Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

As night fell, Shen Lang personally led Jiang Mengxuan on a tour of the Wu Imperial Palace.

Although the territory of the State of Wu was smaller than that of the State of Chu, the Wu Commandery was far less prosperous than Jinling.

However, the Wu Kingdom's palace occupied nearly a quarter of the Wu Commandery's territory, demonstrating just how extravagant the royal family's life was.

Especially when she saw the thirteen Taoist temples and palaces lined up in one place, Jiang Mengxuan couldn't help but sigh.

“The suffering of the common people is nothing compared to the hardship of a single tile in the imperial court. I never imagined that Wu Ji, as the ruler of a country, would be so absurd.”

Shen Lang shook his head: "It's not that Wu Ji is confused, but that he knows he can't change Wu's current situation."

Some simply use the path of immortality to escape reality. As for the common people, how many rulers throughout history have truly cared about their lives?

Jiang Mengxuan: "A Lang, don't be so pessimistic. I'm not like those tyrannical rulers..."

Shen Lang interrupted her: "Xuan'er, of course I know you're different from them, but sometimes people's thoughts change depending on their position."

As the ruler of a country, you have many things to consider, but no one can be perfect in every aspect.

Occasional oversights are not terrible; what is terrible is watching those oversights grow bigger and bigger while remaining indifferent.

The rise and fall of a nation often stems from these seemingly insignificant oversights.

"Ah."

Jiang Mengxuan responded softly.

"During my time leaving the palace, I experienced firsthand what human suffering truly looks like. While expanding territory is undoubtedly a glorious achievement that every monarch dreams of,..."

However, governing the land and its people was also a responsibility that emperors truly had to bear.

"Xuan'er, don't worry too much. No matter how difficult the situation is, I will face it with you side by side."

“Ah Lang”.

Jiang Mengxuan called out softly and nestled quietly in the man's arms.

"I'm so glad I have you by my side to help me, I..."

"Here we go again. These words are too formal. I've already said, Chu is my home. How could I bear to see my home riddled with holes? Don't worry, things will get better from now on."

Listening to Shen Lang's comforting words, Jiang Mengxuan's heart gradually melted.

……

The main hall of the West Garden of the Imperial Palace has long been abandoned.

Squeaky--

Suddenly, the sound of a door hinge rubbing together rang out.

An uninvited guest leisurely stepped into this long-abandoned palace.

"Long live my emperor!"

The moment Wu Li stepped into the palace gates, she heard a chorus of shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" as if she had returned to the prosperous scene of her first ascension to the throne.

When she came to her senses, the hall was dark.

Wu Li carried a lantern and walked to the imperial desk in front of her.

A gentle breeze stirs up countless plumes of dust.

"It's still the same as always, nothing has changed."

Wu Li chuckled dryly and sat down directly in front of the imperial desk.

It seems they are reminiscing about their past glories.

But more than anything, there are those unbearable memories.

Right there in this main hall of the West Garden, one man after another lewdly pounced on him, pinning him down in every corner...

He himself became hopelessly addicted to sensual pleasures and no longer paid attention to national affairs.

Recalling the past, Wu Li let out a sorrowful sigh for the first time.

Then she got up and began searching for something inside the palace.

Finally, she found the item she had been searching for in a crack in the wall.

A small urn containing ashes.

"Cultivation..."

She held the urn containing the ashes and knelt directly on the ground.

Tears fell like broken raindrops, one by one, onto the urn.

"Xiuzhi, I'm sorry. I betrayed you and deceived you. Do you hate me?"

A gust of cold wind blew by, lifting the old roller blind.

"You must hate me, right?"

Wu Li gave a bitter smile.

"Do you know that I saw your shadow in the husband of another empress? Back then, you were just as selfless and willing to risk your life for me, weren't you?"

"However, because of worldly views, I killed you with my own hands, while that empress chose a completely different path."

"I'm so jealous of her, I'd even want to destroy her, to turn her into someone as slutty as me, but..."

"But I hate myself even more. If I had the courage of an empress, would the outcome be different now?"

"Xiuzhi, I really know I was wrong, and I don't expect you to forgive me, but after all these years, you must be very lonely, right?"

"Actually, I had planned to come and be with you a long time ago, but I must make everyone who killed you pay the price, including the entire Wu royal family!"

"Now that I've succeeded, I can come to see you. Are you still waiting for me down there?"

As she spoke, Wu Li stood up, holding the urn, walked to the curtain, and untied the lampshade.

The candlelight began to burn slowly the moment it lit the moldy curtain.

Wu Li's pupils reflected the rising flames, and she couldn't help but reveal a tragic smile.

"But, with my withered and broken body, am I still worthy of you, Xiu Zhi..."

The fire gradually grew larger and then spread to the roof beams.

"Let this fire burn me clean. My body may be dirty, but my soul is clean. Xiuzhi, please don't despise me."

The fire gradually spread, eventually engulfing the entire palace.

Wu Li staggered to the imperial desk, quietly waiting for the final moment to arrive.

The smoke filled the air, obscuring people's vision.

Wu Li gradually closed her eyes.

"Ali!"

In a hazy state, Wu Li heard a soft call.

When she opened her eyes again, she found herself holding an oil-paper umbrella, standing on a misty, rainy riverbank.

The reflection in the water was of my face in my youth.

"Ali!"

Another soft call.

The moment Wu Li looked up, she saw a handsome young man standing on a small boat on the lake, slowly sailing towards her in the drizzle.

Upon seeing this face, Wu Li finally smiled.

Her smile was completely genuine, without the slightest hint of affectation.

As the small boat approached the shore, the man reached out his hand from the bow.

"Ah Li, I've been waiting for you for a long time. Would you like to stroll with me to the West Garden Lake Pavilion this time and enjoy the spring scenery and greenery?"

Upon hearing the man's words, Wu Li reached out without hesitation and grabbed him.

"Xiuzhi, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. This time, I'll stay with you and we'll never be apart again."

"Ali!"

Upon reaching the bow of the boat, the two men looked at each other and shared an oil-paper umbrella.

In the misty drizzle, the small boat slowly drifted away from the riverbank, heading gently towards the center of the lake shrouded in mist...

Amidst the raging flames, Wu Li, leaning back on the dragon throne, smiled happily.

As her clenched arms slowly fell to her sides, it was all over.

At that moment, cries of surprise rang out from outside the palace gates.

"Fire! Help put out the fire!"

……

The next morning, Jiang Mengxuan looked at the West Garden Palace, which had been burned to ruins, and could only sigh helplessly.

In fact, when Wu Li mentioned that she wanted to go back to the Wu Palace for a visit, she had already guessed her fate.

I never imagined that she would end her life in this way.

From this day forward, Empress Wu Li will become a thing of the past.

All the hatred and resentment vanished with her death.

"Wu Li, the grudges between you and me are over. I will do better than you and be more outstanding than you."

Jiang Mengxuan made a silent vow in her heart.

Looking at the West Garden Palace before him, and then at Jiang Mengxuan's profile, Shen Lang instantly understood that this was his wife's arrangement.

"Don't worry, that day will never come for you, as long as I'm here."

As soon as this thought arose, the ability to foresee the future, which he had just obtained from Sima Wang, erupted once again.

In my mind, the image of Jiang Mengxuan, scarred and alone, facing a massive army remains vivid...

"What's going on? Is this thing causing trouble again?"

Trying to banish the scene from his mind, Shen Lang clenched his fists even tighter.