Winter of the 21st year of Emperor Li Kang.

The emperor of Nan Chu died suddenly, the second prince Situ Ming ascended the throne and changed the national name to "Xuan Sheng".

On the Golden Hall, Yun Qingwan had her tongue pulled out and was pressed to the ground, bowing three times nine times to the young emperor on the Dragon Throne. Her forehead was covered with patches of blood from the impact.

Above the dais, Situ Ming wore a dragon robe. There was a hint of ruthlessness and evasion in his handsome eyes. After quickly glancing at Yun Qingwan, he raised his hand to signal an eunuch to announce the imperial decree.

"By Heaven's mandate, the Emperor proclaims: Wife of Duke Tíng, Yun Qīng has an evil heart and poisoned the former emperor. Her crime is unforgivable…"

Yun Qin listened to this, her eyes widening like copper bells in disbelief, staring fixedly at the new emperor with a small, muffled sound of resistance in her throat.

When was the former emperor poisoned?

Wasn't the previous emperor poisoned to death by Sima Ming?

Before he poisoned him, I warned him that murdering the emperor was a great crime.

But he held her shoulders tightly and said, "Wan'er, only when Father dies can I ascend the throne smoothly and take you back from King Ting! Wan'er, I won't allow you to suffer in Ting Wangfu for a lifetime!"

The thought of my beloved being with another man, indulging in such intimacy, is unbearable! I can't stand it for even a moment.

Do you still remember, at that time, Si Tu Ming grabbed his aching arm.

Do you still remember the crazed, obsessive look in his eyes when he said that?

He also said, "Wan'er, I was wrong to have married you off to King Ting."

But in the future, I will definitely do my best to treat you well!

The world believes I covet the throne, but they do not know that everything I have done is to atone for the sins I committed against you in my ignorance.

Back then, I shouldn't have listened to your father's advice and married you off to the Ting Royal Manor.

Back then, it was your father who played favorites, reluctant to let go of his other sons but willing to sacrifice you to become a spy for the TING Royal Mansion. If I had known all this earlier...

There's no medicine for regret in this world.

Now, King Ting holds the military power. I couldn't save you from him.

Wan'er, listen to me, the Crown Prince is dead now. Once my father passes away, I will be the emperor rightfully.

Then, even if King Teng was unwilling, he would have to hand you over!

He even covered his mouth, his face flushed red as he stared intensely, "Wan'er, do you understand the depth of my love for you?"

Do you understand?

Understood?

At this moment, Yun Qingwan stared at the man on the throne, her eyes almost brimming with tears.

Six years ago, he claimed to have refused, but agreed to his father's arrangement and married the disabled King Ting as a concubine. He became a pawn in the Prince Ting's court, paving the way for his ascension to the throne.

Three years ago, King Ting went to war. He forced her, who was carrying his child.

And then, out of concern for her safety, he gave her abortion pills.

That abortion pill, yes, it was personally poured down by her elder sister Yun Qingran.

The night before King Ting's army retreated, he was suffering from labor pains due to a miscarriage.

From now on, no more facing King Ting!

Now, he has assassinated the emperor and become the new emperor of Nanchu, yet claims to be the executioner who committed regicide!

But, his tongue was pulled out at the first moment, he couldn't even utter a word in rebuttal!

And the man who kept saying he was alone, at this very moment sitting beside him, was someone else entirely....

That person who was once infertile and came to seek medical treatment!

Even dressed in robes, on his wrist was still the bracelet he wore when he came for treatment before.

At that time, the man had his face covered and refused to say a word. Situ Ming said, "This is my niece. She's already married, but she hasn't given birth in two or three years. Her in-laws are inevitably disappointed... so I brought her over for you to take a look."

"Your medical skills are unparalleled in the world, I believe you must have a way."

It's done.

Today, he has actually placed his so-called "married cousin" on the throne!

At this moment, his "cousin" lifted the veil and put on the crown, only to discover that it wasn't his cousin at all, but his elder sister Yun Qing!

That person who once personally handed me the abortion pills and made me miscarry!

At this moment, she sat beside Situ Ming, looking graceful and elegant. Her abdomen was visibly protruding.

With a single glance, Yun Qingwan, the renowned physician, could tell that she was pregnant. The child must be at least four or five months old.

Dearest of kin, to actually collude together!

How ridiculous!

What irony!

Yun Qingwan only felt that she had been a big fool these years!

What's even more chilling is that at this time, not a single one of these court officials hadn't received favors from the emperor.

Treat the sick and save lives, welcoming all who come without ever asking for anything in return.

I thought they would at least say a few more words.

But, on the contrary, last night Si Tu Ming's case files were piled high with petitions for death, all from these very people!

The hearts of men are wicked, to such a degree...

The past was like smoke and clouds, also like a blade passing through my mind. Yun Qing arched her head and laughed long and loud at the sky, letting out a strange and eerie sound.

Only to hear that eunuch's hoarse voice, like a goose, cry out urgently, "Quickly! Quickly put him in the sky prison, and choose a day for execution!"

Then, two soldiers stepped forward and dragged him out.

His eyes were practically spitting fire as he stared at the man in the dragon robe.

My vision blurred, but the two shadows on the dragon throne were seared into my memory.

Staring at the gradually blurring figure, he roared, "If there is an afterlife, I, Yun Qing, swear that I will make all of you pay for this!"

Winter's wind and snow raged, the ground covered in a layer of snow half a foot deep, leaving long tracks wherever it was trod.

The snow had been stained red, stretching from outside the Golden Palace all the way, a sight that was truly alarming.

Just as they arrived at the midday gate, a commotion suddenly erupted outside.

The Imperial Guards stumbled in, shouting frantically, "It's terrible! King Ting has led his army in!"

King of Thunder!

Yu Qing Wan, who was being dragged by the army, was startled and instinctively let go of her hands. She fell to the ground with a thud.

Lord of Thunder...

The late emperor's fourth son, the formidable General of the Year, was once a major headache for Situ Ming.

Sishu Ming spent a whole eight years plotting against him and finally poisoned the previous emperor to usurp the throne.

But who would have thought, he had only been on the throne for three days when King Ting launched a coup!

He ultimately... still rebelled.

A bleak smile played on Yun Qing's lips.

Is it… for a reason? Or, is there not even a little bit of a relationship?

Yun Qingwan dared not imagine.

After all, he was just a spy buried in Ting Wangfu by Situ Ming and the chancellor.

In this lifetime, I have schemed against him, betrayed him, and hurt him. Adding to that this messy child, what face do I have left to claim the title of Duchess of Ting?

However, one has to admit, Nan Chuting Wang was a truly remarkable man. Even those standing on the opposing side couldn't help but glance back at him time and again...

Yun Qing wan slowly turned her head, turning to look at the door.

The Wumen has been breached, the winter wind blows fiercely in your face, a towering figure strides forward like a god.

The same cloak billowed outside his black armor, he gripped the cold blade arrogantly close, a chilling aura rolled up the snow!

His upper body was covered in scratches, but from the way he strode confidently, they couldn't have been his.

Yun Qingwan blinked, almost forgetting the pain she was in.

The man's outline came into sharp focus in her gaze.

His gaze was incredibly sharp, his features handsome and piercing. He seemed like a drawn sword, unstoppable!

He is the hero of the Southern Chu, the domineering Thunder King!

Yes, my husband, but I am ashamed to even look at his eyes.

But when his gaze was not upon him, he suddenly quickened his pace, as if charging toward him.

But just at that moment, the crazed soldier drew his sword and slashed at his own neck.

Yun Qing's breath hitched, the man flying towards her blurring into a slanted shadow in her vision...

Suddenly, a mournful voice cried out, "Yun Qingwan!"

Darkness descended, clouds swirling, obscuring everything. I had no energy left to even think.

Only that person's sword-like eyebrows, eyes like eternal night, every inch of their outline became clearer and clearer...