Chapter 156

Su Hua slammed a massive pile of property deeds onto the table with a loud smack.

Wei Jue looked up, puzzled.

“What… is this?”

“Property deeds. Take them.”

Su Hua sat down, poured herself a cup of tea, and took a sip before adding, “You’ve got a lot of people to support, right? Can’t do that without money.”

Wei Jue flipped through the deeds one by one—prime farmland, high-end shops in the capital’s best districts.

“You’ve been out these past few days handling this?”

Su Hua nodded, downing a few more cups of tea.

“Mhm. Exhausting.”

Wei Jue gave her a complicated look before neatly stacking the papers and carefully storing them in a box alongside the note Su Hua had written him earlier.

After spending so much time together, Wei Jue had learned one thing: If she gives you something, you take it—even if you have to throw it away later.

“Host! The boss’s blackening value has dropped to 100!” The system,De’er, cheered excitedly.

“As expected, only material goods can save the boss!”

Su Hua: “…”

You have muted System De’er.

De’er: “???” Host, what did I do wrong to deserve this?!

Too bad Su Hua couldn’t hear it anymore.

Hmph.

“Only material goods can save the boss”? Was my sacrifice fake?!

Su Hua couldn’t help but recall how every time she confessed her feelings or got close to him, the boss’s blackening value rose.

Hah. Boss, we’re not doing this.

“…Thanks for your hard work.”

“Hmph.”

Su Hua snorted coldly and walked away.

Wei Jue: “???”

What did I do wrong? I didn’t even refuse her gifts!

At this moment, Wei Jue and the system were in perfect harmony: Women’s thoughts are truly impossible to guess.

Under Su Hua’s care, Wei Jue’s injuries healed quickly, and he soon returned to the post station.

There was much he had left unattended during his recovery.

Su Hua didn’t stop him—after all, she’d given him that bracelet.

If danger came, she’d know.

Meanwhile, in Great Qian…

With Mu Chengxue’s help, the old emperor’s health gradually improved.

After pretending to remain ill in front of the Crown Prince for a few days, he made a full recovery.

By the time the Crown Prince realized what was happening, the emperor had already returned to court.

Mu Chengxue and Song Qimo’s group soon departed for Great Liang.

Year 28 of the Western Calendar, March 10th

Crown Prince Qin Ruihan staged a coup.

Prince Jing led the imperial guards to crush the Crown Prince’s faction.

After a fierce battle, the Crown Prince fled to the eastern border with his remaining forces.

March 15th

Crown Prince Qin Ruihan was deposed, stripped of his title, and banished from the capital forever.

That same day, Prince Jing was named the new Crown Prince, with his coronation imminent.

March 25th

Prince Jing ascended the throne, his reign named Jingyuan.

The retired emperor retreated to the royal mountain villa, no longer interfering in court affairs.

March 28th

The new emperor declared that the hostage Wei Jue could return to Great Liang, his status as a political prisoner revoked.

The remnants of the former Crown Prince’s faction were purged.

The Prime Minister, Minister of Rites, Minister of War—none got the chance to seek revenge on Su Hua.

All three families were sentenced to public execution in autumn.

The women and servants were exiled to the borderlands.

But before autumn arrived…

They all died horribly in prison.

“Are you scared?”

Wei Jue held a bloodstained sword, his voice eerily calm.

He had just killed every last one of his former tormentors—right in front of her.

Would she think him a monster now?

The mere thought of seeing disgust in her eyes made Wei Jue’s hands tremble.

Clang.

The sword hit the ground.

Wei Jue suddenly pulled her into a crushing embrace.

“Don’t answer. I don’t want to hear it.”

Feeling his unease, Su Hua patted his back reassuringly.

“I’ve killed more people than you.”

Wei Jue stiffened.

Su Hua continued, “Why would I be scared? To reach the throne, you have to climb over countless corpses.”

She pulled back, meeting his gaze squarely.

“Besides, the lives of these trash? I couldn’t care less.”

Her dark eyes were steady, unflinching.

The fear in Wei Jue’s heart dissolved instantly.

“Host! Host! Blackening value down to 80! This number means he’s starting to waver on revenge! Host, you’re amazing!”

After being inexplicably muted last time, De’er had done some deep self-reflection.

Conclusion? It had patted the horse’s ass… and gotten kicked.

“Hmph.”

Su Hua snorted, but De’er could sense her satisfaction.

Ah-ha! Last time was a misstep!

It really was a genius.

(Tail wagging happily.)

Wei Jue’s lips curved slightly.

“Great Qian’s affairs are settled for now. I’m returning to Great Liang.”

Su Hua smirked.

“Let’s go. I told you—I’d conquer this vast land and lay it at your feet.”

Three Days Later

Disguised, Su Hua’s group of four finally crossed into Great Liang’s border city—Ping’an City.

At the gates, guards inspected everyone.

When Su Hua’s turn came, she saw the wanted posters—two faces staring back: hers and Wei Jue’s.

Yet they passed through without incident.

Instead of an inn, Wei Jue led them to a safe house.

Su Hua protested.

This goddess has money to burn! Why not stay somewhere fancy?

“Your money didn’t fall from the sky. We’re staying at the farmhouse.”

Su Hua: “…” My money literally fell from the sky.

They spent the night there.

The next morning, they hired a carriage and continued toward the capital.

After passing two more cities, the surroundings grew more prosperous.

Then Su Hua heard the news:

Mu Chengxue had been named Noble Consort.

Of course.

Protagonist halo—straight to the top.

That Night

Stars dotted the sky as Mu Chengxue sat in her new palace chambers, clad in red.

It was her first night as an imperial consort—the very day of her investiture.

The crimson robes should have symbolized joy.

Instead, she felt only bitterness.

In the end, she couldn’t escape love’s trap.

The vibrant red reminded her of that woman.

After the assault, she had asked Song Qimo: Where were you when I was violated?

He never answered.

But she found out anyway—from one of his shadow guards, a man infatuated with her who cracked under her pleading.

That day… he went to see Qi.

Mu Chengxue’s eyes darkened with madness.

Qi….I’ll make you regret ruining my life.

Outside, maids announced the emperor’s arrival.

The door opened.

“Xue’er.”

He wore casual robes tonight.

Mu Chengxue stood.

Her outfit wasn’t bridal red, but the intricate design echoed a wedding gown’s grandeur.

The silver-threaded, cloud-patterned top hugged her waist, while the layered skirt shimmered like mist—accentuating her fair skin and striking beauty.

“Qimo.”

She smiled, radiant as a blooming rose, her dark eyes locking onto his.

Song Qimo faltered under her gaze, capturing her lips in a kiss.

Strangely, this was his first kiss.

Soft. Sweet.

Then his mind flashed back to that day—the crown prince and her, their bodies intertwined, and the woman in front of him moaning softly.

The tender kiss turned feverish.

His fingers made quick work of her elaborate robes.

In moments, he had her pinned to the bed, shedding his own garments with rough urgency—

“Ah—!”