Imperial Consort Lian informed Tuoba Zhen that Tuoba Yu had set an ambush at Lion Ridge, ensuring he would never return. Tuoba Zhen gave a cold laugh. Lion Ridge? The soldiers had already scouted—that group of rebels was at Hidden Painting Peak on Cangling’s right side. To reach Hidden Painting Peak, there were only two routes: one was the more treacherous but shortest route through Lion Ridge, the other was the very flat but roundabout route through Chengtian Ridge. Imperial Consort Lian’s intelligence came so naturally. Tuoba Zhen sneered coldly but said: “Take Lion Ridge.”

Head Steward Li Ping was startled. Tuoba Zhen no longer trusted anyone. For daily outings, he only brought those old retainers left by his birth mother. This time Li Ping, uneasy about ordinary guards, had personally come along. Though Tuoba Zhen appeared unmoved on the surface, he was somewhat touched in his heart. At this moment Li Ping said with concern: “Your Highness, didn’t you say Imperial Consort Lian—”

“Imperial Consort Lian’s little tricks have long been seen through by Li Weiyang. At first I wanted to dig something useful out of her, but discovered Li Weiyang never revealed important intelligence to her. It’s been like this for months. Why would such important information suddenly come now? Only one possibility—Imperial Consort Lian’s identity has been exposed. Li Weiyang is deliberately feeding false information through her, trying to lure me to take Chengtian Ridge. Hmph, this woman is truly cunning in every way.” Actually, the Emperor’s orders were issued—he had no choice but to go. Moreover, he had prepared in advance. Those around him were all elite first-class experts. He didn’t need to worry about the enemy’s ambush at all. He didn’t believe that this time Tuoba Yu and Li Weiyang could do anything to him.

After Tuoba Zhen departed, people’s carriages drove down the mountain one after another. Tuoba Yu stayed behind, casually riding beside Li Weiyang’s carriage, saying quietly: “As expected, he went to Lion Ridge.”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “His personality is suspicious. He rarely trusts others. Imperial Consort Lian has never given him useful information. Now with this one piece, naturally he’ll think it over carefully. He’ll feel I’m deliberately revealing it to him through Imperial Consort Lian, so he’ll definitely do the opposite.”

Tuoba Yu’s smile contained a trace of coldness: “I wonder if the Princess would like to watch Tuoba Zhen’s end?”

Li Weiyang said thoughtfully: “Yes, unless I see it with my own eyes, how can I be at ease?”

At this moment Tuoba Zhen had already led his several hundred cavalry guards over ten li of mountain road. Looking around at the green pines everywhere, with a few plum blossoms dotting the scene, the snow from recent days wasn’t thick—under the sunlight it had turned to snow pellets. Passing through this pine forest and traveling a few hundred more meters would be Lion Ridge.

Tuoba Zhen led the way, at the very front. He led everyone running toward the mountain, gradually ascending a mountain path. The higher they climbed, the more rugged the path became. Everyone had to carefully hold their horse reins, making the horses slow their gallop. After struggling upward for seven or eight li, they discovered this mountain path they’d traveled was like a tall round cup inverted over the mountain peak. From neck to summit, the cliff walls were sheer as if cut, mountain rock crevices crisscrossed, ancient cypresses hung upside down. The mountain path was very steep, accommodating at most two horses abreast. Beside them was an extremely steep precipice. To the right front it connected with another mountain range, but between them was a deep ravine several zhang wide, pitch-black and bottomless.

Seeing this scene, though Tuoba Zhen had already understood Lion Ridge’s steep terrain, he still felt some unease in his heart—like a beast’s natural instinct for danger. Subconsciously he looked back and saw anxious expressions appearing on everyone’s faces. In that split second, he suddenly thought—what if Li Weiyang was playing tricks? Would he have outsmarted himself and fallen into her trap instead!

Just then, a deafening boom came from ahead—like the sky collapsing and earth splitting! Immediately after, a thunderous roar came from below. The previously calm ground suddenly pitched like a small boat in rough waves. The horses couldn’t stand steady, neighing and backing up. The mountain walls also shook. In moments, huge boulders came crashing down. Forcing his eyes open, he saw only sand and stones collapsing, dust flying, blocking out sky and sun. Tuoba Zhen shouted loudly: “Quick, retreat backward!”

But it was too late. On the cliff wall above, over a hundred archers had already lain in ambush. Taking advantage of this chaos, countless arrows shot downward at the people on the mountain path. Tuoba Zhen had originally thought Li Weiyang wouldn’t set an ambush here. The most important reason was: Lion Ridge’s terrain was treacherous—getting people and horses up was already very difficult. Setting an ambush would be even harder than ascending to heaven. So Li Weiyang had deliberately lured him to take the other route. However, Tuoba Zhen had overlooked one point—at Lion Ridge’s northwest corner, there was a cliff fissure. On the west side, a mountain peak was shaped rather like a human thumb, hence named “One Finger Peak.”

Li Weiyang used this as a breakthrough point. Taking advantage of Tuoba Yu’s inspection of the Empress Dowager’s burial site, she sought skilled craftsmen to carve narrow footholds along the natural fissure on “One Finger Peak” on the cliff face. Compared to ordinary mountain paths, this ladder accommodating only one person’s foot at a time stood over twenty meters high. Climbing it grew more tense with each step. Every step required wide eyes. Climbing up from below required tremendous courage. All the soldiers used hands and feet together, scaling upward to hide on this route that seemed absolutely impossible to succeed.

In the midst of chaos, Tuoba Zhen suddenly felt an arrow strike his arm. Enduring the intense pain, he looked back and saw countless people losing all order, scattering in flight, falling off the cliff one after another, letting out miserable screams. From below the mountain came faint but strong, crisp sounds of hoofbeats, as if countless cavalry were surging forward.

“All soldiers listen—Tuoba Zhen colluded with Sun Chongyao’s remnants, intending to ambush His Majesty. Imperial Consort Lian has been assassinated. His Majesty has already issued a decree to capture Tuoba Zhen, life or death irrelevant! Any who resist will be executed on the spot!”

Amidst shattering rocks, Tuoba Zhen heard Tuoba Yu’s voice carried by mountain winds. His heart shook—he finally understood. Li Weiyang was determined to put him to death! There were no Sun Chongyao rebels at all—this was deliberately leading him to his death!

Li Weiyang understood Tuoba Zhen too well. To ensure success today, she had left backup measures in everything. Even if the ambush failed, Tuoba Zhen would have no life to return to the capital!

Tuoba Zhen’s side fought fiercely for a long time. The hoofbeats from below the mountain grew closer and closer. After that round of killing, the wounds on his body had split open again. He gritted his teeth and tore two strips from his sleeves, tightly binding his arm. He quietly ordered Li Ping: “Find a chance to escape. Meet at the old place!” Saying this, he abandoned everyone, riding his horse toward the deep ravine.

He galloped forward. Behind him were countless people’s exclamations and the sound of iron hooves pursuing. Several times those coldly gleaming long swords nearly touched his body, but he shook them all off. He turned to look back once more and saw only his elite forces scattered and fleeing in all directions. Everywhere were corpses and blood. The pursuers’ armor gleamed blindingly in the sunlight, nearly blinding one’s eyes. He hated Li Weiyang to the core. Without looking back again, he viciously whipped his horse. This horse was a famous steed from Yuexi, traveling a thousand li daily, extraordinarily fierce. Ordinary horses could hardly catch up. Now under the whip, this horse opened its legs and flew forward, truly leaving all pursuers behind.

The pursuit sounds behind grew more intense. Just as he was about to be hit by stray arrows, Tuoba Zhen didn’t hesitate at all. He viciously whipped the horse once more. The horse, pushed to its absolute limit of pain, neighed long and opened its legs, leaping across the deep ravine! Behind him countless horses pursued to this spot but couldn’t follow. Not one horse dared leap across. Soldiers had no choice but to forcibly rein in their horses, watching helplessly as Tuoba Zhen had already reached the mountain path on the other side.

Tuoba Yu quickly pursued to the ravine’s edge but saw Tuoba Zhen had already leaped to the opposite side. The stray arrows had only injured one arm. That fierce horse at the critical moment had saved Tuoba Zhen’s life! His heart sank as he shouted sternly: “Tuoba Zhen, fleeing like this makes you a criminal wanted by imperial decree! Better to obediently return with me to apologize to Father Emperor!”

Apologize? Imperial Consort Lian had been assassinated. The Emperor, having suddenly lost his beloved consort, could never forgive Tuoba Zhen. Moreover, Tuoba Yu had countless other charges lined up waiting for him. If he returned, there would definitely be no chance of survival! Tuoba Zhen’s heart was furious to the extreme. Just in that moment, that dream surged into his mind. Back then, that person had been forced by him into a dead end with no way out… Today he similarly fell into desperate straits, only now experiencing that feeling of suddenly losing everything, with nowhere to turn! In an instant, tumultuous waves surged—whether from resentment at being forced into a corner, or regret for everything in the past. In his heart he only knew clearly one thing—his dream, that throne nearly in his grasp, had thus departed, never to be obtained again. This agony of watching what he loved most disappear before his eyes was suffering no ordinary person could bear!

Tuoba Zhen rode his horse galloping forward all the way, not even daring to look back. He only dared walk small paths, afraid of being discovered. Not knowing how long he ran wildly, finally he found a hidden small path down the mountain. Fighting while wounded, he had actually long been exhausted, only persisting through sheer unwillingness to bow his head. Reaching the mountain base, he suddenly felt dizzy, everything spinning. His heart grew even more resentful. He drew his dagger and viciously stabbed his own thigh, barely managing to sit steady on the horse.

The imperial palace—he could never think of returning there for the rest of his life. Tuoba Yu must have set countless traps waiting for him. This Seventh Brother—when had he become so ruthless! Right, Li Weiyang—everything was her scheming behind the scenes! Tuoba Zhen looked angrily at the mountain, his eyes revealing boundless resentment.

On Lion Ridge, Li Weiyang saw Tuoba Zhen escape from afar but only smiled faintly. Tuoba Yu frowned: “You can still smile. What do we do now?”

Li Weiyang sighed: “He’s now a wanted criminal. Naturally we pursue with full force.”

Tuoba Yu’s frown deepened. He felt Li Weiyang’s absent-mindedness seemed very unusual, but couldn’t say exactly what was unusual: “What if we can’t catch him?”

Li Weiyang’s smile deepened: “Seventh Prince, everything I could do for you, I’ve already done. What remains depends entirely on you.” Meaning: I’ve already helped you to this point. Whether you can capture and thoroughly eliminate this hidden danger depends entirely on yourself.

This was the first time Li Weiyang clearly refused Tuoba Yu. He was slightly shocked, his heart also jolted, then quickly showed a smile: “Yes, you’ve been too exhausted these days. Leave the remaining matters to me.”

In his smile appeared a trace of triumphant satisfaction and high spirits. Clearly he no longer took the defeated Tuoba Zhen to heart. Which made sense—now Tuoba Yu probably thought the throne was already in his control. Yes, without Tuoba Zhen, who could compete with him? A trace of mockery passed through Li Weiyang’s clear eyes, but she only said: “Then many thanks.”

Tuoba Zhen avoided the pursuers’ tracks, quietly hiding his appearance. He wanted to enter the capital to find opportunities to rise again. But he discovered the capital’s guards had multiplied several times over the usual. Soldiers holding portraits checked each person individually. Only then did he realize his portrait had been posted on every city gate of the capital. People looked while whispering—Third Prince colluded with Sun Chongyao’s remnants, attempting to harm the Emperor. His plot was exposed by Seventh Prince. Now wanted nationwide—successful capture rewarded with a thousand taels of gold.

A thousand taels of gold—this must be Tuoba Yu’s scheme. Because throughout all dynasties, no one’s capture reward had ever been this high. Tuoba Yu had only one purpose—to leave Tuoba Zhen with no way out. Truly detestable to the extreme! Tuoba Zhen reconsidered—his identity was already exposed. He had no way to enter the capital. Even if he truly entered, whether he could contact old subordinates aside, wanting to make a comeback wasn’t a matter of one or two days. Rather than taking such risks, better to follow the original plan and first go to his separate residence.

Thinking this way, he turned his horse toward the outskirts. In the capital’s suburbs he had three separate estates, each exquisite and magnificent, wealthy and imposing. But now he couldn’t go to any of these three places. His so-called hiding place was precisely a secret manor he had purchased through others’ hands. Inside were set countless secret passages and hidden doors. Only he knew the map. All the craftsmen who built it had been killed by him. Once he entered the secret passage, he could go directly to the port where people were already waiting. He could leave by boat. Then no one in the world could capture him. On that boat he had arranged everything in advance—manpower, gold and silver. In other places he had also purchased estates and farms, enough for him to carefully prepare to recruit troops. In five more years he could rise again, return and drive Tuoba Yu down.

They say a cunning rabbit has three burrows. Tuoba Zhen was more cunning than a rabbit—he hadn’t left himself just one escape route, but hundreds of routes! For the throne he had schemed bitterly for so many years. This was just one small failure. How could he think he’d reached a dead end from momentary dejection? Thinking of this, Tuoba Zhen looked toward the capital and gave a cold laugh. Li Weiyang, we’ll meet again. I hope when that time comes, you won’t be too surprised!

But all along this route to the manor, he likewise had to be extremely careful, avoiding pursuers. Thinking all the way, worrying, panicking, until the sky grew light. Only then did he find a hidden place to sleep briefly. After waking, he deliberately found a small stream and looked into the water, unexpectedly seeing white hair appearing at his temples. His heart couldn’t help burning with extreme hatred. People said hair could turn white overnight—he thought it was just rumor. Now that it truly happened to him, he finally knew this life of hiding everywhere, terrified that any carelessness could cost his life, would drive a person truly mad!

Just then, he suddenly heard horse neighing. His heart shocked, he quickly hid in the forest. Suddenly hearing someone behind him shout: “Your Highness!” He was greatly alarmed and turned his sword to strike. The person was also quick, dodging at once and shouting: “Your Highness, it’s me!”

This voice completely stunned Tuoba Zhen. Only then did he suddenly discover the person was precisely his strategist who had been arranged at the manor to respond—He Jing. He Jing’s face showed delighted shock. He hurriedly said: “Your Highness, this subordinate heard about what happened at Cangling and immediately rushed here! Searching everywhere, wanting to find you before the pursuers!”

Tuoba Zhen was about to speak when he felt his body soften, his whole person falling from the horse. He Jing quickly dismounted, rushing over to catch him: “Your Highness, first change clothes. We absolutely mustn’t be discovered by pursuers!” At this moment Tuoba Zhen could truly be said to have reached a dead end. He wearily nodded, walking aside to change clothes. At the same time his eyes vigilantly watched He Jing. In his eyes, he truly couldn’t casually trust anyone, even his most loyal strategist.

He Jing apologized and drew his long sword, striking toward Tuoba Zhen’s horse. The horse didn’t even make a sound before softly collapsing. Tuoba Zhen frowned. He knew at this moment he couldn’t leave any clues or handles for people, so he didn’t stop. He just watched He Jing barely push that horse into a nearby valley, cover the blood traces left behind, then dig a pit to bury the clothes Tuoba Zhen had changed out of—everything done carefully and cautiously.

Tuoba Zhen kept watching He Jing but actually gripped the long sword in his hand tightly, prepared that if he showed the slightest treasonous intent, he would eliminate him. But just as he was about to speak, he suddenly saw a cold light flash, shooting straight into He Jing’s chest. He Jing fell with a muffled sound, blood flowing everywhere. His eyes were still wide open, showing an expression of disbelief. Tuoba Zhen vigilantly demanded: “Who!”

He saw the weathered Li Ping appear from not far away, walking with a limp, kneeling on the ground with tears like rain: “Your Highness, this slave finally found you!” Tuoba Zhen was shocked, then greatly delighted. In his eyes, Li Ping was of course far more trustworthy than He Jing: “Why did you kill him?”

Li Ping wiped away tears, saying resentfully: “The scene was extremely chaotic then. This slave was shot in the leg by an arrow and was mistaken for dead. I barely escaped with my life. Arriving at this manor, I discovered He Jing acting suspiciously, colluding with people sent by Seventh Prince. So this slave followed him all along, wanting to take the opportunity to eliminate him for Your Highness!”

Such a loyal servant—even someone as vicious as Tuoba Zhen couldn’t help being moved. He put away his long sword, losing three parts of his wariness. He proactively walked over to help Li Ping up, sighing deeply: “In my lifetime, the people I trust are only my mother consort’s old retainers. You truly are most loy—” Before the word “loyal” finished, he felt in an instant the sword tip reaching his chest and abdomen. With a “puchi” sound, the dagger pierced through him, breaking through his stomach. Events happened suddenly. Though Tuoba Zhen had subconsciously retreated two steps, he still didn’t avoid the cold gleam. At this moment he didn’t even feel pain, only feeling his abdomen turn cold, then his entire body gradually numbing.

Li Ping gave a cold laugh, forcefully pulling out the dagger. The snow-bright dagger was crimson red, blood dripping down to the ground.

Tuoba Zhen immediately retreated three steps, his body swaying. Blood gushed from the wound like a spring. He shouted angrily: “Li Ping, even you betray me!” After saying this, because the injury was too severe, he bent over coughing violently.

Li Ping waved his hand. Over ten black-clothed people suddenly appeared, all holding sharp blades. Tuoba Zhen, furious to the extreme, drew the long sword from his waist and fought with these people. After all, he had learned from famous masters since childhood, studying martial arts very diligently. Ordinary warriors had no way to handle him. But this group were carefully selected assassins, each one striking ruthlessly. Li Ping directed from the side, specifically targeting Tuoba Zhen’s weak points. In just moments, Tuoba Zhen was severely wounded, blood spraying, then rapidly spreading into a patch of filthy black on his robe. With a “pu” sound, he covered his right eye and let out a scream—that shrill sound at this moment was like desperate howling. Then those black-clothed guards showed no mercy. A long sword came over, severing both his legs.

Tuoba Zhen curled up on the ground, his face showing extreme agony.

Just then, he heard a clear, bright voice, very gentle, very lovely: “Third Prince, you’ve made it so hard for me to find you.” As if sighing, as if smiling—sounding extremely familiar. Li Weiyang!

It was Li Weiyang! Having lost both legs, his face slashed several times, Tuoba Zhen’s handsome features had long been completely destroyed. Blood smeared his eyes. Only his remaining left eye saw things blurrily. But he still managed to recognize this voice, shouting sternly: “Li Weiyang, you slut!”

Li Weiyang smiled, slowly walking out from the side. As soon as she appeared, Li Ping and the black-clothed people all stopped, obediently kneeling on the ground. Li Weiyang’s eyes seemed bottomless, turning charmingly: “What’s this? Injured so severely.”

“Stop your false pretenses. Everything was arranged by you. You’re truly vicious.” Tuoba Zhen reached out to wipe the blood from his right eye, saying with hatred.

Li Weiyang laughed lightly. The jewelry in her hair still tinkled softly, her voice clear and lovely: “Oh, is that so? Speaking of viciousness, how could I compare to you, Third Prince? Time after time you wanted to put me to death. Now I’ve merely learned three parts from you!”

Tuoba Zhen sat collapsed on the ground, face bearing wounds, body bleeding like a fountain. Yet he still maintained the imperial family’s dignity. He absolutely wouldn’t show weakness before Li Weiyang, much less beg for mercy! He supported his chest, panting as he spoke: “You plotted against my closest people so early, laying such vicious evil plans. You’re truly more despicable than me!”

Li Weiyang said softly: “Yes, I’m indeed very despicable. But these two words ‘noble’—for you and me, they’re no more than fish traces in green water, rainbow shadows in blue sky. I’m just an ordinary person. Since I’m ruthless, I must be ruthless to the end. Why falsely show mercy?”

Tuoba Zhen’s bloody eyes looked toward Li Ping’s direction, saying with difficulty: “Why?” Why, why betray him?

Li Ping didn’t speak, deeply lowering his head.

Li Weiyang smiled: “Didn’t you notice? He always resented you. If not for your mother consort, why would his family be implicated and all die unjust deaths? How laughable that you thought giving someone a bit of kindness meant they had to be grateful, devoted to you for life. He’s been in your residence so many years, only able to hide his name and be a head steward. But I promised to recommend him to an official position where he could better display his talents. Tell me, wouldn’t he agree?”

Li Ping didn’t deny it, only lowered his head even more, his expression becoming uneasy. Perhaps there was guilt in it, but so what? What the Princess said wasn’t wrong. His family died because of Tuoba Zhen’s birth mother back then. Why couldn’t he resent? Though Tuoba Zhen saved him, he always made him be a servant. What was there to be grateful for? If not for the Princess, he would probably have to be someone’s servant his whole life! He didn’t want that!

Indeed it was Li Weiyang! The truly fatal blow was waiting for him here.

The person Tuoba Zhen trusted most was Li Ping. But the one who betrayed him in the end was precisely this person he’d rescued from a pile of corpses. He thought his mother consort’s relatives wouldn’t betray him. But now he discovered—just now, He Jing was his last trustworthy person. Yet he died at Li Ping’s hand. How laughable that he, Tuoba Zhen, still regarded Li Ping as a loyal subordinate. Laughable, truly the most laughable thing in the world! Being betrayed by someone you don’t trust doesn’t matter at all. But being betrayed by someone you truly believe in—that’s the most painful thing in the world! Li Weiyang understood Tuoba Zhen too well. The reason she let him go on the cliff wasn’t to let him escape, but to make him taste what it meant to have no way out, what it meant to be betrayed, what it meant to go mad with pain!

Li Weiyang said lightly: “I learned this from you. You could have Imperial Consort Lian betray me. Why can’t I make your loyal servant betray you?”

Tuoba Zhen was furious to the point of madness, his heart full of rage burning dark and fierce. If possible, he would have already pounced over and viciously strangled Li Weiyang’s neck! But he had already fallen first, his mouth full of bitter water. Just speaking one sentence made golden stars flash before his eyes, waves of blackness.

Only when a person reaches a dead end will they repent their mistakes. At this moment, Tuoba Zhen finally tasted being betrayed by someone he trusted, and tasted the despair of death. For the first time he felt pain—this despair even made him unable to bear it, more painful than the knife wounds on his body!

He raised his head. Everyone here was looking at him, that gaze as if looking at a corpse. Yes, Li Weiyang wouldn’t spare him. Today he would die here. But before his eyes gradually blurred. At this moment he had fallen into memories. He seemed to see the smiling woman from his dream walking toward him step by step… But in moments, she transformed into an incomparably cold face.

He was originally the noble Third Prince. In his heart, the Crown Prince was foolish, Tuoba Yu was lucky, because one possessed noble bloodline, the other possessed the Emperor’s favoritism. He was unwilling. Years of forbearance and struggle—being thus ignored and buried—he was also a prince. He was unwilling to be inferior to others his whole life. So he prepared with great ambition to ascend the throne.

But before others, he could never reveal his ambitions, never expose his talents. He had to firmly control his ambitions, then maintain the most perfect smile, loyally following the Crown Prince—humble, strong, hypocritical. For the throne, he gradually became hard-hearted as iron. Regardless of who it was, anyone blocking his path had only one road—death. Even alone, he wasn’t afraid, because he needed no one. Now, the throne was closer and closer, one step, one step, one step—just one step away, nearly in hand.

Suddenly, all of it left him. He became a fugitive who could only hide everywhere, becoming someone with nothing. Even his last loyal subordinate betrayed him. He thought he was ruthless enough. But he discovered—the world’s most ruthless thing wasn’t betrayal, but being let down by the only person you could trust. This was more painful than any betrayal. Even with cunning like a fox, he couldn’t escape such a nightmare. In his heart, besides resentment, more was indescribable desolation. Was Li Weiyang any better than him? But she had utilized everything she could to serve her purposes. And him? He only had a profit-seeking Li Ping. Reaching this point, he had long seen clearly human nature and this world, yet forgot because of momentary carelessness.

Now his legs were severed, his face a bloody mess, right eye blinded, everyone around him rebelled and abandoned him—he had nothing. The dignified Third Prince had actually fallen to such a state today. Laughable, too laughable. He wanted to laugh out loud. But Li Weiyang lightly waved her hand. A black-clothed assassin stepped forward. Silver light flashed, lightly drawing across his throat. In that instant, he opened his eyes wide in terror, thinking he would die. However, that long sword only left an extremely small blood mark. Opening his mouth, he wanted to speak but could no longer speak. Next that person severed the tendons in his four limbs, and made several more cuts on his face. Intense pain made Tuoba Zhen want to show an angry expression, but discovered his facial muscles were out of control…

“Your manor, your guards—all no longer exist. I know there must be escape passages in that manor, so I gave it to His Majesty. I think he’ll make good use of this place. So from now on, you won’t need it either.” Li Weiyang said lightly, her smile growing increasingly gentle. Whenever she smiled like this, she would bring others tremendous pain.

Tuoba Zhen barely raised his head but couldn’t see her face clearly.

Just now, he didn’t know how much he hated this woman, wishing he could devour her completely, fuse her into his blood. But now he suddenly realized—because of her, he had become a defeated soldier.

Though he had almost succeeded.

“Tuoba Zhen, actually you shouldn’t have fallen to this end. You’re so clever—how could you trust others at your most vulnerable moment? You clearly should have recuperated alone, waiting for the storm to pass before taking back what belongs to you. But you were too impatient. You were too proud. You couldn’t accept being in such circumstances, so you chose to trust Li Ping. This might be your only mistake in life, but sometimes, once is enough.”

Everyone’s heart harbored a desire. Tuoba Zhen’s desire was the struggle for the throne. This desire drove him constantly forward. However, this same desire ultimately destroyed him. He was fundamentally a contradictory person—constantly using and betraying others on one hand, yet not allowing anyone to betray him on the other. The most important principle Li Weiyang learned from him was: whoever is ruthless enough can survive.

Tuoba Zhen stared at Li Weiyang. He knew she could understand. He knew he wanted her to kill him! Rather than live in such humiliation, he’d rather end his own life! Because he was Tuoba Zhen—he could die but couldn’t lack dignity!

Li Weiyang understood his expression. But she only smiled slightly. Her spotless white shoes tread over the withered leaves on the ground, finally reaching before him, looking down at him from above: “You want me to kill you?”

Tuoba Zhen stared fixedly at her, as if wanting to engrave her features in his heart, full of hatred yet also carrying a complex pleading.

However, Li Weiyang gently shook her head: “I won’t kill you.”

Tuoba Zhen’s brows furrowed. The resentment in his gaze became even more twisted, nearly becoming burning flames. And that already blinded eye at this moment became even more terrifying.

Seeing him like this, Li Weiyang only said: “I won’t kill you. Not only that, I’ll find someone to take good care of you… When you’re hungry, someone will feed you. When you’re thirsty, someone will give you water. When you’re cold, someone will add clothes. When you’re sick, a physician will treat you. I’ll let you live like this—ten years, twenty years, thirty years, forty years. The longer you live, the better.”

Tuoba Zhen wanted to curse but couldn’t make a sound. He couldn’t even show an angry expression on his face because the tendons in his face were severed—he couldn’t even open his mouth. Li Weiyang smiled lightly: “Don’t worry about not being able to open your mouth. When the time comes, naturally someone will pry open your mouth to feed you water and food. Tell me, am I not good to you?”

For someone like Tuoba Zhen, the best torment wasn’t killing him, but making him endure this suffering day and night until death. He would only constantly regret, constantly go mad, constantly torment himself. Unfortunately, now he couldn’t walk, couldn’t write, couldn’t cry, couldn’t rage, couldn’t laugh—even the most basic eating required others to pry open his mouth. However, she would still leave him one left eye, letting him face a mirror every day to look well at his miserable state, reviewing his entire life. Moreover, she would arrange him in one of his secret residences, letting him sit by a window where he could see the palace every day—looking at those beautiful glazed tiles, mighty Imperial Guards, luxurious palace gates, day after day, year after year, until his heart became hollow and his bones turned to ash.

Li Ping lowered his head. All the black-clothed assassins didn’t dare look at Li Weiyang. They had seen many methods of tormenting people, seen countless vicious techniques, but had never seen anything like this. Not killing you, keeping you, tormenting you forever and ever—and this torment came from your own heart. This was the world’s most cruel punishment.

Li Weiyang’s smile suddenly became relaxed: “Alright, it’s time for him to go.”

The black-clothed people said nothing, lifting Tuoba Zhen. The last thing Li Weiyang saw was his despairing eyes—that kind of despair worse than death. She knew this was just the beginning. This despairing suffering would accompany him until death.

Turning around, Li Weiyang suddenly felt her mood become exceptionally light. Now she had eliminated someone she’d always wanted to eliminate. What remained was waiting—waiting for that person’s return.

Night gradually deepened.

At the Seventh Prince’s residence, red candles gradually shortened. Princess Pingting kept staring at those red candles, her gaze wavering uncertainly.

At the third watch, a maid respectfully conveyed: “His Highness says he won’t come over tonight. He requests the Imperial Consort to rest first.”

Again like this—Princess Pingting bit her lower lip, asking softly: “Is he still in the study?”

The maid froze, then answered again: “Please rest first, Imperial Consort.” Still an evasive answer.

Princess Pingting could no longer endure. She suddenly stood up, quickly walking out. Her beautiful skirt swept past the threshold, bringing up a fragrant breeze as she headed straight to the study. Disregarding the guards’ obstruction outside, even forgetting her own deportment, she rushed in at once.

The handsome man inside suddenly raised his head, looking at her in shock. He forgot to put away the scroll in his hands. Princess Pingting’s eyes immediately caught the person in that painting.

Refined features—couldn’t be called absolutely beautiful, but those eyes were extremely vivid. One could see how much thought, how much admiration the painter had poured into it.

Princess Pingting finally couldn’t hold back, covering her face and crying bitterly. On her beautiful hair coiffure, the dazzling gems embedded in her golden hairpin also seemed to lose their luster.

“Your Highness… Princess Anning has never loved you!” When she saw with her own eyes the portrait in Tuoba Yu’s hands, she finally couldn’t help crying out, her voice filled with utter despair.

Ten days since the wedding, Tuoba Yu had never entered her room. He always slept alone in the study. Though she had once opposed this marriage, in her bones she hoped Tuoba Yu would ask her to stay, because from the first time she saw Tuoba Yu, she had already fallen for him. Precisely because Prince Chaoyang saw through these feelings, he did everything possible to arrange this marriage. But he absolutely never imagined Tuoba Yu would treat his precious daughter so coldly. Princess Pingting kept waiting, waiting for Tuoba Yu to change his heart, discover she was equally beautiful, equally clever, equally worthy of his love. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried, he wouldn’t even look at her once.

From beginning to end, he admired only Princess Anning, only Li Weiyang.

Beneath his cold exterior, all the passion he hid had already been given to that woman. She didn’t dare resent Li Weiyang, but she truly couldn’t understand why Tuoba Yu was so obsessed. Amidst Princess Pingting’s despairing cries, Tuoba Yu’s expression remained indifferent as he passed by and walked out.

Princess Pingting chased to the doorway, shouting loudly: “Tuoba Yu, I beg you, let yourself go!”

Tuoba Yu didn’t look back. He only gave a cold laugh. Let himself go? He wanted nothing more than that—unfortunately, he wanted that person too much. This desire had already surpassed all other longings. Now he was just one step away. Even using every despicable means, he must have her!