Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

The area around the execution ground was packed with onlookers.

Those who had initially come with the intention of watching the spectacle and uncovering the secrets were now all silent with fear.

I witnessed the poisoned person rolling and struggling on the ground, their skin turning blue and purple, with bulging veins.

The piercing screams seemed to tear their eardrums apart; each sound was like a heavy hammer blow, striking their hearts.

Those at the center of the vortex, the most fervent seekers of longevity, were ashen-faced.

My legs felt weak, my body trembled like a leaf, I was sweating profusely, and I almost fainted.

I remember hearing my elders reminisce about Empress Yuqian.

When discussing the tumultuous court intrigues of the past and her swift and decisive methods, she regarded them as ancient legends.

The thrills in the stories pale in comparison to the awe I felt witnessing firsthand.

Only now did they truly grasp the chilling aura hidden deep within the years.

It felt like being doused with ice water; the chill penetrated to the bone.

And this matter seemed to have grown wings, flying through the streets and alleys, spreading to all corners of the world.

Those who had initially harbored a glimmer of hope and secretly thought they could take advantage of the situation instantly abandoned that idea.

Those who were honest and had no improper thoughts became even more respectful.

The name Lingyan seems to carry an inherent chill; just hearing it makes one feel a coldness on their neck.

Her move, with the poison penetrating the flesh, caused such horrific torture that it was already incredibly terrifying.

Winning hearts and minds is the best policy, serving as a warning to others and letting everyone know the consequences of disobedience and offense, so that they will weigh their actions in fear.

This method, like weaving a fine net, catches all those who are audacious and covetous.

This also ensures that the world remembers Empress Yuqian, who, even in her twilight years, was not to be underestimated.

He remains the same legendary, ruthless figure who controls the winds and clouds and inspires fear in all who behold him.

But Lingyan actually thinks that the reason she lived so long was because she had a very good mindset.

Because she never suffers from internal conflict or anxiety.

Even if I have some negative emotions, I quickly get over them.

These emotions will be released in a timely manner and will never remain in the body.

Moreover, life is about movement, and she has been traveling around the world for decades, so she has naturally gotten plenty of exercise.

Also, she kept everything understated.

Even though she saw off five boyfriends who had been by her side for decades one by one.

But she didn't feel particularly sad, just a little reluctant and unaccustomed.

After all, birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural course of life.

They all died of old age, so she had nothing to be sad about.

Otherwise, having endured five blows, her physical and mental health would have been ruined long ago.

But perhaps it's also because she doesn't love them.

Therefore, you can quickly adjust your mood.

Otherwise, losing a loved one once would be enough, let alone five times.

It is precisely because of her detachment that these are probably the reasons for her longevity.

But who doesn't understand the principle?

But people just can't do it.

So how could she possibly give the secret to longevity?

But they probably thought she had some kind of magic elixir.

How ridiculous! Do they think this is the world of cultivation?

Where do longevity elixirs come from?

Dreams come faster.

…………

After that incident, Lingyan settled down in the Crown Prince's residence, no longer concerning herself with outside affairs, keeping the disturbances outside the vermilion gates.

As the sun warms, the younger generation arrives like cheerful birds, one after another, bringing their energy and enthusiasm as they knock on the gate.

In the courtyard, she sat upright on a carved chair, surrounded by young faces.

Laughter and chatter filled the air as they discussed local anecdotes and new poems, creating a relaxed and contented atmosphere.

When the mood struck, he waved his hand, and the opera troupe filed in.

The erhu whistles and the gongs and drums clang, and the actors, dressed in their finest costumes, take to the stage to portray the joys and sorrows of human life.

She gently waved her round fan, lost in thought, her eyes squinting contentedly as if recalling the simple joys of life amidst the trials and tribulations of the past.

In his spare time, he would also step out of the mansion and stroll to the entertainment center and his own shops.

Stepping into the entertainment center, seeing the bustling crowds and vibrant atmosphere, one feels a sense of vitality.

Then, in each shop, a dazzling array of goods were neatly displayed, and the shop assistants greeted customers with smiles, indicating that business was booming.

She looked around, her gaze gentle and gratified.

That overflowing sense of peace and joy, like the warm spring sun, melted into this bustling and busy scene.

This is probably what a peaceful and serene life looks like.

…………

It felt like a fleeting moment, yet also like an eternity of shifting stars and changing constellations.

Five years have slipped away unnoticed.

Like spring blossoms, summer fireflies, autumn leaves, and winter snow.

Rushing into the depths of time, leaving behind only a dappled shadow.

When Lingyan sensed that her time was coming to an end, and in the very last moment, she returned to the Duke of Jing's mansion.

It's likely that people think about returning to their roots, to where they came from, before they die.

So she returned to the Duke of Jing's mansion and to her little courtyard.

Stepping through the gates of the mansion, a familiar yet old-fashioned atmosphere greets you.

The vermilion paint is mottled, the stone path is covered with moss, and time has quietly settled here.

Stepping into that small courtyard, time seemed to rewind instantly, and decades of life vanished like smoke.

She hadn't set foot here again for decades since the day she returned to her parents' home.

Now, as soon as I enter her courtyard, all the memories flood my mind instantly, filled with memories of her and Yunmeng.

Yunmeng...

But her life, Yunmeng, was forever frozen at the age of twenty-one.

And he died for her.

She has been gone for far too long.

Ling Yan took a deep breath, trying her best to suppress the overwhelming sadness.

The bitterness seemed about to burst through her chest, but she held it back firmly with her resilience.

Then she shakily lifted her leg, each step feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds.

The soles of the shoes rubbed against the ground, making a soft, slow sound, like a sigh of the passing years.

Then his gaze swept across the small courtyard inch by inch.

The familiar layout, the old and mottled corners, the slightly faded doors and windows—all the past events vividly leap before my eyes.

She walked around the corridor and through the archway, finally reaching the crabapple tree outside the courtyard, where she sat down gently with a sigh of relief.

A gentle breeze blew by, and crabapple petals drifted down. She looked up and gazed at them, her thoughts wandering far away.

Her life was smooth sailing, and all her plans came true.

Apart from Yunmeng, I have no regrets.

Looking back on everything from the past, I feel that they shine brightly in the depths of my memory, as clear as yesterday.

It's as if you could reach out and touch those vibrant faces and the burning moments of time.

Looking back, I feel nothing but peace and tranquility.

At this moment, her eyes gradually dimmed, as if she wanted to freeze her entire life in this moment.

Then she slowly raised her hand, her fingertips lightly touching the hairpin that He Jingchuan had given her.

The patterns on the hairpin caressed her fingertips, as if the image of him meticulously carving the hairpin and presenting it to her with anticipation was recreated.

After a slight pause, her hand slowly moved down to touch the earring that Shen Qingchen had given her.

The warm touch seemed to still carry the soft words he whispered as he gently put it on her.

Continuing to move, she touched the necklace given to her by Chu Xiyao around her neck.

The cold chain touched her warm fingers, and memories of him happily handing it to her and entrusting her with cherishing it flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.

Then, the bracelet was placed in the palm.

Lu Yanqing spent countless days meticulously stringing and polishing each bead, condensing the affection etched around her wrist into this bracelet, which she cherished and savored with each touch.

Finally, my gaze settled on the ring on the ring finger of my left hand.

The scene of Xiao Muyao solemnly putting on the sash and making a promise when he gave it to me remains vivid in my heart.

The five men gave her many gifts, each one carrying a hidden sentiment.

But she was unable to carry everything, so she could only choose this one that stayed close to her, just as she chose to spend the years with them.

Let these things, filled with love and cherishment, accompany her through the final chapter of her life.

In this final moment, Lingyan mustered all her strength, slowly raised her head, and struggled to look up at the sky.

The light and shadows before my eyes were mottled, and the scenery of the world gradually became blurred in my dim vision, like an old painting that had been stained.

Yet the sunlight, filling the sky, still pierced through the mist, stubbornly casting its warm rays.

It seemed as if it wanted to leave a brilliant mark in her final memories.

Upon seeing this, the corners of her mouth twitched slightly, revealing a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

Her lips parted slightly, and she murmured her words, as if afraid to disturb the peaceful moment: "The weather is so nice today... It's just a pity that I will never see such warm sunshine again."

After speaking, the smile lingered on his lips, and his eyes slowly closed.

Long eyelashes covered her eyelids, as if she were simply taking a normal rest and falling into a deep sleep.

All was quiet, with only a gentle breeze.

Like a gentle lament sung by heaven and earth, it quietly passed by.

Crabapple blossoms fell from the branches like snowflakes, fluttering down in a soft rustling sound.

Layer upon layer, covering her with a quilt of romantic flowers.

As if time itself couldn't bear to part with it, it bestowed upon us this beautiful final chapter.

The flowers have fallen.

The person died.