The white light from his ascension to godhood would shield him from the divine punishment’s harm, but it couldn’t let him simultaneously protect her, who was guilty of heinous crimes.

In the torrential rain, countless demons swarmed forward, piling their bodies to shield her from bolt after bolt of heavenly thunder.

The thunder was too loud, deafening, and carried the stench of scorched flesh. The earth shook, mountains and rivers overturned, as if the entire world wanted to flip over and crush her.

Ruyi was pressed at the very bottom by the demons, her eardrums aching, uncontrollably dry heaving. She struggled to crawl out but couldn’t move.

“Ordinary people can act as they please. They can love anyone, and even if they love wrongly, it only amounts to heartbreak.” The Demon King sat in shadows, sighing with age. “But you’re different.”

“When you love the wrong person, countless people will die because of you. This is your responsibility and your sin.”

Demons were cruel by nature, but when facing great disaster, they would prioritize protecting their side’s strongest combat power to ensure the demon race’s continuation for ten thousand generations, so they were willing to die for her.

But even so, so many demons were still helpless before divine punishment.

Why did you make me become a god?

Her consciousness was hazy, and she didn’t understand this sentence, only feeling regret—she had incurred so many more lives, how could she repay them?

When she awoke again, everything around her was peaceful.

“In my memory,” she rubbed her head, “why is there a patch of white fog?”

The Demon King looked down at her and said indifferently: “Consider it heaven’s gift.”

“Gift?”

“Yes, your severe injuries damaged your brain, but the most painful memories disappeared as a result—consider that a gift.”

Were they painful memories?

Ruyi understood: “Then I won’t think about it.”

Being a demon, the most important thing was happiness. She would cultivate well, inherit the Demon King’s throne early, and lead the little demons to roam freely in the mortal world.

…

After thousands of years of memories finally connected, Ruyi took a light breath and couldn’t help glaring at the sky outside.

Playing with her, was it? Shen Qiyuan’s words clearly expressed his feelings, but she had forgotten everything after being struck by divine punishment at that very moment.

Ruyi was a bit angry.

She got up and stomped downstairs.

“Where are you going?” Wei Zijue asked in confusion.

“To find Shen Qiyuan.” She answered frankly, sweeping her sleeves and disappearing outside the door in the blink of an eye.

No reason needed—at this moment, the person she most wanted to see was him, so she would go find him.

The private school at the Shen manor had just finished classes. Little Heye ran out and immediately spotted Ruyi walking in the corridor. Her eyes lit up as she quickly rushed over: “Boss! Boss!”

Ruyi caught her and pinched her cheeks, asking: “Have you been well these past days?”

“Very well.” Heye blinked and whispered: “Let me tell you, Lord Shen is very strange.”

“Oh?” She crouched down curiously. “What’s wrong with him?”

Heye pouted: “He doesn’t like listening to me talk, but if I mention things about you, boss, he’ll patiently listen. Seeing that he liked it, I said more, but then he said I was being too clever for my good.”

The little girl was very unhappy: “The private school teacher even said ‘the blue bird is diligent in exploring and watching.’ Blue birds are good, so why did I get scolded?”

Ruyi suddenly burst into laughter.

She picked up little Heye: “Some people are naturally thin-skinned. You can guess his thoughts, but you can’t expose them, or he’ll get angry and climb out the window to leave.”

Little Heye seemed to understand but wrinkled her nose again: “Boss is still better. The boss doesn’t scold me. Let me tell you—Lord Shen seems to have encountered something troublesome these past days. His expression hasn’t looked good.”

“Mm, is it manor business or outside business?”

“Palace business.” Little Heye gestured. “Every time, a palace eunuch comes with an imperial decree. After Lord Shen reads it, he locks himself in the study for an hour.”

Probably the case at Prince Pingbei’s manor is being difficult? Ruyi pondered thoughtfully, put her down, and gave her two pieces of candy, then went alone to the study in front.

As soon as she approached, she felt the atmosphere wasn’t right.

“What great fortune our Great Qian has, to have two such diplomatic experts as you.” A book was thrown between two people, and both kneeling men trembled.

“This subordinate knows his incompetence and begs for your life-saving help, sir.”

“Save you? With what?” Shen Qiyuan’s face was as dark as water. “Take your reports and go explain to His Majesty yourselves!”

“Sir, as colleagues, please give us a hand!”

“Yes, only you can save us now!”

Shen Qiyuan was furious beyond measure.

Originally, everything was prepared—they only needed these two to drink with the Great Xia envoys and probe for information. Who would have thought they could get drunk and let slip about the cause of Lady Zhang’s death? All previous preparations were wasted, and the envoy had already sent three letters beyond the border, their intentions unknown.

The murder case at Prince Pingbei’s manor was already adding fuel to the fire, and now with this mess, he couldn’t explain to the emperor either.

Just as he was about to lose his temper again, Shen Qiyuan suddenly tilted his head slightly.

The two officials were in despair when, inexplicably, they felt the dark clouds above their heads disperse.

They both looked up together and saw that Lord Shen, who had been furious just moments ago, now had softened features. He lowered his voice gently: “Gentlemen, this way please.”

Though these words meant the same as “get out,” both men were still surprised.

What had happened?

This concerned their lives, so the two hesitantly left, both taking extra glances around.

A goose-yellow long dress fluttered past, flashing at the corner of the wall.

Taking sharp breaths, both men fell silent and exchanged glances.

There was still hope—as long as Lord Shen had a weakness, they still had hope.

The door opened and closed. Shen Qiyuan looked up and unsurprisingly saw her walking toward him.

“It’s not even dark yet. Why did you come?” He pursed his lips.

“I saw six-sided snowflakes drifting outside, so I wanted to come see you, sir.” She walked forward gracefully, gazing deeply at him.

Shen Qiyuan felt somewhat uncomfortable: “What’s special about six-sided snow?”

“Right, nothing special.” She smiled, her eyes curving. “So I just wanted to come see you, sir.”

The person before him had eyes that seemed different from before, as if something more had been added—passionate and bright.

Shen Qiyuan slightly curved his lips, then quickly suppressed them, pretending to be serious: “The nation faces difficulties. How is this the time for romantic sentiments between us?”

Ruyi stood opposite his desk, leaned down, reached across a pile of documents and ink stones, and gently caressed his cheek.

“Are you someone who accepts fate, sir?” she asked.

Shen Qiyuan didn’t understand her meaning: “Someone who accepts fate cannot become a divine cultivator.”

“Excellent.” She smiled. “I don’t accept it either.”

Since neither accepted fate, they should follow their hearts.

She joyfully admired his features, leaning down to give him a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Shen Qiyuan’s eyelashes trembled.

He seemed to remember something again.

The quiet study, snow-white skin, scattered documents…

What kind of prophetic dream was this, so clear it seemed like it had happened?