With two clear trails of tears rolling down, Ye Wantang set down the wine cup. At this moment, Xiao Changtai was as if struck by lightning, staring intently at her. He struggled to move his fingertips but couldn't muster any strength at all, only managing to call out to her in a trembling voice, "Wanwan..."
"A man with lofty ambitions is a true man." Ye Wantang curved her lips into a faint, gentle smile. "That in itself is not a fault. The fault... lies only in the fact that A'Tai should not have been born into the imperial family."
In the imperial family, aside from the legitimate heir, any other man who harbors lofty ambitions inevitably invites a bloody conflict. And the position of The Supreme One happens to be the most tempting pinnacle of power in this world for any man.
In an ordinary family, how could such treasonous thoughts ever arise? But he was born into the royal family, not far from the position that rules the world. For him to develop such ambitions truly cannot be blamed on him.
The blame lies only with her own naivety, failing to see through the wild ambitions hidden beneath his calm exterior.
"Wanwan, I was wrong, I was truly wrong..." Xiao Changtai had confessed and apologized to her countless times before, but only this time, his demeanor—not exactly sorrowful but enveloped in endless despondency—made Ye Wantang realize he was sincere.
But sincerity had come too late.
A sharp pain began to grip Ye Wantang's chest. The wine sent by Shen Xihe was naturally not poisoned; the poison was something she had prepared with her own hands and personally added to the wine.
Back when she learned of Gu Qingzhi's arrangements, she had felt regret and confusion. But now, she finally understood Gu Qingzhi's resolute determination and her yearning for liberation. She was not as strong as Gu Qingzhi.
If she had possessed Gu Qingzhi's decisiveness, not foolishly holding onto hope time and again but trusting him instead, perhaps both he and she would not have reached this point of no return.
Sweat beaded on her forehead. Ye Wantang stretched out her trembling hand, reaching across the long table trying to get closer to Xiao Changtai. Whether it was because the poison acted too quickly or because they were too far apart, she ultimately collapsed before she could touch him.
"Wanwan—" Xiao Changtai wept bitterly, his voice cracking with anguish. He hated his own helplessness, utterly incapable of reaching her.
Lying collapsed on the long table, the pain in Ye Wantang's chest made her vision darken. Her gaze grew unfocused as she weakly curved her lips and murmured in a faint voice, "Heaven's... will..."
"Wanwan... Wanwan... Don't..." Xiao Changtai pleaded through his tears. He had never imagined that one day she would leave him in such a manner, forcing him to watch her close her eyes yet powerless to do anything, not even able to hold her in his arms—a hopeless wish.
"A'Tai!" Suddenly, Ye Wantang mustered a bit of strength, her eyes shining brightly. "This mortal world is far too tempting; we can never escape the common desires. Since that's the case, let us leave this place together and go to another world—only you and me, never to part again. Would that be alright..."
At this moment, Xiao Changtai would agree to anything. He nodded frantically, his face streaked with tears, "Yes, yes, yes! Just the two of us. From now on, I won't think of anything else. My eyes, my heart—they will only have you, only you!"Having obtained the long-cherished promise, Ye Wantang felt an instant release of burden. The light in her eyes scattered abruptly. With a final deep gaze at him, sustained by sheer will, her head tilted and she passed away peacefully. Her pale face lost all vitality, yet the corners of her lips curved gently, departing with serenity and a hint of contentment.
Xiao Changtai stood frozen, tears streaming uncontrollably. As if struck by a paralysis spell, he silently wept while watching her, unable to utter a sound. He resembled a wooden puppet, seemingly drained of all life force.
Shen Xihe stood outside the door. She had long guessed Ye Wantang’s arrangements but did not intervene. Her mind conjured the image of another person’s resolute march toward death. Ye Wantang had nothing left to live for.
She used her death to awaken Xiao Changtai and to protect the Ye clan. Without the entanglement between her and Xiao Changtai, those who had previously been at odds with him would not persistently target the Ye clan. The Ye family ought to sober up and carefully contemplate their future. Xiao Changtai sat numbly, staring vacantly at Ye Wantang as if she were merely asleep. His mind went blank, his spirit seemingly emptied in that instant. After an indeterminable time, as the drug’s effects wore off, he suddenly realized he had regained strength. He scrambled up, stumbling once from lack of support, then crawled over on hands and knees. With trembling hands, he carefully gathered Ye Wantang’s nearly cold body into his arms, treating her as something precious. There was no hysteria, no overwhelming grief—only a soul-crushing emptiness as he held her.
Incense smoke curled through the room. The moon set in the west, and the sun rose in the east. Not until the first ray of daylight pierced the room did Xiao Changtai seem to regain awareness. His face was pale, his lips bloodless and even peeling. He meticulously arranged Ye Wantang’s chilled remains, tidying her appearance with care, then lifted her and kicked the door open. Guards outside immediately crossed their blades.
Xiao Changtai ignored them, his voice hoarse and icy as he said, "I wish to see the Crown Princess."
The guards were highly alert, yet Xiao Changtai stared straight ahead, unblinking, and walked forward woodenly with Ye Wantang in his arms. Xiao Changfeng, having heard the commotion, arrived and caught sight of Xiao Changtai, his eyes flickering with thought.
The disturbance soon reached Shen Xihe, who had just risen and was having her morning meal. She sent Zhenzhu to bring Xiao Changtai before her. He appeared carrying Ye Wantang just as she finished her midday meal.
"You asked to see me?" Shen Xihe inquired softly.
"Yes," Xiao Changtai replied, still holding Ye Wantang, his lifeless gaze fixed on Shen Xihe. "I have something to give you."
At this point, whatever Xiao Changtai could offer was certainly no ordinary item—after all, he had schemed for many years. Shen Xihe did not ask what it was but instead questioned, "What do you seek in return?"
Xiao Changtai lowered his eyes, looking tenderly and longingly at Ye Wantang in his arms. "A joint burial. Choose a scenic spot with mountains and waters to inter us together, far from strife. No need for anyone to tend our graves or offer sacrifices."
What she desired in life, he had failed to give. In death, he wished to grant it to her.It was his lust for power and greed that drove her to her death. Only now did he realize that he had deceived her time and again, refusing to let her go, because he simply could not live without her. Now that he had lost even her and fallen into the hands of Xiao Huayong and his wife, escape was impossible. Rather than struggle futilely, it was better to accept his fate calmly and secure whatever final benefits he could.
Just as she had said: since he was trapped in this game, he must be willing to accept defeat. He had already earned her contempt once and could not bear to be scorned by her again. He was afraid… afraid that on the path to the underworld, she would not wait for him.
"Very well," Shen Xihe had originally intended to give Ye Wantang a grand burial.
Judging by Ye Wantang's actions before her death, it seemed she had been willing to be buried together with Xiao Changtai.
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