Golden Branch

As soon as Queen Li finished speaking, a palace maid brought in a tray.

On the tray, there was a wine cup filled with transparent liquid.

Wang Mian couldn't smell anything at all from a few steps away.

In the well-known story, the wine cup contained vinegar, not poison wine.

But what if?

This dynasty was not the one she had seen in history books. Even if it was official history, after a thousand or two thousand years, who could have glimpsed the truth of that time?

There's a 1 in 50 chance it's either vinegar or poison.

You only have one life to live.

Wang Mian struggled instinctively and lived her life again. After traveling through ten years, she cherished her current life immensely.

"Wang, I'm asking you one last time. Would you really rather die than allow your husband to take a concubine?"

Queen Li's voice was colder than usual.

She is like a cold and ruthless person in a high position, looking down on everyone.

As a noble lady with an imperial decree, Wang Mian was just an ant that could be wiped out at will in front of Queen Li.

During the years that Wang Mian lived in this fictional feudal dynasty, he had already deeply experienced the class gap and the cruelty of power.

Even though the person sitting before him was the Queen who was famous for her virtue and kindness, Wang Mian had no doubt about her "decisiveness in killing".

The benevolence of a superior is only relative.

It’s not that they don’t kill, but that they don’t kill indiscriminately.

If they think it is necessary, they will act more decisively than anyone else!

The Crown Prince and the Prince of Yan were both involved in this incident.

As the biological mother of both of them, Queen Li cares more about her son.

The brotherhood between the Crown Prince and Prince of Yan, Prince of Yan's dignity as a prince... Queen Li has to take all of this into consideration.

For these, the noble and virtuous queen will also raise the butcher knife.

Wang Mian's fair and beautiful face was full of struggle.

This time, she was not acting, but was truly hesitant and afraid.

If she wins the bet, she can not only keep Xiao Wuji's harem peaceful and his career smooth, but also get official recognition of "not taking concubines".

From then on, even if her relationship with Xiao Wuzhi broke down and they lost their love, she would still have protection from the royal family and the secular world.

She and Xiao Wuji can truly be "a couple for life".

She might be laughed at and her name might go down in history, but she was able to protect her marriage and not let herself get caught up in the inner house fighting, becoming unrecognizable and turning against her lover!

If you lose the bet, there is only one word - death.

It's still an extremely painful way to die.

The poisonous wine in ancient times was not as magical as portrayed in TV dramas.

The toxin is not pure enough, nor is it poisonous enough. People who drink it will not die immediately, but will suffer from the torture of the poisonous wine.

They will vomit, become incontinent, and have all kinds of painful and miserable reactions, and then slowly die.

Therefore, if one has to choose a way to die, many people would rather choose white silk than poison wine.

Bai Ling can still have a happy ending and maintain her final dignity!

Dying?

Or is it such a painful and undignified way to die?

Wang Mian pinched her palms hard, and the slight pain made her stay awake as much as possible.

"Lord Wang, you don't have to be so decisive!"

"I am only a concubine or two, of humble status. I will never affect the relationship between you and your husband."

"Why don't you just take a step back and accept them into your house? As for whether Xiao Wuji will visit you or not, that's up to him!"

Seeing Wang Mian's face full of struggle, Queen Li felt understanding and a little pity for him.

After all, they are old friends, and this matter, in the final analysis, is all because of his two sons.

Xiao Wuzhi and his wife were innocently involved. They were originally a loving couple, but now they are in a big fight.

No matter how the matter is resolved, Xiao Wuzhi and Wang Mian's reputation will be tarnished.

Queen Li was indeed a protective mother, but she was also truly noble and benevolent, possessing the character and mind of a "mother of the country."

At this moment, rustling footsteps were heard outside the hall.

From far to near, the sound is a little mixed.

A gleam of light flashed in Wang Mian’s eyes: The Crown Princess is here?

But soon, the spark of hope was extinguished again.

What about the Crown Princess?

In front of Queen Li, the Crown Princess is just a junior.

Could she still disobey her elders?

If one is not careful, not only will Wang Mian not be saved, but Queen Li will also be unhappy!

Taking a deep breath, Wang Mian finally made a choice.

She raised her head and said with a polite and persistent tone: "Thank you for your advice, Your Majesty. I will eventually let you down!"

"Xiao Lang and I have a deep and lasting love, and we have pledged our all to each other."

"For a little love, I disrespected the royal family. It's my fault!"

"Your Majesty is so merciful that you didn't punish me harshly. You even gave me the opportunity to choose. I am deeply grateful!"

"...I would rather die than let my husband take a concubine!"

After saying the last sentence, Wang Mian quickly reached out and picked up the wine cup.

She didn't even bother to smell it before drinking it all in one gulp.

Just die.

One cannot have both.

A wealthy and respectable life, a loving and devoted husband, Wang Mian is willing to risk her life for these!

When the contents of the cup rushed into his mouth, Wang Mian had not yet reacted.

Not until she gulped down the liquid, leaving no room for regret, did Wang Mian finally have the mind to savor its flavor.

Sour!

Still a bit bitter!

She won the bet!

This is not poisonous wine, but——

Wang Mian's pupils contracted violently, and he looked at Queen Li sitting in the main seat in shock and confusion.

She seemed a little unconvinced and murmured, "This, this——"

"Haha! That's right, what you drank wasn't poison wine, it was just aged vinegar!"

"... Princess Wang is indeed a strong-willed woman, and her love for her husband is as deep as the ocean!"

"Well, she's just a concubine. It's not a big deal. There's no need to make a fuss!"

"Furthermore, Lord Wang has made considerable contributions to the court. I am not a fool, nor do I murder. I will never kill meritorious officials or court ladies for such trivial matters!"

"Alright! I already know that you and your husband have made a vow that is more important than your life, and I am here to help you!"

Queen Li laughed first, and then made some comments.

Her tone showed both admiration for Wang Mian and a hint of helplessness.

A wife would rather die than let her husband take a concubine. Why should those in power act like villains?

After all, there was something wrong with the King of Yan bestowing beauty.

Queen Li was angry, not because of Xiao Wuzhi and his wife's resistance, but because they deliberately made a big deal out of it.

Xiao Wuji and Wang Mian will certainly become the topic of gossip among the people, one is henpecked and the other is jealous, but who is the King of Yan who caused all this?

Also, was it simply out of brotherly love that the Prince of Yan rewarded the Crown Prince's confidant with a beautiful woman, or was there some other motive?

As the biological mother of the Crown Prince and Prince of Yan, Queen Li naturally did not want to see the brothers fighting against each other.

But Queen Li was not just a mother, she was also the queen, a superior who conquered the world together with the saint.

She could see some clues.

Sanlang, you are having thoughts that you shouldn't be having.

Queen Li could understand this.

The crown prince's position as heir to the throne is indeed stable.

He is the eldest son. He is both civil and military, with outstanding talents. He is deeply trusted by the emperor and respected by court officials. If one must find a flaw, it would be that the prince has a congenital disease.

Although it is not too serious and although it has been properly maintained, it is still a hidden danger.

Even the prince himself cannot guarantee that he can stay healthy and live a long life.

However, in the eyes of some ambitious people, the prince's heart disease is his biggest flaw, and also their opportunity!

The Prince of Yan was tempted and began to fight with the Crown Prince secretly.

When Queen Li realized this, her heart felt as if it was cut in two.

She loved both sons and wanted to protect them both.

However, after careful consideration, Queen Li's heart was slightly inclined towards the prince.

Firstly, the prince was her first child and embodied the most of her love.

Secondly, the prince is the legitimate heir to the dynasty, and it is only natural for him to be the heir.

Thirdly, the prince has a virtuous character and outstanding talents, and is an heir who fully meets the requirements of the emperor and empress.

...On the contrary, it was the King of Yan who disregarded the brotherhood and made a mistake.

Queen Li had the choice between her two sons, so she could be more tolerant towards the prince's confidant.

Xiao Wuji is a young general trained by the prince. In the future, he will expand the prince's territory and fight wars in the east and west.

Moreover, it was Prince Yan who first provoked this matter, and Xiao Wuzhi and his wife were simply unable to protect themselves.

Queen Li sighed secretly and suppressed all her thoughts.

Her expression remained unmoved, remaining graceful, dignified, loving, and tolerant. "Wang Mian, since you have drunk the 'poisoned wine,' then your offense against the King of Yan will be dropped."

Wang Mian's heart experienced a roller coaster ride, up and down, so exciting.

However, she is intelligent and her potential is unleashed in critical moments.

At this moment, her mind was exceptionally clear.

When Wang Mian heard Queen Li mention "poison wine" again, he understood Queen Li's intentions.

The King of Yan gave beauty, but acted inappropriately.

Queen Li would not allow anyone to "mistakenly believe" that Prince Yan and the Crown Prince were not on good terms.

The best way to eliminate a "scandal" is to fabricate a bigger and more attractive news.

Wang Mian smiled shamefully, "My Queen, please stop laughing at me!"

"How can this be called poison wine? It's clearly vinegar!"

"I thought I was going to die, but I didn't realize I was just jealous!"

Wang Mian said this with a certain amount of self-deprecation, and the Crown Princess happened to hear this when she came in.

The Crown Princess is also an intelligent person and has political acumen.

After a brief thought, she understood Queen Li's intentions and Wang Mian's choice.

She first bowed to Empress Li, then, with a puzzled look on her face, asked, "Jealous? Jealous of what? Mother, could it be that I arrived too late and missed the show?"

"Isn't this a good show? This Princess Wang looks weak, but she's actually very strong-willed. She'd rather be jealous than allow her husband to take a concubine!"

Seeing that Wang Mian and the Crown Princess were so understanding, Queen Li smiled even more kindly. She pointed at Wang Mian in the air and said with a hint of anger.

The word "jealousy" was repeatedly reminded by several noble people.

Next, they will spread the word.

The truth about King Yan's gift of beauty will be covered up, and the hot topic among people will be "jealousy"!

To the common people, a noblewoman's jealousy is more attractive than a prince's fight for the throne...