After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

As the sun gradually sank in the west, it slowly slid down the horizon like a giant orange fireball. The sky was dyed with a magnificent and colorful sunset, like a beautiful painting unfolding before people's eyes.

After a busy day, Fan Qingli returned to his residence with light and steady steps.

The butler had just greeted Fan Qingli at the door when shouts rang out from the backyard.

"Who did this! Who did this?!"

Fan Qingli rushed out of the study with the painting in her hand and shouted in the courtyard.

Two women hurried out. The one in front was named Luo Xuemei. She walked quickly forward, her gaze fixed on the scroll in Fan Qingli's hand.

As Luo Xuemei drew closer, a chill ran down her spine. This was the very scroll she had discovered in her study earlier that day! However, the once complete and exquisite painting had been mostly burned; the delicate, vivid brushstrokes and vibrant colors were now nothing but charred marks.

Luo Xuemei had a bad feeling.

The butler also ran over upon hearing the noise.

"Young Master, what has happened?"

"Who has entered my study today?" Fan Qingli was furious, gripping the scroll tightly, veins bulging on her hands, as if she would find the culprit and tear her to pieces at any moment.

Luo Xuemei's heart began to clench.

"The study?" Xue Xiqiong quickly ran over.

"Ah Qingli, I know who has been in your study!"

Fan Qingli glanced at her sideways, not intending to speak to her.

"You should admit it yourselves! I can let bygones be bygones."

"Qingli, I really saw it, it was her!" Xue Xiqiong pointed at Luo Xuemei and said, "She's the one who went into your study and burned your paintings!"

Fan Qingli looked at Luo Xuemei, who lowered her head and said timidly, "Husband, I went to your study today."

"See, she admitted it." Xue Xiqiong put her hands on her hips and tilted her head back triumphantly.

“But I only helped my husband take his things inside, I didn’t burn this painting! I’ve never even seen it.” Luo Xuemei quickly added, her eyes glistening with tears, like a frightened fawn, so innocent that no one dared to speak harshly to her.

Fan Qingli began to reflect on whether she had been too harsh in her tone.

Xue Xiqiong continued, "You were the only one who went in today. Do you think you didn't burn the painting? You dare say you didn't see it?"

"I see a woman in this painting; you're just jealous!"

"If it were because of her, we wouldn't have been..."

Before Xue Xiqiong could finish speaking, Luo Xuemei and Fan Qingli both glared at her, and she realized that she had said the wrong thing.

Luo Xuemei retorted, "Since you saw it, why didn't you stop me then? Why did you have to say it now in front of so many people?"

"I..." Xue Xiqiong was speechless for a moment.

"Alright! That's enough. No one is allowed in my study anymore," Fan Qingli interrupted.

"Hey, are you just going to ignore this? She burned your painting!"

Fan Qingli, out of consideration for Luo Xuemei, decided not to pursue the matter further, but Xue Xiqiong persisted.

"If you burn the painting today, who knows what will happen tomorrow?"

"I don't!"

"You're the one who burned it!"

Fan Qingli was already annoyed by her voice, and now they were arguing endlessly.

Finally, unable to hold back any longer, he slapped her across the face.

Everyone in the hospital lowered their heads, not daring to look.

Luo Xuemei was also so frightened that her body trembled.

The courtyard suddenly became eerily quiet.

Xue Xiqiong covered her face and looked at him in pain, "Fan Qingli, are you kidding me? She was the one who went into your room, why are you hitting me!"

Why do you always hit me?

"I'm warning you, Xue Xiqiong, stay away from my study from now on."

With a bang, Fan Qingli took the painting into the study and slammed the door shut.

Most of the people at the door of the study had left.

Xue Xiqiong glared at her fiercely, "Luo Xuemei, you're really something! You were the one who burned the painting, yet you made me get beaten up."

"I don't know what you mean by that." Luo Xuemei lowered her eyes, her gaze revealing a hint of grievance.

"This only shows that you no longer hold an important place in your husband's heart," Luo Xuemei whispered in her ear, making no attempt to hide it.

"You've already been beaten up. If I were you, I definitely wouldn't have the face to stay here."

"You!" Xue Xiqiong was furious with her.

Luo Xuemei turned around with a smug smile on her face.

Just a few hours earlier, when Luo Xuemei entered the study, she caught a glimpse of Xue Xiqiong following behind her.

After dinner, Luo Xuemei noticed that Fan Qingli's study light was still on, so she took a late-night snack to the study.

"Husband, are you still awake? I had the kitchen prepare a midnight snack." Luo Xuemei placed the food on the desk.

"Let it go!"

Seeing that Luo Xuemei had put down her food but hadn't left, Fan Qingli asked, "Is there anything else?"

"I'm so sorry, my husband! I just wanted to put your things in the study, I never expected to burn your paintings."

Fan Qingli grasped Luo Xuemei's hand, "I know you wouldn't do something so underhanded."

"It's alright! You should rest well! I still have some work to do." Fan Qingli gently touched her cheek.

Luo Xuemei left the study, closing the door dejectedly. "Husband, I'm going to disappoint you this time."

-

"Imperial Physician, why hasn't she woken up yet?" Chu Yan had been by her side for three days.

"The mother is weak! We'll have to wait a few more days."

Cao Yuan opened her eyes groggily upon hearing the sound.

"She's awake! Your Highness, look!" Jinzhu grabbed Chu Yan's arm and pointed to Cao Yuan on the bed.

"Ah Yuan! Are you awake? Are you feeling unwell anywhere? Are you hungry?"

Chu Yan held Cao Yuan's hand tightly, and stroked her head with his other hand.

She recalled the scene from that day, pulled her hand away from his, and turned her head to one side.

"Ah Yuan, I know you hate me! But don't be so hard on yourself."

"I had Jinzhu bring you some food, please eat some."

"I don't want to see you!" Cao Yuan turned her head away with difficulty.

Chu Yan stood up and went to the outer hall.

Jinzhu squatted down beside the bed.

"Your Highness, it's me! The Crown Prince has already left."

"The imperial physician said that your pregnancy has been lost."

Cao Yuan felt a lump in her throat. Although she already knew the result, she didn't expect to hear it in person, and it still hurt her heart.

"Your Highness, we should look ahead. Let's eat first."

"I want to go home!" Cao Yuan rubbed her eyes.

"I don't want to eat anything! I couldn't even save one child, how can I not take my life!"

Eunuch Li brought in the medicine from outside. "Your Highness, the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician is ready!"

"Your Highness, I know you are heartbroken! But the child is gone. Your Highness is still young and can have another one. Don't hold a grudge against the Crown Prince."

"Your Highness, Your Highness."

Chu Yan clenched his fists and rushed to Cao Yuan's bedside, pulling her up from the bed.