Transmigrating into a book to save her best friend, her sickly husband vies for her affections every

The night grew darker.

It is now the height of summer, and the night view in the suburbs is beautiful with a bright moon and many stars. The location next to the imperial mausoleum is particularly auspicious, making it the best place to stargaze. There are also Taoist temples, Buddhist temples, and some villas and courtyards next to the imperial mausoleum.

Some were used to escape the summer heat, while others were used by high-ranking officials and nobles to confine sick family members.

The royal family also had palaces here, and members of the royal family from all dynasties would visit the imperial tombs.

During Zhao Fucang's reign, his favorite concubine was Consort Xian.

However, the truth seems to be different.

Zhao Siwei jumped down and stared at Zhang Zhan with wide eyes, her breathing becoming rapid. "You, you..."

Under the moonlight, Zhang Zhan's long robe was stained with blood, and his face was also covered in blood. His expression was very cold. He was holding a bundle in his hand, which was still dripping blood. He threw it directly in front of him and said, "Look at this, Ninth Prince."

Zhao Siwei could tell it was a human head, but he didn't dare to look at it.

Consort Xian, could this be Consort Xian...?

His body was even swaying precariously, and his ears were ringing.

Instead, it was Da Shu who spoke up, "Your Highness, isn't this our Empress..."

No?

Zhao Siwei looked over with a mixture of belief and doubt, and saw that the head looked somewhat similar to Consort Xian.

It's just a resemblance; she's not Consort Xian.

He finished in one breath.

"Your figure is even five or six parts similar to your mother's." Zhang Zhan was very impressed, though it was unclear who he was praising. "You're really amazing, managing to switch the baby with the baby. Was that your idea?" His tone was very sarcastic.

Zhao Siwei shook his head, "No." He dared not try to pass off a fake as genuine; that would be a crime of deceiving the emperor. Besides, his hands were shaped like that, and what could be more important than resolving the Yan family's affairs right now?

Then, incredulous, something was wrong: "You want to kill my mother?"

He then asked why Zhang Zhan's expression had suddenly changed, since they had clearly agreed to handle Zhong Youling's burial together.

No, they even forced him to come forward and give Zhong Youling a grand burial.

That's fine. After getting off the carriage and exchanging a few words with his attendants, he started meowing and stretching out his claws like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

Ji Anzhi angered him, and he ended up scolding everyone.

The scolding was secondary; they turned and left without a trace.

It turns out they came to see Consort Xian.

With these words, the guards and attendants accompanying the two left on their own.

We absolutely cannot listen to what they say next; if even a whisper or two gets out, it could cause a major disaster.

Zhang Zhan stared at the severed head on the ground, filled with resentment. "Yes, I want to kill her."

His men discovered Xianfei's whereabouts and came to inform her.

They really did climb onto horseback and come, only to find out it wasn't Consort Xian.

She is someone who looks very much like Consort Xian.

Zhao Siwei could only utter one sentence, "She was wrong, but what about your grandparents—"

"She deserves to die! Don't all the things she's done over the years deserve to die? What does it have to do with who wants to kill her?"

Zhang Zhan interrupted Zhao Siwei directly, his eyes flashing with murderous intent, and the air was thick with hatred.

He thought it was a sign from heaven that he had the chance to kill Consort Xian and use her head to appease Zhong Youling's spirit in heaven.

Zhong Youling had only this wish. His entire family was wiped out in a fight because they tried to protect him and keep him alive!

Damn it, why does everyone have to keep her alive?

Or perhaps Zhao Sifu already had designs on changing the crown prince, and that's why he wanted to temporarily protect Consort Xian.

Thinking this way, Zhang Zhan's resentment grew even stronger.

Consort Xian's sins are too numerous to count. "What your mother did to me, do you think anyone else could have tolerated it? If it were you, could you have tolerated it? If it were you, could you say that since you're not dead, you can just let it go? Can you say such a thing?"

“My grandparents are still living in fear outside because your mother wants to kill them.”

"Your mother didn't kill Old Madam Ji herself; it was caused by her evil deeds!"

"She died in the imperial mausoleum. As long as the news is properly sealed off, who will know? His Majesty will only issue an edict to let Consort Xian die in the imperial mausoleum. What impact will that have on you?"

"Don't say anything like that. She's your mother. Anyone can kill her, but not me. I'm here waiting for you, ready to pay with my life, but..."

"Now that you know I'm here to kill your mother, what are you going to do to me?" Zhang Zhan looked at her with a cold gaze.

They originally planned to kill him first and then discuss other matters, but now that they haven't killed him and Zhao Siwei has found out, he'll probably protect him even better from now on!

I was too hasty, and I made a wrong move!

They were so focused on this great opportunity that they didn't realize that the biggest opportunity was also the biggest trap.

Zhao Sifu probably already knew about his scheme.

It's true what they say, a pot and a lid go hand in hand; no wonder these two get along so well!

"Does it have to be now?" Zhao Siwei asked. "Does it really have to be done right now?"

Zhang Zhan replied without hesitation: "Yes, now."

Zhao Siwei felt reluctant to kill Consort Xian, so the most likely option was to imprison her for life!

He didn't want this outcome; those who make mistakes should die.

Zhao Siwei asked, "Because of Zhongyou Ridge?"

Zhang Zhan hadn't made any moves before, but suddenly he had an idea. Without even thinking it over, the only possibility was Zhong Youling.

"Otherwise what?" Zhang Zhan admitted directly, letting out a cold laugh.

Zhao Siwei: "Did Zhong Youling intend to harm my mother on my wedding night, but was summoned away?"

"I sent someone to take him away," Zhang Zhan said, his heart filled with regret. "He felt that I had stopped him, that if he missed that night, he would never have another chance, or perhaps his memories returned and he didn't want to endure it any longer..."

It's just about enduring the hardship.

Too tormented.

It's his fault. He felt that Zhao Siwei's wedding shouldn't have happened during Zhao Siwei's wedding.

But he didn't expect that Zhong Youling had already lost the will to live on the day his memories returned; he was only sustained by the thought of revenge.

Zhong Youling had even considered him her only family member, her cousin, but he chose Zhao Siwei, whom he was closer to.

This became the very knife that ultimately led to Zhong Youling's demise.

Zhong Youling shouldn't have been let go. Even if she had been allowed to do as she pleased that night, success would have been a matter of fate, and if she hadn't, he would probably have continued to live on with his last breath.

He couldn't say anything that would be alright as long as he was alive.

Some things are worse if you just stay alive.

Zhong Youling committed suicide in front of him.

Looking back now, it was to help him clear his name.

With his death, who wouldn't suspect that he was the one who did it?

Only by dying in his presence could one escape suspicion.

Zhang Zhan's gaze was calm. "Now you know I'm going to kill your mother. What do you want?"

Zhao Siwei sighed deeply, squatted down on the ground, and covered his face with his hands.

He has no strength left.

Why did things still turn out this way?

Zhang Zhan's voice rang in my ears, "I won't make things difficult for you. You are you, and your mother is your mother. That's my opinion."

Zhao Siwei suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed.

He really oversimplified everything.

There's no such thing as everything being alright.

Choosing someone means losing someone else.

In her previous life, Tingyao was forced to marry him, and Old Madam Ji died in the same way, filled with sorrow.

He was poisoned, and his death was inevitable.

He changed his previous enmity with Zhang Zhan, but in doing so, he saw through Consort Xian's true colors.

He knew how difficult it was for Consort Xian to raise her in the deep palace.

Consort Xian could only rely on Zhao Fucang's favor for protection.

Now, let's get straight to the point: we're going to kill his mother.

Are we just going to watch Consort Xian die?

He hated Consort Xian, he hated her.

I didn't hate her enough to want to kill her.

As long as I survive, I don't care about anything else.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Zhan completely understood what Zhao Siwei was thinking.

Zhao Siwei still wanted to protect her incredibly foolish mother.

"I know what you've chosen. I'll only target your mother. If you come at me, don't blame me for hurting you. If you insist on going against me, then I'll return the favor to you."

“Your mother gave me to Prince Fan and killed my grandparents. You took all my savings and went to Yongzhou. I don’t care about these things. Consider it as repayment for protecting me for a few years. As for the rest, it is beyond what your kindness to me can repay.”

“Zhong Youling is an orphan now, so he’s dead and that’s it. You’ll probably just hold a few memorial services for him and then think that’s enough.”

“But someone always has to speak up for him. Ji Anzhi, a young lady from a respectable family, was able to disregard her reputation and speak up for Zhong Youling.”

“I, I know perfectly well who he is, I know perfectly well who caused his wandering and hardship, I even bullied him without knowing it, and I always feel remorse in the middle of the night.”

I couldn't even fall asleep.

All of these scenes depicted Zhong Youling collapsing in front of him.

Bloodstains were everywhere.

"Zhao Jiu, I won't accompany you on your path for now. I'm going to avenge Zhong Youling. I'll seek revenge first, then redress the injustice. If you want to be emperor, you'll always need a good reputation. Quickly abandon your mother."

This was the last piece of advice he could give Zhao Siwei.

As long as Zhao Siwei still wants to protect Consort Xian, then he is only trapping himself in his own web.

Zhao Siwei's strength was completely drained.

Do I have to become the same as in my past life?

Zhang Zhan still wants to be his enemy?

Zhao Siwei said sadly, "Can't we take our time to consider this?"

Zhang Zhan chuckled, finding the words utterly sarcastic.

Why should we take a long-term view?

“If you hadn’t come tonight, we could have discussed this further. But you have come. Why?” Zhang Zhan looked at him. “Are you here to stop me from killing your mother? Or to avenge your mother? Either way, you’re here to oppose me.”

As he spoke, he saw Zhao Siwei kneel on the ground, look up at him, and asked, "Do you want to be the emperor?"

The emperor? What can an emperor do? Whether he does it well or poorly, he will be criticized. Zhang Zhan: "If only by reaching that position can I kill the Consort Xian you want to protect, I am willing. However, after killing her, everything else will be none of my business."

Zhao Siwei steadied himself. "Zhang Zhan, let's talk properly after the Yan family matter is completely over. I will absolutely not protect my mother. Let's work together to clear Zhong Youling's name. If the law requires my mother to die, I will have no objection. Is that alright? Everything has its rules..."

“The charter is meant to appease the powerless and protect the powerful. We both understand that.” Zhang Zhan said, hands behind his back, ignoring his persuasion. “I understand what you mean. From now on, let’s each rely on our own abilities.”

He is currently lacking in both resources and money, so he needs to carefully consider his options.

Sure enough, what his grandfather said while twisting his ear was quite right: one shouldn't be too open with people in the royal family. If you get what you want and give them what they want, then the friendship can be considered to continue, and that's about it.

Well, thankfully, he has hidden his grandfather and grandmother in several different places. Once Consort Xian is completely dead, they can be brought back.

Zhao Siwei was thinking too simply. Zhao Fucang would protect Consort Xian for her sake. At this moment, the only correct course of action was to act swiftly and decisively.

Consort Xian is incredibly fortunate.

Did you do something incredibly good in your past life?

As Zhao Siwei watched Zhang Zhan disappear into the night, a pang of sadness shot through his heart, followed by a sweet taste rising in his throat.

When Da Shu rushed over, he saw Zhao Siwei spit out a mouthful of blood.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, what's wrong?"

Zhao Siwei didn't speak, only feeling that everything in front of him was pitch black.

Back to the palace.

After seeing the imperial physician off, Tingyao returned and looked at Zhao Siwei.

Zhao Siwei closed his eyes, and Tingyao knew he wasn't asleep.

Only the couple were in the room. Tingyao sat on a small stool by the bed. "Your mother lives in the Cold Palace. I went to see her. I won't kill her."

Zhao Siwei's closed eyelids twitched slightly.

"I know you're tired. You should rest for a while. I made you some fish soup. You can have some when you get up later."

“Zhang Zhan was like this before because his grandparents died. What is the reason this time? If you are willing to tell me, then listen. If you are not willing to tell me, then I will not ask. But you must understand Zhang Zhan’s methods. When he really starts to take action, don’t be soft-hearted anymore.”

Zhao Siwei turned to the side and buried his head in the blankets.

Tingyao sighed silently, and finally got up and walked out.

The door creaked shut, Tingyao looked up at the moon, and Zhao Siwei also opened his eyes.

Neither of them seemed to be thinking anything.

Shishi looked at the person pacing outside the courtyard and asked, "What is Your Highness thinking about?"

Tingyao lowered her eyes, "Thinking about the future..."

so amazing.

Somehow, the plot somehow got back on track.

Moreover, it's unclear whether the voice broadcast system is malfunctioning.

It had been a long time since I had thought about Zhao Siwei's emotional state.

Or perhaps, Zhao Siwei has now completely seen through it all.

I'm completely numb...

If he becomes numb, what will happen to him and Meng**?

Tingyao clenched her fists, and Zhenniang came over to say that the fish soup was ready to be served.

Tingyao looked up. "I remember we have bowls with orchid patterns in the private treasury. Let's use them."

Zhenniang exclaimed "Eh!" and then said, "Your Highness, the Ninth Prince instructed that no one is allowed to touch the shelf where that set of tableware is placed, as he seems to really like it."

“Go get it, she won’t blame us,” Tingyao said.

That set of bowls was the one Zhang Zhan sat on when he was a child. He didn't have money to buy Zhao Siwei a birthday gift, so he specially gave it to him.

In her past life, she didn't know that she had used it as a food bowl for the cat.

When Zhao Siwei returned and looked at the bowl, he said the word "regret" to her for the first time.

Regret can sometimes be a good thing.

Since they haven't really fallen out yet, Zhao Siwei should apologize again.

Either everything remains the same, or we completely break off relations.

Zhao Siwei is not ruthless enough, and he still has memories of his past life, which will only make him feel worse.

Now, she has to make the choice for him.

The fish soup was ready, and Tingyao carried it in, only to find that Zhao Siwei was gone, and the window was open.

What about people?