang, rest assured. When Lu Niang arranged for her to go there, she carried my letter to borrow people from Captain Li Du, who stayed there together to guard against accidents. Moreover, A’Ye will also question her tonight, and after questioning, he’ll send her back to the city.”

Xiao Yongjia nodded. After a moment of distraction, she slowly said, “Tonight in Jiankang, who knows what chaos might occur. Have Gao Qi wake everyone up—no sleeping. Close the gates tight and ready the weapons, just in case.”

Under a dark, moonless sky with high winds and no one about.

Shao Fengzhi walked several li, quietly returning to A’Tao’s residence, lingering nearby for a while.

All around was pitch black without a single human figure. The people inside the courtyard house must be fast asleep at this hour.

Shao Yuniang had forced him to kill A’Tao to eliminate future troubles.

After killing A’Tao, to avoid being implicated himself, those servants who had seen him would naturally also have to be eliminated.

Dealing with these few people—one old servant and several women—wasn’t difficult for Shao Fengzhi.

But killing so many people at once without letting the authorities trace it back to him—the safest method was to kill first, then set fire, making it appear this family had all died in an accidental fire tonight.

He hesitated for a long while before finally knocking on the door.

A’Tao seemed to have just been awakened from sleep, emerging from her room in robes to greet him, eyes drowsy and yawning, asking why he had returned.

Shao Fengzhi glanced at the remaining wine in the room that hadn’t been cleared away, dismissed the servant woman, and closed the door.

“Weren’t you complaining that I never spent a whole night with you? My sister is sound asleep, and I really missed you, so I came back. Tonight I’ll spend the whole night with you.”

He lifted her up and placed her on the bed, producing from his bosom a handkerchief wrapped around something, smiling as he handed it over, “Look, a good thing I’m giving you.”

A’Tao accepted it, unwrapped the handkerchief to find a jade bracelet of pure emerald green, exclaiming, “You’re really giving this to me?”

“Finest jade. Quick, try it—see if it fits your wrist.”

Shao Fengzhi urged her.

A’Tao beamed with joy, picking up the jade bracelet and holding it up to the candlelight to admire its luster, saying, “It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I’ve heard before that some people use worthless stones to deceive others, claiming they’re worth thousands—isn’t that just bullying people who don’t know goods? If you can’t produce something real, that’s fine, but to pass off a broken stone carving as genuine—that’s too wicked…”

Shao Fengzhi stared at her back, mumbling agreement while his heart raced. Suddenly he recalled Shao Yuniang’s cold gaze fixed on him. Gritting his teeth, he raised both hands, fingers tensed and spread like claws, about to grab her neck from behind. Unexpectedly, she turned her head, startling him. His hands couldn’t retract in time and froze in mid-air.

“What are you doing?”

A’Tao glanced at his claw-like hands reaching toward her but stiffly suspended, asking with a smile.

Shao Fengzhi looked embarrassed and quickly withdrew his hands.

“What else could I be doing—I wanted to hold you—let me hold you, being apart for just this little while made me miss you to death—”

He reached to embrace her with a grin.

A’Tao covered her mouth and laughed, suddenly pointing behind him, “Look, there are people behind you.”

Shao Fengzhi was stunned and instinctively turned around.

Behind him was empty—no one there. Just as he was about to turn back, he heard a “buzz” in his ear and felt sharp pain at the back of his head, as if struck by a club. Whipping around, he saw A’Tao holding the candlestick, its base corner seemingly stained with dark red.

Shao Fengzhi steadied himself and touched the back of his head—his palm came away bloody.

He glared with fury, staring at A’Tao for a moment, then suddenly showed a vicious expression, bent down, yanked a dagger from his boot, and stabbed at her.

A’Tao quickly retreated, pulling a rope on the wall. A bell rang outside, and before its sound faded, the door burst open with a “bang” as someone kicked it in.

Shao Fengzhi turned to see two burly men charging at him from left and right.

Both were extremely agile and ruthless—before Shao Fengzhi could react, he was pinned firmly to the ground, arms twisted behind him, joints feeling like they might snap. He screamed in pain as the dagger flew from his grip.

A’Tao slipped the jade bracelet onto her wrist, tidied her disheveled hair, then gracefully approached.

“We were lovers after all—I clearly warned you there were people behind you, but you wouldn’t listen. See, you suffered for it immediately. Well, well, since you’re heartless, don’t blame me for being faithless.” She kicked the prostrate Shao Fengzhi several times, then looked at the two men with a coy smile, “Thanks to you brothers’ alertness for saving my life. Next time you have free time, remember to find me—I’ll sing for you without charge.”

These two were Li Xie’s subordinates—single men without family ties who normally killed without blinking. They’d been assigned to protect A’Tao these past days in what was easy work, though they’d suffered considerable torment. With nothing to do, they hid in the woodshed while Shao Fengzhi met with A’Tao, standing guard outside with the agreement that pulling the rope to ring the bell signaled danger.

These past days they hadn’t heard the bell but had faintly caught intimate sounds from inside. Seeing her appearance now, they blushed and dared not look directly, quickly knocking out Shao Fengzhi, dragging him out, tying him up, and locking him in the woodshed to await dawn for reporting.

Shao Fengzhi awoke from unconsciousness and, recalling recent events, finally realized he had fallen into an elaborate trap. Filled with regret and wanting to escape, how could there be any opportunity for him to break free? Just as he was panicking, he heard footsteps outside.

The woodshed door opened, revealing a figure in the doorway.

Shao Fengzhi looked up and, by the light of torches held by attendants outside, saw a middle-aged man with clear features and scholarly bearing, though his gaze was extremely stern as it fell upon him.

Gao Qiao had arrived so quickly!

“That’s him! Said his sister was Prince Xin’an’s confidant, and just now he tried to kill me!”

A’Tao emerged to identify him.

Shao Fengzhi’s heart instantly died like ash, filled with terror, kneeling on the ground and continuously begging for mercy.

Gao Qiao rushed to where Shao Yuniang was staying to recover. Arriving to find the doors tightly shut and everything dark, he ordered the doors broken open.

The old woman lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to raise her head. Shao Yuniang seemed to have just been awakened from sleep, struggling to sit up in bed, weak and timid as she gazed at Gao Qiao.

Gao Qiao ordered Shao Fengzhi brought in and said coldly, “Shao woman, you first colluded with Prince Xin’an, deliberately entering prison to deceive me. Tonight your good brother wanted to kill and silence witnesses—that was also your instruction, wasn’t it?”

Shao Fengzhi trembled all over, kneeling on the ground, not daring to look at Shao Yuniang.

Shao Yuniang’s face was pale as she stared fixedly at Gao Qiao’s furious expression, remaining silent for a long while.

“Shao woman, what are you and Prince Xin’an plotting against me with such elaborate schemes?”

Seeing her silence, Gao Qiao flew into rage and drew his sword, pointing it at her.

Two streams of tears suddenly rolled down from Shao Yuniang’s eyes. She struggled down from the bed, crawled to the ground, and wept, “Chancellor Gao, I confess! Previously entering prison was indeed intentional, and tonight ordering my brother to kill was also my instruction. But I was truly forced into it! I was coerced by Prince Xin’an!”

“Half a year ago when the court issued prohibitions forbidding us to remain in Jiankang, when I wanted to leave, Prince Xin’an found me and threatened my brother’s and my lives, forcing me to obey him. My imprisonment and meeting you were all Prince Xin’an’s arrangements! He had given strict orders that I must not reveal to outsiders that I obeyed him, or he’d make my brother die without burial. Prince Xin’an is ruthless and capable of anything—if he learned of this, my brother would certainly die. I was truly terrified and had no choice but to order my brother to kill tonight…”

She wailed and kowtowed repeatedly, “It’s all my fault, nothing to do with my brother. If Chancellor Gao wants to kill someone, kill me! I beg you, for the sake of past friendship and pity for my hardships these years, spare my brother. In the future I’ll certainly reform completely and never dare commit such crimes again…”

Gao Qiao’s eyes were bloodshot, teeth clenched.

“Shao woman, you still know you’ve committed crimes? Your previous actions could be excused as being in the sect and having no choice. But now you continue making mistakes, accumulating crimes! Even if I, Gao Qiao, forgave you for old times’ sake, the law would not!”

Shao Yuniang slowly raised her face to look at Gao Qiao, tears blurring her vision, “Chancellor Gao, you’re right. When I was fortunate to meet you and be brought back to Jiankang, even as a slave or servant would have been my blessing, yet I was momentarily confused and committed wrongs. I should have died then—it would have been deserved. But I survived by chance, since then sinking into filth, beyond my control, enduring humiliation to live until today…”

“My parents died early, with no family to rely on. For many years, my brother and I depended on each other. When threatened by Prince Xin’an like that, with even the sect leader obeying him, what could a weak woman like me do? I thought of seeking your help, but feared causing misunderstanding and suspicion from the Eldest Princess again, worried about causing discord between you spouses—how could I handle that? I truly didn’t dare and had no choice but to follow his orders…”

“What did Prince Xin’an want you to plot? Confess everything!”

Gao Qiao interrupted her words, shouting sternly.

“I’ve long wanted to report to you, but was too afraid of them before. Today I’m no longer afraid—I’ll tell everything! Having been in the Celestial Master sect for years, I know some of their secret activities. Prince Xin’an maintained contact with the Celestial Master sect, appearing to practice their faith but actually controlling them secretly. He ordered sect leader Wu Cang to develop followers and secretly stockpile weapons in many places to assist his future plans for rebellion. My words are absolutely true, not a bit false! Prince Xin’an forced me to deceive Chancellor Gao to gain your trust and have me placed beside you, waiting for opportunities to act, facilitating his future great affairs.”

Gao Qiao’s forehead veins bulged, and the hand gripping his sword trembled slightly.

“Chancellor Gao, you must not be deceived by Prince Xin’an. He appears loyal and virtuous on the surface but is actually deeply scheming, advancing by retreating, using your trust and that of the imperial couple to undermine aristocratic families and control the imperial couple, waiting for the right time to plan great affairs!”

Tears flowed down her face, her expression utterly desolate.

“I’ve said everything I should. I know my crimes are unforgivable and I have no face to live on. I’ll go now, only begging you, for the sake of past times and my merit today in exposing the truth, spare my brother’s life. I would be eternally grateful—in my next life, I’ll serve as an ox or horse to repay you!”

She rose unsteadily from the ground, pale-faced and swaying, closed her eyes, and thrust her chest toward the sword point in Gao Qiao’s hand.

Gao Qiao hesitated briefly then immediately withdrew his hand, but it was too late—the sword point had already entered Shao Yuniang’s chest about an inch deep. As Gao Qiao pulled back the sword, blood flowed from her chest wound.

Shao Yuniang let out a pained moan and collapsed unconscious.

“Sister! Sister!”

Shao Fengzhi crawled to Shao Yuniang’s side calling to her, tears streaming as he continuously begged for mercy.

Gao Qiao stared at Shao Yuniang’s tightly closed eyes and bloodless face, frowning deeply, his eyelid twitching constantly. After a moment’s thought, he ordered the Shao siblings taken back to the city prison, then emerged and called Li Xie aside for whispered instructions.

Li Xie was shocked but naturally obeyed completely. The group immediately spurred their horses and galloped toward the city.

Deep in the night, a figure entered the imperial palace through a small gate, proceeding unimpeded, rushing quickly to reach Empress Gao Yongrong’s sleeping quarters.

The Emperor was staying in Hualin Garden tonight as usual. Gao Yongrong was awakened from sleep, and after hearing the secret report, her face went deathly pale. She paced back and forth in her chambers, extremely anxious.

The message came from the prison woman beside Shao woman.

The prison woman had originally been bought by Xiao Daocheng to monitor Shao Yuniang. But Xiao Daocheng hadn’t expected that Gao Yongrong would also keep a hand in reserve, secretly winning over this prison woman for her own use.

Tonight when Shao Fengzhi’s loose tongue led to Shao Yuniang forcing him to kill and silence witnesses, naturally this couldn’t escape the prison woman’s notice. When Shao Fengzhi left and didn’t return for a long time, with no expected fire appearing, Shao Yuniang and the prison woman knew something had gone wrong. The prison woman secretly summoned spies to investigate A’Tao’s residence and learned that Shao Fengzhi had very likely been captured.

Shao Yuniang then realized she had fallen into a trap and was extremely frightened, asking the prison woman to immediately report to Xiao Daocheng while she tried to flee first, but was stopped by the prison woman. Only then did Shao Yuniang learn that even this prison woman beside her wasn’t Xiao Daocheng’s person.

The prison woman had then told her: “Where else can you go? You’ve fallen into Gao Qiao’s trap, your relationship with Prince Xin’an is exposed. Even if you’re lucky enough to escape now, do you think you’ll have chances for revenge later?”

“The Eldest Princess harmed you to this extent years ago. If you flee, in the future you can only hide in shameful darkness, watching her bear children, sing in harmony with Gao Qiao, and grow old together. If I were you, living like this would be worse than death.”

“Are you still dreaming of depending on Prince Xin’an? Now that Gao Qiao knows Prince Xin’an used you to scheme against him, can he still tolerate him as before?”

“The noble person said that as long as you obey, not only will she guarantee your life, but will certainly help you get revenge in the future.”

Just these few sentences made Shao Yuniang completely devoted, surrendering again to that “noble person,” and after Gao Qiao’s arrival, she spoke those words.

For Gao Yongrong, the reason for choosing this time to have Xiao Daocheng release Shao Yuniang was that the Lu family had completely withdrawn from court, the Xu family had also retreated, and a new batch of court forces that would obey imperial power were slowly being cultivated.

Aristocratic family control over the court was beginning to weaken, with only Gao Qiao now dominant.

In Gao Yongrong’s plan, she wanted Shao Yuniang to approach Gao Qiao, drive a wedge between the Gao couple, and ultimately, if old feelings could move Gao Qiao into accepting her, it would be like placing eyes and ears beside him.

What she never expected was that so quickly, the relationship between Shao Yuniang and Prince Xin’an would be exposed before Gao Qiao.

Once Prince Xin’an lost his loyal mask before Gao Qiao, for Gao Yongrong, this person would no longer have his former utility value.

Not to mention that if Gao Qiao investigated further, Prince Xin’an would inevitably implicate her, and all previous schemes would come to nothing.

Facing such circumstances, she had only two choices.

Either protect Prince Xin’an, join forces with him against Gao Qiao, and eliminate Gao Qiao.

Or abandon the chariot to save the general, cut off an arm to preserve life, sacrifice Prince Xin’an, and continue using Gao Qiao.

For her, this wasn’t really a difficult decision at all.

Given the current court situation, ten Prince Xin’ans couldn’t compare to one Gao Qiao.

Before she could completely and fully control this court, Gao Qiao and the Gao family he represented were irreplaceable.

Moreover, Prince Xin’an wasn’t necessarily completely devoted to her either.

At this moment, Gao Yongrong suddenly felt immensely fortunate.

Fortunately, she had planned ahead with comprehensive strategies. Before releasing Shao Yuniang as a chess piece, she had prepared for possible failure, and when placing the prison woman beside Shao woman, she had instructed the prison woman on what to say and how to act.

Gao Qiao should act against Xiao Daocheng tonight.

The situation was urgent, with little time left for her.

She hesitated no more and quickly decided, summoning her confidants to immediately rush to Prince Xin’an’s mansion with a message.

The prince’s mansion wasn’t far from the imperial palace. Tonight they had held a banquet with guests enjoying themselves, having ended not long ago. Xiao Daocheng, half-drunk, was sleeping soundly with a favored concubine when suddenly awakened. Learning that the prison woman had sent an urgent report, he immediately sobered and hastily summoned the messenger. Upon learning that his arrangement for Shao Yuniang’s imprisonment and orders for her to approach Gao Qiao had been exposed, that Shao Yuniang had been controlled by Gao Qiao tonight and, to save her life, had pushed everything onto him, accusing him of plotting rebellion—he was terrified and completely panicked.

Over these years in court, though he had begun cultivating his own forces and won over some regional governors with armies, compared to the Gao family, his military strength and prestige were like fireflies to the sun and moon—completely incomparable.

This was why he particularly valued the Celestial Master sect. Before Gao Qiao issued the prohibition order, he had opened doors wide for the Celestial Master sect’s recruitment activities in various places under the name of faith.

Celestial Master sect followers spread throughout Dayu territory—if mobilized, what a spectacular force they would become! In a sense, controlling the Celestial Master sect was like controlling a vast disguised army.

Sect leader Wu Cang obeyed his every word, and in court, as the Lu and Xu families fell, his own people were gradually being promoted.

He had been riding high, never dreaming that today he would suffer such a fatal error on Shao Yuniang, whom he had been quite confident about!

With Gao Qiao knowing these matters, dealing with him would be effortless.

How could he possibly spare him?

The wine from the first half of the night instantly turned to cold sweat, seeping out through every pore of Xiao Daocheng’s body.

He leaped up, immediately wanting to go to the imperial palace, then suddenly stopped, summoned his confidants, issued hand orders commanding them to quickly gather the Imperial Forest troops under his command, using the excuse of just learning that northern spies had infiltrated Jiankang to control all four city gates and palace gates overnight, allowing no one in or out. He then sent a team to ambush near the Gao residence, ready to storm in and seize people at his command. After these arrangements, he rushed to the imperial palace and roused Gao Yongrong.

Gao Yongrong emerged from her sleeping quarters, sat down, still yawning, and said displeasedly, “What matter requires disturbing me so late at night? Though those who led you in are trusted confidants, the palace has many eyes—what if someone sees?”

Xiao Daocheng, still breathing heavily, recounted the message he had just received.

Gao Yongrong showed shock, suddenly standing up, “Damn! How could such an error occur! What are we to do?”

Xiao Daocheng said, “I came to the palace after receiving the message to discuss this with you. Stay calm—I already have countermeasures. Since Gao Qiao knows you and I have been scheming against him, how could he tolerate it? I’ve already moved troops under the pretext of catching spies, temporarily controlling all four city gates. Why not take this opportunity to kill Gao Qiao!”

Gao Yongrong seemed startled and remained silent.

Xiao Daocheng urged strongly, “Don’t be afraid. As long as you nod, I’ll handle killing Gao Qiao. After he dies, we can publicly claim sudden illness, and I’ll shield you and His Majesty afterward! The current court situation is completely different from before. New court officials all came through us. You’re from the Gao family—as long as you speak, if the Guangling army dares cause trouble, that would be open rebellion! They might not have such audacity. Moreover, I won’t hide from you that I also have military forces. Though they can’t yet compare to the Guangling army, with the Celestial Master sect’s assistance, if trouble comes, we might not lose to the Guangling army!”

“Don’t forget that Prince Wu Xing currently lives well in his fief! Once Gao Qiao knows of your and His Majesty’s schemes against him, how could he assist wholeheartedly as before? With his power, deposing and installing an emperor is just a word’s work! Hesitation breeds chaos!”

Gao Yongrong seemed moved but still hesitated.

Xiao Daocheng was extremely agitated and urged, “Li Xie obeys Gao Qiao and has more troops than I do. Time is running out! If you continue hesitating, tomorrow this world might look completely different!”

Just then, a palace attendant rushed in urgently, voice panicked, shouting, “Empress, trouble! They say Captain Du’s people and the Imperial Forest troops are fighting near the city gates!”

“Empress, Gao Qiao has already acted! Are you still undecided?”

Xiao Daocheng made a threatening gesture, hand gripping his sword hilt, stepping forward and shouting sternly, eyes fixed on Gao Yongrong with hints of intimidation.

Gao Yongrong looked panicked, “If I agree, what must I do now?”

Xiao Daocheng breathed easier and immediately said, “Just give me His Majesty’s seal, and I can mobilize all Imperial Forest and palace guards to control Jiankang and capture Gao Qiao!”

Gao Yongrong nodded, “Good, I’ll have someone fetch it for you!”

She stepped back several paces and called loudly, “Someone, bring His Majesty’s seal!”

As her words fell, dozens of palace guards wielding swords and axes suddenly emerged from within and behind curtains throughout the hall, surrounding Xiao Daocheng.

Xiao Daocheng’s eyes suddenly widened as he drew his sword and shouted, “Gao Yongrong, what are you trying to do?”

Gao Yongrong stood behind the palace guards, no trace of earlier panic on her face, staring coldly at the dramatically changed Xiao Daocheng, “Prince Xin’an, you’ve made an error. Chancellor Gao knows you used Shao woman to scheme against him—he doesn’t know about me. You’re doing this for yourself, inciting me to kill him. I’m perfectly well as Empress—why would I follow you in harming my uncle and killing Dayu’s court pillar?”

Xiao Daocheng seemed stunned, staring fixedly at Gao Yongrong as if seeing her for the first time, even his angry expression disappearing momentarily.

“Good, good!”

His face alternated between blue and white, his voice trembling slightly.

“So you’re such a deeply scheming person! I was blind to be deceived by you initially! When the cunning hare dies, the hunting dog is cooked! I exhausted my schemes, initially helping Prince Dongyang ascend the throne, then helping you drive the Xu and Lu families from court, winning people’s hearts and cultivating power for you. In the end you treat me thus! The most venomous are women’s hearts! Had I known you were like this, when the previous emperor died, I should have followed Gao Qiao’s words and ascended the throne myself—why would I have fallen to such an end today?”

Gao Yongrong sneered coldly.

“You think I didn’t know? Your secret dealings with the Celestial Master sect—wasn’t that for future great plans? As for the officials you’ve appointed, which one doesn’t know Prince Xin’an first, then His Majesty? Regarding initially declining my uncle’s elevation, appearing uninterested in the throne—that was only because you had some self-awareness!”

“My uncle’s intention to retire was known to all. You lacked prestige and power, with the court controlled by aristocratic families. If you had taken the throne without my uncle’s full support, what would you, Xiao Daocheng, amount to? At most another pitiful creature manipulated by aristocratic families!”

“Your scheme was to use my hand to eliminate aristocratic families first, then when your wings were full and you controlled the court, His Majesty and I would still be at your mercy!”

“You shameless woman!”

Xiao Daocheng cursed furiously, wildly swinging his sword in mad slashing.

“Kill him!”

Gao Yongrong shouted, her voice piercingly sharp.

Xiao Daocheng was struck several times and tried to flee, but how could he escape? After just a few steps, he was blocked by palace guards, axes and blades facing him again. In moments, he was struck down a dozen more times and fell in a pool of blood.

Large patches of blood rapidly gushed from the numerous criss-crossing wounds on his body, spreading across the smooth palace floor.

The confined air was also filled with thick, bloody stench.

Gao Yongrong ordered everyone to withdraw, slowly approached Xiao Daocheng’s side, crouched down, gazing at the man on the ground who wasn’t quite dead yet—eyes fixed on her, lips moving as he cursed her with vague, barely audible venomous words.

She paid no attention, seemingly remembering something, her expression gradually becoming gentle with some sadness.

“Originally I thought that as long as you didn’t push me too far in the future, I would never turn against you first, after all…”

She stopped, closed her eyes, let out a long sigh, and slowly opened them.

“Today’s events can only be blamed on your bad luck. I truly had no choice. Moreover, your death isn’t unjust. Rest in peace. I’ll give your sons a quick death…”

“Venomous woman… you’ll die horribly…”

Xiao Daocheng’s eyes bulged with fury as his blood-filled mouth suddenly spat out clear cursing words. After uttering this curse with his chest’s final breath, his body twisted in pain once more and moved no more.

Gao Yongrong stared at the corpse for a moment, her expression gradually turning cold as she slowly stood and returned to her seat.