First annul the engagement, then sever ties with the empress; the empress reigns supreme.

Those in the know understand that what Emperor Sheng meant by "meditation" was nothing more than taking elixirs and then going to the harem to have fun with the young concubines.

Once Emperor Sheng left, only Qingyanzi, Mu Lingche, and Feng Wu remained in the hall.

Mu Lingche was still kneeling when Qingyanzi walked up to him and looked at him arrogantly, his expression saying, "Dare to offend me, and you'll regret it."

A murderous intent emanated from his eyes, almost becoming tangible, and he charged fiercely towards Qingyanzi, his clenched fists cracking.

Just as Mu Lingche could no longer hold back and was about to strike Qingyanzi, he was stopped by Feng Wu.

Mu Lingche's killing intent remained undiminished, and he turned back to glare at Feng Wu with a dark expression.

At this moment, Feng Wu mistakenly believed that under Qing Yanzi's persuasive words and forceful words, she had already switched sides to Qing Yanzi.

Feng Wu was, after all, a princess of a country. Back in Qin, everyone praised her for being smart and capable.

She was not so easily frightened by Mu Lingche.

Feng Wu calmly shook her head at Mu Lingche and whispered, "Husband, let's go back to the manor first."

The entire imperial city is guarded by the Imperial Guards. It is clear that Emperor Sheng is deaf to any other opinions and only trusts Qingyanzi. At this time, any conflict with Qingyanzi will only give him another pretext to cause trouble.

Perhaps, under Qingyanzi's instigation, Emperor Sheng will really kill Mu Lingche.

Mu Lingche wasn't truly mindless; under Feng Wu's gentle reassurance, his anger gradually subsided. He still seemed to want to kill Qing Yanzi, but for the time being, he chose to endure. He rose to his feet with Feng Wu's help, and then left the palace with her assistance.

After leaving the imperial city and getting into the carriage, Mu Lingche raised his lowered eyes only after making sure no one was eavesdropping.

He sincerely apologized: "I'm sorry, Fengwu, I've dragged you into this. I should have listened to your advice and not offended that evil Taoist."

Feng Wu didn't become hysterical. She gently took Mu Lingche's hands and placed them on her knees, opening Mu Lingche's clenched fingers that had been tightly gripping since they left the palace.

When the fingers were spread open, it was clear that both palms had been pinched until they bled by Mu Lingche.

Feng Wu took out a handkerchief and wiped the bloodstains from Mu Lingche's palms: "You don't need to apologize to me. If you only bow and scrape before that evil Taoist, I will despise you. Even if it's for survival and you have to curry favor with the powerful, you still have to have a bottom line. That evil Taoist bullies men and women, he will be punished."

Feng Wu's quiet persuasion, her expression devoid of joy or sorrow, drove Mu Lingche wild with excitement—a feeling he had never experienced even in bed.

A tenderness flashed in his eyes, and suddenly he felt a deep reluctance to part with Feng Wu. He had originally thought that his marriage would only be a transaction, and that nothing like emotions would develop between him and this woman.

But now it has appeared.

Mu Lingche took a deep breath: "Feng Wu, go back and pack your things. I'll have someone escort you out of the capital. Don't go back to Qin. Find a beautiful place with clear waters and lush mountains and live a good life."

Feng Wu looked up in surprise: "And what about you?"

Mu Lingche gave a bitter smile and withdrew his hands from Gu Junxi's knees: "The two of us together would be too conspicuous and we wouldn't be able to leave. Besides, I'm different from you. The whole world belongs to the emperor, and I am a prince of the Great Sheng. To run away would be treason. My father would never let me go."

This is the tragedy of being a prince; you have no say in what you do.

“But if I leave now, Father will never let you go.” Feng Wu was moved by Mu Lingche’s consideration for her. All her life, everyone around her had only ever used her. This was the first time someone had genuinely cared about her.

Moved, she also genuinely cared about Mu Lingche.

Mu Lingche shook his head, looking exhausted. He had even resigned himself to his fate: "Whatever, he gave me this life anyway. If he wants to take it back, so be it. I'm tired after struggling for so long."

Feng Wu was also affected by Mu Lingche's negative emotions. She did not say another word as the carriage continued forward and returned to the Sixth Prince's residence.

As soon as Mu Lingche and Feng Wu returned to the manor, a group of imperial guards surrounded the Sixth Prince's residence, claiming to be acting on Emperor Sheng's orders to escort Feng Wu to the Imperial Preceptor's residence.

This completely blocked Feng Wu's escape route.

"Don't be afraid. No matter the cost, I will have someone escort you out of the capital." Mu Lingche made up his mind.

Feng Wu changed out of the gorgeous palace dress she wore when she entered the palace and put on a simple, plain-colored silk dress. While putting on earrings in front of the mirror, she said to Mu Lingche, who was sitting in a chair with a gloomy face, "Perhaps we haven't reached the point where we absolutely have to escape the capital. I thought of someone who might be able to help us."

"Who?" Mu Lingche raised an eyebrow in confusion.

At the Ningyuan Marquis's residence, Gu Junxi was still researching Gu poison. After seeing Long Yao and Feng Wu off yesterday, she did not expect to see Feng Wu again so soon.

This time, however, Feng Wu didn't enter through the front door, but instead chose to climb over the wall.

After being discovered by the guards of the mansion, he immediately stated that his body had been brought before Gu Junxi.

Both Feng Wu and Mu Lingche dressed modestly and wore cloaks.

Gu Junxi, dressed in a plain white dress, opened the door to her room before she could even put on a sickly makeup.

Gu Junxi had already heard about what happened at the palace that morning.

She glanced indifferently at Feng Wu and Mu Lingche: "Sixth Prince's Consort, instead of preparing properly at home at this hour, you're going to the Imperial Preceptor's residence tomorrow to help him refine pills. What brings you to my residence?"

Feng Wu pulled Mu Lingche to bow to Gu Junxi: "We have come to ask the Crown Princess for help."

"I'm afraid I can't help you. You know I'm pregnant and need to rest. Sixth Prince's Consort, you should go back with the First Prince." Gu Junxi refused.

"Please, Your Highness, help me." Although Gu Junxi refused immediately, Feng Wu still knelt down before her.

Although she had already visited Gu Junxi yesterday to test her, and Gu Junxi looked sickly and heartbroken, she chose to believe her at the time.

But afterwards, she still felt that Gu Junxi was not that simple.

Loving couples don't easily turn against each other.

Even if they were manipulated by someone with ulterior motives and turned against each other at the time, they would definitely realize what had happened afterward.

In the entire capital city of Dasheng, she respected no one except Gu Junxi.

She was now desperate and instinctively felt that only Gu Junxi could save her.

Moreover, Gu Junxi was able to set aside all grudges and save her life on their wedding day, which shows he is a person with a strong sense of righteousness. She believed that such a person would not stand idly by while villains were in power.

"Sister-in-law, as long as you save Feng Wu this time, I am willing to follow His Highness the Crown Prince's lead from now on." Mu Lingche thought for a moment and then expressed his opinion.

Everyone wants the throne, but not everyone can afford it.

It was during this ordeal that Mu Lingche truly realized how limited his abilities were.

Faced with Qingyanzi's persecution, he was powerless to even launch a counterattack.

Moreover, after finding the love she desired, she suddenly realized that power wasn't so important anymore.

If he were to blindly pursue power and pleasure and end up like the incompetent and mad Emperor Sheng, he would rather be a commoner.

Besides, he felt that there was nothing wrong with spending the rest of his life like Prince Su, living a wealthy and leisurely life.