Two days later, Jiang Yuanbai brought Jiang Li into the palace.

Originally, Jiang Li had planned to go together when Jiang Yuanbai resigned to Emperor Hongxiao, but Jiang Yuanbai insisted that Jiang Li handle matters related to the Duke’s manor first. Jiang Li did not know how Jiang Yuanbai had made arrangements or what he had said to Emperor Hongxiao. When they departed, Jiang Yuanbai only told her that Eunuch Su would take her to see Emperor Hongxiao. As for what to say and do after seeing Emperor Hongxiao, it would all depend on Jiang Li herself.

Along the way, Jiang Yuanbai was very silent, and Jiang Li did not speak either. In her heart, she was thinking about what she would say when facing Emperor Hongxiao—she truly could not relax. That day when she told Jiang Yuanbai it was to handle matters related to the Duke’s manor, this was not false, but it was not something Ji Heng had entrusted to her. Rather, Jiang Li herself had some questions she could not understand. During these days when Ji Heng was not in Yanjing City, she constantly thought about things that had happened in Ji Heng’s past. In those years past, Ji Heng had alone borne many things he should not have had to bear. Past events could not be undone, but Jiang Li still hoped to learn more about Ji Heng’s past. She had inquired from Situ Jiuyue and Wenren Yao about some things from Ji Heng’s past. Sometimes she also thought about the tragic circumstances that befell Yu Hongye and the Golden Wuwei General by mistake in those days. Thinking and thinking, she also thought out some inconsistencies.

This was a secret of the Duke’s manor—she could not tell others, and Ji Heng was not before her eyes, so she could only seek answers herself. But in the process of seeking answers, she still needed to obtain Emperor Hongxiao’s approval. Jiang Li knew that Emperor Hongxiao was a forbearing and magnanimous emperor with both ambition and methods. She dared not be careless. Even though it seemed Ji Heng was now Emperor Hongxiao’s trusted confidant, accompanying the ruler was like accompanying a tiger. Moreover, the past of Yu Hongye and Ji Minghan also involved imperial family scandals. Jiang Li could not be certain of Emperor Hongxiao’s attitude toward this matter, so she had to personally see Emperor Hongxiao to determine her next steps.

After entering the palace, people arranged by Eunuch Su came to receive Jiang Li. Jiang Yuanbai did not follow, only letting Jiang Li go herself while he waited outside. Jiang Li did not decline and followed Eunuch Su inside. Along the way, palace maids and eunuchs along the route could not help but look toward Jiang Li, their gazes faintly carrying sighs.

Who could have imagined that the disgraced legitimate daughter of the Jiang family who had once borne infamy and been almost forgotten would now in one leap become the future mistress of the Duke’s manor? Especially now that the Jiang family was no longer what it once was—instead, Jiang Li had become the most illustrious member of the Jiang family. No wonder the world often said that fortune rotates in turns. But this Second Miss Jiang, who appeared so gentle and soft, could actually subdue the Duke of Su, Ji Heng. Clearly she was someone with formidable methods, not to be underestimated.

Eunuch Su was very respectful toward Jiang Li, and Jiang Li did not dare to be negligent. Eunuch Su stood at the entrance to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and said, “Second Miss Jiang, His Majesty is in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Please enter.”

A young eunuch outside announced their arrival. Eunuch Su brought Jiang Li inside. In the hall, Emperor Hongxiao was sitting at a table. When Jiang Li approached and looked, she discovered he was practicing calligraphy. His characters also possessed the aura of an emperor—wild and boundless, as if the years of lying dormant in the past had finally reached today when he no longer needed to disguise himself, revealing the domineering authority of the Son of Heaven.

Jiang Li performed a courtesy. “This subject woman pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Emperor Hongxiao set down his brush and said, “Rise.” He looked at Jiang Li.

Jiang Li stood up, also looking at the emperor.

Her expression was as calm and composed as always, reminding Emperor Hongxiao of the examination at Mingyi Hall. When Jiang Li had placed first, he had personally presented the prize and saw that the Second Miss Jiang from the rumors was completely different from the vicious and domineering person described by others. More than a year later, she seemed to have not changed at all—still as gentle and calm as in his memory, even when facing him as emperor.

He knew Jiang Li had always been very courageous. This could be seen from when she had led the people of Tong County to beat the stone lions and sound the grievance drum at the gate of Chang’an. No wonder Ji Heng regarded her differently. Emperor Hongxiao thought again of Jiang Li’s stepmother matter, and the look in his eyes toward her finally softened.

He said, “The Chief Minister said you wanted to see me because there was a matter related to the Duke’s manor, and you had words to tell me. What is it? Speak now.”

Emperor Hongxiao was actually less than ten years older than Jiang Li, but his tone when speaking was like an elder addressing a junior. In a sense, Emperor Hongxiao and Ji Heng were alike—both had been forced to mature at a very young age, so in their temperaments, there seemed to be none of the innocence of children or the spiritedness of youth. They possessed only the maturity that rapidly grew under scheming and plotting. To others, this appeared cunning and crafty, but only those who knew the inside story understood the blood and tears represented by these four characters.

“Your Majesty, this subject woman has indeed come today for a matter of the Duke’s manor. This subject woman requests that Your Majesty allow her to see the Empress Dowager.”

Emperor Hongxiao’s expression changed slightly. He carefully examined Jiang Li and said, “He actually told you even this?”

Jiang Li was silent. That day in the cave, Ji Heng had told her about the entanglement between the Ji family and Yin Zhan over many years, so naturally he had also told Jiang Li the Empress Dowager’s identity. Ji Heng had said that Emperor Hongxiao should have already placed the Empress Dowager under house arrest, and that regarding the Empress Dowager, Emperor Hongxiao would not let her off.

Jiang Li knew that after all, this matter involved imperial family secrets. She herself was different from Ji Heng—Emperor Hongxiao still needed to use Ji Heng, but she was just a woman, dispensable to Emperor Hongxiao. If Emperor Hongxiao detected she posed a threat, he would definitely eliminate her without hesitation. The best method was to pretend to know nothing—the more she appeared to know, the more dangerous it became.

But she could not do that. She had to clarify one matter, even at the risk of arousing the emperor’s suspicion. What she could do for Ji Heng was very limited—at least she could help Ji Heng find the truth.

“What do you want to see the Empress Dowager for?” Emperor Hongxiao asked.

His voice was deep and very oppressive, but Jiang Li remained unmoved. She only lowered her head and said softly, “There are some matters regarding Lady Ji that I wish to inquire of the Empress Dowager.”

“So you refuse to say?” Emperor Hongxiao said. “Ji Heng told you everything—he truly doesn’t value his life.”

“This subject woman is the Duke’s person,” Jiang Li replied. “I will never betray the Duke.”

She knew what Emperor Hongxiao feared. For an emperor who had grown up this way, he would naturally be full of wariness toward those around him and would not easily trust others. Probably in Emperor Hongxiao’s eyes, Ji Heng’s actions were simply having his head turned by a woman—utterly laughable and completely disagreeable.

As expected, upon hearing this, Emperor Hongxiao only asked in return, “Oh? Forever? Then I ask you, if Ji Heng goes to Qingzhou this time and cannot return, what will you do? Will you guard a memorial tablet for a lifetime? Speaking of forever… Jiang Li, you think too highly of yourself.”

“It is Your Majesty who underestimates this subject woman,” Jiang Li replied neither humbly nor arrogantly. “If the Duke goes to Qingzhou and never returns, this subject woman will remain in Yanjing City, waiting for him. If he dies, this subject woman is willing to bind up her hair, cross the threshold alone into marriage, and remain a widow for him for a lifetime. Forever is actually not that difficult—between dawn and dusk, it will pass.”

Her voice was gentle, as if speaking of the most trivial fact, yet it made Emperor Hongxiao turn his head to look at her, as if wanting to see her expression clearly to determine whether Jiang Li was lying.

Jiang Li looked at him calmly. Her gaze was firm, making one feel that doubting her determination would itself be an unforgivable thing.

Emperor Hongxiao snorted and said, “Flowery words and honeyed phrases.”

Jiang Li actually smiled. From Emperor Hongxiao’s words, she could tell that regarding Ji Heng, he did not only have the relationship of ruler and minister, but also a bit of genuine affection. Precisely because he was thinking of Ji Heng, Emperor Hongxiao was so vigilant toward her.

This was much better than what she had initially planned.

“So you are determined to see the Empress Dowager?” Emperor Hongxiao asked.

“This subject woman begs Your Majesty’s permission.”

“I can agree to this. When Ji Heng left, he begged me to look after you. I never expected that before I could look after you, you came knocking on your own. Since it concerns the Duke’s manor, I will not interfere. Whatever answers you want to ask the Empress Dowager, go ask yourself. However, there is one thing I must remind you—the Empress Dowager is a madwoman. If you anger her, whether you can bear the consequences depends on yourself.”

Hearing this, Jiang Li smiled. She once again knelt down respectfully, expressing her gratitude to Emperor Hongxiao. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

She thought that Emperor Hongxiao probably also knew about the deadly feud between the Ji family and the Empress Dowager—otherwise he would not have glossed over it so lightly. However, this way it facilitated her actions. With this bow, Emperor Hongxiao became impatient instead and summoned Eunuch Su to quickly take Jiang Li to see the Empress Dowager.

Everything went much more smoothly than Jiang Li had expected.

Eunuch Su said, “Second Miss Jiang, please come with this servant.”

Jiang Li withdrew from the Hall of Mental Cultivation and followed Eunuch Su out. The direction Eunuch Su walked did not seem to be toward Kunning Palace, but rather seemed like the Cold Palace. Along the way there were hardly any people. As Jiang Li walked, she understood in her heart. Probably just as Ji Heng had said, the Emperor had already placed the Empress Dowager under house arrest. Indeed, with Yin Zhan dead and Yin Zhili in rebellion, Emperor Hongxiao had long anticipated this day would come. He might even have known long ago about the disasters the Empress Dowager had caused. With things having reached this point, naturally he would no longer maintain a false mother-son relationship.

Eunuch Su led Jiang Li to an abandoned palace. The reason it was called abandoned was because outside there was not even a sweeping maid. The courtyard was both cramped and empty, with a thick layer of dust accumulated on the ground, as if no one had swept it for a very long time. Jiang Li guessed that even the Cold Palace probably would not be this desolate—she had not expected there to be such a bleak place in the imperial palace.

The entire courtyard was utterly silent, as if no one lived here at all. Eunuch Su walked to the door of the innermost room and said softly, “Second Miss Jiang, please enter. This servant will wait outside. When you have finished speaking or if you have any instructions, just call for this servant and I will come in.”

Jiang Li thanked Eunuch Su and pushed open the door to enter.

With a creak, the door seemed to have gone a very long time before finally being pushed by someone, emitting a harsh sound that made one’s teeth ache. With this push, dust also danced in the air. Though it was clearly daytime, the room was like nighttime—pitch black. In the darkness there seemed to be some sound. A woman said sternly, “Who is it?”

Jiang Li paused and said, “Empress Dowager.” As she spoke, she pulled open the curtains in the room.

The room was suddenly illuminated somewhat by the light.

Before the dressing table sat a woman. When the light hit her, she squinted uncomfortably. Jiang Li then saw that the clothes on this woman’s body seemed to have not been washed for a long time. The white undergarment had become dirty and grimy, somewhat yellowed. Her hair was also greasy, without any jewelry or hairpins, yet still arranged in an elaborate coiffure, making the filthiness of her hair all the more apparent. She turned her head to look at Jiang Li, her gaze carrying sharp scrutiny. Her face was both aged and haggard, yet her words were harsh and severe, as if she wanted to swallow Jiang Li alive.

“Who are you? What are you here for?” She repeated the question again.

This was Lin Roujia, the current Empress Dowager. Ever since being placed under house arrest by Emperor Hongxiao, she had become this wretched. Emperor Hongxiao would certainly not provide her with good food and drink. Especially after learning that among those who had killed Noble Consort Xia was her, though Emperor Hongxiao had not tortured the Empress Dowager, living this way—worse than a common servant—was no different from making life worse than death for the Empress Dowager.

She had lived in luxury for so many years. Even when she was most destitute, taking refuge at Red Mountain Temple, she had Yin Zhan before and behind her, protecting her from all worldly dirt. Where had she ever lived such days? It was as if her dignity had been crushed and trampled on the ground. Even so, she still had to maintain her dignity as Empress Dowager.

But Jiang Li was unwilling to fulfill her pride. Knowing that the woman before her was so vicious—having killed Yu Hongye and Ji Minghan, causing Ji Heng’s life to change forever—she could in no way feel even half a trace of sympathy for Lin Roujia.

“I am Jiang Li from the Chief Minister’s manor. You may also call me—the future Duchess of the Duke’s manor.”

“The Duke’s manor…?” The Empress Dowager frowned, as if thinking for a long time before understanding who Jiang Li was. She looked at Jiang Li and said with sudden realization, “So it’s you. You’ve come here—what is it for?”

Jiang Li seemed to have no reason at all to seek out the Empress Dowager.

“I came to ask you about how you and Yin Zhan conspired to kill Yu Hongye back then,” Jiang Li replied.

As soon as these words came out, the Empress Dowager first froze. After a while, she suddenly laughed coldly. “So that’s what this is about—you’ve come to demand justice for that bastard. What qualifications do you have to ask about this widow’s past? Jiang Yuanbai, that waste, isn’t worth mentioning. Don’t think that just because you’ve latched onto Ji Heng you can rest easy. This widow was able to kill Ji Minghan back then—Ji Heng… sooner or later he’ll die at this widow’s hands too!”

In Jiang Li’s heart, a surge of anger suddenly erupted. This anger was even greater than when she had learned that Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning had harmed her. How could there be such shameless people in the world? Having committed heinous deeds, not only did she show no remorse, but she was actually proud of herself. From her eyes came only pure malice.

She did not bother to waste more words with the Empress Dowager and went straight to the point, only saying, “Never mind other matters. I came only to ask you one thing. Back then, because Lady Ji discovered you meeting privately with Yin Zhan, you plotted to kill Lady Ji. But in the deep palace, how could Lady Ji suddenly appear? This matter was arranged by you, wasn’t it? You deliberately lured Lady Ji to come, then used Yin Zhan’s hand to kill her and silence her, correct?”

The Empress Dowager’s laughter stopped abruptly. She stared at Jiang Li like a crazed wild beast.

Jiang Li’s heart was cold. She had long sensed something was wrong. When Ji Heng told her how Yu Hongye had died that day, Jiang Li had felt something strange. Ji Heng was within the situation and found it difficult to see. But being outside the situation, she could detect the inconsistencies. In the rumors, Yu Hongye was clever and cunning, not a reckless person. And when the Empress Dowager and Yin Zhan met privately, they probably would not randomly find a place to start pouring out their hearts—there would surely be trusted aides standing guard outside. Being in the palace, that person would only be the Empress Dowager’s confidant. Could the Empress Dowager’s confidants be so incompetent as to be unable to stop even a weak woman? Allowing Yu Hongye to burst in and discover them?

It did not make sense at all.

Thinking it over again and again, Jiang Li felt the problem lay with the Empress Dowager. What happened back then was probably not a tragedy caused by coincidence, but a premeditated plot. Yu Hongye, completely unguarded, became the first piece to be sacrificed.

“You come now to interrogate this widow—do you want me to admit it?” The Empress Dowager stroked the hair by her temple. This gesture, performed by a young girl, would probably be very charming, but performed by her current appearance, it only seemed grotesque and made one’s hair stand on end. She said, “The person is already dead. What difference does it make whether this widow admits it or not? That’s right—it was this widow who deliberately let Yu Hongye barge in. Who told that bitch to always be an eyesore in this widow’s presence? Just a prostitute from a brothel, yet she dared to be cherished and held in someone’s palm. On what grounds? This widow was born to a noble family, yet could not control her own marriage. But Yu Hongye, a whore, could live so happily? Isn’t that very unfair?” She raised her chin, the corners of her mouth lifting in a satisfied smile. “This widow made her die like a dog, without any dignity!”

This person had truly reached the extreme of losing her conscience and reason—this was Jiang Li’s only thought.

After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, she seemed very pleased and laughed loudly, though her gaze sank into reminiscence.

Jiang Li had guessed correctly. Back then, it had indeed been Lin Roujia who deliberately had Meixiang’s mother—her wet nurse—lure Yu Hongye to discover her private meeting with Yin Zhan, using the opportunity to kill Yu Hongye. Because she truly hated Yu Hongye too much. But as Empress Dowager residing in the deep palace, while Yu Hongye was the general’s wife, she could find no way to strike. She could only use Yin Zhan to kill someone. In the end, she succeeded—Yu Hongye did indeed die, and died so miserably and painfully. In her heart, it was as if a burden had been lifted, and she felt thoroughly comfortable.

But if asked why she had to hate Yu Hongye—hate her to the point of risking danger to kill her—actually, there was no direct conflict between Lin Roujia and Yu Hongye. Even in earlier years, when Lin Roujia had not yet married and heard about the Yu family matters, learning that the beauty who had captivated the capital had fallen into a brothel, she had even sympathized considerably. At the same time, she was grateful that being born into the Lin family, she did not need to experience those terrible things or a fate of being manipulated by others.

From when did things change? Lin Roujia could no longer remember clearly, but probably from when she was granted marriage, from when she became Crown Princess, the Lin Roujia of the past began to cease to exist. Later, in the palace, married to someone she did not love who did not love her either, with scheming and plotting in the rear palace where everyone competed for favor and affection, she was unhappy and began to hate her identity from the Lin family.

And it was precisely at this time that Yu Hongye transformed from a criminal’s daughter in a brothel into the legitimate wife of the Golden Wuwei General.

How Lin Roujia envied Yu Hongye! For Yu Hongye’s sake, Ji Minghan had not hesitated to oppose his entire family, not hesitated to approach the emperor, compromising and fighting for so long until finally he brought Yu Hongye through the doors as his wife. And he cherished and protected Yu Hongye completely, making others red with envy.

Resenting others’ possessions while mocking what one lacks—the status and position Lin Roujia possessed, Yu Hongye originally did not have but now did. What Lin Roujia did not have—the right to be with her beloved, a legitimate and happy marriage in the open—Yu Hongye also had. What she could not obtain, the person she had once looked down upon and even pitied now possessed. It was like a slap fiercely striking Lin Roujia’s face, making her dizzy, making her hysterical.

Ji Minghan sometimes brought Yu Hongye into the palace. Each time they entered the palace, the satisfied smile on Yu Hongye’s face could deeply pierce Lin Roujia’s heart. Even though she later had Yin Zhan’s care, it was like a rat that could not see light, unable to appear openly before others. But Yu Hongye could. Clearly Ji Minghan and Yin Zhan were the same kind of people, both renowned generals. Her status as a Miss of the Lin family seemed to pose fewer obstacles than being a criminal’s daughter from a brothel. So why was it that she could obtain nothing?

Her heart unknowingly became twisted. This unwillingness and jealousy reached their peak when she learned Yu Hongye was pregnant.

At that time, the late Emperor had a good relationship with Ji Minghan and often summoned Ji Minghan to the palace. Yu Hongye naturally accompanied him. Lin Roujia had no choice but to exchange a few words with Yu Hongye. Looking at Yu Hongye’s gradually swelling belly, each time Lin Roujia wished she could push Yu Hongye down with one hand and let her also taste the pain of losing a son.

Yin Zhan did not know the secret deep in Lin Roujia’s heart and often spoke of his good friend’s happy occasion. The more Yin Zhan did this, the more desperate Lin Roujia became. He was happy that his brother was blessed with a son, but had he ever thought that between herself and him, they could never openly possess a child together?

After Yu Hongye gave birth to Ji Heng, she had held Ji Heng in the palace for the late Emperor to see. Lin Roujia sat to the side, looking at the baby’s tender little face. It was at that moment that an extremely vicious plan appeared in her mind.

She lured Yu Hongye, deliberately letting Yu Hongye “discover” her illicit affair with Yin Zhan, successfully using Yin Zhan to eliminate the thorn in her side. From then on, there was no longer an existence that made her uncomfortable. Everything went very smoothly. Even to this day, Lin Roujia felt not the slightest regret for what she had done back then. If there was any regret, the only one was that she had not also eliminated Ji Heng at that time, leaving behind a scourge that had brought her to such a predicament now.

The woman’s appearance was no longer young. She sat before the dressing table, half in light and half in shadow. Jiang Li looked at her coldly and said, “You’ve done so many unconscionable things, constantly saying you hate Yu Hongye and cannot stand Ji Minghan, but actually, in the end, the person you hate most is Yin Zhan, and yourself.”

The Empress Dowager whipped her head around. “What did you say?”

Jiang Li was not frightened by the fierce expression on her face. She only said coldly, “What you hate is that Ji Minghan and Yin Zhan had similar status and position—both were generals. But Ji Minghan could spare no cost for Yu Hongye’s sake, opposing his whole family just to marry her. But Yin Zhan did not spare all costs to marry you. You were jealous of Yu Hongye, but you hated Yin Zhan even more. You believed Yin Zhan did not love you as much as he claimed. You committed so many deeds actually to make Yin Zhan feel guilty, to make him compensate you. He did not give you a happy marriage, so he had to comply with your every wish in other areas. In the end, you were still too selfish.”

The Empress Dowager shrieked, “Shut up! Nonsense! Zhan does love me! What do you understand? He loves me!”

The corners of Jiang Li’s mouth curved up. At this instant, her expression was remarkably similar to Ji Heng’s in the past. She said, “Do you know why Yin Zhan would never, like Ji Minghan, spare all costs to marry you?”

The Empress Dowager froze and asked, “Why?” She looked at Jiang Li with some tension, as if she valued this answer very much. Yes, over the past several decades, this question had always troubled her, but her pride did not allow her to ask Yin Zhan, and the people around her—no one dared answer her on this question.

“Because you are not worth it,” Jiang Li said word by word.

“Yu Hongye’s beauty captivated the capital. She was learned and talented. Though she fell into a brothel, her character remained noble. But what about you? You are nothing more than a petty-minded, selfish and vicious, cowardly woman who easily blames others—a boring woman, that’s all. Do you think Yin Zhan knew nothing? When you plotted to kill Yu Hongye back then, do you think Yin Zhan did not know the truth? I think that perhaps precisely because Yin Zhan knew the truth, in all these years he never once considered taking you away, but rather left you alone in the Yanjing palace.”

The Empress Dowager’s body began to tremble violently. Her lips also began to turn white, her complexion ashen.

Jiang Li knew that since Lin Roujia had chosen to kill with a borrowed knife back then rather than directly telling Yin Zhan to kill Yu Hongye, it showed she still cared about her image in Yin Zhan’s heart. Although she did not know what the past between the Empress Dowager and Yin Zhan was, one could imagine that in the Empress Dowager’s life, what she cared about most, what she was most obsessed with, was Yin Zhan. Even her own son Yin Zhili was not as important as Yin Zhan.

Even for Ji Heng’s sake, Jiang Li did not want the Empress Dowager to have it too easy. Living with pain and regret was much more difficult than simply dying. Whether by deception or otherwise, she would bit by bit destroy the Empress Dowager’s self-righteousness and make her live in suffering.

“No matter what, Yin Zhan was at least once considered a hero who acted openly and righteously. But look at what he did after being with you—killing his good friend’s family, killing his own wife and children, being condemned by everyone, reviled by all, his name stinking for ten thousand years. Tell me, in all those past years, did he ever regret for a moment, regret that he had met you? If he could start over again, he would absolutely never want to meet you again?”

The Empress Dowager’s gaze was alarmed. She murmured, “No… he loves me… he loves me…”

“Wake up!” Jiang Li said sternly. “Look at yourself in the mirror! You are nothing more than an aged woman who, even in old age, possesses no character worth anyone’s attachment. Do you think that by killing Yu Hongye you won? Wrong! Yu Hongye remains forever at her most beautiful. Until death she had Ji Minghan’s love and her son’s ties. But what about you? What do you have? Because of you, Yin Zhili became a traitorous subject whose origins can never see light. Yin Zhan left not a single word for you before death, did he? Why? Because he was finally free! He could thus leave you, never to meet again for all lifetimes!”

“No—” Lin Roujia cried out in pain, turning to look in the mirror. The woman in the mirror already had gray hairs growing, fine wrinkles appearing at the corners of her eyes. Her face was no longer smooth as silk, no longer blushed so easily. In her memory, the Miss Lin who had met Yin Zhan on the mountain path seemed like another person. As if it were not her.

Did Yin Zhan regret? In Lin Roujia’s heart, a trace of panic and helplessness swept through. All along, she had relied on Yin Zhan’s love to live. Even if Yin Zhan died, as long as she knew that Yin Zhan loved her until death, her life would not have been lived in vain.

But Jiang Li had forcibly torn open her beautiful dream, making her look like a joke. Her dignity was completely gone. She was like a cast-off wife abandoned by Yin Zhan.

Did Yin Zhan truly no longer love her? Had he stopped loving her many years ago? Because she was vicious, selfish, and had killed Yu Hongye, Yin Zhan was unwilling to take her away but instead let her grow old here.

She had already wasted her entire life here!

The Empress Dowager desperately picked up the cup on the table and fiercely hurled it at the mirror before her. The mirror shattered to the ground with a crash, the image of the woman on it also broken. Some shards of the mirror cut Lin Roujia’s hand, but she was completely unaware, murmuring, “Impossible, he loves me… he loves me…”

Outside the door, Eunuch Su heard the commotion inside and inquired, “Second Miss Jiang?”

Jiang Li said, “It’s nothing, Eunuch.” She looked at Lin Roujia. Lin Roujia’s gaze was wild and disordered. Without even looking at Jiang Li, she crouched down and held her head. Her meticulously maintained appearance from the beginning had completely collapsed, as if everything that maintained her pride had crumbled with a thunderous crash. Her face showed an expression of pain.

Jiang Li looked at her coldly, then turned and walked out the door. There was no need for her to say anything more. Lin Roujia would still live here, and just her fragility and unwillingness would be enough for her to destroy herself. Her entire life had been lived to obtain a perfect love. Even though this love had already twisted and deteriorated, one only needed someone to tell her that this love was false, that it had long ceased to exist because of her own viciousness, and Lin Roujia would wake from the beautiful dream she had constructed for herself.

And when dreams shatter, it is always especially cruel.

Jiang Li had no way to make Emperor Hongxiao kill the Empress Dowager—this would truly be too easy for Lin Roujia. Sometimes spiritual torment was ten thousand times more painful than physical torment. Let her remain here and slowly atone for the sins she committed in the first half of her life.

Eunuch Su smiled at the outer door. “Second Miss Jiang, have you finished speaking?”

Behind her, Lin Roujia’s painful wailing seemed to come through. Eunuch Su’s expression remained normal. Jiang Li knew that after she left, Eunuch Su would tell Emperor Hongxiao everything that happened here. As for what Emperor Hongxiao would think, whether he would develop other feelings toward her because of this, Jiang Li did not care.

She simply was unwilling to let Lin Roujia live comfortably. She felt indignant for Ji Heng. The pain Ji Heng had endured in silence during his youth, Lin Roujia should also experience it fully. Lin Roujia had single-handedly destroyed what Ji Heng cherished. Jiang Li would also destroy the love Lin Roujia cherished.

Was this vicious? Jiang Li did not think so. She only wanted fairness.