Chapter 757

Princess Fuking's words had just fallen when Gu Kang was momentarily stunned, then he gave a faint smile and said, "You see things quite clearly."

Princess Fuking lifted her teacup, took a light sip, smiled at Gu Kang, and said, "What can you do if you don't see things clearly?"

"'From childhood on, I've understood too many things, which only makes life painful,' Princess Fuking suddenly broke off, then gave a bitter smile."

What is this, pouring out her true feelings to the murderer before her, laying bare her heart?

Forget it; anyway, he doesn't love her.

She is merely a tool on his path forward, and a tool is just a dead object—where would any true feelings come from to speak of?

She lifted her teacup, turned the rim, and drank it all in one go.

Besides the tea's fragrance, there was a bitter medicinal taste in her mouth, but the expected sharp pain did not come; she was momentarily stunned—had the drug's effect been delayed?

Despite feeling dizzy and light‑headed, she gave Gu Kang a light laugh.

"'Gu Kang, I also have something I need to tell you!'"

Not even using the title 'Prince Consort', she called him by name directly, which actually felt more intimate—this is what a married couple should be like.

Gu Kang raised his brows at the utterly exhausted woman before him, his gaze instinctively avoiding her eyes full of desperate sorrow.

Gu Kang knew the woman before him was utterly innocent and should not have been dragged into this.

But sometimes they are all swept up by the wheel of fate and toyed with; no one can control their own destiny.

"'What is it?' Gu Kang said, his own teacup empty, then he refilled Princess Fuking's cup."

Princess Fuking raised her hand to take the teacup Gu Kang pushed over, gave a light thanks, lifted her head and drank the medicinal tea dry, then playfully shook the cup at Gu Kang.

"'Look, I've finished it!'"

Gu Kang's hand trembled slightly, his voice hoarse: 'What do you want to tell me?'

"'By the way, I will properly arrange for your mother; is there anything else you need me to do for you?'"

Princess Fuking smiled: 'The one thing I care about most in my life is my mother; I hope you will show mercy, for my sake, and spare her life.'

"'She is old, frail and sickly, unable to endure much torment.'"

"'And if I am gone, you must keep the news from my mother—even if you have to find a puppet double, don't let her know.'"

"'My maid Xia Xin—let her leave the manor; with someone new by your side, she will only suffer.'"

Princess Fuking's eyes reddened slightly; she drew a breath, looked at Gu Kang, and smiled: 'I don't have much face to save—this is all I care about.'

"'Fortunately you also used me once; consider it the interest I collect from you.'"

Princess Fuking rose slowly, but her dizziness made her stagger, nearly collapsing to the ground.

Gu Kang hurriedly stood and caught her; Princess Fuking then leaned her head against his shoulder.

"'Gu Lang,' Princess Fuking said, her brows and eyes flashing with a hint of allure, she gazed steadily at Gu Kang and whispered with a soft laugh."

"'Actually, you also have a little soft spot for me, don't you?'"

Gu Kang was stunned.

Princess Fuking smiled: 'Actually you have long known that your bloodline is that of the Murong imperial clan, while I am a descendant of the Xiao family; between us we ought not to have offspring.'

Princess Fuking tiptoed to Gu Kang's ear and whispered with a laugh: 'Gu Lang, thank you for switching my contraceptive decoction, letting me become a mother for once—but I will take the child with me, so you can rest easy! This is my final revenge on you.'

Gu Kang's pupils contracted instantly; he enfolded Princess Fuking in his arms, and she went completely limp against his shoulder, not moving at all.

"'Fuking! Fuking!'"

Gu Kang's shout shattered the night's stillness; outside, Xia Xin burst into tears like rain, collapsed to the ground, covering her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Three days later, Gu Kang ascended the throne, restoring the Li dynasty's system.

Seven days later, Xiao Yin formally dispatched troops from Bazhou, marching straight toward the capital.

For a time, the people of Shang Jing were panic‑stricken; the city gates had been tightly shut, and anyone entering or leaving had to undergo extremely strict inspection.

Seven days later, Xiao Yin's encampment was set up on a earthen slope two li from Shang Jing, facing the Cheng family troops stationed on the city gate tower.

Gu Jiu Ling was playing jump rope with two children inside the tent, and they were having a great time.

Xiao Yin sat before a map of mountains and rivers, observing the former dynasty's rebel forces across Southern Qi; it seemed Master Wen had already hidden members of the former Murong clan everywhere.

Now they rebel simultaneously, capture prefectures and counties, seize their government offices—though they appear formidable, they cannot stir up too great a wave.

Ling Feng hurried to the main tent, lifted the flap, and saw the Empress playing with the children inside the Emperor's military tent; he couldn't help but stare.

He had the feeling that this time the Emperor was not at all flustered by such a major upheaval in the court.

"'What are you doing standing at the door? Come in!' Xiao Yin said coldly."

Ling Feng hurried inside and dropped to one knee before Xiao Yin.

"'Your Majesty, the battle report has arrived!'"

Xiao Yin rose, took the battle report, opened it and glanced at it; his expression eased considerably.

Ling Feng said: 'Your Majesty, the government offices in Yunzhou, Yuezhou, and the Longxi region have basically been stabilized, and we have captured many remnants of the former dynasty.'

"'Your Majesty, how should we dispose of these former dynasty remnants?'"

The words 'former dynasty remnants' drilled into Xiao Yin's ears, and he involuntarily glanced toward Gu Jiu Ling, who was sitting on a stool playing with the children.

The biggest remnant of the former dynasty is sitting right in his military tent! He's even playing happily with two little remnants.

Xiao Yin turned his gaze away and told Ling Feng: 'Pass the order down—let the officials of each government office discern for themselves.'

"'Those guilty of heinous crimes, who have pending capital cases, are to be beheaded!'"

"'Those who were deluded and have harmed others but have no capital charges on record are to be sent straight to the borderlands to reclaim wasteland and farm—rebel? That's just pure gluttony and idleness!'"

"'The rest are to be detained for a few days then released; if they cause trouble again, send them to the borderlands to garrison and farm.'"

"'They're just bored stiff!'"

Ling Feng was completely at a loss—such a light punishment?

You know, in the past such rebellion would merit death by a thousand cuts.

Now it just passes by so lightly—is the Emperor being too lenient toward the former dynasty remnants?

But about the Emperor's decision, he didn't dare say a word, hurriedly replied, bowed and saluted, and left the tent.

Xiao Yin walked up to Gu Jiu Ling, bent over and lifted the little girl Gu Er onto his lap, and with a flattering smile said to Gu Jiu Ling, "Beloved consort, handling the remnants of the previous dynasty this way should be no problem, right?"

Gu Jiu Ling laughed, "No problem, this is your realm, you decide!"

She then glanced at the clouds outside, which were gradually lowering, a heavy oppression like a mountain storm about to break upon the building.

"Isn't it time to go to Jing Cheng?"

Xiao Yin nodded, rose slowly, still cradling his innocent, adorable daughter in his arms.

"Men!"

Ling Feng entered the tent and knelt before Xiao Yin.

"Your Majesty?"

Xiao Yin said calmly, "Relay my decree: tomorrow bring 800 Imperial Guard into the city!"

Ling Feng replied, then sensed something amiss and hurried, "May I dare say, the force defending Jing Cheng is 200,000 Household Army! Though the men of the Azure Dragon Army are each extremely brave, eight hundred against two hundred thousand, Your Majesty…"

Xiao Yin chuckled lightly, "Eight hundred men are enough!"